Louisville Elementary School
November Newsletter
PBiS November Behavior Challenge
Veterans Day
On November 11th, Louisville Public Schools will be hosting a Veterans Day program at 8:15 am in the high school gym. Our elementary choir will be performing. We are extremely thankful for all veterans who have put on the uniform to protect the freedoms and rights that this country was built upon.
New Elementary Behavior Forms
Parent Teacher Conference Data
Class Spotlight - 1st Grade
Our 1st graders had a very busy month! Early on in October, the incredible first grade team of Mrs. Toelle and Mrs. Bell put on a special event called Dad's and Decorating. Many parents were able to attend and help their child decorate a pumpkin. As evident in these pictures, lots of fun was had by all. Thanks to our amazing PTO, our first graders were able to attend their first field trip of the year to Bloom Where You're Planted on October 16th. In the classroom, these students writing, reading, and math skills are really starting to flourish. It's a fun time in first grade, and they are looking forward to finishing this month strong trick or treating on Thursday.
Dad's and Decorating Round 1
Bloom Where You're Planted Field Trip
Dad's and Decorating Round 2
NOVEMBER FAMILY CHALLENGE - Thanksgiving List
The November Family Challenge is a two part mission. The first goal I would like you to try and accomplish is for you all to sit down and review our new elementary PBiS behavior matrix as a family. Specifically, I'd love for you to talk with your children about what it means to be safe, respectful, responsible, and kind on the playground and in the cafeteria. The matrix is attached below.
The second part of this challenge is for you to create a list of five items that you are thankful for as a family. Take a picture of those five items and post them on your refrigerator. At school, I will be asking the students what they are thankful for and what pictures they chose to take at home. If you wouldn't mind, send me an email as a family letting me know everything you are thankful for. November offers us an amazing opportunity to truly appreciate the things in our lives that we often take for granted.
Sincerely,
Mr. Mathis
P.S. Here are Mr. Mathis's five gratitudes:
1.) My children, Clara and Danny, who always greet me with a smile and mega hug when I arrive home each day. I hope they know they will always be my two favorite little lions.
2.) My wife Abby who has supported my new adventure and is one of my biggest fans.
3.) My faith that allows me to live a life of joy, freedom, and assurance.
4.) The interview team at LPS who gave me a chance to lead their elementary school.
5.) Working alongside an amazing staff who challenge, support, and inspire Louisville Elementary School students on a daily basis.
(I'm also thankful for my hobby of woodworking, Fantasy Football, Twix Candy Bars, Ice Cream Sandwiches, and when I don't burn my Jack's pizza.... but I felt the aforementioned items were a little more important)
Remember to Dress for the Weather
Counselor Corner - Mrs. Linda Allen
There’s no question that the topic of drug use is an important concern to most parents of school-age children. In our world, we see many children curious about why does that smoke come out of that cigarette, or tv ads suggesting that to get to look or feel better, you need to take this drug. But the way drugs look and feel to children in different age groups is entirely different. Here is a helpful guide on how drugs influence our elementary children’s lives, what drugs look like to them and age-appropriate conversation starters that will help your child open up about alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use.
Elementary School: Kindergarten to 5th Grade
For many parents, addressing the issue of drugs with their elementary school age child may seem too early. However, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, one of the keys to preventing childhood drug use is addressing the topic during a child’s elementary school years.
Research shows that the earlier a child starts to use alcohol and/or other drugs, the greater his or her chances are of becoming a substance abuser. Studies also show that programs aimed at keeping kids off drugs are most effective when started in this age group. That said, the U.S. Department of Education suggests that for children in grades kindergarten through third, prevention efforts should discuss good health practices; differences between foods, poisons, medicines and drugs; and rules regarding drug use. In Louisville, we talk about helpful and harmful drugs and ages that people can choose to smoke or drink alcohol. We stress that ANY medicine should be given to them by a trusted adult.
For children in grades fourth through sixth, prevention efforts should teach how to identify different drugs; the effects of drugs; what addiction is; why some substances are dangerous; and peer, media, family and community influences on substance abuse. In Louisville, fifth grade students are involved in the DARE program during the second semester of school. In Guidance and classrooms, we talk about peer pressure, pressure from the media, and how to say NO to other people wanting them to experiment with drugs.
For elementary school age children, the primary concern parents should focus on is behaviors. Watch out for such things as your children crushing candies that resemble pills, like Smarties and Skittles, sniffing school items such as permanent markers and correction fluid, or inhaling household products like antibacterial lotion and dryer sheets.
These types of actions may indicate behaviors your children are being exposed to either from other kids at school or what they see in the media.
Conversation starters
- Do you know what drugs are?
- Do you know that drugs can look like candy?
- Do you know what smoking can do to you?
- Have you ever seen kids sniffing markers or hand sanitizers? Do you know that can hurt your brain?
- Do you know it is OK to have a bad day?
What you can do
- Teach your kids that many drugs, such as Ecstasy and meth, can look like candy.
- Talk to them about drug-related messages they get through TV, movies and music.
- Give them the power to escape from situations that make them feel bad.
- Keep discussions about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs factual and focused on the present.
- Sign them up for programs that emphasize the positive impact of a healthy lifestyle.
- Monitor their free time and know their friends.
Information retrieved from https://www.maskmatters.org
Mark Your Calendars
October 31st - Halloween Parties
All of November - Elementary PBiS Playground and Cafeteria Challenge
November 7th - 3rd Grade Field Trip to the Rose Theater
November 11th - Veteran's Day Program 8:15 in the HS Gym
November 27th - December 1st - Thanksgiving Break
December 13th - Dance with Me sponsored by PTO (A magical frozen night for young ladies to dance the night away with their father or special guest at this winter wonderland event. Dancing, snacking and raffle tickets will be available.)
December 16th - Holiday Program
December 21st - January 5th - No School
COFFEE BREAK!
We would like to continue to provide the opportunity for staff at Louisville Elementary to enjoy a cup of coffee from Black Sheep Coffee House in Springfield on Fridays. New for this year, we will be making the coffee runs on the first and third school day Fridays of each month. If you are interested in donating money to treat a staff member to a cup of coffee, please send donations in an envelope labeled “coffee” to Lisa Sheehan.
Each Friday, names are drawn to see whose order is paid for by the appreciative families of Louisville. Donations can be made at anytime through the year. Thank you for your generosity!
PTO INFORMATION
Box Tops
Art to Remember
Winter Apparel Sale
Louisville Elementary School
Email: smathis@lpslions.org
Website: https://louisvilleelementary.weebly.com
Location: 200 West 3rd Street, Louisville, NE, USA
Phone: (402) 234-4215
Twitter: @pride_purple