New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Liesl Shurtliff stopped by Southland Elementary to visit with students. Her book, Rump: The (Fairly) True Tale of Rumpelstiltskin, is featured on the Battle of the Books list this year and has received rave reviews from Southland students.

The author, who grew up in Salt Lake City and graduated from BYU, talked about the history of fairy tales, the importance of storytelling, where she draws inspiration for her books, and answered questions from the audience. A few lucky Southland students helped her tell the story of Rumpelstiltskin, and anyone who brought a book from home was able to get it autographed

Thank you, Mrs. Shurtliff, for stopping by Southland during your visit to Utah and inspiring the students at Southland. Also, a special thanks to the Southland PTO for arranging the visit and giving these students an incredible opportunity to hear from a best-selling author.

The JATC South Greenhouse Winter Plant Sale is happening now through December 19 or until supplies last in Riverton. You can purchase poinsettias in various colors, Christmas cactus, and succulent bowls. All proceeds benefit the JATC South Urban Horticulture program. Students in the program develop knowledge and skills in plant science, greenhouse management, soil science, floriculture, pest management, and global food systems for agriculture.

JATC South Greenhouse’s hours of operation are regular school days, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. They accept cash or credit cards, but not checks. Supplies are limited. JATC South is located at 12723 South Park Avenue in Riverton.

Plant Sale Prices

• 6″ Pots $7
• 8.5″ Pots $13
• Succulent Bowls $12

Recess at Terra Linda Elementary School has gotten an upgrade this school year. To keep recess fresh and expose students to new games and new friends, Principal Martinez and Assistant Principal Davis have brought a new game or activity to the playground every few weeks. So far this year, the playground has added cornhole, Kan Jam, and Spikeball. They have also reintroduced classics like jump rope, skip ball, and sidewalk chalk.

Each day, the Terra Linda student council sets up the equipment. When a new game is introduced, the council members spend their recess teaching their fellow students the rules and gameplay. Great job making new friends and learning new games, Terra Linda Tigers!

Westland Elementary celebrated Veterans Day with its sixth annual parade and assembly honoring veterans in the community. Students with military guests accompanied them on a parade through the school halls while being applauded by the rest of the student body. The assembly featured a color guard from the University of Utah ROTC, patriotic speeches, poems written by students, and a medley of military songs. Veterans in attendance were each recognized for their service, including 100-year-old World War II veteran Frank Brown, who was recently honored at the Utah State Capitol along with 24 other centenarian veterans.

Westland is a Purple Star school, a designation awarded by the Military Child Education Coalition for the school’s program to support military-connected children who relocate to a new school due to a parent’s change in duty station.

Butterfield Canyon Elementary staff transported students into the world of Harry Potter during a fun and creative STEM and Literacy Night. Students participated in a Sorting Hat event, which assigned them to one of the four houses. Staff put on Quidditch matches, taught potions classes, and helped students make their own owl masks.

STEM challenges brought even more excitement. Students designed and tested marble runs, engineered Hogwarts-inspired structures, and created wands. Every student at the event went home with their own book to add to their personal library, keeping the magic of reading alive long after the night’s events had ended.

It was a marvelous and unforgettable night at Butterfield Canyon Elementary School, where students celebrated creativity and the joys of learning. Great job to everyone who helped make this night a huge success.