The Timberwolf Times
Manchester Park Elementary
ONE...Team, Vision, and Goal
Spring Break
Even if it doesn't necessarily feel like spring outside, next week is our Spring Break!
Sickness is starting to creep its ugly head in our school, so this break is coming at a perfect time!
I always feel that this is a great time to recharge our batteries and get ready for this busy time of year! If you are anything like my family, that means gearing up for the sports season. Finding a good balance between school and other events can be challenging. We appreciate your support in making school a priority and helping the boys and girls finish the school year on a strong note! Enjoy this time away!
News from Nurse Bev
Prior to this last week, our actual number of reported, confirmed cases of the respiratory Influenza had been very low and I had begun to think that we were going to somehow escape the usual “flu” season here at Manchester Park! Not the case – we have had an increase in not only the number of actual confirmed (swabbed positive) cases of Influenza A but also suspected cases of the “flu” (swabbed negative but had the symptoms) amongst our students and staff in this last week. Just as a reminder symptoms of respiratory influenza may include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache, fatigue and possibly vomiting or diarrhea.
Other illnesses that have been reported this last week have included strep throat and pink eye.
On a more positive note, when the students return after spring break, I will start vision screening all students in grades Kindergarten, 2nd and 4th grades and any students who are new to Manchester Park this school year in grades 1, 3 and 5. If your child does not pass the vision screening, you will be receiving a note from me.
Wishing everyone a healthy, safe and fun Spring Break!!
Educator Recognition Awards
Olathe Pennies for Shoes Campaign
Music Notes from Mrs. Unruh
On Tuesday, our 1st graders presented, “Arf!” I was very proud of those singing and dancing puppies!
Up next in the music room:
March is National Music in Our Schools Month, first celebrated in 1972! Throughout this month, students will be talking about why music is important, not just in our schools, but in our lives. They will share favorite songs and music memories, and even get to know the musical backgrounds of some of our staff members!
If you sang in choir, played in band or orchestra, or did music theatre in school, I encourage you to share those memories and photos with your children this month! Thank you for being a community that recognizes the importance of the arts in our schools.
Fun with Dr. Seuss with Mrs. McFarland
The Seuss Cafe was held in the MP Flex Room on March 6th. The first and second grade students chose Dr. Seuss books from a menu and some of our 5th Grade students read to them. Everyone had a great time celebrating Dr. Seuss’s Birthday, which was March 2nd!
Olathe School District Mental Health Series
Daylight Savings Time Reminder
Next Week's Calendar
Monday, March 18th - No School for Manchester Park students
*PD for Staff
Tuesday, March 19th - C Day
*5th grade special chorus 7:45
*Math Wings 3:40
*PTO Executive Board Meeting
Wednesday, March 20th - D Day
*Spanish Club 3:40
Thursday, March 21st- E Day
*4th and 5th grade special chorus 7:45
Friday, March 22nd - A Day
*3rd Quarter Report Cards sent home
Power Paw Winners
Johnny's Dining Out Certificate:
Morgan (4B), Aaron (3W), Carson (5F), Sophia (4B), Calan (3W), Alex (2GA), Kinsley (1L), Callie (KM)
Mr. Bohon's Read Aloud:
Ms. Rains/Campbell's class thanks to Carly
Lunch with the Principal:
Jaycie (3S) and Dylan (4SA)
Upcoming Events
*March 22nd - 3rd quarter report cards sent home
*March 26th - District Site Council (OE)
*April 5th - Spring Pictures
2018-2019 MP Yearbooks
Reminder
The on-line site closed Friday, February 15th and yearbooks can no longer be purchased through Jostens. On Thursday, May 16th from 8:00-8:20, any extra yearbooks will be offered for sale (first come, first served) for $22.00. This will be cash only.
Cellphone/Smart Watch Usage
Reminder
As more and more of our older students are using cellphones or have smart watches, we would like your assistance in making sure that they are used correctly while at school and on the bus. While at school, we ask that the cellphone is turned off and left in their backpack if you choose to have your child bring it to school. Smartwatches should be on silent mode and not be used during the day. Please note that if a cellphone/smartwatch is lost, we will do our best to help find it, but Manchester Park is not responsible for any cellphones/smartwatches brought to school. We would also recommend that all cell phones be kept in backpacks on the school bus until the child’s stop unless the bus driver says differently. Regular checks of the phone by parents and locking content would be helpful in making sure that the cellphone is safe for all. Thanks so much for your help!
