Red Ribbon Week

We kicked off Red Ribbon Week with an assembly from Red Grammer. He is an accomplished muscian whose album, "Be Bop Your Best" is a collection of smart and delightful songs about truthfulness, resposibility, kindness, fairness, integrity and citizenship. You can read more about Red Grammer at http://www.redgrammer.com/.

Below is a video of one of the many songs he performed for our students on Monday.



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Red Ribbon Week history~

Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life and pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enriqué “Kiki” Camarena.

Special Agent Kiki Camarena:
Special Agent Camarena was an 11-year veteran of the DEA assigned to the Guadalajara, Mexico, office where he was on the trail of the country’s biggest marijuana and cocaine traffickers. In 1985, he was extremely close to unlocking a multi-billion dollar drug pipeline.
On February 7, 1985, he was kidnapped, brutally tortured, and murdered by Mexican drug traffickers. His tragic death opened the eyes of many Americans to the dangers of drugs and the international scope of the drug trade.

History of Red Ribbon Week:
Shortly after Kiki’s death, Congressman Duncan Hunter and Kiki’s high school friend Henry Lozano launched “Camarena Clubs” in Kiki’s hometown of Calexico, California. Hundreds of club members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the sacrifice made by Kiki Camarena.
These pledges were delivered to First Lady Nancy Reagan at a national conference of parents combating youth drug use. Several state parent organizations then called on community groups to wear red ribbons during the last week of October as a symbol of their drug-free commitment.
The first Red Ribbon Week celebrations were held in La Mirada and Norwalk, California. In 1988, the National Family Partnership (NFP) coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons.

How to Celebrate Red Ribbon Week:
The NFP estimates that more than 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon events each year. The campaign is a unified way for communities to take a stand against drugs and show intolerance for illicit drug use and the consequences to all Americans. Schools, businesses, the faith community, media, families, and community coalitions join together to celebrate Red Ribbon Week in many ways, such as: sponsoring essay and poster contests; organizing drug-free races; decorating buildings in red; handing out red ribbons to customers; holding parades or community events; and by publicizing the value of a drug-free, healthy lifestyle. DEA joins with community coalitions and prevention groups to plan and carry out Red Ribbon activities, ranging from classroom events to stadium-sized rallies.

Three For Me

The PTO started a new volunteer program this school year called Three For Me. The basic idea is to have every parent promise to volunteer three hours to their child's school this year. You can read about it and ways to volunteer by clicking on the link to "other reading" found on the side bar. Since the program has started, we have had 84 names logged in the office on the sign in sheet. We would like to list all of the parents or grandparents who have already volunteered their time to their child, our school. Before we do that, the PTO would like to express a giant THANK YOU to all who volunteered!! (please note that some of these names are on the list more than once~thank you!)

Amie Green, Angie Carder, Heather Reser, Carolee Penlington, Angie Williams, Stephanie McDermitt, Tammi McDonald, Donnie Green, Frank Oen, Jessica Martin, Deb Oen, Chrissy Dunifor, Emily Ranchel, Chip Pangle, Morry Mosgrove, Mandy Tangeman, Ashlie Foster, David Deitering, Heather Moody, Ron Miller, Angie Gierhart, Melanie Hicks, Jeff Place, Angel Grimes, Christina Fisher, Mike Bissegger, Kris Laise, Jodi Stopher, Barb Cerda, Tom Little, Vance McKenah, Jason Clark, Dan & Linda Martin, Kari Ricketts, Kathryn Steinbrunner, Dawn West, Amber Gilroy, Angie Schlesselman, Tammy Myers, Alexandra Fisher, Heather Tier, Eric West, Jennifer Neal, Matt Roby, Carli Price, Tammi Spinnati, Stacey Williams, Mrs. Atha, Carmen Young, Timothy Rhine and Brenda Clark.

Groundbreaking

Cridersville Elementary, as well as the site for the new elementary school in Wapak, held Groundbreaking Ceremonies on Wednesday, September 24. The students of Cridersville were bussed to the site of the new school and festivities were conducted by our principal, Mr. Tester, and by our superintendent, Mr. Horner. The high school marching band was there, too, as well as many parents and community members.

Cridersville and the entire Wapakoneta School District would like to extend a thank you to all of the voters who passed the levy last November so that now we are in the process of
Building Excellent Schools Today!










The photo below shows us how the site looks now. Once construction begins, be sure to come back to see how it will change and become the new Cridersville Elementary School.

Open House & Book Fair

The Fall Fundraiser kickoff assembly was held Tuesday at school. The PTO is again offering the extra incentive of being able to cream a staff member with a pie to the top seller in each grade. In order to fully understand what that means, Mrs. Laise, our PTO president, volunteered to be creamed in the face with a pie by Mr. Tester. As the picture shows and for those of you who were there, we think he enjoyed this entirely too much.

The Book Fair was also kicked off at Open House which was held Tuesday evening. Students have had the opportunity to shop for books on Wednesday and Thursday. The PTO would like to extend a thank you to those who have purchased books and supported the PTO.

first skating party

The first skating party was held on Monday, September 8th at Edgewood Skating Rink in Lima. There was a great turn out of students. Thanks to Mrs. Black and to our parent volunteers who chaperoned the bus and spent the evening having fun with Cridersville kids.

You can click on the link on the side bar or here to see all of the pictures taken at the skating party. Be sure to come back and check out what photos may have been added over the entire school year.

another sea of pink

Okay, now Cenntenial has done it! The Cridersville PTO president's house has been flocked! Can you believe it? I heard they opened their windows, had the garage doors open and still missed it. Actually, when I talked with the current pres, she said she thought she heard someone on the front porch...but thought, no, someone wouldn't be up there this time of night. Apparently she was wrong! The front yard is covered in a sea of pink.

The secret PTO photographer was able to capture these nighttime shots but will be out again tomorrow to record the flocking with photos taken in daylight. Be sure to come back to see the daytime photos added to this post.

Beware, Cridersville staff and parents, you may be next!!

*daytime photo has been added

do you believe?

Please click on this link to see this inspirational talk given by a student...this is why what our teachers and staff do is so important.

When you are finished watching this, if you didn't believe, you will!!

sea of pink

Our school was flocked last night. The front lawn had pink flamingos on it this morning when staff and students arrived. One of the other district elementaries must be raising money for the Ronald MacDonald House...the pink guys will stay there for a few days and then someone from Centennial will return to move them to another location. If you are flocked, then you donate funds to the charity and can even pay to NOT be flocked again. For a small donation, you can also find out who it is that flocked you....

First birthday candles and now pink flamingos. What will be next? :)

Happy Birthday, Mr. Tester!!

For some crazy reason, two PTO members decided to line part of the front walk and across the building with birthday candles for our principal, Mr. Tester, who celebrates his special day today. On that note, if you are in the building today, please wish Principal Tester a great day!!

**suspects photos will be posted later today

~a new photo of Mr. Tester standing next to his sign is being added (5:15 PM), however, the culprits could not be photographed. We did find out, though, that is was Mrs. Mosgrove and Mrs. Laise.

First Day of School

The first day of school, hard to believe it is here! We had a welcoming assembly this morning and then all students and staff went outside to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. It was a great morning! Pictured below are our three KG teachers...Miss Rineharet, Ms. Schlenker and Mrs. Shenk.
The theme of the assembly was a "star" mission....we had some of our staff 'travel' into outer space to bring back messages of respect, responsibility and doing our best. Great job to space Commander Jackson, Lts. Hilty, Bush and Hadding.

summer's over before you know it

my kids and I took a walk today in town...

captured a shot of the school sign, reminding us all of how soon school will start....ugh!

I also happened to find some Cridersville kids hanging out together...three will return in the fall and one will move onto the Middle School...we will miss you!

last day fun

On the last day of school, Mrs. Black and the jump rope club performed their stuff for the entire school. Mrs. Black insists that it isn't over until at least one parent and/or a teacher tries to perform some of the tricks. This video caught Mr. Laise trying to outjump some of the jump rope club. How do you think he did?

last days of the school year

Mrs. Black, Mr. Horner & Mr. Tester showing their stuff at Field Day

our 4th grade teachers at Fourth Grade Recognition (Mrs. Sawmiller, Mrs. Katterheinrich, Mrs. Doll and Mrs. Rees)
our fantastic Jump Rope Club!!
a photo of all Cridersville students and staff

our Box Tops Leapin' Lizard winner, Jenna

all Criderville kids took a field trip to the Wapa Theatre to see Charlotte's Web

our very energetic guidance counselor, Mr. Searcy

a candid shot of some 4th graders after dismissal on the last day of school