December 22, 2018 - January 4, 2019

Bears,

We here at Bacon wish everyone the happiest of holidays.  Have a safe, fun, relaxing (or busy) time with your loved ones.

We'll keep the written part of this blog short so you can get to the awesome pictures, but we'll leave you with this.  Our December students of the month were honored at our recent PBIS assembly for displaying the quality of charity.  When we hear this word, we likely think of organizations that raise money and donations for those in need, and that does capture part of the essence of the meaning.  To get a bigger picture of what charity means, it might do us good to go back a little - in this case, we'll use the Webster's 1828 dictionary definition - charity: love, benevolence, good will; that disposition of heart which inclines people to think favorably on others.  At the risk of being cliche, let's strive to be charitable people all year long and not just at this time of year.  As Scrooge told the Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come, "I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year."  His point?  Scrooge got a glimpse of how his greed and selfishness affected not only himself but others, and when his eyes were finally opened, he didn't like what he saw.  In fact, it terrified him.  Whether or not you actually celebrate this holiday isn't the point here - it's all about how we treat one another in this life. 

Charity is more than being nice to those who need a little extra help - charity is what makes us do those nice things.  As we enter the new year, let's challenge one another to approach all people, all situations, and all circumstances with charity.  It might not be easy, but it just might be what someone needs.  And that's the real spirit of Charity. 

I'm proud to say that RM Bacon Elementary School has some extremely charitable people working here.

We'll see you in January!

The weeks ahead
December 22, 2018 - January 1, 2019: Winter break!!  Have fun and be safe!!

Wednesday (1/2/19): B day - Workout Wednesday, lesson plans due

Thursday (1/3): C day - staff meeting (8 am in the library, PLC protocols), vision screening (grades 1, 3, and 5)

Friday (1/4): D day - wear Bacon gear

Upcoming dates
1/9: Dental program
1/11: Make-up pictures
1/14: I&RS
1/17: Staff meeting
1/21: NO SCHOOL in observance of Martin Luther King day
1/25: Pajama Day (anti-bullying)
1/29: PBIS Assembly
1/30: NO SCHOOL for staff development  

Coats for Kids

Dress-to-Impress Lunch

Bacon Pics

PBIS Bonus Recess winners

Ugly sweater day 

Someone dropped off some Millville Rocks!

Ugly sweater planning (who gets it???)

Students from MHS dropping off presents!

Students from MHS dropping of presents 

4th grade Grateful Get-Together

Friends in Mrs. DeVita's class

PJ and movie day 

Thank you MHS for the gifts

Off... 

...and on!

Thank you Lakeside for the gifts! 

Getting messy in Kindergarten

One of our PBIS challenge winners 

Looking good!

Thank you, Lakeside Middle School!

More gifts from Lakeside!

Birthday Selfies!

December 17 - 21, 2018

Bears,

It was an awesome week here at RM Bacon.  So much to cover - let's get to it.

On Monday, Bacon hosted our annual Holiday Concert starring the 4th and 5th grade band and 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade chorus.  The band performance featured selections that highlighted various instrument sections, and they concluded with a number that involved the whole band.  From there, the chorus belted a number of holiday-themed tunes.  The enthusiastic Mr. Trout conducted his performers with gusto and confidence, and it was a night none will soon forget.  Way to go, Bacon band and chorus.  We already can't wait for the spring concert.  

Also, a huge thanks to Ms. Peck for her decorative touch in the gym.  The winterscape set the scene and atmosphere for the event, and her artistic touch made the place cozy and bright.  Ms. Peck, thank you for making our school look so good!  

Tuesday night saw our annual Trim-A-Tree set up shop here at the school.  This year's party featured ornament making, cookie decorating, hot chocolate, and a holiday store.  We even had visits from an elf who claimed to absolutely not be Ms. O'Neill and a Santa Clause who looked suspiciously like Mr. Trout.  All who came were treated to a great night.  Let's do it again next year?

Also this week, a number of our students were able to go to Cumberland County College for a special holiday event that featured toys, Santa, eats and treats, and just plain fun.  We'd like to thank the fine people at CCC who organized the event on their end.  We'd also like to thank Mrs. Scull and Ms. Berry for pulling it together on this end.  The kids who went had a great time, and they represented our school well!

On Friday, students from our school attended the annual Coats for Kids event at the New Jersey Motorsports Track in Millville.  We'll have pictures posted next week!

Also on Friday, we recognized our Teacher of the Year and Educational Services Provider of the Year.  The teacher award went to Barbara Lore, and the Services Provider went to Patti Banker.  Both ladies do so much for the school, it would be impossible to list it all here.  Let's just say Barb is a quiet, unsung hero around these parts, and Patti would do anything for anybody at the drop of a hat.  Congrats to both on your well-deserved honor!  You are loved and appreciated. 

That will do it for this week.  Be sure to check out the Week Ahead section.  Our final week of the 2018 calendar year will be a full one.  It always seems the holidays don't arrive without a final burst of busyness.  Everyone have an excellent pre-break week of school!

The Week Ahead

Monday (12/17): B day - lesson plans due

Tuesday (12/18): C day - another great day

Wednesday (12/19): D day - Workout Wednesday, ugly sweater day, PBIS assembly

Thursday (12/20): E day - another great day

Friday (12/21): A day - pajama day, 1:45 dismissal (no club 21, no latch key)

12/22 - 1/1/19: Winter break!!  Have fun and be safe!!

1/2/19: school resumes (sorry - but by then, you'll miss us, right??)

Holiday Concert Pics

A chorus number being introduced by one of our Bears

A full house in attendance for the concert

Behind the scenes at the concert

The chorus spreading Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear

Always great to see so many families

3rd, 4th, and 5th grade chorus

View from the back

Another view from the back

They did an excellent job

Sharing a moment at the concert

Concert helpers

Everyone was all smiles

Looking and sounding festive

Final dress rehearsal before the show

Final dress rehearsal performed before the whole school

Last rehearsal

Trim-A-Tree Pics

This is not how an elf should act

Bacon families at the Trim-A-Tree

Families at the Trim-A-Tree

Making an ornament

Making an ornament

Cookie decorating and hot chocolate

Santa stopped by

Posing at our holiday frame

Ms. Berry, Mrs. Scull, and Santa (flying? dancing?)

Ms.

The cookie station

Santa making sure everything is ok

Mrs. Lunemann posing with the elf

Ms. Peck and her son

Ms. Ford doesn't look happy to see Santa.  Is she trying to keep something from him?

Mrs. Gant...smh

Santa loves Bacon

Bacon Pics

Getting ready for the morning shift

Hour of code

Library fun

More hour of code

Another pic from last week's yoga class

Holiday twinning and winning

Create day with Mrs. Peterson

Create day with Mrs. Peterson

Congrats to Mrs. Banker!

Congrats to Mrs. Lore!

Silly sock day

Birthday Selfies