REFLECTION'S AWARD NIGHT DATE CHANGE!

In our October newsletter, it stated that our Reflections Awards Night is tomorrow night but the actual date is THURSDAY NOVEMBER 29th at 6pm at Thunder Ridge!!! :) I apologize for any confusion!! Please let us know if you have any questions!! Thanks so much!! Sheryle :)

Gearing UP for GRANDPARENT'S DAY!!

 Our school Grandparent's Day will be on TUESDAY, November 20th!! :) Here are the times for each grade:

K AM-2nd- 9:30-10 am
3rd-6th - 10-10:30 am
K PM - 3-3:30 pm

We are SO excited to welcome our Thunder Ridge Grandparents and other family members!!! Sheryle :)

Patriotic Week a GREAT Success!!

What an INCREDIBLE Patriot Week we had!! Thank you Darcey Williams for all of your hard work!!! :) Principal Theler's Veterans Day assembly yesterday was truly inspiring, filled with much respect and love to all the men and women who have and continue to serve our great country and to their families who are sacrificing at home!! Our Troops received POUNDS of Treats for this Christmas!! :) Thank you for the AMAZING support you each give our school!! Sheryle :)

HALLOWEEN PARADES...RAPTOR READING...

Thunder Ridge Happenings this Week:

- Come watch your kiddos show off their Halloween Costumes at our Halloween Parades- Wednesday October 31st at 9:30 am and Afternoon Kindergarten at 1:45 pm

- Friday, November 2nd at 9:15 am- Raptor Reading for our Fifth Graders and their Parents

Have a SPOOKTACULAR week!!!!!! :) Sheryle

And the WINNER is......

We collected 17,385 BOX TOPS for our school during our Fall school competition this year, winning against Riverview!! Congrats to Riverview Elementary for collecting thousands as well!! :) Thank you Raptor parents for the incredible support in raising over $1,700.00 for our school!!! Please keep sending in your Box Tops in!!! Every one counts!! :) Sheryle :)

Fun Happenings at Thunder Ridge in October‏

  Hope you all are enjoying a wonderful Fall Break!! There are lots of FUN Happenings coming up at Thunder Ridge in the next few weeks!! Take a look...

*  School Spelling Bee for Grades 4-6 with the School Finals on Friday, October 19th!!

*  Reflection entries are due Tuesday, October 23rd!! This year's theme is "The Magic of a Moment"! Reflections is an awesome opportunity for each student to create something that reflects who they are, talents they have, and gives them the opportunity of turning their idea in something great. Entry forms can be found in the office and if you have any questions, let me know!!! Heather Lambert and Corrine Prestwich have done an incredible job with this year's 2012 Reflections!! :)

*  We are beyond THRILLED and GRATEFUL at the number of Box Tops already turned in this year...and we still have a WEEK and a HALF left!! Keep them coming!! Each class is competing to see who can turn in the most Box Tops from 10/1/2012-10/25. The TOP 3 winning classes earn a prize for their TEACHERS!! We are also participating in our second Box Top Competition with Riverview Elementary to see which school can collect the highest percentage of Box Tops per student!! Winning school gets to choose what the other school's Principal gets to dress up as for Halloween and come visit the winning school on Halloween. This was a really fun event last year and we have had an even more EXCITING time this year!!! :) Thanks for your support!

* October 26th- Orange/Black Spirit Day!!!

* October 31st- Halloween Parades- 9:30-10:30 am and 1:45-2:15 for PM Kindergarten. Parades will take place in the school's gym. :)

* November 2nd- Raptor Reading for our 5th graders and their parents!!

 Sheryle :)

School Picture Update!!

