1. November 16, 2010 Sponsored by Story PTA STORYTELLER The Counselor’s Couch Watch D.O.G.S - We still have open dates, so if you are a Dad or Father-figure and would like to be involved, please e-mail Gerri Elsing at gerri_elsing@allenisd.org to schedule a day! Guidance News – I will be in first and second grade classrooms this week to talk about uniqueness and diversity. Rachel’s Challenge - Story is continuing their kind and compassionate acts towards each other. Keep up the good work Falcons! We are nearing 2600 links for our chain of kindness! The Holidays are fast approaching and the economy is tough this year. Please contact me at michelle_gilbert@allenisd.org or 972-727-0570 ext. 123 for help with winter clothing and/or Thanksgiving food resources. It is my ethical obligation to keep all inquiries for help confidential. Sixth Grade Parents – Registration for classes at the middle school will begin in late February. The counselors from Ford Middle School will be presenting registration information to your students on Wednesday, February 23. The parent information meeting will be held on Monday, February 28. I will have more details about the location later in the month. Michelle Gilbert Principal’s Corner Dear Parents,  It is hard to believe that the Thanksgiving break is already here!  We would like to take this opportunity to share our gratitude to those who make this school such an exemplary place to be.  We would like to thank the students who come to school each day energized and ready to learn; the faculty and staff for their care and dedication to the children of this community; and the parents who team with us on behalf of the children.   We hope you and your family have a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!  Sincerely, Judith Coffman and Adam Rupert Help Allen Community Outreach Feed Families for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Each holiday season ACO reaches out to the community for support to collect food for several hundred local families. Holiday Food Donations Drop Off- ~Nov 1-Nov 18 Monday– Friday 8:30-4:30 ACO– 801 E. Main St. (Closed 12:30-1:30 for lunch) ~Nov 19 Friday 10:00-3:00 First United Methodist Church of Allen– GYM 601 S. Greenville Ave. For more info call 972-727-9131. High Five Club Nov 8 - 12 Kindergarten Anya Jones, Ben Hansen, Kaylee Tye, Faron Derouselle First Grade Shenelle John, Emily Wear, Julia Gilbert, Manahill Khan Second Grade Matthew Tousant, Brye Wheeler, Alfredo Andrade, Kinzie Edwards Third Grade Iman Siraj, Mary Fluckiger, Noelani Jackson, Caleb Yowell Fourth Grade Mbouh Yakum, Levi Reaves, Logan Goff, Roya Jafari, Allison Overfelt, Bree Law Fifth Grade Haley Benter, Diana Ruiz, Austin Tye, Dalinda Brown Sixth Grade Cami Nguyen, Jenny Mai, Elizabeth Boyce, Lauren Davis Rudolph Run If you want to sign up for the Rudolph Run, you can still do so at Luke’s Locker, Joe Farmer Rec Center, and the Natatorium.  Thanks! Erin Needham

2. Story Elementary/AISD Testing Dates 2010-2011 Parents please be aware of these testing dates and try not to schedule appointments on these dates. November 16 Science Benchmark Testing – grades 3-6 November 29-Dec.10 CogAT testing – grades K,6 November 30 Writing Simulation – grade 4 January 31 Math Simulation – grade 5 February 1 Reading Simulation – grade 5 February 8 Math Simulation – grades 3,4,6 February 9 Reading Simulation – grades 3,4,6 February 10 Science Simulation – grade 5 March 1 TAKS Writing – grade 4 April 4 TAKS Math – grade 5 April 5 TAKS Reading – grade 5 April 26 TAKS Math – grades 3,4,6 April 27 TAKS Reading – grades 3,4,6 April 28 TAKS Science – grade 5 Box Top News! Hello Story Falcons! WOW!! What a  finish for the second 6 weeks’ Box Top and Label Champions!!!  It goes to show that you should never ever give up!  The winner will be revealed during the morning announcements.  So, stay tuned.... Remember , a new race starts next week.  Encourage your class to get those Box Tops and Labels for Education in to win a free recess. When the world says, "Give up,"  Hope whispers, "Try it one more time.“ ~Author Unknown Here are the totals that round out the top five spots. 1st  place – 564 4th place - 343 2nd place – 376 5th place - 274 3rd place – 362  Have a great week!!! Valerie Brown Jones Labels for Education Coordinator Gifted and Talented Placement Testing AISD Learner Services and Assessment Department will be coordinating upcoming CogAT testing at your campus.  All AISD Kindergarten and sixth grade students will be administered a CogAT aptitude testduring the weeks of November 29 - December 10, 2010.  This test will be administered in groups at each campus.  Please visit the following web link to find out more information on CogAT:  http://www.riverpub.com/images/flashElements/cogat_demo.swf All second grade and fourth grade students interested in taking the CogAT test for Gifted and Talented placement consideration will have the opportunity to do so during the spring testing to be held on Saturday, March 26, 2011.  Registration information will be located on the Gifted and Talented website in mid-January. Benchmarks Twelve week district benchmark tests are given to all students in grades 3 - 6 in reading, math, and science. Scores are not taken as grades, but are used for instructional planning, as well as determining student strengths and weaknesses.  This Friday, you will receive a form with your child’s performance on the benchmarks.  Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions. Calling all Mad Scientists! Story’s annual Science Fair is coming!  Informational packets and safety rules can be picked up at the front desk or downloaded online.  Please visit Mrs. Langlais’s sixth grade website for the packets and approval letter.  All projects must be approved by Mrs. Langlais by December 1.  Projects are due on the morning of January 25 in the Story Multipurpose Room.  Good Luck! • Donation Drive • We have kicked off the 2010/2011 Fall Fundraiser! Your child brought home a donation form in last week’s Tuesday Folder.  Our PTA has set a goal of $3500. One hundred percent of these donations goes directly to the school for the enrichment of our students and campus. Here are a few ways your PTA funds go to work: • Field Trips • School Assemblies • Family and/or Parent Educational PTA programs • Classroom materials  • Anything you can give towards this fundraiser drive is greatly appreciated! Thank you, Story Elementary PTA The ACO donation item to be collected for November is soup and canned meats. Mark Your Calendar Nov 16 PTA Meeting & Early Bird Choir Program – 7:00 PM Nov 22-26 Thanksgiving Break Nov 30 Simulation writing 4th grade - No Visitors Story Elementary School Judith Coffman, Principal : Adam Rupert, Asst. Principal 1550 Edelweiss 75002 * School: 972-727-0570 * Fax: 972-727-0573 *Absentee Hotline: 972-7270320 School Website: http://www.allenisd.org/storyes/site/default.asp