Trail Talk
Santa Fe Trail PTA Newsletter | October 2022
Happy Fall Trailblazers!
Crisp air, fall parties, fun run, apple picking, Monster Mash Fall Bash, pumpkin spice, football, conferences, skating parties, costume decisions, oh my! This edition of Trail Talk is jam packed with fun fall events and future opportunities for SFT students and families. Thank you to all of the volunteers that make the magic happen for our special school community!
Stay connected with the Trailblazer Community on Facebook and now Instagram!
SFT Fun Run this Friday!
This is not a joke. Our students are hoping to see Ms. Leiker KISS A CHICKEN if we reach our $10,000 fundraising goal. Every little bit helps and it’s easy to submit your tax-deductible contributions. GIVE ONLINE and share the link with friends and family.
Bring the whole family to come cheer on our students this Friday, Oct. 7!
FUN RUN Schedule:
- 8:30 - 3rd and 4th
- 9:00 - 5th and 6th
- 9:30 - 1st and 2nd
- 10:00 - Pre-K and Kindergarten
Please SIGN UP for remaining volunteer opportunities - we would love your support!
Monster Mash Fall Bash, Oct. 28
On Oct. 28, join us for a festive fall family fun night in the school gymnasium: the inaugural SFT Monster Mash Fall Bash! This *free* event will feature games, snacks, music and dancing, a costume contest and more!
The party starts at 6:00 and ends at 8:00. Students must be accompanied by an adult. Costumes are encouraged for all attendees, but not required. BYO water bottle.
Keep an eye out for a Signup Genius link for volunteers for this not-so-spooky event! We will need all monster hands on deck!
Ms. Leiker’s Fall Letter to Families
SFT Families,
I cannot believe we are almost to the end of the first quarter of the school year. October 14th is the last day of the quarter and there will be no school so that teachers can complete grade cards which will be viewable in Skyward by the end of the day on October 21st. If you have issues accessing your student’s grade card in Skyward, please contact Ms. Jones in the office.
Please plan to attend a conference (in-person, WebEx or phone) with your child’s teacher. Scheduled conference days are planned for Thursday, October 20th from 4:30-7:30pm or Friday, October 21st during school hours (no school on this day). Please remember that staff members are available to talk with you at any time, not just during these scheduled conferences. Teachers will be able to share information on beginning of the year benchmark testing done with students in the areas of math and reading along with how the student is doing on the priority standards.
We look forward to the Fun Run on the 7th and are excited to be able to have parent/guardian volunteers and spectators back in person again this year.
We appreciate everyone’s assistance with arrival and dismissal procedures. Thank you for having the students at school on time so they can be in their seats by 8:10. The first few minutes of the day are very important. Students who arrive punctually have a personal advantage with regard to the school day. They have opportunity to complete the morning assignment, greet classmates, put away personal items, understand the agenda for the day, hear the morning announcements, etc. When students are tardy, both the class and the individual miss out on some important beginnings.
Educationally yours,
Ms. Leiker
Attendance
To report your child’s absence or late arrival, please call the school by 8:30a.m.
- Attendance Line available 24/7: 913-993-5088 or email brigettejones@smsd.org
- This number applies to all absences.
- It is not necessary to call the nurse unless you have a specific question about your child.
Clothing Reminder
Please see that your child is prepared for abrupt weather changes at times of the year when the weather may take a sudden turn for the worse. A jacket is often needed in the mornings as fall approaches. Please put student names on outdoor wear. For safety reasons, we ask that each child wear gym shoes during physical education classes. No flips flops, slides, platform shoes, sandals or shoes that do not fit snugly to the foot are to be worn to school.
SFT Teacher of the Year!
Congratulations to SFT second grade teacher, Jessica Oliver, who is our SFT Teacher of the Year!
Congratulations also to the following certified staff who received nominations: Terry Welsh-Owara, Laura Herrick, Kellie Atkinson, Lisa Hemenway, Lizzy Vohland, Alex Smith, and Shannon Sells.
November PTA Meeting: New Date!
Literacy for our Littles
For more information about the program and to register a child to receive the books, visit www.smef.org/dolly.
