Patriot Notes - November 6
Home of the Patriot Lions
Patriot’s Vision – Why We Exist
For every student to become an active participant in their learning through critical thinking and self-advocacy to reach or exceed their academic, social-emotional capacity within a safe, engaging, and collaborative community.
Patriot’s Mission – Where are we Going
We stand to…
-provide a welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages healthy partnerships between students, families, and staff.
-provide student led instruction that is research based, developmentally appropriate and individualized to support student growth.
-provide excellent instruction and measurable learning opportunities through goal-setting to facilitate student agency.
-promote and support individual progress and intrinsic motivation towards achieving academic, social, and emotional well-being goals.
A Note from the Principal...
Dear Patriot Families,
We hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. As we move into the second quarter of the fall semester, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to our students and staff for their hard work and dedication during the first quarter. It's been a pleasure to witness their commitment to their growth as individuals. We are truly proud! Also, we sure appreciate the support for the Apex Fun Run! We have an amazing community supporting our students.
In addition to academic learning, we have several exciting school events lined up for the fall season. We believe that a well-rounded education includes both classroom learning and extracurricular experiences. Some of the events to look forward to include:
- FOOD DRIVE - Bring in cans of green beans or any other items of your choice
- THURSDAY, November 9th, Patriot Family Thanksgiving Meal and Veteran's Day Parade
- TUESDAY, November 14th , Parent Premier, participate in an ELA lesson!
Please check the "Upcoming Dates" and Patriot Calendar (below) for additional events.
If you need any assistance, please feel free to call the front office at 719-382-1460. Remember, you can submit an attendance using our QR code (below).
Mrs. Canon
Patriot Principal
Mrs. Sheridan and Mrs. Polyefko
Patriot Assistant Principals
PATRIOT UPCOMING DATES
11/1-11/9 - District Food Drive (green beans and other items of choice)
11/1 - PTO Meeting 1:45pm
11/7 - Spirit Day Wear Patriot Elem or Red, White & Blue
11/9 - Veterans Day Parade
11/9 - Choir Field Trip to Carson Middle School
11/9 - Patriot Thanksgiving Lunch for families
11/10 - No School
11/14 - Patriot Premier - Visit classrooms to see an ELA lesson
11/15 - 1st and 2nd to the Olympic Center
11/16 - 3rd - 5th grade to the Olympic Center
11/17 - Pancakes with the Principals
11/17 - Kindergarten visits the Nature Center
11/17 - Patriot Academy ends
11/20-11/24 - School Closed
11/29 - Spirit Day Wear Flannel
LINK TO VOLUNTEER:
Thank you for attending our Morning Meeting!
Many thanks to all the members of our community who joined us for Patriot’s Morning Meeting Premiere. It was a gift to have you in our classrooms, learning alongside our students. Morning Meeting is one of the Responsive Classroom practices that each of our students, Kindergarten through 5th grade, participates in at the beginning of each and every day. Morning Meeting allows students to engage in a lively, friendly and powerful way, at a consistent time and place, in order to explore and practice social skills and to merge social, emotional and academic learning together.
After our Premiere many of you provided us with meaningful feedback. Here are some of the things that were shared:
“My favorite Morning Meeting moment was seeing how circle time activities bring the kids’ personalities out - all are very helpful towards each other and able to express themselves.”
“I sensed that students seem to have a trusting relationship with the teacher already.”
“I was surprised by how attentive students were as they listened/watched their classmates.”
“I sensed that this builds a better sense of community.”
“I was surprised by everything! It was so much fun.”
Some of you also had wonderings and we’d like to respond to those questions you asked:
“I’m wondering if parents can join every once in a while?” - Absolutely! We love to have parents join us in the classroom. If you would like to come in, just be sure to schedule your visit to your child’s classroom with their classroom teacher beforehand.
“I’m wondering about the long term impact of the Morning Meeting on student success?” - Responsive Classroom is an evidence-based approach to teaching and learning. Research shows that the Responsive Classroom approach is associated with higher academic achievement in math and reading, improved school climate, and higher-quality instruction. For more information about this research please visit www.responsiveclassroom.org.
“I’m wondering if we could have more of these premieres? It’s a fun way to stay involved in my children’s academics. Thank you for having such wonderful events!” - Yes, as a matter of fact our next Premier is scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, 2023. We look forward to having members of our Patriot Community join us then for our ELA Premiere. Be on the lookout for details on this next school wide event. We hope you can come!
