Loachapoka Elementary School
March 2022
From the Principal's Desk
March is the month we begin to feel that longing for spring. The days will lengthen and sure enough the following month will begin that wet, muddy transition. March also includes celebrating Women’s History, Nutrition and Music in our Schools. As we move into this month we also hit our teaching/learning stride. Yet with all of the pandemic procedures we know attendance hasn't been normal. Due to quarantining guidelines and waiting for test results, many students have lost more days than they would in pre-pandemic times. This has made learning more challenging. We thank you for keeping our community healthy by following those procedures and ask that you continue to follow them (see the school or district website for any updates). We also ask that on those days your child(ren) is/are healthy and able to be here that you prioritize that too, as we just never know what is around the corner. My hope is as we move forward and progress through this pandemic, our students will be able to increase their consistent attendance which will help strengthen their academic growth. The end of the third nine weeks is March 11th and report cards will go home on the 18th, need help talking to your child about their grades? Please use these pictures to help you.
On February 17th we had the BEST time at our Literacy Night! Our faculty and staff have been very busy preparing for the amazing Math Night that is scheduled for March 17th. We are looking forward to and hope all of our families are able to join us on the 17th from 5:30-7:00!
Kindergarten and Pre-Registration
It's that time of year already! If you have a child who will be entering kindergarten or know of someone (a friend/neighbor) who will have a child entering kindergarten for the 2022-2023 school year, please watch for the registration link!
This year, classes will take Class Spring Pictures on Monday, March 14th. Every class will be photographed for a spring class picture. For the class group images, a flyer will be sent to parents with information on ordering the class picture.
Continue to be healthy, safe and loved.
With Sincere Poka PRIDE,
Natasha Foster
Principal
Carmen Anderson
Assistant Principal
Curriculum
You play the most important role in helping your child learn. Helping your child read is very important because reading is the foundation for all learning. Children who are confident about reading have a positive attitude about learning. Children who read with their families develop a love of reading that lasts a lifetime so take time this month and read to your child. Also, encourage them to check books out of the school’s library! Some really good books are Good Bye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Pak, It’s an Ant’s Life by Steve Parker and Harlem Grown by Tony Hillery. Happy reading!
Charma Allen
Instructional Coach
Reading Resources/Strategies
Title I
To your children, Spring Break is a welcome chance to sleep in and spend the day having fun. To parents, Spring Break can be stressful, whether due to re-arranging schedules, setting up playdates for younger children or worrying about older teens off on trips. This Parenting Tip is about helping manage stress during spring break and finding fun new ways to bond with your children.
Making the Most of Spring Break
It’s hard for kids not to get excited about Spring Break, whether they’re older teens taking a trip with friends or younger kids who just want time away from the classroom. For parents, this excitement can add a new level of stress to your already busy day. The negative effects of stress on parents are well documented. Here are some tips to help you not only survive Spring Break, but make the most out of it for both you and your children.
Tips for Families Staying Home
Staying home with your kids? Make Spring Break fun, educational, and most importantly stress-free with these ideas:
· Make a plan! School-aged children are used to routine, so help make spring break more manageable by planning out some activities that you can do with your children. Some ideas include taking your family to a local library and selecting two books to be read during break, or visiting a nearby museum or science discovery center. Whatever you choose, be sure to include your children in the planning and find out what they want to do.
· Connect with neighbors. Meet up with friends and neighbors to formalize a game of tag at a park or set up a group playdate with neighborhood families in your back yard. Not only does this give your children structured ways to spend their fun time, but helps build connections among families in the community.
· Lean on family and friends if you don’t have time off. Spring break presents a unique challenge for working parents. If you’re unable to take time off from work, make use of family members and friends in your neighborhood that can watch your children while you’re at work. Situations like this are an example of why building connections in the neighborhood can be so important, not only for you but for other parents who might not have family or close friends nearby.
· Take care of yourself! The extra stress of spring break can wear you down, so make sure you budget time for yourself. One date night or night out can make the difference between a manageable spring break and a crazy one. Ensure you have the time you need to yourself in order decompress and destress.
Spring break is one of kids’ favorite memory. Keeping them safe is the easiest way to make sure you have the most fun and keep it your favorite memory too!
Tanulyn McKinley
Title I / Parent Coach
Library Media
The end of the year is coming fast, but the library is not slowing down! We are opening our AR store this month. Students will be able to make purchases with their AR points. We also have a surprise coming - the library is going to be renovated at the end of this month! We will have more information in April, but be on the lookout for our "Grand RE-Opening."
Thank you,
Charity Kee
Librarian, Loachapoka Elementary School
1 (334) 528-8531
internal extension 31906
Counseling
The Difference in Emotions and Behavior
To our LES parents, many of you have asked for suggestions regarding ways to address BEHAVIORs that you are experiencing with your child/children. In the school counseling program I {other counselors} focus on three domains: Academic Development, Personal/Social Development, and Career Development. Emotions and Coping skills are my go-to because they help with understanding the situation/problems leading up to the unwanted behaviors. Sometimes children can be dramatic in nature because they are attention seeking and even negative attention is viewed as better than none at all. For some adults, the emotions children speak or display may seem odd or completely out of proportion with the situation. But that's OK. Please consider this; children should been allowed to feel whatever they want—even if you don't feel the same way they do. Of course, this doesn't mean they can behave however they want. In time of trouble, it is a good practice to correct your child/children for breaking the rules, hurting other people, or behaving in socially inappropriate ways. During that time, let them know it's ok to feel angry, sad, scared, excited, or whatever other emotion they may experience. But it is not okay to demonstrate negative behaviors with any of the emotions listed above.
There is a difference between what your child does/actions and how they feel/emotions. Anger is a feeling and hitting is a behavior. Sadness is a feeling and screaming is a behavior. Rather than trying to force your child/children not to feel certain things, talk with them about their feelings and ask them how they can deal with uncomfortable emotions. For example, we can be proactive by practicing/using anger management techniques. Show your child that feeling angry, sad, and frustrated is normal, but throwing a temper tantrum is not healthy. Talk with your child/children about their emotions which don't have consequences because these are feelings everyone have. However, there are consequences for misbehaving like throwing, hitting and kicking. Understanding emotions and responding appropriately is an important part of your child's cognitive development. In fact, when kids have a solid grasp on their emotions, research has shown that they do better in school and have more positive interactions with their peers.
In regards to BEHAVIOR, this would be a conversation you could have with our Administrators. Parents, it is always a good rule of thumb to address any unwanted behaviors at the time they occur. Be intentional with consequences for the unwanted behavior. Also be consistent with your follow through of consequences when those unwanted behaviors arise.
We are headed toward the finish line for ending this 2021-2022 school year. Yes, we can. Yes, we will. Continue in our commitment to walk in Professional Excellence and teach for Student Success.
Pamela Gaddis
School Counselor
Loachapoka Elementary
(334)528-8528
EL Teacher
Writing at home
Hello parents! Here are some suggestions to engage your child in the writing process:
· Have your child write instructions for taking care of the family pet. These will be useful as you plan your summer vacations!
· Write a letter or thank you note to a relative. Talk through what your child wants to say before writing begins.
· Make a shopping list before going to the grocery store.
· Write an online review of a book or an item you recently purchased (www.amazon.com) or a recipe you tried (www.allrecipes.com).
· Talk about the presidential election and write a description of the kind of president you want.
· Find a picture in the newspaper and write an article to accompany it. Start keeping a personal diary, a household guestbook, or a baby book for a younger sibling
La escritura en casa
Hola padres y tutores! A continuación, les presentare las siguientes sugerencias para motivar a sus hijos(as) a desarrollar el gusto por la escritura.
· Haga que su hijo(a) escriba cierto tipo de instrucciones, ya sea un plan para las siguientes vacaciones o la siguiente ruta que se deberá tomar para ir a un lugar interesante.
· Escriban notas o cartas a parientes. Discutan lo que debería de decir la carta o nota, escríbanla interesante y con bastantes detalles.
· Escriban una lista con los diferentes artículos que se necesitan en la casa. Su hijo(a) puede escribir una lista detallada de toda la comida, y artículos que se compran cada mes para la casa.
· Copiar recetas de cocina de revistas y tratar de cocinarlas para hacer la actividad más interesante. (www.allrecipes.com)
· Hablen acerca de diferentes líderes y haga que su hijo(a) escriba acerca de su líder ideal.
· Encuentren diferentes fotografías y haga que su hijo(a) escriba describiendo lo que ve. También, puede pedirle a su hijo(a) que escriba libros pequeños e ilustrados a sus hermanos(as) de una forma interesante y divertida.
Valeria Moore
EL Teacher
Nurse's Notes
Seasonal allergies: Nip them in the bud
Spring is finally here!
And…..allergy season is here, too!
Try these simple strategies to keep allergies under control.
· Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers.
· Take extra steps when pollen counts are high. Pollen counts are highest in the early morning.
· Keep indoor air clean.
· Try an over-the-counter remedy. Claritin or Allegra are the representative antihistamines that do not make you sleepy.
· Rinse your sinuses with saline solution and distilled (or boiled) lukewarm water.
· When home remedies are not enough, see your doctor.
Allergy symptoms are very similar to cold symptoms. Please, monitor your children if they have runny nose/sneezing/cough/headache/sore throat/sinus pain. If they have allergies, please do proper treatments before sending them to school.
From Nurse Jun
Character Students of the Month
Pre-K
Mrs. Brumbeloe: Lilly Luker
Mrs. Teague: Lynden Pittman
Kindergarten
Mrs. Davis: Kyron McMullin
Mrs. Kincey: Sky Jackson
First Grade
Dr. Carter: Jovan Martinez-Osorio
Ms. Cleveland: Karder Penson
Mrs. Chitwood: Gabby Thomas
Fifth Grade
Mr. Brown: Anlli Gonzales-Luca
Ms. Henderson: Zyion Shaw
Ms. Owens: Jalady Winchester
Mrs. Edwards: Charlie Johnson
Literacy Night Was a Hit!
Upcoming Events
March 17th- Math Night from 5:30-7:00
March 14th- Spring Pictures
March 14th ACAP Alternate Assessment
March 21st-25th - Spring Break
April 4th- 14th - ACAP Summative Assessments