CALLAWAY HILLS FAMILY NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY EDITION 2023
HELLO AGAIN, CALLAWAY FAMILIES!
Wow, has time flown! It is hard to believe that we just celebrated the 100th day of school. The end of 3rd quarter is fast approaching and the end of the year will be here before we know it. I am hoping that things will slow down a little, but keeping busy is what we do!
Our first semester was amazing. Lots of learning and growth experienced by both students and staff in 2022, and we are looking forward to all the opportunities ahead of us in 2023. Thank you for your continued support as we continue to challenge and encourage your children to be their best selves everyday through our vision to....
Empathize, Empower, Engage, Excel, Everyone, Everyday
Have a great week and we look forward to seeing you throughout the month of February!
Please contact me with any questions or concerns via email: malissa.pistel@jcschools.us
Together We Can Achieve the Extraordinary,
Malissa Pistel, Principal
Outdoor Recess
It's the time of year where weather is chilly. As a reminder, we go outside for recess if the temperature or wind chill is above 20 degrees. Please make sure your student is prepared for outside recess by coming to school with coats, gloves, hats, and scarves!
CONTACT CALLAWAY HILLS
Office Phone Number: 573-896-5051
Office Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (M-Th)
7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Friday)
Breakfast: 7:15 - 7:40 a.m. in Cougar Cafe, Grab and Go after 7:40 a.m.
Student Hours: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
District Website: www.jschools.us
Click on “Schools” to access the Callaway Hills Website
Nurse/Health Room: 573-896-5618
Counselor: 573-896-5191
First Student, TRANSPORTATION: 573-634-7645
OFFICE STAFF:
Malissa Pistel, PRINCIPAL: malissaa.pistel@jcschools.us
Mrs. Judy Ahart, SCHOOL ADMIN ASSISTANT: judith.ahart@jcschools.us
Mrs. Charlotte Webb, PART TIME SCHOOL ADMIN ASSISTANT: charlotte.webb@jcschools.us
Mrs. Pam McCracken SCHOOL NURSE: pamela.mccracken@jcschool.us
Mrs. Dorothy Parks, SCHOOL COUNSELOR: dorothy.parks@jcschools.us
SCHOOL ADDRESS/PHONE:
2715 State Road AA
Holts Summit, MO 65043
573-896-5051
Virtual Author Visit, Ms. Judy Young
Order books written by Judy Young!
Read more about Judy's books and their awards at www.judyyoungbooks.com, order forms will be sent home February 7th.
JC Reads Week!
Order you shirt and celebrate reading with CH!
PARENT INVOLVEMENT RESOURCES
MATH GAME WEBSITES
NIGHTLY READING LOG
NIGHTLY MATH LOG
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES (LOOK FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION AS EVENTS GET CLOSER)
- FEBRUARY 3 - CELEBRATION SPIRIT ASSEMBLY, GRADES K-2 1:00
GRADES 3-5, 1:50 - FEBRUARY 3 - PTO SNOWBALL, CALLAWAY HILLS GYM 6:00 - 7:30
- FEBRUARY 6 - NO SCHOOL, DISTRICT PD DAY, CHIEFS SPIRIT WEEK BEGINS
- FEBRUARY 7 - FEBRUARY 14, VAL-A-GRAM SALES
- FEBRUARY 9 - PTO SPRING FLING PLANNING MEETING, DOS PRIMOS 6:00
- FEBRUARY 14 - VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY, 1:30 - 2:20
- FEBRUARY 20 - NO SCHOOL, PRESIDENTS' DAY
- MARCH 3 - CELEBRATION SPIRIT ASSEMBLY, GRADES K-2 1:00 GRADES 3 - 5, 1:50
- MARCH 6 - 10, JC READS WEEK, MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW
- MARCH 9 - FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT, CALLAWAY HILLS
- MARCH 14 - PTO AND TITLE REVIEW MEETING, CALLAWAY HILLS LIBRARY 6:00
- MARCH 21 AND MARCH 23 - PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
CONTACT THE OFFICE IF INTERESTED!
