SCHOOLinSITES



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December is a very busy time which can be both happy and stressful. Take some happy time to spend with our first and third grades when they perform in our winter concert December 17th.

You can also hear other grade levels singing

Christmas songs on KNYE, including an original

song written and produced by Dave Yoder,

featuring fourth grade soloist Lia Sarandos and

the fourth grade choir. Friday, Dec.12 Hafen

will be hosting a Family Math Fair. Then watch

for the Authors Fair in January. There’s always

something happening at Hafen!

Sincerely,

Dr. Owens

Dr. Owens Appointed to State Commission on Professional Standards in Education

Dr. Owens received an appointment to the state Commission on Professional Standards in Education by Governor Jim Gibbons. The term of office will be from November 1, 2008 through October 31, 2011. When a position on this commission came free last spring, all 17 district superintendents were asked to nominate a person for membership on the commission. Dr. Roberts, Nye County School District Superintendent, sent in Dr. Owens' name, and she was chosen for the post.

Congratulations, Dr. Owens. We are very proud of you and know you will do a great job!

The Commission meets about every six weeks to determine teacher licensing policy and regulations. Meetings alternate between Las Vegas and Carson City. Dr. Owens reported she is honored and excited about the appointment by the Governor, and will do her best to represent all licensed personnel in the state.

Holiday Fundraiser

Purchase the “Christmas in Pahrump” CD performed by the Hafen Elementary School Chorus under the musical direction of Deanna Pomije.

The CD features an original score by Dave Yoder as well as other holiday favorites.

It’s the perfect gift for relatives and friends.

Cost is $4 ea. or 3/$10. All proceeds go to the HES Music Department.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

There’s Always Something Happening at Hafen!

A Commission on Professional Standards in Education

We’re on the Web!

Tech Tip: Surfing the internet can be time consuming, not to mention dangerous. In technology class websearch projects are conducted using kid-safe, teacher-approved search engines like and . Visit Hafen’s Computer & Technology webpage for more kid-safe, educational websites.

“I’m grateful to

Dr. Roberts for putting my name in for nomination to the Commission, which resulted in a Nye County School District employee becoming part of a statewide policy group.”

Dr. Terry Owens, Principal

Mary Brickles, Assistant Principal

Hafen Elementary School Newsletter

Dec. 9, 2008

Volume 1, Issue 2

Page 2

The Fall Book Fair “Go on a Reading Safari” was a resounding success! Thank you to all the parents who purchased books and the fun activities that were available. We not only met, but exceeded our goal! With the proceeds from the Book Fair I will be purchasing new books for the students to enjoy.

Thank you to Mrs. Sarandos who was in charge of our first Reading Safari Family Event. The decorations were fabulous and the reading stations were a great way for the students to hear stories from the Book Fair. Nathan Vallin from Ms. Troyer’s class said

“I worked the event. It was very fun and I had a great time!”

I am looking forward to seeing you again at the Spring Book Fair which will be held in March.

The 1st Quarter Reading Awards were given out by Mrs. Brooks on Tuesday, December 3rd. Students earn points by reading books and then taking a quiz. The points were tallied up at the end of the quarter and the Point Winners for each grade level are as follows:

5th Grade:  Hannah Mason earned 80.3 points. Hannah 

received a $10.00 Gift Card from Wal-Mart and a certificate.

4th Grade:  Taylour Flynn earned 48.6 points. Taylour received a $10.00 Gift Card from Wal-Mart and a certificate.

3rd Grade:  Drake Breitenstein earned 16.9 points. Drake received a gift bag full of prizes and a certificate.

2nd Grade: Sarah Mason earned 32.7 points. Sarah received a gift bag full of prizes and a certificate.

1st Grade:  Destiney Duff earned 7.0 points. Destiney received a gift bag full of prizes and

a certificate.

New In The Neighborhood Mrs. Thayer, 3rd Grade

HES Newsletter

Page 4

Wrong Dates for Spring Break

It has come to our attention that the student handbook has the wrong dates for Spring

Break this year. It can be found on page 13. The correct dates for spring break are

April 13-17, 2009. Please note the change when planning vacations for spring break.

Library Corner by Stephanie Brooks, Library Specialist

December words…

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HES Newsletter

Congratulations Mrs. Farinella, first grade teacher, who was the recipient of a Rotary Club Mini-Grant. Mrs. Farinella's project will be a Living History Day. It will give the students an opportunity to sample some of the activities that were common place in the lives of early settlers. The students will be able to make homemade bread, fresh butter, applesauce, sew a small quilt, make candles, and play some of the games that children played before there was electricity. This project will benefit the students by allowing them to have a first-hand opportunity to live like the early settlers did even if it is for a short time.

Holiday Fun Using Science

By Liz Dymond, 2nd Grade Teacher

Q: How many years have you taught, where and what grades?

A: I was born and raised on a farm in North Dakota. This is my 34th year of being a educator, and I am still loving it! I have taught in both North Dakota and Nevada. I have enjoyed all the different ages that I have taught ranging from 3-21 year olds. I have been in the southwest for about 17 years and I love the weather! My philosophy about teaching kids is that all kids can learn! It’s my passion to find the way for each and every child, so that they can feel successful! I am thoroughly enjoying teaching at Hafen.

Q: Where did you attend elementary school?

A: Wildrose Elementary School in ND.

Q: What do you remember most about elementary school?

A: Recess with a lot of snow.

Q: What were your favorite subjects in school? A: Reading.

Q: What was your favorite book when you were little?

A: The Night Before Christmas.

Q: Who is in your family? A: I have two wonderful sons, Steig (31) and Luke (28), and a great daughter-in-law, Amy.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not at the school?

A: I love to travel! My family and I have traveled to 49 states, 10 provinces, and two territories in an RV. We made GREAT memories!

During December, second grade

students will be building ginger-

bread houses out of graham crackers and frosting. Once built, they will begin decorating their houses. We will do this the week before winter break. This is something that we do every year to teach one of our science standards as well as having the students follow directions.

Mrs. Farinella Awarded Rotary Club Mini-Grant

Don’t Miss It!

■ Dec. 12, 7-8PM

Family Math Night

■ Dec. 15-19 Gift Ave.

During School Hours

■ Dec. 17, 6PM

Holiday Music Program

Grades 1 & 3

■ Dec. 22- Jan. 2

Winter Break

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FAMILY MATH NIGHT

Plan to attend the Hafen Elementary School Family Math Night, Friday, December 12, 7-8 PM. Measuring will be this month’s focus with fun and challenging stations set up in the Multi-Purpose Room as well as the Computer Lab rm. 102. Don’t miss this opportunity to improve your child’s math skills and have fun!

New In The Neighborhood Ms. Lerbakken, 1st Grade

Cafeteria News …concerning outstanding charges.

It would be greatly appreciated if your child’s outstanding cafeteria charges are paid in full before the winter break. You can find out if your child has charges by checking on PowerSchool at or contacting Tonya Maedar at 751-4688 ext.225 or ask for the kitchen. Also, reminders are sent home every Friday, so please check your child's backpack.

HES Newsletter

Congratulations to all the winners of the 1st Quarter Reading Award. Second quarter will be ending soon so keep up the good work. Remember students who earn 100 points join the Hafen 100 Club and

earn a $10.00 Wal-Mart Gift Card.

Handprints for a Donation

You can make a donation to Tomes for

Domes and put your handprint on the wall!  Help us decorate our store and raise money for more books! 

If you have book suggestions email them to tomesfordomes@

Tomes for Domes Business Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Morning Recess-8:10-8:25am

and Recess/Lunch-11:30am-Noon. Paperback books $2.Hardcover books $3.

Page 3

“We are very excited to be able to have this opportunity and deeply appreciate the grant”

1st Quarter AR Award Winners

Top Accelerated Reading Point Earners Recognized

Name: Cindy Thayer (Photo Left)

Position: 3rd Grade Teacher

Favorite Quote: Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results. 

- Anonymous

Q: How many years have you taught, where and what grades?

A: I graduated from UNLV. Started teaching in Beatty, NV twelve years ago. I taught at Beatty: 6 years: 2 years of 3rd grade, 2 years of 1st grade, and 2 years of Middle School Language Arts and Reading; Las Vegas: 3 years of 4th grade; Pahrump: 2 years of 5th grade at Mt. Charleston Elementary.

Q: Where did you attend elementary school?

A: Hamilton, Montana.

Q: What do you remember most about elementary school?

A: I loved listening to my 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Holmes do read alouds of the Black Stallion series.

Q: What were your favorite subjects in school? A: Math.

Q: What was your favorite book when you were little?

A: Dr. Seuss books.

Q: Who is in your family? A: I have two boys and a husband.

Q: Do you have any pets? A: A dog, named Lacy.

Q: If you could take a trip anywhere, where would you go?

A: Montana.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not at the school?

A: I love quilting and decorating my home.

Name: Jan Lerbakken (Photo Right)

Position: 1st Grade Teacher

Favorite: Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much!

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