Seltice Elementary: December 2023
Parent Newsletter
Principal's Message
Happy Holidays, Seltice families!
Beginning in January, I will finish the school year as interim Principal at Seltice Elementary. Many of you and your students have interacted with me over the past year and a half in my role as Seltice Principal Assistant. I am excited to spend the second half of the year continuing to focus on students' growth and ensuring our school is a positive place for your children.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at Seltice.
Happy Holidays!
~ Falon Rowland, interim Principal
A reminder - Christmas Break begins on Friday, December 22.
We return to school on Monday, January 8, 2024.
Festive Dress-Up Days
The final week before Christmas break, we hope students will enjoy 4 fun dress-up days. . .
- Monday, December 18th - Grinchy Green Day (Wear green or your favorite Grinch shirt.)
- Tuesday, December 19th - Santa's Helpers Day (Dress like an elf or reindeer.)
- Wednesday, December 20th - Ugly Sweater Day (Wear an ugly holiday sweater.)
- Thursday, December 21st - Polar Express Day (Wear your PJs to school.)
Let's show our holiday spirit!
New Semester Approaching!
Welcome, Stacey Harcus (Seltice School Counselor)!
Exciting news! At the beginning of the month, we welcomed our new Seltice Counselor, Stacey Harcus. She has been busy the last few weeks with the following activities:
- meeting students and staff
- talking with staff about student concerns
- observing in classrooms ("action research")
- interacting with students in lunchroom and at recesses
- setting up her office and organizing her supplies and materials
- acquainting herself with Care Solace
- reviewing 504 files, counseling resources, and Second Step counseling lessons
We are so grateful to have Mrs. Harcus join our Seltice team!
November Attendance Updates
Seltice Students: Learning in Action
1st gr. reading a holiday story during library time
5th gr. i-Ready math online practice lessons
4th gr. taking a reading quiz
1st gr. practicing sight words
kindergarten reviewing letter sounds
Kindergarten working on days of the week
2nd gr. applying comprehension skills
2nd gr. spelling practice on the computer
3rd gr. reading about penguins
You may Qualify for the Free or Reduced Price Meal Benefit
Your child may be eligible to receive free or reduced price meals. You may qualify if your household’s annual gross income is within the limits identified by the Federal Income Eligibility Standards.
Our online application can be found on our website and paper copies are available upon request. Only one application needs to be filled out per household. Remember - each year you must submit a new application.
Please contact Becky Elmore, Child Nutrition Supervisor, at 208-773-1625 with your questions regarding the school lunch or breakfast program.
A friendly reminder . . . students are outside for recess unless the “feels like” temperature is single digits (below 10 degrees). Please send your children to school with warm coats, hats, gloves, etc. Thank you!
Inclement Weather
The district takes very seriously any safety-related issues for students, staff, parents and patrons caused by severe weather. North Idaho winter months encompass a variety of weather conditions. Please be aware of the cold, wind and ice, and dress your child accordingly.
District schools may close for the day or start 2-hours later when weather creates hazardous road conditions. School closures or 2-hour late starts are announced between 5:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on the following radio stations: KVNI, KCDA, KISS, KXLY, KDRK and on television stations KREM-2, KXLY-4 and KHQ-6. School closures or two-hour late starts will be posted on the district website. The district will also utilize the School Messenger notification system for parents with texting capabilities on their cell phones who have opted in to the School Messenger system.
Want to receive emergency notifications? Sign-up for School Messenger
To receive school notifications, you must opt in to School Messenger, and your student's school must have your current cell number entered in their system.
Please follow the steps below to opt in:
**Send a text message to 67587 with "Y" or "Yes” in the body of the text.
**You will receive a confirmation text reply that you are registered with School Messenger.
Did you know . . .
How snow days are determined?
- The Director of Transportation sets an alarm for 2AM on those nights where the weather service is calling for heavy snow and/or freezing rain.
- She is out the door by 2:45AM and drives roads throughout our school district for about two hours. Specifically she is looking for drifting snow on the prairie, neighborhood clearance, and mountainous accumulations.
- By 4:45AM she is on the phone with neighboring districts to collaborate about the conditions each are seeing.
- At 5AM she calls the Superintendent to make a recommendation.
- Typically a decision is made by 5:30AM. Announcements are broadcast only when school is closed, or there is a 2-hour late start. In either of those events, local TV stations are notified; closure information is posted on the website, and school messenger alerts are sent to parents and staff.
- No announcements = school is in regular session.
Community Clothing Closet at New Vision High School
New Vision High School is pleased to announce the opening of their Community Closet for anyone in need of new and gently used clothing or hygiene supplies. (Note: NVHS is still accepting donations and is in need of clothing for elementary age students and younger.)
WHEN: Tuesdays from 2:45 - 3:45 pm. If you cannot make those times but would like to take advantage of the closet, please email richard.raynor@sd273.com.
WHERE: Enter through the open gate on the east side of New Vision High School on Catherine Street. The Community Closet is in the portable classroom.
December is National Stress-Free Holidays Month!
The holidays can be stressful, so take time to care for yourself. Here are some easy tips to make your holiday season bright and stress-free:
- Make modifications to holiday traditions.
- Don't forget the power of "no."
- Plan ahead.
- Talk about your feelings.
- Take time for self-care.
- If you need help finding a mental health provider, you can always call #CareSolace 24/7/365 at 888-515-0595.
Seltice Elementary
Website: https://se.pfsd.com/
Location: 1101 N. Chase Rd Post Falls, ID 83854
Phone: (208) 773-1681