Resilient kids are problem solvers. They have the confidence that they can figure things out and handle what is thrown at them. This doesn’t mean they have to do it on their own – resilient kids know how to ask for help, but shouldn’t expect others to fix things for them. Practice problem solving with your children by encouraging them to define problems, brainstorm possible solutions, and try the solution they think will work best. Remember that it can be helpful to let your children struggle before you step in. Consider waiting for them to ask for help even when you can see there is a problem. With guidance and skill-building opportunities, all children can be successful!

Claire Caldwell

School Counselor

Sand Springs Elementary School

801-402-3857 – ccaldwell@dsdmail.net

Mrs. Caldwell's Canvas Page

This past week in the library we had a lot of fun with the book Endlessly Ever After by Laurel Snyder. The story is a mash-up of fairy tales with a twist. Endlessly Ever After has a ‘choose your own adventure’ format. Every class from first to sixth couldn’t get enough. One great thing about ‘choose your own adventure’ books is that they cater to short attention spans. The format is also similar to video games in that the reader gets to choose the path the character takes. If your child doesn’t think of themself as a reader, these books might help change their mind and be a steppingstone to opening other books. Here is a list of other ‘choose your own adventure’ books, in our library, that might interest your readers: Case Closed: Mystery in the Mansion by Lauren Magaziner, At Battle in World War II by Matt Doeden, Hercules and His 12 Labors by Amika Fajardo, Space Race by Rebecca Stefoff, Alcatraz by Matt Chandler, and The Queen Mary by Mat Doeden.

Information for Lego League and Mindstorms

Sand Springs Elementary Team

For Fifth and Sixth Graders

We are starting Lego League teams here at Sand Springs Elementary. We will accept approximately 36 students. About 3 students will be on a team. We will do a school competition that all teams will participate in. FLL teams will be taught by two teachers from Sand Springs Elementary: Melissa Skousen and Terra Moss, plus, a parent from Hill Air Force Base personnel, Jeff Wiggington. Lego League and Mindstorms are two different competitions and two different sessions.

What is Lego League? This is a team of students who are interested in Lego building, robotics, engineering, technology, coding, math, and science. We will be using Legos to construct a robot and will program the robot to perform certain tasks. A school-wide competition will take place. Interested students will write a paragraph about why they would like to participate in Lego League. The teachers will be working together to select the teams.

The cost per student will be $50.00 (payable to Sand Springs) for the robots, competition, and related expenses. Interested students should have their parents sign the permission slip and are due by January 20th. We will let you know by email on January 25th if your student will be participating in Lego League. Bring your money on the first day of Lego League or as soon as you know you will be part of the Lego League for 2023.

What is Mind Storms? The 5th grade competition is called “Amazing” and will learn how to program a robot to drive through a maze. The 6th grade competition is called “Sumo” and students will learn how to stay on a circular platform while pushing their opponent off. The best part about this competition is that it will be two students to one robot. They get a lot of one-on-one time with the robot. The competition is held at Lagoon on May 13th, where we will compete against other schools throughout the state.

Students will be selected from the Lego League competition to make the Mind Storms teams. During Lego League teachers will be observing students that work well in a team, understand the programing of a robot, participate, and attend all necessary meetings.

The cost per student will be $50.00 (payable to Sand Springs) for the robots, competition, and related expenses. This will not be paid until students have been chosen for the Mind Storms Team. This will be the second section and is separate from Lego League.

Please read our school security procedure below.

*Please remember, NO ONE will enter our building without a photo ID (NO Exceptions) Please check in on the iPad and put on a visitor/volunteer sticker.

*ONLY those listed on your emergency contacts are allowed to check out your student.

*Emergency Contact MUST BE 18

• Log on to your MyDSD account
• Click on the payments tab at the top
• Click pay for fees/lunch
• Then click on Optional fees
• You will see the selection to but a year book
• Check out

After May 19th they will no longer be on MyDSD for purchase.

If there are any left after May 19th 2023, I will let you know so that you can come in that last week of school to purchase.

Jan 18th

VEX 3:30 pm

Jan 27th

Orchestra 7:45 am

Jan 28th

VEX Tournament

Jan 30th

VEX 3:30 pm

Jan 31st

Orchestra 8:45 am

Feb 3rd

Orchestra 7:45 am

Feb 4th

VEX Tournament

Feb 6th-10th

Hope Week