Evening Star Elementary
October 2020
A Note from Principal Williams:
Can you believe it is October! In just a few weeks, our students will have successfully completed the first quarter of school. We have had a tremendous first quarter, both blended and virtual, here at Evening Star Elementary. This first quarter's success is due to the incredible job our teachers, staff, and students are doing adhering to the new safety practices and the unwavering support our parents and community have provided. Students are safe and are learning, and for that, we are thankful.
In the next few weeks, you will be receiving information from your child's homeroom teacher regarding Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences. Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place between October 26th and November 6th. Each teacher has been asked to set aside 15 minutes per conference. We are looking forward to sharing with you about your child's learning and their progress for the first quarter.
Additionally, thank you to all the parents who are utilizing the car-rider line and following the procedures outlined by our school administration and district personnel. Your support has allowed us to be more efficient and, above all, ensure our little owls' safety during arrival and dismissal. Safety is always our priority, so once again, thank you for using the car line, following the directions of the duty personnel, and putting your cell phones down while you are in a school zone. The use of cell phones in school zones is strictly prohibited and against the law. You will be asked to put your cell phone down if a staff member sees you on it. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Car Rider Reminders:
Make sure your car is in park.
Your eyes are on the duty personnel.
In the mornings, we are unloading, on average, 300 car riders. We are trying to utilize every square inch of our parking lot, so please follow the duty personnel's directions.
In the mornings, while in the car line of a mornings, please only unload your child in front of the building where duty personnel is present. Staff is unable to ensure the safety of any child who is unloaded on the west side of the building.
In the mornings, do not release your child from the car until all of the cars have come to a complete stop and duty personnel has given you the direction to release your children.
Please give us a thumbs up when your vehicle is unloaded or loaded.
A huge SHOUT OUT to our PTO and our PTO parents. Our PTO was able to purchase another set of swings and a Gaga Pit. We had a group of parents spend a few hours last Friday night at ESE putting the Gaga Pit together so that it was ready to roll for our little owls on Monday. Thank you - Mr. and Mrs. Aicklen, Mr. and Mrs. Beahm, Mr. and Mrs. Stertz, Mr. and Mrs. Anglin, Mrs. Schulte, and Mr. and Mrs. Benefield.
As always, thank you for your continued support in your child's education! If you have any specific questions, please reach out to your classroom teacher.
Cell phone use - calls, texting, social media:
Parents, we need your help. In case you are not aware, an act prohibiting the use of handheld cell phones in school zones and highway work zones was signed into law by Governor Beebe in 2011. The use of handheld cell phones by drivers who are in a school zone or are passing by school buildings during school hours when children are present is prohibited. The law prohibits both talking and texting while driving in those areas. In order to help keep our students safe, please continue to put down your cell phone when you are in schools zones. We appreciate your cooperation as we all take this step to ensure a safer environment for our children.
Handheld cell phone use prohibited in active school zones.
All drivers prohibited from text messaging and “wireless interactive communication” such as emailing, playing games and using the Internet. Also social media use. Fine up to $250 (first offense), then up to $500.
Drivers under 18 may not use cell phones, regardless of whether a hands-free accessory is employed.
Drivers 18-20 must use hands-free attachments while talking on cell phones. Fine up to $50.
School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving.
For more information please visit www.handsfreeinfo.com
Future ESE Events:
Here are just a few events that we have planned so far. Mark your calendars now and keep a watch out for more events over the course of the school year:
Oct. 12-16th All Day - Splash Carwash
Oct. 15th & 16th - October Remote Learning Days
Oct. 22nd - ESE Flu Clinic
Oct. 26-30th - Good Choices Week
October 30 - Fall Party
Nov. 4th 5:00-9:00- Tacos for Life Rogers
Nov. 10th 10:00 -9:00- Bliss Cupcake Rogers (Say you are with ESE)
November 23rd-27th -Thanksgiving Break
Remote Learning Days:
Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16 are Remote Learning Days.
- These days are considered instructional days.
- Your child will have a passion project that will be preloaded.
- No synchronous learning will be required.
- Your family will have the opportunity to break from the daily routine and students will work at their own pace during these two days.
