JAN FEB RC 25

Dreams Come True! See Back Cover!

Thank You to our Sponsors!

From the desk of Danny Weeks, Director of RC Schools Dear Students, AREN’T DREAMS FUNNY? It’s hard to believe that so many of us have our brains hard at work while we sleep. When we sleep and dream, our creativity also shows through. We dream about powers that we don’t have, we dream about fictional animals, places, or other things. Our dreams are a time of release and a time of fantasizing. Some dreams are even troubling to us - we call those nightmares, where we dream about situations that make us uncomfortable or afraid. But dreaming doesn’t have to be a sleeping activity. We have the ability to create future plans and dream about the future. We can think about places we will travel, plan events that are in our future, and think about the types of jobs we will have. Dreaming and planning can be very purposeful for us. Just as our day time dreams can help us plan, we are not limited by the things that we currently see and know as reality. Your school system is a healthy part of helping you dream big dreams. Those big dreams often come along with hard work. We can dream about our grades we would like, our sports accomplishments, things that you would like to study and learn. But the best part of dreaming is the actual plans that can come from those dreams. Plans and dreams can, with the right effort and ability, turn into a reality.

dreams Plus puzzles, activities & much more!

SRO SPOTLIGHT Sergeant Donnie Brake SCHOOL CALENDAR

4 6

ARTS`

Dream Catcher CHARACTER BEAR

7 KIDS COOK’n - Bedtime Snacks ALL ABOUT DREAMS

8 - 9

LITERATURE Dream Journal KIDS LIKE YOU Brazil WILD THINGS

10 11

Tapir Kids Across/Teachers Down PUZZLES & COLORING

THE NEW YEAR IS UPON US! It’s a time to reflect on this past year and make goals for next year. Remember, the best goal to set for yourself is to be drug and alcohol free. Allow yourself to be the role model to the next generation and show them that life has so many more possibilities of a bright future if you say no to drugs and alcohol.

14-15

Sheriff VanDyke

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

PUBLISHER / EDITOR Debbie Keenan The Keenan Group, Inc. P.O. Box 458 / Pleasant View, TN 37146 615-746-2443 debbiekeenan2010@gmail.com

©2024- 2025 by Let’s Talk Trash News! All rights reserved. No part of this issue may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without permission of the publisher or copyright holder. Neither participating advertisers nor the publishers will be responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints or typographical errors. The publisher reserves the right to edit any submitted material. Children’s submissions should include name, address telephone number, and permission to publish signed by a parent or guardian. Let’s Talk Trash-News! is distributed FREE to Robertson County Public schools K-8th grade. You can also find this issue at Sponsor locations as well as: grocery stores, post offices, library, School Board Office, etc.

Our Calendar Partners DENNEY MECHANICAL BISON COUNTERTOPS RADIO EBEN-EZER SHRUM AUTO SALVAGE TINA SELF - PARKS / COMPASS RE THE CONNECTION

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Heather K. Wolfe heather@letstalktrashnews.com The Keenan Group, Inc. P.O. Box 458 / Pleasant View, TN 37146 615-746-2443

sergeant donnie brake

SRO SPOTLIGHT

What school are you an SRO for? I am a Sergeant for the School Resource Officer division. I supervise

what is the coolest part of being a sro? Seeing the accomplishments of the ones you have mentored and motivated to be the best of themselves.

the School Resource Officers in the schools . What school did you attend as a kid? I attended several schools in Robertson County including North Robertson Elementary School, Cheatham Park, Bransford, Westside, Springfield Middle, and Springfield High where I graduated in 1992. what was your favorite subject in school? My favorite subject in school was math. why did you become an sro? I became an SRO back in 2017 after I transferred from working in the patrol division for many years. what is your favoritE thing about the school that you sro for? The best thing for me in all the schools that I have been assigned to is building repour with all the students and staff. It is my opinion that you get respect when you show respect.

What is one piece of advice you would give to your students to help them succeed? Never ever underestimate yourself. You may

think things are hard or uncontrollable, but if you never give up on yourself or the ones around you, you can accomplish anything that you set your mind to.

Good News ! On a positive note, the ”Keep America Beautiful 2020 National Litter Study, released in 2021.” indicates that roadside litter has decreased by 54% over the past decade, suggesting that public awareness and cleanup efforts are yielding results. Keep up the good work! Source: https://kab.org/litter/litter-study/?utm

2025

RC SCHOOL CALENDAR! JANUARY SCHOOL CALENDAR Jan 6: Professional development Day, No students at school

Jan 7: 1st day of school after Christmas Break

Jan 20: MLK Day, Schools closed

WINTER GRADUATION DATES: Jan 10: White House Heritage High School – 6 p.m.

National BLOOD DONOR MONTH

Polar Bear Plunge Day

Jan 11: Greenbrier High School – 10 a.m.

Jan 14: Robertson County Phoenix Academy/Robertson County Virtual School – 6 p.m.

