The Mildred Helms Messenger
Mildred Helms Elementary International Studies Center
An IB-PYP Candidate School
http://www.pcsb.org/mildred-es
Office Hours 7:35a.m.-3:05p.m. School Hours 8:35a.m.-2:35p.m.
January 2017
From the Desk of Mrs. Brennan
Dear Mildred Helms Families,
Welcome back to the second half of the 2016-17 school year. We appreciate all of the efforts of our staff, students, and
families to help support learning and action in the community. Our Season of Giving was a success for both our students and our
community. Our hope is that our students learned that the holiday season has greater meaning when they are provided the opportunity to give to and help out others. We appreciate your support in our canned food drive and Toys for Tots drive. Both events were
successful and we hope to increase participation next school year.
As we kick off the second semester, now is the time to apply for our International Studies Program. Students who are not
within our zoned area may apply for a seat in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Please see the information below or go to our website
to find out how to apply for our program. Tuesday, January 10th is the first opportunity to enroll in zone kindergarteners for the 2017
-2018 school year. Our Kindergarten Round Up is also Tuesday, January 10th at 6:00 p.m. This is an opportunity to learn more about
our school and your student’s upcoming kindergarten experience.
Report cards will be distributed on Friday, January 13th. Please review your child’s grades and progress and set goals with
them for the second semester. Teachers will be conducting parent conferences after our mid-year assessment cycle is complete.
Remember that grades are accessible through FOCUS. We are very proud of all of the students that have achieved Principal’s List,
Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance, and have made improvements in academic and behavioral areas.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to a great second semester!
Respectfully yours,
Mrs. Shannon Brennan
The District Application Program
application period is now open!
When: January 4th—13th
Where: Student Reservation System at pcsb.org
You will need your Parent Portal username and password to apply.
Visit any Pinellas County School to get your Portal information.
Contact Kim Dennison, IB-PYP Coordinator, for more information
(727)588-3569 ext. 2104 or [email protected]
Mildred Helms International Studies Center is an International
Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme Candidate School
SAC Meeting January 10th @ 5:15 p.m.
Kindergarten Round-Up
Kindergarten registration begins Jan. 10,
2017 for the 2017-2018 school year.
If you have a child who will be 5 years old on
or before Sept. 1, 2017, please attend our
Kindergarten Roundup Open House on Jan.
10, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Hub of Inquiry.
We look forward to seeing you then!
January Learner Profile Attribute: Principled
We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and
rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
Book of the Month: The Empty Pot by Demi
For more information about the International Studies Program contact Kim Dennison, IB-PYP Magnet Coordinator
(727)588-3569 ext. 2104 or [email protected].
School Tours available Tuesdays, 9:30am-10:00am. Please call to RSVP.
Breakfast Served to Students 8:00a.m.-8:25a.m.
Mildred Helms International Studies Center
Vision: 100% Student Success
Mission Statement: Mildred Helms Elementary is committed to developing knowledgeable, inquiring, and caring lifelong learners within an intellectually
challenging, transdisciplinary program emphasizing international mindedness.
Pinellas County Schools Vision: 100% Student Success Mission: Educate and prepare each student for college, career, and life.
Amazing Artists
Dress Code Reminders:
Congratulations to the following artists whose
artwork was chosen for the Creative StART Exhibit
at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center. Their artwork
will be on display February 3rd – March 10th.
Janyse Acevedo 5th
Matthew Drapala 5th
Mackenzie Huggins 1st
Isabella Magelnicki Kdg.
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As stated in the Student Code of Conduct:
all shirts, tops, and dresses shall have sleeves and
cover the shoulders.
Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be mid-thigh
length or longer.
Form fitting leotard/spandex/
leggings type clothing is not allowed
without a proper outer garment.
During cold weather, make sure your
child has proper outer garments.
PTA
A huge thank you to the Mildred Helms community for all the toys donated for
Toys for Tots during the Season of Giving. We collected a total of 41 toys!
Upcoming PTA Events:
Chick-fil-a Spirit Night
Tuesday January 17th, 2017 5:00pm-8:00pm.
