Life at the Creek

FCAT Writes Limo Ride

2012-02-01T14:57:00.001-05:00

It's that time of the year where we celebrate our high flyers from last year's FCAT Writes Assessment! Three of our amazing writers scored a perfect score on last year's test. Last Friday, they spent their mornings going around to the classrooms of this year's fourth graders to share their winning essays as well as give test taking tips.

For lunch these amazing kiddos were treated to a red carpet clap out leaving the building as they rode in a limo to have lunch with the Principal. Take a peek at their send off!

BINGO!

2012-01-30T14:37:00.000-05:00

With the end of the second 9 weeks of school comes time for us to celebrate how much progress we are making on our million word campaign! Students who met all of their reading goals so far for this year were invited to play Superhero BINGO with the principal!

Each time a student yelled, "BINGO!" they raced forward to show their card to Mrs. Phillips.

Everyone left with a sticker and MANY lucky Bingo players left with a super prize!

Work hard on your 3rd 9 weeks goals you never know what you might be invited to do next time!

For all the photos from this event, see our Flickr photostream.

Chets Creek's 14th Birthday!

2012-01-20T11:56:00.000-05:00

Today is our 14th birthday at Chets Creek. We can't believe it's been so long, but all of the students that go to our school now were not even born when we opened! Students enjoyed cupcakes and got to see our new birthday candle revealed. (The candle wall is outside the media center, stop by and take a look some time!) Happy Birthday to us!

Carmen Agra Deedy!

2012-01-13T15:10:00.003-05:00

What an exciting day we had with Carmen Agra Deedy! If you haven't read one of her books, you don't know what you are missing. This month, our school book of the month is Martina the Beautiful Cockroach written by Carmen Agra Deedy. When Carmen spoke to the students she told stories that aren't even in books...yet. She captivated the kids with her facial expressions and voices and stories that made use sit up and pay attention as well as laugh. What fun! Take a peek into our special day with Carmen!

Yay for the Sunshade!

2012-01-09T14:57:00.005-05:00

Last year, many of our third and fourth graders entered a writing contest that was sponsored by Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. We were lucky to have a stellar 4th grade writer (known here as "P") write the award winner essay!

As an award, our school was given a sunshade for our intermediate playground. Whoooo Hoooo!
A few weeks ago, the shade was installed. We are so excited to have this place for shade and rest on the playground. Thanks P!

Auntie Claus

2012-01-06T07:48:00.005-05:00

Did your child come home the last day of Christmas break talking about a visit to our school from Auntie Claus?

Find out all about it from my newest Hero Highlight!

Seasons of Giving

2012-01-03T14:43:00.008-05:00

In the last few years, we have begun a new tradition at Chets Creek called the Seasons of Giving Projects. This tradition is all about teaching our students to be community contributors by giving back. So each class decides how they would like to "give back" during this special time of the year.

These projects are really what the holidays are about and we hope that our students learn to make giving a project all year long.

This year, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on the people and animals who benefitted from the children's giving. Here are the organizations and classes that sponsored them.

Chets Creek Angel Tree
Kindergarten - Ruark/R.Timmons

Beaches United Methodist Church - holiday food distribution
3rd grade - Shaffer / Nelson

Holiday Cards to Golden Abbey Assisted Living Residence
4th grade - Constande

Holiday Cards to Sailors on the U.S.S. Georgia Blue Crew
4th grade - Donofrio / Sani

Holiday Cards to Sailors at Mayport
Kindergarten - Griffin / Roberts

Holiday Cards to Military Overseas
2nd grade - Thomson / McLeod

Care package to the military serving overseas
3rd grade - O'Leary

United Through Reading - supporting military troops on ships
5th grade - Bass / Szerba / Scarola

Jacksonville Humane Society
5th grade - Lehane / Ruark / Swidorsky
Kindergarten - Harbour / Wright
5th grade - Lopez-Sinclair
4th grade - O'Connor / Beaudreau
1st grade - Chant
3rd grade - Shall / Russell
Kindergarten - Mallon / Dillard
Kindergarten - Meissner / Brown
2nd grade - Metzger / Morris
2nd grade - Correia / Lankford / Harkins
1st grade - Young
1st grade - Wallace / Corbett
2nd grade - Evanko / Tsengas

