Claxton Winter Concert

Claxton Elementary 

Winter Concert 

and

Holiday Social

Tuesday Evening, December 18th, 2014

6:00 pm

An evening of Music by Claxton's Morning Music Groups

and Select Grade Level Classes

to Celebrate our children and the Season!

GO LOCAL CARDS ON SALE NOW!

Discounts at over 400 local businesses 

ONLY $16.00 per Card

Buy in the office or media center today!

You can also order online: click here

Support the Claxton Media Center and Asheville City Schools!!

$8.00 Goes Directly to Claxton!!!

4th grade Raleigh field trip meeting

4th grade Raleigh field trip meeting 

5:15 on Wednesday December 16th 

in the cafeteria

Inclement weather days – How do we make the decision?

Inclement weather days – How do we make the decision?

School closing and delays
The winter season can arrive early in Western North Carolina. Do you remember the light snow on Halloween year before last?
Our district administration, faculty and staff understand that our decision to open or close schools during inclement weather has a big effect on families. We also recognize that our students are better served – both academically and socially – by being in school.
However, our top priority is the safety of our students, families and staff.

What factors do we consider?
Please understand that we make the decision to open or close school based on a careful analysis of all relevant factors, such as:
 Information on road conditions from transportation staff, local law enforcement and road crews
 Amount of snow and ice accumulated; remember, your road may be clear while others might be treacherous
 Weather predictions/radar, is precipitation ending or will it continue throughout the day?
 Temperature with wind chills at or below -15F
 Whether or not the City can treat problem areas in a timely manner
 Building conditions (such as whether they have electricity and heat)
 Parking lot conditions

Who makes the decision?
As Superintendent of Schools, I am ultimately responsible for the final decision based on the above factors and recommendations from our Transportation Director and Communications Division.
When a closing or two-hour delay decision is made, where are the notifications posted?
We strive to make a decision by 5:45 AM or earlier so we can notify TV and radio stations and post the status via our website
(www.ashevillecityschools.net), Facebook, Twitter, emails and texts and the district hotline (350-6188). Keep in mind that changing weather conditions, not unusual in the mountains, may force us to make a decision later than 6:00 AM or to change a previously announced status.

Will we close schools if conditions worsen?
If conditions worsen during the school day, we may need to call an early dismissal and will give as much notice as possible to families and staff. Keep in mind that an early dismissal could occur soon after students first arrive at school. Although my staff and I do our absolute best in this process, we know that often no perfect decision exists. If you do not feel that it is safe for your child to get to school, use your best judgment whether or not he or she should attned. If you choose to keep your child at home, his/her absence will be counted as an excused absence. Also, please discourage teenagers from driving in bad conditions and offer them alternatives as
weather conditions worsen. Bottom line: safety will always come first in our inclement weather decisions. As you remember from last winter, both Atlanta and Raleigh got themselves into serious situations by delaying dismissal until it was too late.

How will I be notified about an early dismissal?
If school is dismissed early, we will first send a recorded call to every phone number in our School Messenger database, including work, home and cell phones. The dismissal status will then be relayed to the four local TV stations and to ten radio stations, as well as posted via our website, Facebook, Twitter, emails, texts, the district hotline and 211. It is imperative that you keep current the phone
and email information you provide to your school, which will ensure our calls and emails reach you.

How many days can we miss?
Calendar law changes over recent years have limited the number of makeup days available in our school calendar. We will keep you informed in advance about potential makeup days, which could include teacher workdays, Saturdays, extension of the school year or a portion of Spring Break. Our intention is to complete the school year by June 9, but because we received a weather waiver from the
state, we could extend the school year past this point. If we miss a significant number of days this winter, we will survey all our families to record your preferences for makeup day options.

Assist Students in Shopping for Family: December 18th

Assist Students in Shopping for Family:

December 18th

Parents needed to chaperone 

a selected group of students in shopping for holiday gifts

Click here to sign up!