VAL-A-GRAMS ON SALE 2/7 - 2/14
Print and return to school!
PTO EVENTS AND MEETING MINUTES
PTO SNOW BALL 2023
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
THERE'S STILL TIME TO HELP: DONATIONS NEEDED FOR SHOPPING AT COUGAR GENERAL
We need your help! We are needing items for the upcoming Cougar General. Here are some examples of what you could donate: jewelry, mugs, small trinkets, small toys, markers, scarves, gloves, small stuffed animals, journals, calendars, binders, folders, ink pens, individually wrapped food items like Goldfish, boxed Mac-n-Cheese, pretzels, Cheese-Its, hot chocolate, etc. You may send items with your child to school or bring them in. If you would like to make a monetary donation, we would appreciate that as well. Please drop any donations off at the office with Mrs. Ahart. We thank you for helping us and donating to our school.
LIBRARY NEWS WITH MRS. WILSON
February is Black History month so I will be hosting a biography challenge for grades 3-5. Students will need to read ten biographies of their choice, complete the appropriate documentation, and if successful at the end of the month earn a special prize!! Biographies are an excellent way to learn about the many incredible things people have accomplished.
I am really excited to share with everyone a new app that I have come across called Novel Effect. https://noveleffect.com/ The kids call it magic! Basically, open the app, start the storyscape on the app, and just begin reading the story. This is when the magic happens, somehow as you read music and background sound effects play in sync with your reading. The kids LOVE it!! You could use your library card, that we talked about last month, to check out books that have available soundscapes. No added cost buying books when you can conveniently borrow them from our Holts Summit library or have your child check them out here at our school library. I bet you probably even have some of them at home already. Check it out and be sure to let me know what you think?
Looking ahead to March, we will be celebrating JC Reads Week. Be sure to order your shirts now so you and your child will each have one. The online store will only be open until Sunday, Feb. 12th. Use this link to order your swag: https://theshirtsmith.net/jcreadsweek/shop/home We are working hard to plan some amazing reading activities for the week!! If anyone has a connection to a local "celebrity" that would be willing to be a guest reader, PLEASE contact me ASAP at jennifer.wilson@jcschools.us or 573-896-5051.
MUSIC WITH MR. VEILE
It’s an exciting time in music class!
Kindergarten and First grades are learning about instruments, rhythms, and more musical elements. First grade will start playing keyboard percussion soon and they are very excited.
The 2nd is learning about Sea Shanties and other fun songs, while third grade is working on rhythm reading, unison vs. rounds, and solfege. Both of these grades will also be using more percussion instruments this spring.
4th and 5th grade will continue learning the basics of recorders. We are mastering the notes B-A-G and are even writing our own music. In late February, the fifth-grade classes will go to the Miller Performing Arts Center to see the band, choir, and orchestra from JCHS perform. In 6th grade, students can join these three music groups at Lewis and Clark (or TJ).
We’re also starting to look at options for the annual Sing-Off competition. Students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade can suggest class songs. Younger students will look at song options later this spring. A date is still TBD.
The “Music Style of the Month” for 4th and 5th grades is the Blues (January) and Country (February).
The “Composer of the Month” for 3rd grade is a combination of John Philip Sousa and Scott Joplin (January) and Aaron Copland (February).
The “Song of the Month” for 1st and 2nd grades is “America, the Beautiful” (January) and “Yankee Doodle Boy” (February)
ART WITH HUBBS
The halls at Callaway Hills are bursting with LOVE. Classes were busy last month preparing for Valentine's Day. Check out what we have been up to from these awesome artists!
Dahn Rogers
Kindergarten
Kindergarten learned about shapes, patterns, printmaking and concentric lines! Lots of love went into these hearts.
August Dixon
First Grade
First Grade kept patterns in mind as they created these hearts inspired by Brazilian artist, Romero Britto.
Derek Williams
Second Grade
Nothing but LOVE with this project! They made a stamp with styrofoam, printed with ink, cut out letters and glued it all together.
