Lions Ledger
Patriot Elementary School February 2019
A Message From Our Principal
Dear Families,
It is hard to believe the school year is half way over. This has been such an enjoyable year and I appreciate all of the hard work students, teachers, and families have invested so far. Patriot community believes in EVERY child and works to embrace positive learning experiences.
We are looking forward to hosting "Student Led Conferences" and our goal is to have "100%" participation. We have scheduled conferences for the evening of February 12th and during
the day on February 14th. Notices and sign-ups will be sent from your child's classroom teacher. We look forward to having families together in the Patriot community to share student learning.
Please also join us on Tuesday, February 12th for a "Patriot Town Hall" Meeting at 1:00 in the conference room. This time allows parents, staff, and administration to share ideas, review goals, and communicate on how we will continue to make Patriot a strong academic and social/emotional learning environment.
There are many other exciting events occurring at Patriot:
-Kids Heart Challenge with the American Heart Association
-Valentines Parties - 2/13
-PTO Candy Grams for Valentines
-Patriot Book Fair - Open 2/11-2/14
-NAEP - Fourth grade testing on February 27th
-Kindergarten Round Up - February 25, Monday
We would love your help in our school any way possible. Please look at some of the opportunities this month including the helping at the book fair https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F44ADAC22A3FB6-february
Thank you for partnering in your child’s education. If you have any thoughts, ideas, and/or concerns, please email or stop by. Remember... "The beautiful thing about education is that no one can take it from you." -BB King
Sincerely,
Mrs. Canon, Principal
Patriot Elementary Mission:
“For every student to become a lifelong learner and a confident, productive member of society by providing an engaging, safe, and supportive academic community.”
YEARBOOKS On Sale!
Yearbook order forms will go home mid-February with a deadline of March 22, 2019.
Cost of yearbooks are $15 and will be distributed the last week of school.
If you will be moving, we are happy to mail to you with a forwarding address.
If you would like to place an online order, you can do anytime between now and 3/20/19.
Go to: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectJob
Yearbook ID Code: 12779119
Wise Words from Patriot Counseling
Mindfulness
Long before I discovered the healing benefits of yoga and meditation, I learned about the calming effects of slow, deep breathing. Teaching children the benefits of mindfulness can help them attend in class, regulate emotions, and manage impulses. What is mindfulness? I love this definition of mindfulness: a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.
I begin each social skills lesson, with ten minutes of relaxation, calm down breathing, and mindful movements. Helping the students to find calm focus ensures not only that they are ready to learn, but that they can calm down when needed. Last week, at the beginning of a lesson I discovered that the students were having difficulty relaxing and finding focus. One student shared the reason why was that they did not get recess that morning. I had a wonderful aha moment and we took some extra time for breathing. When we were finished, another student said to me “is that why you are so calm?” I found myself smiling, and I wished that my mother was there to hear that about her ADHD daughter. I wished that I had someone to help me calm my mind and body like that when I was a child.
My commitment to students is that they can learn these skills and will carry it with them the rest of their lives. Deep, slow breaths is something that we can always have with us and access as needed.
Some great books to share with your child and help you both develop mindful attitudes are:
o Listening to My Body by Gabi Garcia
o Just Breathe by Mallika Chopra
o Puppy Mind by Andrew Jordan Nance
o Breathe like a Bear by Kira Willey
o Good Night Yoga by Mariam Gates
o The Mindful Mantra series of books by Laurie Wright (ex: I Will Try and I Matter)
“The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others” Gandhi
Holly “The Dog Lady” Niewinski, your school counselor, can be reached at 382-1460.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
February
2/01 PTO Popcorn and Pickle Day
2/1-2/6 Valentine's Grams Sale ends
2/11 PTO meeting
2/11-2/14 Book Fair
2/13 Valentine's Grams Delivered
2/14 NO SCHOOL Parent/Teacher Conferences
2/15 NO SCHOOL
2/18 NO SCHOOL--Presidents Day
2/22 Box Tops Deadline
March
3/1 Read Across America
3/4-3/15 PTO Penny Wars
3/25-3/29 Spring Break
PTO Meeting
Childcare will be available for school-age students.
