Candlelight Coin Drive
Our annual Candlelight School Coin Drive has become such an important part of our school culture. I am so happy to announce that in five days last week the Alpine Elementary Community joined together and raised $13,500 to feed the street orphans at the Candlelight School in Nairobi, Kenya! That is the most money we have ever raised for our Sister School in Africa. And the good news is that we have not yet received the money from Yummy Ice Cream Emporium from our November 16 Spirit Night, but we are told that night was their busiest since opening their ice cream store. I will let parents know the additional money that will be added to the $13,500 once that information is shared with me. Thank you to everyone in the Alpine Elementary Community for your generous contributions! And a special thank you to Cherie’ Kelly and all of the other parent volunteers who organize the Coin Drive and help count money!
Every year, our Nutrition Services workers, just Whitney Wilson and Shirleen Jenks this year, contribute very generously to the Coin Drive. I won’t embarrass those ladies by telling you how much money they gave, but just know it was a significant amount.
Cherie’ Kelly will send the money that was raised directly to the Candlelight School this week. No administrative overhead. Every penny goes to feed hungry children in Africa!
I heard multiple Coin Drive stories that warm my heart and make me grateful for the students that attend our school:
A kindergarten teacher shares:
The kids were putting their coins in the can and I had one student bring 3 baggies full of coins and dollars. I said “Wow you sure brought a lot of coins today.” He told me that he brought all of his lemonade stand money from the summer so that the kids in Africa could have lunch.
From a second grade teacher:
A student told me he emptied his bank account because he said, “helping the poor was important.”
And on a post-it note in one of the coin cans, a little girl wrote:
Im giving all the Qurters In my bangk because it fells like the rite thing to do.
LPHS State Champions in Football
I saw a lot of students and parents at the 6A state championship football game between Lone Peak and Corner Canyon at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Friday afternoon. What a fun game to watch! 35-35 at halftime, with LP eventually prevailing in a thrilling 49 – 42 victory. Many of the key players for Lone Peak are former Alpine Elementary students. It was so fun to see those players and all the fans celebrate a season never to be forgotten.
Scooters and Skateboards
We are having problems with students riding scooters and skateboards in our hallways before and after school, often times running into or narrowly missing other students or staff. Consequently, we are going to start using the following process as we try to keep students and staff safe:
- Student will be warned by an adult when seen riding a scooter or skateboard in the hallways.
- The second time a student is riding a scooter or skateboard in the hallways, the scooter or skateboard will be confiscated, taken to the office, and returned to the student at the end of the school day.
- The third time a student is riding a scooter or skateboard in the hallways, the scooter or skateboard will be confiscated, taken to the office, and a parent will need to come to the school and get what was taken by an adult employee of the school. Additionally, the student will not be allowed to ride a scooter or skateboard to school for two-weeks.
Students of the Week
The following students were recognized as Students of the Week on Friday, November 19. Teachers nominate students who are consistently demonstrating the character traits of the Alpine Big 3: Being Respectful, Responsible and Ready to learn. Congratulations, Students of the Week!
Briggs Ballif-6th grade, Mrs. Monson
Hank Challis-4th grade, Ms. Moore
Lily Dehlin-Kindergarten, Mrs. Malone
Mona Enkhbayar-5th grade, Mrs. Menssen
James Gheciu-1st grade, Mrs. Bailey
Joe Hansen-3rd grade, Mrs. Kaczmarek
Asher Kusch-Kindergarten, Mrs. Malone
Colin Larkin-4th grade, Mrs. Vipperman
Alex Orgill-6th grade, Ms. Kuo
Grady Parker-1st grade, Ms. Johnson
Summer Schlosser-5th grade, Mrs. Menssen
Cate Shin-1st grade, Mrs. Bailey
Milo Thompson-3rd grade, Ms. Elder
Kyrie Van Vactor-6th grade, Mrs. Monson
Kinley Wing-1st grade, Ms. Johnson
Outside the Principal’s Office
Later this week most of us will gather with family and friends to eat a delicious meal and reflect on all that we are thankful for. And though I daily give thanks for all that I have been blessed with, this holiday season helps me to reflect on all that brings joy and meaning into my life: a faith that serves as my anchor and lodestar, a beautiful wife who is my best friend, five adult children and their spouses who are happy and healthy, 14 grandchildren and another one in May, good health, and the opportunity to work at Alpine Elementary with a dedicated staff, kind and motivated students and supportive parents.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday, and as always, remember that it is a great day to be an Eagle!
Dave Perdue, Principal
Alpine Elementary
Alpine School District