August/September 2024

the Carillon

Your weekly update from Carrollton Elementary

 8/31/2024

                                                                                          

car·il·lon /ˈkerəlän,ˈkerələn/ (noun) a set of bells in a tower, played using a keyboard or by an automatic mechanism similar to a piano roll.

Why am I dubbing our weekly update as The Carillon? Well, there’s a lot of information that I want to make sure you hear and this e-mail is one method of getting it out there. (Plus, I like that carillon sounds like our school’s name!) 

It was great seeing so many of you at our Open House Wednesday. What a positive time that was with all those excited kids and grinning caregivers. I know you received a good deal of info, and there’s even more listed below. Please take some time to read it over so you feel prepped and ready for Day One this coming Tuesday, September 3. I’m eagerly looking forward to a busy day as we kick off this new year – and I’m glad you will be part of it all.

Here we grow!

Mr. B.

Mr. Brennan

A huge thank-you to Hannah Robinson for the much-needed make-over to our staff dining room! Hannah invested her own time, energy, and resources to make the space warm and inviting. 

 

To round out our staff for the 2024-2025 school year, we need one 1^st & 2^nd grade instructional assistant. Interested or know someone who would be a great fit? Check out the information found at Jobs at Carrollton.

Caregivers often ask how they can support the school staff and one way would to provide items for staff incentives; here’s an Amazon link for such items: Ways to Encourage the CAES Staff

Bus routes are fluid the first few weeks of school, so your patience will be appreciated. Continue to check the IWCS website for updates (IWCS Transportation Information) and we’ll communicate pertinent transportation info as we get it. 

Per division guidance: Students who do not have proper immunizations are not permitted to attend class. Teachers are required to note students sent home due to missing immunizations and the office staff must withdraw these students. Once immunization records are received, we will notify Central Office in order to bring the students back in.

From the new Director of Child Nutrition, Mrs. Ellen Couch: 

IWCS is bringing Food Services back in house. New meal prices are listed below: 

	Breakfast	Lunch
Elementary	$1.40	$2.75
Middle & High	$1.45	$2.95
Milk Only	$0.50	$0.50
Adult (Faculty and Parents)	$2.75	$4.75

 

Menus are posted monthly on the IWCS website at IWCS Cafeteria Menus ('24-'25)

Please review the following new procedures to ensure a smooth start to the upcoming school year.

• At no time can students charge snacks (a la carte items).
• When a student reaches a meal debt in the amount of $1, the student will not be able to purchase a la carte items; they will have to pay off their debt before this restriction is lifted. 
• A student may only purchase a la carte items for themselves, not for others, due to food safety. 
• At any time, families can go online and add funds to their student’s lunch account and see current lunch balances using www.schoolcafe.com (formerly Lunch PrePay). This is a great way to stay ahead of unforeseen charges. 
• To avoid starting the school year off with a negative balance, please ensure that you fill out a free /reduced lunch form. You can find the form through www.schoolcafe.com. Applications are also available at school.

Lost & Found items will be placed outside of Door 1 from September 21 through September 23and then gone.

 

Here’s the link to our school’s handbook: CAES Family FAQ ('24-'25)

 

Here’s the link to an “online note” that you can use to report your children’s absences: CAES Absence Note

A copy of the school division’s calendar is linked here: ​2024-2025 School Calendar

Information about the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and the division’s new language arts curriculum, myView: Virginia Literacy Act

 

Here’s a link to IWCS Transportation Information.

 

Blue Dominion is our contracted photography studio who will be providing pictures for the fall and spring as well as our yearbook in May.

Dates for fall school pictures are Oct. 1 & 2. 

9/2       No school: Labor Day

9/3       First day of school!

9/11     Patriots Day (We’ll be wearing our red, white, and blue.)

9/13     1^st graders and Mrs. Rosenberry’s students will be attending the County Fair

9/23     Asynchronous day for students – more info to come

9/24     PTA-sponsored Boosterthon Fun Run

9/27     Packer Backer Friday (Wear blue and gold to support our SHS Packers)

10/1,2  School picture days

10/4     Packer Backer Friday / 1:00 dismissal for the SHS homecoming parad

10/10   Crunch Heard ‘Round the Commonwealth

10/14   No school

10/15   No school: Staff professional development day

the Carillon

car·il·lon /ˈkerəlän,ˈkerələn/ (noun) a set of bells in a tower played using a keyboard 

your weekly update from Carrollton Elementary

 9/7/2024

                                                                                          

HERE at Carrollton Elementary, we have a staff full of wonderful, talented individuals dedicated to creating a place that is safe and welcoming and spaces where students are seen and heard. It is HERE that students will be expected and supported to do their best. It is HERE at Carrollton that academic achievement with social-emotional growth is our primary concern. It is HERE in our classrooms and hallways, our cafeteria and playgrounds that our Cardinals will be encouraged to demonstrate gumption, resilience, integrity, and tenacity.

WE Cardinals are special! With a very robust local military presence, WE have students that come to us from all over the country and from around the world. As we move into our thirty-second year of operation, WE have students with parents who at one time attended CAES. WE have a student body made up of close to 600 Cardinals in pre-school through third grade, and WE have a staff of close to one hundred, which includes veteran educators, career-switchers, and recent college graduates. WE have employees who were Carrollton parents first, and WEhave students whose caregivers work here.

GROW is what each of us should do! During their time as Cardinals – whether just part of this year or all the way through – our students will GROW a great deal. They will GROWintellectually and socially and physically. They will GROW as readers and thinkers and problem-solvers. They will GROW in their understanding of technology and engineering and in their appreciation of art and music. It’s my desire that our adults will GROW as well – as more loving, connected caregivers and as more loving, equipped employees. And in this eighth year as the proud Cardinal principal, I plan to GROW, too, as I increase my focus on helping our students feel safe and my staff feel supported.

Let’s grow!

Mr. B.

Mr. Brennan

 

Thank you to all who have dropped off school supplies in the box in our new vestibule; these items are being collected by a Smithfield High school student who is running the “Kids in Need” supply drive.

 

Thanks, also, to those who have donated new or slightly used puzzles, board games, cards, etc. to our library. If you would like to be part of this fun, reach out to our new librarian Mrs. O’Byrne at [email protected].

 

Halloween candy hit the shelves several weeks ago! If you would like to donate a bag or two, I will happily provide the staff with the treats during our weekly meetings – because chocolate makes things better.

To round out our staff for the 2024-2025 school year, we need one 1^st & 2^nd grade instructional assistant. Interested or know someone who would be a great fit? Check out the information found at Jobs at Carrollton.

Caregivers often ask how they can support the school staff and one way would to provide items for staff incentives; here’s an Amazon link for such items: Ways to Encourage the CAES Staff

Early pick-up will end at 3:15 daily effective Monday, Sept. 9. From 3:15 to 3:35, students are at recess, transitioning between classes, or receiving valuable instruction, so your understanding is appreciated.

Morning drop-off info: 

• All students are expected to come through the car line.
• To decrease the congestion on the sidewalks, please do not park and walk your student to the building unless you have arrangements with the teacher.
• Please do not pass another vehicle in the line.
• If you trust your student to get out without staff assistance, this is fine.
• Please don't allow your child to sit in your lap when driving through the loop.
• For the safety of the students and staff, please consider the loop a no-phone zone.

Afternoon pick-up info:

• Be sure to come through the line by turning right from New Towne Haven Lane.
• Please do not pass another vehicle or switch lanes.
• Move up to vehicle in front of you. 
• Turn off your engine once parked and leave it off until vehicles are directed to move. 
• Please don’t arrive before 3:00 as this may block staff in their parking spots.
• For the safety of the students and staff, please consider the lanes a no-phone zone.

If you would like to eat lunch with your child, please reach out to the teacher at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the visit; this will allow the teacher to communicate if there are any changes to the lunch schedule and to notify the office of your upcoming visit.

