The Falcon Flyer

Dear Falcon Families,

We made it through Halloween! After a month filled with costumes, excitement, celebrations, and plenty of sugar, we have officially turned the calendar to November. And while the energy of October was something special, I have to say there is something about November that makes me want to slow down just a little and appreciate all the good happening around us.

November is a month that reminds us to be thankful, but I've been thinking about how gratitude is a lot like planting seeds. Sometimes the smallest moments, the ones we might not even think twice about, grow into something much bigger. A kind word, a helping hand, a smile in the hallway, or someone taking a moment to make another person feel included. Those little acts of kindness may seem simple, but over time, they grow into strong relationships, a sense of belonging, and a school community where people genuinely care for one another.

And when I think about West Burlington Elementary, I see those seeds being planted every single day.

I often find myself thinking about just how lucky I am to be the principal of this incredible school. Every morning, I get to walk through doors filled with students who bring so much joy, curiosity, laughter, and personality into our building. Whether it's a student running up to share something exciting, a classroom celebrating a new accomplishment, or a little voice calling out, "Hi, Mrs. Remick!" from down the hallway, these are the moments that make coming to work each day an absolute joy. There is truly no place I'd rather be.

I'm equally grateful for the incredible staff who pour their hearts into our students each and every day. The work they do goes far beyond teaching lessons. They build confidence, wipe away tears, celebrate victories, encourage students through challenges, and create spaces where children feel safe, loved, and capable of amazing things. So much of what makes WBE special happens in the little moments that don't always get noticed, but those moments matter more than we sometimes realize.

And to our families, thank you. Thank you for trusting us with your children, for cheering us on, for showing up, and for being our partners in this journey. Raising and educating children is truly a team effort, and we are so fortunate to have a community that cares so deeply about its schools.

As we head into this season of gratitude, I hope we can all take a moment to notice the little things. The small victories, the unexpected kindness, the laughter, and the everyday moments that make life meaningful. Because when we look closely, we often discover that the things we're most thankful for aren't really things at all. They're people. They're relationships. They're the moments that remind us we belong to something bigger than ourselves.

My hope is that every student who walks through our doors feels that same sense of gratitude and belonging. That they know they are valued, that their presence matters, and that they are part of a school family that believes in them.

As I count my blessings this November, being part of the West Burlington Elementary family is certainly near the top of my list.

Thank you for making WBE such a special place to learn, grow, and lead. I am incredibly grateful to be on this journey with all of you, and I can't wait to see what the rest of this school year brings.

Wishing you and your family a November filled with kindness, connection, and countless reasons to be thankful.

With a grateful heart,

Mrs. Ali Remick
Principal
West Burlington Elementary

November is here, and we have a busy month ahead at West Burlington Elementary! From celebrating our students' learning and leadership to honoring our veterans and spending time with family, there is so much to look forward to. Be sure to mark your calendars!

November 2–6 | Scholastic Book Fair

Our Book Fair is here! Students and families will have the opportunity to explore new books and discover their next favorite read. It's a wonderful way to encourage a love of reading while supporting our school.

November 3, 5 & 6 | Parent/Teacher Conferences

We look forward to connecting with our Falcon families during Parent/Teacher Conferences! This is a valuable opportunity to celebrate your child's growth, discuss progress, and work together to support their continued success. Thank you for being an important part of your child's educational journey.

November 4 | Preschool Vision Screening

Our preschool students will participate in vision screenings to help support their health and learning.

November 4 | PTO Meeting

Join our wonderful PTO for their monthly meeting! All families are welcome to attend, share ideas, and learn more about ways to support our school community.

November 6 | No School

There will be no school for students on Friday, November 6.

November 11 | Veterans Day Breakfast & Flag Ceremony

We are honored to recognize the brave men and women who have served our country. Our Veterans Day Breakfast and Flag Ceremony provide a meaningful opportunity for our students to show gratitude, respect, and appreciation for the sacrifices made by our veterans.

November 13 | Early Dismissal & Kids Bank

Students will dismiss early today. Kids Bank will also take place, giving students another opportunity to practice saving money and building positive financial habits.

November 17 | 5th Grade Music Concert

Our talented 5th graders are ready to shine! We look forward to celebrating their hard work and musical talents as they share what they've been learning.

November 18 | Kindergarten Dental Screening

Our kindergarten students will participate in dental screenings as part of our efforts to support student health and wellness.

November 19 | 5th Grade Student-Led Assembly

It's time for our 5th graders to take the lead! We're excited to see our students demonstrate leadership, teamwork, creativity, and confidence as they plan and lead our school assembly.

November 20 | Early Dismissal, Kids Bank & Braided Bread Pickup

It's a busy Friday at WBE! Students will dismiss early, Kids Bank will take place, and families who participated in the PTO Braided Bread Fundraiser can pick up their orders. Thank you to everyone who supported this important fundraiser!

November 25–27 | Fall Break

School will not be in session as we take time to enjoy Fall Break. We hope our Falcon families have an opportunity to rest, recharge, and spend meaningful time together.

We are thankful for our Falcon families and look forward to another wonderful month of learning, growing, and making memories together!

Brrr... Colder Weather Is Here!

The temperatures are dropping, which means it's time to break out those jackets, coats, hats, and gloves! Please help us make sure students are coming to school dressed for the weather so they can stay warm and comfortable during recess.

And here's the other half of that reminder... please help us make sure those jackets make it back HOME!

Our lost and found is currently overflowing with coats, sweatshirts, and other belongings just waiting to be reunited with their owners. If your child is missing something, please encourage them to check the lost and found.

A quick tip: Writing your child's name inside jackets, sweatshirts, and other winter gear makes it so much easier for us to return lost items to their owners.

