KES students sport new t-shirts...

Thanks to generous donations from Tanger Outlet Center and Branson Bank, KES students received new character t-shirts at no cost to families. Branson Bank personnel were on hand to help distribute the shirts to the classrooms.

New clinic available for low income families...

Follow this link to learn more about a new Branson clinic for low income families:
http://www.ky3.com/news/ky3-faith-clinic-branson-09102010,0,6132654.story?track=rss

Grandparents read in the library...

Grandparent’s Day extended into Grandparent’s Week in the KES library! Mrs. Miller, librarian, extended an invitation to grandparents from each class to join the library class periods and/or Buddy Reading this week. This was a great opportunity for grandparents and grandchildren alike to bond with a shared reading experience.

If you are a grandparent, and didn’t have an opportunity this week to visit our library this week, we would like to extend an open invitation to visit our library classes or Buddy Reading times as a guest reader. Call Mrs. Miller at the elementary office, 334-2757, for more information.

Kirbyville PTO elects officers for 2010-11 year...

On Thursday, September 9, the Kirbyville PTO met in the elementary cafeteria. New PTO officers were elected. The officers are as follows: President-Melissa Ford, Vice President-Julie Robertson, Secretary-Alisa Cornelison, Treasurer-Lana Gilliam.

The PTO has scheduled a planning session for the annual fall carnival at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 16 in the elementary cafeteria. All parents, teachers and staff are welcome to join us and take part in the carnival. This is the major fund raiser for the year.

The carnival is scheduled from 12:00-2:30 on Saturday, October 16 on the middle school parking lot.

Splash Bash fun...

110 K-5 students completed the Splash Into Summer Reading Program and participated in the Splash Bash to celebrate during the first week of school. Enjoy the fun on this slide show!

This free photo slideshow customized with Smilebox

Children's author visits Kirbyville...

Children's author, Sondra Gray, visited both Kirbyville Middle School and Kirbyville Elementary School on Friday, September 3 to share excerpts of her two books, According to Punkin and According to Phoenix. She also discussed what it was like to be an author and where her ideas came from for her books. Students had the opportunity to purchase autographed copies and copies of the books were presented to each library. To read more about her books visit: http://accordingtopunkin.com/

At the middle school, Gray met with fourth and fifth grade students. Parents were invited to attend, as well. Students enjoyed listening to segments of the books and asked many questions about the books and the writing process. The writing process is an important component of the curriculum in fourth and fifth grades. Hearing about the process from a real author motivates students to take the time and effort required to transform an idea into a piece of literature for a specific audience.

At the elementary school her visit served as the kick-off assembly for the at-home reading program, AIR: All Individuals Reading. In the AIR program, kindergarten and first grade students are challenged to read at least 100 books during the school year. Second and third grade students are challenged to read at least 2000 minutes. A special event will be planned in May for all students who meet the reading goal. Along the way intermediate goals will be celebrated and rewarded to encourage families to complete the program consistently throughout the year.

Families are highly encouraged to participate in the at-home reading process. At kindergarten and first grade levels, children typically need assistance with the reading process. Parents, grandparents or older siblings can help by reading aloud, sharing the reading process or assisting the more independent reader with decoding phonetically-regular words, supplying unknown words, or coaching the child to use reading strategies, such as using picture cues or context clues. At all grade levels, parents can help by explaining unfamiliar vocabulary, asking their child to retell the stories in their own words and asking questions that promote students making personal connections or connections between the current book and previous books or the world in general.

First Kirbyville Skate Night...

The first monthly skate night for the Kirbyville School District will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, September 13 at Skateworld in Branson. The admission price is $3.00, of which, $1.00 is returned to the schools.

All Kirbyville families are invited for a night of music and activity! Let the good times roll!

(If rolling is not your style, maybe you prefer "surfing." The rink does have free WiFi.)

Kirbyville PTO meeting scheduled...

All parents, teachers and staff from Kirbyville Elementary and Middle Schools are invited to the first Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meeting of the year at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, September 9 in the elementary cafeteria. The PTO supports both schools in the district by providing the "extras" not typically provided by local, state or federal funds. In the recent past the PTO has provided playground equipment, support for students to attend field trips, planned events related to Kirbyville Appreciation Week and hosted the district awards banquet.

At this first meeting the group will elect new officers and make plans for fund raising for the year.

For more information contact the current PTO president, Kristol France, through the elementary office at 334-2757.