Mary Blair Elementary School
NEWSLETTER - February 2021
Hello Mary Blair Families!
Dear Mary Blair families,
It's hard to believe that we are a little more than halfway through the 20-21 school year!
We have nearly wrapped up our middle-of-the-year testing, and are working to guide your students through the process of goal-setting, so that we can all finish strong and see the great growth that comes from all of their hard work!
As we pause to reflect on what students, staff and families have accomplished so far this year, I think it important that think about the fact that the learning and growth that has occurred this school year goes beyond the traditional academic areas. We have successful shifted from remote learning to in-person learning (twice), we have seen a class of young learners provide much needed love and support to teachers and vice versa, and we have learned to lean on one another for mutual support, guidance and grace.
By now, you all likely know about the proposal to consolidate Mary Blair Elementary, Monroe Elementary and Conrad Ball Middle School into a new K-8 School. This proposal is currently being discussed throughout our community in the form of several community forums and by the TSD Board of Education. I invite you to participate in this process - your voice as members of the Mary Blair community is key in making the right decisions to benefit your children moving forward. Please see below for additional information and opportunities to provide input.
As always, please feel free to reach to your child's teacher, to the main office, or to me with any questions or concerns you might have.
Sincerely,
Valerie Lara-Black
Principal, Mary Blair Elementary School
Consideration of Consolidation into a NEW K-8 SCHOOL
At its regular meeting on Wed., Jan. 20th, the Thompson School District Board of Education reviewed information compiled from the district's Master Plan Committee regarding school utilization. Per Board policy, when a school community meets continued lower enrollment criteria, a process is triggered to evaluate a potential closing or consolidation of the school.
As a result of this utilization data, the Master Plan Committee has identified three schools that meet the criteria for future consolidation: Monroe Elementary School, Mary Blair Elementary School and Conrad Ball Middle School. The Board of Education was introduced to three potential options, which can be reviewed as part of the overall presentation slideshow located HERE - en español ubicado AQUI.
Virtual Forms for the Mary Blair Elementary and Monroe Elementary communities occurred on Thursday, Jan. 28th.
Please click on the links below to access recordings of these forums.
A virtual K-8 Community Forum has been scheduled for families and community members within the entire Conrad Ball Middle School Community to learn more about the evaluation process and ask any questions that you may have. The forum will be held at the following date and time:
Tuesday, February 2nd
5:30pm-6:30pm
Via Zoom - CLICK HERE FOR THE K-8 COMMUNITY MEETING LINK
Each school community within Thompson School District is unique and offers many amazing opportunities for students and families. This process is designed to identify potential abilities to further enhance services for our families, while also remaining efficient with the district assets that have been entrusted by our community.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email or phone.
Thank you for your partnership,
Valerie Lara-Black
Principal
970-613-6400
UPCOMING - MBPTO and MBSAC Meetings
PLEASE JOIN US!
Tuesday, Feb. 2nd - 4:00-5:00pm - Mary Blair School Advisory Committee Meeting.
- We invite all members of our community to join us to learn more about our school-wide progress toward 20-21 goals and discuss matters effecting our overall school functions.
CLICK HERE FOR THE GOOGLE MEET LINK TO JOIN!
Tuesday, Feb. 9th - 5:00-6:00pm - Mary Blair Parent-Teacher Organization Meeting.
- Join us for our monthly PTO meeting! Our PTO is actively involved in volunteer, fundraising and school support efforts! We need YOU to bring you input and fresh ideas to the table! Up next we will discuss new ideas for our one and only fundraiser of the year - the Bobcat Dash! Do you have any great ideas for how to conduct this awesome event in a safe, physically distanced way? Come share your ideas!
SAVE THE DATE for SPRING CONFERENCES
Please ‘save the date’ for our upcoming Spring Conferences, which will be
Wednesday, February 24th 3:30-7:30 pm and
Thursday, February 25th 3:30-6:30 p.m.
In an effort to allow families to schedule conferences at a time that is convenient for you, we will be using the online system called SignUp Genius to schedule classroom conferences. Please use the link SENT TO YOU BY YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER to sign up for a conference.
Be sure to register for your preferred time by Friday, February 19th.
There will be NO SCHOOL for students on Thursday, Feb. 25th and
Friday, Feb. 26th due to conferences.
Scholastic Spring Book Fair is going VIRTUAL!
More information about our Spring Book Fair will be coming soon from Mrs. Mann in the Library!
National School Counseling Week, Feb. 1–5, 2021
Help us Celebrate and THANK our School Counselor - Mr. Santi
National School Counseling Week 2021, “School Counselors: All in for All Students,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 1–5, 2021, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
NEWS from Mr. Shepperd - IT'S TIME FOR THE 5210+ CHALLENGE!
It's 5210+ Challenge Time!
Our school can win over $1,500 in prize money by practicing 5210+ healthy habits.
- The Challenge is online this year!
- The whole month of February, students, staff, and families can track their daily 5210+ healthy habits on your Tracking Log (see below).
- Students with 80 or more checks at the end of the month win a t-shirt!
Come on MBES Bobcats! Let's win some money and get healthy while we do it!
What is The Healthy Kids 5210+ Challenge?
It is a month-long program sponsored by Healthy Kids Club. During February, students, school staff, and families learn and practice the 5210+ healthy habits.
What are the 5210+ healthy habits?
- 5 fruits and vegetables.
- 2 hours or less of recreational screen time.
- 1 hour or more of physical activity.
- 0 sugary drinks.
- + 9 or more hours of sleep.
