Camp Pioneer Trail
March 2019 Parent Newsletter
PRINCIPAL'S VIEW
Dear Pioneer Trail Families,
We are working diligently to help improve your child's reading and overall literacy skills and development. WE NEED YOUR HELP! It is no secret that reading with your child has multiple long-term benefits - there is a ton of research to support the importance of it. I also get how sometimes in the hectic, crazy, busy lives we lead today, it can be one of the first things to go out the window. I recently came across some ideas for helping bring some consistency to the plan of fitting in a regular reading session with your children, no matter what else is going on in your lives.
1. Select a suitable time of day that allows you to develop a routine. For example, before bath/bed or before dinner.
2. Select the particular days. If you can't commit to everyday, one good idea is to alternate days or to only read on certain days. For example, you might read weeknights only and not weekends. Again, the key is predictable routines.
3. Make it doable. Rather than trying to go through five chapters of a large book or reading five picture books, cut it down to one chapter or limit it to two picture books. Some reading is better than NO reading.
4. Have more than one child - read together as a family. Share some favorite stories. Again, it does not have to consume an extended amount of time - 10-15 minutes will make a world of difference!
4. Check out storytelling opportunities at your local library and/or bookstore. Kids love to listen to stories read aloud by various readers.
Thanks for all you do to support your child and our school! We could not do it without you!
Mr. Salmons
KPLA's Apples for Teachers
101.5 KPLA is proud to present The 26th Annual “Apples for Teachers.” This is an opportunity for parents and students to nominate their teachers for the Golden Apple Award.
The nomination deadline is Wednesday, March 13, 2019. We encourage nominations to be made through our website or emailed to us. Each student or parent may write an essay explaining why the nominee should receive the award.
KPLA’s Emily & Ross will read the nominations of the finalists on the radio beginning the week of March 19, 2019. Then, in early April, ten finalists from the Columbia and surrounding areas will join us for a special banquet in Columbia. Our ten finalists from the Jefferson City and Fulton areas will join us for a special awards banquet in Jefferson City. One teacher at each banquet will be honored with the Golden Apple Award, cash and prizes.
Just click on the link below to access the nomination form.!
COMING SOON.....SUMMER SCHOOL!!
Kindergarten Enrollment for 2019-2020 is Open NOW!!
CHARACTER PLUS
Trustworthy is our character trait for March. Please discuss with your child the importance of being deserving of another person’s confidence or belief in them.
NEW FACES AT P.T.
Tara Kloeppel - Behavior Interventionist
"Teaching is a true passion of mine -- it is exhausting, thrilling, trying, rewarding, and hilarious all rolled into one."
Teaching Experience: I am a Behavior Interventionist and this will be my 7th year of teaching; my first, here, at Pioneer Trail. The past 6 years I have been at Thomas Jefferson Middle School which is where our Gray Wolves go on to for middle school. My first 5 years of teaching I was a special education co-teacher, meaning I had a caseload of kiddos but worked inside of the general education classroom with them 95% of the time. I was like a second teacher as I helped deliver content and do classroom management, but also differentiated work for my caseload kiddos. I worked with students who primarily had learning disabilities, behavior deficits, ADHD and Autism. Last year I taught 7th grade Language Arts and learned a lot from working as ‘the’ regular education teacher. I loved my group of kiddos and especially enjoyed getting to build relationships with all 100 of them - my favorite was our “Minute to Win It” classroom community challenge day. I know my past experiences in both special education and general education will help me tremendously as I endeavor into this new role because I will ALWAYS remember that students all learn in different ways, grow at different paces and have lived a life far different than I. Together, I believe these differences create an environment in which the students and I can both learn from each other and grow into functioning citizens. I earned a Bachelors of Science degree in both Special Education (K-12) and Elementary Education (1-6) at Lincoln University. In 2016 I obtained my Master of Education degree in Secondary Administration from William Woods University.
Teaching Beliefs: With that being said, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to make learning a positive experience for students. Too often, students don’t know how to voice their opinion on things which causes 'behavior problems.' I strive to give students the opportunity to talk things out with me so that we can understand each other's point of view, learn how our actions may make others interpret things differently than we mean, and grow from these moments to continually become a better person. Also, I am excited to work with teachers and help them create positive, lasting relationships with students.
