KES PARENT NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2021
ADMINISTRATION CORNER
Administration Message-
Magnificent March #Cougarnation!
Wow! It is amazing that we are almost to Spring Break. This has been an unprecedented year and we would like to say “Thank You!” to all of the Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and Guardians that have worked hard to support our little Cougars at Kathleen Elementary School. We are getting close to the end of the school. However, based on the state of Florida we will continue to have state testing and we are preparing diligently to host the 2021 FSA here on campus. We will be providing more details and logistics for our on campus students and virtual students.
It warms my heart to see so much love and support during this challenging year but we will strive and thrive through it together.
With warmest regards,
Principal Adrian Anthony
Administration Message-
Happy March and Happy Women’s History Month!
KES is immersed in teaching and learning and we are on our way to an “A” in all of our classrooms. This month, we have 3 weeks of learning about women who have had an influence in the world. Continue to promote reading biographies and non-fiction books at home during our schoolwide “Nonfiction Challenge.”
Also, FSA Testing is quickly approaching. Please note, ALL E-Learners will be taking the FSA on campus, per the state mandate. Teachers will continue to prepare students for our end of the year assessments, but please reach out to administration if you have questions. More information will be sent home and posted on all of social media sites, including Class Dojo.
Here are the tentative FSA Window dates below:
FSA ELA 3rd Grade- April 5th and 6th
FSA Writing Grades 4th and 5th - April 7th
FSA ELA 4th and 5th - Week of May 3rd
FSA Math 3rd , 4th, and 5th - Week of May 10th
NGSSS Science- May 17th and 18th
We are looking forward to finishing strong in Quarter 3 and thank you again for all of your support of Kathleen Elementary during this unprecedented year.
Mrs. Rashawn Williams
Kathleen Elementary
Assistant Principal
OFFICE CORNER
Ms. Browning
Ms. Sutor
Ms. Leslie
Terminal Operator
NURSES CORNER-HEALTH & WELLNESS UPDATES
Important Notice!
If your child has been tested for coronavirus, please do not send your child to school until you receive a negative test result. Please notify the school about the situation so that arrangements can be made for your child to participate in online learning.
If a member of your household has tested positive, please do not send your child to school and call the Florida Department of Health at 863-519-7911 for further direction. Thank you for your cooperation.
FREE COVID-19 TESTING SITES
POLK COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT COVID-19 PCR TESTS
PH:863-519-7912
LET THEM KNOW STUDENT IS A POLK COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD STUDENT FOR FASTER APPOINTMENT (TEST RESULTS WITHIN 3-5 DAYS)
LHRS RESPIRATORY CARE CENTER COVID-19 RAPID TESTS
PH:863-687-1133
COUNSELOR CORNER- Mr. Pollock Guidance Counselor
Family Time Fun Suggestions
When families spend time together interacting in fun, meaningful ways, bonding and the lines of communication are enhanced. Here are some creative, inexpensive activities to give variety to your family time:
- Have a fashion show where everyone puts on the craziest outfit they can find.
- Have the kids create their own skit and perform it for the adults.
- Make miniature boats. Sail them in the bathtub, sink or plastic bin.
- Find a large cardboard box and create a car, castle or play space.
- Make musical instruments out of household objects or recycled bottles.
- Have a picnic in the backyard, driveway or in the garage.
- Make your own frisbee golf course with targets found around the yard.
- Have a super soaker/squirt gun war in the yard.
- Plant a garden.
- Wash the car.
- Have a water balloon fight.
Another Great Resource for families is The Parent’s Corner. This is an electronic subscription for families it has Great resources and information from Heartland for Children.
Aunt Bertha is a tool to find local resources for food, health, housing, employment programs and other community resources in seconds.
Visit Heartland.auntbertha.com and then enter your zip code.
IMPORTANT DATES AND REMINDERS FOR MARCH
Upcoming Important Dates:
- Tuesday, March 2, 2021- PARENT CONFERENCE NIGHT 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, March 2, 2021- Read Across America Day
- Thursday, March 4, 2021- First day of tutoring 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Friday, March 5, 2021-Spring Pictures (E-Learners and on Campus Buyers)
- Monday, March 8, 2021- PTA Board Meeting at 3:30 PM
- Wednesday, March 10, 2021- Early Release Day at 12:15pm
- Thursday, March 11, 2021- Q3 Science Assessments for Fourth and Fifth Graders
- Friday, March 12, 2021- Q3 Science Assessments for Fourth and Fifth Graders
- Friday, March 12, 2021– No Uniform Day PTA Fundraising -$1.00 donation
- Thursday, March 18, 2021- Student of the Month Lunch
- Friday, March 19, 2021- End of Third Nine Weeks
- Friday, March 19, 2021- PBIS Reward (Movie Day)
- Monday, March 22, 2021-Friday, March 26, 2021- Spring Break No School for Students and Staff.
