February Chit-Chat

We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone for working with us to keep our school grounds safe and efficient. We know how busy the school day can be, and we truly appreciate your help in making our campus a safe environment for every student.

To help ease traffic flow and protect our walkers, please keep these helpful tips in mind:

Morning Drop-Off

• The "Pull Forward" Rule: When dropping off at the front door, please pull as far forward along the sidewalk as possible. This allows more cars to unload at once and prevents traffic from backing up onto E. Monroe Street.

• Visiting the Office? If you need to come inside, please use the main parking lot. Parking along the front entry sidewalk blocks the flow for everyone else.

Afternoon Pick-Up & Exit

• Safety First: Please avoid parking on sidewalks or near the trash dumpster areas. These spots create "blind zones" where it is very difficult to see children during dismissal.

• Observe the "No Left Turn": When exiting the parking lot onto Day Street (especially between 3:00 – 3:30 PM), please remember to turn right only or go straight. Avoiding left turns helps us keep traffic away from the three busy crosswalks on E. Monroe Street, making the walk home much safer for our students!

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and for being such a vital part of our safety team!

Southside Talent Show: Audition Update

Thank you to everyone who signed up! We are thrilled by the incredible response this year. To ensure a smooth audition process, please review the important details below.

Audition Details

• Date: Friday, February 13 (during school hours).

• Attendance: Students must be present to audition. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate make-up sessions, and those not present will be unable to participate.

• Participation: To give as many students as possible a chance to shine, there is a limit of one act per student.

Music Requirements

If your act requires music, please provide it via CD or Flash Drive at the time of your audition.

• Alternative: Bring $1.29 and we will purchase the track for you via Apple Music.

• Important: YouTube links cannot be used for auditions or the performance.

• Questions? Email Mrs. Sears at KJSears@pcsd1.org.

Selection Process

Due to time constraints, the show is limited to approximately 30 acts. While we wish we could include everyone, auditions help us determine which acts are stage-ready.

If an act isn’t selected this year, we truly hope to see them back on stage next year! We appreciate the courage and hard work every student has put into their preparation.

General Questions? Please contact Mr. Galindo at dagalindo@pcsd1.org.

Calendar Alert: Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher Conferences are right around the corner! Please take a moment to update your schedules, as there is a date change from what was originally printed on the magnetic calendars sent home this fall.

Updated Conference Dates:

• March 2nd, 3rd, and 4th

• P/T Conference Signup Link: https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Southside_Elementary_SPRING2026

We have an exciting update to share! Our district-wide IEP Parent Night will be moving from this spring to next fall. By hosting the event at the start of the school year, we hope to better support and partner with our families from day one. More information and exact dates will be coming at the beginning of next year—we can’t wait to share what’s ahead!

As we wrap up our recent administration of the WY-TOPP state assessments, I want to extend a sincere thank you to our students and parents. Our students showed great focus, and your support in preparing them for these testing days has been invaluable.

With Winter Interim testing behind us, I want to take a moment to discuss how we can continue to protect our daily learning environment—specifically regarding the use of smartwatches.

We recognize that smartwatches are incredible tools. They offer convenience, peace of mind for after-school coordination, and a quick way for families to stay connected. However, we have noticed some instances where these devices have become a distraction during the school day. Whether it is responding to messages during a lesson or receiving a call in the middle of class, these small interruptions can break the "flow" of learning for the entire room.

To help our students stay engaged, we ask for your partnership in the following ways:

• School Mode: We prefer that smartwatches be turned off during school hours. If your device has a "School Mode" or a "Silent" setting, please ensure it is activated before your student enters the building.

• The Safety Connection: If you need to reach your child urgently, please call our front office at 764-6183. We are very efficient at delivering messages received before 2:30 p.m. Communicating through the office is a vital part of our school safety plan, as it ensures we always know where our students are and who they are communicating with during the day.

• Focus on Learning: If a device continues to disrupt the classroom, we may ask the student to keep it in their backpack or the main office until the end of the day to help them refocus.

Our goal is never to limit your communication, but rather to ensure that the hours your child spends with us are as productive and safe as possible. Thank you for visiting with your student about responsible device use and for your continued support of Southside Elementary.

Working together, we can keep our classrooms focused and our students thriving!

Website: www.pcsd1.org
Location: 278 East Monroe Street, Powell, WY, USA
Phone: 307-764-6183
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthsideShines/