Carpenter Courier
October 25, 2018
Principal's Corner
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Moving along in this fall season, we've been locked into our teaching and learning. Routines have been established and the beginning of the year assessments have been completed, so our focus has been on learning, learning, and more learning. We've appreciated your collaboration with us during the parent-teacher conferences. Parent involvement in schools is a huge factor of student success and learning. If you have any feedback about our new sign-up process with Sign-up Genius, please feel free to email me so we know how that worked out for our parent community.
Writing about all of the learning occurring, we had many varied learning experiences throughout the month of October. Our 5th Graders attended Camp Duncan, all grade levels were visited by author Jess Keating (Thank you PTO), and we celebrated Red Ribbon Week. Our students had themed days to help them be aware and remember the benefits of continuing to make healthy life choices and the positive benefits of remaining drug and alcohol-free.
For Understanding October, the following announcement was provided to all of our students: In the month of September, our focus was simple, Be Kind. Be Kind to everyone. Now as we begin Understanding October, we want to continue to Be Kind, while also understanding that we are all very different from one another and that is what makes us all special. We all have our own strengths and areas we want to continue to improve. Students in your classrooms all have different learning needs. Some learn best by seeing, some by hearing, some by doing, and some students learn best by a combination. For some, math and reading may come easy and for others it can be a challenge. Recess time can be great fun, especially to those who excel and love sports, but it can be hard for students who might not know how to play, how to ask, or for those that might not be a great soccer, football, or kickball player. Our families are different, our experiences growing up have been different, and with all of these differences, each and every school day may bring up things that may require us to take a step back and try to understand other peopleโs feelings, behaviors, and needs. Understanding October is about recognizing and understanding differences while celebrating them and also realizing what we all have in common; Carpenter is our 2nd home. We want our school community to be a safe, fun, and enjoyable place to learn despite our differences. Letโs have a great day!
In the middle of the month, we started an interesting activity every day during the announcements where we had pre-drafted questions about interests, families, and individual reflections about school experiences. The questions were asked on the loudspeaker and for students who could answer yes to the question, they would stand up in their class. The activity was designed for students to visually see that we all have differences, as well as provide them a social opportunity to have a conversation with their classmate in regard to that particular question. For example, we learned who speaks a second language at home, who has traveled out of the country, who spends more time on screens than outside (a lot of them!), who has siblings, who enjoys being around other people, who enjoys alone time, etc. We will close out the month asking all of our students, "Stand up if you are a Carpenter Student" to help them recognize that we are all one school community who are here to support one another.
In November, our focus skill will be on the appropriate expression of feelings: Know How You Feel November. We teach our children that everyone experiences feelings and we help them to identify those feelings. As we often share with our children, the most important thing is how we express and share those feelings appropriately and encourage and support one another. As we enter the month of November, please use our work here at school to continue conversations with your children at home helping them to identify their feelings and express them appropriately. Help them to understand that it's okay to become frustrated, but help them with strategies to manage their frustration; starting with identifying their feelings. There often are feelings hidden behind frustration such as fear, embarrassment, sadness, self-doubt that can lead to frustration. By helping children identify how they are feeling, it helps them to identify the right strategies to effectively manage them.
Sincerely,
Mr. Brett Balduf, Principal
Carpenter Elementary School
HALLOWEEN INFORMATION AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We have many exciting upcoming events for Halloween. We have set expectations for our children regarding Halloween activities and participation and we need your help reinforcing these expectations. The PTO will be hosting the annual Halloween festivities tomorrow on Friday, October 26th from 6:00 โ 8:00 p.m. The trunk-or-treat event runs from 5:45 โ 6:15 p.m. and will be in on north blacktop.
We will be celebrating Halloween at Carpenter on Wednesday, October 31st. Parties will take place throughout the day based on homeroom teacher discretion. We will have an all-school parade that will start at 2:20 p.m. It is important that your child/ children follow these expectations for our PTO events and Halloween parties.
--- An asterisk indicates both events **
---10/31 indicates Carpenter School Parade and Classroom Parties
Children should NOT wear masks. **
Nothing should obstruct your childs' vision. **
Costumes should permit students to sit, move around the room and use the bathroom without assistance. 10/31
All costumes must be of a NON-VIOLENT nature and appropriate for the school setting during the day and in the evening. **
NO WEAPONS or โlook alike weaponsโ are to be brought to school, even if they are part of a costume. **
Costumes should be brought to school (except for A.M. Kindergarten). They will be worn AFTER lunch only. Children will change into their costumes during lunch/recess time. 10/31
Please do not bring any spray cans to school. **
When coming to the PTO event on Friday, October 26th, your children must be accompanied by an adult.
Please do not send food items/candy for your child to share with their class or take home. Other items such as stickers, pencils, etc. are permitted. 10/31
PARADE & PARTY INFORMATION
On Wednesday, October 31st, the children will participate in the Annual Carpenter Costume parade. This traditional event will begin with the morning Kindergarten classes, parading in and outside of the building at approximately 10:55 a.m. The โAllโ school parade will begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. Our students will be parading outside of the Carpenter School building as well. Parents are invited to line the parade route in the front of the building to videotape or photograph their children as they walk by. In the event of poor weather, the parade will be cancelled and parents will be notified via school messenger.
Only room parents and notified volunteers should be in the classrooms for the parties. There should be no younger children attending. Room parents should check in just outside the office. Please be sure to bring your license or I.D.
It is extremely important that the rules above be followed for a successful and safe event. In advance, we thank you for your cooperation.
A.M. Kindergarten only
Party times determined by homeroom teachers
10:50 a.m. โ A.M. Kindergarten Parade
11:15 a.m. โ A.M. Kindergarten Dismissal
P.M. Kindergarten and Grades 1-5
Party times determined by homeroom teachers
2:20 p.m. โ Parade begins
2:40 p.m. โ Dismissal
We will need assistance at lunch/recess time helping support our children as they change into their costumes. If you would be available from 11:10 - 12:10 on Halloween, please contact me. I would really appreciate it. This was a very successful practice and eliminated the need for students to have to go home during the day.