North News
November 2018
Director's Message
Dear Families,
We are thankful!
As we prepare to take a short break from school for Thanksgiving, we want to express our gratitude for everyone who makes it possible for as many students as possible to come to school every day, on time, ready to learn. We thank:
· Our students and families for making daily attendance a priority since they know the habit of attendance will help them do well in the classroom and eventually in a job.
· Our wonderful teachers who pour their energy into making each classroom an exciting place for exploration and knowledge so children do not want to miss out on learning.
· Our support staff and community volunteers who provide the extra hands and attention our children need
We appreciate each one of you so much. We also hope you will keep in mind that school is closed on November 21-23 and reopens November 26th at 7:35 a.m.
We especially appreciate everyone’s efforts to avoid taking extra days off during the Thanksgiving holiday. Just a few missed days here and there, even if they’re excused absences, can add up to too much lost learning time and leave your child behind in school. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school.
So far this school year, we have had 167 tardies from 84 students. Beginning Monday, November 5th, every student without a tardy will win an incentive! Being at school and on time helps children feel better about school-and themselves.
What You Can Do:
- Set a regular bed time and morning routine
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before
- Don't let your child stay home unless he/she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school on time if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
Color Run
CFKN PTA is excited to present the second annual “Color Me CFKN” Fundraiser on Friday, November 16, 2018. It is a fun run aimed at promoting fitness and having fun-- all while raising money for our school! All students who register to participate will run through colored powder on the field next to the school and enjoy Kona Ice, pizza and popcorn.
Leading up to the event, students are encouraged to ask their parents, family, friends and neighbors to donate to the event to support the salaries of our science lab instructor and school librarian. CFKN does not receive district funds for these positions and the PTA is responsible for raising approximately $24,000 to cover the entirety of their salaries. Company sponsorship opportunities are also available. The CFKN PTA is a 501c3 charitable organization, so donations are tax deductible and we are proud that 100% of the funds raised stay at CFKN.
Donations can be made in the form of cash, checks or online at www.colormecfkn.com.
There will be individual student fundraising incentives and each classroom will be competing to raise the most money. Your student will receive a fundraising packet and donation collection envelope with more information in their PCF this Thursday, November 1st.
November 2-15 Students turn in collected funds daily.
November 9 Student registration form & fee due.
November 15 Last day to turn in collected funds/make online donations (for incentives)
If you can volunteer to help the day of the Color Run, please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D45ADA722A5FC1-color.
Counseling Cue - Conflict vs. Bullying
Hello parents! October was National Bullying Prevention Month and I have been going into classrooms working with the students on how to recognize, respond to, and report bullying behaviors. One of the most important aspects of bringing awareness to bullying behaviors is helping the students learn how to differentiate between conflict and bullying. All too often students mislabel challenging situations with peers as bullying when it is actually conflict, or they think that any mean behavior is bullying behavior. The strategies we use to address both of these situations are somewhat different and therefore require an accurate assessment of what is happening. I am including a chart below that shows the main differences between conflict and bullying. Working with students on positive conflict resolution skills can help minimize and many times even eliminate possible bullying behaviors from ever happening. Please take some time this month to sit down with your child and discuss some problem solving strategies and maybe even do some role playing to help them practice what they might say or do in a challenging situation. Remember, practice makes perfect so the more they practice these skills the better they will be able to use them when they need them.
Lisa Reupke
School Counselor, CFK & CFKN
Don't Forget
Also, please take a few minutes to go to your Parent Portal account to pay General School Fees, Aftercare Fees, Field Trips, etc.
From the health room
This time of year there are lots of illnesses going around like the flu and tummy bugs. Please keep your child home if they are having any symptoms of these so that they don't spread the viruses to the other children. Here are a few tips to help keep your children healthy:
- Wash hands frequently
- Get a flu shot
- Cover when coughing
- Clean and disinfect surfaces
- Stay home (When your child has the flu or a fever, it's vital that you stay at home for at least 24 hours and until you feel better. Germs will spread before you even see symptoms. But it's important to do our best to prevent the spread of germs. That means staying out of public places and staying home from school or work.
Stay in the know
dates to remember
1 - Color Run Kicks Off
6 - Election Day (No school)
9 - Veteran's Day assembly
9 - Color Run Registration Forms & Fee Due
15 - Color Run Funds/Donations Due
16 - Color Run Event Day
21-23 - Thanksgiving Break
30 - Make-Up Pictures
December
21 - Early Dismissal
24-31 Winter Break
January
1-4 Winter Break
18 - Early Dismissal
21 - MLK, Jr Holiday
22-25 International Week
About us
1043 Muller Rd.
Blythewood, SC 29016
Phone: 803.691.4895 Fax: 803.691.3085
Director: Jessica Agee - jagee@richland2.org
Lead Teacher: Harold Johnson - hjohnson@richland2.org
Office Manager: Bridgette Branson - bbranson@richland2.org