Baldwin Elementary School Intermediate Center

News from Mr. Wallsmith 9/2/2010

jheins — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:49:47 +0000

Student Council – Elections for our student council officers will take place next Friday, September 10. Mr. Bailey and Mrs. Maxon are serving as our sponsors this year. They have posted campaign information at the following link:

Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.

Buzz Book – We are preparing our Buzz Books again this year. Attached is a flyer containing the details. To be sure that every parent receives this, we are also sending home a paper copy. Please remember that you only have to complete the form and return it if you do NOT want your child’s information published.

5th graders can submit a cover design for consideration. The design must be on a 1/2 sheet of plain white paper and needs to include his/her name and “2010-2011.” Cover designs can be hand drawn or computer generated but must be done by the student.

Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.

Water Quality- We’ve been experiencing a dirty taste in our tap water. The Baldwin Public Works department believes the reason for the bad taste is the water supply received from the city of Lawrence. There was a recent article in the Journal-World with some details. You can read the article by clicking on the link below.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/aug/19/city-algae-clinton-lake-blame-musty-tasting-water/

We have been assured that the water is safe to drink. The Public Works dept. has flushed out our water lines and hydrants as well.

Traffic flow at dismissal went smoothly this week. Thank you for your patience!

NO SCHOOL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 FOR LABOR DAY!

Dan Wallsmith

Principal, Baldwin Intermediate Center

100 Bullpup Drive

Baldwin, KS 66006

785-594-2446

http://besic.usd348.com/

A note from PTO

jheins — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 09:28:20 +0000

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

The PTO would like to thank those of you who attended the PTO’s “Back to School Family Picnic Night!” We hope you had fun and were able to have access to much information, and we are thankful that “Mother Nature” cooperated with beautiful weather at last!

This is a reminder about the pledge drive that is underway, and I would like to share some numbers that might be of interest. With a combined enrollment of 525 students between the Primary and Intermediate Centers, to reach our $25,000.00 fundraising goal for the year, if each student were able to collect $47.70, we would meet our goal!!! That means if each student could find 5 people or businesses just willing to contribute $10.00, our goal would actually be exceeded!

I don’t know about all of you, but between the time I spend on sales-related fundraisers in collecting orders, submitting orders, picking up the items once they have been delivered to the school, delivering them, and then maybe doing that on an evening and being out late, so ending up running to the drive-through, the gas I’ve spent, etc., I probably throughout the course of the year, come pretty close to just spending that much to make another company money, for which we receive approximately 40% of the revenue.

In just thinking about how to be sensitive to parents’ time, various commitments, and thinking about how can put our funds to the best possible use for our students, the concept for the pledge drive was born. This is a way for individuals and businesses to make sure that our local PTO receives 100% of what is given versus splitting funds with an outside company. In addition, this provides individuals and businesses with an opportunity for tax credit incentive through the act of charitable giving. When items are purchased through the sales-related fundraisers, such credits cannot be claimed because items are being purchased for a fee versus donated.

I want to be clear that I don’t think it is a bad experience for the students themselves to have the opportunity to fundraise for their school through selling things. History has proven that this works, in many cases the kids enjoy doing it, and in the best cases, can help students build upon the concept of “we’re all in this together.” The PTO’s goal through the pledge drive is to, at the very least, reduce the number of fundraisers that the students and families are asked to take on. The less energy we expend on raising money throughout the year, the more energy we will collectively have to put towards student and family programming and faculty/staff support.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 785-418-4051, or email at kjbethell@hotmail.com. Many thanks to you all!

In community,

Kelley Bethell-Smith, PTO Pledge Drive Chair

News from Mr. Wallsmith – Traffic Patterns -8/27/2010

jheins — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 08:19:00 +0000

Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.

The above attachment is a map that shows the traffic flow for pick-up and drop-off at the Intermediate Center beginning Tuesday, August 31.

The Baldwin Police Department will be at both the IC and new PC to help with the traffic changes.

You will notice that the usual pick-up in the front of the school has not changed. However, we are asking that those who use the front entrance for pick-up or drop-off exit right (north) back on the Bullpup to 56.

You will also notice that we have added an additional pick-up location at the south door. We are asking that this pick-up location be used by those coming from the Primary Center off of the new Elm Street. It will greatly reduce the amount of congestion if those using this south pick- up/drop-off location would exit left (south) on to Bullpup and back to Elm.