SFT Family Directory, Opt-in by Oct. 13
In an effort to help SFT families connect, the PTA is putting together a family directory! The goal is to create an easy way for families to get classmates together to play, plan birthday parties, coordinate sports teams, and build relationships within the SFT community. Participation in the directory is optional. If you would like to be a part of the directory, please fill out the online form by scanning the QR code or using the link below by Oct. 13.
BECOME A PART OF THE SFT DIRECTORY
If you are unable to fill out the form electronically, please don't hesitate to contact Erin Oliva via email at erinpoliva@gmail.com.
SFT Family Night at SMN: October 13
Join us for a very special SFT Family Night at the last home game for the Shawnee Mission North Bison football team on Thursday, October 13. In order to make this night incredibly inviting and affordable, the SMN athletics department has extended a huge family discount to SFT families of $10/family (regularly $7/person)! Discounted tickets will be available at the main entrance of the SMN stadium between 6:30 and 7:00pm on the night of the game. Look for the table with the Santa Fe Trail sign on it!
Once you are in the stadium look for the SFT section on the south end of the west stands (home side). We will display the SFT banner in front of this section where we can all sit together and cheer on the Bison.
Come and enjoy the Bison spirit and explore what football, band, cheerleading, dance and Senior Night looks like just a few years away for your SFT student who is Headed North!
Skating Party, Oct. 18
- Oct.18 at Skate City from 6-8pm
- Wear neon/glow gear for the glow skate
- Purchase a hot dog, chips, and a drink for $4 or a 14" pizza for $10
- $6 admission + $2 skate rental -- and $2 from every student admission goes to the SFT PTA!
Collecting SFT Memories
SFT families are invited to send photos of their students throughout the year to dawndonegan@smsd.org. Ms. Donegan, who is graciously leading coordination of this year's yearbook along with some sixth-grade helpers, is especially interested in Halloween pictures. Say cheese!
Nominate your favorite SFT All Star!
Fall Parade and Class Parties: October 31
On Oct. 31, the SFT costume parade will take place at 1:45, followed by class parties 2:15-2:45pm. Costumes are optional and should be brought in a bag, not worn to school. If your student chooses to dress up, please abide by these rules:
DO:
- Have young kids practice putting on their costume before the big day
- Make sure the costume is culturally and socially sensitive; be respectful of all individuals and groups as you plan
DON'T
- Bring complicated costumes, make-up or hair color
- Bring costumes that suggest violence in any manner, including implied weapons (swords, knives, guns, light sabers, etc.)
A good rule of thumb would be to keep from wearing anything that would scare a kindergarten student
Book Fair Starts Nov. 7
Holiday Shopping Yet? Support SFT by using Amazon
Amazon Smile
An easy way to support our school is to connect your Amazon Smile account to SFT so the school can earn a little extra money--at no cost to you!
Our charity is listed as Santa Fe Trail Elementary PTA Overland Park KS. Sign up at smile.amazon.com.
Mark Your Calendar
Oct. 7 --> SFT Fun Run
Oct. 12 --> WCW Chipotle
Oct. 13 --> SFT Family Night at SMN Football Game
Oct. 14 --> No School & End of 1st Quarter
Oct. 18 --> Skating Party 6pm
Oct. 20 --> Parent Evening Conferences
Oct. 22 --> No School
Oct. 25 --> SFT Auction Planning Meeting 7pm
Oct. 28 --> Monster Mash Fall Bash SFT Gym 6pm
Oct. 31 --> Fall Parade and Class Parties
Nov. 7 --> Book Fair Begins!
Nov. 15 --> PTA Meeting SFT Library 6pm
Nov. 16 --> WCW Buffalo State Pizza
Nov. 21 --> No School Teacher Facilitated Professional Learning
Nov. 22 --> No School
Nov. 23-25 --> No School Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 14 --> WCW Panera Bread
Santa Fe Trail Elementary PTA
Email: sftptapresident@gmail.com
Website: www.sftpta.com
Location: 7100 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/371636722923691/
Why Cook Next Wednesday?
Oct. 12: Chipotle at 6864 Johnson Drive in Mission
- Order online for pick-up using code 9H4WDLG or show the flyer in person
- 33% of event sales go to SFT!
Nov. 16: Buffalo State Pizza
Dec. 14: Panera Bread