Here’s the link to our school’s handbook: CAES Family FAQ ('24-'25)

 

Here’s the link to an “online note” that you can use to report your children’s absences: CAES Absence Note

A copy of the school division’s calendar is linked here: ​2024-2025 School Calendar

Information about the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and the division’s new language arts curriculum, myView: Virginia Literacy Act

Reminder: Bus routes are fluid the first few weeks of school, so your patience will be appreciated. Continue to check the IWCS website for updates (IWCS Transportation Information) and we’ll communicate pertinent transportation info as we get it. 

Reminder: From the new Director of Child Nutrition, Mrs. Ellen Couch: 

New meal prices: 

	Breakfast	Lunch
Elementary	$1.40	$2.75
Middle & High	$1.45	$2.95
Milk Only	$0.50	$0.50
Adult (Faculty and Parents)	$2.75	$4.75

 

Menus are posted monthly on the IWCS website at IWCS Cafeteria Menus ('24-'25)

Please review the following new procedures to ensure a smooth start to the upcoming school year.

• At no time can students charge snacks (a la carte items).
• When a student reaches a meal debt in the amount of $1, the student will not be able to purchase a la carte items; they will have to pay off their debt before this restriction is lifted. 
• A student may only purchase a la carte items for themselves, not for others, due to food safety. 
• At any time, families can go online and add funds to their student’s lunch account and see current lunch balances using www.schoolcafe.com (formerly Lunch PrePay). This is a great way to stay ahead of unforeseen charges. 
• To avoid starting the school year off with a negative balance, please ensure that you fill out a free /reduced lunch form. You can find the form through www.schoolcafe.com. Applications are also available at school.

Lost & Found items will be placed outside of Door 1 from September 21 through September 23and then gone.

 

Blue Dominion is our contracted photography studio who will be providing pictures for the fall and spring as well as our yearbook in May.

Dates for fall school pictures are Oct. 1 & 2. 

9/11     Patriots Day (We’ll be wearing our red, white, and blue.)

9/13     1^st graders and Mrs. Rosenberry’s students will be attending the County Fair

9/23     Asynchronous day for students – more info to come

9/24     PTA-sponsored Boosterthon Fun Run

9/27     Packer Backer Friday (Wear blue and gold to support our SHS Packers)

10/1,2  School picture days

10/4     Packer Backer Friday / 1:00 dismissal for the SHS homecoming parad

10/10   Crunch Heard ‘Round the Commonwealth

10/14   No school

10/15   No school: Staff professional development day

10/25   PTA-sponsored Trunk-or-Treat

File attachment

the Carillon

car·il·lon /ˈkerəlän,ˈkerələn/ (noun) a set of bells in a tower played using a keyboard 

your weekly update from Carrollton Elementary

 9/14/2024

Two weeks ago, I was sitting in an emergency animal hospital and noticed posted throughout the waiting area several signs stating that the suicide rate for veterinarians is acutely high. The posters went on to ask that people treat the staff with kindness. I also had to sign a document acknowledging, “I understand that if my behavior is deemed to be abusive, I will be asked to leave the premises and my pet will be denied care”; this included verbal abuse, which the document defined as including but not being limited to shouting, disrespectful language, name calling, and attempts to intimidate. Now, I get that people can be very protective of their animals, and if they’re in an emergency pet hospital, emotions are most likely running high, but it seems sad that adults have to be reminded to be civil. To not shout. To not use disrespectful language. To not attempt to intimidate. • If this type of behavior were contained to a random vet’s office way over in Virginia Beach, I probably wouldn’t take the time to mention it; however, over the past nine days we’ve had caregivers curse at my staff members who are on duty outside in the afternoon – teachers whose one focus is to get kids safely delivered to their vehicles. We’ve had Carrollton parents call the office and get nasty with Karie and Tammy (two of the nicest people I know) who are the phone-answerers, not the decision-makers. Adults who are frustrated by late buses or long lines or kids who walk too slowly to their cars in the afternoon have allowed that frustration to spill over on people who have no control over these matters. • If you’re reading this, there’s a pretty good chance that you’re not one of those less-than-civil Cardinal caregivers – but I need your help: Will you please take the time to encourage the staff members who stand outside during drop-off and pick-up; and the ladies who field hundreds of questions/requests in the office; and the teachers who, like you, simply want what’s best for your children? I don’t know if the field of education is as stressful as veterinarian medicine, but I do know that a kind word goes a very long way.

Let’s grow!

Mr. B.

Mr. Brennan

 

Thank you to all who have dropped off bags of candy for our staff members to munch on when in our weekly meetings; the chocolate will help as they focus hard to perfect their skills with our new language arts curriculum!

 

A special thank you to Donna Silberholz of LPT Realty LLC for the company’s kind donation of school supplies!

 

If you’ve contributed to the box of school supplies in our new vestibule, thank you very much; these items are being collected by a Smithfield High school student who is running the “Kids in Need” supply drive.

 

Thanks, also, to those who have donated new or slightly used puzzles, board games, cards, etc. to our library. If you would like to be part of this fun, reach out to our new librarian Mrs. O’Byrne at [email protected].

 

If you would like to donate a bag or two of candy, we will happily provide the staff with the treats during our weekly meetings.

To round out our staff for the 2024-2025 school year, we need one 1^st & 2^nd grade instructional assistant. Interested or know someone who would be a great fit? Check out the information found at Jobs at Carrollton.

Caregivers often ask how they can support the school staff and one way would to provide items for staff incentives; here’s an Amazon link for such items: Ways to Encourage the CAES Staff

Reminders:

Early pick-up ends at 3:15 daily. From 3:15 to 3:35, students are at recess, transitioning between classes, or receiving valuable instruction, so your understanding is appreciated.

Morning drop-off info: 

• All students are expected to come through the car line.
• To decrease the congestion on the sidewalks, please do not park and walk your student to the building unless you have arrangements with the teacher.
• Please do not pass another vehicle in the line.
• If you trust your student to get out without staff assistance, this is fine.

Afternoon pick-up info:

• Be sure to come through the line by turning right from New Towne Haven Lane.
• Please do not pass another vehicle or switch lanes.
• Move up to vehicle in front of you.
• Turn off your engine once parked and leave it off until vehicles are directed to move. 
• Please don’t arrive before 3:00 as this may block staff in their parking spots.

If you would like to eat lunch with your child, please reach out to the teacher at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the visit; this will allow the teacher to communicate if there are any changes to the lunch schedule and to notify the office of your upcoming visit.

This year the IWCS Nutrition Office has changed its payment source and is no longer using Meals Plus. If you had a credit on your child's Meals Plus account at the end of last year, the funds have been moved over. If you do not see those funds, please reach out to Mrs. Couch ([email protected]). Caregivers are encouraged to prepay for their children's meals, and the website www.schoolcafe.com enables secure credit card payment options. Registration with the K12 Payment Center gives caregivers access to their student's lunchroom balance and meal history and offers e-mail notification when the account balance drops below a set limit.

All students enrolled in Isle of Wight County Schools are given an opportunity to apply for free and reduced-price meals. Applications may be completed privately and securely online at www.schoolcafe.com, and forms can be obtained at any school's cafeteria or main office. 

Here’s the link to an “online note” that you can use to report your children’s absences: CAES Absence Note

A copy of the school division’s calendar is linked here: ​2024-2025 School Calendar

Information about the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and the division’s new language arts curriculum, myView:  Virginia Literacy Act

Bus info linked here: IWCS Transportation Information

Cafeteria menus are posted monthly on the IWCS website at IWCS Cafeteria Menus ('24-'25)

 

Lost & Found items will be placed outside of Door 1 from September 21 through September 23 and then gone.

 

First, we have a Spirit Wear drive happening right now. If you did not receive a flyer at Open House, please watch for one coming home with your child. You can also check our Facebook page! The deadline to order is Wednesday, September 18.

PTA Important Dates:

• Wednesday, September 4 - Registration opened for our Fun Run fundraiser at MYBOOSTER.COM.
• Monday, September 16 - Fundraiser kick-off in school.
• Wednesday, September 18 - Deadline to order Spirit Wear.
• Tuesday, September 24 - Fun Run event day
• Friday, October 25 - Trunk or Treat at CAES. Click the link below to volunteer! We are looking for lots of spooky trunks to participate. If you love Halloween, this one's for you! 

