February Newsletter
Whiteman Elementary
Upcoming Events
January 28 Box Top/TerraCycle Collection
January 29 -Responsibility Character Video
February 1- ES2S Luncheon
February 3rd- Global Play Day
February 5th-100th Day of School
Spring STAR Testing Window: 2/8-2/19
February 12 First Snow Make Up Day
February 15 No School - Presidents Day
February 24 ELEM and MS Parent Teacher Conf. (2:00-7:30)
February 25- Box Top/TerraCycle Collection
Inclement Weather Information
One of the challenging decisions that faces a superintendent each year is making the decision to cancel school for the day, dismiss school early, or not call off school during inclement weather or other situations which may impact student safety. The decision involves consideration of multiple issues, but, in the final analysis, it all comes down to a subjective (albeit informed) judgment call.
When a decision is made, the Knob Noster School District offers a variety of ways to learn about school closings due to inclement weather. The district will communicate in the following ways: ∙ A recorded telephone call will go to all students’ families as well as staff members via a service known as SchoolMessenger. Families are encouraged to make sure their phone numbers are accurate and to notify their children’s school office if there are changes in these numbers.
∙ Text and email messages are sent via SchoolMessenger. To participate in the text service from our schools, text the word YES to 67587. (If you currently receive texts, no need to do anything.) ∙ A notification will appear on the Knob Noster Public Schools mobile app. This is a free app you can download in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
∙ School closings are shared via district social media, including Facebook and Twitter. Like us on Facebook by searching “Knob Noster Schools,” and follow us on Twitter by searching “Knob Schools.” ∙ The information is posted on the district’s website, www.knr8.net
∙ Local media are provided information about school closings. Listen or watch for “Knob Noster School District.”
When possible, decisions will be made prior to 10:00 p.m. the night before or after 5:15 a.m. the day of a no school day. We hope these times will serve to inform you while accommodating your schedules to the extent possible. If you do not receive a text/call or notification, we do encourage you to check the other options. We cannot guarantee your phone service lets the notification through, so having a back-up notification is always a good option.
In the event of school being dismissed early, the call/text and social media notification will go out as soon as the decision has been made so that you have as much time to plan as possible. As is the case with a No School Day, it is, of course, the parents’/guardians’ responsibility to make the necessary arrangements for this change of schedule.
If you as a parent feel it is unsafe to have your child(ren) attend school during inclement weather, please know that decision continues to be yours…one the school district will respect. However, all absences will be recorded. Only verified weather-related absences (areas where our bus routes have been canceled) will be treated as “excused.” This decision (excused/unexcused) will be made by the building principal.
Questions? We will be more than happy to discuss this inclement weather plan with you. Thank you for your partnership!
Emergency Preparedness Tips for Parents
1. Ensure your contact information (home and cell phone numbers) are up-to-date in our Student Information System. You can change that information through the SIS Parent Portal. Once you’ve logged in, go to Update Household Data or you can contact the office manager at your child’s school.
2. Ensure the emergency contacts on file for your student are up-to-date. We suggest that those emergency contacts be local so that they can respond and pick up your student, if necessary. Older siblings that drive may be listed as emergency contacts.
3. We will use SchoolMessenger (text/email messages, mobile app notification, and/or phone call) and the district web site to communicate with parents during a crisis.
a. Parents of students must “opt-in” to receive text alerts through SchoolMessenger.
4. In some cases, we may need to evacuate the school. Evacuation sites have been established, near each school building. We will inform you of the time and place to pick up your child through district communication channels.
5. During the reunification at the evacuation site, parents will be asked to remain in their cars and proceed through the line. Only parents or those listed as emergency contacts will be allowed to pick up a student. All parents and emergency contacts will be required to provide identification when signing out a student.
6. In an emergency, we ask that parents do not come to or call the school. It is important to keep streets, parking areas, and phone lines open for emergency responders and communication. We will provide information to parents through the district communication channels (see #3 above).
7. If your child has a medical condition, please have two sets of necessary items (medication/testers/etc.) available (one with you or at home) in case we cannot re-enter the school to retrieve it.
8. During a lockdown at school, no one will be permitted to enter or leave the building with the exception of district personnel, law enforcement, and first responders. Once it has been determined that the threat has passed (all-clear), the school will resume normal procedures. This also applies to weather-related lockdowns.
Important Reminders
Water Bottles: Please make sure the water bottles are not placed in the backpack with laptop.. The Technology Department encourages everyone to properly shut down laptops each time instead of closing the top. A laptop that is properly shut down will have less issues if it gets wet than one that is still on.
Recess
Weather permitting, students will have an outside recess. During extreme weather conditions, students will not be taken outside if the outside temperature is 100 degrees or more with the calculated heat index,or if the outside temperature is 15 degrees or lower with the calculated wind chill. When temperatures are above 95 degrees or below 25 degrees, teachers will use professional judgment concerning students’ appropriate attire for outside play, parental requests, and length of time spent outside and make modifications if needed to recess times. Students will not be taken outside when it is raining, snowing,or when lightning is in the vicinity. During recess, students are allowed to wear hats or sunglasses to protect them from excessive sun.
All students should be dressed appropriately for the seasons. Our position with regard to students staying in from recess is that if students are well enough to attend school that day, they will go out for recess. A note from the child’s physician will be required in those cases where parents request that a child stay in from recess for an extended period of time due to an illness.
Operation Gratitude Winners
Terracycle Collection
Kid's Day- Kansas City Mavericks Hockey ( NO SCHOOL)
This year’s Kids Day Game will be a little different without us hosting a field trip to the game – as a thank you for attending the Kids Day Game in the past, Mavs Country is offering a special on Presidents Day 2/15 with a $15 ticket!
Reading Forces & Library Wall of Fame
There is still time to join the Library Wall of Fame! Every year, Missouri nominates books that students can read throughout the year and then vote on their favorite to pick the winner of the award. Read the Missouri Book nominees by the first week of March to attend the Ice Cream voting party with Mrs, Kent to cast your vote for your favorite! The Show Me Reader books are for grades 1st-3rd, and the Mark Twain nominees are meant for 4th-6th grade. Visit the library website for the complete list. For the Show Me reader books, a student needs to read 6 or more, and for the Mark Twain nominees, students need to read 4 or more to cast a vote on their favorite book to help determine which book wins the award from the state of Missouri! If a student reads all the nominees from either category they join the Library Wall of Fame! Members are recognized on a character day and receive a certificate and new book as well as have their picture displayed in the library! Check out the picture of students that have already joined the Library Wall of Fame! Keep up the great reading and let Mrs. Kent know each time you finish reading one of the nominees!
https://sites.google.com/a/knobnoster.k12.mo.us/mrs-kent-s-library/products-services?authuser=0
We have had great participation in the Reading Forces Program this year, and there is still time to participate! The Whiteman Elementary Library has designed a program to help improve the reading fluency of your child! Your child will complete a reading log like the one attached. Each time your child reads for 20 minutes at home, please write the date, minutes read, and initial in the box on the chart. Once your child fills up a chart, turn it into your classroom teacher. Every month Mrs. Kent passes out prizes to participants and in May we will have a pinning ceremony for students reaching the final ranks! There are 13 ranks total, so keep up the reading in order to reach the final rank! See the attached sheet for complete details for participants. Happy reading!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1U9CX3akkpxWJ0yEsY_G8DpmdXhhvTBsgfprU7zWYkg0/edit?usp=sharing
Library Wall of Fame
The following students have read all the Show Me Reader or Mark Twain nominees and are part of Mrs. Kent's Library Wall of Fame. I plan to recognize them for this Friday's character day. Please remind your child(ren) that they have until March to join this year's Wall of Fame and read 6 or more of the nominees to attend an Ice Cream Voting party in March.
Sean Coots
Mia Green
Colten Bobola
Madison Lawter
Christian Carrasco
Aubrey O'Neal
Makenna Fulmer
Isaac Porter
Alyssa Schmied
James Olmos
Quinn Braden
Emalynn Ingraham
Tatiana Gomez
Hudson Monfort
PTO News
News Casts from our Announcer Leader In Me Group
Panther Nation Spirit Store
Parents/Guardians,
Our school district has a new online spirit store! If you would like to order Knob Noster Panther gear for the upcoming winter season or purchase a gift for the holidays, visit the Panther Nation Spirit Store by clicking HERE. The store will also remain open throughout the school year until April 2021.
The spirit store serves as a fundraiser for each of our four schools in the district. Funds raised will go to the school of your choice by clicking a school name during checkout. The apparel is divided in sections by school, however, there are items in each section that will work for all Panther Fans. The store also allows shoppers to choose one of three delivery methods: Shipping, Pick Up at Spirited Designs, or Monthly School Delivery. Please note if you choose the Monthly School Delivery option, parents from all schools will pick up orders at one location on the designated dates. The pick up location will be at Knob Noster Middle School Lobby, 211 E. Wimer from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m on December 15, January 8, February 5, March 10, and April 7. Orders will not be sent home with students.
The Shipping and Pick Up at Spirited Designs delivery options will be determined by order processing, and Spirited Designs will email customers when orders are complete. Please see additional details in the spirit store.
Thank you for your support!
Best regards,
Tina Brant
KNPS Communications
Back To School Forms
Updating Your Free/Reduced Lunch Status - Have you turned in your Free/Reduced Lunch application for 2020-2021?
Even though meals are currently free to all
students, District records must reflect the families who are eligible for free or
reduced price meals. If your application has expired or your economic situation has
changed, complete the Free/Reduced Meal Application here. Questions? Contact AJ Sowers via email asowers@knobnoster.k12.mo.us