Life Outside of Teaching: I was born and raised in a small, country based community about 20 miles east of Jefferson City. I was brought up doing things such as fishing, hunting, splitting/hauling wood, and appreciating all of the finer things in life. I was taught the values of honesty, hard work, and respect from an early age. Hobbies of mine include golfing with my fiance Matt (although he has played for 25 years and I’m a complete amatuer right now), playing - I mean chasing and pulling out my grey hairs from their adventures - with my puppy Stella and cat Dean (they even have their own instagram), working out (hopefully I can get back into this), cleaning, MUSIC, trying new local eats, and anything related to summer because I absolutely despise cold weather.
Run with the Pack Fundraiser
Pioneer Trail students will run or walk laps around our playground to raise money for our school’s Art, Music, and P.E. programs! This year’s proceeds will help purchase a set of classroom ukuleles for our music program. Forms will be sent home soon.
March 18, 2019 - Return form
March 22, 2019 - Run with the Pack!
April 3 - Donations due
Friday, Mar 22, 2019, 09:30 AM
Pioneer Trail Elementary School
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mar. 1...Donuts with Buddies @ 7:30 am
Mar. 1...Awards Assembly @ 8:30 am
Mar. 4...PTO Meeting @ 6:30 pm
Mar. 4-8...Dr. Seuss Week
Mar. 5...First Grade Concert @ 6:00 pm
Mar. 7...Papa John's Pizza Night
Mar. 8...Spring Picture Day
Mar. 11...Board of Education Meeting @ 6:00 pm
Mar. 13...Two Hour Early Release @ 1:05 pm
Mar. 14...Fifth Grade Concert @ 6:00 pm
Mar. 15...3rd Quarter Incentive Celebrations
Mar. 15...Spirit Store 7:30-8:00 am
Mar. 15...Grade Cards Go Home
Mar. 19... Student Led Conferences
Mar. 21... Student Led Conferences
Mar. 22... Run with the Pack Fundraiser
Mar. 25- Mar. 29... Spring Break
DR. SUESS WEEK - MARCH 4-8, 2019
In honor of Dr. Seuss Week, 2019, we have some special Spirit Days lined up. Join in the Fun!!
Tuesday - Dress Like What You Want To Be When You Grow Up
Wednesday - Hat Day
Thursday - Dress in Bright Colors/Stripes
Friday - Dress to Impress - Spring Picture Day
DIFFERENCE MAKERS
Difference Makers are those who go above and beyond to serve our students, staff, and schools. We need your help in identifying those individuals, teams, or groups who have made a difference in our district. Please use the button below to share your Difference Maker's story. We are specifically looking for Difference Makers tied to the JCPS organizational pillars: Learning, Partnerships, and Stewardship.
While we will thank all who are nominated, some will be recognized monthly at the Board of Education meeting.
HELPFUL HINTS FROM THE OFFICE
- BBBRRRRRR.....cold weather is here!! Students will go outside each day that the "feels like" temperature is 20 degrees or above, so please make sure they come to school with their coats, hats, and gloves. Thanks so much!!!
- To ensure the safety of our students, we will always follow the set routine for your child to go home from Pioneer Trail unless we have a note or phone call from you. Please call no later than 2:30 pm.
- If your child will be absent, please notify the office as soon as possible at 632-3400.
- When dropping your child off in the morning, please remain in your vehicle. If you need to exit your vehicle, please pull into a parking space so that the flow of traffic is not disrupted.
- If you are dropping your child off after 8:15, please walk them inside and sign them in.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP!!
PIONEER TRAIL MISSION STATEMENT
PIONEER TRAIL VISION STATEMENT
Pioneer Trail Elementary will foster a community of students, parents, and staff dedicated to the development of every individual’s ability to learn. Staff and parents will expect each student to achieve at his or her maximum potential, both academically and behaviorally. As a community, we promote a safe, supportive environment that encourages curiosity, inquiry, and a life-long passion for learning.
We Believe that learning is a continuous process that builds from year to year with a rigorous curriculum that focuses on state standards.
We Believe that students should be engaged in the learning process and be accountable for their learning.
We Believe that character traits should be an important focus and help support a cheerful, productive, and safe school environment.
We Believe that collaboration among all stakeholders is vital to helping students achieve success.