Veora E. Johnson Elementary 3807 E. Pueblo Ave. Mesa, AZ ... · Gold: Shyla Troung, Powell Glover, Rylynn Dixon Silver: Sophee Dupree, Kara Hall, Kayla Halstengard, Ashiian Hunter,

Veora E. Johnson Elementary

3807 E. Pueblo Ave.

Mesa, AZ 85206

www.mpsaz.org/johnson

Gregory. S. Reid, Ed.D., Principal

480-472-6800

The Johnson Journal

Letter from the Principal

News from Health Office

Dear Johnson Jayhawks,

The following is something I reflect on each year

around this time. I share this with you as I think there are

valuable lessons for our children about blessings that come from

what may appear to be obstacles or challenges. Additionally, this

also aligns with our school SOAR program; regardless the

situation, we are all in control of ourselves and we can take a

challenge and grow from it. Here’s to wishing you and your

family a wonderful month.

The month of November represents a time to be

thankful for that which provides fulfillment in our lives. A friend

had once told me that he was thankful for rush hour traffic, a

tight waist line in his pants, and the mess his children left at

home each night. Thinking that he was being sarcastic, I asked

him why he was thankful for things that, too many, appeared to

be nuisances. He quickly replied that he was thankful for rush

hour traffic for it meant he had a job and could pay his bills and

provide for his family. He was thankful for a tight waistline

because it meant he had food in his home, and he and his family

were not going hungry. He was joyful for the mess each day left

behind by his children because it meant he had children to love

and care for, children who loved him and depended on him. As

he said this we both felt a little emotional and a little gluttonous

knowing that often times we look at blessings and miss the

bigger picture that provides joy and fulfillment in our lives.

I write this message in hopes that you share it with

your children as well as the following information. We should

be thankful for homework, tests, and challenging schoolwork.

Homework is a sign from our teachers that they want us to be the

best we can be; practice at home is proven to help students to get

extra practice while developing self-discipline. Tests are a way

for all of us to celebrate our learning and to identify new goals in

which to grow and stretch the amazing gift we all have called our

brains. Challenging schoolwork provides ways for us to grow

our minds, our imagination, and our ability to solve problems;

basically, challenging schoolwork gives us practice to be

independent thinkers and prepares us for adulthood.

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I wish to you and

your family happy times filled with family and friends, and time

reflecting on the blessings and hidden blessings that make life so

miraculous.

Dr. Greg Reid

What’s Happening

Dates at a Glance:

12/2 Popcorn Day

12/8 Band & Orchestra Concert

5:45 & 7:15 p.m.

12/10 Breakfast with Santa 8:00-10:00 a.m.

12/13 Choir Performance

12/20 End of grading period / 11:45 Dismissal

12/21-1/3 Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)

Breakfast with Santa!

Fifth Grade Parents- When your child turns eleven

years old they will need Tdap and Meningococcal

MCV4 immunizations for entrance into 6th grade.

These shots may be obtained from your health care

provider or the Maricopa County Immunization Clinic.

If you obtain these shots, please bring a copy to the

health office and your child’s record will be updated.

Our annual Breakfast with Santa is

Saturday, Dec. 10th 8:00-10:00 a.m.

Don’t miss your opportunity to take

a picture with our very special guest

visitor, Santa!

Conferences

Turkey Trot

Open Enrollment 2017-2018

Student Council News

Parent /Teacher conferences are

scheduled for January 9-13th. Your

child’s teacher will be sending home

a scheduled date and time. School

dismissal time for the week of

January 9-13th is 1:15 p.m. all week.

Please be on the look-out for your

scheduled conference date and time.

We look forward to meeting with all

parents again in January.

Johnson’s annual Turkey Trot was a fabulous success!

Everyone had a great time and had the opportunity

to exercise in the process. Thanks to all parents and

staff who joined us and offered support to help with

this fun walk/run event, we couldn’t have managed

without you! Also, a huge thank-you to Ms. Lang and

Mrs. Richardson for coordinating this event.

Open enrollment allows Arizona students to attend

public schools outside their attendance area or

district. Applications are available in school offices

and at http://www.mpsaz.org/parents/open_enroll.

For any application submitted before March 1, the

student will be notified of the acceptance decision

by April 1. If accepted, the school requests

confirmation of notification that the student will

attend. Names of applicants who are not accepted

will be placed on a waiting list. Should space

become available, schools will notify parents of

students accepted and receive confirmation that

the applicants will attend school the following year.

Open enrollment acceptance continues until the

school meets capacity. Application for the current

school year will be acted upon at the discretion of

the school principal on a case-by case basis.

This year, our Johnson community service project is collecting Diapers for Foster Care families:

DIAPER DRIVE (all sizes, all brands needed.....least needed is newborn)

Diaper Drive for Foster Care in Arizona Fire Extinguishers 2 A 10 BC size only Smoke Detectors Batteries Cash or check made out to Boost A Foster

Family

Bring all diapers or donations to room 34 Mrs. Noe.

Tell donors to leave the diapers on the porch.

Thank you to all who can help with our project!

