Poinciana Pelican Press
January Newsletter
State Progress Monitoring 2 Assessments
This marks the second progress monitoring assessment of the year with one final assessment taking place in May.
We ask that students be at school and on time on their scheduled assessment days.
Tuesday, January 17
Kindergarten and 1st Grade: STAR Literacy
Grade 2: STAR Math
Wednesday, January 18
Kindergarten and 1st Grade: STAR Math
Grade 2: STAR Reading
Thursday, January 19
2nd Grade: STAR Reading (Ms. Ashley and Ms. Ramirez's classes only)
3rd and 4th Grade: F.A.S.T ELA
5th Grade: F.A.S.T Math
Friday, January 20
3rd and 4th Grade: F.A.S.T Math
5th Grade: F.A.S.T ELA
*Campus is closed for visitors and volunteers during state testing days.
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Once students become successful in applying this habit, they can start tackling more difficult tasks independently. They will begin to feel more confident and proud when they are able to complete homework and other tasks by themselves.
“Putting first things first means organizing and executing around your most important priorities. It is living and being driven by the principles you value most, not by the agendas and forces surrounding you.” ~Dr. Stephen R. Covey.
It may take time to teach your child these skills. Sometimes you may want to do it for them. Using Habits 1-3 is a life skill that will benefit them their entire lives.
Here are some ways to exemplify this habit:
- Create routines to help your child prepare for school, bedtime, and after school activities such as soccer practice, cheerleading practice, etc., and bedtime.
- Identify what the most important things are for the day and make a plan to help them accomplish the tasks before anything else.
- Make sure to follow the plan to help manage your child's time more effectively.
- Say "No" to things that waste time.
- Complete homework and chores first and play later.
- Make sure to make family time a priority.
-Franklin Covey Education
Fun Family Activities for Habit 3: Put First Things First
Want to Know More About Leader in Me?
Virtual seminars are also offered. Topics include: Understanding My Child's Behavior and High School Graduation and Beyond.
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Steffens
January 2023
Steffens’ Skills Show (SSS)
Happy New Year Pelicans!
We are talking about Habit 3 of the 7 Habits of Happy Kids-First Things First: Work First, Then Play. I am discussing Habit 3 on the news for the month of January and our students will continue to participate in the Steffens’ Skills Show lessons on Wednesdays.
The lessons that we learn through Habit 3 are good for both adults and children. The better organized we are, the more we are able to pack in, more time for friends and family, more time for work, more time for play, more time for our First Things First. Learning basic organization skills is a good thing at any age, but especially when young. Teach our kids that there is a time for everything, work, play and sleep! There should also be a place for everything, shoes, homework, and toys. What better time to do this than the New Year! Start fresh, be organized, work hard, play hard!
Mrs. Denise Steffens
Poinciana School Counselor
Proud to say this is my 28th year at PES!
1/12: Early release at 11:50 am
End of Quarter 2
1/13: No School-Teacher Planning Day
1/16: No School-Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
1/18: Field Trip to CREW-Grade 2 Mrs. Ramirez's and Ms. Ashley's classes
1/19: Field Trip to CREW-Grade 2 Mrs. Turner's and Ms. Ruggiero's classes
1/23: Reports Cards go home with students and published on-line
1/26-2/3: Spring Book Fair
1/28: STEAM Expo at Gulf Coast High School
1/31: STREAM Night and Student Led Conferences
2/1: Early release at 11:50 am
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures Reminder
Arrival Procedures
PES doors are opened at 7:45 a.m. The earliest time for a student to be dropped off is 7:45 am. This is extremely important, if your child is dropped off earlier, there is not any supervision. Supervision begins at 7:45 a.m.to guarantee that every student is safe. Please use the front (east side) of the school by the flag poles when dropping off your child in the mornings. The tardy bell rings at 8:25 a.m. It is critical that all students are in their classrooms ready for the day’s instruction by this time.
Dismissal Procedures
Students are dismissed from their classrooms at 2:50 p.m. Our dedicated teachers definitely maximize the instructional time throughout the day. They teach right to the dismissal bell. When a student leaves early, they are missing a vital part of their education.