Principal Newsletter // November 5th, 2024

Nov 4

Dear Appleton Community…

Appleton Parent and Lieutenant Colonel to Speak for Veterans Day

U.S. Marine Corp Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, Leigh Ross, will be speaking to Appleton students on Friday, November 8th in honor of Veterans Day (Monday, Nov. 11). We truly are grateful for her service to our country and her willingness to help our students learn about and appreciate our military members on this special day. Thank you to all our Appleton service member families both past and present.

As we look to honor our Veterans, here are some interesting facts from Appleton’s history that come from World War II. During the war, Appleton students were allowed a half day off during the week to go around the community and collect scrap metal to support the U.S. war effort. In addition, the following message was in the 1942 Appleton School Yearbook;

“Edward “Eddie” Davis joined the school faculty last fall as head of the music department and as high school principal... “Uncle Sam” called him into service in December. We are sorry that he had to leave us, but are proud to have such a fine representative from our school in the U.S. Army for the great cause. On behalf of the students and teachers of Appleton, we say these simple, but sincere words: (BEST OF LUCK “EDDIE”)”

What Will the Spell-A-Thon Pay For?

Did you know that the PTA supports Appleton instructional aides who work with students who need extra help in reading and math? This is the largest yearly line item in the PTA budget at $18,000. These experienced instructional aides keep our students from falling through the cracks and help them reach new milestones. Thank you for supporting the Spell-A-Thon, our instructional aides, and our students. This is just one of the many important items supported by Spell-A-Thon funds. More info, downloads and a link to pay online that can also be shared with out of town relatives who want to support your student, and be found HERE on the SPELL-A-THON page.

Spell-A-Thon dates to remember:

Currently & ongoing - Collecting pledges or money and study spelling words

Nov. 4-8 - Spelling Tests are given at school

Nov. 12 - Graded tests go home

Dec. 4 - Deadline to return collected donations

Thanks for your support and help with your students goals in the SPELL-A-THON!

Here are the Spell-A-Thon incentives this year:

All participating students will receive a special treat from the PTA for a great community effort.
Students who spell their words 100% correctly (not including Bonus Words) will have their name displayed on the Top 100% chart and receive a recognition incentive from the PTA.
Classrooms with at least 75% of students earning $5 or more will receive a root beer float party.
Students who earn $100 or more will get to choose one of three different toys.
Students who earn $250 or more will receive a pizza party with Mr. Hafey.
The class with the highest earnings will receive a party (details TBD).

The student with the highest earnings will receive a trophy and recognition from the school.

Grocery Cards for Needy Families

Dear Appleton Families,

Thanksgiving and Christmas time can be a hard time for many families in our school. Students who normally get lunch and breakfast at school are now home for the holidays and it can be a stretch for families to provide food for their children. Would you like to donate a gift card to a grocery store? We will give gift cards to our families in need just drop them by the Appleton office.

Thank you for your generosity!

Kate McPhail-Appleton Counselor

Weather Prepared Kids

The temperature is really dropping. Inclement weather can come in during the school day making recesses colder than it was when you sent your child off to school. Please send your child prepared to enjoy the outside with the appropriate clothing. We will eventually have several hundred coats in our lost and found by year end. If you write your child’s name inside their coat we have a much easier time getting them back to the correct owners. Thank you!

Parking Lot Safety and Politeness

Please do not park in the striped handicapped unloading parking zones or in the handicapped spaces themselves if you do not have a handicap license or pass. Sometimes these spots may seem the only ones available at parent pickup or drop-off, but please resist the urge to take a spot from someone who truly needs it. We have several Appleton parents, grandparents and caregivers who have handicapped licenses and needs that are counting on these spots to help them navigate child pickup and drop off. We tell the students everyday, Respect and Effort is the standard at Appleton. The parking lot is a great way for parents to model that standard as well. Thank you!

Go Bookworms!

Corey Hafey -

Principal, Appleton Elementary School