End of the Grading Period 12/20

Dismissal time - 11:45 a.m. 12/20

Winter Break – 12/21 through 1/3/17

Classes Resume – Wed., January 4th

FOURTH GRADE

Ms. O’Grady

Gold: Mia Glover, Mariah Robertson,

Griffen Yamamoto

Silver: Sophia Bauer, Itzel Bojorquez,

Keagan Dixon, Marisa Lombardi, Dason

Morris, Amber Navarro Alvarez, Khandi

Patron

Ms. Tucker

Gold: Jackson Ray, Porter Wilhelm

Silver: Victoria Alires, Chloe Hinds, Jocelyn

Rios, Adriana Torres

Mrs. Worcester

Gold: Price Curiel, Claire Hogel, Skylar

Myhre

Silver: Isaiah Apuan, Sebastian Brown

SIXTH GRADE

Mrs. Paley

Gold: Lenna Moon, Aigatupu Danielson,

Emmalee Couch, Tehani Castillo

Silver: Florence N. Cox, Carmelo Egurrola,

Gisselle Fonseca Aguilar, Gavin Irvine,

Anthony Magdelano Jimenez, Giselle

Solis, Karyn Whitehead

Mr. Mann

Gold: Shyla Troung, Powell Glover, Rylynn

Dixon

Silver: Sophee Dupree, Kara Hall, Kayla

Halstengard, Ashiian Hunter, Alysa

Peralta, Alexander Picaso, David

Rougeux, Layla Sheets, Alysha Whipple,

Brodie Yamamoto

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FIFTH GRADE

Mrs. Bishop

Gold: Chloe Dunn, Emily Rudd

Silver: Edgar Anaya Perez, Axel Garcia

Binzha, Regina Fonseca,Gage Hadjes,

Emily Mallory

Mrs. Wagner

Gold: Haley Bastian, Maris Danielson,

Hunter Fuller, Grace Mann, Lyndsay Smith,

Chloe Swapp, Etham Udall

Silver: Mya Chabarria, Makayla Riggs,

Natalie Valdez

Mrs. Samuels

Gold: Aiden Bosen, Jack Timothy

Silver: Brooklynn Cassidy Baldonado,

Jayden Cathey, Yuliana Gonzalez, Shane

Keeton, Brinlee Willis

Gold Honor Roll:

Straight A's in the five core curriculum areas (Reading, Math, Writing, Science, Social Studies)

Nothing less than a "3" in effort in all curriculum areas (including PE, Music, and Art) and in the "Skills and Behaviors" portion of the report card.

Silver Honor Roll:

All A's and/or B's in the five core curriculum areas (Reading, Math, Writing, Science, Social Studies)

Nothing less than a "3" in effort in all curriculum areas (including PE, Music, and Art) and in the "Skills and Behaviors" portion of the report card.

MONTESSORI

Ms. Skinner

Gold: Tyree Brown, Anastasia Jaseph,

Madilyn Laine, Brylie Thompson, Kathryn

Apuan, Abby Boehmer, Noelle Coleman,

Jadon Cussins, James Goto, Lucie Hogle,

Paige Reynolds, Collin Rudd, Dane Wolfe

Silver: Anothy Gutierrez, Anaya Dority,

Wade Reynolds

Mrs. Worcester

Gold: Price Curiel, Claire Hogle, Skylar

Myhre

Silver: Isaiah Apuan, Sebastian Brown

1ST Quarter Honor Roll

Counselor Corner: Stephanie Lund, M.A.Ed

Building Your Child's Self-Esteem- A gift to last a lifetime!

Helping a child build a healthy self-esteem is one of the most important gifts we can help

to facilitate within them. This is because self-esteem affects all aspects of their lives: how

they learn, interact, problem solve, handle adversity, and how much they are willing to

try new things. Here are some ideas to help you child develop a healthy self-esteem1.

1. “Be realistic. Don't berate your child for not being "perfect", don't berate yourself either.

2. Be the best role model you can be. Your child watches you every second you're together.

3. Talk with your child, not at him or her. Show respect for your child's opinion

4. Openly give your love with hugs, kisses, and praise. The more a child feels loved, the

more he or she will listen to you.

5. Lighten up. Allow yourself to laugh when things don't go as planned.

6. Get involved. Show your child you care about his or her life and education by taking an

active role whenever possible.

7. Discipline with love. Treat your child fairly and be consistent to establish a positive

connection between the two of you.

8. Spend quality time together. Schedule time to be together to talk, do chores, shop, watch

TV, or any other activity that will bring greater understanding and togetherness.

9. Think positively. A positive attitude is contagious! If you start the day with optimism, so

will your child.

10. Celebrate life! Acknowledge everything good that you and your child experience no

matter how small. Praise can help your child learn to believe in himself or herself.”

Book ideas that teach about self-esteem:

Primary grades- Arthur’s Eyes (M. Brown) Corduroy (D. Freeman) The Mixed-Up Chameleon (E. Carle) Pigs Can’t Fly (B. Cort) Duck on a Bike (D. Shannon)

Intermediate grades- The Tale of Despereaux (K. DiCamillo) Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White) Savvy (I. Law) Holes (L. Sachar)