CHANGING ATTITUDES, by Heather Yates, Ed. S., Patriot School Psychologist
Thankfulness is powerful medicine for the soul, regardless of the age. Not only is teaching your children to say “please” and “thank you” best practice for their future interactions with people, but it is setting a foundation for them to identify the good in life. The number of journals articles, research papers, books and the alike which verify the power of gratitude is too many to count. But rest assured, an attitude of gratitude will change one’s perspective more effectively than any medicine a doctor may prescribe. There is no magic age to begin this practice, either. In fact, the younger a person begins to focus on those things for which they can be thankful, the better.
To reduce anxiety, increase physical well-being and develop empathy in children, make a point to have them tell you every day (in the morning and/or before bed) at least one thing that they are thankful for. In addition, consider role modeling how this looks by telling them what you appreciate about them. Catching them in the moment for picking up their toys, cleaning up after themselves, or giving you a hug with a “thank you for that” statement increases the likelihood that they will do the same on their own. YOU are the most influential person in their lives, and for that, we are thankful!
Order your YEARBOOK now!
APPLICATIONS FOR HOLIDAY SUPPORT ARE OPEN! Mountain Post Santa's Workshop messages are below.
PRACTICING ESSENTIAL SKILLS - I CAN Resolve Conflict
ENTRY TIME FOR STUDENTS:
Patriot Office Hours: 7:00-3:30
Patriot Breakfast Served: 7:00-7:25 (In cafeteria)
Students having breakfast may enter at 7:00 and go directly to the cafeteria.
Patriot School Hours: 7:10-2:25
Students will be allowed in the building at 7:10am (unless eating breakfast)
Tardy bell rings at 7:30
REPORT YOUR CHILD'S ABSENCE
Toy Drive and Ruck March
Student Parent Handbook 2023-2024
Arrival and Dismissal
ARRIVAL
• For safety reasons, please do not drop off any students prior to 7:10am. We begin active supervision starting at 7:10am. If students are arriving for breakfast, they may be dropped off in the back and enter at 7:00 am.
• Parents are asked to not exit their vehicle in order to keep the line moving as quickly as possible.
• Please observe speed limit and be cautious of students in the cross walks.
• Kindergarten students riding a bus will be dropped off in the front of the building by the kindergarten wing, small drive thru; Students will be assisted out of their cars, directed to the kindergarten side door, and will be supervised as they proceed to their classrooms and down the hallway. *Siblings of kindergarten and first grade students will be allowed to enter with them at this location.
• Daycare students will be escorted to school by the daycare and will enter the side kindergarten door.
• 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade – Drop off in back parking lot; enter in door by the gym and proceed to classroom (or cafeteria if having breakfast).
• 4th and 5th grades – Drop off in back; enter 4/5 back door and proceed to classroom (or side door to proceed to cafeteria if having breakfast).
• Students arriving after the tardy bell (7:30), must enter through the front door to get a tardy slip prior to going to class.
• All walkers will enter the door assigned to their grade level. Siblings of kindergarten students may enter the K/1 entrance with their sibling and proceed through the building to his/her classroom.
• Students do have the option of having breakfast when they arrive to school. If a student plans to have breakfast each morning, he/she must arrive between 7:00-7:15 and go directly to the cafeteria. They will enter in the areas described above.
DISMISSAL
• Dismissal is a quick process in order to ensure safety for all. If you have questions you need to ask your teacher, please do so via email.
• Parents are asked to not leave their vehicle and to wait patiently in the car pick-up line. Cars will line up in the front of the school. Please do not block any crosswalks.
• Kindergarten students will be released in the front kindergarten drive thru.
• If a kindergartner has an older sibling, they will meet in a specified area inside (with supervision) and the oldest sibling will pick him/her up and they will proceed to the OLDEST sibling’s color square`.
• Parents will not be allowed on the back asphalt, we ask all adults/family members picking up students to wait outside our gate/fence.
• If students are walkers, they need to immediately start walking home. They will meet all siblings on the back asphalt prior to walking home.
• If parents would like to walk up to the school and pick-up their children, please park in the front parking lot and walk down the sidewalk to the back fence.
• If you need to pick up your child early, please do so before 2:00. After 2:00, students will be dismissed as they usually dismiss.
Does your family need additional support?
