"I'm very excited, can't wait," said Waveland Elementary teacher Cindy Hornosky.

This year's event is especially significant, because the four and five-year-olds will be part of the first kindergarten class at the new Waveland Elementary School.

"We are so excited. We have 27 cubbies," said Waveland Elementary Principal Dr. Frances Weiler, as she showed off the classrooms. 

There's a reason why Weiler wanted to hold registration on the new campus.

"What a better way to get parents in than the enticement of seeing the building for the very first time with their kindergarten students," she said. "Seeing our school totally destroyed and having to be demolished after Katrina, being in trailers since then, it's certainly nice to have this wonderful, gorgeous building now."

"I like the bikes on the playground and the school and the toys in our room," said five-year-old Martin Miller, after a quick tour of the building.

When asked if he was looking forward to going to school, he smiled and nodded.

The school will also house first and second graders. For the students and teachers, the spacious, new campus is a welcome change.

"It's going to be interesting to see how the children walk in hallways, because they've never walked in a hallway," said Hornosky. "Oh! And a gym! We've never had a gym. The kids have been outside or cramped in a room, so our facilities are going to be absolutely wonderful."

The next date that everyone is looking forward to is May 25. That's when the teachers will get to move all their books and other belongings out of the trailers and into the brand, new building.

"I'm ready to get out of the trailers. Five years has been a long, long time," said Hornosky. "I think the teachers are probably much more thrilled than the kids."

"Art Education and Social Justice" Art Gallery
A special exhibit from the National Art Education Association

First graders from North Bay Elementary are helping others while they help themselves this school year by participating in Scholastic Book Clubs' ClassroomsCare Program, a philanthropy-based campaign designed to teach children about the joys and importance of reading and giving.  This spring, Mrs. Lape and Mrs. Kennedy's students read more than 450 books in the months of March and April to show their support of Scholastic Book Clubs, a division of Scholastic, who will donate 250,000 new books to children of families living on military bases. 

Classrooms keep track of books read on posters and online, and then tell Scholastic when they have finished. Any books kids read in the classroom, with their parents or on their own count toward the goal.  Teachers also can use lesson plans and activities available at www.scholastic.com/classroomscare to incorporate this program into their curriculum. 

Books are donated this Spring through two of Scholastic Book Clubs' charity partners, Read Out and Read and Kids in Distressed Situations, who help identify children who need books the most.

"It is always exciting to see children helping children through the ClassroomsCare program," said Judy Newman, President of Scholastic Book Clubs. "With the support and hard work of students across the country, thousands of children living on military bases whose parents are serving our country will get books of their own.  The students of North Bay Elementary are spreading their love of reading and books while becoming better readers themselves!"

"Each year, students and teachers alike are thrilled to take part in Scholastic Book Clubs' ClassroomsCare and read in order to support Scholastic's initiative to give books to children who need them most," said Mrs. Lape.

Ms. Janet Fiveash, a kindergarten teacher, was selected as North Bay’s Teacher of the Year.  After an extensive application and interview process, she was also chosen to represent the district as Bay St. Louis-Waveland School District Teacher of the Year.

Students in Mrs. Craft’s kindergarten through second grade multiage class at North Bay Elementary recently listened to the first pages of the story, Santa’s Time Off.  The story poses the question: What do you think Santa does when it is not Christmas and he has time off?   As an extension of that story, the students were asked to draw and write about what they think Santa does during his time off.  Some of the students’ responses were very interesting.   Some of the students wrote:

I think that Santa drinks cold beer on a Friday night during his time off.  I also think that he gets in the tanning bed.
-Brady, first grader

I think Santa swims for 15 minutes each day during his time off.
-Abby, kindergartner

I think Santa uses his magic to go to Hawaii and he takes his elves to the beach.
-Josie, kindergartner

I think Santa takes a break during his time off.  I also think he goes trick or treating at Halloween. 
-Adam, kindergartner

I think that on Santa’s time off he goes to Hawaii and he surfs all day.  He even brings his special Christmas surf board.  I also think that he makes the toys for the children of the world. 
-Kaelyn, second grader

I think Santa will go on vacation during his time off.
-Katherine, first grader

I think Santa eats eggs during his time off.
-Jaida, first grader

I think Santa goes to the beach and builds sandcastles during his time off.  I also think he goes camping and sleeps in a sleeping bag.
-Skye, second grader

I think Santa goes to restaurants called Ryans.  He would eat rice, cookies and drink milk there. 
-Savannah, second grader

I think Santa give Rudolph flying tests during his time off.
-Jahari, second grader

I think Santa goes ice skating and he can make a great figure 8.
-Adam C., kindergartner

Santa is going to suntan at the beach in Mississippi during his time off. I also think he will get a massage at the casino in Bay St. Louis.
-Stephen, second grader

I think Santa goes surfing while he’s off of work.  I also think he enters dancing contests and does the crane.
-Sadie, kindergartner

I think that Santa eats and eat and then he goes to sleep until Christmas next year.
-Anna, first grader

I think Santa paints pictures of the elves in the summer.  I also think that he enters surfing contests. 
-Breann, second grader

I think Santa takes off of work and goes on a vacation. 
-Michael, first grader

I think Santa takes long naps in his big chair.
-Tanyn, kindergartner

Santa will eat cookies during his time off and Mrs. Claus will tell him not to eat anymore.
-Sophie, second grader

My Mom gets a 5 pound turkey.  She puts it into a pot and cooks it for 1,2,3,4, 5 minutes.   
Makayla, second grade, North Bay Elementary

My Mom gets a turkey from Wal-Mart.  She cooks it in the oven at 10 to 9 degrees for 10 hours. The turkey is 100 lbs.  She cuts it in little pieces first.  Courtney, 1st grade, North Bay Elementary

My Mom gets a 11 lb. turkey every Thanksgiving.  It’s about 3 ft. high.  She puts it in a big freezer and saves it for Thanksgiving.  She cooks it in the oven for 5 hours.   
Genevieve, 2nd grade, North Bay Elementary

First go to the store and buy a turkey.  Then go home in your kitchen and take the turkey out of the carton and wash it and dry it off.  When the turkey is washed off put it in the oven for 5 hours.  When the turkey is done eat the turkey with your family. 
Vincent Nash, Second Grade, North Bay Elementary

First buy a turkey.  Next put the turkey in the oven.  Set the temperature on 140.  Third take the temperature of the turkey.  Fourth cut the turkey.  Fifth put the turkey on different plates.  Sixth now you can eat the turkey.  The end.  Happy Thanksgiving! 
Braden Ezell, Second Grade, North Bay Elementary

First you buy a turkey.  When you get home you take it out the paper.  Then you put gravy and salt on it.  Then you put it in the oven for ten hours.  Then you take it out.  Then you are done. 
Ronald Jackson, Second Grade, North Bay Elementary

You go to the store.  Then you buy a turkey.  Then you take it out of the bag and put it in the oven 40 seconds.  The temperature needs to be 40cc.  Then you put seasoning like salt and pepper and garlic.  Then you eat it.  Jakob Gaddes, Second Grade, North Bay Elementary

Buy the turkey from the store.  When you get home put the turkey in the freezer.  Keep it in the freezer until the next day.  Take it out.  Take the bag off the turkey then put the seasoning on it.  Then put it in the oven and the temperature needs to be 60 and take the turkey out of the oven.  Put it on the plate and cut the cranberry sauce and buy the drinks. 
Caleb Bullins, Second Grade, North Bay Elementary

First you buy the turkey at the store.  Next you put it in the freezer for a day.  Then you cook the turkey.  You could bake a turkey by putting it in the oven for 40 seconds.  When you are done you will have a good turkey. Isaac Ricard, Second Grade, North Bay Elementary

First, buy a turkey somewhere.  Second, put some seasoning on it.  Third, you should put some pepper and salt.  Forth, put a needle in the turkey.  Fifth, you put it in the oven.  Sixth, when it is ready you take it out.  Seventh, you get a plate.  Eighth, you cut it with a knife.  Ninth, you can eat.  And that is how you do that.  The end. 
Ashlynn Davis, Second Grade, North Bay Elementary

You go and buy it but it will be in a bag still.  You go and cook it.  You can eat it with your family or by yourself or your friends.  You put salt and pepper.  It is a turkey.  Turkey is good.  My family likes it too. 
Akera May, Second Grade, North Bay Elementary

First buy a turkey.  Then put salt and pepper on it.  Then put the temperature on 51 degrees for five hours.  Then put it on a big plate and put gravy on the side or hot sauce or salt on it. 
John Michael Hannah, Second Grade, North Bay Elementary

First you go and buy a turkey at the store.  Then you bring it home and take it out the bag and wash it.  Next you put some seasoning on it.  Then you put the turkey in the oven.  Then you turn the oven on and you put it in for 40 degrees hot.  Then you cut it up and put it on a plate and get a fork and you can eat. 
Brianna Rose Burchett, Second Grade, North Bay Elementary

First you buy a turkey and you go home and take the paper off and you wash it and put seasoning on it.  Then you put it in the oven and when it is finished you take it out and put it on the table and Happy Thanksgiving!  I love Thanksgiving!  Avery Hall, Second Grade, North Bay Elementary

First you go to the store to get some turkey.  When you come back, wash it.  Then put it in the oven for 10 minutes.  And add garlic, salt and pepper.  When you are done you set the table and wait for the food to be served.  Kitsi Tsirogianni, Second Grade, North Bay Elementary

First, you go to the store and get the turkey.  Next, go home and get the turkey out the bag.  Then, put the turkey in the oven and put it on 450 for the turkey.  Finally, clean the turkey and put salt on it and then put the spoons and forks on the table.  Then add some gravy and then eat it. 
Daja Sigur, Second Grade, North Bay Elementary

First you go to the store.  Then you get a turkey.  Go home and get it out of the bag and wash it.  Put the seasoning on it at 40 degrees hot.  Then you spread the table.  Then cut the turkey.  MMMMM that’s goooood! 
Nicole McGrady, Second Grade, North Bay Elementary

First you go buy a turkey then you wash it really good.  Then you put salt and pepper.  Then put it in the oven for forty seconds.  Then put gravy on the side.  You can add biscuits to it and you put butter on it.  MMM that tastes good.  Turkey with gravy on the side. 
Kenya Lias, Second Grade, North Bay Elementary

Get it from a farm.  Stick a needle in it to see how many pound it weighs.  Pour cooking oil on it and bake it for 2 weeks.  Then you have a feast with my friends cause my family is already there. 
Roy, Kindergarten, North Bay Elementary

Buy a turkey from Walmart.  Cook it in the stove then the microwave.  Cook it all day on high.  Eat it with a fork. 
Isabella, Kindergarten, North Bay Elementary

I’d get my turkey from the farm.  Bring it home and I don’t know what else cause my mom never cooks one.  
Ashton, Kindergarten, North Bay Elementary

Get the turkey from the woods or the store.  Put salt on it, pepper and put it in the pan.  Cook on the stove for 10 minutes at 600 until it is brown and juicy.  Branton, Kindergarten, North Bay Elementary

Go out in the woods, kill the turkey, bring it home, skin it, then wash the blood off.  Wash your hands.  Put it in a pan and get the sauce from the jar.  Pour it on top of it.  Cook it on top of the stove for 30 seconds.  Take it out and put stuffing in it and eat it. 
Aimme, Kindergarten, North Bay Elementary

You get the turkey from the farm.  Cook it on the stove. Put on the barbeque sauce.  It’s my favorite snack.  I eat it with ranch dressing. 
Colbi, Kindergarten, North Bay Elementary

You get turkey from the farm.  It got feathers on it so take the feathers off.  Put it in a pot.  You put probably sauce on it.  Cook it 2 minutes on cook.  Take it out of the oven and then you eat it.  Eat it with macaroni. 
Marisa, Kindergarten, North Bay Elementary

I’d get my turkey from a farm.  It’s brown with feathers.  Skin it.  Put it in a pot with seasoning and other food like mayo, onions, and steak.  Cook it about 5 minutes on low cause that’s how mama does it.  She cooks it low.  Eat it with lettuce.  Shae Lynn, Kindergarten, North Bay Elementary

Get the turkey from Walmart and take it in the house.  Cook it for 12 minutes in the oven.  Pour barbeque sauce on it while it cooks.  Eat it with seafood gumbo.  Laila, Kindergarten, North Bay Elementary

You buy one from the store.  You put stuffing on it and then I cook it in the microwave for 14 minutes.  Then I take it out and put hot sauce on it too.  Then I make soup out of it.  Alicia, Kindergarten, North Bay Elementary

Put a turkey in the oven.  I bake it.  I roll it.  I cook it.  
Caleb Funk, Kindergarten, North Bay Elementary

Put a turkey in the oven.  You bake it.  You cook it.  Make cookies with it.
Tristan Ferrill, Kindergarten, North Bay Elementary

Dale Pohl, art teacher at North Bay Elementary School deserves to take a step out of the art room and into the spotlight! Pohl has been recognized by Artsonia, the world’s largest online kid’s art museum, for outstanding leadership in the area of Arts Education at North Bay Elementary School. The school’s online art gallery, www.artsonia.com/schools/NorthBay2 , ranks number 2 in the state, according to Artsonia.

The Leadership Award presented to Dale Pohl honors teachers who go beyond the classroom walls to encourage family and community involvement in arts education.   The award also recognizes significant achievement in the area of technology integration within the school arts program.  State rankings are based on specific criteria, which demonstrate both aspects of the Leadership Award.

While teachers in more than 100 countries showcase their student artwork on Artsonia, Dale Pohl has created a school community deserving of recognition.  During the 2008-09 school year, the North Bay Elementary School gallery showcased 2,756 pieces of artwork.  This popular collection of art has been visited more than 18,159 times and has received 435 comments from friends and family.  “Artsonia is a simple yet effective way to get parents and family members more involved in Art Education,” said Pohl, “and my students love it!”

In addition, family members can purchase keepsakes imprinted with the child’s artwork, with Artsonia donating 15 percent of their annual product revenue back to the school art program.  This year, the art program raised more than $251. 

Headquartered in Gurnee, Illinois, Artsonia is an online kid’s art museum providing free, educational resources for kids, families and schools. Founded in 2000, Artsonia continues to integrate technology in the classroom, develop multi-cultural understanding through art and increase family involvement in children’s education.