And of course, membership is open for PTA! Click the link below to join. It is $5 for an individual membership, and we also have a business membership this year for $10.

Spirit Wear shop - https://www.spiritgeardirect.com/GearDrive/Store.aspx?guid=101424a6-18e1-472c-b44b-57c00b860d82

Trunk or Treat volunteers - https://forms.gle/RryWMFM6SrN3K4yLA

PTA Membership store - https://carrollton.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true

Official CAES PTA page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/186402771084093

As always, we greatly appreciate your support!

Sincerely,

CAES PTA Executive Board

 

Dates for fall school pictures are Oct. 1 & 2. 

9/23     Asynchronous day for students – more info to come

9/24     PTA-sponsored Boosterthon Fun Run

9/27     Packer Backer Friday (Wear blue and gold to support our SHS Packers)

10/1,2  School picture days

10/4     Packer Backer Friday / 1:00 dismissal for the SHS homecoming parad

10/10   Crunch Heard ‘Round the Commonwealth

10/14   No school

10/15   No school: Staff professional development day

10/25   PTA-sponsored Trunk-or-Treat

File attachments:
PTA Spirit Wear.pdf
CAES Counselors.pdf
Girls Scouts.pdf

the Carillon

car·il·lon /ˈkerəlän,ˈkerələn/ (noun) a set of bells in a tower played using a keyboard 

your weekly update from Carrollton Elementary

 9/21/2024

Keep your chin up. That was the advice given by the flight instructor who was prepping my girls for their inverted wind-tunnel experience at Virginia Beach’s iFLY. He said that by keeping your chin up, you are able to better focus and relax and balance, which were all important components of indoor skydiving. Keeping ones chin up was a method to see the instructor and observe what was happening; it was also key to loosening up the muscles that tend to get tense when nervous; and bringing up the chin establishes and maintains the balance needed to remain physically sound. Since I wasn’t planning strap on a helmet and be blown around in the 120-mph winds coursing through the tower, I didn’t have to listen to the pre-flight prep and could think more figuratively about the importance of keeping my chin up. Great advice when the gusts of life are blasting and when the roar of the squalls distract. Facing the gale with your chin up can focus you on what’s ahead, limit stress about what may never blow by, and create a sense of balance unthinkable in such rough winds. Facing a storm of your own? Being buffeted by the blasts of life? Is parenting pushing you to extremes? I encourage you to keep your chin up (and your goggles securely fastened).

Let’s grow!

Mr. B.

Mr. Brennan

 

We “arrrrrr” so grateful to the Fisher family for the pirate-theme treats dropped off on National “Talk Like a Pirate Day”!

 

To the very thoughtful parent who handed out Starbuck’s gift cards to the staff members working the afternoon pick-up line and to the one who provided a jump-start to another, you represent the best of Carrollton! 

 

Thank you to all who have dropped off bags of candy for our staff members to munch on when in our weekly meetings; the chocolate will help as they focus hard to perfect their skills with our new language arts curriculum!

 

To round out our staff for the 2024-2025 school year, we need one 1^st & 2^nd grade instructional assistant. Interested or know someone who would be a great fit? Check out the information found at Jobs at Carrollton.

Caregivers often ask how they can support the school staff and one way would to provide items for staff incentives; here’s an Amazon link for such items: Ways to Encourage the CAES Staff

Lost & Found items will be placed outside of Door 1 from September 21 through September 23and then gone.

