KES Parent Newsletter
May 2021
ADMINISTRATION CORNER
MR. ANTHONY
COUGAR PRIDE
MRS. WILLIAMS
ADMINISTRATION MESSAGE- MR. ANTHONY KATHLEEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Magnificent May #Cougarnation families
We are excited about the last full month of the 2020-2021 school year. Please join us as we honor the hard work and dedication of our Teachers! The official week is (5/3/2021 – 5/7/2021) but feel free to celebrate our #Cougarteachers all month long :0)
We want our teachers to feel Appreciated, Loved, and Respected for the work they do every day to encourage our Lil’ Cougars to Achieve.
As you know, every week is essentially a testing week within the month of May (ELA, MATH, SCIENCE). I know this has been a year wrought with challenges, but Thank You parents and guardians for your resilience to overcome each barrier.
We are in this together and here to support you #Cougarfamilies.
Teamwork In Action!
ADMINISTRATION MESSAGE- MRS. WILLIAMS KATHLEEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents and Guardians!
We have made it to the month of May! It has been a year like none other, but we are almost to the finish line.
The month of May brings about the last round of FSA Testing for our intermediate students
(Grades 3-5). Please adhere to the Class Dojo Messages from your teachers, KES Facebook posts, and School Messenger phones calls for reminders.
4&5 FSA ELA: Week of May 3rd
3,4,5 FSA Math: Week of May 10th
5th NGSSS Science: Week of May 17th
All tests are 2 sessions of 80 minutes daily. Campus students and E-Learners will test on separate days.
Please know that our teachers and students have worked hard each day. Taking the FSA will be no different. We ask that you continue to support our efforts and make sure that each day, all students:
1. Get a good night’s sleep. Being well rested will help your child focus and concentrate.
2. Make sure to eat breakfast or make sure to make it to breakfast at school daily.
3. Be on time daily. Late arrivals will NOT be admitted into their classrooms and students will have to wait for the make-up days and sessions.
4. Give them an encouraging word or note in their agenda daily. This will let your child know that you are with them and encourage them to do their best!
All the best,
Mrs. Williams
OFFICE CORNER
MRS. SALONKO
MS. SUTOR
MS. LESLIE
NURSES CORNER-HEALTH & WELLNESS UPDATES
Important Notice!
If your child has been tested for coronavirus, please do not send your child to school until you receive a negative test result. Please notify the school about the situation so that arrangements can be made for your child to participate in online learning.
If a member of your household has tested positive, please do not send your child to school and call the Florida Department of Health at 863-519-7911 for further direction. Thank you for your cooperation.
FREE COVID-19 TESTING SITES
POLK COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT COVID-19 PCR TESTS
PH:863-519-7912
LET THEM KNOW STUDENT IS A POLK COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD STUDENT FOR FASTER APPOINTMENT (TEST RESULTS WITHIN 3-5 DAYS)
LHRS RESPIRATORY CARE CENTER COVID-19 RAPID TESTS
PH:863-687-1133
COUNSELOR CORNER- MR. POLLOCK GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
Positive Parenting Activities that Promote Nurturing and Attachment
Parents and caregivers can develop or maintain close bonds with their school-age children by playing an active role in their children’s lives. Being involved in their activities, education, and friendships and providing positive and developmentally appropriate discipline are important to bonding and attachment.
*When you child wants to talk, turn off the television, put your phone down and give your child your undivided attention.
*Attend your child’s sporting events, chaperone a class field trip or volunteer together in the community.
*Take advantage of The Most Important 8 Minutes of the Day. This idea comes from Gary Benton, a parent trainer in Washington. The first 4 minutes of the day and the last 4 minutes at night are a time to reconnect. Make those minutes count by making eye contact and providing reassuring touch, such as a pat on the hand or a kiss.
*Dad and award-winning author of Love Limits, Bill Corbett, suggests that you make bonding a part of the bedtime routine by asking kids three questions while tucking them into bed: 1. What is the best thing that happened to you today? 2. What is the worst thing that happened to you today? 3. What is the silliest thing that happened to you today? “Accept whatever they provide as answers, and don’t say anything that might devalue them,” he says. “If they struggle in the beginning with coming up with answers, just let it go. If they detect you’re doing something different, it might feel uncomfortable to them and they might answer “nothing” but, this simple exercise will bring the parent and the child together”.
IMPORTANT DATES AND REMINDERS FOR MAY
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES:
- Monday, May 3, 2021 and Tuesday, May 4, 2021 – FSA ElA 4th and 5th graders on campus students only
- Wednesday, May 5, 2021 and Thursday May 6, 2021 – FSA ELA 4th and 5th graders eLearning students only
Monday, May 3, 2021 - Friday, May 7, 2021 - Teacher Appreciation Week
Friday, May 7, 2021 - Superhero Lunch Day (Ms. Collins & Team)
- Monday, May 10, 2021 and Tuesday, May 11, 2021– FSA Math 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders on campus students only
- Wednesday, May 12, 2021 and Thursday, May 13, 2021 – FSA Math eLearners 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders eLearning students only
Wednesday, May 12, 2021 - National School Nurse Day
- Tuesday, May 18, 2021 and Wednesday May 19, 2021 – Science State Assessment
- Monday, May 24, 2021- AR Celebrations
- Monday, May 24, 2021- All Library books are due back to the library
- Wednesday, May 26, 2021- Pre-K and Kindergarten Award Day
- Thursday, May 27, 2021- 1st and 2nd Grade Award Day
- Friday, May 28, 2021- PBIS Beach Bash
- Friday, May 28, 2021- Student of the month Lunch
- Monday, May 31, 2021 – No School for Students and Staff.
- Tuesday, June1, 2021-3rd Grade and 4th Grade Awards Day
Wednesday, June 2, 2021-5th Grade Awards Day & Celebration
Wednesday, June 2, 2021 – 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony
Thursday, June 3, 2021- 5th Grade Kick Ball Game
- Thursday, June 3, 2021 – Last Day of School for Students and Early Release at 12:15 PM
UPCOMING IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
MAY AND JUNE LUNCH MENUS
GRADE LEVEL INFORMATION FOR THE MONTH OF MAY
KINDERGARTEN:
Subject Area Content Focus:
English Language Arts/Reading: Students will be learning to sort items into sets or “Families”. They will also be working on asking and answering questions about the story. they have read and showing evidence of their responses in the story. The last two weeks students will be comparing and contracting adventures, experiences, and characters in stories
Math: In math, we are learning about non-standard measurement and collecting data. We will also revisit sorting at the end of the school year.
You can support your student by reviewing addition, subtraction, and 2D and 3D shapes.
Science: In science, we are conducting experiments, making observations, collecting data, and drawing conclusions.
Social Studies: In social studies, we are sorting different kinds of food to learn to eat healthy. We are also discussing being good citizens.
Writing: We are working on a Young Authors book about things they see in the sky. Students will write a short autobiography for their book. The books will be available at the graduation ceremony.
FIRST GRADE:
Student of the Month:
Mrs. Romanov- Lawson Ammons
Ms. Lykins- Leah Smith
Ms. Taylor- Piersen Keeble
Subject Area Content Focus:
English Language Arts/Reading: In ELA, our learning target is to identify the central message and the author’s purpose for writing the text. Students should also be able to describe character, setting, and events in a story, with details.
Math: In Math, the learning target is to compose 2D and 3D shapes and partition shapes into halves and fourths. Please practice basic facts with your kids. SMAD testing of basic addition and subtraction facts is every Thursday.
Please practice basic facts with your kids. SMAD testing of basic addition and subtraction facts is every Thursday.
Science: In Science we will be learning about trait inheritance and the basic needs of plants and humans.
Social Studies: In Social Studies, we will learn and write about Memorial Day and Summer.
Writing: Students are completing graphic organizers for stories read in class. They are completing sentence frames to explain information gathered from their organizer.
SECOND GRADE:
Student of the Month:
Mrs. Miller- Autumn
Mrs. Owens- Alyssa
Ms. Sanders- Cruz
Subject Area Content Focus:
English Language Arts/Reading: We are moving into our last unit of study for this year. We will focus on author's connections and finding the theme of a text. We are also focusing on how to respond to text without using a sentence frame.
Math: We are working on how to count coins and understand how to solve word problems with different amounts of money. In May we will study shapes and their properties.
Science/Social Studies: We are studying life cycles and comparing the life cycle of a seed to the life cycle of caterpillars. In May we will be study animals and their habitats.
THIRD GRADE:
Student of the Month:
Mrs. Lima-Jones- Leland Peterson
Ms. Ali- Joanna Harrelson
Mrs. Hardy- Autumn Bauer
Ms. Colburn- Zoe Hudson
Subject Area Content Focus:
English Language Arts/Reading: We are now reviewing standards and this week is author’s point of view. Students are reading a lot of books and taking AR tests! Ask your children about STAR testing and their AR goals and what books they chose to read this week.
Math: Students will be taking the FSA for Math this month. We are working on measurement with capacity and then will be going back and really hitting the power standards. Which are going to be fractions and word problems. Quiz your children on their multiplication facts!
Science/Social Studies: In science we are learning about the Sun, Earth, and Space. We are learning about renewable and nonrenewable energy resources and their importance to our world. Students are having a blast in Science!
Writing: In writing we are working on complete paragraphs with 3-5 sentences and each sentence having 7-10 words. Spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and grammar we continue to work on as well. Please continue working with your student.
News Flash: FSA Testing Dates for 3rd Grade:
- May 3-4 4th/5th Reading (Campus students)
- May 5-6 4th/5th Reading (eSchool students)
- May 10-11 3rd—5th Math (Campus students)
- May 12-13 3rd– 5th Math (eSchool students)
- May 18-19 5th Science (Campus & eSchool)
Each Day is 80 minutes per test.
FOURTH GRADE:
Subject Area Content Focus:
English Language Arts/Reading/Math: In May, we have FSA testing for ELA and for Math. Look for updates on Class Dojo. It is extremely important that every student is here for these tests.
Social Studies: In Social Studies, students are learning about Florida history.
Science: Students participated in grade level Health lessons. Students are also learning about properties of water.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
- May 3rd-4th- 4th grade Reading (Campus students)
- May 5th-6th- 4th grade Reading (eSchool students)
May 10th-11th- FSA Math Testing
May 31st Memorial Day – No School
June 3rd Last Day of School Early Release at 12:15pm
June 1st is the 4th Quarter Celebration
FIFTH GRADE:
Students of the Month:
Ms. Cannan - Tiana Griffin
Mr. Clifford- Ethan Beckett
Ms. Matthews- Marlaynna Zayas
Ms. Zapata- Tyler Harrison
Subject Area Content Focus:
Resources students can use at home for English Language Arts/Reading:
Istation (Classlink)
TumbleBooks (Clsslink)
Epic! (https://www.getepic.com/)
PCLC Digital Services (https://pclc.overdrive.com/)
NASA eBooks (https://www.nasa.gov/connect/ebooks/index.html)
Resources students can use at home for Math:
Freckle (Classlink) – Facts Practice or Flash Cards
Prodigy (prodigygame.com)
Khan Academy: Videos with tutorials and practice (khanacademy.org)
Here are some helpful tips for parents to help your child:
Online test tips for each of the FSA exams can be found on the Florida Standards Assessments website (www.fsassessments.org)
· Tell the students to stay positive, take their time and do their best.
· Review using items like FSA Test Prep, Khan Academy, any teacher recommendation. Helps with the basics and reviewing the standards.
· Get a good night's sleep and eat well.
IMPORTANT DATES to REMEMBER:
- May 3rd & 4th – FSA Reading (Campus Students)
- May 5th & 6th – FSA Reading eLearners
- May 10th -11th – FSA Math (Campus Students)
- May 12th -13th – FSA Math eLearners
- May 13th – Grade Level Picture
- May 18th – 19th Science State Assessment (All 5th Graders)
- May 31st – No School
- June 2nd – 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony
- June 3rd- Kickball Game
- June 3rd – Last Day of School/Early Dismissal
Important 5th Grade Information
Dear Families, Fifth Grade Promotion Ceremony will be Wednesday, June 2nd at 8:00 am. Parents of all 5th graders and eLearners will be able to connect via Zoom. Teachers will share meeting information on Class Dojo Tuesday, June 1st . Students will be allowed to attend without uniform, following the district’s dress code. ELearners can attend the celebration through the cafeteria and parents can park their cars by bus ramp (cafeteria). ELearners can also join virtually and drive by 10 am to pick up awards and certificates. If you have further questions, please email Ms. Zapata (Niurka.zapata@polk-fl.net) or Class Dojo.
READING COACH CORNER
ALPHA TEACHER CORNER
ESOL CORNER
Below are some online resources to support your students education:
English Language Arts/Reading:
- Tumble Books - eBooks for eKids! (tumblebooklibrary.com) (Tumble Books is located on Classlink)
- ABCYA activities. https://www.abcya.com/
- For limited Language students and students beginning to read (PreK-3) they can go on star fall. https://www.starfall.com/h/
- https://www.arbookfind.com
- https://readtheory.org/
- https://pbskids.org/
Math:
- Think Central is located on Classlink
- https://www.funbrain.com/games/math-baseball
- https://www.funbrain.com/games/power-football
- https://www.mathsisfun.com/
- https://www.varsitytutors.com/aplusmath/flashcards
- XtraMath
Science/Social Studies:
- CPALMS Florida Students is located on Classlink
- https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
- https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/
- https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities.html
- https://www.sciencegamecenter.org/
- Science (weebly.com)
LIBRARY NEWS
Students and Families,
Our school was awarded a grant for eBooks from the Polk Education Foundation! Students can check out books anytime, anywhere from ClassLink. Please follow the directions in the photo to access the eBooks, using your six-digit student ID number--ask your teacher or Mrs. Fontaine for the password. Thank you to PEF and the sponsors for your support!
We will be celebrating our Top 3 AR earners in each classroom on May 24th. There will also be grade level awards given to the Top 3 AR earners in each grade level.
All Library books are due back to the library by May 24th.
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL (SAC) CORNER
Kathleen Baptist Church is having a Food Drive-Thru on the third Friday of the month.
Feeding the Community: The church has invited all interested families to participate.
Distribution will be May 21st at Kathleen Baptist Church
3939 2nd St. NW Lakeland, FL 33810
For more information please call Seth Miller at (863) 858-3836.
The car line will open at 8:30 a.m. The distribution of food begins at 9:00 a.m. and will run to 11:00 a.m. in front of Worship Center.
PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA) CORNER
Our Next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 18th at 3:30 pm at Kathleen Elementary to present procedure book to president elect.
Dear Kathleen Elementary PTA Families and Staff,
We would like to express our thanks to everyone that embraced this journey and collaborated with us in the launch of Kathleen Elementary PTA. Thank you to every family (parents, students, and staff) who became a member and participated in out fundraising. As we all know this has been an unprecedented year and we did everything in our hands to make it count.
I would like to take this opportunity to share my gratitude to our 2020- 2021 board members for their time and willingness to help; Ms. Madison Hilton, VP; Mrs. Rayda Anthony, Treasurer, and Mrs. Christina Stott our secretary.
In the same manner, welcome the new board for the 2021- 2022 school year:
Ms. Hilton, President
Mrs. Ali – Vice President
Mrs. Anthony – Treasurer
Ms. Green – Recording Secretary
Mrs. Cooper- Membership Coordinator
Mrs. Bywalski and Mrs. Owens thank you for helping us with fundraising, YOU are AWESOME!
Our Next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 18th at 3:30 pm at Kathleen Elementary to present procedure book to president elect.
Thank you all for helping our KES families and kids and feel free to reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Ms. Zapata
2020- 2021 PTA President
Below is the Link to our Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/Kathleen-Elementary-School-PTA-107250731224485/
Contact Us
Kathleen Elementary
3515 Sherertz Road, Lakeland, FL 33810
Phone: 863-853-6030
Fax: 863-853-6033
School Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Website: http://kes.polk-fl.net/
Location: 3515 Sherertz Road, Lakeland, FL 33810, USA
Phone: 863-853-6030
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathleenelementary/