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Welcome Back!

Dear Johnson Families,

Respectfully,

Cara Steiner

November 1, 2015 Volume 3, Issue 3

PLEASE remember to sign in at the front office and obtain a visitor’s badge before

entering campus. Your child’s safety is our priority and we want to know who is

visiting at all times. Thanks for helping us keep our campus safe.

Campus Visitors

The Johnson Journal

Dear Johnson Families,

Second quarter is off and running and our staff has been working to

develop school-wide and grade level goals for our students based upon

data in reading, writing, and math. Teams are working collaboratively to

implement strategies that will help each child succeed.

As we try to keep our students’ safe on their journey to and from school, we

ask that you obey all school zone traffic laws and be extremely careful as

you drive the streets around our school. Please be patient with the excess

traffic after school as you pick up your child or are driving by. Please do

not make U-turns in the school zone and around crosswalk areas when

students are present as children are difficult to see. I appreciate your help

in working together proactively to keep our students safe and avoid

accidents.

Finally, please take time to review the attached calendar also available on

the Johnson website at www.mpsaz.org/johnson. Mark your calendar to

join us for upcoming Johnson events! We thank you for your continued

support and the opportunity to make a difference in your child’s education.

Have a wonderful month of November and Thanksgiving holiday!

Respectfully,

Cara L. Steiner

Veora E. Johnson

Elementary School

3807 E. Pueblo Ave.

Mesa, AZ 85206

www.mpsaz.org/johnson

Cara Steiner, Principal

480-472-6800

EARLY

DISMISSAL Wednesday, Nov. 4

11:45 A.M. Professional

Development for

Teachers

“Jump Rope for Heart”

Nov. 4

10:15-11:35 a.m.

Flag Raising

Ceremony

Nov. 10

8:00 a.m.

NO SCHOOL

Nov. 11

Veterans Day

PTO –Krazy Air

Trampoline Park

Nov. 16

4-6:00 p.m.

NO SCHOOL 26-27

Thanksgiving Break

Volume 1, 2010

Page 2 Volume 3

Nov. 4 “Jump Rope for Heart”

10:15-11:35 a.m.

Early Dismissal 11:45 a.m.

Nov.5 Pick-up PTO Cookie Dough

2:00-6:00-MPR

Nov. 10 Veterans Day Flag Raising

Ceremony 8:00 a.m.-Courtyard

Nov. 11 Veterans Day (NO SCHOOL)

Nov.16 PTO - Krazy Air Trampoline Park

Family Fun 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Nov. 20 SOAR Luncheon

Nov. 25 Turkey Trot 9:15-10:15

Nov. 26-27 NO SCHOOL

(Thanksgiving Break)

OCTOBER SOAR WINNERS

Kindergarten Mrs. Pugmire Maile Keator Ms. Whisenant Trey Bosen Mrs. Derr Lily Yamamoto 1st Grade Mrs. Pettinato Carson Fenn Ms. Wagner Tatum Davis 2nd Grade Mrs. Galligher Sureyma Alvarado Mrs. Robertson Wyatt Evans 3rd Grade Mrs. Samuels Khandi Patron Mrs. Thomas Cayleb Couch Ms. Lowell John Cook 4th Grade Ms. O’Grady Axel Garcia Ms. Tucker Haley Bastian Ms. Lynch Emily Mallory 5th Grade Mrs. Wagner Tehani Castillo Mrs. Bishop Oslvado Torres 6th Grade Mr. Mann Mallory Blau Mrs. Jones Chelsea Vazquez Montessori Mrs. Keilty Mercedes Lane Mrs. Worcester Claire Hogle Mrs. Goodman David Dunn Mrs. Rogers Harper Knudsen Ms. Haws Anderson Ashley Mrs. McDermott Jorge Valverde Mrs. Scow Emmanuel Valencia

The S.O.A.R. Program focuses on teaching students the expectations for maintaining a Safe, Organized, Accountable, and Respectful school campus. Each day teachers award students with S.O.A.R. Positive Energy Alerts. At the end of the month all students have equal opportunity to eat their lunch with Mrs. Steiner through a classroom drawing. Chosen students are then treated to a pizza lunch provided by MPS food & nutrition. All SOAR positive energy alerts are then put into the quarterly drawing for fun educational prizes provided by student council. This provides a time to celebrate and acknowledge students for positive behavior and for going above and beyond.