Holiday Staff Appreciation Lunch: December 16th

Holiday Staff Appreciation Lunch

December 16th

Hosted by 2-3rd Grades

click here to sign up to bring food

December calendar

Claxton Elementary School

Dates to Remember

December 2014

Book Fair ends December 2nd

 Monday, December 1, 2014

Last Day for Monday ASA

ACS board meeting in ACS boardroom (6:30pm)

 Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Book Fair Ends today

PTO meeting in media center (6:00pm)

 Wednesday,  December 3, 2014

Last Day for Wednesday ASA

 Thursday, December 4, 2014

Last Day for Thursday ASA

Thursday Folders:  Rigsby’s class

 Friday,  December 5, 2014

Claxton Spirit Day – Claxton Colors

Field Trip:  Grade 3 (8:30am)

Field Trip:  Grade 2 (9:00am)

 Monday, December 8, 2014

Field Trip:  Grade 2 (9:00am)

Interim Report Cards go home

Family Night at PVA (Math)

6:00pm-7:15pm

 Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Last Day for Tuesday ASA

 Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Field Trip:  Grade 3-5 (9:30am)

 Thursday, December 11, 2014

Thursday Folders:  Gregg’s class

7th Annual Storytelling Festival

Dance:  Grades 3 – 5 (3:00pm-4:15pm)

 Friday, December 12, 2014

Claxton Spirit Day – Pajama Day

Holiday Dinner at Claxton

 Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Giving Smiles – Holiday Assistance Pickup and Activities in cafeteria (4:30pm)

 Thursday, December 18, 2014

Thursday Folders:  Wertheim’s class

Winter Concert in gymnatorium (6:00pm)

 Friday, December 19, 2014

Claxton Spirit Day – Claxton Colors

Last Day of School for 2014

December 22 – January 2

Winter Holidays - No School

school dance! Thursday December 11!

4th and 5th Grades Invite you to our 

Winter Dance 

Thursday December 11th

3:00-4:15pm

Claxton gym

The dance is for 3rd-5th graders.

Tickets are $3 per person and must be paid at the door on the day of the dance.

Drinks and baked goods will be for sale for $.50 each, and Pizza for $2 a slice.  

Please come out for some good winter fun!

All proceeds support the 4th and 5th grades scholarship funds!  

This is an important fundraiser for the 4th and 5th grades but also a ton of fun each year!

Don't miss out!

Emerging Parent groups on special topics

There are some parent groups starting up with the elementary schools regarding the below topics. Let Julie Porter Shirley know if you are interested in getting involved or attending a meeting to find out more. If you know anyone who's expressed interest in any of these, pass the info on to them as well.

Testing

School Food/Nutrition

Professional Development 

(getting back to the magnet themes)

Email Julie if interested at julescashion@yahoo.com

Volunteers Needed on December 18th- Take Students Shopping

Mrs. Dechant has asked the PTO this year to help students who may need assistance, shop for their parents! We are going to take two bus loads of students to the Dollar Tree for them to get small gifts for their parents and then come back to the school to help wrap them. If you are interested in helping, please sign up at the Google Doc below. 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xbB-2rFgunK2yrRB_iH9XMi1RP7MIau6kgsYcDvckTU/edit#gid=0

Last day of the book fair is Tuesday December 2nd!

Book Fair is still happening!

Come to the media center today and buy books to support your school!

If you can't make it to the media center you can order online here!

Strategies and Programs for children with Disabilities

November calendar

Duke Energy helps beautify Claxton!

We are so thankful for the Volunteers from Duke Energy!

They helped to mulch, weed and build beds for our Master Gardener grant.

Claxton grounds are looking great thanks in part to these volunteers!

Holiday Craft Fair is November 15th

Boosterthon: Reminder all pledges are due today! (Tuesday the 21st)

Thank you for supporting this year's Boosterthon Fun Run! The program was a huge success, but I still need your help. All pledges are due Tuesday, October 21st! Please help your student get in touch with their sponsors. Sponsors can pay three ways—Cash, Check (written out to Claxton Elementary PTO) or Credit Card online. If we have 100% collection, Claxton is on target to profit over $20,000 to go directly back to the school!!

 If an e-mail address was entered with the original pledge on www.funrun.com, your sponsor will receive a pledge link to pay directly by credit card. If not, they can mail cash or check to you and you can send it all in at once with your child's collection envelope. That envelope went home today with a reminder letter highlighting what's outstanding. You can also log on to www.funrun.com for all the information you may need.

We are extending our pledging for the Boosterthon program!! If you have any additional pledges that you would like to add, you can do so until next Thursday! Students can still earn prizes for pledges entered on funrun.com! We are raising funds to go directly back to the school through the Claxton PTO. 