Arrival Procedures
Reminder
For the safety of your children and all of the children at Manchester Park, please follow the procedures below for arrival:
- While busses are on our property, please do not pull up and drop your children off in the main drive. This is unsafe as they are walking between the busses to get to our main doors. Please use the car line and we will be happy to assist your child.
- If you need to come in, please park in a parking spot and walk with your children across the crosswalk.
Thank you for your assistance!
Nurse News
Reminder
The winter months are a great time to remind our school community of the measures we take to keep students healthy and prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
· We reinforce frequent hand washing with our students and coughing/sneezing into a tissue or their sleeve (not their hands).
· In addition, we request that you, as parents, join us in keeping our school healthy by keeping your child home when he/she is sick. For example,
o Students are to be fever-free for 24 hours WITHOUT the use of a fever reducing medication before returning to school.
o Student with vomiting or diarrhea are to be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school.
o Students with blisters and/or honey-colored crusts should remain home until cleared by a doctor as non-infectious or until 24 hours of antibiotic treatment is received.
o Students with purulent eye drainage may attend school once they have received treatment or clearance from a doctor stating non-infectious.
o Students with influenza should remain home (except for medical appointments and care) for 7 days after the first symptoms appear to insure complete recovery and avoid transmission to other students as recommended by the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE).
o Symptoms of respiratory influenza may include – fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and possibly vomiting or diarrhea.
We will continue to monitor the different illnesses that will be affecting our Manchester Park family. In order to minimize the spread of illnesses, please be sure to notify us if your child is experiencing any illness symptoms, diagnosed with any illness, especially if he/she is having any of the flu symptoms and/or is seen and diagnosed by his/her doctor as having “influenza”.
Thank you for reinforcing healthy habits with our students. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our school nurse at (913)-780-7540.
On another note, I would also like to share with you that I will be on a medical leave starting Monday, December 10th, 2018. I will be having surgery and the surgeon says that I have to take a 6 week recovery time. While I am gone, there will be two great substitute nurses doing a “job share” to take care of your children.
Wishing all of you a great healthy holiday season and I will see everyone again in 2019!!!
Nurse Bev
Absences
Reminder
If your child is out, please make sure to contact the office the morning of the absence. Sometimes, teachers might not be able to check their emails throughout the day and therefore it is not communicated with the office.
Parents often inquire about “assignments” for students before or during an absence. If a child has been absent due to illness, instruction on the objectives covered should exist prior to any assignments being completed independently at home. Therefore, it might not be possible for assignments to be sent home in advance of a scheduled absence. Students are allowed a minimum of the same number of days they are absent for illness to make up any missed assignments. Teachers will work with parents in special circumstances that require extended absences due to illness.
ID’s at the Main Entrance
Reminder
Due to district protocol, all visitors must present a photo ID to the camera at the front door. Whether you have been here multiple times over many years or new to our school family, please plan on having your ID out and ready to show the camera.
All visitors must sign in at the front office. This will be the same at arrival, throughout the day, or dismissal.
Thank you for keeping our children safe!
Lost and Found
Reminder
Brrr…There is no doubt that winter is here!
We are seeing more and more coats, hats, and gloves added to our "Lost and Found” that is located in the in the main hallway by 2nd grade. Please feel free to have your child check there if you think that you are missing something. We usually do two trips to Goodwill if items are not recovered: once towards the end of winter and at the end of the school year. Please help us by making sure that your child’s name is in the coat that they wear to school so that we can get it back to the rightful owner.
Ways to stay "In the Know"
**Read the school wide emails like this and any classroom news from the teacher
**Subscribe to the PTO website: https://manchesterparkpto.membershiptoolkit.com/
**Follow the PTO on Facebook and myself on twitter @MP_Principal.
**Download the Olathe Schools App
Contact Us!
Website: http://www.olatheschools.org/manchesterpark
Location: 9810 Prairie Creek Rd. Lenexa, KS. 66220
Phone: 913-780-7540
Twitter: @MP_Principal