- Friday, March 27, 2021- Friday, April 2, 2021 - Star testing ( E-Learners)
- Monday, March 29, 2021- Students and Staff Return from Break
- Tuesday, March 30, 2021- District Writing Assessment
Upcoming Important Reminders:
Calling All Pre-K Students
Visit our website: https://polkschoolsfl.com/preschool/ for a live link to the VPK application. When completing the application, copies of the following documents must be uploaded.
1. Florida Certificate of Eligibility VPK – just signed and dated in box 18&19
If you need to apply for a VPK Certificate of Eligibility, click here: Family Portal: Login (floridaearlylearning.com)
- Official Birth Certificate (NOT a hospital record)
- Photo ID of enrolling parent
- 2 proofs of address
Applications and documentation will not be accepted in person or by mail. Please use the secured portal.
Trauma-Informed Care:
If your students are experiencing grief you can contact
Hospice care and bereavement counseling is for all ages, children, adults and the elderly.
For more information, call (863) 297-1880 in Auburndale or (863) 533-0203 in Bartow.
The Bethany Center, 50 Lake Morton Dr., in Lakeland.
FSA COUNTDOWN AT KES - There are 20 Instructional Days left until FSA Testing begins
MARCH LUNCH MENU
Welcome Kimberly Brunetto Our New Music Teacher
GRADE LEVEL INFORMATION FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH
KINDERGARTEN:
Subject Area Content Focus:
English Language Arts/Reading: We are learning about travel and discussing characters, setting, and events. We are reviewing key details. Our next topic will be How Things Change. We are still isolating and blending sounds.
Math: In math, we are learning about geometry. We will identify and describe shapes (squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, hexagons, cubes, cones, cylinders and spheres). In addition, we will analyze, compare, create and compose shapes.
Science: In science, we are talking about the earth in space and time. Our next big idea is living organisms.
Social Studies: In social studies, we are rediscovering what rules we follow in different places. We are also discussing weather.
Writing: We are writing about topics in language arts, science, and social studies as well as continuing to integrate writing into all subjects. Also, we will be writing an expository piece.
FIRST GRADE:
Student of the Month:
Ms. Fransted- Corbin Stott
Mrs. Romanov- D’Mari Cazeau
Ms. Lykins- Brandier Medina
Ms. Taylor- Kassandra Avendano-Reyes
Ms. Sanchez- Camryn Gammage
Subject Area Content Focus:
English Language Arts/Reading: In ELA, our learning target is to describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, and pieces of information in a text. Students should also be able to identify who is telling the story at different parts in the text.
Math: In Math, the learning target is to order objects by length and measure objects with a ruler. Students will also be learning how to tell time to the hour and half hour on analog and digital clocks.
Science: In Science we will be learning about the need for water and how to be safe around water.
Social Studies: In Social Studies, we will learn and write about St. Patrick’s Day.
Writing: Students will practice writing informative papers. Students are completing graphic organizers for stories read in class. They are completing sentence frames to explain information gathered from their organizer.
SECOND GRADE:
Student of the Month:
Mrs. Miller- Wesley Mullen
Mrs. Owens- Olivia Alfaya
Ms. Sanders- Prince Briggs
Subject Area Content Focus:
English Language Arts/Reading: We have been reading folktales and finding the theme or lesson. This month we will be identifying the character's point of view in a story/text.
Math: Students have been learning how to measure using centimeters and inches. They will continue to learn how to compare centimeters and inches. They will also lean how to solve word problems using length.
Science/Social Studies: We are finishing up learning about seasons. Students will make a 3D model of the four seasons.
Writing: Students will write an opinion piece using text evidence.
THIRD GRADE:
Student of the Month:
Mrs. Lima-Jones- Ivan Lopez
Ms. Ali- Hunter Stephens
Mrs. Hardy- Zaylani Irizarry
Mrs. Morrison- Lizabeth Ventura Sanchez
Subject Area Content Focus:
English Language Arts/Reading: Several of the third grade reading standards are now being used for the second or third time. Students are expected to read a fiction story and identify characters. Then identify their point of view about a problem or topic that the main character has. Then they can use evidence and reasoning to compare it to their own point of view.