Celebration of Champions Nomination Guidelines & Application Available!

The Asheville City Schools Foundation is accepting nominations for our Annual Celebration of Champions. Every year, unsung heroes work in our schools as parent leaders, representatives of organizations, or work directly with students.

This year, special consideration will be made for nominees who reflect our diverse community, show innovation, or serve an unmet need. ACSF seeks nominations of community volunteers in categories including: Business, Community Agency, Volunteer Champion, and Parent Champions. (The Parent Leader Champion will be chosen from amongst the Parent Champion nominations and typically reflect a parent whose volunteerism spans over several years and/or schools.) We want to see your school represented! Deadline January 15th, 2015.

 Click here to see videos of last year’s Champions! http://acsf.org/community/celebration-of-champions/2014-champions-for-asheville-city-schools.php

Download a nomination form here

Save the date: Next Claxton Spirit night is November 13th at Ben's Tune-up!

10% of all proceeds go to Claxton!

195 Hilliard Ave

Come support our school while enjoying a great meal!

Claxton Carnival a success!

Big Thanks to Carnival PTO Chairs Molly Russell, Amy Jones, and Beth Mahan for organizing a great Claxton event!!

We would also like to thank all the teachers, staff, and parents who volunteered their time to make the carnival a success.

The 4-5th grade team was able to raise over $600 for the 4-5th grade field trip fund with the 1st Annual Haunted House, which was a huge success.

Thanks to Barley's Pizza and Poppy Popcorn for donating their proceeds to Claxton.

Claxton's own Kimberly Dechant is Principal of the Year!

Wow!


Kim is in her fourth year as Claxton’s leader and was cited for her outstanding vision and the planning skills and implementation that followed on initiatives like Wilson’s Fundations and the brand new ‘Daily 5’ program.

What a wonderful accolade!

The Claxton family is so proud of Kim!

Fun run is tomorrow!

Thanks so much for everyone's participation in the Fun Run Event~

It is still not too late to register your child and collect pledges. All students will be running in the event tomorrow at Claxton!!

Come out and show your support!
K-1 at 8:30am,
1st-2nd at 9:35am,
4-5th at 10:45am

Fun Run is underway!

Some photos from the pep rally!

Fun Run Event- October 16th, Thursday (Held at Claxton)

8:30am-9:30am- K-1 Grades

9:35am-10:40am- 2-3 Grades

10:45am-11:45am 4-5th Grades

** We will need plenty of parents to volunteer the day of the event, handing out waters and counting laps for the students- join in the fun!!!

** Every student can participate in the run regardless of pledges raised

The Claxton Carnival is this Friday!

Claxton Fall Carnival

Come one, Come all

Claxton’s fall carnival will be held this Friday, October 10th from 5:30-8:30. 

Please join us for carnival games, a haunted house, bounce houses, cake walk, pie throwing, pizza, popcorn, ice cream, and caramel apples. 

Wristbands $5.00 at the door. 
Tickets will be sold for $1.00. 
Tickets cover food, drink, cake walk, pie throwing and haunted house. 

  

Claxton merchandise for sale at Carnival!

CLAXTON FALL CARNIVAL is coming up!

We will have merchandise for sale!

WHEN

FRIDAY, OCT. 10TH, 5:30-8:30PM

WHERE

CLAXTON

We will have classic carnival games, a haunted house, bounce houses, cake walk, pie throwing contest, pizza, popcorn, caramel apples and ice cream. Please bring your kids out for this fun filled evening and help to support our school.

MORE INFORMATION

All tickets and wristbands will be sold at the door.
Wristbands- $5.00

Please email mollyjrussell@mac.com if you are interested in volunteering for this event.

International Walk/Bike to School Day

 Wednesday October 8, 2013

If your child already walks or bikes to school, we ask that they do the same on October 8th. For all students and parents who are interested in participating in the Walk/Bike who do not live in walking distance of the school we can meet at two locations: the parking lot at Weaver Park, or in the parking lot at Fuddruckers on Charlotte St. Staff members will be at both locations by 7:15. We will leave both locations at 7:30 en route to Claxton.


The event is being organized by Claxton Elementary School’s Wellness Team. All students who participate will receive a bottle of water and a Cliff Bar.