- Teachers will share defined office hours with you should your child need help.
Adventure Club will be open to students who are already enrolled in the program.
The Benton County Boys & Girls Club will also be open. If you would like your child to attend the Boys & Girls Club, please register here by Friday, October 9.
Fall Classroom Parties:
Parents, even though visitors are not permitted in the building at this time, we believe you can still help support us in making your child's fall classroom party a success. Your child's homeroom teacher or a member of PTO will be reaching out to you sometime soon.
Updates from Nurse Conley:
Health History Form: It is important that we have an updated Student Health History form for each student every year. This form was emailed out to families on August 17th by Principal Ashley Williams. If you have not yet completed a Health History for the 2020-2021 school year, please do so. You did not complete this form for the 2020-2021 school year online unless you are new to the district. You can email me at jconley@bentonvillek12.org to request access to the needed form for completion.
- Virtual Hearing & Vision Screening: All Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 4th grade students enrolled at Evening Star Elementary (blended and virtual) must complete a hearing and vision screening for the 2020-2021 school year. Please follow the link below to pick a time to bring your VIRTUAL student(s) to Evening Star Elementary for their hearing and vision screening. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49ACA92DA2F8CF8-hearing
- Medications: ONLY a parent/guardian may deliver medication to the school building. The medication must be in the original container or box with the prescription label on it and a physician's letter to administer medication at school. Students are not allowed to transport medications at any time. See page 42 of our Elementary Student Handbook for the policy.
- Backup Clothes: If you have a student in grades K-2nd, please send a change of clothing in your child's backpack. Please make sure your little one knows they have an extra change of clothes in their backpack if an accident were to occur.
Flu Clinic: Our Flu Clinic will be held on October 22, 2020. We will be sending out flu forms very soon. The flu mist will most likely not be available for the school clinic. All flu vaccines will be administered by the Benton County Health Unit Nurses.
Kindergarten Physicals: Every kindergartner should have a kindergarten physical on-file with the school. Documentation of the kindergarten physical is due by November 24th. Thank you!
Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns! Thank you!
Jillian Conley, BSN, RN
PBIS at ESE:
We are off to a great start with our PBIS initiative here at Evening Star. To date, a total of 97,138 points have been awarded using our PBIS Rewards digital platform. PBIS Rewards is helping us create a positive climate in which every student can learn and grow academically, socially, and emotionally. When your child displays the behavior that is expected, they may be recognized for it.
At this point in the school year, teachers have taught students the expected behaviors for all of the different environments in our building, such as arrival, assemblies, hallways, cafeteria, playground, bathrooms, bus, emergency drills, and dismissal. These expectations are also posted in a matrix that is displayed in every classroom here at ESE. Classes have also developed their own classroom matrix outlining expected behaviors during various learning times. There will be times when behavior expectations need to be reviewed and even possibly retaught to ensure that everyone understands the expectation. Our acronym OWLS represents our school expectations.
- Owning Integrity - We are honest and fair to ourselves and others. You can trust and count on us to be true to ourselves.
- Working as a Team - We are committed to working together to meet a common goal. Through communication and cooperation, we can accomplish more together.
- Learning Empathy - We are respectful and kind to all. Our caring hearts and compassionate minds bring a peace to our school, so all feel safe and welcomed.
- Shooting for the Stars - We are determined and persevere when times get tough. Through hard work, we become our best selves.
Counselor Updates:
Classroom Guidance Lessons in October will focus on Bully Prevention, Cyberbullying, and Empathy.
Empower Me lessons will begin at the end of the month. We will be teaching your child about personal body safety. Hopefully, this video will answer any questions you have. If not, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Empower Me! Parent Information
Resources and information for families during Covid-19.
- Child Mind Institute
- USDA
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Prevent Child Abuse
Conversation Starters to Get Kids Talking About Their Day!
Asking “how was school today?” might not get you far. Instead, ask questions like these for a better picture of your child’s day:
“What’s the coolest thing that happened today?”
“Pretend you’re the teacher. How would you describe the day?”
“What made you laugh?”
“What was the most creative thing you did?”
