Fourth Grade "Adopts" a Soldier

Meet Patrick! 4th Grade's "Adopted Soldier." Patrick is a 21-year-old engineer for the Army, currently stationed in Kuwait and being forward deployed to Iraq soon. Students write letters to Patrick, send crafts, and also care package items he could use (like Q-tips, toothpaste, etc). Patrick has been such a wonderful resource for learning and really bringing a new appreciation to our students for what our soldiers are doing overseas! 

Students have also been able to email him questions about college, the war, and military duties. Last week, all 84 students were able to sit in on a Skype session and see and talk to Patrick! They asked questions, laughed a bit, and both parties spirits were brightened!

If anyone would like to donate money (for items or shipping) or small non-perishable items for Patrick, please talk to one of the 4th-grade teachers or send the item(s) to school with your student. We send care packages once per month. He and his platoon are very grateful for all of the support and words of encouragement!

Christmas Sing Along

Sacajawea's Annual Christmas Sing Along

Thursday, December 17

10:45-11:30

Come enjoy Kindergartners dancing, the Orchestra playing, stories being read, and most importantly beautiful singing from our Sacajawea students.

Santa's Workshop Starting Tomorrow

Sacajawea Parents -

Santa's workshop is coming up in the next couple days.  Students get an opportunity to buy up to two gifts for their family members .  Gifts are 50 cents each and they can buy up to two of them.  Students can bring $1 on their day.  Students should check with their teacher about which day they are signed up.  Most classes will "shop" at Santa's Workshop on Wednesday or Thursday but some are signed up for Friday.

This is a great chance for our kids to show kindness to the people they care about.

Thanks to PTO for supporting our students.
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Sacajawea padres -
El taller de Santa está viniendo en los próximos días y pueden comprar regalos por miembros de su familia. Los estudiantes tienen la oportunidad de comprar hasta dos regalos por 50 centavos cada uno. Los estudiantes pueden traer $ 1 en su día. Los estudiantes deben consultar con su maestro acerca de qué día se inscribieron. La mayoría de las clases se "ir de compras" en el taller de Santa el miércoles o el jueves, pero algunos están apuntado a viernes.

Esta es una gran oportunidad para que nuestros estudiantes demuestran el amor a la familia que les importa.

First Grade Penguin Experts

First graders are studying penguins. We are learning about their life cycle, habitats, predators and their prey. Students were given the challenge of putting a set of pictures into the correct order of the Penguin's life cycle. They had a great time along with great discussions. First Graders are waddling and rocking the learning this year.

November's Skyhawks of the Month

Congratulations to all our Skyhawk award recipients for your hard work. Way to be leaders! (2nd grade pictured above)

1st Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Quarter 1 Academic and Character Awards

3rd Grade

Academic awards:

1st Grade

2nd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Character Awards:

Kinder

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Emergency Procedures - FYI

Parents -

Today we called a "Hall Check" for about an hour, while the school district and the Caldwell Police Department investigated a potential safety concern reported about another school.  HERE is the letter going home today about that event.  The district also sent an auto-dialer message.

In case you are wondering, here is some information about some of the emergency procedures we use and we practice and review with our students.

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EVACUATION 

Evacuation shall be instituted at the discretion of the principal/designee for any situation that possesses a threat to the life safety of students, staff or visitors. This may include, but not be limited to fire, smoke or a gas leak

The principal/designee staff and students shall follow District SOP (Safety Operation Protocol) during a building evacuation.

We practice evacuation procedures once a month so that our students and staff are able to get out quickly and account for all students quickly in the case of a real emergency.
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HALL CHECK

Hall Check shall be instituted at the discretion of the principal/designee for any situation that requires a minimum amount of movement in a building by students, staff or visitors. This may include, but not be limited to a suspicious person in or near the building, drug dog sweep or any other need to restrict movement in a building. Sometimes a "hall check" is called based on a potential law enforcement action a distance from the school, just as a precautionary measure.

We practice a "Hall Check" at least once a year and review our procedures for "Hall Checks" and lockdowns on a regular basis.

During a "hall check":

• All external and internal doors are locked.  
• All students are brought into a classroom and no one goes out into the halls without an adult escort. 
• All classroom windows are covered.
• Classes continue with learning activities within the classrooms.  They just don't go in or out.

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LOCKDOWN

A lockdown may be instituted at the discretion of the principal/designee, as a protective measure, in the case of a potential direct or imminent threat.  During a lockdown:

• All external and internal doors are locked.  
• All students are brought to a safe place within the classroom so they cannot be seen. 
• All classroom windows are covered.
• Students and adults in classrooms are quiet until the lockdown is canceled.

We practice a lockdown at least once a year and review procedures for a lockdown on a regular basis.

Hands on Learning in Third Grade

Third graders had a busy day on Friday. During math they practiced writing division word problems using yummy animal cookies. Later in the day they became scientists and dissected owl pellets. They were able to identify the bones of animals the owls actually ate.

Veteran's Day Assembly

4th Grade students made cards for the veterans

In honor of the amazing men and women who are serving or have served in the military, Sacajawea held a special Veteran's Day Assembly. The guests of honor were veterans who were friends and family of our staff and students. The assembly was organized by our music teacher, Becca Chavarria and was a beautiful tribute to the veterans.
The program included the members of Student Council teaching a little bit of history about the different wars American fought in. There were also patriotic songs like "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Grand Ol' Flag" sung by the students. The assembly concluded with Mr. Webster introducing each of the veterans who came to the assembly and thanking them for their service.

Share Your Opinion on the Superintendent Search

This survey is also posted on the CSD home page. Please provide input to the search committee about the kind of leader you think we need as our next superintendent. This can be completed by parents, students, community, or employees.

SHARE YOUR OPINION on the Superintendent Search

The Board of Trustees in the Caldwell School District is searching for a superintendent. A community search committee has been appointed. The board and the committee are interested in opinions from you regarding the desired professional and personal qualifications for a Caldwell School District superintendent. Your suggestions will be used by the search committee and the board in reaching a final decision.

Please click here to go to the online survey and share your opinion. Or click here to download the PDF to print and mail.

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COMPARTA SU OPINION EN LA BÚSQUEDA DE SUPERINTENDENTE

La junta directiva de Caldwell School District está en búsqueda de un superintendente. Un comité de la comunidad ha sido nombrado. La junta directiva y el comité de la comunidad están interesados en sus opiniones respecto a las calificaciones profesionales y personales para un superintendente del Distrito Escolar de Caldwell. Sus sugerencias serán consideradas por la junta directiva y el comité en la decisión final.

Oprime aqui para tomar la enquesta. Oprime aqui para oprimir la enquesta.

School Lunch Coloring Contest Winners

The following super Sacajawea artists won their grade-level and school categories in the national school lunch coloring contest:

Audrey T - 1st Grade
Melinda M - 2nd Grade - Grand Prize Winner
Dalia G - 3rd Grade
Taylor B - 4th Grade

Karla R- 5th Grade

October's Skyhawks of the Month

1st Grade

Congratulations to all the Skyhawks of the Month Award Recipients. Thank you for being leaders in our school.

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Great Opportunity to Serve Kids and Families at Sacajawea - Attendance Clerk

Please pass this to someone you know who might be interested and qualified.

Sacajawea is looking for an amazing new attendance clerk, as Tina Basaldua will be transferring to the district office.  Tina has been our attendance clerk for many years and has been at Sacajawea since it opened in the early 90's. The following traits we are looking for are quite a tribute to Mrs. Basaldua.  She is such a hero.

Our attendance clerk is the first person most people meet at our school, so she is extremely important. She is the face of Sacajawea Elementary School.

We need someone:

• Who is bilingual in Spanish and English (both written and spoken preferred), so that she can serve all of or families well.  
• Whose positive attitude is contagious, is fantastic at customer service and is reliable under pressure.
• Who can maintain their cool and attention to detail, even in a high energy elementary school office. 
• Who is comfortable with direct interaction with adults and with kids and should also be proficient at using technology for communication and record-keeping. 
• Whose phone etiquette is superb.

Most importantly, we need someone who loves kids and families.

If you know someone who would be great at this please encourage them to apply online at THIS LINK.  They can feel free to direct questions to me, Paul Webster (pwebster@caldwellschools.org / 208-455-3333 x1437). In-district applicants may send a letter of interest to Gloria Betancourt and Paul Webster.

Questions about salary and benefits can be posed to Gloria Betancourt (gloriab@caldwellschools.org / 208-455-3300) or you can view the classified salary scale directly at THIS LINK.

Thanks for your help spreading the word.  We are looking forward to meeting the next great member of our Sacajawea team.
Paul Webster

Opera Idaho Comes to Sacajawea

Third and fourth-grade students at Sacajawea got a rare and special experience when Opera Idaho performed for them. They performed the famous opera "The Magic Flute" by Mozart. The students sat transfixed as they watched the story of Tamino, a prince who must undergo a series of tests in order to marry the princess Pamina, unfold before them. They got a special surprise when they discovered that a few of their classmates had parts in the Opera too.