Math: Students are working on concepts of area and perimeter. When looking at the area and perimeter in the same problem sometimes students confuse the two. Look for ways to discuss these concepts in real life. For example: When making an area for a garden you might find the perimeter (around) to place fencing or bricks or garden stakes. Then you would find the area (inside) to place soil and plant rows of seeds.
Science/Social Studies: Students are learning about plant parts and how they function. They are learning how they grow. They should be able to talk about the resources living things need to grow and survive. When driving down the road or taking a walk, point out the plants around. Have your child talk about what part of the plant is the seed, leaf, flower, fruit, stem or roots.
Writing: Students answer how and why questions after reading a text. They analyze how characters change their point of view throughout a story or compare themes. Students are expected to strive for a level 4 proficiency on a 4 point scoring rubric.
News Flash: FSA Testing Dates for 3rd Grade
ELA- April 5&6
Math- May 10 & 11
Each Day is 80 minutes per test.
FOURTH GRADE:
Subject Area Content Focus:
English Language Arts/Reading/Social Studies: In ELA, students will be learning about characters, setting, and events and how these aspects drive the plot of the story. You might be surprised at how your students sees themselves. We will also focus on figurative language, similes and metaphors, and using text evidence to delve deeper into our understanding of text.
Math: In math we are starting the month with a review of several 3rd grade standards that might have gotten missed due to last year’s emergency distance learning. We are working on time and measurement. Please help your student practice these skills at home. We will also be working on unit conversions, such as metric and customary systems. We will continue to work on word problems of all sorts. We will round out the month learning about linear models and line plots.
Science: In Science students are learning about the formation of rocks and how the land is affected by weathering and erosion.
Writing: In writing, we are working on drafting opinion and informative essays in preparation for the upcoming FSA Writing Assessment.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
- Mar 30 4th grade Writing Assessment
- Apr 2 No school-holiday
- Apr 7 4th Grade FSA Writing
- Apr14 Report Cards Go Home
- Apr 21 Early Release at 12:15
- Apr 22 Virtual Science Night 5-6:30
FIFTH GRADE:
Students of the Month:
Ms. Cannan- Layla Gibson
Mr. Clifford- Emerson Gorzka
Ms. Matthews- Zarian Howard
Ms. Zapata- Elizabeth Cunningham
English Language Arts/Reading: Students will be Comparing/Contrasting the Character's, Settings, and Events in a text by using the Speaker's Point of View and through Text Evidence/Inferences. Students will be Comparing/Contrasting the Theme/Topic of a text while also Comparing/Contrasting the Character's, Settings, and Events in a Text. Students will also use Text Evidence/ Inferences to identify the Relationships/interactions within Multiple Text Sources.
Remember students should be reading 30 minutes every night. Students are expected to take at least one Accelerated Reading (AR) Quiz on a weekly basis at their reading level with 85% mastery.
Resources students can use at home:
Istation (Classlink)
TumbleBooks (Clsslink)
Epic! (https://www.getepic.com/)
PCLC Digital Services (https://pclc.overdrive.com/)
NASA eBooks (https://www.nasa.gov/connect/ebooks/index.html)
Math: Students will continue to learn about Measurement. They will also learn about patterns.
March 1st - March 4th: MD.1.1: Convert among different-sized standard measurement units (i.e., km, m, cm; kg, g; lb., oz.; l, ml; hr., min, sec) within a given measurement system (e.g., convert 5 cm to 0.05 m), and use these conversions in solving multi-step, real world problems.
March 8th - March 18th
LT 6.1: Generate two numerical patterns using two different given rules.
LT 6.2: Explain the relationship between each of the corresponding terms from a pattern.
LT 6.3: Represent corresponding terms as ordered pairs and graph on a coordinate plane.
LT 6.4: Explain the coordinate system and recognize the origin.
LT 6.5: Explain the relationship between ordered pairs and their locations on the coordinate plane.
LT 6.6: Represent real world problems on a coordinate grid.
LT 6.7: Interpret coordinate values in the context of the situation
Resources students can use at home:
Freckle (Classlink) – Facts Practice or Flash Cards
Prodigy (prodigygame.com)
Khan Academy: Videos with tutorials and practice (khanacademy.org)
Science/Social Studies: This Month students will be learning about Organization and development of Living organisms and Interdependence.
March 1 – March 12 Unit 9 - Organization and development of Living organisms.
This includes Human Organs and Functional Structure of Organisms.
March 15 – April 1 Unit 10- Organization and development of Living organisms and Interdependence.
This includes Adaptations and Environmental Changes.
Writing: Students will be Revising and Editing their writing. They will be working on the Focus, Purpose, Organization, adding Evidence into their essay, and Elaboration. They are revising their essays with the goal of meeting the FSA Rubric Standards.
DATES to REMEMBER:
- March 11th – 12th – Q3 District Science Assessment
- March 30th – District Writing Assessment
READING COACH CORNER
This resource will help you understand how to help your child if they are a struggling reader. It can help you understand the developmental process of learning to read, how you can support your child in specific areas, and how to access resources that may be available to you through your child's school.
READING INTERVENTIONIST CORNER
Reading interventionist
We want to thank all families for joining us in the virtual capacity events (Literacy, Math, and conference Nights). There will be a final night for Science that will be virtual, as well.
Reading and writing are great assets and added to this is the discussion part of learning. When students talk and share their thoughts, they are critically thinking and identifying misconceptions. In a classroom conversation about mathematics connections to ELA (compare and contrast, cause and effect, and sequence) and Science (volcanoes) students shared various connections such as:
Math
1. Measuring the height of the volcano and its eruptions.
2. Times of day or years that the volcano erupts
3. Adding numbers up to a 1000 help figure out the depth of the volcano
4. Ho2 much money it takes to repair the damage
5. How far the lava goes (measurement)
6. Count the places with volcanoes, count the people who see them
ELA
1. The lava movement causes eruptions
2. The times of year compared to when it did it before to predict when it erupts again
3. The sequence of how lava is made and comes out of the volcano
This conversation started from- asking students to share what they learned this week. The initial silence and then expectation of ALL giving their input led to an awesome glow of shared learning. Love the power of discussion because it can be done at any time at home, in the store, at school, or anywhere.
ALPHA TEACHER CORNER
ESOL CORNER
Below are some online resources to support your students education:
English Language Arts/Reading: https://pbskids.org/
Math: https://www.varsitytutors.com/aplusmath/flashcards
Science: https://www.sciencegamecenter.org/
Social Studies: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
Media Center Updates
Tuesday, March 2, 2021 is Read Across America Day
THERE ARE THREE WEEKS LEFT IN THE 3RD NINE WEEKS NONFICTION AR QUIZ BOOK CHALLENGE
“Oh, the Things You’ll Learn!”
3rd Nine Weeks Nonfiction AR Quiz
Book Challenge
Jan. 18th until Mar.19th
You need to earn an 80% or better on each quiz. Students must keep track of their quizzes in their AR folder and their bookmark.
There are 3 levels. Below are the goals for the number of books you need to read each week to achieve each level. If you score below an 80% on a test, read another book and quiz again. You can earn a total of 3 Brag Tags, 3 Treats, 2 Prize Box prizes, and one item from the Cougar Market.
- Level 1: Read 12 Nonfiction Books
To Do: Read 2 books per week and score an 80% or higher.
Prize: Brag Tag and Treat
- Level 2: Read 24 Nonfiction Books
To Do: Read 3 books per week and score an 80% or higher.
Prize: Brag Tag, Treat, and Prize Box.
- Level 3: Read 36 Nonfiction Books
To do: Read 4 NF books per week and score an 80% or higher.
Prize: Brag Tag, Treat, Prize Box, and an item from the Cougar Market
The 4th Nine Weeks Challenge will be Announced soon!!
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL (SAC) CORNER
Upcoming SAC Meeting: Wednesday March 10, 2021 at 3:15pm
Kathleen Baptist Church is having a Food Drive-Thru on the third Friday of the month.
Feeding the Community: The church has invited all interested families to participate.
Distribution will be March 19 at Kathleen Baptist Church
3939 2nd St. NW Lakeland, FL 33810
For more information please call Seth Miller at (863) 858-3836.
The car line will open at 8:30 a.m. The distribution of food begins at 9:00 a.m. and will run to 11:00 a.m. in front of Worship Center.
PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA) CORNER
Below is the Link to our New Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/Kathleen-Elementary-School-PTA-107250731224485/Contact Us
Kathleen Elementary
3515 Sherertz Road, Lakeland, FL 33810
Phone: 863-853-6030
Fax: 863-853-6033
School Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Website: http://kes.polk-fl.net/
Location: 3515 Sherertz Road, Lakeland, FL 33810, USA
Phone: 863-853-6030
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathleenelementary/