Spring is almost upon us! With the warmer weather also comes a continued excitement for having fun while learning new things here at Kaufman! Our students always give their best each and every day while our teachers continue to strive to provide our students with engaging and exciting learning experiences. Kaufman Elementary definitely has the best staff and students! As always, thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child’s education.

Have a safe and wonderful Spring Break!

Sincerely,

Tina Oliver

March 2-6 - Diagnosticians Week

March2 - PTO Meeting at 10:00

March 5 - Cupstack Tournament

March 5 - Kindergarten Rodeo Day

March 5 - Sk8Town Spirit Night at 6:30

March 6 - 1st Grade Rodeo Parade at 8:05

March 6 - Go Texan Day/Rodeo Day 1st, 2nd, 3rd grades

March 6 - Box Tops Collection

March 6 - Early Dismissal at 12:10

March 9-13 - Spring Break

March 17 - 3rd Grade Math Benchmark

March 20 - Spring Pictures

March 25 - 3rd Grade Reading Benchmark

March 26 - 1st Grade Program at 6:30

Things to remember:

Know your child’s calendar.

Plan vacations/appointments on scheduled off time.

Return from school breaks by scheduled dates.

Absences can affect your child’s grades and overall performance.

We appreciate your help and support!

Happy March! We will kick off the month by studying Texas history and symbols through creative art and later focus on landforms. In science, we will study living and nonliving things and basic needs. In math, we will explore measurement, money, and will continue to review 3D shapes. In language arts, we will continue working on becoming more “avid readers” and begin our poetry study in writing.

Continue practicing writing numbers to 20 and counting to 100 from any given number. Challenge your child by starting at a number, like 55, and have them count to 100. Please have your child write a few sentences daily at home. Continue reading with your child nightly and encouraging them to use their reading “super powers”!

**Upcoming events-Western feast in honor of Go Texan Day on March 5th at 11 a.m.**

YeeHaw! We are digging in our heels and roping in some new learning this month in first grade. We learned to spread kindness and love through the month of February and want to thank you all for your support with sending in much needed supplies for our Valentine ’s Day activities. We are kicking off March with our annual Rodeo Day parade on the half day March 6th. Please be on the lookout for information regarding the day’s events. Thank you in advance for all your help in making this day a lasting memory for our kiddos. Don’t forget, Spring Break is March 9th- 13th. First grade parents are the BEST!

Hot Topics for March:

*Reading: We are settling into our fiction unit and will continue to explore story elements, character traits and work on comprehension throughout the month.

*Writing: Students will continue to work on narrative writing and will become poets as we begin our new unit in poetry.

*Math: The students will learn all about place value using numbers up to 120 and start learning about fractions of shapes.

*Social Studies: Students will celebrate all they have learned this month about Texas History through our Rodeo day celebration. We will begin exploring geography through learning about landforms and bodies of water.

*Science: Students will begin to understand the interdependence between pets and their caregivers as well as observe and learn from aquariums and terrariums.

Please continue to read with your child every night and check backpacks for important information. We appreciate your support!

The Second Grade Cougar Crew wants to start out with a big THANK YOU to our wonderful parent volunteers who helped make each event in February so special. We appreciated everything.......the delicious treats on Valentine’s Day and the hard work that went into making our play, “Bugz” such a success. A special thank you to the parents who made and put up the wonderful backdrop for our play! It was absolutely beautiful!! Our next event will be our Go Texan day on Friday, March 6th, so please be looking for more information soon!

We have been working hard in class learning about weather in science and influential Americans in social studies. In math, we have been learning about three digit addition and subtraction. We will be learning about geometry and fractions this month. In reading, we are continuing to grow our reading stamina, and soon we will begin reading series books. We have also been working very hard on developing our writing skills in writer’s workshop writing opinion letters!

Again, we can’t thank our parents enough for all you do! We couldn’t possibly do it all without our parents!

Spring is in the air! Go Texan Day will be celebrated on March 6th. There will be a sign up from our room moms for Trail Mix items. After Spring Break, we will have our annual 3rd grade field trip to Minute Maid Park. This will take place Friday, March 27th. You will be receiving information in your child’s Tuesday folder about this fun experience soon!

In math, we will finish up our unit of geometry. Next, we will start our unit of measurement with finding the area and perimeter of figures. Please review multiplication and division facts at home using flashcards. (You can find these at Wal-Mart, Wal-Greens, The Dollar Store, etc.)

In science, we'll be exploring various ecosystems. We will look at their physical characteristics, environmental changes that may take place, and identify the flow of energy in food chains. We will also explore how the structures and functions of plants and animals allow them to survive in their particular ecosystem.

In social studies, we will study individuals who have created or invented technology that affects communities around the world and how people make sacrifices to improve our lives. We will later move into a unit over Economics.

In reading, we are finishing up our literacy non-fiction unit. After Spring Break, we will dive into fiction again and focus on the characters in the story.

Thank you to all of our FABULOUS parents who always take the best care of us! We appreciate all the sweet treats for our Valentine exchanges and the help with making our delicious trail mix. We definitely appreciate all of you!

Springtime is a busy time in fourth grade and begins the season when the hard work that we've done all year is put to the test!

In math, our students are beginning to learn about relative measurements in the customary/metric systems and measurement conversions. We also learn how to calculate elapsed time. Practice telling time at home with your child. While it is a skill they should know by now, many still struggle with reading a clock.

In addition, as March ends and April begins we will give our very first STAAR test. The STAAR Writing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7th. Students will be asked to write an expository composition and apply their revising and editing skills. We have been working diligently to prepare for this and to become better writers. As we continue to polish our writing skills, it is important for students to be at school each day and to put forth their very best effort.

Fourth grade is a busy, busy grade, and we know that our hard work will pay off in the end with our fourth graders shining like STARS! Thank you parents, grandparents, and family members for all that you do to help us.

Hello Creative Cats! This month, fourth grade will be finishing their Foil Texture Creatures and then moving on to Crazy Coil Pots. Third grade is working on Clay Pinch Pot Creatures. Second grade is learning all about the printmaking process and can hardly wait! Our first grade friends are working on Texture Collages and Whimsical Clay Birds. Kindergarten is learning about artist Piet Mondrian while reinforcing their knowledge of the elements- shape, line and color.

We would like to congratulate Madison Reece, Thai Kustermann, Caroline Gessel, and Joseph Pettit for being chosen as February’s “Artists of the Month”! These students come to class every day with a great attitude, a willingness to learn new things, and always strive to do their personal best. In addition, they are kind, follow the rules, and are helpful to others. We love having them in our classes and are very proud of all their hard work and efforts!

Do not forget March is National Youth Art Month! In honor of this, March 5th is BIG ART DAY all across Texas! We will be celebrating the day by highlighting all of the ways in which "Art Ties Us Together"! We are asking all students and staff to wear their favorite ties in support of the Visual Arts. We will also have our BIG reveal from our school wide "Rock our School" collaboration! We hope you enjoy seeing it as much as our students had making it!

Speaking of Youth Art Month, the South County Public Library, located at 2101 Lake Robbins Drive in The Woodlands, will once again host the Conroe ISD’s Annual Student Exhibit for the South County. We are proud to announce Heaven Clark, Danelle Buchanan, Sophia Garcia, Timothy Washington, Nash Poe, Hailey Wright, Hannah Morris, Addie Wright, Sama Rastagar, Brooklyn Hedine, Addie Lawson, and Aiden Gibson will be proudly representing Kaufman this year! Be sure to swing by the library from March 4th through March 26th during its regular visiting hours to support our students and view their work. We are so proud of them!

Until next month,

Mrs. Gregory and Mrs. Rowley

March is "Music in our School Month" and we have a lot to celebrate!

• Fourth graders will continue learning how to play the soprano Recorder! Each student has a packet of information and 5 songs to practice on during the next two months. Once a song is performed accurately in class or through Canvas, the student will get a colored string (a "belt") to tie onto their instrument!
  

• Second graders will be reviewing known rhythms, as they become composers of short songs. They will perform their creations on boomwackers!

• Third graders and kindergarten students will enjoy a fun circle and contra-line dance unit!
  

• First graders will perform their music program "EIEI Oops" on March 26th at 6:30pm for family and community members, and again on March 27th at 9:30am for the school.

Festival Choir News - We had 20 fourth graders represent Kaufman during their concert at the end of February. They did an amazing job and sang beautifully. There are no more Choir activities for the rest of the school year.

Happy Spring! We are loving the nice weather. Our cupstacking unit is up and running. Our tournament is March 5th. Our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students had the opportunity to try out for their class team, and we can't wait to see how they will do. Good luck to all!

We have some upcoming events that we are super excited for. Parachute fun is next on our list, and we will end the month with some exciting Drum Fit routines/activities that will be sure to increase everyone's heart rates. Please mark your calendars for Kaufman's Annual Field Day on Friday, May 22nd.