For more information contact Coach Swain at Jesse.Swain@asheville.k12.nc.us or 828-350-6532

Boosterthon Fun Run Fundraiser Basics

Boosterthon Fun Run Fundraiser Basics

Pep Rally Kick-Off, October 7th Tuesday  

12:45-1:15pm K-2 Grades and 1:30-2:15 3-5th Grades

(Located in the gym)

** Parents welcome to come see the pep rally!!!

** Students will be sent home with pledge information on that day

** Students will collect pledges throughout the week from family and friends

Fun Run Event- October 16th, Thursday (Held at Claxton)

8:30am-9:30am- K-1 Grades

9:35am-10:40am- 2-3 Grades

10:45am-11:45am 4-5th Grades

** We will need plenty of parents to volunteer the day of the event, handing out waters and counting laps for the students- join in the fun!!!

** Every student can participate in the run regardless of pledges raised

 Volunteer to sign up here

CAKE CAKE CAKE!

Everyone is invited to make a fabulous cake, cupcakes or other baked good for the Claxton Carnival Cake Walk on Friday October 10th!

A cash prize of $10 will be awarded to the most creative kid-made cake.  $5 will be awarded for second place. 

Cakes can be dropped off in the parent workroom starting Thursday afternoon or they can be brought directly to the carnival.

After School Arts Classes begin the week of September 22nd

We are ready for another exciting session of After School Arts Classes. 

Classes will begin the week of September 22nd, so be prepared to have fun.

4th grade staff appreciation lunch: September 26th

sign up to Help!

It is time for the 4th grade families to show their appreciation. The next luncheon is scheduled for September 26th, which is also parent-teacher conference day.  We will serve sandwiches, fruit and chips and will be feeding approximately 65 staff members.

We hope you will help by preparing some of your favorite sandwich items and bringing in sides and toppings. Homemade desserts are always a favorite.  You could donate money or time if that is easier.  (Make a check payable to Claxton PTO with Staff Appreciation in the memo line.) Unfortunately, I have a work conflict on that date, so if anyone could help with clean-up, it would be greatly appreciated.

Please see the link below to sign up! If you have any problems with the document, please email Lisa Patton or me and we can sign you up for whatever you’d like.  Please be sure to include your e-mail address on the google doc. We will send reminders and other instructions as we get closer to the date.

The staff lines up for lunch and they are so appreciative of the efforts of the families. We hear many statements of amazement and gratitude! We thank you for your help in making the Claxton staff feel appreciated and we look forward to hearing from you.

click here to sign up!

Questions? email 

Kelly Pippinger-Clark kpipclark1@yahoo.com  or
Lisa Patton hpatton4118@charter.net

DATE CHANGE!!!! CLAXTON FALL CARNIVAL

CLAXTON FALL CARNIVAL
DATE change to October 10th

WHEN

FRIDAY, OCT. 10th, 5:30-8:30PM

WHERE

CLAXTON

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

We are switching things up and moving the Claxton carnival to a Friday night this fall! We will have classic carnival games, a haunted house, bounce houses, cake walk, pie throwing contest, pizza, popcorn, caramel apples and ice cream. Please bring your kids out for this fun filled evening and help to support our school.

MORE INFORMATION

All tickets and wristbands will be sold at the door.
Wristbands- $5.00

Please email mollyjrussell@mac.com if you are interested in volunteering for this event.

Calling all Artists/Crafters

Claxton Holiday Craft Fair is coming soon!!!

Claxton is planning our 3rd annual Holiday Craft Fair for our talented community  to sell their wares. 

DATE:  Saturday November 15, 2014

TIME:  10 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Setup begins at 9 a.m.

PLACE:  Claxton Elementary School, Gymnatorium

* only hand made items allowed. Quality crafted and original work.

* tables are 8'x30" and cost $50 each / $75 for shared tables.

* We will also be having a silent auction. If you would like to donate an item (value of $20+), you can save $10 on table price ($40/$65) Please send in your raffle donation to Claxton front desk by Nov. 1st labeled with your info. and let me know that you have dropped it off.

* please include on registration form if you plan to donate to raffle with item description and value

* All forms and fees are due by November 1st and space is first come first serve. Make checks payable to Claxton Elementary.

Please contact Liz Hacket at thehacketts@charter.net or 242-8042 to reserve your space or with questions.
click here for a registration form