Salish Ponds
December 2023
Your monthly space of celebration and information at Salish Ponds!
Spirit Week at Salish Ponds!
The week before winter break, December 11th- 15th, at Salish Ponds we will be having Spirit Week! Each day we will have a dress up day or theme for all staff and students alike, to have some fun as we head into the Winter Break.
12/11 Monday: Crazy hair day
12/12 Tuesday: Flannel Day/Sweatshirt Day
12/13 Wednesday: Dress like a teacher day
12/14 Thursday: Green and Purple day
12/15 Friday: PJ day
Reading Matters!đź“–
Hello Salish Ponds Families,
My name is Cat Monroy, known by the kids as Ms. Cat. I am the school’s reading intervention specialist.
This year all grade levels have an intervention time called PRIME. Students meet with either their classroom teacher, education assistants, or me for a half hour a day, four days a week. During this time, students receive extra instruction in reading to help them reach their grade level potential. It is an especially valuable time in most students’ day, receiving small group attention and focusing on the skills they need to become a proficient reader.
In February, I will be presenting a parent workshop, highlighting strategies and ways to help your child read outside of school. Although we do not have our date set, we will have information for you very soon.
If you have any questions for me, please feel free to reach out by phone, 503.492.7260 x 3001, or email, cmonroy@rsd7.net. I look forward to hearing from you!
Counselor and Social Worker Corner!
Welcome to December!
Before we dive into our new theme, we are excited to introduce Michael Vanpool, our new social worker! Please reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or needs! Contact information is listed below.
The monthly theme for December is Optimism! You may have heard sayings such as seeing the glass as half-full or looking on the bright side – that’s what Optimism is all about! It is when we have hope and believe in ourselves despite the challenges we may face. Here are some resources to continue the conversation at home!
Books:
· Grades K-2
o The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi
o The Book of Mistakes by Corrina Luyken
o Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
· Grades 3-5
o a kids book on Optimism! By Meir Kay
o Positive Thinking Games for Kids: Nurturing Optimism and Joy
o Matilda by Roald Dahl
o Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
Videos:
· Grades K-2 o Optimism For Kids | The Power of Positivity | Looking on the Bright Side - YouTube
· Grades 3-5 o Pollyanna https://ok.ru/video/338245978872 classic movies, rated G
We want to also recognize that these next few weeks can feel heavy. Here are some resources should you want to begin a conversation at home:
Helping Children Cope with Grief During the Holidays - The Solace Tree Grief During The Holidays: Tips & Tools To Help You Through - The Children's Room (childrensroom.org) National Alliance for Children's Grief | Resources (nacg.org) - Scroll down for the toolkit. Coping with Grief During the Holidays | VITAS Healthcare How to Cope with Grief During the Holidays: 8 Strategies (thepsychologygroup.com)
We hope everyone stays warm! Enjoy your Winter Break! Please know that if you need anything at all, you are welcome to reach out to us during school hours or leave a message. Arianne Delos Reyes, School Counselor x 3008; Virginia Rose, School Counselor x 3037; Michael Vanpool, Social Worker: mvanpool@rsd7.net.
PTO!
We have some families who would like to create a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). If you are interested in being a part of this, please come see the PTO table at the Math night, on December 6th from 5:30-7pm. As well, you can reach out to Mrs. Stevens and Mrs. Rose
rstevens@rsd7.net and vrose@rsd7.net
We look forward to supporting our scholars!
Library Corner đź“–
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Salish Ponds Elementary School December 4th to December 8th, 2023, in the library. Students can shop the Fair all week during their regular library visits. Families can shop the Fair in the morning and at the end of the day after checking in at the front office.
Monday 10:15-10: 45 a.m. & 3:40-4:00 p.m.
Tuesday through Friday 9:05-9:35 a.m. & 3:40-4:00 p.m.
We hope to see you there!
Being at School Matters!
Did you know students who attend school regularly are more successful academically and have a better chance of graduating high school? When students are out, they miss the consistency and connection of their friends and class, too. Being a regular attender means missing no more than two days each month!
But what should you do if your student is sick? Students can go to school if:
• They have a runny nose or little cough, but no other symptoms.
• They haven’t taken any fever reducing medicine for 24 hours and have been fever-free during that time.
• They haven’t thrown up or had diarrhea for 24 hours.
If the above isn't true, keep students at home and call the office or send a Parent Square message so we know why your student is missing school.
Check out the Everyday Matters toolkits for families for support.
Outdoor recess
We will continue to take our classes outside as much as possible for recesses. Please remember to send your student to school with clothes to be outside.
Upcoming events in December!
- 1st: Picture retake day
- 4th and 11th: Late start days
- 5th: Winter Weatherization workshop 5:30-6:30
- 6th: Reading night and dinner, 5:30-7pm
- 7th: Last day of fall SUN programing
- 11th: Spirit week
- 18th-26th: Hanukkah
- 25th: Christmas
- 26th: Kwanzaa
- December 16th- January 2nd: No school Winter Break
- January 3rd: School Resumes