The Avery Pulse
December 19th, 2021
Upcoming Dates
- December 20th - Flannel Day!
- December 21st - Winter Parties--details below
- December 21st - Dine Out Night @ The Parkmoor 11am-8pm
- December 22nd-January 3 - No School - Winter Break
- January 4th - Students Return
- January 17th - No School for MLK
A Note from Dr. Peterson
I hope this message finds each of you well! This will be the last Pulse edition of 2021. You can expect the next Pulse on Sunday, January 9th.
A few informational items for your knowledge:
- Flannel Day on December 20th- We invite students to join along with our staff in dressing in flannel on Monday.
- Winter Parties on December 21st - Please see information below regarding the upcoming winter parties and contact your child's room parent or classroom teacher for additional information. It's important that we remember these parties should not be centered solely on one holiday, but encompassing of all traditions and celebrations around this time of year.
- Winter Break is coming! - Students are out of school from December 22nd-January 3rd. Students return on January 4th. We hope that you and your families are afforded exactly what each of you needs during the break. Our students and staff are certainly excited!
- Looping Information - On Tuesday, December 14th a letter went home in regards to the future of looping at Avery. If you have not yet had a chance to read the letter, I'm including the linked PDF below.
I am so thankful to serve the Avery community. Each and everyday I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to interact and get to know your children. In partnership with the Avery staff, we are able to provide a great education to your children-both academically and personally.
We wish you all a wonderful winter break and will see you in 2022!
Hannah Peterson, Ed.D.
Principal
A Note from Dr. Winkler
Avery Families,
It is a pleasure to be able to work with your children every day. Throughout the year they have shown courage, perseverance, and positivity in challenging times. Smiles still shine through, even when covered by a mask. Please enjoy your winter break and time with your family.
Aaron Winkler, PhD
Assistant Principal
Pulse Update
- December 19th
- January 9th
There will be NO Pulse on:
- December 26th
- January 2nd
The Webster Groves Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
The Webster Groves Parent Advisory Council (PAC) will meet on Thursday, January 13 at 6:00 pm over Zoom. Everyone is welcome! We will be joined by the Director of Special Education for WGSD, Shantay Wakefield, along with other SSD administrators who will give a brief presentation and answer questions. Zoom link: https://wustl.zoom.us/j/96063272230 (meeting ID 960 6327 2230). Please contact Rebecca O’Laughlin at rebeccamichellelinz@gmail.com with any questions.
The Webster Groves district PAC was formed by families who expect that children with disabilities and/or unique learning needs are educated effectively, afforded the dignity of belonging, and valued throughout all WGSD learning opportunities and experiences.
PAC representatives communicate regularly and directly with SSD and WG administrators about the needs and interests of students who have IEPs and 504 plans.
EFA Newsletter
Kindergarteners are learning to follow one or more origami algorithms with perseverance. Computer science is like origami. When something is hard we continue on. This was a challenge for some in the beginning but they continued moving forward and were able to create beautiful origami pieces. Way to persevere kindergarten!
1st graders have been working on building their collaboration skills using the coding mice. They had to decide in small groups how they were going to design their board along with creating a driver/navigator order. It was a challenge in the beginning but these awesome kiddos were able to work together to create a system that they all agreed upon. Go 1st grade!
Students in 2nd and 3rd grade are learning to be good digital citizens. They learn about being an ‘upstander’ by identifying and reporting inappropriate behavior. Also, students learn the implications of positive and negative digital footprints and that they never go away.
The goal for 4th and 5th grade students was to use code to create. Mission accomplished! Students enjoyed creating, sharing, and viewing each other’s basketball games, Star Wars games, Flappy Bird games, pieces of art and design, the ever-popular dance parties and more all created with computer programming. Ask your student to log into his or her code.org account and show you what they created with code.
Webster Reads
Webster Reads Student Requirements:
To earn a free book, please read the number of books listed for your grade level. These books should be at an appropriate level for you. If you read more, that’s great!
Grades K-2: Read or listen to 8 or more books
Grades 3-5: Read or listen to 3 or more books
Return this form to your teacher or your school’s librarian on or before January 7th.
Information below is repeated from the previous Pulse.
Girls on the Run Coach Volunteers Needed!
Looking for volunteers who are interested in coaching a Girls on the Run Team this spring 2022! GOTR is for 3rd-5th graders.
Girls on the Run is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. It is designed for girls of all abilities to recognize their strengths and grow confidence. At the end of the season, the girls compete in a 5K. There is also a community service project as part of the curriculum. You can find more information at Girls on the Run
Please reach out to Stephanie Toppins (toppins.stephanie@wgmail.org) for more information on volunteer responsibilities and your interest. Please respond before January 14, 2022.
Avery Elementary Winter Party Guidelines
Please note as you connect with classroom teachers about planning parties, the themes and focus of the parties should not center solely around any singular religious/secular celebration. The parties should instead focus on a winter celebration to be inclusive and welcoming of all our students.
Due to Covid Guidelines, the Webster Groves School District is not allowing families into the building for classroom parties.
Please coordinate with the classroom teacher and room parent on various activities students may participate in during their party time.
If making a donation of items/activities for parties, please send in only non-food items.
Classroom teachers will determine time of party.
Feel free to contact your child's teacher or a room parent with any questions or concerns.
