Knights News
Unity Elementary School
March 2021
Newsletter Translation
A Message from Mr. Kilburn
I hope you enjoyed your break with your children and your family. What a truly wonderful few days of weather we had to enjoy the outdoors.
Now that we are back in session we will be very focused on instruction up to our literacy and math FAST windows. These scores will give us an idea of how well our children absorbed their instruction since the winter window. Remember that we hope to increase your child's literacy and math proficiency by at least grade level. It has always been a great point of pride for us to say that most of our learners grow faster than grade level. We hope to continue to see that trend! You and your support of our goals are the keys to having a child that meets academic and behavioral benchmarks. Engage in a conversation with them around the dinner table. Let them know how proud you are of the work they bring home or share with you online. Read with them as often as you can. Find natural ways to engage in mathematics that relate to our instruction. Communicate with your teacher or me as often as you feel is appropriate. We are here for you. Let's make this the best month yet at Unity!
Face Masks/Shields Still Required!
Keeping "In-Touch" with our virtual students!
Hat Day!
Wear Green Day!!
News From Unity's Title Team
S'More "Reading in the Spring" Title Event
We wanted to thank everyone who joined us LIVE on Unity’s FACEBOOK page on Tuesday, March 23rd. The Title teachers enjoyed reading Giggle, Giggle, Quack to our TK, Kindergarten, 1st grade, & 2nd grade students while they enjoyed their s’mores bar. J
We look forward to reading all of your responses to the link and we will be getting you, your copy of the book for completing that link very soon. We also can’t wait to read your responses on the activity sheets and we know you will enjoy your prizes.
Coming up Next:
The Title teachers look forward to meeting the 3rd , 4th & 5th grade students LIVE on Unity’s FACEBOOK page on Tuesday, April 27th @ 6pm. Title teachers will read a book live and model reading strategies. We will also send home a s’more bar and activity sheet for you to complete.
You will have the chance to receive a copy of the book we share and an added prize. See you on April 27th !!
Preschool Registration
TK and Kindergarten Registration
Will your child be 5 on or before September 15th? If so, it is time to enroll your child in Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year!
By blending a solid-core curriculum and caring staff, Unity provides students with excellent opportunities for learning and growth.
Are you still trying to decide whether to enroll your child in Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten? Does your child sit attentively when being read to? Is your child willing to share materials? Can your child approach new situations and environments without fear? If you answered NO to any of these questions, then your child may benefit from TK.
TK gives children another year to develop physically, socially, and academically; promotes self-confidence and independence in children; and serves as a bridge between preschool and Kindergarten.
Introducing the NEW SIOUXCITYSCHOOLS.ORG
The Sioux City Community School District launched a new website that provides timely information for parents. Everything you need to know is at your fingertips. Access tools, resources, and tips, all specifically designed to support you and your child.
From the Homepage You can Access:
· School Menus
· Infinite Campus
· Canvas
· Let’s Talk
· News
· Events
· Our Photo Gallery
· Students Spotlights
Dig a Little Further to Fin New Features Including:
· Parent Guide to Student Success
· Online High School Course Guide
· And so much more!
Explore the District Website on Desktop or Mobile
Counselor's Corner with Kelly Nelson
Consequences are Better than Punishment
Sometimes, when I am angry and full of wrath, my responses to my kids’ misbehavior crosses a line from being consequence into being a punishment.
A couple of problems with that:
1. The world doesn’t operate on punishment – it operates on consequences. Life is about cause and effect – RESULTS. We want to raise kids who understand real cause and effect, NOT kids who are simply afraid of what we will do to them. Results teach. Anger, punishment and threats just don’t seem to teach as well.
2. Punishment tends to lead to resentment and distance in the relationship. The hard feelings created by punishment often linger and drive a wedge between us and kids at a crucial time when we should be viewed as an ally, not an enemy.
So much better that kids learn to be responsible for solving the problems they cause than feel punished - while the adults take on all the responsibility of fixing the problem. We have long taught ways to better handle discipline using empathy and logical, thoughtful and sometimes delayed consequences.
So, if kids are causing problems, we can expect them to solve them. If they choose not to solve those problems, we can take care of it in a way that costs them something. Doesn’t this mirror the real world? When we don’t solve problems, we end up paying for them one way or the other.
Ultimately, Love and Logic Is about teaching kids logical cause and effect. It is about building relationships and preserving dignity. Our mission is to help adults raise more respectful and responsible kids. Our hope is to help them find better ways to hold kids accountable. We are proud to teach skills that keep kids learning from real results and preserve dignity by steering adults away from punishment.
The bottom line: Expecting kids to solve problems is more effective than punishing them.
“Discipline is helping a child solve a problem. Punishment is making a child suffer for having a problem. To raise problem solvers, focus on solutions, not retribution.” L.R. Knost
Information from The Love & Logic Institute ~ Jedd Hafer
Counselor's Corner with June Mikkelson
Inclusion and Diversity
Diversity enhances creativity. It encourages open mindedness which leads to better decision making and good leaders. Inclusion gives students the opportunity to interact with others, building friendships and community. Inclusion allows students to witness strengths and need in all, and opens an opportunity to learn from one another.
Diversity for Kids
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H27g16TnvJI
Award Winning short animation on inclusion.
Notes from the Nurse
SPRING INTO ACTION
When it comes to exercise, many of us think of it as extra work. But exercise doesn’t have to be done all at once. Think in terms of “activity” rather than “exercise”. Aim for at least 30 minutes (for adults) and 60 minutes (for children) of activity on most days of the week. Here are some suggestions:
ü Invite friends over for backyard games
ü Jump rope for 10 minutes
ü Bike together to the library, stay safe and always wear helmets
ü Dance to your favorite music
ü Park farther away from the store when out shopping
ü Take the steps rather than the elevator
Staying active throughout the day and getting regular exercise not only makes us healthier, it helps us sleep better at night and learn better throughout the day!