Clara White Mission
4th grade - Nash / Phillips

Army National Guard serving in Iran, Afghanistan and Kuwait care package
5th grade - Rabe

City Rescue Mission - canned goods
1st grade - Sambito / Thomas
1st grade - Perez
1st grade - Cole / Ciupak
1st grade - Johnson
4th grade - Montero

Hubbard House
3rd grade - Tillis / Smith

Heifer International - livestock to farmers
5th grade - Shannon

The Animal Rescue and Adoption Agency
4th grade - Chascin / Bartley

Let's Say Thanks.com - postcards to troops
Kindergarten - Barnhart / Daniels

Second Harvest Food Bank
Kindergarten - Daniels / Barnhart

Scholastic Pajama Drive
Kindergarten - Daniels / Barnhart

Bright Holidays of Jacksonville
Kindergarten - Daniels / Barnhart

Crafts 4 the Cure - craft projects for hospitalized cancer patients
2nd grade - VanAlstyne / Walag / Morgan

Canned Goods for the Giving Tree at Chets Creek
3rd - Montisano / Symons / Zollinger / Hoffmann

Mission House of Jacksonville - blankets
1st grade - Cothern / Ellis

Miracle Toys
Kindergarten - Alvarado

Hope you all had a Happy, Renewing Holiday vacation!

A New Champ!

2012-01-01T14:11:00.000-05:00

Our best 5th grade spellers competed for the title of Chets Creek Spelling Bee Champion 2011-12. After several rounds of elimination, it came down to two....

and the winner was: Mia Cruz! Congratulations Mia and to her teacher, Mrs. Lehane!!!

Congratulations to all of our 5th graders who qualified to compete. You make Chet very proud!

Second Grade Multi-Cultural Day

2011-12-31T16:54:00.004-05:00

Our second graders have been spending the month of December studying holiday celebrations of different cultures. As a special culminating celebration, they spent the last day before break doing activities around these holidays with our resource teachers and in their classrooms.

Mrs. Tamburrino taught them all about Hanukkah and everyone played dreidel.

Mrs. Snead talked about Kwanzaa and they wove a mat in Kwanzaa colors and decorated it with Kwanzaa symbols.

And they learned about Parranda from Coach Bailey. They had loads of fun taking their Parranda up to the front office to share it with Ms. Julie.

Happy Holidays!

Once on a Housetop

2011-12-26T22:12:00.006-05:00

Did you see the 2nd grade holiday musical? It was amazing! Our second graders outdid themselves after weeks of practice and preparation. Mrs. Tamburrino and the second grade teachers led classes in teams of two to perform "Once on a Housetop".

What a festive way to start the holiday season! Take a peek at one of the songs from this performance:

Duval Schools featured our Reading Queen, Mrs. Phillips!

2011-12-06T12:02:00.002-05:00

Real Schools airs on Sunday mornings on WJXT, our local PBS channel. Check out their feature from this past Sunday!

Get Ready for Carmen Agra Deedy!

2011-12-02T11:26:00.008-05:00

Guess what?!?

We have a special author coming for a visit after Christmas.... Carmen Agra Deedy!

She came to visit here once before and we LOVE her!

Next Monday, there will be an order form going home to purchase some of her books.
Then you can get your book signed by her when she comes!

Which one is your favorite?

Chets Creek Holiday Tree

2011-12-01T12:20:00.010-05:00

It's that time of year again! The annual holiday decorating began this week and our extra large holiday tree went up for all of our students to add an ornament. Classes came down with a string that had all of their ornaments attached and these strings began covering the tree very quickly.

Kindergarteners were excited to begin this new tradition...

Second graders were able to reach the higher branches for the first time!

Each student individualized their own ornament....so precious to look at each one.

These 5th graders are hanging their final set of ornaments after 6 years of Chets Creek Holiday decorating!

Take a moment one day during the month of December to step inside the lobby and let your child show you their own special ornament on our school tree!

Kindergarten Pow Wow 2011

2011-11-30T11:50:00.003-05:00

Every year our Kindergarteners celebrate the culmination of their Native American studies by having a Pow Wow celebration. Every year it is amazing and this year was no exception. Learn a little more about Pow Wow by watching this:

To view all of the photos taken click here.