How were you kind or helpful today? How was someone kind or helpful to you?”
Please reach out to us for any reason! We are here for your children and YOU!
Pam Gaskin 479-360-7407 pgaskin@bentonvillek12.org
Paula Kaufmann 779-360-7408 pkaufmann@bentonvillek12.org
Literacy News:
Children are getting a lot of screen time these days. Here is a list of fun activities to improve literacy skills that do not involve screen time that may be fun to do at home.
Give children natural opportunities to write. These opportunities can improve written communication, and comprehension skills. These natural opportunities could include writing letters, keeping a diary, making a grocery list, or even keeping a journal. It would also be fun to use creative prompts to increase interest and confidence in writing.
Reflect on the day, and plan for tomorrow. Reflecting is a great way to build oral language skills by encouraging communication about what is going on in your child’s world. While talking about tomorrow reminds your child how much there is to look forward to.
Read to your child, or let your child read to you. There are so many benefits to reading at any age. These benefits include increased vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, problem solving, and so much more.
Put puzzles together. Assembling puzzles encourages the improvement of hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, problem solving, memory, and building teamwork. Think about using that time to have conversations with your child.
Play board games. The games do not have to be overly educational to have a positive impact. Playing board games can increase vocabulary, oral language skills, reading skills, and so much more. Here are just a few examples of games that build literacy skills that your family might enjoy; Monopoly, Scrabble, Boggle, Bannanagrams, Concentration, and so many more!
Happy reading!
Julie Dibee, Literacy Coach
Whooo Loves to read? Your ESE OWLS DO!
If you would like to celebrate a special occasion in your child’s life, please consider donating a book to our library! Just follow the directions on this Special “Owl-ccasion” flyer, jot down the name of the book you are donating on this spreadsheet, and send the decorated book to our amazing school; your child’s achievements will be celebrated for years to come!
In addition to ensuring our owls have books to read, our younger owls will be learning about the tools and tricks in Seesaw and Google Classroom. Our middle-grade Owls will continue to have their core content supported through library lessons as well as continue to learn block coding. Our 4th-grade owls are working on digitally designing a logo that represents who they are. Lastly, Mrs. Hazel’s class was able to experience some special, COVID safe, time in the library. Other classes will have this opportunity as the year progresses!
Read, Learn, and Explore!
Mrs. Watson
"Gym Shorts":
Our kinder Owls will be learning dribbling and passing skills for Soccer. Kinder will also begin our Strider Bike activity towards the end of October. During this time we will teach every kinder how to balance, build self-confidence, and learn to overcome their fear of trying something new. First grade through 4th grade will revisit soccer skills and apply those skills in a game-like setting. They will also be using their addition and multiplication skills for various soccer activities.
Coach Kerkhover
ART Studio:
In art this month, we will be doing some fall-themed artwork. The older grades will be completing some 3-D projects. All 2nd graders will have dug into cube drawing and our kinders are improving each day with drawing skills.
Mr. Van Slyke
Music Notes:
In music this month, we are continuing to stretch our rhythm reading skills, and also exploring expressive elements of music like dynamics and tempo. Parents of 4th graders, please be on the lookout for a special opportunity! Although students will not be able to play recorders in class this year (due to COVID-19 restrictions) students will have an opportunity to order the recorder and online curriculum to use in the safety of their own homes. More info to come soon!
Mrs. Simpson
Global Connections:
This month in Global Connections, we will continue to explore what it means to be a good citizen within our communities. Then, we will take those ideas and expand them to being a global citizen. Towards the end of the month, we will head south of the border for our study of Hispanic heritage.
Sincerely,
Ms. Garrett
STEM Lab:
In STEM this month our kinder and first-grade Owls will be learning how to navigate Google Classroom to help them succeed in their classes. Second through fourth grade will work on learning the control commands on the keyboards as well as working a slide project called Who Am I? They will learn skills on how to upload pictures to their google drives, then inputting them into the presentation on google drive.
Mr. Meadows
English as a Second Language:
Did you know parents signed into their Seesaw family account have the option of being able to translate Seesaw into their native language? Teachers and families can now translate Seesaw content into over 55 languages!
