Cape Elementary: Seahawk Sentinel
October 1, 2019
Cape's Mission & Vision
Vision: We believe that the most promising strategy for achieving the mission of Cape Elementary is to develop our capacity to function as a professional learning community.
Dear Parents,
Our Cape Elementary family is off to an exciting and busy start this year. Each day we are surrounded by smiling students, caring parents and giving volunteers. Thank you to everyone for your dedication and commitment in making Cape the best elementary school!
Take a look at our October calendar in this newsletter, in your child’s planner or on our website for the many activities happening this month. We participate in National Bullying Prevention Month, and Ms. Boeck, our school counselor, has many wonderful lessons and events for our Cape kids. Report cards go home on October 21. Please take time to review with your child.
Please mark your calendar now for Cape’s fourth annual Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 25 at 6:30 p.m. This will be a wonderful evening for our Cape families to celebrate fall together. Please look in this newsletter for more information and anticipate a flyer in the next couple of weeks. We are recruiting families to decorate their trunks and also asking for families to donate bags of candy. Please email Ms. Osterholm at NicoleDO@leeschools.net if you would like to decorate a trunk.
Lee County School District parent communication system is called School Messenger. We send out automated phone messages, emails and text messages. If you have not received any communication, please make sure Cape has your correct phone number and email. We will communicate events and emergencies through School Messenger.
We are honored and privileged to be part of the Cape family. Every school year brings new opportunities and new challenges, and every year as academic rigor intensifies, parental support and partnership with the school is vital in each child’s educational success during the school year. The most important but simple contributions a parent can make to a child’s success include the following: Ensure children come to school every day and arrive on time, ready to learn; communicate openly with the classroom teacher, and read, listen and talk with your child about what interests him or her. Thank you for your support, for your understanding, and for allowing us to teach your children. They are simply the best, and they are the reason we love what we do!
Sincerely,
Ms. Osterholm and Mrs. Sund
Cape Night at Culver's!
Marquee Sign
Cape T-Shirts for Sale!
Attendance Matters....Did You Know?
- Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year.
- Half the students who miss 2 to 4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school.
- Students who miss fewer than 2 days in September continue to average fewer than 2 days absent each month.
Please contact the school social worker if you have concerns regarding your child’s attendance. We want to help.
For additional information regarding school attendance please visit www.attendanceworks.org
October Counseling Corner
October is National Bullying Prevention Month.
According to PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center:
• More than 1 in every 5 students reports being bullied
• School-based bullying prevention programs decrease bullying by up to 25%
• A slightly higher percentage of female than male students report being bullied (23% v. 19%)
• 57% of bullying situations stop when a peer intervenes on behalf of the student being bullied
• 43% of students who have been bullied will report it to the school
This year’s theme at Cape Elementary for National Bullying Prevention month is “United We Stand Against Bullying.” Our month-long activities will kick off on Tuesday, October 1. Students will be given opportunities to take part in activities and view Public Service Announcements, which will be shown throughout the month on the morning news. We are encouraging all students and faculty/staff to wear blue on Monday, October 7, to show our school’s support for World Day of Bullying Prevention. Stand United and wear orange (bracelets, tee shirts, shoes, socks, etc.) on Wednesday, October 23 for “Unity Day.”
Bullying is a learned behavior. Research shows that bullying behaviors can be stopped, but true change requires consistent education and intervention. Together, we continue to create a culture of kindness and safety at our school.
Anti-Bullying Policy:
The Jeffery Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act became a law in June 2008. The School Board of Lee County has approved a Board Policy which states their guidelines for the identification and reporting of bullying, expectations for behavior, procedures and consequences regarding bullying and harassment.
In short, the School District of Lee County will not tolerate any form of bullying or harassment between students and/or adults on our school campuses. Our goal is protection of our students, and provision of a safe and nurturing educational environment for all of our students and staff.
If you have questions pertaining to Cape Elementary School’s procedures for handling suspected bullying or harassment, please feel free to contact Miss Boeck, School Counselor.
