Paw Prints

It’s hard to believe we are already entering September! We are so happy to be settling into routines and seeing our Panthers learn, grow, and build relationships each day. As we establish routines at school, we encourage families to create consistent routines at home as well. A regular bedtime, time to talk about the day, reading together, or simply putting away the distractions and intentionally connecting with your children can make a tremendous difference. Those small, everyday moments help children feel secure, supported, and ready to learn. Mrs. Graves has included some helpful tips below. Thank you for partnering with us to make this a wonderful year for our Panthers!

-Mrs. Petersen

Grades PK-8:

Turn in the fundraiser and all money to the classroom teacher on September 16.

Stay up to date by checking "Events" and "Athletics" on the school website or app!

• September 7 - No school; Labor Day
• September 8 - OPTIONAL After-school Study Skills begins today from 3:00-3:30 with Mrs. Asher. Permission slips sent home in backpacks or available in the elem. office.
• September 11 - Gr. 3-4 field trip to Safety Acres
• September 11 - Preschool Goodies with Grandparents, Multi-room, 2:00 PM
• September 16 - Fundraising U Turn-in Day
• September 17 - Picture Re-take Day
• September 21 - No school for students; teacher in-service
• September 25 - MS class parties - Celebrating August and September birthdays!
• September 30 - Kindergarten visit nursing home, 2:15 PM

• Drop off is from 7:40-7:57 AM. Students are NOT supervised before 7:40 AM at the school.
• Please send a water bottle to school with your child.
• 2026 MAP scores will be distributed to parents/guardians during P/T conferences in October.

This month’s focus is respect. One way to think about respect is “seeing value in all people and things & treating them with care.” Many people feel Respected in different ways. We hope this month inspires discussions with your family about what Respect means to you and how you can practice it together!

Respect is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Kind. Across grade levels, students will be developing skills like perspective-taking, conflict resolution, and leadership. Here are a few examples of how to demonstrate respect:

• Saying please and thank you
• Listening to others
• Talk at appropriate times
• Sit up and watch the speaker
• Participate in an activity
• Respect personal space
• Be courteous and polite to others

As the school year begins and we transition out of summer routine and into school mode, it is the perfect time to help your child be prepared for school. We all know the feeling when we are unorganized…FRAZZLED.

To help our children succeed, here are some tips for improving organization at home:

• Organize Materials: Help your child sort their school supplies into labeled bins or folders for easy access. Have a specific place that they place their backpacks, shoes, coats and other school needed supplies so that it will help being prepared for the morning.
• Establish a Routine: Together with your child, create a routine for both morning and after school that will help to make things run more smoothly. You can print off pictures to help remind them of the routine you have created together. For example: Every day after school, get your folder out and place it on the counter next to the pencil holder, then place your backpack on the coat hook next to the door. After you have done that, you may get a snack and play outside. After supper, let’s look at your folder and put it back into your backpack, pack your lunch for tomorrow, bathe, brush your teeth, read books, and go to bed. In the morning, brush your teeth, comb your hair, put on deodorant, get your lunch box and backpack, and get into the car.
• Create a Homework Station: Designate a quiet space where your child can focus on their schoolwork.

By implementing these strategies, we can help our students be prepared and confident as they tackle their school day! If you click on the PDF below, I have provided additional tips on how to help your child with organization.

Small group reading began recently. During this 30 minute time period, classes are split into groups of eight or less students to better individualize instruction. The goals for these groups will vary. Some groups may be reinforcing the weekly classroom skills while other groups are introducing advanced vocabulary and writing skills that correspond with the current reading theme. Small group is a very important time of instruction that allows us to meet the needs of all students. I would love to answer any questions you have about small group time. sarah.osburn@mndcty.org

-Mrs. Sarah Osburn

We are beginning basic math skill assessments in kindergarten and 1st grade small group math class. 2nd - 4th graders will benefit from practicing their math facts, appropriate for their age and ability (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).

You can always count on me!