As we move into the holiday season, my mind naturally goes to the gifts I have been given in life. As many of you know, I am a second career educator. In high school, I wanted to be a teacher but I spent several years as an electrical contractor prior to finishing my education degree. The still, small voice inside me kept quietly reminding me that I needed to work with kids. Many people in education feel that this career is a calling and I am no different. My calling to work with kids was strong enough to pull me toward this career and I am forever grateful that it did. The years I have spent in education have been a wonderful gift. As we approach the traditional season of gifts and gratitude, I want to thank you all for sharing the best gift I could ever get. The time I get to spend watching your children grow and learn is truly the best gift I have ever been given. Thank you for the trust and support that you show. Most of all thank you for giving me the greatest gift.

December at EES will be a very fun, fast, and full month. We have so many things going that barely a day will pass without some task or exciting event.

To begin the month, we will have our wonderful 3-5 concert at EES. This will be held on Thursday, December 5th at 7:00 PM. Mr. Myers and the kids have worked so hard and they would love for you to come check out the beautiful sounds.

Our students will be doing their Winter MAP testing on December 11th and 12th. Please make sure that they are present, rested, and ready to show what they know.

Another fun item will be our school Spelling Bee on Tuesday, December 17th at 1:30. The school bee will be comprised of 3rd-5th grade students who finish at the top of their classroom bee. More information will be provided for those who qualify to compete. The top three winners will move on to the County Spelling Bee in Chanute on January 16th. Good luck to all of our spellers!

Wednesday, December 18th will be the date for our cookie dough and catalog order pickup. We will be available from 4:00-7:00 PM to get our orders out in time to deliver for Christmas. We are very thankful for all of those who helped and ordered. We have big plans for the funds collected. More information will be provided for this pickup as we get closer but it will function just like in the past. Pickup will be held in the small North Gym at EES at the designated time.

Thursday, December 19th will be our celebration party for those who sold 10 or more items. We will also make allowances for families with multiple students. As soon as I get the full list of qualifiers, I will send home notes. Thank you all for participating.

Friday, December 20th will be a big milestone. It will not only be the end of our first semester and beginning of our winter break but also we will have our class holiday parties on this date. Be on the lookout for class specific information but our time slots will be 2:00 PM and later. Our 5th grade will also be going on a field trip to KOAM studios on this date.

Grade cards and testing information will be distributed upon students return from Winter Break.

Our Session 3 IT Factor sign-ups will be coming home during the week of December 9th and will be due back prior to leaving for holiday break. We are making a few slight changes in the sign-up process but will offer the same type of awesome classes as usual. I hope your students are sharing the amazing things they are doing in IT Factor with you. As always if you have a talent or desire to share knowledge or skills with our kids, we would be happy to sign you up to teach a session after school. It could be as little as 1 and 1/2 hours one day per week. We would love to share the talents of our community. Contact Mr. Pontious via phone, email, or social media.

Our EES PTO would like to invite you all to participate as well. They have done some amazing things in the last year and are looking for new members and officers. Below you will find a survey that Mrs. Good designed to help the PTO decide what time would be best for a meeting. Please consider helping this wonderful organization that has helped us so much in the last year. If you have any questions, please contact the school and we will do our best to help answer them for you.

Thank you all for such great support that we have been given over the last year. I couldn't be happier with the way you all respond to our needs and care for our kids. It really shows the heart of this district. Thank you!

12/5/19

3rd-5th Grade Concert 7:00PM at EHS auditorium

12/10

IT Factor Sign-ups go home

12/11-12/12

EES MAP Testing Winter

12/17

EES School Spelling Bee

12/18

Fundraiser Item pick-up 4:00-7:00 PM @EES

12/19

Cookie Dough Sales Celebration Party

12/20

Class Parties Last day of 2nd Quarter

KOAM Field Trip 5th Grade

Email: bpontious@usd101.com
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/usd101.com/elementary-school/
Location: 410 West 3rd Street, Erie, KS, USA
Phone: (620) 244-5191
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eesrocks/
Twitter: @mr_pontious