The Panther Cub Press
Parent and Community Newsletter -- February 2022
This Month's Trait
This month we’re talking about the wonderful and sometimes oversimplified character trait of Kindness. The dictionary defines it as: “the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.” But it is so much more than that! The definition we are using in class is:
Kindness: the choice to act with words, gifts, or actions to bring appreciation, positivity, and encouragement to others and yourself.
We spend time talking about how Kindness isn’t just a feeling, but a choice that we get to make every day! It’s an exercise in bringing good things into our lives and the world. Those good things can (and should!) look like more than kind words; Kindness is given through our actions and our encouragement and our attitude and our gifts. We will spend time thinking about how to be kind to ourselves, to our environment, to our school, and to one another. We will get to experience sharing and receiving compliments and helping create acts of service or gifts for others. We will think about how people like Lao Tzu and Lady Gaga taught or lived Kindness in their life. It’s a generous, positive, and encouraging time!
Conversation Starters
- Kindness isn’t only for others. Explain how you show Kindness to yourself.
- Some people say that the most genuine act of Kindness is done when no one else is looking. What do you think that means? Can you think of any ways to show genuine Kindness?
- Discuss the 5 Love Languages (in summary, we all give and receive something like Kindness in different ways. Dr. Gary Chapman suggests the five primary ways are: giving and receiving gifts, words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time, and acts of service). In which ways do you prefer others to show you Kindness? In what ways do you often show Kindness to others? What are some love languages that you can bring more of into your home?
Questions You Could Ask
- There’s a t-shirt that reads, “Be Kind to Everyone.” Do you agree or disagree with this idea?
- In our family, give examples of how we show Kindness to others? How can we bring even more Kindness into our home?
- When are times that it’s difficult for you to show Kindness? What clues do your mind or body give you that you’re having a challenging time practicing Kindness? What helps you practice Kindness even if it’s difficult?
Activity
Pull out some paper and markers or crayons. Together, make some 2-3 posters about Kindness that you can hang up around your house. Use the definition or your conversations as inspiration!
i-Ready Diagnostic
It’s hard to believe that we’re already doing the second i-Ready® Diagnostic. The second Diagnostic is an important benchmark for understanding your student’s growth, which is why it’s so important they try their best. These results allow us to better support them in achieving their growth goals for the year.
The most important thing we can do is prepare students and motivate them to put forth their best effort.
---The second Diagnostic helps you find out how much progress you’ve made since the beginning of the year.
---It allows your teacher and I to celebrate your accomplishments!
---Try your best, and do not rush—but don’t spend too much time on a question either.
---Remember, questions on the Diagnostic change based on your answers to earlier questions. You will see some questions you don’t know. That is okay! Just try your best.
- Let them know you’re excited to celebrate their progress.
Thank you for your continued partnership in your student’s learning.
What is Drain Breathing
Menu -- February 7-11
Monday 2-7-22
Breakfast: WAFFLE W/SYRUP OR CEREAL, MIXED BERRY CUP, JUICE OR MILK
Lunch: FRITO PIE OR SUNBUTTER & JAM SANDWICH, GARDEN SALAD, APPLE SLICES & MILK
Tuesday 2-8-22
Breakfast: POP TART OR CHEESE & CRACKERS, APPLE SAUCE, JUICE & MILK
Lunch: BBQ MEATBALLS OR TURKEY & CHEESE SANDWICH, CORN ON THE COB, CARROT & RAISIN SALAD, MIXED FRUIT & MILK
Wednesday 2-9-22
Breakfast: SAUSAGE BISCUIT OR CEREAL, MANDARIN ORANGES & MILK
Lunch: CHICKEN FAJITA BURRITO OR EGG SALAD ON A BUN, CARROTS & CELERY W/RANCH, ORANGE WEDGES, MILK
Thursday 2-10-22
Breakfast: OATMEAL W/CRAISINS & BROWN SUGAR OR CEREAL, DRIED FRUIT MIX, MILK
Lunch: FRIED CHICKEN OR HAM & CHEESE, POTATO SALAD, JELL-O WITH FRUIT COCKTAIL, MILK
Friday 2-11-22
Breakfast: YOGURT & MUFFIN OR CEREAL, DICED PEACHES, JUICE & MILK
Lunch: ROAST BEEF HOAGIE OR TUNA ON A BUN, LAYS POTATO CHIPS, ORANGE WEDGES, SIDEKICK JUICE & MILK
Little Dribblers Basketball
SIGN-UPS:
Boys & Girls, Kindergarten through 3rd grade
Tuesday, February 8th @White Pass Elementary Gym
OR
Thursday, February 10th @ Morton Cafeteria
TIME: 6:30-7:00 for both locations
Cost: $40
For more information, please contact Taylor Weist @ 360-508-5846
President's Day
Defining Homeless
The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as "individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence." The act provides examples of children who would fall under this definition:
- Children and youth sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
- Children and youth living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
- Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters
- Children and youth abandoned in hospitals
- Children and youth whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc)
- Children and youth living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations
- Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations
Character Traits of the Month
February -- Kindness
March -- Empathy
April -- Responsibility
May -- Cooperation
National School Counseling Week
The 100th Day of School -- February 17th
Timberland Regional Library Happenings
What’s new at the library?
