Pierremont Paw Print
November 20, 2020
Note from Gina
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I have been talking to the students about gratitude. We know that expressing gratitude is good for our well-being. Each day I presented a new gratitude challenge. Yesterday and today I asked students what they love about their friends and families. Hopefully, they will share their gratitude moment with you. As for me, I am grateful for you. Thanks to the many families who sent positive notes of appreciation to the teachers. And thank you for your trust and support. I couldn't be more proud of a community.
Have a great weekend!
Gina
Give Thanks To Our Teachers!
Students have several options for delivering messages to teachers...
KMOV is partnering with Imo’s Pizza to recognize teachers in the St. Louis area. Here’s your chance to do something special for your child’s favorite teacher. Submit a teacher's photo and include a special greeting, and KMOV News Channel 4 may honor them during News 4 broadcasts. Click HERE to nominate a teacher.
Bring a note to school or send an email to your teachers. Virtual students can bring messages/notes for their teachers and leave them in the box, marked with paw print, located in the vestibule.
Dr. Marty made his own suggestion in his most recent update, "As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to thank you and your children for your understanding and continued dedication to learning. I am especially proud of all our teachers, principals and staff. If you would like to send your teachers a quick note of gratitude, here is a digital thank you card."
Looking Ahead
Nov. 23- Distance Learning with Teachers
Nov. 24- Distance Learning with Teachers
Nov. 25- No School
Nov. 26- No School
Nov. 27- No School
Nov. 30- Distance Learning with Teachers
Dec. 1- Distance Learning with Teachers
Dec. 2- Distance Learning with Teachers
In This Issue
- Updated Elementary calendar.
- School Spirit Days
- School Pics and Yearbook Info.
- Virtual Campus information
- December Lunch Calendar
- Scrips Order Form
PTO News
Masks and Lanyards- Available for purchase thru Nov. 24
Blended Learning Information
BLENDED LEARNING SCHEDULE
Virtual Campus
Encouraging Ownership & Effort
Follow children's interests and get input.
- When deciding how to structure the day, ask your child(ren) what they prefer. Try to incorporate their choices into the plan.
- Check-in with them regularly about how distance learning is going.
- Communicate with your child's teacher, and encourage your child to self-advocate for what they need. And model communication about your day, including the positives, challenges, and kindnesses.
Display work.
- Let children hang up their drawings, writing, or other projects in your home. It shows them you're proud of their work and helps them value their learning.
- Even big kids like it when you show pride in their work by bragging about their efforts and showing off their work.
Give detailed praise.
- Instead of saying "good job," try giving specific details about your child's work. If they tried hard, let them know you noticed. Have they made progress? Used a new technique? In what ways are their efforts kind, clever, beautiful, or insightful?
- Also, encourage a growth mindset, which means reminding kids that it's not about being good or bad at something, but working toward getting better at it.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM SPECIALISTS
Counselors Corner
With the holidays and break from school ahead of us, we know 2020 has brought and will continue to bring some challenges to our families. However, during these times we are learning to adapt as best we can and perhaps start new traditions that work for each of us.
We have attached two different articles which touch upon helping children cope with the holidays during the Covid pandemic. As always, please reach out to either of us if you or your family are in need of anything.
Best to all of our Pierremont families,
Karen Fluchel & Chelsea Seeger
Message from P.E.
In order to meet the physical education needs of our kids, over the last two weeks, we have made some changes to our instruction process based on district direction. For those students who are in person AND those who are part of the virtual campus, their schedules and instruction will remain unchanged. What we added was opening the PE Zoom link for those students who happen to be quarantined so that they may continue their learning. That means, depending on the day's schedule, kids who are quarantined might zoom in with the virtual class or with the in person class. Our intention is that they will be able to have that social-emotional check in with their peers as well as participate in the warm up or health lesson at the beginning of class. Afterwards, students will be directed to the choice boards in the Schoology PE course. Students are familiar with the choice boards as they have been utilized from the beginning of the year and are updated weekly. In addition, students have access to ALL the choice boards created this year so that they may be able revisit favorite activities.
As we have been doing on virtual Mondays, and will continue with the added virtual days per the recent BOE meeting, specials classes will be virtual for the first 30 mins and choice board directed for the last 20 minutes. This is an effort to decrease screen time for the kids.
Looking forward, some materials you may need for class include: 3 plastic grocery bags, a couple of balloons, a ball for throwing (can be a sock ball) and a ball about the size of a soccer ball.
Thanks so much for supporting your child's physical and health education. As always, feel free to follow us on Facebook @PierremontHPE.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Mrs. Wallace and Mrs. Skiba
Library Low Down
In person families-Most students have had the opportunity to check out books in the recent weeks. With our current hybrid model, students will visit the library every 2 weeks. In our lessons, we've talked a lot about being responsible with our library books. Please help your child practice responsibility by keeping library books in a safe place and returning them on time.
Virtual families-Please use the Pierremont Schoology course for updated lessons and activities. Moving forward we will use the Read, Research, and Make model during library time. Please expect some time away from the screen as students will be encouraged to make meaning out of the lesson by completing an activity. All of this information will be on Schoology, under "Grade Levels". Please feel free to reach out to me with questions. Don't forget!
Curbside pick up is still available! Please use this form to make your requests. Feel free to pick up your books anytime school is open. Books will be placed on a cart outside the front office from 7:30-4:30.
SHOW YOUR PIERREMONT PRIDE!
Way To Go Wednesdays
T-Shirt Tuesdays
Yearbook and School Pictures
VIRTUAL CAMPUS
Parent Pointers: Parent University
Are you interested in learning more about the online platforms that Parkway is using with students during distance and virtual learning?
Parent University is a course created in Schoology, our district Learning Management System, that has information about Schoology, Google for Education, videoconferencing, and digital citizenship. Within the course, you will find information that will help you understand the tools students use as well as opportunities for you to experience the tools from the student perspective. The goal of the course is to support you in feeling confident that you can help your child(ren) with online learning in Parkway. While you are welcome to explore the materials in any order, it would be beneficial to work through the Schoology folder first to learn how to interact with tools you will encounter in other folders. Follow these directions to enroll in the Parkway Parent University Schoology Course! Be sure to scroll down to page 2.
Recommit to Setting Up for Success
Review the space
- Create a special, personalized corner of a room dedicated to learning, creating, and reading. Use a movable box or crate if space is precious. Let your kid help prepare the space for school, even if that just means putting a decorated pencil box next to the device they'll be using.
Review the routine
- Little kids need more structure, so make sure to let them know what to expect. You can create a visual schedule they can follow. Older kids can use a calendar, planner, chalkboard, or digital organizer to keep track of what's happening each day.
- Have them follow a routine as if they're going to school (getting dressed, brushing teeth, etc.) instead of lying in bed in their pajamas, which could lead to less learning.
DECEMBER LUNCH MENU
Admin
Dr. Piccinni 415-6601
Mrs. Clemenson 415-6603Guidance Counselor
School Nurse
Katherine Park: Email
Amy Manczuk SSD Area Admin.
Tech Support
Call 314-415-8181or email helpdesk@parkwayschools.netClick here for details.
Contact Information
Email: gpiccinni@parkwayschools.net
Website: https://www.parkwayschools.net/Domain/20
Location: Pierremont Elementary School, Dauphine Lane, Ballwin, MO, USA
Phone: 314-415-6600
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Pierremont
Twitter: @PierrePanthers