Word Search Puzzle
Find the “active” words below:
SCCSD Virtual Backpack
From camps to sports leagues to family services, the SCCSD Virtual Backpack serves as a link between non-profit community partners and our students and families.
Would you like to get weekly updates about events? Sign Up for the Virtual Backpack email list here.
Box Tops
Dear Families,
During this challenging time, our teachers and students need more help than ever.
No matter what school looks like, Box Tops for Education is a fast and easy way for
you to help out from home.
The Box Tops program has been around for over 20 years, and it really works. In fact,
Box Tops for Education has helped give almost a billion dollars to schools since 1996.
In 2019, the program evolved to become digital so that you can earn for your school
with just the touch of a button.
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: Buy participating products and use the Box Tops mobile
app to scan your store receipt. The app identifies eligible products and automatically
adds Box Tops to your school's earnings online. Even if you’re shopping online or
doing grocery pickup, you can still submit your e-receipts and earn Box Tops. Twice a
year, our school gets a check!
Your earnings may seem small, but they really do add up. The more people that participate,
the bigger the impact we can make. So let's give our teachers the support
they need and help give more kids the opportunity to dream. Little by little, we can
help make a big difference!
HyVee Receipts
All receipts must be from the Sioux City or South Sioux City HyVee's or the HyVee Mainstreet Store. Receipts must be dated August 1, 2020 - April 25, 2021. Please do not send receipts that are outside of the dates listed. No fuel, postal, money order, Western Union, lottery, Quest, Mid-American or gift card receipts will be accepted.
Planning for the Future: Boundary Considerations for SCCSD
As a partner in your child’s education, we remain committed to keeping you informed about the school boundary discussions that may affect current and future students. Last school year, boundary discussions began with initial changes agreed upon for some of our elementary boundaries. Now, our work continues as we consider changes to boundary areas for the middle and high schools.
Take a moment to view the video on our boundary planning progress, view the current boundary maps, and consider new boundary map options. Share your feedback now using our online portal, ThoughtExchange. Access the ThoughtExchange portal. Through this portal, you can provide feedback, see the feedback from fellow responders, and even weigh in on portal discussions with comments or ratings. Feedback can be submitted through ThoughtExchange until December 13. If you have questions or need assistance with this process, please call our school.
Planeando para el Futuro: Consideraciones de las Fronteras de las Zonas de Asistencia Escolar, SCCSD
Comparta sus Comentarios
Como socio en la educación de su hijo, quedamos comprometidos de mantenerlo informado sobre las discusiones sobre las fronteras de las zonas de asistencia que pueden afectar a los estudiantes actuales y futuros. El año escolar pasado, las discusiones sobre las fronteras comenzaron con los cambios iniciales, acordados para algunas de nuestras escuelas primarias. Ahora, nuestro trabajo continúa mientras consideramos cambios a las zonas de asistencia para nuestras escuelas medias y secundarias.
Tómese un momento para ver el video acerca del progreso de nuestro plan de las fronteras entre las zonas escolares, ver los mapas de las zonas actuales, y considerar las nuevas opciones de los mapas de las zonas de las escuelas. Comparta sus comentarios ahora utilizando nuestro portal en línea, ThoughtExchange (Intercambio de Pensamientos). Acceda al portal ThoughtExchange. Por medio de este portal, puede proveer sus comentarios, ver los comentarios de otros respondedores, e incluso participar en las discusiones de portal con comentarios o calificaciones. Se puede enviar los comentarios a través de ThoughtExchange hasta el 13 de diciembre. Si tiene preguntas, o quiere ayuda con este proceso, por favor llame a nuestra escuela.
Mandie Mayo | Director of Communications
Sioux City Community School District
Communications and Community Engagement
Ph: (712) 224-7471 | Cell: (712) 898-5627
Let's Talk
An engaged community makes our District stronger. That is why we have made it easy for you to connect with us whenever it is convenient for you. We encourage you to take advantage of Let’s Talk!, our 24/7 online submission site. Reach out with your ideas, questions, concerns, and praise. To make a submission, please visit http://www.siouxcityschools.org/lets-talk/.
Communication and Preparedness
Student and staff safety is of paramount importance in the Sioux City Community School District. For this reason, the District exercises a host of crisis prevention and planning tactics. Should an emergency occur, the school notifies you through our Blackboard phone system. In an emergency, the system calls every phone number associated with your child in order to reach you. The message will give you details about the emergency and provide directions on when/where to pick up your child if the normal school day is altered. Learn more about school safety.
Focus 2022 Strategic Plan
Non-Discrimination Statement
The Sioux City Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas: Business & Marketing, Family & Consumer Science, Health Science, and Industrial Arts, Technology, & PLTW.
The Sioux City Community School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. It is an unfair or discriminatory practice for any educational institution to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information (for employment), national origin, religion, age (for employment), disability, socioeconomic status (for programs), marital status (for programs), or veteran status (for employment) in its educational programs and its employment practices.
Inquiries or grievances, including Section 504 grievances and grievances under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, may be directed to Jen Gomez, Director of Student Services & Equity Education at 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, (712) 279-6075, gomezj2@live.siouxcityschools.com. Please see District Board policies 103 and 504.4 for additional information on available grievance procedures.
Unity Elementary School
Principal: Eric Kilburn
Website: https://www.siouxcityschools.org/unity/
Location: 1901 Unity Avenue, Sioux City, IA, USA
Phone: 712-279-6839
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnityKnightsk5/
Twitter: @UnityFuture