Monday, Feb 11, 2019, 02:45 PM
Patriot Elementary School Cafeteria
STUDENT COUNCIL
BOYS TOWN Education Model at Patriot
February~Forgiveness
2/4-2/8 Accepting Compliments
2/11-2/13 Making an Apology
2/18-2/22 accepting Criticism
2/25-3/1 Disagreeing Appropriately
From the Nurse's Clinic
How to prevent colds and flu
1. Wash your hands. Colds and virus can be spread by indirect contact, someone sneezes on their hands and then touches a doorknob the next person to touch the doorknob picks up the virus. Wash your hands with plenty of soap and water for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing the ABC song)
2. Teach children to cough or sneeze into their elbow
3. Disinfect common surfaces like counter tops, desks, phone receivers, light switches, remote controls.
4. Drink plenty of water. An adult should drink eight 8‐oz. glasses a day.
5. Stay home if you’re sick
Contact your doctor if your symptoms get worse.
Stephanie Porter RN, BSN
Patriot Elementary/Mountainside Elementary
Peer Conflict, Mean Behavior, and Bullying. What is the Difference?
Talking with our children about these differences is very important in teaching how to handle these situations.
Click on the provided link to read more about the difference between peer conflicts, mean behavior, and bullying behavior.
Student Drop Off & Pick Up Procedures
NEW PROCEDURES ARE NOW IN PLACE
REMINDER: Please do not drop students off before 7:00 am as Patriot Staff supervision does not monitor until 7:00 am. Morning drop off is NOW IN THE BACK ONLY.
Breakfast students should be dropped off in back as well.
Pick up procedures have not changed.
Students should be picked up at their flag with the oldest sibling. If walking, students exit through the east gate on the black top.
Please ensure that you are following the best practice procedures which can be found on our school website.
We expect all parents to promote safety for our students and community, and be positive role models in our parking lots. Changes to normal routine in child's departure should be communicated to the teacher.
Ever-Changing Colorado Weather
We encourage all students during the winter to dress in layers and always have jacket, hat and gloves in their backpacks.
In EXTREME weather we will send a message out about Red Flag dismissal process.
Join the PTO or SAAC
**Childcare provided in the gym; meetings will be in school cafeteria
SAAC/DAAC: Do you want to help plan a Vision for Patriot Elementary? Join the SAAC/DAAC Committee. Please contact Mrs. Canon for more information.
PATRIOT + PARENTS = SUCCESS
We Need You!!
February Volunteer Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F44ADAC22A3FB6-february
D.O.G.S (Dads of Great Schools) was created by Patriot Staff to promote dads and positive male role models of students to help at our school. We have reserved dates we can use individuals at drop-off and pick-up, reading to students, and helping at recess. Patriot encourages any participation and we will send out messages to ask for volunteers. Research shows the importance of fathers and father-figures in the school setting, and the positive impact it has on academic, social/emotional, and linguistic success. Contact Mrs. Polyefko for more information at kpolyefko@ffc8.org.
Title 1
P.A.W.S
The PAWS Pledge is promised each day during morning announcements: "I am a Patriot Lion. I show my pride by using my PAWS--Personal Best, Act Responsibly, Work and Play Safely, Show Respect to All; I am a Patriot Lion let me show you my PAWS! ROAR!!!
--Patriot Elementary School colors: Red, White, Blue
--Patriot Mascot: Lion
Box Tops for Education
Box Tops are an easy way for our school to earn FREE money!
PLEASE keep those Box Tops and students can paste or tape to Box Top Sheets. When complete sheets are turned in, students receive a small treat. Please contact the office for more sheets.
Patriot Elementary School
Website: www.ffc8.org/Patriot
Location: 7010 Harr Avenue, Fort Carson, CO, USA
Phone: 7193821460
Facebook: facebook.com/PatriotElementaryFFC8