If a note, caption, comment, announcement, or message is written in a language that is different from the language of a family's or teacher’s device, a “See Translation” option appears below the post. Tap “See Translation” and Seesaw automatically translates any text into your native language. Students do not have access to this feature; it is just for your family account.
https://help.seesaw.me/hc/en-us/articles/218102343-How-does-translation-work-
Let me know if you have any questions!
Melissa Tomblin
PTO Updates:
After a fantastic first meeting, we hit the ground running!
Thanks to ESE PTO membership approving the playground proposals, a Gaga Pit was ordered and installed, while a new bank of swings is on the way. The Hospitality team treated our teachers and staff to the first Happy Cart of the year compliments of Ozark Mountain Bagel and ESE PTO funds. We also supplied all of our Owls with foam seat cushions for outdoor learning and classroom social distancing.
The ESE PTO could not make these contributions and do this work without your support! Joining PTO as a member and/or booster, buying Spirit Wear, going to Spirit Nights, and participating in other ESE PTO programs fund these initiatives. Your effort and money goes back to the kids and our school.
How can you help?
-Turn out for Splash Car Wash Fundraiser from October 12 - 16 and Tacos for Life Spirit Night on November 4th
- Scan or turn in your receipts for Box Tops
- Purchase a Fall Goody Bag for your ESE Owl
- Watch for donation requests from our Teacher Hospitality and ESE Gives Back committees
- Volunteer your time to help put together Fall Goody Bags
- Join us virtually or in-person at the next PTO meetings on October 5th and December 7th at 11:30 am
Please email us at eveningstarpto@gmail.com with any questions or for more information.
ESE Yearbook!
To order visit: https://tr5.treering.com/validate and enter our school code: 1015671061902803.
COVID - 19 Stay Home Procedures and Additional Information:
What will we do when someone tests positive or has had contact?
COVID procedures are linked for the public (parents) in our Task Force's Reopening 2020 document. That document can be found on our "Reopening" tab on our website. The Case Management procedure doc links are on page 30 of Reopening 2020. The definitions of contacts are on page 32.
Forgotten Items:
For grades K-12, the only items that are allowed to be dropped off are items that are deemed essential to the child being able to access their learning for the day such as a Chromebook, eyeglasses, medication. If your child forgets their lunch, their water bottle, or their snack, no worries! Your child may purchase a cafeteria lunch, we have extra water bottles here, and our counselors will have snacks available.
Lost and Found:
Parents, please take a minute to write your child’s name on their belongings with a permanent marker. If your child’s jacket, lunchbox, etc. ends up in Lost and Found, we want to be able to return it to your child in a timely manner. Any items left after winter break, spring break, and the end of the school year will be donated.
Transportation Changes:
If you need to make a change in transportation, please notify the office BEFORE 2:00 p.m. As stated in our district handbook, changes in transportation home or early pick-up from school may not occur within 30 minutes of building dismissal time, unless it is an unavoidable emergency.
Whooo's soaring at ese?
To access the Google form click on the following link: https://forms.gle/6Pa164KjtjRwjd5V7
Free Meals Available to All Students
Effective August 31, the USDA will allow schools to provide breakfast and lunch to all children ages 18 and under for free.
- Regular meals purchased at school from August 31 through September 3 will be credited back to your child’s lunch account, and there will be no charge posted for regular meals September 4 through December 2020.
- If your child selects extra a la carte items or chooses to eat a second meal during meal service, the child’s account will be charged.
- These free meals are for every child living in our boundaries.
- If you have children 18 years old or younger but are not enrolled in Bentonville Schools, visit our website at www.bentonvillek12.org and select Departments, Food and Nutrition, Meal Pickup to find out how to register to pick up meals.
SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MENUS:
If you would like to see what our cafeteria will be serving for breakfast and lunch for the month of October, simply click on the following link: https://www.bentonvillek12.org/Page/7010
You can also follow the steps below:
1) Access the District website: bentonvillek12.org
2) Under the Departments tab, choose: Food and Nutrition
3) Click on the Printable Elementary School Menus link
The breakfast and lunch menus for the month of October are available for preview.