For safety reasons, we ask that those picking up students at either the main or south location form a single line so students do not have to cross in front of any traffic to get to a waiting vehicle.

In order for our staff to get the students to the proper pick-up location, we need to know which location you will be using at dismissal time. Most 4th and 5th graders will be able to find the right place, but a call to the office or reply to this message would be appreciated once you know which location will work best for you.

The bus lane needs to be reserved for buses or district vehicles only.

Buses load students at the new PC at 3:10 and should be at the IC at 3:15 when our bus riders are dismissed. However, it may take a few days for the buses to adjust to the new routes.

The non bus riders at the IC are dismissed at 3:17.

I’ve included a map for the new Primary Center traffic flow as well.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Thank you,

Dan Wallsmith

Principal, Baldwin Intermediate Center

100 Bullpup Drive

Baldwin, KS 66006

785-594-2446

http://besic.usd348.com/

News from Mr. Wallsmith 8/25/2010

jheins — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 03:44:06 +0000

REMINDER…PICTURE DAY IS THIS FRIDAY. 3rd graders will be having their pictures taken here.

The much anticipated move to the new Primary Center is set for this weekend. While this is an exciting time for all of us, the Intermediate Center staff and 4th/5th grade students are going to miss the 3rd graders and their teachers.

Because of this move, there will NOT be school for 3RD GRADERS on Monday, August 30. All 3rd graders will start school at the new Primary Center on Tuesday, August 31.

There WILL BE SCHOOL on Monday, August 30 for 4th and 5th graders. It will the first day since our building opened that we will not have 3rd graders with us.

Our dismissal time will look very different beginning on Tuesday. We ask for your patience as we adjust to the increased traffic that will now be coming from both the north and south along Bullpup. Once we have an idea of how much student pick-up traffic we will have, we may add a pick-up point on the east side of the building as well. At this time, there is no stop sign as you enter or exit either of our parking lots.

We have ordered a new keyboarding program for out 4th and 5th graders. The new program is an updated version of Type To Learn that is more advanced and offers more individualization than our previous version. Once it arrives and is installed, we will begin our regular rotation of technology classes. Students will alternate between library and technology.

Fall Wrestling Academy, Wednesday nights in Sept/Oct in South Gym. Beginners (grades K-2) is 6-6:30 pm, Youth Beginner (grades 3-6) is 6:30-7:15 pm, and Youth Advanced (grades 3-6 with experience) is 7:15-8 pm. Cost is $25, includes shirt. Sign-up at BCRC. Contact Coach Harris, kharris@usd348.com

News from Mr. Wallsmith 8/20/2010

jheins — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:55:35 +0000

Parent Teacher Organization

BACK TO SCHOOL

OLD FASHIONED FAMILY PICNIC NIGHT!

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24TH

6:30-7:30 P.M. AT THE

INTERMEDIATE CENTER

–A great night for the entire family!

–Please bring your own picnic and table service

–PTO will provide beverages and a dessert treat.

Join the fun for a simple evening of socializing, music provided by the Baldwin High School Band (led by Mr. Cooper), and balloon entertainment for the students! There will also be several opportunities to learn more about the PTO, as well as other upcoming school and community programs/activities!

News from Mr. Wallsmith 5-7-2010

jheins — Mon, 10 May 2010 13:52:21 +0000

A few end of the year reminders:

There cannot be any school lunch meal charges after today, Friday, May 7. All students with a negative account balance should have received a notice slip today in his/her backpack. Remember that you can check your child’s account balance for free at
http://www.ezschoolpay.com/. To use the feature, you will need your student’s ID #. It is located on their account balance slip or you can call our office at 594-2446 or email Mary Beth Strobel at: mailto:mstrobel@usd348.com

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U.S.D. 348 Grades 3-5 Elementary Track Meet

Thursday – May 13, 2010

Bring a sack lunch and water!!

Field Events begin at 11:00 a.m.

Running Events begin at 12:15 p.m.

WEATHER FORECAST??? YES, you will be outside for four hours.
SUN SCREEN?? YES, and dress appropriately. TENNIS SHOES!!!
SACK LUNCH??? YES, you will need one!! WATER!!!
In case of inclement weather, the track meet will be cancelled.

ONCE THE FIELD EVENTS ARE COMPLETED, WE ASK THAT ALL SPECTATORS FIND A PLACE IN THE STANDS FOR THE RUNNING EVENTS.

WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR COOPERATION SO THIS ACTIVITY WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE.

Baker University has generously allowed us to use Liston Stadium free of charge for our elementary track meet for the past several years. The football field has recently been repaired, and they have made it very clear to us that the only people allowed on the field are the adults who are running the softball throw. This means that student athletes must walk around the track to get to the softball throw on the south side and to get to starting lines for the 200M and 400M relays.

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There are summer discount coupons for World’s of Fun and Six Flags in our office if you have an interest.

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Here is a message from PTO about the School Supply Packets

Dear Parents,

The Baldwin Elementary PTO is offering the opportunity to pre-order your child’s school supplies for the 2010-2011 school year! We are very excited about providing this service to our very busy parents! Just think, no scrambling to Wal-Mart confused about what type of markers to purchase, no children upset or melting down if they are out of Hannah Montana notebooks or SpongeBob folders!!!!

You can pre-order your school supplies May 3rd through May 21st, 2010, and then conveniently pick them up at enrollment in August!

This packet of information includes three components: 1) this cover letter; 2) your child’s/children’s school supply list; and 3) a Back-to-School Pack order form (provided as an attachment). You may notice that there is a significant increase in the supplies needed for the 2010-2011 school year. This is a result of the school district’s funding having been significantly decreased, and they are now unable to afford several items that they have always provided within their respective budgets in the past (for example, copy paper, index cards, and sticky notes, just to name a few). However, the price of the Back-to-School Packs will be comparable to what you would pay if you went to the store and bought the items today–especially factoring in gas for the trip and of course, your time, which is invaluable!

Please note that the PTO has not built in a profit margin for the Back-to-School Packs. It was our goal to do this through Innisbrook at cost as a service to parents. However, in terms of total transparency, you might be interested to know that because we are doing an additional program through Innisbrook, as a result, we will receive a much higher percentage of the profits than we have in the past with the large Innisbrook fundraiser that will again take place in the fall. This, in turn, will result in more revenue for the PTO and therefore, more services and funding provided to the students whom we cherish! Please also note that due to potential on-going budget cuts, teachers may request that you purchase additional items at the time of enrollment, and items may need to be replenished throughout the year. However, these pre-ordered Back-to-School Packs will get you well on your way in accomplishing the ever-dreaded school supply-shopping odyssey, and again, we hope this will result in a helpful service to you from the Baldwin Elementary PTO!

Again the sale will run May 3rd through May 21st, 2010. You may order your school supplies online at www.innisbrook.com(select Buy School Supplies) or return the following order form with payment to your child’s school.

If you have questions about this service, please feel free to contact Cindi Thomas at cczthomas@gmail.com (phone is 785-594-3384), or Kelley Bethell-Smith at kjbethell@hotmail.com (phone is 785-418-4051).

Sincerely,
Cindi Thomas & Kelley Bethell-Smith

Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.

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Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.

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Cook’s Choice Main Entree:
Monday, May 10 – Burrito
Tuesday, May 11 – Pizza
Wednesday, May 12 – Chicken Fried Steak
Thursday, May 13 – Track Meet – BRING A SACK LUNCH AND WATER!!!!
Friday, May 14 – not yet determined.

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Other upcoming dates:
PTO Buy One Get One Free Book Fair is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, May 17 and 18. The Book Fair will be open from 7:45-8:10, 11:30-12:50, and 3:15-4:00 on both days.

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Intermediate Center Awards Ceremony- May 21at 9:00

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May 21 – Last day of classes. School dismissed at 11:30. No lunch will be served
Progress reports will be mailed out on Wednesday, May 26.

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Many of you may be thinking about next year. Our Board of Education will be setting the budget priorities at their meeting on Monday, May 10. Once they have determined the direction for the district, I will be able to assign teachers to classes and begin preparations for next year. If you have any thoughts or comments on the budget situation, it is not too late to contact your board members or attend Monday’s meeting.

Thank you,
Mr. Wallsmith

Dan Wallsmith

Principal, Baldwin Intermediate Center
100 Bullpup Drive
Baldwin, KS 66006
785-594-2446

http://besic.usd348.com/

News from Mr. Wallsmith 4-29-2010

jheins — Mon, 03 May 2010 17:10:44 +0000

We finished the last of our state assessments this week!!! The 4th graders completed the science assessment on Wednesday. Look for a summary of all test scores in an upcoming bulletin!