What was your favorite part of Pow Wow?

Employee of the Year - Pat Thomas

2011-11-16T11:13:00.003-05:00

And the Employee of the Year is..... PAT THOMAS!!!!

Ms. Pat has been our lead custodian for many years here at Chets Creek, but you may not have met her because she comes to work when it's time for the boys and girls to go home. She does an amazing job leading all the other custodians in their duties making sure our school is ready for whatever fun activity is coming up! Ms. Pat is not only a part of our Chets Creek family, her own family works here as well. Her husband, Mr. Ralph and son Ralph are custodians here too. Say hello to her if you see her one day as you are leaving and tell her congratulations on being our Employee of the Year!

Rainy Day Physical Education

2011-11-15T11:03:00.006-05:00

What's a P.E. teacher to do when it rains outside? Coach Bailey makes it fun!

Classes come to inside P.E.! They get to....

Play javelin throw on Xbox Kinect

Have a race stacking cups with speedstacking

Play computer racing games

Play with finger strings

What's your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?

Hero Highlight - Christy Constande

2011-11-14T13:33:00.005-05:00

A new feature on my blog will be videos that feature teachers here at Chets Creek Elementary. I'm so excited to be able to share the first one with you today, featuring... Mrs. Christy Constande, our Teacher of the Year! Enjoy!

Honoring Our Veterans

2011-11-10T14:30:00.004-05:00

Veterans are people who served in the military (U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard) in times of war or peace. Veterans Day is a national holiday where we honor these people in America.

This year, Mrs. Morris and Mrs. Metzger's Second Grade class made cards for veterans.

These beautiful, thoughtful cards made by the students were delivered to the VFW. I hope you will take a moment on Friday to honor veterans in some small way as well.

Duct Tape Diva

2011-11-10T12:53:00.009-05:00

As a part of our Readers to Leaders Campaign, our principal has special rewards each 9 weeks for students who met their reading goal for that quarter. The first 9 weeks she asked students to catch her in a "web of reading".

So each class sent down two students with a piece of duct tape.

And two by two they taped the principal to the wall.

She spent her time on the wall getting some reading done and encouraging the classes of students parading by to READ, READ, READ.

I wonder what the second 9 weeks reading reward will be?

Long Night Moon

2011-11-08T14:37:00.002-05:00

Every month our principal chooses a Book of the Month. Each classroom is given a copy of this book. These books are often used year after year. We love them!

Two years ago, Long Night Moon was a Book of the Month. Mrs. Phillips (Chief Jumping Frog) shared this story as a read aloud on our closed circuit television for students to enjoy. November is the perfect time to revisit this book. Take a few moments and enjoy this beautiful story. Let me know what you think!

What Do Teachers Do on Early Dismissal

2011-11-03T14:16:00.003-04:00

All of our boys and girls here at Chets leave early every other Wednesday. I wonder if they ever think about what the teachers do during that time?

Each week it varies slightly, but this is an important time for teachers to learn and strategize for their next steps for students. They look at data, develop plans and work very hard to be the best teachers they can be for our students.

Take a peek into their Early Dismissal training this week:

Florida Library Snapshot Day

2011-11-02T14:01:00.000-04:00

Our media center is the heartbeat of Chets Creek Elementary. What happens there and the work that our Mrs. KK does with teachers and children each day makes our school special. That's why we decided to participate in Florida Library Snapshot Day. These photos were taken from 9:00 to 10:00 am on a regular Wednesday morning. Look at all of the different ages and activities that happen there in just one hour!

What do you like to do when you go to the media center?

Kevin Henkes Day

2011-10-27T15:00:00.000-04:00

First Grade just completed an author study on Kevin Henkes. They have been reading all of his books and learning from his writings. As an end of unit celebration, today was officially "Kevin Henkes Day" at Chets Creek.

First Graders enjoyed a visit to the Light Bulb Poetry Lab, Lily's art center, Mr. Slinger's movie and cheesy snacks, Bingo with Sheila Rae and fun and games with Wendell and Sophie.

Check out the photos from the fun and learning!