Greetings from your fellow librarians at Mountain View and Packwood Libraries! This month we kicked off our winter reading program. Here’s how it’s done: Read or listen to 5 books and enter to win some REALLY great prizes! You can pick up your entry forms at either library.
Saturday, February 5th is officially “Take Your Child to the Library Day.” This means the library will be waiting for you! Come on in, check out some books, participate in a library scavenger hunt, and pick up a new take and make kit!
Currently on the Take and Make shelf:
Preschool age: Mittens paper craft
School Age: DIY cardstock animal figure bobbleheads
Teens: Essential Oil Spritzers
Adults: Healthy Scalp Treatment Oil
See you at the library!
VOLUNTEER NEEDED FOR THE HEALTH VAN
We are in need of a health van screening volunteer. It will be here on March 16, 2022, for the bulk of the day.
If you're interested in helping out please contact nnebeker@whitepass.k12.wa.us or call her at 360-497-3791. If you don't have a background check on file with us you just need to fill out a short form and the district office will take care of the rest.
Thanks for your willingness to help.
HomeLink Information
HOMELINK INFORMATION
WPSD
AUG 17, 2021
Parents:
This year, our district is providing additional support for *HomeLink through the Edgenuity online format and curriculum. This includes Elementary and Secondary students. Involvement in this program is on a first-come, first-served basis. We have secured 8 seats at the K-5 level and 7 seats at the 6-12 level with Edgenuity. Some of those seats have been filled. Currently, there is a three-week waiting period for materials from Edgenuity.
* HomeLink is Whole-Child centered program whereby parents serve as their child’s primary teacher with guided supports from Edgenuity curriculum and WA State certificated staff in place online.
Nuts and Bolts
Bus Notes/Changes: All bus stop changes will need to go through the Elementary School office at (360) 497-7300 ext 2000. You must either write a bus note or call prior to 2:00 daily if your child will need different arrangements for the day.
Early Release FRIDAYS: We have moved back to Early Release Fridays, Every Friday, the students will be dismissed at 1:30 for Staff Professional Development. You must either write a bus note or call prior to 12:15 PM on Fridays if your child will need different arrangements for the day.
Dates to Remember
February -- Kindness
- 4 -- Early Release
- 8 -- Lockdown Drill
- 11 -- Early Release
- 14 -- Valentine Day
- 18 -- Early Release
- 21 -- President's Day -- No School
- 25 -- Early Release
March -- Empathy
- 3 -- Mid-Winter Break
- 4 -- Mid-Winter Break
- 11 -- Early Release
- 17 -- Fire Drill/Evacuate Building
- 18 -- Early Release -- Report Card Prep
- 25 -- Early Release -- Conference Prep
- 28-31 -- Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
April -- Responsibility
- 1 -- Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
- 4-8 -- Spring Break
About Us
Email: gteel@whitepass.k12.wa.us
Website: https://www.whitepass.k12.wa.us/o/white-pass-elementary
Location: 127 Kindle Road, Randle, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 497-7300
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WPelementary