FSA Dates-REVISED by the State of Florida (Important)
Trunk or Treat 2019!
Cape Elementary families are invited to this fun and FREE event on Friday, October 25th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. where you can bring your kids in their best costumes to enjoy an evening of decorated trunks and treats! Children walk by car trunks decorated with themes and games and receive treats. Enjoy family fun in a safe, non-scary environment with some of the most creative trunks around! Adding to the fun....food will be available for purchase.
Thousands of pieces of candy are needed for this free event, and we need your donations to make it happen! Bring in individually-wrapped bags of candy to the office before October 25th.
We need volunteers to host trunks, serve food and help out on the day of the event. Email Nicole Osterholm at NicoleDO@leeschools.net to sign up. You can also reach out to Ms. Osterholm on our Facebook page. Service hours are available for students who volunteer.
PTO News
Thank you to all those who came out for our first PTO/SAC Meeting of the year!
Our Yankee Candle Fundraiser ended on Friday, September 13th, however, you can still shop online to benefit Cape Elementary through the holiday season at www.yankeecandlefundraiser.com. A HUGE thank you to all Cape families and friends who purchased items or made a donation to PTO. We sincerely appreciate all the support!
Our next PTO FUNdraiser night is Friday, October 11th at Zoomers from 6-9 pm. Unlimited ride wristbands are only $10 when you mention you're with Cape Elementary. We would love to see you there!
If you have any questions or would like to receive our email updates, email us at: capeelementarypto@gmail.com and if you haven't yet, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter under Cape Elementary PTO.
From Our School Nurse-InFLUenza Season!
As the Flu season approaches us, please take a minute to become familiar with the symptoms and prevention!
Symptoms:
- Sudden high temperature (>100.4 degrees)
- body aches, headaches
- chills
- sore throat, cough
- stuffy/runny nose
- vomiting and/or diarrhea (more common in children)
Flu symptoms are more severe than Common Cold symptoms (Flu causes higher fevers, worse body aches, worse cough, etc.). Influenza (Flu) is contagious; if you or your child present with the above symptoms- please stay home and contact your physician.
Flu season typically begins in the fall, peaks in the winter months, and can last throughout the spring. The Flu usually lasts between 3-7 days.
Please remember to get your flu shot, wash your hands, and stay home when sick!
Out of Field Teachers
Florida State Statute 1012.42 recognizes that teachers at times must be assigned duties in a class outside the field in which the teacher is certified. The following teachers at Cape Elementary School are engaged in training to add the endorsement English as a Second Language to their current certificate:
Danielle Fitzsimmons
Carrie Troxell
2020-21 Kindergarten Pre-Registration
If you have a little one starting Kindergarten next year, or know someone who does, please share this information and take advantage of the District's pre-registration option. Pre-registration began September 23 and continues through November 1, 2019. This will help you avoid the lines during open enrollment!
Details are in the link below.
We LOVE our Business Partners
C21 Gulf Coast Realty
Jim Fischer
Quality Pest Control
Cape Coral First United Methodist Church
Vineyards Community Church (Cape Coral)
Horace Mann Insurance
Walmart (FM Beach Store)
Culver's
Papa John's Pizza
Wendy's
Publix
Rib City
Cici's Pizza
Applebee's
Dominoes Pizza
Stuff-A-Bagel
Cape Elementary
Email: nicoledo@leeschools.net
Website: cap.leeschools.net
Location: 4519 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral, FL 33904
Phone: 2395423551
Facebook: facebook.com/CapeElem
Twitter: @CapeElem
Lee County School Board
Board Members:
Gwynetta S. Gittens, District 5 (Chairman)
Chris N. Patricca, District 3 (Vice Chairman)
Mary Fischer, District 1
Melisa W. Giovannelli, District 2
Debbie Jordan, District 4
Betsy Vaughn, District 6
Cathleen O'Daniel Morgan, District 7