We love our Falcons, but we'd really love to see fewer of their jackets hanging out at school without them!

Our PTO has been busy making great things happen at West Burlington Elementary, and we are so thankful for the time, energy, and heart they pour into our school!

Thank You for Supporting Coin Wars!

A big thank you to everyone who participated in our October Coin Wars! We loved seeing our Falcons get excited about a little friendly competition while supporting our school. Every contribution makes a difference, and we appreciate our families for jumping in and making it fun!

Braided Bread Fundraiser

Thank you to everyone who supported our PTO Braided Bread Fundraiser! Whether you sold, purchased, or helped spread the word, your support means so much. Fundraisers like this help our PTO continue creating special opportunities and experiences for our students and staff.

Braided Bread Pickup: Friday, November 20

If you placed an order, don't forget to make arrangements to pick it up!

November PTO Meeting: Wednesday, November 4

We would love to see more families get involved! Our PTO is always looking for fresh ideas, helping hands, and families who want to make a difference. You don't have to volunteer for everything to be part of something great!

Thank You, PTO!

Behind so many of the little extras that make WBE special is a group of people who simply care about our kids. We are grateful for our PTO and all the families who support their efforts. You help make our school a pretty special place to be!

There's enough success to go around!

This November, we're shining a spotlight on Habit 4: Think Win-Win! This habit teaches our Falcons that life isn't always about winning or losing. Sometimes the very best outcome is when everyone feels heard, respected, and valued.

At West Burlington Elementary, we want our students to understand that someone else's success doesn't take away from their own. Whether it's sharing materials, working through a disagreement at recess, or finding a solution that makes everyone feel included, thinking win-win helps us build stronger friendships and a more caring school community.

And what better month to focus on this habit than November? As we practice gratitude, we can also celebrate the idea that when we look out for one another, we all have something to be thankful for.

How You Can Practice at Home

• Find a win-win solution. When siblings or family members disagree, challenge them to come up with a solution where everyone feels good about the outcome.

• Celebrate someone else's success. Encourage your child to cheer for a sibling, friend, or teammate. Remind them that we can be happy for others even when we aren't the ones winning.

• Practice taking turns. Whether it's choosing a movie, playing a game, or picking a family activity, talk about how everyone can have a voice.

• Ask a simple question. When a problem comes up, try asking, "What's a solution that could work for both of us?"

A Little Reminder for Our Falcons

Thinking Win-Win doesn't mean you always get your way. It means you care about finding a solution that works for everyone.

As we head into this season of thankfulness, let's keep reminding our Falcons that kindness, teamwork, and celebrating others are all ways we can lead every day!

Big thinkers. Creative minds. Real-world problem solvers.

At West Burlington Elementary, we're not just preparing students for their next grade level. We're helping them develop the skills they'll need to navigate challenges, make thoughtful decisions, and find solutions throughout their lives.

This November, we're highlighting another important part of our district's Portrait of a Graduate: Critical Thinker and Creative Problem Solver.

Being a critical thinker doesn't mean always knowing the right answer. It means being curious, asking questions, looking at problems from different perspectives, and being willing to try something new. Creative problem solvers understand that when something doesn't work the first time, it doesn't mean they have failed. It means they have an opportunity to learn, adjust, and try again.

We see these skills growing in our Falcons every day. Whether students are working together to solve a challenging math problem, finding a creative way to complete a project, or figuring out how to work through a disagreement with a friend, they're learning that their ideas matter and that they are capable of doing hard things.

How You Can Encourage Critical Thinking at Home

• Ask "What do you think?" Before jumping in with an answer, give your child time to share their ideas and explain their thinking.

• Let them work through challenges. Whether it's a tricky puzzle, a household task, or a problem with a friend, encourage them to brainstorm solutions before stepping in to help.

• Celebrate the process, not just the answer. Praise their effort, creativity, and willingness to try different approaches.

• Get creative together. Build something, cook a new recipe, invent a game, or find a new way to solve an everyday problem.

• Ask "What could we try differently?" Help your child see mistakes as opportunities to grow rather than reasons to give up.

Preparing Our Students Today for Their Tomorrow

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the confidence to face a challenge and say, "I may not know how to do this yet, but I can figure it out."

As we continue building our Portrait of a Graduate at WBE, we're helping our Falcons become curious thinkers, creative problem solvers, and confident learners who are ready for whatever tomorrow brings.

As we settle into November, here are a few friendly reminders to help keep things running smoothly at West Burlington Elementary!

School Hours & Morning Arrival

Our school day begins at 8:10 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.

Students arriving after 8:10 a.m. are considered tardy. Thank you for helping your child arrive on time and ready for a great day of learning!

Afternoon Transportation Changes

We know plans sometimes change! If your child's after-school transportation arrangements need to be adjusted, please contact the elementary office by 3:00 p.m. whenever possible.

This gives our office staff enough time to communicate changes to teachers and help make sure every student gets where they need to go safely.

Stay Connected Through Rooms

Be sure to check Rooms in the West Burlington Community School District app for classroom updates, important reminders, and messages from your child's teacher.

Staying connected helps us work together and ensures you don't miss important information!

Parent/Teacher Conferences

November brings an important opportunity to connect with your child's teacher! Conferences will take place on November 3, 5, and 6.

We look forward to celebrating student growth, sharing progress, and discussing ways we can continue supporting your child's success together.

A Season of Gratitude

November is a wonderful time to remind our children that gratitude doesn't have to be something big. A simple thank-you, a kind gesture, or helping someone without being asked can make a meaningful difference.

Consider starting a little family tradition this month by asking everyone to share one thing they're thankful for each day. You might be surprised by how much joy can be found in the little things!

Thank you for helping us make WBE a place where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. We are grateful for our Falcon families!

Here is our lunch menu for November: