Please know that you may send Valentine’s Day cards and goody bags with things such as stickers, pencils, spirit sticks, crayons, trinkets, or erasers. We respectfully request that you comply with our procedure of not sending candy or food items for your child to pass out to their classmates. It is very heartbreaking and difficult for students to understand why they are not allowed to pass out their Valentines or goody bags because they contain food items. We have several students with food allergies and we don't want to put students in a position of having to make a decision about whether they can eat a food item given to them by a classmate. Thanks for understanding and complying with this campus procedure.

Reminder

If parents would like to purchase cupcakes or items through the school cafeteria, please know this must be done in advance. If you would like to bring in outside cupcakes or food we ask for two week's notice. This will give our school nurse an opportunity to check the ingredients list and compare it to our list of student allergies and allow time for teachers to get parent permission for an additional snack. If you have any questions please contact the school nurse, Mrs. Carmona.

Did you know that February is Black History and International Friendship Month? Let’s make it extraordinary! Let’s show unity in our diversity by sharing peace, love, and understanding by participating in the following activities.

Black History Month

Black history is American history, but observing Black History Month in February gives us a chance to be intentional about learning that history. Of course it is wonderful to recognize the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. But there are lots of ways to go beyond the typical inventors and sports heroes so that every child can connect to and learn from the amazing contributions of the African American community.

1. Let African American artists inspire student creativity.

2. Honor some courageous military veterans. From the Buffalo Soldiers to the Tuskegee Airmen, African Americans have long served in the United States military.

You woke up late and you wonder whether to take your child to school. After all, will one absence matter? The answer is yes! A large-scale review of research shows that children put their entire school career at risk when they are absent in the early years. The learning they miss is hard to make up. Still, it can be a challenge to get a family out the door on time. Here’s how:

* Get ready the night before. Lay out what your child will wear. Make sure your child has everything needed to take to school. * Establish routines. Create a chart of the things your child needs to do each day. When it’s a routine, kids won’t argue about it. * Allow extra time. Set your alarm clock a few minutes early. Allow yourself an extra five or ten minutes to get your child to school.

Good attendance is of prime importance for the educational development of each student. A student should not be absent unless they are sick or if it is absolutely necessary. Please be mindful to send either a doctor or parent note within five days of an absence. Please note that parental phone calls cannot take the place of these notes.

Special Olympics is celebrated in February! There are more than one billion people with physical and mental disabilities in the world who must overcome challenges every day. Some disabilities are invisible to the onlooker. These are referred to as invisible disabilities. More Information here. Why is awareness so important? “Ideally, the more people know and understand —how individuals think, process, eat, interact, and learn differently—the more understanding, accepting, or patient they will be when they interact with a person with a disability that is visible or invisible.

5:45- PTO General Assembly

6:00-7:30- Pre-K- 5 Open House