February 3-7 - Counselor's Week

February 3 - Kindergarten 100th Day of School

February 3 - PTO Meeting @ 10:00

February 4 - Author Visit with Susan Stevens Crummel

February 7 - Box Tops collection

February 11 - 4th Grade Writing Benchmark

February 12 - Crossing Guard Day

February 13 - 2nd Grade Program @ 6:30

February 17 - No School - President's Day

February 19 - 3rd Grade Writing Benchmark

February 25 - 4th Grade Math Benchmark

We continue to encourage the importance of good attendance each and every day. Our “Perfect Attendance Drawing” for students with perfect attendance for the second grading period were awarded a $25.00 gift card to Target from our business partner, Kyle Sherburne, State Farm agent. The following students were our winners:

Kindergarten - Daniel Kaufman

1st Grade - Roxanna Garcia

2nd Grade - Brody Johnson

3rd Grade - Pagan Johnson

4th Grade - Ashley Fowler

We will have another drawing after the end of the third grading period. Keep up the great attendance!

Happy February to everyone! We are kicking off this month with our 100th day of school on February 3rd! Reading binders were sent home to help support their reading at home. Keep encouraging them to use good strategies to help sound out unknown words. In math, we will study counting objects to 20, addition and subtraction using manipulatives, 2D and 3D shapes, and counting to 100. During science, we will review things in the sky, weather, and living and non-living things. This month we will learn all about Groundhog Day, President’s Day, and Valentine’s Day traditions. On February 14th, we will pass out valentines and candy in the afternoon. We will have a cookie to conclude this celebration. Hugs and Kisses to all!

All you need is love here in first grade! We enjoyed jumping back into school with our Great Kindness Challenge and are looking forward to continuing to spread kindness each and every day. We are diving deeper into the second semester and are so excited to start transitioning from first graders into almost second graders. The kiddos are working so hard and doing amazing things here in first grade. We are looking forward to our in class activities for Valentine’s Day. Look out for more information from your child’s teacher. Thank you for all your support this year, first grade parents are the BEST!

Hot Topics for February:

*Reading: We will finish learning about the world around us using nonfiction expository texts and will close the month by returning to the fabulous world of fiction text.

*Writing: Students will celebrate their success as nonfiction authors and begin our next unit on narrative writing.

*Math: February is jam packed with lots of great math topics starting with numeration and skip counting by 2’s, 5’s and 10’s. Students will also start addition and subtraction to 15 and end the month with place value all the way to 120! We look forward to 100 days of school and will have fun celebrating the 101st day of 1st Grade with a theme of 101 Dalmatians.

*Social Studies: Students will dive into history with topics on presidents and important social and political leaders. Students will get to experience different cultures through the exploration of folk tales, fables and legends. We will begin learning about the great state of Texas and our history and culture.

*Science: We will review Earth science before jumping into our unit on living/nonliving characteristics and animal characteristics.

Please continue to read with your child every night and check backpacks for important information. We appreciate your support!

Don’t forget our Second Grade Music Program, “Bugz” will be on Thursday, February 13th at 6:30 pm. We encourage all parents to attend this performance as it will be something you won't want to miss! A note was sent home about what your child will need to wear for the play. Our second grade field trip to the Houston Zoo is on February 19th, and we look forward to a fun day!

Valentine’s Day will be a special day at Kaufman. We will celebrate with a treat at lunch on Friday, February 14th. This is also an approved candy day for our school, so you can send candy treats with your valentines! The children will exchange valentine cards with their classmates in the classroom that afternoon.

In math class, we are busy working on place value to 1,200, and we will begin learning how to do three digit addition and subtraction very soon! For science, we are learning about Earth’s resources such as rocks, minerals and water. Soon we will begin learning about weather patterns and objects in the night sky.

In reading, the students will be reviewing the genres of fiction and literary nonfiction during the month of February. They continue to grow in their reading stamina! We have been busy writing many poems during our Writer’s Workshop time and look forward to our next author’s celebration. The students will be learning about important people such as presidents and about Texas culture in social studies. We are looking forward to a great month!