National Milk Day

Jan 15: Jo Byrns High School – 6 p.m.

Jan 16: E. Robertson High School – 6 p.m.

Jan 17: Springfield High School – 6 p.m.

MLK Day

National Opposite Day

FEBRUARY SCHOOL CALENDAR Feb 17: President’s Day, Schools Closed

COUNTERTOPS, INC. BISON

Office: 615-792-8812 Email: info@bisoncountertops.com 1929 Hwy 12 South Ashland City, Tennessee 37015 GRANITE • MARBLE • QUARTZ

The Sad Truth Approximately 50 billion pieces of litter are present along U.S. roadways and waterways. That is equal to 152 items of litter per person in the United States. This is why it is so important that every person do thier part in putting trash where it belongs, IN THE TRASHCAN! Source: https://kab.org/litter/litter-study/?utm

Never Give Up – Things won’t always be easy, but if you keep trying, you’ll get there. Be Curious – Keep learning new things to grow. Every step helps you move forward. Believe in Yourself – You can do amazing things if you believe in yourself!

DARE TO D.A.R.E.! Everyone has big dreams about their future, and that’s amazing! Maybe you dream of being a doctor, teacher, police officer, or astronaut. Your dreams can take you anywhere!

But here’s the secret: Dreaming is just the start. It’s fun to imagine your future, but it’s even better to catch your dreams by working hard to make them happen! Don’t just wait for your dreams to come true, you have to work for them! Here is how to make those dreams come true; Work Hard – Dreams don’t come true by wishing.

Start today! Imagine your dreams and take the first step to catching them. Your future is waiting—so make it happen! Remember to always be kind to one another, and to be safe and responsible.

For more information: Sergeant Kasey Fitts at: kasey.fitts@tn.gov or (615) 854-5675 D.A.R.E Coordinator Tennessee

Dream Journal How to:

Let’s get started on your very first entry here. Write about a dream you had last night!

What is a Dream Journal? A dream journal is your magical adventure book! Every night, your dreams take you on wild rides—maybe you're riding dragons, solving mysteries, or swimming with mermaids. Writing them down helps you "catch" those dreams before they disappear! Catch Your Dreams! Dreams are like wild butterflies—they ‛ re hard to hold onto! Writing them down is like catching them in a net so you can enjoy them forever. Unlock Your Inner Superhero! Dreams can show you cool things about yourself, like how brave, creative, or curious you are. Your dream journal is where you can Ever dreamed of riding a dragon, swimming with mermaids, or eating a pizza as big as a house? Your dream journal keeps all those stories in one place, like your very own adventure book. Solve Mysteries! Sometimes dreams are like tricky riddles from your brain. Writing them down can help you crack the code and figure out what they mean. discover your secret superpowers! Build a Library of Adventures! Why keep a Dream Journal?

Get a Dream Book: Choose a notebook you love! Add stickers, drawings, or sparkles to make it truly yours. Keep it close: Put it by your bed with a pencil so it’s ready to go the moment you wake up.

Write like a Detective:

What happened in your dream? Who was there? What were the weirdest or funniest parts? Jot down everything you remember! Add some magic: Can’t remember much? That’s okay! Draw what you think your dream felt like—happy, exciting, or even a little spooky.

Source: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dream-journal?utm

The Brazilian Tapir also called the lowland tapir, is a large animal that lives in South America. It looks like a mix between a pig and an elephant, but it’s actually related to horses and rhinos! Tapirs have an odd number of toes. They have four toes on each front foot and three toes on each back foot, making 14 hooves in total. One of the coolest things about tapirs is their long, flexible nose, which they use to grab leaves and branches. They can even stick their nose out of the water like a snorkel to breathe while swimming! Female tapirs are pregnant for about 13 months and usually have one baby at a time. Because tapirs have long pregnancies and don’t have many babies, it’s hard for them to increase their numbers in the wild. Baby tapirs, called calves, are born with spots and stripes on their fur to help them hide in the forest. One of the biggest dangers to tapirs is losing their homes as forests are cut down. They are also hunted for their meat, and they have to compete with farm animals for food.

KINGDOM Animalia PHYLUM Chordata CLASS Mammalia ORDER

Perissodactyla

FAMILY GENUS SPECIES

Tapiridae

Tapirus

Tapirus terrestris

Brazillian Tapir Fun Facts

Source: https://southwickszoo.com/our-animals/brazilian-tapir/ They move quickly on land, even over rugged, mountainous terrain and are equally at home in the water. They can live up to 30 years. They eat mainly plants and fruit. They love bananas! They talk to each other by whistling! They are very solitary animals so they like to be alone. The only exception to this is during mating season or when a mother is nursing her baby. The Lowland tapir (sometimes called the Brazilian tapir or South American tapir), is one of four species in the tapir family, along with the mountain tapir, the Malayan tapir, and Baird’s Tapir.

GOOD DAY TO DREAM

Kids Across 1. Do you believe?: According to an old saying (and that famous Disney song), when you wish upon a ____, your dreams will come true 2. Our nation’s famous dreamer: In the summer of 1963, thousands of people gathered to hear Martin Luther King deliver his amazing “I Have a Dream” _____ 5. A wise person once said, ìNo dreamer is ever too small; no dream is ever too ___.î 6. It’s what a horrible nightmare can sometimes do to us 8. It’s the place where dreams happen most often 10. Although many people dream of winning the lottery, hard work is far more likely to help you become _____ 12. The only dreams that happen when these are open are daydreams 13. When you think about it, a dream is like a movie that plays inside your ______ 17. Dreamtime rhyme: If you ______ your BFF, her dreams will suddenly end (She may be a little upset at first, but she’ll always be your friend) 18. He’s a person who dreams of one day becoming a man 19. Years ago, people said that living in a house with a fence around it was the _______ dream (but what makes our country great is that people can be happy almost anywhere) 22. Back in 1979, the U.S. Postal Service issued a special _____ to honor Martin Luther King (reminding us all to stick with with his dream) 23. Just ask a hero: Although it’s a different place for everyone, it’s where our brave soldiers overseas all dream of going 24. A short, afternoon ___ may not be long enough for a dream to sneak in Teachers Down 1. Art that guards: Native American tradition holds that a hanging dream catcher will capture an evil _____ and protect the nearby sleeper from harm 2. Back in the day, his “Midsummer Night’s Dream” was LOL funny 3. For tiny tots whose 12 Acrosses were all aglow, Christmas ___ was a sleepless night 4. That foggy feeling: Suddenly waking from a deep sleep can make person feel like she is emerging from a ____

7. These woolly ruminants have appeared in countless dreams 9. Head on a cloud: Type of pillow that promises sweet dreams (or “direction” parents look forward to putting the baby after a long day) 11. Lovable ogre brought to movie lovers by DreamWorks in 2001 14. Place a driver can stop and sleep before getting back on the trip 15. Eye-opening epiphany: Any one of Ebenezer Scrooge’s three uninvited nighttime visitors 16. Audible finger gesture hypnotists traditionally use to bring their subjects back to reality 20. Acronym for that dreamy phase in the sleep cycle 21. League that spawned the ‘92 Dream Team which conquered that year’s Olympic Games and many since

Teachers! Want classroom fun and increased parental involvement? Call 312.520.5273 or email janbucknerwalker@gmail.com to get Kids Across Parents Down and Kids Across Teachers Down for your school today.

SOLUTION ON PAGE 15

615-384-3762

Since 1953

2705 Memorial Blvd • Springfield, TN 37172 • www.holmanjewelers.com

What’s Happen’n In 2024, Keep America Beautiful launched the Greatest American Cleanup™, aiming to remove 25 billion pieces of litter from the national landscape by July 4, 2026, in honor of the country's 250th birthday.

Source: https://kab.org/litter/litter-study/?utm

FINE ARTS & CRAFTS “Every child is an Artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” - Pablo Picasso ART PARTIES CLASSES WORKSHOPS Days & Evenings Adults, Children, or Groups

Drawing Basics / Portraits Painting (watercolor • acrylic• oil) Pastel Drawing Relief Printmaking, Screen Printing, Gelli Plate Printing, Mask Making, Tie Dye, Stained Glass

Call Today for Details Mar Augelli 615-944-9762 maugelli@outlook.com

202 N. Main St. Ashland City Entrance to Art Studio lower level

Let’s Talk Trash! news is proud to be a part of bringing Litter Education to Students & Adults 10 years in Cheatham County & 5 years in Robertson County

Since 1983, TDOT has joined forces with all 95 county governments by offering Litter Grants which

subsidize local pickup operations and enhance litter prevention education resources across Tennessee. Annually, $5.5 million is allocated to Litter Grants statewide, a total that has remained the same since 2017.

The amount each county receives is based on a formula accounting for population and road miles. Counties are required to tackle litter prevention education in three of five designated categories: students, public, media, business, and government.

2025 begins Let’s Talk Trash! news’ 10th year publishing in Cheatham County and 5th year in Robertson County. As a school resource it is focused on litter education, reading, encouraging good character, citizenship, and personal responsibility!

Dreams Come True!

New Year’s Resolution! Let’s work together to keep Tennessee’s natural beauty intact by taking out the trash! u Over 400,000 copies printed of 5 editions per year, have reached over 45,000 Robertson County in- school students grades K-8 since 2015, not including the thousands of adults who have read and shared issues with family and friends. BECOME a sponsor of Let’s Talk Trash! news, call 615-746-2443.

Be part of the solution to keep Tennessee litter-free with the Trash Masters Rewards program! Earn points by taking a litter quiz, attending cleanup events, and spreading the word. Redeem your points for awesome rewards like local discounts and exclusive NTT swag. It’s an easy way to make a difference and get recognized for your commitment to the environment!

SOURCE: https://nobodytrashestennessee.com/about/

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