The school receives a percentage of the overall sales for that night. Please come out and support MHES!
2nd General PTA Meeting
Literacy & MOVIE NIGHT
Friday, January 20th 5:15 p.m.
Right after the meeting, PTA and Title I are sponsoring a Family Literacy and Movie Night from 5:30-7:30p.m.
Be on the look out for more information about this exciting night!
Dynamite Dolphins
November/December Patrol of the Month
Devon Hayden
Dolphin Ticket Winners:
100 – Paplaczyk, Riser, Kelly, Dillon, Vidalis, Gleeson, Watkins,
Osborne, Lannon, Huenke, Coil
150 – Rice, Phoebe
Student Council Season of Giving Can Food Drive
2,897 items donated
Saludos de Café Hola
Transdisciplinary Theme: How the World Works/
Como funciona de Mundo
Central Idea: Humans use language to explain the
effects of weather on human societies.
Key concepts: Perspective, reflection, connection
Related concepts: Properties, impact,
communication
Lines of Inquiry:
 how we identify, describe and
categorize weather
 how weather affects the way
we live
 how we use language to explain
Vocabulary
El clima - the weather
Soleado - sunny
Lluvioso - rainy
Nublado - cloudy
Ventoso, mucho viento - windy
Nevando - snowy
Medio nublado - partially cloudy
¡Hace color!- It is hot!
¡Hace frio! - It is cold!
¿Que tiempo hace hoy? - How is the
weather?
Hoy hace sol. - Today is sunny.
Hoy hace color. - Today is hot.
Hoy hace buen tempo. - We have a
good weather.
Hoy hace mal tiempo. - We have bad
weather.
Temperatura - temperature
Community Involvement News
New Year, New Mentors Needed!
Join in the celebration of National Mentoring Month to kick off 2017—become a mentor! It’s easy… just have
lunch with a student for 30 minutes one day a week. Attend a mentor training to get started.
Tuesday, 1/10/17—12:00p.m. to 1:00p.m.
Pinellas County School Administration Building, 301 4th St. SW, Room E111, Largo, FL
Wednesday, 1/11/17—8:00a.m. to 10:00a.m.
City of St. Petersburg Water Resource Building, Conference room, 1650 3rd Ave. N, St. Petersburg, FL
Friday, 1/16/17—9:00a.m. to 10:00a.m.
Pinellas park Family Resource Center, 5180 62nd Ave. N, Pinellas Park, FL
Tuesday, 1/24/17—4:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.
Wells Fargo Room, 12090 Starkey Rd., Largo, FL
Please register in advance by calling the Office of Strategic Partnerships, Family, & Community Relations or emailing Michelle Roberge at [email protected].
Forgot your User ID and Password?
Have questions about becoming a registered volunteer?
See or call Lisa Cavanaugh or Meredith Pollard at 588-3569.
Order from Your Pizza Shop on Tuesday nights and
10% of your order total goes to Mildred Helms!
What a great way to support our
school and students!
Your Pizza Shop
1200 8th Ave. SW, Largo, FL 33770
(727)581-1101
JANUARY 2017 EVENTS
What’s for lunch? Visit http://pcsb.nutrislice.com/ for
up to date Mildred Helms Elementary lunch menus.
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
PRO ED DAY
No School for
Students
3
School Tour
9:30 a.m.
Your Pizza Night
4
District Application
Program application
period opens
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
School Tour 9:30 a.m.
Your Pizza Night
SAC Meeting 5:15 p.m.
Kindergarten Round
Up 6:00 p.m.
District Application
Program application
period closes
Report cards go
home
15
16
Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day
No School for
students & staff
17
School Tour
9:30 a.m.
Your Pizza Night
PTA Chik-Fil-A
Spirit Night
18
19
20
Club Picture Day
PTA General
Meeting 5:15
PTA Movie Night
5:30-7:30
21
22
23
24
School Tour
9:30 a.m.
Your Pizza Night
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
School Tour
9:30 a.m.
Your Pizza Night