Page Title

Text Box: From Mrs. Nelson — It seems the parking lot is abuzz again, and this time the topic is the decision to eliminate the Halloween party and adopt a fall celebration of some sort. Let’s clear up some of the speculation with some facts about how and why this came about. I am the one who brought this idea to our school Instructional Team and the School Improvement Team for discussion after last year's parties. After my fourth round of Halloween parades and parties, I decided to share what I was thinking with these two groups of teachers and parents. Each discussed the issue and thought that a more productive and inclusive day would result from a different kind of fall celebration. Let me share some of what I said to the teams: A Halloween party and parade exclude some students based on their religion or socio-economic status. Some children, because of their religion, are taken out of school that day. Others are kept home or come to school feeling bad because they don't have a "cool" costume. We manage to put something together in the office for them, but it isn’t the same. We lose a day of instruction and trade it for a day of discipline. We are used to dealing with excited kids, and we love doing it— when there is a reason. The children are excited for Valentine's Day and the December holidays, but we can use these times to teach about kindness and giving or have them write friendly letters and read stories related to the holidays. Halloween is based on the idea of ghosts and goblins walking the earth for a night. Where is the value in that? (continued pg. 3…)

Text Box: 615 Piedmont Drive Omaha, NE 68154 Phone: 715-1390 Fax: 715-1428

Breakfast

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Breakfast bar*

Bagel & yogurt

Cinnamon roll

Blueberry muffin

Apple turnover

Pop tart

Breakfast pizza*

Donut twist

Pancake/wrap*

Mini donuts

Lunch

Option 1 — French toast sticks

Option 2 — PAncake

Option 3 — All-American wrap*

****

Potato tots

Ham patty*

Fruit & Milk

Option 1 — Chicken nuggets

Option 2 — Pizza hot pocket

Option 3 — Chef salad

****

Carrots

Pretzels

Fruit & Milk

Option 1 — Cheeseburger

Option 2 — Toasty dog

Option 3 — Turkey sub

****

Baked beans

Crackers

Fruit & Milk

Option 1 — Hot dog

Option 2 — Breaded beef patty sandwich

Option 3 — Ham & cheese sub*

****

Corn

Graham crackers

Fruit & Milk

Option 1 — Chicken patty sandwich

Option 2 — BBQ rib sandwich

Option 3 — P B & J sandwich

****

Green beans

Chocolate chip cookie

Fruit & Milk

· See you at the Skate Party on Tuesday the 18th from 6-8 PM!

· Fifth graders need a good breakfast and a full night’s sleep for the Social Studies assessment next week!

· Mmmm… cookies. Please consider making Cottonwood cookie dough a part of your fall traditions. There are many great varieties on sale now!