Truancy

Veora E. Johnson – Johnson’s Namesake

Veora Erma Johnson Elementary School is named for Mesa’s first African American principal who is also the first African American Woman to hold Arizona administrative credentials. During her 47 years in Mesa Public Schools, she was a teacher, principal, and curriculum consultant. It is in her honor that Johnson teachers and students continue to strive for excellence.

Page 3 Volume 3

PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

What: Jump Rope for Heart

Where: Johnson Elementary

Time: 10:15-11:35 a.m.

Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Johnson Elementary students will be participating in the American Heart Association’s Annual

Jump Rope for Heart event. In order for the event to be a success, we rely on parent volunteers. If

you are interested in volunteering your time for this worthwhile cause, please contact Mrs. Lang or

Mrs. Richardson at 480-472-6759.

VETERANS DAY FLAG RAISING CEREMONY

Please join Johnson students and staff members in honoring our veterans and military personnel at our annual Veteran’s Day Celebration on Tuesday, November 10th in the school’s courtyard at 8:00 a.m. All veterans/military personnel are invited to a continental breakfast in the Media Center after the flag raising.

In the end, it’s not the years in

your life that count. It’s the

life in your years.”

-Abraham Lincoln

Donate your ECA Tax credit and personalize a brick with your child's name. Email your receipt to Mrs. Noe at mgnoe@mpsaz.org for directions on a personalized brick for Johnson’s courtyard.

LEFTOVER CANDY Bring your leftover or unwanted candy to the flagpole before school the 3 days following Halloween for donation to the military troops.

COLLECTING BACKPACKS, SUITCASES, and duffle bags for kids in foster care. Send supplies to

room 34. We also could use hotel sample shampoos, conditioners, lotion, tooth brushes/toothpaste.

Student Council News

Preschool Alilill Fleming, Lily Cook, Elijah Ortiz

Kindergarten

Kate Jones, Trey Bosen, Macy Fenn, McCoy Norton, Lily Yamamoto, Tommy Hicks, Gwendolyn Coleman

1st Grade

Olivia Dunn, Carson Fenn, Macie Schnepf, Jayden Gutierrez, Easton Thompson

2nd Grade Savannah Armstrong, Brian Mendez Ortiz,

Olivia Morel, Danny Bryant, Avery Whitmer, Cooper Claridge, Jorge Valverde

3rd Grade Steven Hanson, Adrianna Vargas, Adrian

Fleming, Chloe Hinds, Itzel Bojorquez, Keagan Dixon

4th Grade Mya Chabarria, Craig Arnett, Edgar Anaya,

Taytum Adams, Elise Mordt, Luis Linson 5th Grade Kathryn Apuan, Kara Hall, Chris Soberanis Islas,

