Week of: October 1, 2018
Volume 3, Issue 8
Kicking Off Our Reading Series Program :   It is our goal to motivate students to practice independent reading skills and become proficient readers by reading books in a series that interest them.  Starting this week, October 01-5, 2018, each staff member will host a series of books and encourage students who choose to read their series.  For example, Mr. O’Dowd will host  The Horrible Harry series.   As a student chooses to read  The Horrible Harry series, he/she will come to Mr. O’Dowd’s office to get a bookmark listing the books in that series.  The child will check out a book from Mr. O’Dowd one at a time to read.  As the child finishes the book, he/she will take an AR Quiz (must pass quiz with 80% accuracy or higher) and then come back to Mr. O’Dowd’s office to exchange it for the next book in the series.  While in his office, Mr. O’Dowd (or the series host) will talk with each child about the book they just finished.  When students finish a series, Elementary students will receive a “Spirit Stick” and Middle School students will receive a “Free Dress” coupon to use on a designated day each month.  
  
Why are we doing this?  According to research cited in Rigorous Readingby Nancy Frey and Douglas Fisher, the more time students spend reading independently, the higher their achievement level.  In this book, they site a study that found that the average elementary school student spent only 4-5 minutes a day in school actually reading independently. Most of Reading Instruction time was teacher directed instruction or the practicing of reading skills.  They found that by adding just ten minutes a day of independent reading, students were exposed to over 800,000 more words per year and achievement scores increased by 30%.  We encourage students to find a series that interests them and practice independent reading to build reading fluency, comprehension, and the love of reading!  Please help your child find a book series at their reading level (visit our website link below for a list of books available).  

  • Monday – Kick off Assembly 
  • Tuesday – Pick A Series Day.  After touring the series being offerent, studens should selct a series to start reading
  • Wednesday – Family Book-Nic.  Parents are invited to a Family Book-Nicon Wednesday, October 03, 2018, during your child’s lunch period to eat a picnic lunch and read a good book out on the grass field (see below for details).  
  • Thursday – Kahoot Trivia Day.  In class trivia game will be played with students.
  • Friday – Golden Book Battle.  Each grade level will battle to see who can earn the most AR Points in one day.  A Golden Book Trophy will be awarded to one class per grade level/department that earns the most points.  These traveling trophies will be awarded throughout the year for various contests! We will also try to break our school record of earning 3,000 AR points in one day!
Book-Nic: On Wednesday, October 3, 2018, families are welcome to come eat lunch with their child at their normal lunch time and read books. Lunch will be outside picnic style. See below for lunch time schedules.

  • Grade 5: 10:45-11:20
  • Grade 1: 11:05-11:40
  • Grade 3: 11:20-11:55
  • Grade 6-8: 11:40-12:10
  • Kindergarten: 12:05-12:40
  • Grade 2: 12:25-1:00
  • Grade 4: 12:45-1:20
Code.Org Family Night: October 3, 2018, 6:00-7:15 p.m., Mac Computer Lab (click links below for more information)
Data Day :  Our next Data Day will be held on Friday, October 19, 2018.  Students will attend school from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Students must be picked up at 11:30 a.m. or be registered to attend TEAMS.  TEAMS coverage will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Lunches may be purchased at your discretion at least three (3) days in advance. 
Pioneer Day : Save the date. Please plan on joining us for our third annual Pioneer Day on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. In honor of our school mascot and Nevada Day, we will celebrate Pioneer Day with a variety of activities, stories, and historical facts that demonstrate the way of life during the late 1700’s and 1800’s. Everyone will be invited to come dressed as a Pioneer. The last hour of the day will be reserved for teachers to hold a classroom Halloween party.
If you are able to assist with an activity from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., please contact Shae DiNofa (Receptionist) at 702-473-5777.
APEX is Coming! Pinecrest Inspirada is pleased to welcome back the APEX Fun Run starting Monday, October 15, 2018 through Thursday, October 25, 2018. Please see the attached flyer for more detailed information. Proceeds from this year’s Fun Run will go toward installing a permanent shade structure on the playground.  

The Elementary School "Fun Run" will be on October 24, 2018 at the end of the school day. The Middle School "Color Battle" will be at the end of the day on October 25, 2018.
PTO's Annual Fall Festival: This year's fall festival will be held on Friday, October 12th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Now is the time to pre-order your wristbands and raffle tickets for the fall festival. Each student was sent home with an orange letter from PTO with a white envelope attached last week. To pre-order, please return the filled out envelope with either a check or money order to the new PTO lockbox in the front office or to your students' teacher by October 5th. All pre-ordered items will be hand delivered to your student on October 11th. Remember, entry into the fall festival is included with PTO Memberships (PTO members will receive their wristbands separately). Wristbands for non PTO members that are purchased in advance will be $10 per child. Purchased at the door will be $12 per child.

Raffle Tickets: Raffle tickets are for the amazing class baskets! Raffle tickets purchased in advance will be 10 for $10 and be delivered to you already filled out with your information. Raffle tickets purchased at the door will be 10 for $15.

Please direct all questions to Jesse Wingard at jessiepioneerspto@gmail.com.
Support Inspirada Sports:
See below for schedule for 10/6/18...
  • K-2 Team 1 Flag Football Game: 9:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m., Aventura Park
  • K-2 Team 2 Flag Football Game: 8:00 a.m., Aventura Park
  • 3-5 Competitive Flag Football Game: 12:00 p.m., Pinecrest Cadence
  • Varsity Flag Football Game: 2:00 p.m., Pinecrest Cadence
  • K-2 T-Ball Game: 2:00 p.m., Aventura Park
  • 3-4 Recreational Volleyball Game: 1:00 p.m., It's All Volleyball
  • 3-4 Competitive Volleyball Game: 12:00 p.m., Pinecrest Cadence
  • JV Volleyball Game: 3:00 p.m., Pinecrest Cadence
  • Varsity Volleyball Game: 4:00 p.m., Pinecrest Cadence
Infinite Campus :  Don't forget to log into Infinite Campus frequently to check your fee balance and your child's grades.

**All course and sports fees were due by September 14, 2018! If you have not made payment, please log in and do so ASAP in order for your child to participate in courses and/or sports in which they are enrolled**
Two Lunch Tuesday: October 9, 2018
PTO Restaurant Night at Raising Canes: October 9, 2018
PTO Fall Festival: October 12, 2018
APEX Fun Run: October 15-24, 2018
Data Day: October 19, 2018; Dismissal at 11:30
Nevada Day, No School: October 26, 2018
Pioneer Day: October 31, 2018
Pinecrest Inspirada PTO Fall/Winter Calendar