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week. The attached flier has some suggestions on how your child can express his/her thanks. The PTO is hosting a lunch for teachers on Tuesday, May 4.

Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.

(teacher appreciation flyer)

Next week our Student Council is sponsoring Be Kind to Animals Week with the following daily events:

Monday, May 3: Pennies for the Pound, bring pennies (or other coins) to put in the bowl in the Library. All $ goes to Lawrence Humane Society.
Tuesday, May 4: Hat Day, pay 25 cents for the privilege to wear a hat. Pay your STUCO rep. All $ goes to Humane Society.

Wednesday, May 5: Jam the Jeep with paper towels. Let’s see if we can fill Mrs. Maxon’s jeep with paper towels.

Thursday, May 6: Donate something from the Wish List. (See below)

Friday, May 7: Feed the Animals, bring canned cat/dog food. (See the Wish List for the kind of dog/cat food to bring.)

Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.

(Wish List)

Donations of any kind will be accepted any day.

The Kid’s Night Out sponsored the BHS Cheer squad has been rescheduled for Friday, May 14. An updated flier will be sent home as soon as it is available.

The 2nd annual Beginner Bulldogs Wrestling Clinic will be held on four Wednesdays (April 28, May 5, May 12, May 19) in the South Gym (8th & Chapel Streets).
It is for any Baldwin elementary student in grades K-5. It is a beginning wrestling clinic to be run by Kit Harris, BHS and BJHS wrestling coach.
No fee.
The clinic will run from 3:40-4:30. Some students may arrive late because of needing time to get there, this is ok.
PC students can meet in front of the school and will be walked down by Sarah Harris. IC students can ride bus #4 over to the South Gym.
An info flier has been sent to each elementary school for distribution.
Questions? Contact Coach Harris, 785-221-8025 cell phone or kharris@usd348.com

Thank you,
Mr. Wallsmith

Dan Wallsmith

Principal, Baldwin Intermediate Center
100 Bullpup Drive
Baldwin, KS 66006
785-594-2446

http://besic.usd348.com/

News from PTO: Back to School Packs

jheins — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:43:37 +0000

Dear Parents,

The Baldwin Elementary PTO is proud to provide the following service to you! Please note that this is NOT a fundraiser.

You can pre-order your school supplies May 3rd – May 21st, 2010 and then conveniently pick up them up at enrollment in August. The price of the Back-to-School Packs™ will be comparable to what you would pay if you went to the store and bought the items today.

More information will be sent home with your child soon! Until then, if you have questions about this service, please email me at cczthomas@gmail.com or call me at 785-594-3384.

Sincerely,
Cindi Thomas

Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.

News from Mr. Wallsmith 4-23-2010

jheins — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:38:40 +0000

Parents,
Here are some events for next week and the first week of May:

This Sunday, April 25 through Thursday, April 30 is IC Week at Wheat State Pizza. You can use the attached flyer or pick one up at the store.

Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.

Thursday, April 29 is the Student Council Bake Sale during lunch. All items will sell for 25 cents. Students can purchase their baked item

Spring Pictures are due back to the office by Thursday, April 29

Leadership Day for 4th graders is Friday, April 30

Our Student Council would like to sponsor a school-wide activity each day during the week of May 3 in celebration of “Be Kind to Animals Week.”
Here is the schedule they set:
Monday, May 3 Pennies for the Pound. Any coins that students bring in will be donated to the Lawrence Humane Society
Tuesday, May 4 Hat Day – Students pay 25 cents to their Student Council representatives for the privilege of wearing a hat. $ goes to Humane Society
Wednesday, May 5 – Jam the Jeep- with paper towels. Bring a roll of paper towels to help fill Mrs. Maxon’s jeep.
Thursday, May 6 – Wish List – Students can bring items from the Humane Society Wish List (to be announced later)
Friday, May 7 – Feed the Animals -bring a can or sack of dog/cat food
Participation is not required in these activities.

Other dates:
Elementary Track Meet- Thursday, May 13 at Liston Stadium 11:00 start time
IC Awards Ceremony- May 21 at 9:00
Last Day of School – Friday, May 21. School dismissed at 11:30

Thank you,
Mr. Wallsmith

Dan Wallsmith
Principal, Baldwin Intermediate Center
100 Bullpup Drive
Baldwin, KS 66006
785-594-2446

http://besic.usd348.com/

4th Grade Visits Lanesfield School

jheins — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:49:22 +0000

Personalize a free photobook design