Hi Thunder Ridge Parents,
We sent all of the pictures we've received from Capture Studios home yesterday afternoon (Oct. 1). If you are missing a picture packet, it is because the studio had a processing problem and some of the pictures did not print. They have informed me that the missing pictures should arrive here on Friday (Oct. 5) and we will send them home that afternoon. However, retakes were scheduled for Thursday (Oct. 4) and this would make it impossible for some of our parents to see the original pictures before retakes. Therefore, we have made arrangement with Capture Studios to move the day for retakes to next Tuesday (Oct. 9). We apologize for any inconvenience, but hope this will help improve the situation. Again, look for the missing picture packets to come home on Friday, October 5th and picture retakes are now scheduled for Tuesday, October 9th.

Thank you,
Principal Theler

Gearing UP for GREEN RIBBON WEEK!!

HOWDY THUNDER RIDGE PARENTS!!! We are SO excited for GREEN RIBBON WEEK start this Monday, September 24th!! Our Safety and Welfare Commissioner, Darcey Williams, has planned an incredible week filled with FUN activities for our Raptor students to bring awareness about the importance of being safe and kind to others.

This year's Green Ribbon Week includes:

Monday- Our School will be "Green" with excitement including Green ribbons hung inside and outside our school.

Tuesday- A "Say No to Bullying" banner will be hung in our school hallway and each student can have the opportunity to sign and pledge that Thunder Ridge will be a "No Bullying" school.
Wednesday- An identity kit will be sent home with each student in their Wednesday folder.
Thursday- "No Bullying-Safety First" Sidewalk Chalk Contest- Winning class gets a cookie party
Friday- 2012 Walk/Ride to School Day and "WEAR GREEN" Spirit Day

To make sure our Raptors walk or ride to school safely, we are looking for volunteers to come help cheer on our kids while they travel the safest way possible. If you are able to help us that morning, please sign up here, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZBOnBUIdndidONlq23fgHJdS2IWJbhvIjPDPzl_GZWM/edit!! We appreciate all of your support!!! GO GREEN!!! :)

Sheryle :)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

THUNDER RIDGE PARENTS: We are still in need of volunteers for our Vision Screening THIS FRIDAY, September 14th!!! If you are able to help...please sign up on our Google document!!! Thank you SO much!!! To sign up, visit- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_tPZCVxD0F4dKXw5MZf2uV0jeCOVZVj0VCopkK-TlHY/edit?pli=1.

Sheryle :)

Volunteers Needed!!

On September 5th, our school will be conducting hearing tests. :) We are need of some volunteers to help gather classes, direct students, etc. during these screenings. We have created a sign-up sheet, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ngd1YwovKebPSBbsPb_XcAQMLddM1caVQBDy7xgaFh8/edit if you are able to volunteer, please sign-up!!!! Each shift is one hour but if you would like to help longer, you are more than welcome to sign up more than once!! We SO appreciate your help!! Thanks!

What a GREAT frst Week Back!!

A BIG thank you the Faculty, Administration Staff, Principal Theler, and all our Raptor parents for helping make this first week a HUGE success.  Here are some FUN things coming up over the NEXT few weeks:

Tuesday, August 28th- First Day of Kindergarten
Monday, September 4th- Labor Day- NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, September 5th- Hearing Screenings
Tuesday, September 5th- Back to School Night- 6 pm
Thursday, September 7th- Room Mom Social- 3:15 pm in the Faculty Lounge

Have a great weekend!!

Sheryle :)

WELCOME BACK!!!

Dear Thunder Ridge Parents,

  Welcome back!! We are so excited for this upcoming school year!! If you would like to be involved at Thunder Ridge, joining the Thunder Ridge PTA is an easy first step.  There are MANY opportunities to volunteer and we always welcome new members.  We know that every parent’s schedules are different, and we appreciate any and all ways our Raptor parents are able to help our school.We are very excited about this year's PTA program!! Some of this year’s PTA programs include:

