Starside's Comet
The Starside Communication - January 29, 2016
Starside Elementary
Our Starside Mission:
Through a collaborative learning community we will build a foundation upon which all students can develop essential academic and life skills.
Website: http://se.usd232.org/pages/starside
Location: 35400 W 91st St, De Soto, KS, United States
Phone: 913-667-6270
Twitter: @StarsideComets
A Message From Your Principal
Greetings, Starside Families!
It is hard to believe we have nearly completed a full month of this new year! Second semester historically zooms by, because it is filled with many events, activities, and of course, state assessments. Beginning in February, grades 3-5 will take the new Kansas State Assessments. These assessments have been updated to assess Common Core skills for college and career readiness. Last year, the Kansas State Assessments were piloted and baseline targets were determined. This spring, students taking the assessments will complete a series of math, reading, writing, and science (5th grade only) prompts and performance tasks. Starside teachers have worked tirelessly to prepare for the assessments since August. We are ready to get started and look forward to obtaining official results in the fall of 2016.
Along with classroom preparation and practice for the upcoming assessments, you can help your child to thrive by setting a regular bedtime routine, ensuring homework is completed and turned in, and most importantly, assuring your child that he or she is smart and will do a fantastic job on the test. Recognizing effort at home will motivate your child to perform at his or her personal best at any task. At Starside, we know our students will perform well on the assessments. We recognize effort is a mindset and students don't always arrive at school believing they are capable. It is our responsibility, as educators and guardians, to praise students for their effort, modeling an "I can do it!" attitude, and working through a challenge.
At home, you can empower your child to achieve by praising effort and not only success. Set your expectations high and allow your child a chance to experience failure. If or when your child meets a challenge, encourage effort and model a growth mindset. Try this: the next time your child forgets his or her homework, lunch, or instrument at home, don't rescue them by bringing it to school. When children problem-solve independently and survive small challenges, it builds character and grit for future trials in life.
Respectfully,
Kris Meyer
KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP!!
WHAT TO BRING
IT’S TIME FOR
KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP!
Starside Elementary Parent Information Night
February 4th at 6:00‐7:00 p.m.
• If you have a child that turns five on or before August 31, 2016, please call the office at 913‐667‐6270 to pre‐register.
• Parents please leave your kindergartner/siblings at home as this process involves a lot of paperwork.
• Please bring the following:
Your child’s birth certificate (state certified copy)
Current immunization record
You may also pay district fees at this time
35400 West 91st Street De Soto, KS 66018 (913) 667-6270
If you know anyone who may not know about this date, please pass this flier on to them. Thank you for your help!
PTA Information
Teacher Appreciation Meal for conferences
Hello Starside parents! Each year the PTA, with parent support, provides a meal for our hard working teachers who are at the school all day for conferences. This is an easy way to show our appreciation for everything they do each day for our children. This year we will be providing a soup supper for the staff on Wednesday, February 10th. Below is a link to the Sign Up Genius if you are able to donate something for the meal. Thank you so much for all of the ways you support the kids and staff of Starside!
Valentines Day Parties
Pre-school AM: 10:30-11:30 Pre-school PM 2:30-3:30
AM Kindergarten: 11:00-11:30
All day Kinder: 3:00 - 3:30
Valentine parties for Grades 1-5 are Wednesday, February 10th @ 3:00 - 3:30.
Thank you to all of our parent volunteers for your generosity of time, talents and treats to make these celebrations happen!
Thank you for remembering that the parties are intended for our Starside Elementary students of attendance only. Parent (or approved high school) volunteers are welcome, however, coordination through PTA is appreciated so that we don't overload any of the classrooms. We do not have babysitting services during parties, so please make other arrangements for siblings if you intend to attend.
UPCOMING DATES
- 4 - Kindergarten Roundup 6-7:00
- 10 - NO SCHOOL for Kinder and Pre-K - Conferences
- 11 - NO SCHOOL for all Students - Parent Teacher Conferences
- 12 - NO SCHOOL for all Students - Building Closed
- 15 - NO SCHOOL for Students and Staff - President's Day
- 16 - Classes Resume
- 16 - Spring Pictures
- 10 - End of Third Quarter
- 11 - No school for all students-1/2 Professional In-Service; 1/2 Teacher Workday
- 3/14/16 (Monday) - 3/18/16 (Friday) - No School for all Students and Staff - Buildings Closed - SPRING BREAK!
- 21- Start of Fourth Quarter - Classes Resume
Notes from the Lunchroom
- Please send lunch money in an envelope with your child's name and classroom teacher especially if you are sending cash.
- If you would like to eat lunch with your child just give us a call in the morning by 9:00 and we can order a school lunch for you. Of course, you are always welcome to bring something else to eat.
- Lunch prices--$2.25 student/$3.45 adult/$.50 extra milk/juice.
Attendance
- Please report absences by 9:00 am at 913-667-6279
- Report absences online at http://bit.ly/1PtJPle
- Extended absence form: If you will be taking your child out of school for more than 3 days, you will need to fill out an extended absence form. You're child's teacher and Mrs. Meyer will sign the form. Please give your child's teacher plenty of notice to get homework together.
- Early pick-ups If you will be picking your child up early, please let us know as soon as possible. We will let the teacher know and we will call your child to the office as soon as you arrive.
Travel Changes
Bus Company - First Student
Counselor Crow's Corner
- Please turn in all Kindest Kansas Citian entries no later than Wednesday, February 3rd to Ms. Crow.
- All Community Service Day permission slips are due to Ms. Crow by Friday, February 5th.
- Starside's "Community Service Day" will be Thursday, February 11th from 1-3 pm (which is a day students DO NOT have school.) Parents and guardians are responsible for providing transportation to and from Starside.
McKenzi Crow
Starside Elementary Counselor
De Soto High School Dance Coach
(913) 667-6270 ext. 4547
Yearbook Sales
Order your 2015-2016 Starside Yearbook TODAY!
An order form will be sent home with your child next week for a Starside Yearbook. Orders can be made online or returned in the envelope to the Starside office. All yearbook orders are due by MARCH 4th, 2016. Please contact Ms. Crow if you have any questions.
This year students will ONLY receive a yearbook if they have purchased one for $10 by March 4th, 2016. Every student will receive an autograph page for signing at the end of the year, whether or not a yearbook is purchased.
McKenzi Crow
Starside Elementary Counselor
De Soto High School Dance Coach
Spring and Class Pictures!!
Fundraising made easy with SchoolStore
There are 3 easy ways to participate in this on-going fundraiser.
- Donate a gift card
- Shop the Family Book Store
- Shop with featured merchants
School Name: Starside Elementary School
School ID: 785
Front Office Staff:
Principal
School Improvement Specialist
Lead Secretary (students records)
Building Secretary (attendance)
Nurse
Counselor