Happy Friday, Lil Steamer Families!

From the Desk of: Principal Hoese

Lil Steamer Families --

Whether your family is returning to us or joining the Greatest Little Elementary School in the Universe for the very first time, WELCOME to what promises to be a fantastic school year!

Our teachers and staff will be hard at work during our teacher in-service days on Tuesday, August 18 and Wednesday, August 19, putting the final touches on classrooms and preparing for an extraordinary year of learning and growth.

To help everyone get off to a smooth and confident start, we have a fun-filled week of kickoff events ahead:

🗓️ Important Upcoming Dates

Tuesday, August 18
- Kindergarten Signing Day (Starting at 2:00 PM) — A special 15-minute welcoming meeting for our newest learners and their families. K teachers are reaching out to their respective families to schedule times.
- PTO Meeting at 6:00 PM - Join our amazing PTO group to find ways to help our Lil Steamers!
Wednesday, August 19
- FES Backpack Night (Grades 1–5): 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM — Bring your school supplies, meet your teacher, and explore your classroom!
Thursday, August 20
- First Day of School for FES Students (Grades K–5)! 🎒
- Fulton Blended Preschool Open House — Drop in during one of our three sessions to visit:
  - Morning Session: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
  - Afternoon Session: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM
  - Evening Session: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Friday, August 21
- First Day of Attendance for Fulton Blended Preschool Students!
📸 Picture Days (Smile!):

Tuesday, August 25: FBP Picture Day
Wednesday, August 26: FES Picture Day

Thank you for your partnership and support as we help your children grow to become the best version of themselves. Rest up this weekend, get those backpacks ready, and let’s make this the best school year yet!

Warmly,

JAGH

From the Desk of: AP Marten

Dear Lil Steamer Families,

Welcome back! I hope your summer was filled with laughter, rest, and wonderful memories with family and friends. As the school year approaches, there is a distinct buzz of excitement in the air, and our entire team can’t wait to fill our hallways with the energy, curiosity, and smiles of our students. My goal is to ensure every student feels safe, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential each day. Whether your child is returning as a seasoned Lil Steamer or walking through our doors for the very first time, we are fully committed to making this year a successful, growth-filled adventure. We value your partnership immensely—working together is what makes our school community so special. Let’s partner up to make this the best school year yet!

Kindergarten Signing Day

Starting Kindergarten is a huge milestone, and we want to make the transition to the "big school" as smooth and exciting as possible for both our new students and their grown-ups!

To help ease those first-day jitters, we are hosting Kindergarten Signing Day on Tuesday, August 18, starting at 2:00 PM.

These short, 15-minute family meetings are a wonderful opportunity for your child to meet their teacher, explore their new environment, and officially "sign on" for a great school year in a calm, welcoming setting.

What You Need to Know:

Homeroom Lists Published: Friday, August 7
Scheduling Your Visit: Once homeroom assignments are posted, your child’s teacher will reach out directly to help you set up your 15-minute time slot.
Scheduling Conflicts? If the August 18 afternoon window doesn't work for your family, please connect directly with your child's teacher after they reach out to arrange an alternative.

We can't wait to officially welcome the Class of 2039 to the Greatest Little Elementary School in the Universe!

Meet the FBP/FES Family - New Additions

Structure and Supervision with Cell Phones and Social Media

Elementary students (roughly ages 5–11) are at a critical developmental stage where their brain function, emotional regulation, and social understanding are still rapidly evolving. Because smartphones and social media platforms are primarily designed for adults—and often optimized to capture and hold user attention—young children require active guidance and protection.

Here are the top 10 reasons elementary students need structure and supervision when using cell phones and social media:

1. Developing Brains Lack Impulse Control

The prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, evaluating risk, and controlling impulses—is far from fully developed in elementary school children. Without adult guidance, young children struggle to regulate screen time, resist addictive app features, or refrain from posting impulsive content.

2. Vulnerability to Online Predators and Strangers

Young children are naturally trusting and often lack the digital literacy to distinguish between genuine peers, bad actors, or fake profiles. Active oversight and parental controls are essential to prevent unvetted adults from contacting children via messaging apps, online games, or social platforms.

3. Exposure to Inappropriate Content

The internet contains graphic violence, explicit adult material, hate speech, and dangerous viral challenges that elementary-aged children lack the emotional maturity to process. Guidance ensures content filters are in place and helps children contextualize disturbing things they might accidentally encounter.

4. High Risk for Cyberbullying

Research indicates that elementary students who own smartphones are surprisingly vulnerable to both experiencing and engaging in cyberbullying. Because young children are still learning empathy and social boundaries, they need adult oversight to understand how words online affect others and how to report harassment.

5. Sleep Deprivation and Disrupted Rest

Screen time—especially right before bed—exposes children to blue light, which suppresses melatonin production and delays sleep onset. Access to devices in bedrooms often leads to late-night scrolling or gaming, negatively impacting a child’s mood, memory, and physical health.

6. Negative Impacts on Attention Span and Academic Focus

Constant notifications, short-form videos, and quick-reward games train the brain to expect continuous stimulation. Unguided access can reduce a child's attention span, making it harder for them to focus on classroom tasks, read deeply, or engage in quiet, independent problem-solving.

7. Hindered Real-World Social Skill Development

Face-to-face interaction is how children learn crucial social cues, such as reading body language, active listening, and navigating conflict. Excessive screen time can replace traditional peer play, leading to heightened social anxiety and difficulty forming real-world relationships.

8. Early Risks to Body Image and Self-Esteem

Social media platforms present curated "highlight reels" and unrealistic appearance standards. Young children who engage with these feeds early are prone to peer comparison, low self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction before they have built a grounded sense of self-identity.

9. Lack of Privacy Awareness and Digital Footprint

Elementary students rarely understand that once something is posted, shared, or messaged online, it can become permanent. Without guidance, children may unknowingly broadcast private personal details (such as their location, school, or home address) or post photos that compromise their privacy.

10. Vulnerability to Algorithmic Manipulation

Social media algorithms and online games use persuasive design tactics (such as infinite scroll, push notifications, and loot boxes) engineered to maximize user engagement. Children do not possess the critical thinking required to recognize when they are being manipulated by software designed to keep them clicking.