McCarter Mustangs Principal: Katherine Cooney Contact Information 5512 SW 16th Street Topeka, KS 66604 Phone: 785-438-4660 Absent Line: 785-438-4667 Spanish (ELL): 785-438-4668 School Information: 785-438-4669 Fax: 785-271-3760

Important Dates January 20 Chili Bingo January 23 Penny Wars Begin January 30 February 2 Major Saver Campaign Kickoff February 3 NO SCHOOL February 15 Parent/Teacher Conferences 4pm - 8pm February 16 Parent/Teacher Conferences 8am - 8pm

January 2017

Welcome back to McCarter for the second semester. We have had a great first semester and we look forward to the rest of the year. A new year always gives us the opportunity to reflect upon what we have done well and what we can do better. Have you been trying to figure out a new year’s resolution? If the answer to the question is yes, I have a great suggestion for you. How about setting plans to help your children experience greater school success in 2017 by getting them to attend school regularly? Every year, McCarter has a handful of students who are chronically absent, meaning they miss 10 percent or more of the school year for any reason, excused or unexcused. That level of absenteeism predicts poor academic performance and can lead to dropping out of school all together. The good news is that chronic absences can be reduced when schools work with families to build a culture of going to school every day and address barriers to getting to class. Families are essential partners with schools in promoting good attendance because they, ultimately, have the bottom-line responsibility for making sure their children get to school every day. When children are young, they are especially dependent upon adults or older siblings to help them get to school. Just as parents should focus on how their children are performing academically, they have a responsibility to set expectations for good attendance and to monitor their children’s absences, so that missed days don’t add up to academic trouble. As a school, McCarter has a 96% attendance rate. This is terrific and we thank you! All TPS schools follow the Kansas State Compulsory School Attendance Law (K.S.A. 72-1111). In a nutshell, it states that excused absences may be granted to a student by the principal upon written request if the principal has determined the absence is in the best interest of the student. Examples of excused absences include but are not limited to: illness, bereavement, other family emergencies and observance of major religious holidays of the family’s faith. If a child is ill, it is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to let the office know. Otherwise, all absences will count toward truancy in accordance to KS Law.

Absences accumulate in the following manner: 2 unexcused = Families are sent a “Pre-Truancy” letter. This is to let them know that absences are reaching a point that they are negatively impacting the learning of their child. 3 absences unexcused absences in a row, 5 unexcused absences in 1 semester, or 7 unexcused absences in 1 year = Families are sent a “Truancy Advisory” Letter. These letters are more serious. They advise you to call the school and make a plan on how to avoid future unexcused absences. 10 unexcused absences in 1 year = The school is mandated to send a truancy referral to the Shawnee County District Attorney. McCarter Elementary also has the rule that if a student accumulates 10 excused absences in a school year, in order for future absences to be excused, the child needs to bring in a doctor’s note explaining the child is too ill to be in school. Please help to ensure that your child is at school everyday, all day. Thank you, Kathy Cooney, Principal of McCarter Elementary School

Smencil Sales and Purple Perks Thank you so much to those who purchase Smencils and Bracelets! We use this money to pay for our Marvelous Mustang rewards every month. Smencil sales also fund our Purple Perks. Students may use their behavior tickets to purchase monthly Purple Perks. 150 tickets buys this year's field trip. On January 27th we will be going to Sk8 Away. For 50 tickets students may purchase a turn in the Photo Booth on February 14th.

Families of Native American students: The Indian Education Program supports and advocates for the academic success of our Native American students throughout the school year. In addition, eligible students (K-7) can participate in a two week summer program where they will explore the cultures, heritages and languages of indigenous peoples through the arts. If your child is Native American, and you would like them to be a part of the Indian Education Program, please complete a student eligibility form. You can get more detailed information and print off a form by visiting the TPS website “Programs” link, and clicking on the link under “Indian Education.” Completed forms can then be returned to your child’s school. If you have any questions, please contact Jenner Bagshaw (785)-438- 4299.

Music - Mrs. Ford In 4th grade, we will begin our recorder unit. Students have until January 18th to turn in the $2.50 for a recorder. Please remember that you do not have to buy one for your student. They may borrow one from the school or if you already have one, you do not need to purchase a new one. We should be starting around the beginning of February. I am excited to have the students learn to play the recorder. Please stop by during parent teacher conferences in February to hear the progress your student has made. I had added another music program to the original schedule. On Thursday, May 18th we will have the Preschool program at 5:00 pm, 1st grade program at 6:00 pm, and the Kindergarten program at 7:00 pm. All programs will be held in the McCarter cafeteria (old gym). Be sure to mark your calendar for these programs. All programs are part

Physical Education - Mr. Nichols Second semester has begun and we have lots of exciting things going in our PE classes. We will be bowling, playing tennis, using our traveling fitness equipment and will participate in "Hoops for Heart" as well. Our field day which had to be rescheduled due to inclement weather will take place on Thursday, May 4. You’re invited to Topeka Public School’s Family Engagement Night Wild About Family Tuesday, January 24th, 5:00-7:00pm Linn Education Center 200 SE 40th St. Come check out the McCarter table and learn some websites and activities to do with your children at home. In fact, check out all the tables for lots of ideas! Be sure to sign the attendance sheet at our table. Refreshments and door prizes!

Counselor Corner - Mrs. Bristol & Miss Mary For the month of January Ms. Mary and I will be educating the students about diversity and how it impacts our everyday life. There are many reasons why it is important to be ourselves and love who we are. Diversity is all around us; we will be exploring the many ways we are each different, why it is a wonderful thing and how to appreciate all traits and characteristics of others. If your student is in need of a new pair of shoes please take advantage of our Shoes that Fit Program by contacting me either by phone (785-438-5891) or email ([email protected]). This program donates a Rack Room Shoes gift card each year to McCarter Elementary and we would love to donate a pair of shoes to your student!

McCarter Library News Welcome back to school! January’s iRead 20 goal is 350 minutes. We have a generous donated prize!! Students who meet the goal will have a chance to win a $10 gift card to our spring Scholastic Book Fair. Ten names will be drawn to win (5 Primary & 5 Intermediate). All other students will earn a McDonald’s Happy Meal. Good luck!! Our spring book fair is coming soon! Penny Wars will begin on Monday January 23rd and end on Tuesday February 7th. The Book Fair will start on Thursday February 9th and will last until Parent Teacher Conferences.

The Topeka Public Schools, Unified School District No. 501 is committed to affirmative action and equal opportunity. No person shall, on the basis of age, race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, disability, national origin or ancestry be denied lawful access to any appropriate education service, program or activity provided by the school district. The Tile VI and Title IX compliance coordinator is the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching/Learning/Administration. The Section 504/Title II compliance coordinator is the Coordinator of College and Career Ready Services. For employment, the EEOO/ AA officer is the General Director of Human Resources. All compliance coordinator may be contacted at 624 SW 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1294, (785) 295-3000. The clerk of the Board of Education has been designated to receive and redirect or handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, regulations, and procedures. The clerk may be contacted by calling (785) 2953045 or be writing to 624 SW 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1294.