Pembina Elementary Families
December 2021
A MESSAGE FROM MRS. GRUENBERG:
STANDARD BASED GRADING AND TRIMESTERS:
November was a busy month with the end our first trimester. This was our first year transitioning our academic calendar from quarters to trimesters for reporting. Trimesters allow for greater opportunities to assess our students to ensure we are providing lessons aligned to their individual strengths and areas for growth. The longer time frame also allows teachers to teach our priority standards, evaluate each students' progression towards the grade level standard, and report each students' progression. We encourage you to visit our site with information regarding our transition to trimesters and Standard Based Grading. https://sites.google.com/view/northborderelementaryschools/home. As always, if you have any concerns regarding your child's progress, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher.
SPEAKER, TASHA SCHUH:
Another item we have been working on this month include inviting national renowned speaker, Tasha Schuh, to our district. Our 5-12 grade students are excited to hear her message on building resiliency on Wednesday, December 1. There will be a FREE presentation open to the public at 7:00 PM at the Walhalla Civic Center. There will be FREE meal (beef tips and mashed potatoes) available starting at 6:00 PM. We hope everyone can attend.
NEW APP AND WEBSITE:
We have been working with Apptegy to build a more user-friendly app and website for our patrons. This is going to be a great opportunity to streamline our communication with our families! Information can easily be pushed out to all social media platforms, and messages can be sent out to specific groups such as athletic teams or individual classes. This will help eliminate the various communication platforms that are currently being utilized to allow parents to find all information in ONE place.
BEHAVIOR ANALYST AND ARP FUNDS:
Pembina Special Education Cooperative has contracted with Crystal Henderson, a Board Certified Analyst from Fargo for the 2021-2022 school year. In addition, we have been awarded an ARP grant to purchase sensory and behavioral supplies. Crystal visited our school last week and was able to meet our staff. We are excited to receive additional tools and resources to support the emotional and behavioral needs of our students.
PREKINDERGARTEN BEST IN CLASS GRANT:
Our materials and supplies orders have been submitted! Mrs. Kemp has been working with our Best in Class Early Childhood Coach to ensure we are providing the highest quality experiences to the children and the families we serve.
EAGLE CLUBS:
Our 3-6 grade students have been engaged in Lego League this month. We learned the following Core Values:
- Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
- Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
- Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.
- Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
- Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
- Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do.
Next, teams began to work on solving their challenge - creating new, fun ways to get the people in their communities ACTIVE! They will be presenting their ideas to a group on community leaders on Wednesday, December 22. These presentations will be available to view via Eagle Vision on Polar.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT INFORMATION:
The elementary Christmas concert is scheduled for Monday, December 6. We will have an afternoon dress rehearsal in the gymnasium at 2:15 PM that is open to the public. Students are encouraged to wear casual Christmas outfits for the afternoon. The evening performance will begin at 6:30 PM. Please have your child(ren) to their classrooms by 6:15 PM. Although, not at all required, students will often wear more formal attire to the evening performance. Families are invited to stay after the evening performance to enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, and a visit from a special guest. Both performances will be available for viewing via our North Border Live Stream YouTube channel, and Polar's Eagle Vision.
SANTA DAY:
We are excited to be planning this year's Santa Day events at the Pembina Community Center on Sunday, December 12. Kids' games and activities will be held from 11 AM - 12 PM. Lunch will be held from 12 PM - 1 PM, and BINGO will begin at 1 PM with prizes from local businesses. FREE hot chocolate will be available at the skating rink for skaters and sledd.rs. We hope to see everyone out enjoying a fun afternoon! Don't forget your Christmas lists! Santa is scheduled to arrive at 11 AM!
I wish everyone a safe and joyful holiday season! I am so blessed to be a part of the best community and school family imaginable!
Mrs. Gruenberg
DECEMBER EVENTS:
Wednesday, December 1 - CIA in the commons at 4:00 PM | Tasha Schuh presentation at the Walhalla Civic Center at 1:00 PM for grades 5-12, FREE community presentation with FREE meal starting at 6:00 PM
Monday, December 6 - Christmas Concert - Rehearsal at 2:15 PM | Evening performance at 6:30 PM. Cookies and cocoa will be available in the Commons following the evening performance.
Sunday, December 12 - Santa Day from 11 AM - 2 PM at the Pembina Community Center
Monday, December 13 - NO SCHOOL - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
Wednesday, December 15 - School Board meeting at 6:30 PM in Pembina.
Wednesday, December 22 - Eagle Club presentations from 12:00-12:30 PM | Christmas celebrations
Thursday, December 23 - Friday, December 31 - NO SCHOOL CHRISTMAS BREAK
DECEMBER READING CHALLENGE
STUDENTS OF THE FIRST TRIMESTER
ELFIE HAS RETURNED with a pair of binoculars to keep a close eye on us! Be sure to ask your child about his ridiculous antics throughout the month!
DECEMBER'S GIVING PROJECT
EAGLE PRIDE AWARD RECIPIENTS FOR NOVEMBER
Mrs. Justine Gruenberg
Email: Justine.Gruenberg@k12.nd.us
Website: www.northborder.k12.nd.us
Location: 155 South 3rd Street, Pembina, ND, USA
Phone: 701-825-6261