 

A message from Mrs. Pealo: 

Carrollton families and friends,

It has been an honor over the past six years to help your children discover and nurture a love of learning through creative computing and exploring how computers work. On Monday, September 30, I will begin a new position as a Curriculum Lead for CodeVA, a nonprofit based in Richmond dedicated to advocating for and supporting K-12 computer science (CS) education throughout the state of Virginia. I have always been passionate about helping all kids access CS and learn how to create, rather than just consume, using technology. In my new role, I will lead teams of educators in creating lessons and resources aligned with the new 2024 Virginia Computer Science Standards, ensuring that these materials are accessible and relevant to all students across Virginia and beyond. I am so very sad to say goodbye to my students and colleagues here at CAES, but I hope to continue to support the school community in any ways that I can. If you would like to keep in touch with me, my permanent email address is [email protected]. I do love hearing updates from students! Thank you so much for allowing me to get to know your kids and share my love of computer science.

Warmly, Michelle Pealo

Reminders:

Early pick-up ends at 3:15 daily. From 3:15 to 3:35, students are at recess, transitioning between classes, or receiving valuable instruction, so your understanding is appreciated.

Morning drop-off info: 

·       Please do not leave your car unattended in the line.

·       All students are expected to come through the car line.

·       To decrease the congestion on the sidewalks, please do not park and walk your student to the building unless you have previous arrangements with the teacher.

·       Please do not pass another vehicle in the line.

·       If you trust your student to get out without staff assistance, this is fine.

Afternoon pick-up info:

·       Please don’t arrive before 3:00as this may block staff in their parking spots.

·       Please do not leave your car unattended in the line.

·       Be sure to come through the line by turning right from New Towne Haven Lane.

·       Please do not pass another vehicle or switch lanes.

·       Move up to a safely close distance to the vehicle in front of you.

·       Turn off your engine once parked and leave it off until vehicles are directed to move. 

If you would like to eat lunch with your child, please reach out to the teacher at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the visit; this will allow the teacher to communicate if there are any changes to the lunch schedule and to notify the office of your upcoming visit.

This year the IWCS Nutrition Office has changed its payment source and is no longer using Meals Plus. If you had a credit on your child's Meals Plus account at the end of last year, the funds have been moved over. If you do not see those funds, please reach out to Mrs. Couch ([email protected]). Caregivers are encouraged to prepay for their children's meals, and the website www.schoolcafe.com enables secure credit card payment options. Registration with the K12 Payment Center gives caregivers access to their student's lunchroom balance and meal history and offers e-mail notification when the account balance drops below a set limit.

All students enrolled in Isle of Wight County Schools are given an opportunity to apply for free and reduced-price meals. Applications may be completed privately and securely onlineat www.schoolcafe.com, and forms can be obtained at any school's cafeteria or main office. 

Cafeteria menus are posted monthly on the IWCS website at IWCS Cafeteria Menus ('24-'25)

 

Here’s the link to an “online note” that you can use to report your children’s absences: CAES Absence Note

A copy of the school division’s calendar is linked here: ​2024-2025 School Calendar

Information about the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and the division’s new language arts curriculum, myView:  Virginia Literacy Act

Bus info linked here: IWCS Transportation Information

· Tuesday, September 24 - Fun Run event day

· Friday, October 25 - Trunk or Treat at CAES. Click the link below to volunteer! We are looking for lots of spooky trunks to participate. If you love Halloween, this one's for you!

And of course, membership is open for PTA! Click the link below to join. It is $5 for an individual membership, and we also have a business membership this year for $10.
We've received confirmation that the Spirit Wear store will be open until Sunday for last minute orders. 

Spirit Wear store- https://www.spiritgeardirect.com/GearDrive/Store.aspx?guid=101424a6-18e1-472c-b44b-57c00b860d82

Production will start Monday and all orders will arrive around three weeks from then.

Trunk or Treat volunteers - https://forms.gle/RryWMFM6SrN3K4yLA

PTA Membership store - https://carrollton.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true

Official CAES PTA page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/186402771084093

As always, we greatly appreciate your support!

Sincerely,

CAES PTA Executive Board

 

Fall pictures are coming up! Below is the info.

• Tuesday, 10/1 - 1st grade, 2nd grade, Mrs. Rowland’s class, Ms. T. Nagy’s class, Ms. Norton’s class, and Ms. Micceche’s class
• Wednesday, 10/2 – Mrs. Rosenberry’s class, Kindergarten, and 3rd grade

Photo Ordering: Ordering will be 100% online. Photos will be available to order about two weeks after picture dasy. More info will follow.