Your pumped up PE teachers,

Missy Flanagan & Roxane Hutyra

Respect your body...It's the only one you get.

Happy March! In computers, we are working really hard on all our assignments. Kindergarten is working on problem solving skills in basic coding lessons. First grade continues learning basic coding and programming skills at different levels and the students are doing a great job! Second through fourth grades continue to work on their research PowerPoint presentation projects. They are working so hard on their projects, and I am so proud of all of them!

Second through fourth grades have learned Copyright and Fair Use responsibilities when researching for their projects.

Have a wonderful month of March!

Sincerely,

Ms. Alonso

We are still in the midst of flu season. As a reminder, keep recovering students and yourselves home until fever free (under 100 degrees) for 24 hours, without fever reducing medications. These are recommendations from the CDC and the Texas Department of State's Health Services which allows for rest and recovery.

March is National Nutrition Month

“Eat Right Bite by Bite” is the theme this year by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, raising awareness of the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. The link below has helpful tips for eating right.

https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/national-nutrition-month

What you drink is as important as what you eat. Sugary drinks, including sodas, sports drinks and juices, are the largest source of added sugar in the diet. Drinks with added sugar often provide extra calories, tooth decay and health issues such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Here are some ways to make smart beverage choices:

· Choose water, diet, or low-calorie beverages instead of sugar-sweetened beverages.

· For a quick, easy, and inexpensive thirst-quencher, carry a water bottle and refill it throughout the day.

· Don't "stock the fridge" with sugar-sweetened beverages. Instead, keep a jug or bottles of cold water in the fridge.

· Serve water with meals.

· Make water more exciting by adding slices of lemon, lime, cucumber, or watermelon, or drink sparkling water.

· Add a splash of 100% juice to plain sparkling water for a refreshing, low-calorie drink.

· When you do opt for a sugar-sweetened beverage, go for the small size.

Conroe ISD Health Services

Head Lice Fact Sheet

What are head lice?

Head lice are parasitic insects that can be found on the head of people. Head lice feed on human blood several times a day, and live near the scalp. Head lice lay eggs, called nits, on the hair shaft, very close to the scalp. Nits further than ¼ inch from the scalp are likely dead/hatched. Lice do not spread disease.

What are the symptoms of head lice?

* Tickling, feeling something moving in your hair

* Itching, caused by an allergic reaction to the louse bite

* Irritability and difficulty sleeping; lice are most active in the dark

*Sores on the head caused by scratching (which can lead to secondary bacterial infection)

How do you get rid of head lice?

* Examine everyone in the home for lice and nits. Look carefully through the hair and at the scalp, behind the ears, and the back of the neck. Nits are easier to see than live lice.

* Treat only the household members who have lice. Use products available over-the-counter (according to package directions) or by prescription (according to physician directions).

* Comb the hair after treatment, using a special lice/nit comb. Separate the hair into sections and try to comb out every nit and louse you can. Live nits that are not combed out will hatch within 7-10 days. Combing is the most time-consuming step, but also the most important.

* Clean the house. Lice do not live long without a host on which to feed. However, to pick up any stray hairs that may have a live nit attached, wash and dry clothes, sheets, pillow cases, and towels using hot water and high heat. Vacuum the floor and furniture to pick up loose hairs. Combs and brushes should be soaked in hot water for 5-10 minutes.

Follow the lice treatment product directions for when to retreat. It is usually recommended to retreat 7-10 days after the initial treatment. Continue to check heads daily until 1 week after second treatment or 1 week after last louse or nit is removed.

How are head lice spread?

Head lice are spread by direct contact with the hair of an infested person. The highest risk involves head-to-head contact. Lice crawl - they do not jump, and they do not have wings. It is fairly uncommon for lice to be spread by contact with clothing or other personal items. Personal hygiene and cleanliness have nothing to do with getting head lice.

How are head lice prevented?

* Teach children to avoid head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact during play at home, school, and elsewhere (sports activities, playground, sleepovers, camp).

* Avoid sharing clothing (hats, scarves, coats).

* Avoid sharing brushes, combs, and hair accessories.

Is there a season for head lice?

September is National Head Lice Awareness Month. Head lice incidences peak shortly after school starts particularly among young children. This is most likely due in part to younger children playing closely together and having head-to-head contact. During the winter season, the sharing of coats and hats may contribute to head lice occurrences. As spring comes, outdoor playing and sports activities bring children close together.

Summertime often means summer camps and sleepovers which can lead to the spreading of head lice. So it seems as if there is no “one” season for head lice. Year round awareness and routine family inspection will help prevent head lice occurrences.

Resources:

Center for Disease Control & Prevention-http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/index.html

Texas Department of State Health Services-http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth/lice.shtm#2

CISD Health Services 8/2017

FOUR WAYS TO DEAL WITH STRESS

This time of year can be stressful; take care of yourself with these tips from the American Heart Association:

1. Positive Self-Talk

We all talk to ourselves; sometimes we talk out loud but usually we keep self-talk in our heads. Self-talk can be positive ("I can do this" or "Things will work out") or negative ("I'll never get well" or "I'm so stupid"). Negative self-talk increases stress. Positive self-talk helps you calm down and control stress. With practice, you can learn to turn negative thoughts into positive ones.

2. Emergency Stress Stoppers

There are many stressful situations— at work, at home, on the road, and in public places. We may feel stress because of too much work, poor communication, and everyday hassles like standing in line. You may need different emergency stress stoppers for different situations and sometimes it helps to combine them.

· Count to 10 before you speak

· Take three to five deep breaths

· Walk away from the stressful situation & handle it later

· Don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry" if you make a mistake

3. Finding Joy

When stress makes you feel bad, do something that makes you feel good. Doing things you enjoy is a natural way to fight off stress. Try to do at least one thing you enjoy every day for 15 minutes.

· Take up a hobby, new or old

· Read a favorite book, short story, magazine, or newspaper

· Have coffee or a meal with friends

· Exercise and/or Listen to music

4. Daily Relaxation

Relaxation is more than sitting in your favorite chair watching TV. To relieve stress, relaxation should calm the tension in your mind and body. Some good forms of relaxation are yoga, tai chi (a series of slow, graceful movements) and meditation. Like most skills, relaxation takes practice. Deep breathing is a form of relaxation you can learn and practice at home.

Dates to Remember for March:

2nd - PTO Meeting @ 10:00 am

5th – Sk8Town Spirit Night

8th – Early Release

9th – 13th - Spring Break – No School

Thank you to everyone who supported Kaufman at Great American Cookie Company for Spirit Night, we raised $250.00 and for the Fajita Pete’s Spirit Night, we raised $330.00! Thank you for all of your support!

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION Box Tops collections are still going strong at Kaufman! We are up to $1300 in earnings this school year and there is still plenty of time to earn more. Don’t forget to download the Box Tops app and select Kaufman Elementary (listed in The Woodlands, TX) as your school. After setting up an account, you can see updated school earnings, bonus offers, and product lists. We are still collecting physical Box Tops, and any time is a good time to send those in to your child’s teacher! If you are interested in joining the Box Top Clip and Count Club, please contact sarahmabile@yahoo.com.

Submit Photos to Yearbook! Send in any pictures you take when visiting Kaufman. You can email all your pictures to Stefanie Bohuslav at kaufmanyearbookpics@gmail.com. You can also submit your pictures on the Balfour Image Share App using code 018770.

ENROLL IN THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM! This program is a great way to raise money for our school, no need to re-register if you did last year. Please register at https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow/. Our organization number is KPSSO.

AMAZON Smile When you shop, support us on Amazon Smile! (https://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-5195849) Kaufman Elementary PTO

VOLUNTEER We would love to have you volunteer on campus. All adults that visit the campus while school is in session must submit a volunteer application form to CISD. This form can be found at https://apps.conroeisd.net/volunteer/. This application must be re-submitted each new school year.

JOIN PTO Joining the PTO is free! Visit https://kaufmanelementarypto.wildapricot.org/ to find out more about the Kaufman PTO as well as updates for upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help support our school!

Take a moment to "Like” us on Facebook: Kaufman PTO.

Sign up for text reminders/updates with the remind app. Text @kaufmanpt to the number 81010 or https://www.remind.com/join/kaufmanpt

QUESTIONS? Contact the Kaufman PTO for more information at KaufmanPTO@gmail.com

The Conroe Independent School District (District) as an equal opportunity educational provider and employer does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in educational programs or activities that it operates or in employment matters. The District is required by Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as Board policy not to discriminate in such a manner.

For information about Title IX rights or Section 504/ADA rights, contact the Title IX Coordinator or the Section 504/ADA coordinator at 3205 W. Davis, Conroe, TX 77304; (936) 709-7752.