Welcome to the month of March, a time filled with anticipation, excitement, and plenty of reasons to celebrate! As we dive into this vibrant month, let's explore the fantastic opportunities it brings to our school and community.
PTO Reading Carnival: Get ready for a whirlwind of fun at our PTO NEON Party on March 8th! The event will be packed with games, activities, and adventures
March Madness: Calling all basketball fans! March Madness is upon us, bringing with it the thrill of buzzer-beaters, upsets, and unforgettable moments on the court.
Spring Break: After months of hard work and dedication, Spring Break offers a well-deserved opportunity for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Whether you're planning a getaway or enjoying a staycation, make the most of this time to recharge and spend quality moments with loved ones.
St. Patrick's Day: Shamrocks, leprechauns, and pots of gold. Don't forget to wear your green and embrace the spirit of the day!
March is shaping up to be an AWESOME month at CGS, filled with opportunities for learning, laughter, and connection. We can't wait to embark on this journey together and make the most of every moment.
Let's make March a month to remember!
"And, so together, they created a school they loved.”
Look What's Happening....
Mar 3rd-9th Read Across America Week
March 5th - CANCELED- District Music Concert
March 6th-CGS/CMS Spring Pictures
March 8th- PTO NEON Carnival
March 11th - 15th- NO SCHOOL- Spring Break
March 18th- NO SCHOOL- Staff workday
March 20th- International Day of Happiness
March 25th- Kindergarten Parent Meeting
March 25th- Board of Education Meeting
March 29th - NO SCHOOL
April 1- NO SCHOOL
Nurse Sarah's News!
With Spring rolling in, you and your children may be experiencing an increase in seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies are often referred to as “hay fever,” and may cause your child to have symptoms similar to a cold. Hay fever and other allergies are caused when your body tries to fight off what it thinks is an invader, just like when you get sick. This month’s letter focuses on how to manage seasonal allergies in your child.
Why it Matters
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), up to 40% of children experience seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies can cause:
Discomfort
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty concentrating in class
Falling asleep in class
Behavior issues
Signs of Allergies
Allergies can present in many different ways. Some common symptoms include:
Stuffy nose/sneezing
Itchy throat
Skin rash
Watery eyes
Drowsiness
Severe allergies can cause your child to become covered in hives, become dizzy or have difficulty breathing. If you notice these signs in your child, call 911.
What You Can Do
Have your child rinse their hands and face after playing outside.
Keep indoor windows closed during high-pollen times.
If you think that your child may need medications for their allergies, talk to their provider about treatment options.
Let your child’s school nurse and teacher know
If your child has a severe allergy (such as with peanuts), make sure that the school is aware and has an Epi Pen on campus
If your child has asthma, talk to their doctor and the school nurse about their allergies. Allergies can make asthma worse.
Mindful Messages
Children who struggle with confidence, or have a passive style in the way they practice social interactions, can have a difficult time standing up for themselves, and in making friends. Parents can luckily help their children learn skills to promote successful peer interactions. Following are a few ideas for parents. And, please feel welcomed to utilize the Social Services Support team at Colby Grade School. We can help your child in building social and emotional skills that make them successful students.
An unfortunate consequence of “pandemic life” for children has been losing opportunities to practice normal social skills. You may see continuing problems with social interactions because they have not been in a typical environment to continue growing these skills naturally. Additionally, many students socialize virtually. Although virtual socializing has helped many children stay connected, it is just not the same, and younger children especially seem to struggle with replicating regular peer interactions. Keep this in mind as you think through other potential steps to take to address the problem. Look for chances to be with peers in person, so they can keep practicing in real life.
When your child reports that a student was “mean” to them, search for the meaning behind their words. Use open ended questions like, “Help me understand what happened.” Children often initially interpret an action as their friend being “mean.”But, in further questioning you may find that their friend is not taking turns with them on the playground. Gaining this insight helps you to talk through emotions with your child, and for your child to understand exactly what emotions they are feeling. Then, your child will be able to give a voice to what they feel when something happens in school, and at home.
Finally, as our young children are still wrapping their brains around what friendship means beyond "we both like Legos," you can help your child understand what it means to be a friend. Understanding the compassion, empathy, and kindness behind being a friend will likely build confidence in your child. This confidence makes it easier for them to reach out to others.
Social Services Support Team:
Mrs. Hailey, Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. Metcalf
PE with Mr. Miller
For the month of March, the 3 rd and 4 th graders will participate in a 2-week
badminton unit. During this unit, the students will focus on proper racquet
handling, rules and serving.
The K-2 students will participate in a kicking and trapping (soccer) unit.
During this unit the students will focus on dribbling, passing, kicking, and
receiving.
I encourage all parents to help their students stay physically active over
spring break. Take advantage of the parks, soccer fields and facilities that Colby
has to offer. Colby Community College offers free pickle ball/tennis courts. There
is also free access to the event center with indoor playground and basketball courts.
-Mr. Miller
Harmony with Ms. Hockett
4th through 1st grade are talking about all things music. Musicians, instruments, why someone might go into music; the works.
Straight from the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME):
For nearly 40 years, March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools and communities across the nation.
The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community, and to display the value that school music brings to students of all ages.
Kindergarten are cooking up some sweet tunes while showing what smart cookies they are. We are well on our way to learning their musical, which will take place in late April.
Ms. Hockett
After School Program (ASP)
The ASP students enjoyed STEAM Camp on February 19 ! They also got to make their OWN pizza from the generosity of Nicole Wolf and PIZZA HUT!
This month the Kindergarten and First grades get to go to the Colby Event Center for an afternoon in the play area. Next month, all grades are looking forward to visiting the radio station- 100.3 The Ride!
If you need to pick up your child early, please call the Pk-4 office before 3:30pm (785-460-5100.)
More About CGS
Email: hstapp@colbyeagles.org
Website: https://www.colbyeagles.org/o/colbyes
Location: 210 North Grant Avenue, Colby, KS, USA
Phone: (785) 460-5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550694944969
Twitter: @ColbyEagles