The month of January was filled with getting back into the groove of things after winter break. We reviewed our expectations with the kids so we can have a successful second semester of the year.

In language, we've had fun with our Poetry unit. We will start Traditional Literature this month and then finish with Literacy Non-Fiction. This unit includes biographies and autobiographies. Remember the importance of reading at home with your child each night. Have a discussion on what they are reading to ensure comprehension. It makes such a difference!

In math, we are finishing our extension of learning with multiplication and division. Then we will start our unit on geometry. We will introduce and focus on our x 8 and x 7 in fact fluency. Please continue to study multiplication facts with your child daily. You can purchase flash cards at many dollar stores.

In social studies, we will discuss that the month of February is Black History Month, and we will be learning about the many contributions made by famous African Americans. We will also learn about people who have made scientific breakthroughs and changes that occurred through the Civil Rights movement.

In science, we will continue to explore Rapid Changes. To wrap it up, your child should be working on their Volcano project that is due February 14th. We are so excited to see their creativity blossom! We will also study weather in different parts of the United States.

We will have a Valentine’s Exchange on Friday, February 14th. It is a candy day! We will have a sweet treat at lunch and a card exchange at the end of the day. Look for more information to come home about Valentine’s Day from your homeroom teacher. Also, a class list will be coming home so your child can prepare their cards.

Thank you for everything!

Your Third Grade Teachers

February is a fabulous month in fourth grade. Not only are we continuing to learn new things every day, but we also have some fun activities coming up soon!

Valentine's Day is next on our calendar. Fourth grade doesn’t have Valentine’s parties, but we will have a treat in class at the end of the day while students exchange Valentines with each other.

Language Arts teachers work hard each day to help students become better readers. Fourth graders should be thinking critically when they read, asking themselves questions about why characters do what they do and why an author has chosen to write in the manner in which he has written. Please make sure your child is reading at home every night. In writing, students are working on expository text as well as revising and editing.

Math teachers are excited to be working in the fractions unit through February. This year, students will learn how to add, subtract, compare, and find and simplify equivalent fractions. You can help your child make real world connections by identifying when fractions are used in real life at home.

As you are aware, we work hard every day at school, and we work to make each moment count. Students are dismissed from Kaufman kickoff each morning at 7:50. Students who arrive after this miss valuable time completing classroom work and often feel behind. In addition, these students often miss morning announcements. Please make every effort to have students at school by 7:50 each day. Thank you for all you do to help your student succeed!

Hello to all our Creative Cats and Happy February!

We've been busy as always in the art room. You know... art is long, but time is short! We are moving along in 4th grade with our Foil Texture Creatures project. Third grade is working on a mixture of Glue Line Portraits, Foil Art, and will be moving onto our clay projects in the coming weeks! Second grade is working on paper weaving projects and soon will be printmaking. First grade is finishing Snowmen and moving to Texture Collages and Watercolor Resists inspired by artist Heather Galler, while kindergarten is working on Shapes and Colors in their Kinder Art books. New and exciting projects will combine those skills learned. There's always something fun going on in the art rooms!!

Recently, the following students were selected to represent Kaufman at the CISD Western Art Show which was held at the Conroe High School 9th Grade Campus. This show is in conjunction with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is it was so fun seeing our kid's excitement at their ribbons earned. We couldn't be more proud of Blake Rodgers, Edward Hernandez, Asher McLaughlin, Seth Garcia, Helaina Banks, Adaleigh Debore, Ella Dockery, Kate Henderson, Jonathan Harrell, Macie Stocker, Samantha Madell, Matthew Tucker, and James Culbertson! Their artwork is on display in Kaufman's Library. If you happen to be in the school, be sure to check them out!

And, no monthly Art newsletter is complete without celebrating our newest Artist's of the Month. We are excited to announce Alyssa Houston, Braydon Parks, Elijah Simmons and Olivia DesHotel as the January recipients of this high honor. They are exemplary students in the art room, and we will celebrate them with their photos in the "Hall of Fame" outside of our classrooms. We are so very proud of you all! Keep up the good work!

Until Next Month.... Happy Creating!

Mrs. Gregory and Mrs. Rowley

Here are some things we are doing in in the Music room in February!

• 4th graders will be learning how to play the soprano recorder! Each student will be able to take a packet of songs home to practice during the three months we will be playing these instruments. Once a song is mastered, the student will get a colored string (a "belt") to tie onto their instrument!
  

• 3rd and 1st graders will be learning new rhythms and melodic patterns through new songs and games.
  

• 2nd graders will perform their music program "Bugz" on February 13th at 6:30pm for family and community members, and again on February 14th at 8:30am for the school.

• Kindergarten students are continuing to work with the long/short, high/low, fast/slow and loud/soft concepts. We will be adding instruments and creating simple accompaniments to songs we have learned this year.

Fourth grade Festival Choir News - This honor group will perform with students from all five elementary schools in the Oak Ridge feeder zone and members of the ORHS Choir on Thursday, February 20th. The concert will be held in the Oak Ridge HS Auditorium at 7:00pm. The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend!

Happy Healthy Heart Month from the PE department,

Thank you to everyone that attended the 2nd annual Family Wellness Night. It was a great success. It was so awesome to see families playing and working out together. We hope everyone that attended enjoyed it.

There are many exciting things going on in PE this month and we would love to share some of what is coming up.

Our fourth and third graders will be completing FitnessGram testing. The FitnessGram test assesses health-related fitness components: aerobic capacity, body composition, and muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility. The tests are push-ups, curl-ups, pacer, trunk lift and shoulder stretch. We will also be running on the outside track working on some of the fitness fundamentals such as endurance and stamina. Running is something you can do to help improve the quality of your health. We will close out the month with cupstacking. Our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students will have an opportunity to try out for their class team for our annual cupstacking tournament.

February reminds us to think about the importance of our heart. The heart can only get stronger with exercise. Exercise improves every aspect of your life. Take time every single day to give your most precious muscle the love that it needs. Don't forget to do your family workout for February.

Your pumped up PE teachers,

Missy Flanagan & Roxane Hutyra

Respect your body...It's the only one you get.

Happy February to all Kaufman Cougars! We are in full swing of learning this month!

We are learning so many different computer skills!

Kindergarteners are learning to use Paint Go program as well as Dance Mat for continued typing skills.

First graders are learning basic coding and programming skills at different levels and continue to use Microsoft Word skills by using different colors, font style and size.

Second through fourth grades are working on a research PowerPoint presentation project.

Also, second through fourth grades are learning about Copyright and Fair Use responsibilities . We will be using this concept this year when doing research and applying this to our research projects.

So stay tuned for more news in computers!

Sincerely,

Ms. Alonso

The library is excited to have award winning author, Susan Stevens Crummel, visit Kaufman Elementary on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. We have been reading her books in anticipation of her visit and can’t wait for her arrival. If your child purchased a book, they will receive it after she autographs it, either that day or the next day.

Students were given a second Cougar Reading Bingo sheet for the 3rd 9 weeks. They may continue the 1st sheet if they haven’t finished it or start the new one. They will receive a prize for each line completed, along with having their name placed into a drawing for a brand new bike. They can receive a total of 5 prizes and 6 chances to win a bike. After they complete a Blackout, they will receive a Super Duper Bingo Prize!!!

If you haven’t heard, the library is open in the mornings at 7:30. Monday is Kindergarten’s day, Tuesday is 4th grade’s day, Wednesday is 2nd grade’s day, Thursday is 3rd grade’s day, and Friday is 1st grade’s day. Your student is welcome to check out books, play on the computer or iPads, study, complete homework, or just get out of the cold.

