End of Year Info!!

Next week we will begin our Project Based Learning (PBL) unit. It will encompass science, reading and language skills. In math we will be looking at roman numerals and completing a project on fidget spinners. We also will be looking at the impact of animals on an ecosystem at Christie.

Looking forward we have several fun events:

-  Friday, May 12th is PTA Movie Night at 6pm

- Tuesday, May 16th is Author's Visit from 9:15-10:00

- Friday, May 19th is Career Day and StuCo Dance

- Friday, May 26th is Field Day

- Tuesday, May 30th is 5th Grade Graduation at Carpenter Middle School at 6pm

- Wednesday, May 31st is Talent Show

- Thursday, June 1st is End of Year Party

- Friday, June 2nd is early release, assembly and last day of school!

 We're in the homestretch y'all! Let's finish strong. 

Countdown to STAAR

Countdown to STAAR      




Hello Parents, 
We are in the final push before the STAAR test.  The students have worked hard so far this year, and we are excited to see their hard work pay off.  I wanted to send a few reminders and important facts about the STAAR test...


1.  Math Testing May 8th


2.  Reading Testing May 9th


3.  We will test in the morning on both days with lunch at  12:30.


4   Students are allowed to bring a snack of their own, but we will also provide a small water bottle and snack for each student both days.


5.  The test will be four hours, unless otherwise noted.


6.  If a student finishes early, they may read a book, but do no other activities.


7.  Please contact me if you have any questions about how your child will test.


8.  Be sure to get a nice nights rest and breakfast for both days.  


***Please note that students that get sick during the test will not be allowed a make up, so be sure your child is not sick the morning  before the test.  Makeups will be later in the week if needed for absent students***

Adapted Recreation Summer Camps for City of Plano

Career Day

Career Day is rapidly approaching and we need YOUR experiences! Whether you are a nurse, mechanic, astronaut, custodian or business owner- we need you!

We are looking for a variety of people interested in spending a day talking to our students about their career. Many of our students are unaware of the career opportunities available to them and this is a fantastic way to provide them with first-hand knowledge of potential career paths. This is also a great way for you to get involved with Christie Elementary and make an impact on the students’ future. If you are not interested but know someone who is, please give them (or us) the necessary contact information. The 2017 Christie Elementary Career Day is May 19th from 8:30 – 2:30. Arrangements can be made for half-day participation.

Thank you in advance for your involvement! 

April is Autism Awareness Month

How to Support Autism Awareness Month this April

Show your support for inclusion and for autism spectrum disorders.

03/30/2017 10:09 am ET | Updated 1 day ago

What is Autism Awareness Month?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. More than 3.5 million Americans currently live with ASD, and 1 in 68 children are born with a variation of it, so it’s likely you know, whether or not you’re aware of it, someone on the autism spectrum.

With a growing incidence in the country, The Autism Society was founded in 1965 and in the early 1970s began a nationwide campaign to raise awareness. The first National Autism Awareness Month occurred in April of 1970. Nearly 50 years later, April is still celebrated as a time to raise awareness around the differences of those on the spectrum, supporting people and educating the public on autism.

But what can you do to participate and how can you help support the cause?

How to Raise Awareness

Wear Blue on Autism Awareness Day. Within the month of April, there is a designated Autism Awareness Day, when Autism Speaks celebrates the beginning of its yearly campaign, Light It Up Blue. Many landmarks, buildings, homes and even people around the country “light up blue” to support people with autism. On April 2 this year, wear your favorite blue shirt to help raise awareness for this important day. Posting on social media with the hashtag #LIUB is a great way to show your support!

Share the Puzzle. The most recognizable symbol of autism awareness is the Puzzle Ribbon. Sharing the ribbon (whether on your backpack, car, refrigerator or social media) is an easy way to stand with people on the autism spectrum, and provide education and advocacy for those who may not know quite as much about people with autism. You can buy a ribbon from the Autism Society here.

Autism Puzzle Ribbon

Donating to Credible Organizations

Last year, the National Institute of Heath’s budget for autism research was $216 million. But the more research that’s done, the more progress we can make.

