December Leaders of the Month

Counselors Lauren Blake and Christy Naylor have announced the December Leaders of the Month.

December Students of the Month

Third Graders

Fourth Graders

Fifth Graders

Parties! Parties! Parties!

Parties continued today in fifth grade.  Students had so much fun playing games, making crafts, and eating LOTS of delicious food!  Thank you to our wonderful parents for making the day so special.

Wearing Pajamas and Eating Waffle House Waffles

 Playing Games

 Making Crafts

 Sharing Presents

Fifth Graders Research the Revolutionary War

Students in fifth grade have been studying the Revolutionary War.  Our librarian, Christi Williamson, has extended their study by providing opportunities to research their lingering questions about events in this war. 

Courtyard Eagle Scout Project Complete

Eagle Scout and former Paine Intermediate student Chase Trammell completed his Eagle Scout project this week.  Our courtyard has been transformed into a fun play area for students that includes new benches and picnic tables, two bull's eye toss games, Four Square games, shuffleboards, an area for hopscotch, and a large U.S. map.  Chase began the project last summer, and worked to raise $1000 for the materials for the project.  He recruited and organized other Scouts and adults who worked alongside Chase for a total of 136 hours. 

Our students will enjoy playing and relaxing in this area.  It is wonderful that we have this generous contribution, but even more wonderful that we had the opportunity to help educate this young leader.  We applaud Chase for his hard work, generosity, and leadership.  We are honored that he chose Paine Intermediate to be the recipient of his project.

Safety Update

Today was a new, great day at Paine Intermediate.  Students went about their day, working hard and learning.  Teachers set the same high expectations as always, and our students lived up to those expectations.  Counselors were available to talk with any students who were upset or afraid, and teachers assured students of their safety.  As school leader, I spoke with students via WPIN, assuring them that they were safe and that they should work hard throughout the day.  For students, the day was normal. 

Various steps were taken to increase security and safety for students and staff.  Our school crisis management team, along with three Trussville police officers and central office personnel, met to review our safety plan.  Our school will remain on partial lockdown throughout the week.  All exterior doors will remain locked throughout the school day, and a Trussville police officer will remain on our campus this week.

Naturally, parents have concerns and fears.  We are thankful to have caring, interested parents who support our school and their children.  The very first email I received yesterday was from Heather Sandifer, a parent of former Paine Intermediate students who are now at HTMS.  Heather’s email was a simple, “What can I do to help you?”  Heather came to Paine Intermediate and stayed all morning, monitoring the fifth grade doors to the modulars.  Heather’s presence gave a sense of security to both teachers and students.  This type of selflessness is what we have come to expect from our parents. 

Throughout last night and today I continued to receive emails from parents like the one who said, “Just a quick note to let you know I’m praying for you, your teachers, and staff today.  I’m certain it will be a difficult day for everyone, trying to reassure frightened and confused children while trying to keep things as normal as possible. Again, I can’t tell you how thankful I am for you and the amazing teachers and faculty in our school system….men and women that I know, with confidence, will protect our children at all costs.  On a day where I truly want to keep my girls home with me and never let them out of my sight, I know that is not wise, nor healthy, and I know that I am sending them to a place that’s as safe as it can be. I will be glad to help any way that you might need me.  Once upon a time, I was a counselor, and I will be happy to step in if there is any need. Thank you for loving our kids!”

Your words of encouragement and support mean so much to our staff.  Our goal is to carefully guard the minds and bodies of all of our students.  We will continue to strive to keep them safe, while teaching them the things they need to know in order to be independent, caring citizens. 

Letter to Parents Regarding Safety at PI

Dear Parents,

I am certain that you are suffering in sadness and shock, just like our teachers and staff.  Our hearts break for the families and community of Newtown, Connecticut.  I hope that you have spent your weekend holding dearly onto your family.  Tomorrow morning, we will start the week at Paine Intermediate as we always do, with optimism, hope, determination, and passion for helping shape lives and the future.  We have never allowed the evils of the world to stop us or to even slow us.  We won’t begin now. 

For the last several weeks, TCS schools have been updating our school safety plans.  Tomorrow morning our school’s crisis management team will meet to review the plan and discuss ways we can provide the safest environment.  A lock down drill is scheduled for the immediate future.  All outside doors will be locked, certainly for the next week.  That does pose challenges for teachers and students who utilize the modulars, but we will implement a plan that will optimize safety conditions.  Teachers in the modulars will keep their modular doors locked at all times.  These teachers will meet students inside and move as a whole group to their modular classrooms. 

Trussville police already provide school resource officers for Hewitt-Trussville Middle and High schools, but will expand police coverage beginning Monday throughout the week.  According to Lt. Jeff Bridges of the Trussville Police Department, there will be an officer at the Paine schools all day this upcoming week.

Tomorrow morning I will talk with students via WPIN.  Naturally, teachers will assure students that they are safe and protected at school.  Child psychologists urge caution in how we talk with students.  We do NOT need to dwell on this.  Young children cannot process and deal with such a tragedy.  We will comfort and reassure students of their safety while at school.  Let me know if you have questions, concerns or suggestions. 

Beth Bruno

 

HTMS Band Presents Concerts for PI Students

Systemwide Choral Program at HTHS

Square 1 Art

All Square 1 art items have been delivered to your child’s classroom.  If you are missing part or all of your order please email Callie Ward at callie.ward@trussvillecityschools.com. 

Please include your child’s name and teacher as well as the items you are missing.

Club Day

Programming Robots

Making Ornaments in Art

Trussville Christmas Parade

Beautiful Artwork

In art classes, students have been making tessallations, which are shapes with no overlapping and no gaps which can go on forever.  To learm more about tessallations, check out http://www.coolmath4kids.com/tesspag1.html. 
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Leaders of the Month

A goal of Paine Intermediate is to develop students who have the skills and self-confidence to succeed as leaders in the 21st century.  Students are working to "be proactive" by making good choices and doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.  Additionally, they are learning to "begin with the end in mind" - fulfilling leadership commitments and responsibilities and to "put first things first" - doing their best in the classroom by completing homework and classwork. 

Counselors Christy Naylor and Lauren Blake have announced December's Leaders of the Month.  Students from each classroom were chosen based on their display of leadership qualities.  These students were honored in a ceremony on December 7. 

Camp McDowell December 5

Finding Leeches!

Camp McDowell December 4

Camp McDowell December 3

Camp McDowell November 29

 Down to Earth Session

Native American Games

PI Media Center, the Heart of Our School

Media specialist Christi Williamson has made it a priority to purchase electronic books for our library and to share them with students.  Students can download one of approximately 50 ebooks on their Kindles, Nooks, iPads, iPods, etc.  For specific information regarding how to download books, go to https://www.trussvillecityschools.com/Teachers/Christi.Williamson/default.aspx.

P.E. Department Sells T-shirts

Husky t-shirts are available just in time for the holidays.  Our P.E. department is selling short sleeve t-shirts ($10), long sleeve t-shirts ($15), and sweatshirts ($20).  Order forms have been sent electronically to parents by homeroom teachers.  Proceeds will fund new physical education equipment.

Camp McDowell November 28