Lost & Found Reminder
Room Parent & Teacher Information
If you are interested in volunteering to support your child's classroom, please select your child's grade level link for additional information!
Teacher Wishlists
Looking for teacher gift ideas or ways to give back this holiday season? Don't forget to check out teacher favorite lists and teacher Amazon wish lists. If your teacher hasn't filled out an Amazon wishlist, maybe give them a little nudge that you want to support them and their class needs!
Kindergarten: https://bit.ly/kindergartenfavorites
First Grade: https://bit.ly/firstgradefavorites
Second Grade: https://bit.ly/secondgradefavorites
Third Grade: https://bit.ly/thirdgradefavorites
Fourth Grade: https://bit.ly/fourthgradefavorites
Fifth Grade: https://bit.ly/fifthgradefavorites
Specials: https://bit.ly/specialsfavorites
SSD Staff: https://bit.ly/ssdfavorites
Support Staff: https://bit.ly/supportfavorites
Instructional Aides: https://bit.ly/aidefavorites
Office Staff: https://bit.ly/officefavorites
Amazon WishLists: https://bit.ly/averywishlists
PTO Trivia Night Survey
Equity in Action Committee Community Recognition
Counselor Corner
Science Fair is Here!
Mask Reminder
2021-2022 Buzz Book
PTO Fundraiser Information
- Mailed or dropped in the PTO Mailbox (located inside of Avery's Main Entrance) All checks should be made payable to Avery PTO
- Venmo: @averypto
- Paypal: pto.averyelementary@gmail.com
Arrival Reminders
Bompart Avenue
- Carpool drop-off only in front of school
- Parents to remain in vehicles with staff members assisting students
- No parking during arrival
- Staff members will supervise at the curb
Marshall Avenue
- Atrium entrance will be open for arrival for students dropped off on Marshall
- Staff members will supervise at the curb
Atalanta Avenue
- We strongly encourage families to travel only from Bompart towards Glen to alleviate congestion and increase safety
- No parking on sidewalks
- Staff members will supervise at the curb
Title I Program Parent and Family Involvement and Engagement
Please see the link below for Parent and Family Engagement Federal Programs:
https://dese.mo.gov/quality-schools/federal-programs/parent-family-engagement
Road Work Ahead
Please see the attachment for additional details.
Canvas Information
To stay connected with the learning in our classrooms, please create a Canvas Observer Account which is our district's learning management system. You will find attached three documents.
- Canvas Informational Letter
- Creating an Observer Account, Logging into Canvas, and Setting Notifications
- Student Accessing Canvas
If you have any questions please contact Tim Brown, Director of Student Assessment, Data and Learning Technologies at brown.tim@wgmail.org
Online Community Bulletin Board
Webster Groves School District Equity Policy
Here is a slideshow teachers are showing to students in grades K-4.
Here is a video teachers are showing to students in 5th grade.
To learn more about the district equity policy, please click here.
A Note from Nurse Vanessa Palmer, RN BSN
We appreciate the WHOLE Avery Elementary community coming together to help keep our school a safe and healthy learning environment. A few ways that parents and caregivers can help:
Please keep your student home if they are having any signs or symptoms of illness. Please see the attached Student Symptom Decision Tree for more guidance and to know when it’s safe for your student to return back to school.
If your student or anyone else in your household has a pending COVID-19 test or is planning to get tested, please keep all WGSD students home until your family has received a negative test result.
If your student has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please keep your student home and email the School Nurse to determine a return date for your student.
We do not accept home tests.
Allergy symptoms needs to be under control (asymptomatic). This allows for proper mask wearing at school and keeps everyone safe as allergy symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms are very similar. If allergy symptoms are symptomatic, we ask that you please work with your student’s Pediatrician on a better allergy management plan for home.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Vanessa Palmer RN BSN
Avery Elementary School Nurse
palmer.vanessa@wgmail.org
School 314-963-6425
Nurse 314-918-4202
Fax 314-963-6490
Quarantine Expectations
Want to make a submission to The Avery Pulse?
To qualify for direct distribution to students and families, the
information must be:
- district-sponsored information
- something from a group affiliated* with the district.
- curriculum-related, as determined by the principal, including programs, events, contests and other activities.
*Affiliated is defined as a group recognized by the Board of Education and working
group created soley to work with district staff, students and parents
to raise fund for district activities (PTOs, booster clubs, the
Foundation)
Regarding signs, only signs for school or district groups (sponsored
or affiliated) can be placed on school grounds.
You can read the board policy here
https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Policy/ViewPolicy.aspx?S=448&revid=6VcjbAkBf4Ls3Fs6CyIxFA==&ptid=amIgTZiB9plushNjl6WXhfiOQ==&secid=1QSfUuz8WRJ5slsh0xnyVwukQ==&PG=6&IRP=0
If you are a non-profit organization that doesn't qualify for direct distribution to students and families, you can contact Cathy Vespereny (vespereny.cathy@wgmail.org) who is our Director of Communication and she will ensure that your flyer is posted on the community electronic bulletin.
If your information fits the above criteria, you can make a submission to theaverypulse@gmail.com
Submissions are due on Thursdays at 5pm.
Avery Elementary
Location: 909 North Bompart Avenue, Webster Groves, MO, USA
Twitter: @avery_allstars