PRINCIPAL NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER
Tapteal Elementary School Principal
Dear Tapteal Elementary Families,
At Tapteal Elementary, we say the Kids at Hope pledge every day, and every Friday over the intercom as a building. In the pledge, it emphasizes how we believe in kids, no matter the circumstances. Kids at Hope suggests kids have 4 types of adults that support their success, with no exceptions:
- ACE of SPADES: These adults believe in you all the time. They really know about your life both here and away from here. You can always ask these adults for help and guidance.
- ACE of HEARTS: These adults are responsible for your physical and emotional well being 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year in an unconditional loving way.
- ACE of CLUBS: These are the adults who can identify many talents, skills and treasures that exist in you. They are adults you can ask for help when you need it.
- ACE of DIAMONDS: These adults help you experience success and celebrate your successes. Like the four sides of a diamond there are four ways they help you feel successful – belonging to something positive, feeling useful, feeling competent, feeling empowered.
We know we can't make an impact on our students without you. You are their ACE of hearts! Together, as the adults in our children's lives, we make the difference in their success, everyday. It's these relationships that make the difference in the learning, development, and happiness of our kids.
It's such a joy being a part of your children's lives. Thank you for sharing your child with Tapteal! Have a wonderful winter break!
We have had an outstanding November & December at Tapteal! Some of the highlights include:
- Veterans Day, where we recognized local veterans. It meant a lot to have our veterans here with us to celebrate them.
- PTA's Donuts with Grown Ups. It was a very well attended event, and it was amazing to hear our very own Kids Calypso band perform for students and families.
- Clubs & More! We have Chess Club, Destination Imagination, Reading Club, and Math is Cool! More to come in the spring!
- Parent Teacher Conferences were well attended, and it was a great opportunity to connect with families on each of your child's education.
- Our Family Resource Coordinator, Ashley Condray, was recognized for making a positive impact on kids at Tapteal. We appreciate her!
- Educational field trips at various grade levels enhancing the learning, and appreciation of art and culture.
- PTA's Craft Night with Kid Calypso was so much fun for all that attended.
Some things to look forward to with the new year:
- Tapteal students are excited to share their talents in the Talent Show in January. Check the attached information on how to sign up. Deadline is DEC 20.
- Each month we focus on teaching students the characteristics of a learner. Please help reinforce these characteristics in home conversations with your child.
- The new Tapteal Elementary is being constructed as we speak. In the next couple months, we will be coordinating with the construction team to bring one of the beams of the building to our school. Each student will be able to sign the beam, symbolizing our students are critical to the structure and integrity of our new school.
- We were awarded an Art Project grant to add a special work of art as part of the opening of our new school.
This year we started Great News Post Cards and the Tapteal 200 Club. We believe it's important to recognize students often, and to teach and reward expected behavior.
Great News Post Cards
- Throughout the year, our goal is to positively recognize every student with a Great News Hawk postcard. One student from each class a week will have the opportunity to be recognized exhibiting a positive character trait by their teacher. A list of the year's character traits are attached below. Those students will also be able to eat lunch with Mr. Langdon on Friday. The postcards are mailed off for you to celebrate with your child!
The TAPTEAL 200 Club
- When students follow the big three (Show Respect, Make Good Decisions, Solve Problems), they may be rewarded with a Golden Tapteal 200 Ticket. The Tapteal 200 board is a grid of 200 squares, in rows and columns. Once a row or column is filled with students, ALL of these students win a mystery surprise!
COLD WEATHER
Reminder to keep your kiddos home if they are feeling under the weather, especially if they have had a temperature within 24 hours. Be sure to call in for attendance concerns, and speak to Mrs. Jonna Dearinger 509 967-6350.
MORNING INDOOR LINEUP
We moved to indoor lineup as of DEC 2, in order to keep students warm, provide more structure, and offer a soft start to the day.
MORNING DROP OFF
For safety, we are allowing students to enter through the office main entrance in the morning to line up by their classrooms. During the cold weather, the pavement can become icy. This should help keep kids safe.
AFTER SCHOOL BUS LINEUP
We have moving our after school bus lineup inside during the cold. We believe it helps provided needed safety, structure, and organization to a daily routine.
We are an Idle Fee Zone. Please help us keep the parking lot clear of exhaust fumes before and after school by turning off your vehicle while waiting for your child.
EARLY PICK UP
- Please do not make any changes past 2:30 MONDAY - THURSDAY, an 1:30 on FRIDAY. It makes it difficult for staff to ensure a safe transition home for your child.
CHRISTMAS BREAK
- Christmas break is DEC 23-JAN 3. The last day of school is FRI, DEC 20.
Tapteal 200 Club: Mystery Motivator Prize
Veterans Day Assembly
Staff Recognition
Reading Club
Join the PTA!
Sean Langdon
Website: https://tapteal.rsd.edu/
Location: 2100 Sunshine Avenue, West Richland, WA, USA
Phone: 509 967-6350