- EVERY DAY!
Research shows that good nutrition, daily activity, and healthy sleep leads to:
- Better concentration.
- Increased attention.
- Improved memory.
- Better moods.
- Less fatigue.
How can I help my school win wellness money during the 5210+ Challenge?
- Remind your students regularly to fill out their logs.
- Wear a 5210+ Challenge shirt from previous years.
- Make February celebrations active and healthy. Families — participate together! Complete a log with 80 or more checks for a chance to win a 5210+ t-shirt.
- CLICK HERE to view a special video that tells you all about our 5210+ CHALLENGE
- Submit the online 5210 Challenge form on Feb. 28.
TRACKING LOGS (download and make your own copy of each document)
- Daily Tracking Log/Diario Rastreo - SPAN
- Tracking Log instructions/Instrucciones del Diario Rastreo - SPAN
All 5210 information is also found in each grade PE Google Classroom.
TEF - TSD Virtual Valentines!
Send our educators and staff love virtually this Valentine’s Day!
Thompson Education Foundation is proud to host a Virtual Valentine fundraiser to support Thompson School District. Custom Valentines have been created to send to the over 2,000 education heroes in the Thompson School District. Donate online and include a personal message for a specific person or a general message for any employee. TEF volunteers will handwrite your message on a Valentine card and deliver it to schools. Help ensure that all our educators and staff are appreciated this Valentine’s Day!
All custom Valentines with handwritten notes are just a $6 donation. Valentine orders are due by 2/4/21 so that volunteers can write messages and deliver to the schools by Friday 2/12/21.
Steps:
- Visit the TEF Website: https://www.thompsontef.org/tsd-virtual-valentines
- Make your donation on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tsd-virtual-valentines-for-thompson-education-foundation-loveland-co-registration-136847312997
- Choose the school you want to send a Valentine to (or "Any School Site")
- Add an optional personal note
- Thank you! Valentine’s will be distributed to schools in time for Valentine’s Day!
Questions? Contact:
Christine Forster, MBD Marketing & Events, 970-613-1455, MyBigDayEvents@outlook.com
Thompson Education Foundation contact: Kim Akeley-Charron, 970-613-5067, kim.ac@thompsontef.org
NEWS FROM THE KITCHEN!
EXCITING NEWS - KIDS EAT FREE FOR THE ENTIRE 20-21 SCHOOL YEAR!
The U.S. Department of Agriculture extended the waiver for the Summer Food Service Program through the 20-21 SCHOOL YEAR!
This waiver allows Thompson School District Nutrition Services to offer BREAKFAST AND LUNCH meals to ALL children 18 months - 18 years old AT NO CHARGE!
Please visit https://thompsonsdnutrition.org/ for additional information regarding Thompson School District Nutrition Services, including monthly menus!
STUDENT DROP-OFF & PICK-UP
MORNING DROP OFF:
Families will use the loop and CBMS parking lot at drop-off. (traditional procedure). Staff will be available to support students to get to their classroom doors.
ALL students will enter the building through their exterior classroom doors.
Primary-grade (K, 1, 2) adults may walk their child/ren to the exterior classroom door, but must practice physical distancing and wear a mask.
Families/visitors will not be able to enter the building
If students arrive late, parents/guardians will need to walk students to the front door. Adults - please bring your phone, if available, so you can scan our Check-In/Check-Out QR code. if you do not have a phone, please let us know when you arrive. Please also bring your ID, will need to show their ID to the camera so we can verify the adult checking the child in or out.
- We have a BEAUTIFUL, BRAND NEW LOOP! Please use this as the primary drop-off and pick-up location!
Busses/daycare vehicles will drop students off in the main parking lot (traditional procedure) and will be met by school staff to prep and enter the building via exterior classroom doors.
Private vehicles should not use the main parking lot for drop-off or pick-up. Please use our NEW loop!
Students will go directly to their classrooms when they arrive at school - they will not go to the playgrounds. Our playgrounds will be closed before and after school
Universal Breakfast will be provided to ALL STUDENTS, FREE OF CHARGE. Students will eat in classroom in the morning (family choice have students eat) - ALL students are eligible for FREE breakfast.
STUDENT DISMISSAL:
Students will be dismissed from their exterior classroom doors
Student dismissal will be staggered:
Boys & Girls Club students - 3:05
Students walking home - 3:08
Vehicle pick-up - 3:10
Buses/Day-care vehicles - 3:12
Students and families are asked to leave campus immediately after school ends - playgrounds will be closed after school.
Primary families may pick their children up at the classroom exterior door, but will be required to adhere to physical distancing & mask wearing guidelines.
VISIT OUR NEW SUNRISE THOMPSON COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC
Box Tops for Education
Download the Boxtops for Education App for easy access to coupons and BTFE brand deals. Easily scan your store receipts to redeem Boxtops for Mary Blair Elementary!
If you see this label, use the new Box Tops app to scan your receipt. Box Tops are still worth 10¢ for your school.
The app will find participating products purchased at any store and instantly add cash to your school’s earnings online.
MBES Return to Learn Plan
Thompson School District - Return to Learn!
Click HERE - OR - on picture to open the Thompson School District's "Return to Learn" plan!
MARY BLAIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Email: valerie.lara-black@tsd.org
Website: www.thompsonschools.org/maryblair
Location: 860 East 29th Street, Loveland, CO, USA
Phone: (970) 613-6400
Facebook: facebook.com/TSDMARYBLAIRELEMENTARY
Twitter: @MaryBlair_TSD