March Newsletter
Whiteman Elmentary
Upcoming Events
Mar. 2-6: Read Across America, SPIRIT week
Mar. 3: Family Math and Reading Night 5-7pm
Mar. 10: All School Rally at 5:30 PM-Due to a scheduling conflict at the high school, the All School Rally will be held at Knob Noster Middle School Gymnasium on March 10th at 5:30.
Mar. 12: McTeacher Night
Mar. 12: 5th Grade Math Competition at Knob Noster
Mar. 13: End of 3rd quarter
Mar. 13: AR Party, bounce house and PJs
March 30-April 3: Month of the Military Child spirit week
April 3: Month of the Military Child PURPLE UP day
Memo Regarding Coronavirus
Dear Parents:
The health and safety of Knob Noster Public Schools students and staff is a top priority for our district. As we are all likely aware, the Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is of concern across our country. The concern and conversation regarding this virus continues to increase as the mainstream media broadly reports on the issue.
This memo is being sent in order to:
1. Share some of the facts related to the Novel coronavirus in Missouri,
2. Share initial details regarding the district’s response and precautions related to this situation,
3. Ask that parents replicate these precautions at home and while in all public places, and
4. Ask that parents join our team in remaining objective and balanced, based on the facts of this situation.
We have been notified that approximately 60 people in Missouri have been evaluated for this virus. However, no cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Missouri to date. In comparison, Missouri has reported nearly 20,000 cases of influenza in the month of February alone.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is regularly in communication with Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and is relaying information in order to keep school districts informed. DHSS continues to prepare, as they have daily since late January, for any/all outcomes related to COVID-19.
DHSS sent this Coronavirus-related document to school nurses earlier this month, with general information about preventing the spread of illness. DHSS recommends the same preventative measures for COVID-19 as they do to reduce the spread of the flu. You can find a general Coronavirus-related fact sheet here on the DHSS website.
At this time, the district continues to closely-monitor this situation. As we are all aware, this time of year is when we see an increased prevalence of common colds, illnesses, and flu. For that reason, our custodial team was already in their standard routine with regular and/or responsive deep cleaning practices for our facilities prior to the Novel coronavirus situation. These are efforts which are taken every winter in an effort to combat the spread of colds, flu and all other viruses…which now includes COVID-19.
Like our custodial staff, our nursing, teaching, and support staff regularly remind students of the importance of simple precautions that prevent the spread of disease, the main practices being:
- Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
- Do not return to school or work until you have been fever-free for 24 hours.
- Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
At this time, the district will continue to monitor both the influenza and the COVID-19 situations. Should new information become available that requires additional consideration or otherwise changes our response to this threat, we will send follow up communications. As with all our efforts, we want to send a special thank you to our parents and students for helping partner closely with us on this issue. Any questions or concerns related to this issue can be directed to Dr. Jerrod Wheeler, Superintendent of Schools.
Like other topics which can elicit broad emotional and/or opinion-based responses, the district does not plan to engage or respond to questions/comments stated on social media outlets. Rather, we encourage parents to send their questions or concerns directly to the district so that we may evaluate and respond on a case-by-case basis. Any questions or comments which change the position of the district will be communicated to all parents through SchoolMessenger, our district's parent communication platform.
As always, thank you for your partnership.
V/R,
Jerrod Wheeler. Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools
Library News
Please encourage your child(ren) to read 4 or more nominees. If you read all the Nominees you join the WALL of FAME! Ask your child(ren) about the Battle of Books too.
Women's History Month Essay and Poster Contest- WAFB
With Women's History Month approaching in March, a base committee would like to hold an essay and poster contest within Whiteman Elementary.
The theme of this year’s festivities is “Honoring the Past, Securing the Future”, it would be based around that, which woman from the past has had an impact on your future and how. The event runs from March 2-March 12th. 3-5th graders need to submit an essay of 350 words and Prk-2nd make a poster. Winners will be announced during our assembly on the 27th. The award for each winner is a certificate, gift card, and a Panther Ticket.
Please turn in all entries to the main office to be collected on March 12th. Please make sure grade and name are on your submission. Thank you!
Reading Forces
Attached below is the information sheet and reading log used for the Reading Forces. This is a reading incentive program we piloted last year through the library where students record minutes spent reading at home, parents initial, and they return logs to the library. There are 13 levels or "ranks" matching the Air Force ranks.
Feel free to use this form to record homework reading minutes and just have students turn it into me once they fill it up! They can also come by the library and pick up a new form. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask and I have attached the form below. We had around 150 students participate last year and I would love to see even more this year!
Also we award the students that have read all the Show-Me Books and Mark Twain Books, and taken AR test on them.
Tina Kent
Whiteman Elementary Librarian
McTeacher Night March 12th
This McTeacher Night will be a little different then those in the past. ALL proceeds from the night will go to support two KN students who have recently had brain tumors removed. At WE we have Aura, a kindergartner. Aura will be starting chemotherapy next week for four months. She has chosen to wear a royal blue wig while she is going through treatment. The kindergarten team will be wearing blue wigs on the day of McTeacher night as well as wearing wigs on other occasions in support of Aura. KNE has a 1st grade student (former WE family) that had a noncancerous tumor removed. She will be receiving therapies for the next few months and any support would be appreciated. We will make 3/12/2020 BLUE NIGHT for both girls. We would love to see all our families attend!!
All School Rally Information
February 21, 2020
To The AMAZING STAFF OF THE KNOB NOSTER SCHOOL DISTRICT:
We hope that you and your family will be able to join us at our seventh annual All School Rally. The rally will be Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. at the Knob Noster Middle School Gym and Cafeteria. Our theme of the rally this year is again Salute to Teachers and Knob Noster Team.
This is to honor YOU!
We are fortunate to live in a community that values public education. We have teachers, administrators, and support staff who continue to do an exceptional job for our children, and we would like to HONOR you. There will be students speaking live and on video honoring some of the teachers, coaches, administrators, and support staff that have impacted their lives.
At the conclusion of the rally we will serve hot dogs, chips, cookies and drinks in the cafeteria. We hope to see you on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. in the Knob Noster Middle School Gymnasium. As you arrive, we are asking teachers and staff to meet in the cafeteria. At 5:30, all staff will enter the gymnasium at the start of the program and be seated in the reserved sections.
Respectfully,
Wendy Buzzanga
Parent and Knob Noster Citizen
Partnering with Blue Star Families
No matter if you’re military or civilian, you belong here.
- Want to get invites to exclusive events, both virtually and in your community?
- Gain access to countless innovative programs?
- Grab hold of discounts and additional perks?
- Unlock volunteer opportunities? Explore our annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey results?
- And, most importantly, feel a sense of connectedness and support—wherever you’re at?
Complete the member registration through the link to access these benefits and more as a member of Blue Star Nation.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our family!
PTO Upcoming Events
Hurts Donuts will be on Sale starting February 18-March 3rd. Donuts will be available Friday March 13th to kickoff Spring Break!
Reminder to keep saving and bringing in these items.
Collecting Tabs in the Main Lobby
Art and Essay Contest
Authors and artists of winning entries receive a week of summer camp through the Armed Services YMCA, up to a $400 value.
The contest is open to eligible children of U.S. active duty or retired service members. Winners of Art & Essay Contest are announced in April 2020. The contest opened Nov. 15, 2019.
Art Contest
Entries for the Art Contest should depict the topic My Military Family. The art contest promotes art among children in grades 1–6 of active duty or retired (with 20+ years of service) members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard/Reserves families.
Essay Contest
This year’s the topic for the essay contest is My Greatest Success as a Military Child. The contest encourages military children to use creative writing to express themselves. The essay contest promotes writing among children in grades 1–12 of active duty or retired (with 20+ years of service) members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard/Reserves families.
Deadline
Submissions for the 2020 Armed Services YMCA Art & Essay Contest should be received by March 15, 2020.
Reminder: All artwork and essays become the property of the Armed Services YMCA.