Please remember that parents are ALWAYS welcome in our library. YOU may check out books too! Students are encouraged to read 20-30 minutes each evening to encourage a life-long love of reading and learning!

Keep'em Reading!

Mrs. Wright

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Fluoride in water prevents cavities! Drink from the tap, is the American Dental Association’s theme to celebrate dental health in 2020.

Americans are consuming foods and drinks higher in sugar and starches than ever before. This consumption can not only affect your dental health but your overall health.

Tips to reduce tooth decay from the ADA include:

· Sugary foods and drinks should be consumed with meals. Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth.

· Limit between-meal snacks. If kids crave a snack, offer them nutritious foods

· If your kids chew gum, make it sugarless. Chewing sugarless gum after eating can increase saliva flow and help wash out food and decay-producing acid.

· Monitor beverage consumption. Children should make healthy beverage choices such water and low-fat milk.

· Help your children develop good brushing and flossing habits, brushing twice a day.

· Schedule regular dental visits for prevention and treatment of oral disease.

Kaufman kindergarten and first grade students will have a presentation from Spring Children’s Dentistry to learn about healthy dental habits.

February is also Heart Month, the perfect time to learn about your risk for heart disease. Heart disease can happen at any age, and with higher rates of obesity, people of younger ages are seeing those effects. The top risk factors are high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking. The CDC offers some important information about heart disease including risk factors, symptoms and prevention.

February 7, 2020 is Wear Red Day for heart disease awareness. https://www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth/index.html

One last reminder that flu season is still among us. If your household is experiencing the flu or viral illness, please stay home, as this allows rest and recovery before returning to school and/or work. It also decreases the spread of illness.

Be kind to yourself….stay healthy.

Ms. Maidens RN

Conroe ISD Health Services

Head Lice Fact Sheet

What are head lice?

Head lice are parasitic insects that can be found on the head of people. Head lice feed on human blood several times a day, and live near the scalp. Head lice lay eggs, called nits, on the hair shaft, very close to the scalp. Nits further than ¼ inch from the scalp are likely dead/hatched. Lice do not spread disease.

What are the symptoms of head lice?

* Tickling, feeling something moving in your hair

* Itching, caused by an allergic reaction to the louse bite

* Irritability and difficulty sleeping; lice are most active in the dark

*Sores on the head caused by scratching (which can lead to secondary bacterial infection)

How do you get rid of head lice?

* Examine everyone in the home for lice and nits. Look carefully through the hair and at the scalp, behind the ears, and the back of the neck. Nits are easier to see than live lice.

* Treat only the household members who have lice. Use products available over-the-counter (according to package directions) or by prescription (according to physician directions).

* Comb the hair after treatment, using a special lice/nit comb. Separate the hair into sections and try to comb out every nit and louse you can. Live nits that are not combed out will hatch within 7-10 days. Combing is the most time-consuming step, but also the most important.

* Clean the house. Lice do not live long without a host on which to feed. However, to pick up any stray hairs that may have a live nit attached, wash and dry clothes, sheets, pillow cases, and towels using hot water and high heat. Vacuum the floor and furniture to pick up loose hairs. Combs and brushes should be soaked in hot water for 5-10 minutes.

Follow the lice treatment product directions for when to retreat. It is usually recommended to retreat 7-10 days after the initial treatment. Continue to check heads daily until 1 week after second treatment or 1 week after last louse or nit is removed.

How are head lice spread?

Head lice are spread by direct contact with the hair of an infested person. The highest risk involves head-to-head contact. Lice crawl - they do not jump, and they do not have wings. It is fairly uncommon for lice to be spread by contact with clothing or other personal items. Personal hygiene and cleanliness have nothing to do with getting head lice.

How are head lice prevented?

* Teach children to avoid head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact during play at home, school, and elsewhere (sports activities, playground, sleepovers, camp).

* Avoid sharing clothing (hats, scarves, coats).

* Avoid sharing brushes, combs, and hair accessories.

Is there a season for head lice?

September is National Head Lice Awareness Month. Head lice incidences peak shortly after school starts particularly among young children. This is most likely due in part to younger children playing closely together and having head-to-head contact. During the winter season, the sharing of coats and hats may contribute to head lice occurrences. As spring comes, outdoor playing and sports activities bring children close together.

Summertime often means summer camps and sleepovers which can lead to the spreading of head lice. So it seems as if there is no “one” season for head lice. Year round awareness and routine family inspection will help prevent head lice occurrences.

Resources:

Center for Disease Control & Prevention-http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/index.html

Texas Department of State Health Services-http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth/lice.shtm#2

CISD Health Services 8/2017

Find Time for Family

Kids rely on their families for love, guidance, and a sense of belonging. Without these things, it’s hard to do well in school or in life. Activities like the following will show your child she has family support:

• Eat meals together. Extend your time together by preparing and cleaning up as a family too. Turn off the television during meals so conversations can take place!
• Take trips. Go to a concert, local museum or sports event. Ask your children, “What would you like to do?”
• Play together. Choose games that everyone can enjoy, such as charades, board games or 20 questions. Let your children pick what to play.
• Plan family nights. Decide together what to do, or take turns choosing. You might order pizza, bake cookies or see a movie. Sometimes invite another family to join you.
• Do something silly. Some of the best family memories are the funniest ones. You might make breakfast for dinner, or dress in the craziest outfits you can find.
• Relax. Some parents find that right after school is a great time to spend with children. The kids are ready to plop down and talk about their day. Talk about family news, goals, concerns, and successes.

Dates to Remember for February:

3rd - PTO Meeting @ 10:00 am

5th – Great American Cookie Company/Marble Slab All Day Spirit Day

7th – Box Tops Due

7th – Lunch Duty

14th – Valentine’s Day – Class Parties

17th – President’s Day – No School

Thank you to everyone who supported Kaufman at World Champions Center for Spirit Night! We raised $320.00. We also raised $530.00 at our Sk8town Spirit Night. Ms. Charvet’s class won the ice cream party for most in attendance at Sk8town! In addition, we have raised $700.00 with our Kroger Rewards Program! Thank you for all of your support!

SUBMIT PHOTOS TO THE YEARBOOK! Send in any pictures you take when visiting Kaufman. You can email all your pictures to Stefanie Bohuslav at kaufmanyearbookpics@gmail.com. You can also submit your pictures on the Balfour Image Share App using code 018770.

ENROLL IN THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM! This program is a great way to raise money for our school, no need to re-register if you did last year. Please register at https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow/. Our organization number is KPSSO.

AMAZON SMILE When you shop, support us on Amazon Smile! (https://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-5195849) Kaufman Elementary PTO

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION Keep collecting those Box Tops! Collection date is just around the corner! If you are interested in joining the Box Top Clip and Count Club, please contact sarahmabile@yahoo.com.

VOLUNTEER We would love to have you volunteer on campus. All adults that visit the campus while school is in session must submit a volunteer application form to CISD. This form can be found at https://apps.conroeisd.net/volunteer/. This application must be re-submitted each new school year.

JOIN PTO Joining the PTO is free! Visit https://kaufmanelementarypto.wildapricot.org/ to find out more about the Kaufman PTO as well as updates for upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help support our school!

Take a moment to "Like” us on Facebook: Kaufman PTO.

Sign up for text reminders/updates with the remind app. Text @kaufmanpt to the number 81010 or https://www.remind.com/join/kaufmanpt

QUESTIONS? Contact the Kaufman PTO for more information at KaufmanPTO@gmail.com

The Conroe Independent School District (District) as an equal opportunity educational provider and employer does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in educational programs or activities that it operates or in employment matters. The District is required by Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as Board policy not to discriminate in such a manner.

For information about Title IX rights or Section 504/ADA rights, contact the Title IX Coordinator or the Section 504/ADA coordinator at 3205 W. Davis, Conroe, TX 77304; (936) 709-7752.