Cougar Connection
January
From the Principal...
Parent-teacher conferences are right around the corner, so I have included some important information regarding how to sign up for your child’s conference, as well as the dates and times of conferences.
How?
We will be using PickAtime, our online scheduler for parent-teacher conferences again.
This link will go live on Friday, February 2, and will close on Monday, February 12. If you need assistance in scheduling, or do not have access to the internet, please call our front office to schedule at 465-6300.
District Reminders
Important Notes and Information
Late Start Wednesday Information (does not apply to students in Mead Learning Options programs – North Star, Five Mile Prairie, MVP, Mead Outdoor School)
School will start 40 minutes later on Wednesdays with the exception of the following dates. These instances will be communicated multiple times leading up to each date.
January 24 - No Late Start
February 14 - No Late Start
June 12 - No Late Start
Additional Important Date Reminders
Monday, Jan. 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School
Friday, Jan. 26 - End of 1st Semester - Grades 6-12 Early Release
Friday, Feb. 2 - Elementary Early Release
Feb. 14-16 - Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences (For TK, K-5: ½-day 2/14, No School 2/15 and 2/16)
Monday, Feb. 19 - President’s Day - No School
Meal Account Balances:
To check your child’s meal balance or to make a deposit into their meal account, login to the Powerschool Parent Portal at the following link and click “Purchases and Payments in the sidebar: Powerschool Parent Portal.
Contact your child’s school main office if you have not set up a Powerschool Parent account.
Find the District Academic Calendar for this current year in printable PDF here. The calendar for the 2024-25 school year is on the School Board agenda for the Jan. 8 Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors, and if approved, will be emailed to you and posted online the following day.
Winter is upon us and that can bring unpredictable weather. To review the district’s two-hour delay and closure procedures in the event of inclement weather, click here.
From the Nurse...
Healthy snacks and meals can go a long way at school.
I asked a few of our teachers which healthy snacks they observe kids actually eat at school. They reported that for our younger kids (PreK-1), small finger foods and fruits or veggies that can be dipped in a sauce/dressing are enjoyed by students. Carrot sticks or broccoli with a dip, apple slices, and small oranges seem to be popular. Add some variety by cutting a sandwich into four pieces instead of two, and or cut the sandwich into triangles instead of squares or rectangles. Pairing fruit and veggies with foods that contain protein or fat, like cheese sticks or even a cheese stick rolled in a lunch meat can help provide sustained energy for kids working hard in the classroom.
It can be a challenge to get kids to try something new, a child may need to be presented with a new item 15 times before they will accept it. Students are more likely to consume a fruit or vegetable if they were able to select it themselves. Including your child in the selection of fruits and vegetables when grocery shopping, or letting them pick which items make it on their dinner plate are great ways to encourage healthy eating habits.
Check out the menu for school meals ahead of time and encourage your child to try the offered fruits and vegetables. There are fresh fruit and veggie options offered daily that students can pick from!
Thank you for encouraging healthy habits to make ready-to-learn students!
--
Carrie Dinwoodie MSN-Ed, RN
School Nurse, Mead School District
Call or Text: 509-688-9128
News From PTO...
Happy New Year Colbert Families - We are looking forward to some fun events over the next few months.
Red Robin Eat Out Night - SPECIAL EVENT! Join us on Sunday, January 21nd for an Eat Out Fundraiser at the Northpoint Red Robin. 20% of all proceeds will be given back to Colbert PTO. We are earmarking these funds to go towards 2024 LEVY Support! Flyer will be sent home soon!
Colbert BINGO Night - Save The date! February 8th at Mountainside Middle School. Please watch for flyer soon! We will have glow bingo, pizza, and lots of awesome prizes. We will also be putting together grade level themed baskets to auction off! Do you have a business who would be interested in donating a BINGO prize?Are you interested in helping? Please contact us at colbertpto@mead354.org
BINGO Volunteer Sign Up: Sign up link for BINGO!
We are looking for old Colbert t-shirts. We have a volunteer making a quilt with vintage Colbert T-shirts. Do you happen to have one you would like to donate? Please bring the old t-shirt to the office if you happen to have one! Volunteering Link: Have you checked our volunteer needs lately? We are always looking for extra hands. HERE is the link! Check back soon for updated volunteer spots!
Spokane Chiefs School Night presented by Shriners Children’s Spokane
Date: Friday, February 23, 2024
Doors Open: 6:00pm
Game Time: 7:05pm
Tickets: $10/person and juniors ages 3 & under are free if they sit on a lap
Promotion: The first 1,000 kids ages 12 & under through the doors will receive a Boomer the Bear Pillowcase courtesy of Shriners Children’s Spokane.
Direct Ticketing Link - https://spokanechiefsgroups.com/Colbert-Elementary-School-Night-February-23-2024_p_1278.html
2024/2025 Board Position - It is hard to believe but we are going to start to think about the next school year before we know it. All of these fun events do not happen without a strong group of people on our Parent Teacher Organization Board. There are many different board positions that you can serve on. Please connect with us to learn more!
Upcoming Events:
1/24 - No Late Start
1/18 - All School Spirit Day - Sports Day - Wear your favorite jersey or team colors!
1/21 - Red Robin Eat Out Day! - Proceeds will go towards LEVY support!
1/26 - Popcorn Friday!
1/29 - 6:00p - 8:00p - Skate Night
2/1 - 3:30p - PTO Meeting
2/2 - Early Release (12:00pm)
2/8 - BINGO Night (Tentative - Subject to change)
2/14 - No Late Start
- Half Day - Conference Week
2/15 - No School - Conference Week
- Eat Out Night - MOD PIZZA!
2/16 - No School - Conference Week
2/19 - No School - Presidents Day
2/21 - All School Spirit day - Crazy Hat/Hair Day
2/22 - Class Picture Day
2/23 - Popcorn Friday!
- Spokane Chiefs Night
3/7 - 3:30p - PTO Meeting
3/15 - No School (Snow Make Up day)
3/21 - All School Spirit Day - LumberJack Day
3/29 - Popcorn Friday!
4/1 - 4/5 - No School - Spring Break
4/11 - 3:30p - PTO Meeting
Jenny Schneider
Colbert PTO