MadiRae Smith
Third Grade
Inspired by Peter Max, third graders painted their hearts out with these beauties.
No Name, No Fame
Fourth Grade
Fourth Grade used sign language to help spread the love.
Delaney Werdehausen
Fifth graders learned about batiks! An Indonesian technique of wax-resist. We explored this process using Elmer's liquid glue and acrylic paint.
T-Shirt Design Contest
Optional t-shirt design contest for JC Reads Week.
Theme: Read Like a Champion
Designs submitted on paper to Mrs. Hubbs by Feb 3rd
Winning design will be on t-shirts available for sale the last week of February.
Art 101 Kids' Art Workshops
Need more art in your life? Check out the website below to learn about Art 101!
Text Laura at 573-619-9296 to reserve your spot or sign-up online
READING ROCKS WITH MRS. BOWDEN
☺️☺️ READ for AT LEAST 20 minutes every day!! ☺️☺️
It's easy!
Get your name in the drawing for an extra special VIP lunch!
Mark your calendar for March 9th. It's our annual Family Literacy Night!
COUNSELING CORNER WITH MRS. PARKS
The character trait for the month of February is HONESTY. Honesty is an important aspect in everyone’s life because it is a foundation for building relationships with others.
We often hear quotes such as “Honesty is the best policy” or “It takes strength and courage to admit the truth”. Honesty means to be truthful in what you say and do. Honesty is also choosing to do the right thing and follow the rules even when no one is looking.
When you are honest, you are trustworthy, dependable and respected by others. As parents and educators, honesty is a value that we impress upon our students early in life. When we teach students about being honest, we are also teaching them about using good judgment, being responsible, showing loyalty and being courageous!
The students we teach today will become the leaders of tomorrow! We are continuing to build Students of Character at Callaway Hills Elementary School!
Students who are recognized for showing these traits are given verbal feedback with Cougar Cash to spend at our Cougar General Store, presented with written WooHoos to celebrate success with Mrs. Pistel, and given whole class compliments.
The CH Staff will be looking for students in all settings who are exhibiting these character traits, while continuing to look for Kind, Compassionate, Hardworking, Motivated, Respectful, Responsible, and Self-Disciplined citizens as well. We are continuing to build Students of Character at Callaway!
Attendance letters will be sent out again this month. Sending letters is district policy and the letters are auto-generated. We understand that students will be out due to illness, appointments, and other important family matters, but we appreciate a notification when this occurs. Our Callaway Hills' attendance goal is 90% of the student population attending school 90% of the time. In-seat attendance is the best way to foster learning and growth. When students miss school, it is hard to replicate these learning experiences and students can fall behind quickly. Again we understand that absences will occur for various reasons. Your continued support is appreciated! Please call with questions.
FREE/REDUCED LUNCH FORM
In order to receive free or reduced price lunches you will still need to qualify through the application process. If you have not completed a Free & Reduced Meal Application for the 2022-2023 school year, please be sure to do that as soon as possible. You can request an application at the front office of the school or access one online HERE.
Please feel free to contact the Nutrition Services Department via email (nutritionservices@jcschools.us) or phone at 573-659-3123 if you have any questions about this new program or about completion of the Free & Reduced Meal Application.
Thank you,
JC Schools Nutrition ServicesBreakfast - FREE
Lunch - $3.00
COUGAR PLEDGE
I promise to be respectful in all that I do, be ready to learn and responsible too. Be safe and caring every day, watch us roar the Cougar way.
POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORTS
COUGARS ARE SAFE, RESPECTFUL, AND RESPONSIBLE
All Settings Matrix 1
All Settings Matrix 2
Monthly Character Traits
Malissa Pistel, Principal
Email: malissa.pistel@jcschools.us
Website: https://www.jcschools.us/Domain/9
Location: 2715 State Road AA, Holts Summit, MO, USA
Phone: 573-896-5051
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CallawayHillsCougars/
Twitter: @callawaycougars