What was your favorite part of the day? Do you have a favorite Kevin Henkes book?
My favorite is Julius, the Baby of the World.

Just Say No!

2011-10-27T14:21:00.003-04:00

Chets Creek students Just Say NO! to drugs. Mrs. Zollinger and Ms. Hoffmann's class wore red to show that they mean business! Did you wear red today?

Channel 12 Teacher of the Week!

2011-10-24T11:21:00.006-04:00

Keep an eye out for an upcoming segment on First Coast News. Kindergarten teacher, Haley Alvarado, has been nominated as Teacher of the Week. Channel 12 has already been here in our school to film, but we are not sure what day it will be aired. Congratulations Mrs. Alvarado, we are proud to have you teach here at Chets!

Book Character Parade

2011-10-21T15:29:00.004-04:00

This morning the downstairs hallways were filled with book characters of all kinds! Kindergarten and First Grade students came dressed as their favorite book character ready to parade around the bottom floor. Second through Fifth grade classes sat in the hallways to watch the parade and cheer them on. What awesome costumes! Check it out!

Literacy Pumpkin Festival

2011-10-19T11:51:00.003-04:00

Have you seen our Literary Pumpkins in the lobby this week? Every class or team chose a book to represent with their literary pumpkin. The pumpkins are adorable! Check them out here, maybe it will inspire you to read some new books!

Flag Raising 10-14-11

2011-10-14T14:25:00.007-04:00

Today was Flag Raising here at Chets Creek.

What nice weather we had this morning! Mrs. Phillips led us in the pledge as our 5th grade patrols stood at attention.

We had a special visitor today. He was here to announce that our patrols are selling Gator Bowl tickets.

My favorite part of our Flag Raising this morning was a special performance from Miss Lipsky's 3rd graders.

Those kids really know their states! Can you name all of the United States?

Resource has the Spirit!

2011-10-11T11:03:00.003-04:00

Monday was Chick-fil-a Spirit Night and our resource teachers were there to host it! Did you see them there? If you missed out, make sure to come out for the next Spirit Night on November 14th. See you there!

Chick-fil-a - Resource Night on PhotoPeach

Special Visitor

2011-10-11T09:14:00.006-04:00

We had a special visitor in our building last week, Dr. Donnie Horner, Commissioner of Education for the city of Jacksonville. He asked us if he could come read to a kindergarten class in honor of Read for the Record. He brought a great book, Llama Llama Red Pajama, one of our principal's favorites!

Mrs. Mallon and Mrs. Dillard's kindergarten class was lucky enough to be chosen for this visit. And they were ready to enjoy the story... all of them in pajamas! Dr. Horner had the boys and girls leaning forward and listening intently to his storytelling. He is a great reader! You will be able to tell how much he loves reading by looking at the photos:

Have you read any Llama Llama books? What is your favorite book?

Fun Night at the Creek

2011-10-07T10:18:00.009-04:00

Did you visit Chets Creek on Tuesday night with your family? If not, you missed a great time!
Second Grade Teachers hosted parents in their classrooms for Math Night. They shared the math strategies that students will be learning throughout the year. Parents got the hands-on opportunity to be students!

Fourth grade teachers taught parents about the FCAT Writes Assessment that their students will be taking this year. They showed them how papers will be scored and what strategies they could use to help their child's writing improve.

Many students came to celebrate our first ice cream social with delicious ice cream from Bruster's. Yummmmmmy!

We also had our first book fair of the year in full swing. Clifford the Dog was even there!

Did you get a book from the Book Fair? Which one? Did you get some ice cream? What was your favorite flavor? I hope you come out to the next family night!

Check out all the photos from family night on our photostream.

Teacher of the Year 2011 - 2012

2011-09-30T14:56:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was an exciting day at the Creek, we named a new Teacher of the Year:

Christy Constande

Mrs. Constande got her exciting news by phone call from our principal, Mrs. Phillips, who couldn't be here that day. She was so surprised. Mrs. Constande's students gave her a big round of applause.
CONGRATULATIONS Mrs. Constande!

She's Back!

2011-09-26T15:00:00.001-04:00

Many of you have seen our principal, Mrs. Phillips, on the morning news announcements or during our first Flag Raising ceremony. So you know she has been at home most of the first part of the year with her new little girl.