9/23     No students in the building: Asynchronous day for students

9/24     BayPort Savings Day

9/24     PTA-sponsored Boosterthon Fun Run

9/27     Packer Backer Friday (Wear blue and gold to support our SHS Packers)

10/1     School picture days for Rowland, T. Nagy, Norton, Micciche, 2^nd grade, & 1^st grade

10/2     School picture days for Rosenberry, Kindergarten &, 3^rd grade

10/4     Packer Backer Friday / 1:00 dismissal for the SHS homecoming parade

10/10   Crunch Heard ‘Round the Commonwealth

10/14   No school: Student holiday

10/15   No school: Staff professional development day

10/18   Cardinal of the Month Popcorn party

10/25   Our annual Book Character Day!

10/25   PTA-sponsored Trunk-or-Treat

the Carillon

car·il·lon /ˈkerəlän,ˈkerələn/ (noun) a set of bells in a tower played using a keyboard 

your weekly update from Carrollton Elementary

 9/28/2024

I sat with a bunch of third-grade boys the other day at lunch and when I asked why there were no girls at the table, I got the response I expected: faces were made, groans were uttered, aspersions were cast. Let’s just say that these fellas aren’t quite aware, yet, of the fairness of the fairer sex– and that’s perfectly okay. When I tried to rattle their cages a bit more by asking if their wives – like mine – packed their lunches, more groaning ensued. And then one guy boldly stated with a mouthful of PB & J, “I’m not gonna get married because I’m a big gamer and I don’t want any distractions.” So many thoughts packed into that nine year-old’s mission statement. I’m not sure what that reveals about his perception of marriage or his perception of gaming but it made me guffaw (and I’m not a big guffawer).  •  Kids say some of the best stuff, and we adults get to hear it if we take the time and have the patience to listen. Another example: During dismissal last week I had this brief conversation with a kindergartener as we walked along the sidewalk:

Kindergartener: Are you the principal?

Me: I sure am.

Kindergartener: But I thought principals were bad.

Me: Well, not all of them. Usually just the ones on TV.

Kindergartener: Are you a bad one?

Me: No, I try to be a good one.

Kindergartener: My brother got a turtle for his birthday.

I encourage you to strike up a discussion with your child this week. It could be informative. It will most likely be entertaining. And it will certainly be valuable for your little conversationalist to have your attention.

Let’s grow!

Mr. B.

Mr. Brennan

 

Happy trails to our Mrs. Pealo as she moves on to the next phase of her career in her new job with CodeVA, a nonprofit based in Richmond dedicated to advocating for and supporting K-12 computer science education throughout the state of Virginia Her creativity and problem-solving skills have been greatly appreciated here over the past five years and we wish her much success.

As of Wednesday morning, our Booster pledge profit was over $18,000 thanks to all who participated in donating and seeking donations! 

Thank you so much for the contribution of school supplies for the “Kids in Need Foundation” sponsored by Smithfield High student Abigail Worrell. With your help and support (along with local churches and small businesses), a total of 516 school supplies were collected.

 

If you would like to help our teachers and you know your way around a large laminator (or are willing to be trained), please reach out to Mrs. Bogard at [email protected].

Caregivers often ask how they can support the school staff and one way would to provide items for staff incentives; here’s an Amazon link for such items: Ways to Encourage the CAES Staff

As part of our safety protocol, we will be conducting lockdown drills next week; teachers have explained the expectations and we will make the drills as calm and non-threatening as possible.  

 

For your convenience, Lost & Found items will remain outside Door 1 through September 30 and then be gone.

Reminders:

Early pick-up ends at 3:15 daily. From 3:15 to 3:35, students are receiving valuable instruction, at recess, or transitioning between classes, so your support is appreciated.

Morning drop-off info: 

·       Please do not leave your car unattended in the line.

·       All students are expected to come through the car line. 

·       To decrease the congestion on the sidewalks, please do not park and walk your student to the building unless you have previous arrangements with the teacher.

