It's February!

How quickly we turned the page to February ....this week just proved how fast this school year is going.   This week at the Creek was filled with all types of activities .....

Each year RCE selects one student to represent our school for the Character Without Question.  At RCE it is a fifth-grade student.  This year our top Character Without Question nominees are Julian Hemmer, Katie Czuelusta, Haley Alexander, and Peri Finci.  These students were selected not based on isolated acts of kindness or heroism, but for demonstrating an enduring commitment to any or all of the following traits:  honesty, respect, responsibility, effort, courage, kindness, and citizenship.  Each of these students is a winner at RCE.  However, only one student from each school in the district can be recognized at the February 26th district board meeting.  Our representative this year is Haley Alexander.  Congratulations to all of our Character Without Question Nominees.

February 1st was World Read Aloud Day.  Students at Rummel Creek participated in Storytime in the KIVA.  We shared books all day long - Snatchabooks (Here's a reading on the internet) by Helen Docherty that reminds of the importance of reading books aloud at bedtime to our children;  Big Words for Little Geniuses by James Patterson and Susan Patterson;  Problim Children by Natalie Lloyd (author who is coming on February 7th); and Geeked Out by Obert Skye (author who is coming on February 9th).  We also enjoyed some books shared by Emily Arrow.  Students were also shown new books in the library that are 4D that integrate technology as they read the books.  Finally, we shared stories read aloud by students at Stratford HS and by celebrities through Storyline Online.   Wish I had photos of the KIVA full of students listening to stories!  Fun Fun Fun day sharing books with students.  (Don't forget about the Bookworm Festival on Saturday - some really great authors will be reading aloud from their books!)

This week we also had a magnificent Art Show with some amazing pieces of art all created by RCE students.  It was a wonderful event to showcase the creativity of the students at RCE. 

Student Council is busy making things for the Kid's Reading Room Gala.  The items are really looking good - may have to offer a presale at RCE.  If you'd like to know more about the Kid's Reading Room check out their webpage.  If you'd like to attend the Gala - Click Here.

It's been a wonderful week at The Creek - next week - Boosterthon Kick Off, Author Visits, Spring Conferences .....oh my....so much in one week!

And January has flown by......

Wow!  What a busy week at the Creek!  Students were busy working.  Teachers were busy teaching and we actually came to school for five whole days!  Wow!  What an accomplishment.

Monday was the beginning of Turn it Gold Week.  Rummel Creek Girl Scout Troops 126006 & 126148 spent hours working on decorating the school and planning Turn it Gold Week for their Bronze Award in scouting.  Way to go! Girls - you did a GREAT job.  Our own Carly Freels, a fifth-grade teacher, was awarded a Medal of Honor for her journey with childhood cancer.  Her book, When Faith is Greater than Fear, is still available in the Library.  (22$ for Hardback, 11$ for Paperback with profits going to Cancer Research.)
During Turn it Gold week we had an amazing showing of support with purchases of Go Gold Bands and Coins for Cancer.  Can't wait to see the final results.

Science Fair was outstanding this year.  The students did an amazing job.  Enjoy this Animoto video of the student products.

Overall best:  Yana Madyarova - Catapult - model and experiment

Fifth Grade - 1st - Lauren Michna - Sleep School

                      2nd - Sydney Richman - Water Pump

                      3rd - Haley Alexander - Power in Produce - Fruit and Vegetable Circuits

Fourth Grade - 1st - Richard & Andrew Salo - Regular dry vs. mold dry resistant drywall in simulated flood conditions

                         2nd - Lawson Gay &  Eli Roberts - Super Stain Remover

                         3rd - Levi & Layne Lease - Projector

Third Grade - 1st - Madeliene McKnight "The Fight of the Fertilizers"

                       2nd - Davis Cooper - Magnetic Mud

                       3rd - Jackson Ramey & Brad Zindler - Moldy Mess

Second Grade - 1st - Ella Moore Happy?  Does Chocolate Improve Kids' Moods?

                          2nd – Grant & Grace Smith - pH of Candy -

                          3rd - Sophia Paderni - Magnetic Slime

First Grade - 1st - Rianna Lee & Esther Payne - Hot chocolate

                      2nd - Camilo and Ellie Chamarro - Tough Towels

                      3rd - Adeliene Hartensteiner - Does Expired Sunscreen still Work?

Kindergarten - 1st - Kate More - What stops Apples from Turning Brown?

                        2nd - Juliet Gillepsie - Flower Power

                        3rd - (K/3) Grace and Gabriel Onyiego - Mold Madness

PreK - 1st - James/Jacob Hobson - Blood Brothers

            2nd - Elise Manvel - My colorful world

            3rd - Eddie and Charlie Smith - Density Tower

All of the projects were terrific.  We have lots of great scientists at RCE!.

First Grade is learning about ROCKS!  One of the best visits each year is when Mrs. Hiner's father, Mr. Vanderlinden, comes to share about rocks.  He LOVES rocks!  He knows so much about rocks.  He is a geologist and loves to share his passion about rocks with first graders.

PreK Round-Up was this week as well....from the turn out of parents it looks the RCE PreK is going to be full next fall!

Thursday at the CIT meeting, students from Girl Scout troops, Student Council, Roadrunner News and The Scoop share their excitement about their programs.  I love seeing the students take ownership of things at RCE.  We have some very passionate young people at RCE who are developing the necessary skills to be leaders in the future.  Enjoy this video of their sharing experience.  

Mrs. Bacon, one of our beloved second-grade teachers had an unexpected visit.  One of her former students from Westwood Elementary (in SBISD) who had Mrs. Bacon for 3 years in 2, 4 & 5 grade dropped by RCE to visit.  She said thanks to the internet she was able to find where Mrs. Bacon was now.  Vanessa Agwu is now in her residency at UT downtown in Pediatrics.  I can tell you Mrs. Bacon was soooo proud!  All teachers love to see where their students end up....this was a great surprise!

Just some photos of students working together in the library.  It's been a very busy week!

Such a marvelous week at "The Creek".  Enjoy your weekend! Enjoy your family!  See you bright and early Monday Morning!