According to a 2014 study, an autism diagnosis can cost more than $17,000 annually per child. Autism Awareness Month is a perfect time to donate to the cause, and to make sure you’re donating to credible organizations, I’ve put together a list of a few that provide support, commit to research and enhance lives for people with Autism—all fully credible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

Autism Speaks – Autism Speaks is a non-profit organization founded in February 2005 and is dedicated to advancing research into causes and treatments for autism spectrum disorders. They also promote increased understanding and acceptance of people on the autism spectrum through advocacy and support.

The Autism Society – The Autism Society is a not-for-profit organization with the goal to raise public awareness about the issues people on the autism spectrum face in their daily lives.

The Autism Research Foundation – This Boston-based foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to provide answers to the autism community through research, education, family resources and social inclusion programs.

Actions That Show Support

If you don’t have the resources to donate to the cause, there are still many ways that you can participate in Autism Awareness Month.

Participate in a walk. There are hundreds of Autism walks around the country throughout the year. If you can participate in one during the month of April, great! If not, walking any time during the year for registered events is a great way to spread support and awareness.

Spend time with someone with autism. The best way to begin to understand autism is to interact with someone who is affected by it. Giving someone you know with autism support and consideration is a great way to celebrate the month and spread awareness and advocacy.

Be an advocate. Talk to your local school board. Write a letter or go to a meeting. Show your support for inclusion and for autism spectrum disorders in your local schools.

No matter whether you choose to raise awareness and show your support through social media, donations, events or advocacy, the important thing is that the support is there. Although Autism Awareness Month is a great time to show this, the disorder does not only exist during April, so it’s essential to advocate for children, and adults, with autism year-round.

Fitness Flexers

The PE staff would like to provide you with an opportunity to help ALL kids at Christie.  We are in need of approximately 27 yoga balls for our fitness class.  We hope these yoga balls will provide us with an opportunity to have drum fit lessons and core strengthening opportunities.  Therefore we have created a DonorsChoose.org classroom request.  Please click on the link below to help support us.

https://www.donorschoose.org/project/fitness-flexers/2447604/

Once funded, we'll update the PE blog with pictures of how our Christie kids are enjoying their fitness lessons while ultimately becoming healthier citizens.  

P.S. If you know anyone who may want to help, please pass this along! 

Please VOTE!!!

Dear Christie Parents-

This year Christie Elementary has the opportunity to win some amazing prizes for our wellness program.  Anyone in our community can click on the link below and enter for a chance to win a $30,000 grant for our school's healthy transformation AND a new playground.  While there are other prizes available, this would clearly be an amazing opportunity of our kids!  The sweepstakes runs until March 24, 2017.  Please set your alarm on your phone or post a sticky note on the fridge to log on each day and vote.  Also, feel free to share with family and friends to help increase our voting numbers.  Thank you!

http://www.togethercounts.com/at-school/win-for-your-school/sweepstakes

PISD's Special Education Adult Transition Fair

Lost and Found

After only 9 days back from the break, our Lost and Found is full of unclaimed items. We are making some changes to the system:
All items will be kept in the hallway along the office, so you and your student will have an easier time when looking for items that were misplaced.
All items will be donated MONTHLY (at the end of each month) to keep the collection manageable.
The Lost and Found is now stored on the rolling hanging cart for ease of viewing items and will be on display during family nights, such as this Thursday, January 12th, for Fine Arts Night.
Please tell your students to visit the Lost & Found to claim their jackets, hats, etc. as soon as possible.
Please spread the word!

College Week!!

Next week is college week!  We will celebrate all week long with decorations, sharing college experiences and dressing up!

Monday January 9- Christie Cubs Day

                                Wear Christie Cubs spirit wear or colors

Tuesday January 10- Carpenter Cowboys Day

                                   Wear a blue shirt or cowboy boots

Wednesday January 11- Clark Cougars Day

                                    Wear red, white or black and sunglasses

Thursday January 12- Plano Senior High Wildcats Day

                                    Wear maroon and white

Friday January 13- DREAM BIG!!

                               Dress up as your chosen career

We look forward to celebrating all week long!