·       Please do not pass another vehicle in the line.

·       If you trust your student to get out without staff assistance, this is fine.

Afternoon pick-up info:

·       Please don’t arrive before 3:00 as this may block staff in their parking spots.

·       Please do not leave your car unattended in the line.

·       Be sure to come through the line by turning right from New Towne Haven Lane.

·       Please do not pass another vehicle or switch lanes.

·       Move up to a safely close distance to the vehicle in front of you.

·       Turn off your engine once parked and leave it off until vehicles are directed to move. 

·       Here’s a link with more information: CAES Afternoon Pick-up Procedure

If you would like to eat lunch with your child, please reach out to the teacher at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the visit; this will allow the teacher to communicate if there are any changes to the lunch schedule and to notify the office of your upcoming visit.

Last reminder: This year the IWCS Nutrition Office has changed its payment source and is no longer using Meals Plus. If you had a credit on your child's Meals Plus account at the end of last year, the funds have been moved over. If you do not see those funds, please reach out to Mrs. Couch ([email protected]). Caregivers are encouraged to prepay for their children's meals, and the website www.schoolcafe.com enables secure credit card payment options. Registration with the K12 Payment Center gives caregivers access to their student's lunchroom balance and meal history and offers e-mail notification when the account balance drops below a set limit.

All students enrolled in Isle of Wight County Schools are given an opportunity to apply for free and reduced-price meals. Applications may be completed privately and securely onlineat www.schoolcafe.com, and forms can be obtained at any school's cafeteria or main office. 

Cafeteria menus are posted monthly on the IWCS website at IWCS Cafeteria Menus ('24-'25)

 

Here’s the link to an “online note” that you can use to report your children’s absences: CAES Absence Note

A copy of the school division’s calendar is linked here: ​2024-2025 School Calendar

Information about the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and the division’s new language arts curriculum, myView:  Virginia Literacy Act

Bus info linked here: IWCS Transportation Information

Our Boosterthon was such a huge success we decided to keep donating open for one more week! With your help, we can EXCEED our goal and make an even bigger impact on the lives of our students, staff, and parents here at Carrollton Elementary. Thank you for all of your support! 

Friday, October 25 - Trunk or Treat at CAES. Click the link below to volunteer! We are looking for lots of spooky trunks to participate. If you love Halloween, this one's for you! Want to volunteer? Click here: Trunk-or-Treat Volunteers

Membership is open for PTA! Click the link below to join. It is $5 for an individual membership, and we also have a business membership this year for $10.

PTA Membership store - https://carrollton.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true

Official CAES PTA page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/186402771084093

As always, we greatly appreciate your support!

Sincerely,

CAES PTA Executive Board

 

Fall pictures are coming up! 

• Tuesday, 10/1 - 1st grade, 2nd grade, Mrs. Rowland’s class, Ms. T. Nagy’s class, Ms. Norton’s class, and Ms. Micciche’s class
• Wednesday, 10/2 – Mrs. Rosenberry’s class, Kindergarten, and 3rd grade

All CAES photo info can be found on this website: https://www.bluedominionstudios.com/caes

Photo Ordering: Ordering will be 100% online. Photos will be available to order about two weeks after picture days. More info will follow.

10/1     School picture days for Rowland, T. Nagy, Norton, Micciche, 2^nd grade, & 1^st grade

10/2     School picture days for Rosenberry, Kindergarten &, 3^rd grade

10/4     Packer Backer Friday / 1:00 dismissal for the SHS homecoming parade

10/10   Crunch Heard ‘Round the Commonwealth

10/14   No school: Student holiday

10/15   No school: Staff professional development day

10/16   Bully Prevention Month’s Unity Day (We’ll wear lots of orange.)

10/18   Cardinal of the Month Popcorn party

10/25   Our annual Book Character Day!

10/25   PTA-sponsored Trunk-or-Treat

10/30   Bully Prevention Month’s Upstanders Day (Think superheroes and capes!)

File attachments:
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Pick up Procedure:

Family FAQ: