1. VISION: Every DA Mallory Elementary School student will be prepared to succeed in the next grade level. Mission: Building a Better ME It is our hope that as we each individually strive to be a better “me,” we will collectively be striving to make a better Mallory Elementary. Mallory Memo 1 No School Monday, Dec. 21 through Monday, Jan. 4- 2016! Classes Resume on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 Are Children Addicted to Video Games? This question was posed and answered in the PBS documentary, “Web Junkie”. “The show highlighted the tragic effects on teenagers who become hooked on video games, playing for dozens of hours at a time without breaks to eat, sleep or even use the bathroom. Many come to view the real world as fake.” “There’s no question that American youths are plugged in and tuned out of “live” action for many more hours of the day than experts consider healthy for normal development. And it starts early, often with preverbal toddlers handed their parents’ cellphones and tablets to entertain themselves when they should be observing the world around them and interacting with their caregivers.” Many children today play video games from the time they get home until the time they go to bed. They often do not want to come to school just so they can stay at home and continue to play video games throughout the day. Elementary students are often playing mature video games such as “Call of Duty” or “Grand Theft Auto” which are not appropriate for children. Parents, look for the video game rating on all video games established by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. Children need to play and interact with others. Technology is a poor substitute for personal interaction. Kids can enjoy riding a bike, playing basketball, or playing board games with their friends and family. School Messenger We will be using the School Messenger calling system to notify parents when there is a school cancellation. If you are not signed up for our automated calling system, or if you have changed phone numbers since the beginning of school, please call the office or send a note so we can update our Student Information System. Upcoming Events Classes Resume – January 5 Grade Cards – January 7 Frosty Friday – January 8 Awards Assembly – January 15 No School – January 18 Progress Reports – January 22 Board Meeting – January 25

2. D.A. Mallory Elementary 315 South Hickory Buffalo, MO 65622 417-345-2350 417-345-5080 FAX Todd Holt Assistant Principal todd.holt@bisonpride.org Mallory Memo 2 Wanda Johnson Principal wanda.johnson@bisonpride.org January’s character word of the month is attitude. Having a good attitude means “To be positive when dealing with others, to believe in yourself, and to approach challenges with optimism.” A positive attitude can be contagious, so be sure to share yours. Winter Clothing Remind your child to dress appropriately for the weather. Winter coats, gloves, and stocking hats are a necessity on cold days. Please be sure to label all of your child’s clothing. We believe it is important for children to get to go outside and play, so we will follow the Children’s Hospital Guidelines for weather restrictions on taking children outside when possible: Above 32 degrees – children can stay outside for an unlimited amount of time 20-32 degrees – children can stay out 10-15 minutes 10-20 degrees – children can stay out 5 minutes 10 degrees or below – children should not go outside **Temperature includes wind chill** Of course, we will try to honor a parent’s request to keep a child inside who may be a little “under the weather.” We do ask parents to help their children watch the weather forecast and make appropriate decisions regarding dress. Don’t forget to save your Save-A-Lot receipts! Drop them off in the shopping cart located in the school lobby. Save-A-Lot donates a percentage of all receipts collected to the school at the end of the school year. All students that sold 2 items or more in our “Great American” school fundraiser were included in a $100 drawing. Lakyn Piper was our winner! Congratulations Lakyn!