But today was her first REAL day back at work. You may have seen her if you are in the cafeteria from 11:30 - 12 because that is her lunch duty time or you may have seen her walking around the building, but if not you are sure to see her soon. She'll be here the rest of the year. YAY!!!!!

Welcome back Mrs. Phillips!!!

Morning News

2011-09-23T11:33:00.000-04:00

When I walked into the media center this morning I caught our media specialist, Mrs. KK, training up a new crop of news reporters. All of the 5th graders at Chets Creek get the opportunity to be a part of our morning news production that is shown to everyone in the school at the start of the day. They learn how to work the controls, lighting, camera and also how to deliver a report!

This morning she was showing the kids how to keep their presence on camera while having a conversation back and forth. It looks easier than it really is! This group of 5th graders will make their debut on Monday morning. Can't wait to see how they do!

Open House

2011-09-23T11:20:00.000-04:00

Did you come out for Open House last week or last night? We had a school full of wonderful families come to visit their child's classroom. All of our first Standards Based Bulletin Boards are posted outside the classrooms. I noticed many boys and girls showing their families the work the class has been doing:

Families were then treated to a presentation by their child's teacher or teachers.

I saw lots of smiling faces. I hope your family had a great time like I did! See you at Fall Carnival next!

Little Readers

2011-09-19T13:36:00.000-04:00

The whole bottom floor of our building is bursting with little readers! Last Friday the Kindergarten students began sitting outside of their classroom in the morning instead of the cafeteria. That's what all the other students in our school do from 8:30 to 9:00 when school begins.

As I walked the hallways this morning this was what I saw:

Way to go Kindergarteners! We are so proud to have a group of great little "Creekers" this year!

BUDS Club Pancake Breakfast

2011-09-17T20:33:00.000-04:00

Friday morning was our annual BUDS Club pancake breakfast. Delicious smells of pancakes, syrup and sausage drifted throughout the building. As I peeked into the cafeteria I could see families filling the room with happy hungry faces. And there were plenty of pancakes to go around! Check it out:

My favorite part of the breakfast was going back for seconds! What did you like? If you weren't able to make it, keep an eye out for next year's pancake breakfast!

2nd Grade Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night

2011-09-14T14:35:00.000-04:00

Did you come out for Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night on Monday? If so, Thank You! This month, 2nd grade teachers hosted this night and greeted our families coming to have their dinner. Look for an announcement in the Connection for next month's Spirit night and we hope to see you there!

Back to Football Friday

2011-09-12T12:16:00.000-04:00

What a great time we had on Back to Football Friday! I saw a lot of kids wearing their NFL spirit shirts!

Back to Football Friday was the official kick off for this year's Fuel Up to Play 60 program. Our P.E. coach, Coach Bailey, brought this program to Chets Creek to help up remember to make healthy lifestyle choices and stay physically fit.

Our cafeteria was full of football spirit and everyone got a free cheesestick!

After lunch, we all headed out to the track for some exercise and football spirit.

Coach Bailey awarded prizes to the students showing the most spirit! For all the photos from Back to Football Friday, look here. What healthy lifestyle choices are you making every day?

Thank You PTA!

2011-09-05T16:28:00.000-04:00

Here at Chets Creek we have an award winning PTA! They provide special activities and supplies for our students and school that we could not do without their help. On the first day of school all Chets Creek students received a gift from our PTA...School t-shirts! Please help us thank our wonderful PTA by becoming a member this year!

Have you joined PTA?

Welcome Back!

2011-09-01T13:52:00.000-04:00

The first day back to school at Chets Creek was celebrated in a SUPER way! Super heroes greeted students as they entered the building!

After going to their classrooms and meeting their new Learning Hero (Teacher), students went to an assembly given by Omegaman , the Bully Busting Hero, who taught them to be their own superhero with bully busting strategies.

What did you learn from Omegaman?

To see all the photos from the first day back, go to here.

New Theme!

2011-08-30T13:22:00.000-04:00

Check out our new school theme!!

Chets Creek Elementary – Empowering the Future! from Melanie Holtsman on Vimeo.