“Change Happens… such as loss of housing, homelessness, job and need for resources. If this is you please reach out to your District Liaison. There are a number of resources including school pantry, clothes closet, HOT meals program, parent resource nights and much more. We are here to support you! Contact Promis Bruno, MSW 719-492-8810 or pbruno@ffc8.org.”
“El cambio sucede… como la pérdida de la vivienda, la falta de vivienda, el trabajo y la necesidad de recursos. Si es usted, comuníquese con el enlace de su distrito. Hay una serie de recursos que incluyen despensa escolar, armario de ropa, programa de comidas calientes, noches de recursos para padres y mucho más. ¡Estamos aquí para apoyarte! Póngase en contacto con Promis Bruno, MSW 719-492-8810 o pbruno@ffc8.org.”
Title I Parent Right to Know
Patriot Elementary is a Title I school. Under the provisions for Title I all teachers serving students must meet the qualifications for “Highly Qualified” as an elementary educator. We are proud to inform you that all teachers at Patriot Elementary met these rigorous standards. As a parent you have a right to inquire about the qualifications of your child’s teacher or paraprofessional. In order to do so you should contact Mr. Joel Hamilton at (719) 382-1300. He will be able to provide you with this information. If you have any additional questions about our Title I status or programming, please feel free to contact Mrs. Canon, Principal at 719-382-1460.
FFC8 Food Pantry Information
ELECTRONIC LIBRARY CARDS:
We are excited to announce that as of Mon., Sept. 19, through a partnership with Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) your child now has access to all the materials available at the Library by using their Student I.D. with a new program called PowerPass! All students in FFC8 are automatically enrolled in PowerPass.
What is PowerPass?
PowerPass is a student e-library card from PPLD that gives your child access to the Pikes Peak Library District’s online resources like homework help and live tutoring. They can also access eBooks, music, movie downloads, and much more!
Your child will be able to check out five (5) physical items at a time from any of the 15 PPLD locations and mobile library services. Just visit ppld.org/library-locations to find the location near you.
Below are instructions about how to access and check out PPLD’s resources using the PowerPass:
1) The student’s login will be FFC8 [student ID #].
a) For a student with the ID # of 12345, their login would be FFC812345.
2) The student’s pin number will be their student ID#.
a) For a student whose student ID # is 12345, the pin number would be 12345.
All students are encouraged to use their PowerPass for projects, school assignments, homework, and fun! Just go to ppld.org or visit our eLibrary (ppld.org/eLibrary), PPLD Teens (ppld.org/teens), or PPLDKids (ppld.org/kids). Once you have found the items you want, click on My Account, and use the instructions above to login and check out your items.
For more information about what is available to your child, please visit ppld.org/PowerPass.
4th and 5th Grade Student Chromebooks:
Just a reminder that all 4th and 5th students will be assessed an annual laptop fee of $40 for the first child and $20 for each sibling.
In need of additional support?
Change Happens… such as loss of housing, homelessness, job and need for resources. If this is you please reach out to your District Liaison. There are a number of resources including school pantry, clothes closet, HOT meals program, parent resource nights and much more. We are here to support you! Contact Promis Bruno, MSW 719-492-8810 or pbruno@ffc8.org.
El cambio sucede… como la pérdida de la vivienda, la falta de vivienda, el trabajo y la necesidad de recursos. Si es usted, comuníquese con el enlace de su distrito. Hay una serie de recursos que incluyen despensa escolar, armario de ropa, programa de comidas calientes, noches de recursos para padres y mucho más. ¡Estamos aquí para apoyarte! Póngase en contacto con Promis Bruno, MSW 719-492-8810 0 pbruno@ffc8.org.
We support our Army!
Need Homework Help? Military Tutor - All Students Invited
All students grades 3 -5 were trained on a tutor/homework help site to visit. Students can log in to the site (tutor.com/military) and receive tutoring on homework. The interactive online clasroom features a whiteboard, easy to use tools, and instant messaging. Active duty service members, their grades K-12 children may use this program for FREE. A student can connect with a tutor within minutes.
Tutor.com/military is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense to provide on-demand online tutoring at no cost. Visit the website to watch the "How it Works" video.
Patriot Elementary
Email: mcanon@ffc8.org
Website: https://www.ffc8.org/Patriot
Location: 7010 Harr Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Phone: 719-382-1460
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatriotElementaryFFC8/