Parsons Pirates Update
February 12, 2024
Message From the Principal
Dear Parsons Pirates,
I love communicating all of the fun events at Parsons. We have a lot this week! Candy grams, Valentine's Day, and the 100th Day of School. However, our main job is learning and we do that all day long! One of our district wide focuses this year is student engagement. Engagement doesn't just mean a student is quiet and compliant. We are looking for active engagement. How do students talk and engage with the task? How do they work with others to complete an activity? We are kid watchers! Check out this cool picture from Mrs. Gurney's class. Instead of just completing a worksheet on long division, students created their own problems and then worked in groups to solve the problem. They completed a gallery walk around the classroom, solving multiple problems with their classmates. Awesome job Pirates!
Sincerely,
Sarah Aherne
Spring Picture Day
Spring Picture Day is February 15th! They are going to take pictures all day. Dress your best and bring your smiles!
Valentine's Day
Bust out that red and pink! We are excited to celebrate Valentine's Day this week. Please check with your teachers for how Valentine's Day is being celebrated in class. If you are volunteering, you must have a background check on file. Please make sure it is in by Monday. No background checks will be completed on Wednesday.
Peer to Peer Candy Grams
We had overwhelming interest in Candy Grams! We will sell for on more day on Monday, February 12th. Candy grams will be delivered on Wednesday, February 14th. Thanks to our Peer to Peer Group for working so hard to bring this project to Parsons!
100th Day of School
Friday is the 100th day of school! Check with your teacher to see how your child's class will be celebrating 100 days of learning!
Kids Heart Challenge™ is HERE!
Kids Heart Challenge Update!
We have 109 students registered. Sixteen students have completed Finn's Mission. We have raised $4, 205 for Kids Heart Challenge.
- Start by downloading the Kids Heart Challenge APP or click this link: http://www2.heart.org/goto/ParsonsElementary to sign up!
- Complete Finn’s Missions: learn TWO lifesaving skills as a family TONIGHT!
- Become a Heart Hero: Send emails/e-cards on the website or texts via the app to invite friends and family asking for support.
Watch the official kick-off video to get to know our heart heroes!
PLUS, this Online Envelope will show you all the thank you gifts your student can earn.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: http://www2.heart.org/goto/ParsonsElementary
OR DOWNLOAD THE
KIDS HEART CHALLENGE APP
Shout Out a Staff Member
Mini Marauders
Below is the flyer for our Mini Marauder Baseball/Softball program. Check it out.
Reading Month is Coming
Our PTO has already planned lots of amazing activities in preparation for Reading Month.
The Book Fair is coming February 21-February 28th. The Book Fair will be officially open for student shopping from 8am-9am on Thursday, February 22nd during Grandparents' Breakfast. We will begin our classroom shopping that afternoon at 1pm. We will have a full day of classroom shopping on Friday, and a half day in the morning on Monday, February 26th. The Book Fair will also be open in the evening on 2/26 during Bingo for Books. Since we do not have school on Tuesday, we will be open for a half day in the morning on Wednesday, February 28th for any make-up shopping needs.
I also advocated for an author visit and our PTO has made it happen! Author Lindsay Gizicki wrote The Pirate Doctor and To the Moon and Back. She does a one hour assembly presentation that includes a reading of one of her books, goes over the publication printing process and answers questions about what it's like to be an author. She does a writer's workshop activity and giveaway during the assembly. This assembly is geared towards 2nd-5th grade. However, she also said that she could do 15 minute classroom visits for kindergarten and 1st grade for free in addition to the assembly. She is coming on March 15th.
Spark Orange Frog Positive Award
Spark Student of the Week: Dominick Z
Dominick is a 4th grader who can happily be seen skipping down the hall. He loves his job at the end of the day helping the bussers. Dominick has made great gains as a student this year!
- What brings you joy? When it is warm outside
- How do you bring joy to others? By being kind and I give people compliments
- Who is someone that brings joy to you? My parents
Parking Lot Safety
The Gibraltar Police Department has kindly been helping us monitor our parking lot. Please made sure you are following our policies and procedures.
Follow the One Way signs.
Drive slowly.
Pull up all the way.
Don't leave your car unattended in drive line.
Drama Club has started
Drama Club has come to Parsons. Mrs. Bloomfield, Mrs. Claus, and Mrs. Linge are directing. The play is Alice and Wonderland. Fourth and fifth graders who are participating in Drama Club will head straight to the gym on Thursdays for practice. They are expected to follow school expectations during Drama Club. The final show will take place on Thursday, March 21st.
Cold Weather Reminder
Outside recess occurs when the temperature and wind chill are 15 degrees or above. The children are expected to participate in recess activities and it is certainly to their advantage to dress properly. Children should wear mittens, boots, and proper head covering during cold weather.
We encourage students to bring boots and regular shoes. It is uncomfortable for students to sit in boots all day and it makes the classroom wet and dirty.
Watch Dogs
WatchDOGS started on October 10th. Check out the link and/or the QR code.
Please only sign up for two days to allow more parents to sign up.
School Hours
School doors open at 8:33! Our school hours are from 8:38am-3:33 pm. Our half day hours are 8:38 am-11:55 am. School dismissal is staggered. Please read information from your child’s teacher regarding grade level dismissal.
Tardy 8:45
Absent AM 9:30
Absent PM 2:30
Please Check Out Our GSD Student Handbook
Are you interested in Champions?
Please check out the Champions newsletter from Ms. Rachel for information about Champions and what they are learning this week!
School Safety
All doors are locked during the school day. If you come to school, you will be buzzed into the foyer area and office and then asked to show identification before your child is released. All visitors/volunteers in the building must report and sign in at the office. Visitors must wear a badge in the school building. All volunteers in the classroom and for field trips must have a background check on file each year.
Parsons Positive Behavior Model
This month we are working on Fairness!
PBIS Clubs: We have had a lot of fun at our first club session. We will pick new clubs for the second part of the year!
Check out the February Lunch Menu!
Free School Breakfast and Lunch
Governor Whitmer has made school breakfast and lunch free again this school year. You will receive free and reduced lunch forms the first day of school. Even though meals are free we encourage all families to fill out the forms. The completion of the application by our families helps us receive federal funding. Lunch menus are available at this link.
Lunch is 11:45-1:00.
K 11:45-12:10
3 11:55-12:20
1 12:05-12:30
4 12:15-12:40
2 12:25-12:50
5 12:35-1:00
Teacher of the Month
Jamie Churches', State Representative HD 27, office has a new ‘Teacher of the Month’ nomination form available on their website. As always, they wish to highlight the phenomenal educators of our district and showcase their incredible efforts in the classroom, with our students, and within the school community. I have attached the link to this email for your convenience. As they receive nominations, her team will reach out accordingly to schedule a day/time to present the award to a teacher per school month. Last year, Brittany Gurney received this award. We have so many awesome educators!
Teacher of the Month Nomination Form: https://housedems.com/jaime-churches/teacher-of-the-month/
When to Keep Your Child Home From School
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X1h-iSol2YD68QRJndqs3bNInfpnLoISC0h1E_B7-Ck/edit?usp=sharing
Upcoming Dates
February 13th: PTO 6:00
February 14th: Valentine's Day parties
February 19th-20th: Winter Break, No School
February 21st-February 29th Book Fair
February 22nd: Drama Club
February 26th: Bingo for Books
February 27th: PD Day, No School
February 28th: Rev'd Up Fun Event 4:30-9:00
February 29th: Drama Club
March 1st: Trenton Theater Kindergarten Field Trip 9:00
March 7th: Drama Club
March 12th: PTO 6:00
March 14th: Drama Club
March 15th: Dress Rehearsal Drama Club
March 21st Drama Club Final Performance
March 22nd: Talent Show
March 25th-April 1st : No School, Spring Break
April 2nd: School Resumes
April 5th: Half Day, Dismissal 11:55
April 9th: PTO 6:00
April 11th: Board Meeting 7:00
April 17th: No School, PD day
May 9th: Mornings with Mom, Board meeting 7:00
May 14th: PTO 6:00
May 16th: Bike to School
May 20th-May 22nd: 5th Grade Camp
May 27th: Memorial Day, No School
May 30th: Donuts with Dad, Real Life Farms Kindergarten 9:00
May 31st: 5th Grade Party 5:00-7:30
June 5th: Senior Clap Out at Parsons
June 7th: CHS Graduation
June 10th: Field Day
June 14th: Last Day of School, Half Day 11:55 dismissal
Mrs. Aherne
Email: ahernes@gibdist.net
Website: https://www.gibdist.net/parsons-elementary
Location: Parsons Elementary School, Middle Gibraltar Road, Gibraltar, MI, USA
Phone: (734) 379-7050