·         Reflections/Talent Show

·         Red and Green Ribbon Week

·         Patriotic Week

·         SEP Dinners for Teachers

·         Take Home Reading Library

·         Faculty Appreciation Month

·         Spirit Days

·         Thunder Ridge Super Bowl

·         Family Week

·         Family Skate Nights

·         Raptor Reading

·         Box Tops/Labels for Education

·         Character for Education

 To help lessen the financial school needs of our Raptor families, we will not be holding any fundraisers until the END of this school year. If you could PLEASE remember to CLIP, SAVE, and TURN IN your Box Tops throughout the school year so we can obtain the funds we need to run our amazing school programs this year, we would GREATLY appreciate it!! J

  The PTA organization serves as a STRONG voice for our children and we all are truly grateful for the opportunity to work with and serve the children at Thunder Ridge Elementary.  Please feel to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

 Sincerely,

Sheryle Coray- PTA President. Thunder Ridge Elementary

sherylejackson_2@hotmail.com

BOGO Book Fair

The Scholastic Buy One, Get One Free Book Fair

Monday – Thursday

May 7 – 10

9:00am – 4:00pm (open until 3:00 on Monday)

Volunteers needed!  Please sign up at

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dc6roI7GbiZaC3c3cbopiRnTeJMZS_uuEXDZlTIwNPQ/edit?hl=en_US&pli=1#

Town Hall Meeting

TOWN HALL MEETING: INFORMATION FOR PARENTS ON HOW TO PREVENT UNDERAGE DRINKING

April is Alcohol Awareness Month and as part of a nationwide campaign, Eagle  Mountain and Saratoga Springs' Communities That Care coalition, SAMHSA, and Parents Empowered are hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, April 19th, at 7:00 PM at Vista Heights Middle School in Saratoga Springs.  ALL parents and citizens are invited to attend.  Regardless of your child's age, the information provided at this Town Hall Meeting will be beneficial. Come learn valuable tips from professionals and community members that can help your child avoid the trouble that comes with underage drinking.

There will also be GIVEAWAYS.... a FREE 18 hole round of golf at Talon's Cove! and 9 holes at The Ranches golf course!!!  Plus, many more!

"Kids need help to stay alcohol-free.  Parents who are actively involved in their kids' lives and set clear rules and expectations on no alcohol use have a powerful influence on their children's decision to remain alcohol-free."-Parents Empowered

Chicks and Chocolates

Hey Everyone, tonight is our Chicks and Chocolates Open House!  It is in the Thunder Ridge Library from 6:30-8:00 p.m. - Members of our current PTA Board will be there to answer any questions you might have about next year.  There will be lots of chocolate to enjoy while you chat!  We hope to see you there! :) Mindi

Coalition of Character

Mrs. Tucker has asked me to announce a "Coalition of Character" Meeting, Thursday, April 5th:

Mr. Goodman along with Hal Urban (via Skype) will be the discussion leaders beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Saratoga Shores Elementary.

Mr. Urban's website:
http://www.halurban.com/index.htm 

Come join the discussion as we discuss how we can improve how we raise and teach children for good character.
Please pass this information along to parents and or other friends.

:) Mindi

Red Ribbon Week

Next week is Red Ribbon Week and it is our chance to celebrate good health and saying NO to drugs and alcohol!  Here's a schedule of what to expect:

Monday - No School
Tuesday - Wear RED Day!  "STOP and say NO to drugs!"
Wednesday - Pajama Day! "Be comfy with who you are and say NO to drugs!" (Please make sure that your children wear modest and appropriate pajamas.) *Miss Saratoga Springs will be joining us for our recess and playing games with us as we discuss the importance of staying fit.
Thursday - Hat Day! Wear your favorite hat. "Hats off to you for being courageous to say NO to drugs!" *Maturation Program for all 5th Graders and their parents! 1:15-2:15 p.m..  Boys will meet in the Kiva with well-known author/speaker Brad Wilcox.  Girls will meet in room 118 with our wonderful school nurse, Mimi!
Friday - Team Jersey Day! Wear your favorite Jersey. "Hooray to those for staying fit and saying NO to drugs!" *Fun school assembly

Thunder Ridge on Channel 5 News

Today we had the most amazing assembly for our Thunder Ridge Super Bowl and we want all of you to know that coverage of this assembly is going to air on Channel 5 news after "The Voice" on Sunday night. Make sure you watch for your kids on camera!

Sheryle Coray, our President Elect, did a fantastic job putting everything together for this event and there were MANY volunteers that made it all possible!  The assembly started with an introduction of our Super Bowl teams (Mr. Theler vs. Faculty), then Miss Saratoga Springs came in and threw the first football.  Mr. Theler and the Faculty battled it out with questions about "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" for two quarters of play then the half time show was put on by the Westlake Drum Line! The winners for individual reading and grade competitions were announced and then Mr. Theler and the faculty went up against each other for the final two quarters.  Mr. Theler clearly beat our fabulous faculty, but because of some penalties, the faculty was given the edge.  In the end they were ALL winners and the faculty and students had a great time!

I want to publicly thank EVERYONE that helped with this month long reading challenge, but I want to especially thank Sheryle Coray for having a vision of something great and making it happen!  We have the best PTA ever!

:) Mindi

Raptor Awards Ceremony

We had our First Annual Raptor Awards Ceremony today and it was a complete success!  It was the finale to our Faculty Appreciation Month and all of the faculty received Raptor Awards for their teams!  Everyone was decked out and the acceptance speeches were perfectly over the top!  The students cheered with vigor and the faculty seemed to have a blast. We sure love it at Thunder Ridge and are so grateful we could do something fun to show appreciation for our staff!  Thanks to Megan Hunting and Sarah Rothwell for this fun idea and for putting so much work into organizing Faculty Appreciation Month!  Also, a big thanks to everyone that helped with Faculty Appreciation Month! We simply could not do it without you!

Kindergarten Registration

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!

If you have child turning 5 by September 1^st and you have not done so, please pick up a Kindergarten registration packet at Thunder Ridge Elementary in the front office.  Packets can be turned in anytime between now and February 7th during regular office hours (7:30a.m. - 4 p.m.).  The secretary will be at the school until 8:00 p.m. on January 24th and 26^th for Parent Teacher Conferences and will be able to take registrations and answer any questions you may have.  In order to request a track (am or pm) all paper work must be turned in including proof of residence, shot records, and birth certificate. Preference will be given to those that turn in all required paperwork by Feb. 7^th, however if you turn yours in today and someone else turns it in on February 7^th, you will both have the same preference regarding track request. If you turn your registration in after February 7th, you may not get the track you request.

Book Fair

Our Scholastic Book Fair is coming up January 23-27 in our media center!  If you would like to help please click on the link and sign up for a time slot.  Please contact Talya at mamaloohoo@gmail.com if you have any further questions!  (Note: this is not our Buy One, Get One Free fair—that will be in the Spring.  The money from this fair helps buy needed books and supplies for our new library!)

Book Fair Volunteer Sign Up Sheet

Talya Blomquist
Book Fair Chairperson

Faculty Appreciation Month

This is Faculty Appreciation Month and information was sent home in before the holiday regarding what it entails, but if any of you are like me and happen to misplace or 'accidentally' throw away school papers, here is a run down of what to expect this month:

1. January 6th was a faculty breakfast and went really well!  Thanks to everyone that helped!

2. January 9-13th is Favorite Things Week and you are welcome to have your child bring in their teacher's favorite treat and then wear their teacher's favorite color on Friday. (Room Moms will be decorating the teacher's doors.)

3. January 20th the PTA is providing a nice catered lunch for the faculty.  We are asking that students be on their best behavior this week to show their appreciation towards our great faculty.

4 January 23-27 we are asking that students please bring in much needed supplies for their teacher's classrooms: dry erase markers, hand sanitizer, tissues, etc.

5. January 27th will be The First Annual Raptor Awards Ceremony for faculty. We will be gearing up with nominations all through the week and the red carpet event will be fantastic!

We are so excited about showing our appreciation for Thunder Ridge faculty and we hope that all of you will take part as well!

:) Mindi