Brayden Bauer, Karyn Whitehead 6th Grade Anna Whitmer, Aaron Bingham, Destinee

Swanson, Alexa Gutierrez, Dallin Rogers, Jayla Sagmoe, Devontae Dightmon

Ms. O’Grady Gold: Chloe Dunn, Jack Timothy Silver: Ayden Boyd, Maris Danielson, Gage Hadjes, Axel Garcia Binzha, Etham Udall Ms. Tucker Gold: Haley Bastian, Egan Nielson Silver: Brooklynn Cassidy, Regina Fonseca, Marcie Lovin, Grace Mann, Rylee Miller, Mario Rosales, Natalie Valdez Ms. Lynch Silver: Taytum Adams, Aiden Bosen, Shane Keeton, Emily Mallory, Emily Rudd, Chloe Swapp Mrs. Worcester Gold: Tyree Brown, Anthony Gutierrez, Anastasia Jaseph, Madi Laine, Brylie Thompson Silver: Hayley Kridler Mrs. Bishop: Gold: Emmalee Couch, Rylynn Dixon, Sophee Dupree, Caleb Durette,Powell Glover, Kara Hall, Shyla Truoug Silver: Agiatupu Danielson, Carmelo Egurrola, Kayla Halstengard, Gavin Irvine, Mya Jaseph, David Rougeux, Layla Sheets, Hannah Tourjee, Gisselle Fonseca Mrs. Wagner: Gold: Tehani Castillo, Ashiian Hunter, Lenna Moon, Alysa Peralta, Giselle Solis, Brodie Yamanoto Silver: Kylie Crisp, Bria Evans, Thomas Evans, Anthony M. Jimenez, Ensley Nielson, Sarah O’Grady, Averrie Peoples, Alex Picaso Mrs. Jones Gold: Izabelle Awadallah, Thor Eckman Silver: Audrey Oakes, Laura Carvalho, Madeline Nelson, Aubrey Shields, Jaden Smith, Anna Whitmer, Kedzie Wilhelm Mr. Mann Gold: Rachel Blaylock, Preston Bosen, Elijah Torres, Brandon Whipple Silver: Mallory Blau, Tiffany Erickson, Erik Garcia, Graham Lovin, Yanaleise Soto, Easton Willis, Elijah Wilson, Danielle Zavala Mrs. Keilty Gold: Noelle Coleman, Dallin Rogers, Greg Sanders Silver: Angelina Ortiz, James Goto, Lucie Hogle, Paige Reynolds, Dane Wolfe, Sara Reynolds, Alexa Gutierrez

Page 4 Volume 3

Page 4 Volume 3

1st Quarter Student Recognition & Awards

PTO Krazy Air Trampoline Park

4310 E. McDowell Road

Mesa, AZ 85215 (480)355-1930

Monday, November 16th 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Kids age 7 and under $6.00 per hr/ $10 for 2 hrs

Kids age 8 and older $10.00 per hr/ $16 for 2 hrs

(20% of proceeds go to Johnson)

Page 5

Page 5 Volume 3

Gratitude is the word for the month.

For some gratitude is easy, almost innate. For others the cup is always half-empty, skies are dark,

or things are never good enough. The good news is- gratitude can be an acquired skill. Teaching

children to find a positive from something that feels so negative is obtainable and a wonderful

characteristic that can be applied throughout one’s life. Not only is it important to take

opportunities to teach gratitude but equally as important is to model gratitude. Life satisfaction

and happiness are increased when we take the time to appreciate the people and surroundings in

our life. Interpersonal skills, such as empathy, are developed when our views are expanded and

gratitude increased. Being thankful for the small things impacts more than just ourselves, it

changes the world around us. Each one of us has the ability to positively impact the lives that

surround us. Gratitude is more than a word or a feeling, it is power. A great way to start teaching

gratitude is to read and discuss a book together. Here are some book ideas about giving thanks!

Thanks a Million by Nikki Grimes The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good

Morning Message by Jake Swamp

Gratitude Soup by Olivia Rosewood

Stephanie Lund, M.A. Ed

Mesa Public Schools Counselor

AzMERIT Results: What Johnson families can expect Shortly, you will receive your child’s AzMERIT family score reports, which indicate how students are doing on the path to success. Since these are the first-ever AzMERIT results from assessments taken in spring 2015, your child’s scores will be different than they were on AIMS and may be lower than anticipated. These results give us important information we can use along with your child’s grades, homework and class participation to understand how he or she is meeting higher expectations. Please visit mpsaz.org/azmerit to learn more about AzMERIT, find valuable resources and helpful links, and watch a video that will help you better understand your child’s AzMERIT results.

Resultados de AzMERIT: Lo que las familias de Johnson pueden esperar Dentro de poco, recibirá los informes de resultados familiar AzMERIT, los cuales indican el logro que los estudiantes están obteniendo en el camino hacia el éxito. Dado a que estos son los primeros resultados AzMERIT de las evaluaciones tomadas en la primavera 2015, las calificaciones de su hijo serán diferentes de lo que fueron en AIMS y pueden ser más bajos que lo anticipado. Estos resultados nos dan información importante que podemos utilizar junto con las calificaciones de su hijo, tarea y la participación en clase para entender cómo él o ella desempeña las expectativas más altas. Por favor visite mpsaz.org/azmerit/es para obtener más sobre AzMERIT, encuentre recursos valiosos y enlaces útiles y vea un video que le ayudará a entender mejor los resultados AzMERIT de su hijo.