Como Park Elementary
March 2022
From Principal Evangelist
Dear Parents:
Welcome to the start of warmer temperatures and less snow! Spring also brings our second round of conferences. We will be sending schedules home in the next week. All conferences are scheduled as virtual, but you are welcome to request to attend the conference in the building. Please let your classroom teacher know if you would like this option. Conference dates are the following:
Tuesday, March 22, from 3 - 7
Thursday, March 24, from 3-7
Friday, March 25, from 8 - 12
Spring break is approaching quickly. Students will be off the week of April 4th, returning on Monday, April 11th. I hope everyone has a chance to relax and enjoy time spent outdoors.
I would also like to remind you that if your child attends Como, and you plan on attending next year, you do not need to take any action. Enrollments will automatically roll over to the 2022-23 year.
Sincerely,
Barbara J. Evangelist
Principal
A Note from Ms. Ewald
Como Families-
A few highlights from the last few weeks
- Silly hair/hat day
- Belwin field trip with students having fun on kick sleds
- Como Planetarium events
- Popcorn for the whole school as a special treat
- Students creating our weekly Como news
- Musical March Madness with Mr. Jaap
- March 7 - Celebrating your culture and family - students are encouraged to where something that represents their culture and/or family
Email: jennifer.ewald@spps.org
Office: 651-744-6055
Reminder
No School
- March 4 - Conference Prep Day
- March 25 - Conferences
Spring Conferences
Spring conferences will be held virtually for students in PreK-4th grade. Conferences are:
- Tuesday March 22 from 3:00-7:00
- Thursday March 24 from 3:00-7:00
- Friday March 25 from 8:00-12:00
Zones of Regulation
Como Park Elementary is utilizing the social emotional program titled Zones of Regulation to teach emotional skills, self-regulation, and navigating social situations to our students. Some of these concepts include identifying what emotion a student is currently in, being able to self-regulate when facing a challenging situation, and identifying situations that may make someone feel a specific way. Student emotions are sorted into four categories by colors: blue zone, green zone, yellow zone, and red zone. Each colored area correlates with specific emotions, along with strategies to move back to the preferred zone called the “green zone”. Attached is a visual of the Zones of Regulation if you would like to use the concepts at home.
Technology Tips
Cyberbullying:
Cyberbullying is defined as repeatedly sending or posting harmful or mean messages, images, or videos about someone else using the Internet, cell phones, or other digital technologies. Kids may call each other names, say nasty things about one another, threaten each other, or make others feel uncomfortable or scared. Cyberbullying is especially disturbing because it is constant, inescapable, and very public. It can happen anytime — at school or at home — and can involve large groups of kids.
According to Common Sense Media, families can:
• Point out that it’s important to stick up for others, online as well as in the real world. Discuss ways they can support friends who are bullied and report bad behavior they see online.
• Limit online socializing. Because there is more risk for bullying on sites where kids can openly communicate, avoid open and free chat sites.
• Explain the basics of good behavior online. Remind your kids that being mean, lying, or telling secrets hurts — both online and offline. And remember to praise your child when you see good behavior.
• Remind your kids not to share passwords with their friends.
• Make sure they talk to someone (even if it’s not you). A child should tell a parent, teacher, or trusted adult if he or she is being bullied online. Tell your child that this isn’t tattling, it’s standing up for him- or herself.
• Advise them on how to handle cyberbullying. Even though they might be tempted to, your child should never retaliate against a cyberbully. They can stop the cycle by not responding to the bully. Also remind them to save the evidence rather than delete it.
• Establish consequences for bullying behavior. If your child is mean to or humiliates another child, consider taking phone and computer privileges away and discuss what it means to be respectful to others.
For more information, check out commonsense.org
From Nurse Morgan
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
MORE common symptoms: fever greater than or equal to 100.4° F, new cough or cough that gets worse, difficulty/hard time breathing, new loss of taste or smell
LESS common symptoms: sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, muscle pain, extreme fatigue/feeling very tired, new severe/very bad headache, new nasal congestion/stuffy or runny nose
Community Resources
Ramsey County is offering a Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP) for its residents! This program can assist with medical needs, mental health counseling, obtaining food, obtaining housing, help in applying for public assistance, and employment resources. This is a voluntary service, and applications can be accessed at https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/assistance-support/support-families/parent-support-outreach-program , or by phone at 651-266-4895. A pamphlet is attached to the bottom of the newsletter for more information on this program.
Free Food
Keystone Community Services is offering a drive-through, FREE food event
· Saturday March 5, 10:00am – 1:00pm
· Roseville Public Works building
· Open to all
· Pre-registration is required
Health Care Resources
Health Care for the Homeless: Free clinics for un-insured and low income; and, if you see homeless people who need more immediate care, contact Kat Donnelly (651)793-2219
Sprockets
Counselor's Corner
In February, we focused on our cardinal character words: Courage and Fairness. We talked about how to solve problems in ways that are fair, which doesn’t always mean getting exactly what we want all the time. We also discussed the importance of being brave and trying new things. For Black History Month, we highlighted African American heroes that showed courage and stood up for the right to be treated fairly.
Kindergarten
First Grade
First graders are continuing their sight word fluency!
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
4th grade has begun reading independently in level-appropriate book clubs where students discuss the plot and characters. Some scholars are keeping track of their thoughts in readers’ response journals. In math, 4th graders are learning about fractions and decimals.
Fifth Grade
5th graders competed in the 2022 Como Park Winter Olympics. Events included most books read, most pages read, most words read, IXL, XtraMath, ST Math, and Wordle.
Quick Links
iUpdate
Reminder to fill out the annual iUpdate student form at Campus Parent. It is important we have updated contact information so you will receive updates from the school. If you need to reset your username and/or password, please click here.
Como Park Elementary School
Website: https://www.spps.org/comoel
Location: 780 West Wheelock Parkway, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: 651-293-8820
Twitter: @ComoElementary