Panther PAWPrints Newsletter
November, 2019
Campus Happenings!
Halloween Fun!
Torgerson's Pumpkin Delivery
K-1st Grade Trip to the Pumpkin Patch!
Notes from Nurse Karen
Eye Safety and Vision
Eyes are an important part of our bodies that provide us with the ability to see and understand the world around us. Our eyes are a delicate and precious organ that we need to take extra good care of and that is why we should focus on eye safety and vision. In the next month; Nurse Karen students will be learning about the eye and how it works.
About one-third of the human race has 20-20 vision. Glasses and contact wearers are hardly alone in a world where two-thirds of the population have less than perfect vision. The amount of people with perfect vision decreases further as they age. Most children have healthy eyes. But there are conditions that can threaten good vision. Because you can't always "look" into your child's eyes to tell if they have eye health problems, set up some time today for an eye exam:
Your child's eyes should be examined during regular pediatric appointments and vision testing should be conducted around age three.
Parents should be aware of signs that may indicate their child has vision problems, including:
Wandering or crossed eyes
A family history of childhood vision problems
Disinterest in reading or viewing distant objects
Squinting or turning the head in an unusual manner while watching television
Virtually all sport eye injuries could be prevented by wearing proper eye protection. Anyone who experiences a sports eye injury should immediately visit an ophthalmologist, a doctor who specializes in eye care.
Children should:
Wear protective eyewear while participating in sports or recreational activities
Play with are age-appropriate toys. Avoid toys with sharp or protruding parts
Amazing Eye fact
An eye is composed of more than 2 million working parts!
Transportation News
Cold and snow are on the horizon here in Montana! As we tiptoe into the winter months, we want to remind you about the importance of cold weather safety at the bus stop!
Cold Weather Information
As our Montana weather becomes colder and potentially more severe, it’s important for parents and students to remember to dress warmly and think smartly, especially when it comes to waiting for a school transportation vehicle. Everyone should be prepared for potentially severe weather conditions. Here’s what you need to know….
* Parents/guardians always make the final decision as to whether or not it is safe to send their child to school. If parents decide to send their child to school when the weather is severe, the school will be open to receive them so long as we have not closed the school due to the severe weather.
* In the event that the school is closed, our Panther families will be notified via text message. In addition, a message will be sent out via the media and our school Facebook page.
* Parents and students should expect delays due to traffic and hazardous road conditions. This means a potentially long wait time for students at the bus stop. Students should be well prepared for extreme weather and have very clear instructions on what to do if the school vehicle does not arrive. Children should be escorted to their bus stop and parents should remain with them until the bus arrives. Parents should have backup arrangements in case of an emergency. That plan should be written down, communicated with children and the paper copy put into the student’s school bag.
Job Opening!
Contact Melissa Schnitzmeier or Marilyn Michael at (406)373-5357 for more information.
Panther PTA News
Principal's Note
Every year during the month of November, I slow down and take a few moments to reflect on the experiences that I have had and the people that I have met over the course of the past year. I take time and make a conscious effort to reach out and show those whom I appreciate what they mean to me, and the impact they've had on my life both professionally and personally.
This year, as in years past, our little school has seen a wealth of growth and success. Each triumph made possible by the hard work and dedication of our Panther staff and the amazing support of our Panther families and community. Without this dedication and support, we wouldn't be where we are today - providing the best education possible in the safest and most loving environment possible!
With that, I'd like to extend a special thank you to:
The Panther Staff - Richelle Hertel, Alisa Rau, Leah Wright, Jacob Croteau, Connie Russell, Jami Burns, Brittney Dick, Shannon Wright, Marilyn Michael, Kevin Maddox, Kaylyn Ivey, and Cindy Reed - You all go above and beyond the call of duty EVERY SINGLE DAY! We are so lucky to have you. Thank you for making our students, each other, and the school a priority and such a wonderful place to be.
The Panther PTA - Jake Wyman, Meghan Wyman, Lindi Anderson, and Erin Keith - The time and effort you put into supporting our staff, students and school are amazing. It takes tremendous heart, dedication, and downright HARD WORK to keep the PTA organization alive and thriving. It's because of you that our students are afforded opportunities that wouldn't otherwise exist for them or our little school. We appreciate you!
The Panther Board - Kari Jones, Luke Rome, and Colleen Shaw - Your constant, unwavering support and dedication to the staff, students and the school does not go unnoticed! You all took on an often thankless position in an effort to make a difference and what a difference you are making! We appreciate you!
Lastly, to the businesses and people who have volunteered their personal time or donated supplies and/or labor to help the school - WE THANK YOU! Arrow Stripping, Knife River, Kari Jones with State Farm, Nick Jones with Granite Peak Home Improvement, Jeff and Marilyn Michael, Shannon and Bob Wright, and our other volunteer Panther parents/grandparents.
November 1st marks the end of our first trimester! Report cards will be distributed in the students' homerooms during Parent-Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, November 5th. The report card is a progress report and represents the growth achieved during each trimester. It informs you and your child about areas of success as well as areas of potential growth. Their academic career is a life-long journey. You can help your child to succeed by celebrating their accomplishments and encouraging their continued growth through goal setting. By helping them in this process, you demonstrate your support and motivate your child to continue to strive for excellence in their life-long learning journey.
I hope you all have a fabulous November and I look forward to making many more memories with all of you!
Sincerely,
Melissa Schnitzmeier, Principal/Superintendent Pioneer Elementary
Monthly Calendar
Notice!
Christmas Program Date Change
November Adult Education Classes
11/14 Thankful Chalk Couture Class
You won't want to miss this chalking class! RSVP now as limited spots are available!
To Register, click the button below!
Class Fee: $40.00
$20.00 due at the time of RSVP
$20.00 due the day of the class
Registration Deadline: Friday, 11/8/2019. Late registration is not permitted as materials need to be ordered and shipped!
Details:
This class will offer a choice between a small selection of transfers! Upon registration, an email will be sent to the account you RSVP'd with, asking for your transfer choice in addition to your invoice. The registration fee of $20.00 must be paid before materials will be ordered for your project.Note: Should the district not receive a minimum number of participants (3), the class will be canceled and registration fees refunded.
Registration For This Event Has Closed
11/18 Epicure Cooking Class
You are invited to come to learn how to make a delicious, speedy Mexican meal sponsored by Epicure!
In this class, you will learn to make:
Easy Chicken Fajitas
Guacamole & Salsa
Chocolate Pudding
** Note: Everyone attending the class will get a small sample of the meal being prepared **
Registration Fee (Paid at time of class): $3.00