Parent and Family Ram Report

At Russell School, the safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. As we settle into the new school year, we are making a small change to our morning arrival procedures to help ensure a safe and secure start to each day. Beginning at 7:50 a.m., staff members will be on the playground to supervise students as they arrive. Students may be dropped off at the playground beginning at 7:50 a.m. and will remain there under adult supervision until the first bell rings. Students who are eating breakfast may enter through the east doors. Before the first morning bell, students and families will not have access to other areas of the building.

The first bell will ring at 8:25 a.m. for fourth and fifth grade students and at 8:30 a.m. for Early Literacy through third grade students. At that time, staff will welcome students into the building and classrooms. If you have a meeting arranged with your classroom teacher or another staff member in the morning, you are more than welcome to come in. Please check in with Michelle at the front office.

We recognize that this is a change from previous years and that new routines take time to establish. This adjustment brings Russell's morning procedures in line with those of our other elementary schools and allows our staff to better supervise students and monitor who is entering the building each morning. We truly appreciate your understanding, flexibility, and partnership as we work together to create a safe, welcoming environment where every student can start the day ready to learn.

Please ensure your child brings a water bottle to school each day. Cups will not be provided this year, so having a water bottle is essential.

New this year!

Talos Security has a district-wide contract with Kalispell Public Schools this year to help increase security measures across all of our campuses. As part of this work, you may occasionally see a Talos security vehicle parked around our building. Please know that this is a normal part of our routine safety procedures.

This week, Zach from Talos Security has been walking through our building and getting to know our students and staff. He has introduced himself to classes and teachers so everyone knows that he is a safe and trusted adult in our building and is here to help keep our school community safe.

1, 2, 3, 4… We Declare a Coin War!

Russell Elementary PTO is kicking off a friendly schoolwide Coin War! This will start September 14th and end on the 24th. Each grade will have its own collection jug and students can contribute coins or bills to help their grade raise the most money. The winning grade will celebrate with ice cream sandwiches on Friday the 25th

All money raised will help support our upcoming Fall Festival and other PTO activities for Russell students and staff. More information, including the Coin War dates, will be shared soon.

Save the Date: Russell Elementary Fall Festival

We are planning a Fall Festival for a Friday in October. Date TBD! Families can look forward to pumpkin bowling, pumpkin ring toss, pumpkin tic-tac-toe, bottle color guessing, a lollipop pull, guessing contests, a giant coloring poster, a pumpkin patch scavenger hunt and more. Food trucks will also be available for families to purchase food.

A donation wish list and volunteer sign-up will be sent soon for families who would like to help make the event possible. We are so excited to bring our Russell families together for an afternoon of fall fun! Our goal is for teachers and staff to come enjoy with their families and not have to work this event! The more parent volunteers the better!!

Sleep is when the brain consolidates memory, regulates emotion, and clears out the day's mental clutter. A child who isn't sleeping enough will often look like a child with a behavior problem, when the real issue is an under rested nervous system.

Recommended sleep per 24 hour period, based on consensus guidance from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics:

Early Childhood (K to 2): 10 to 12 hours.

Elementary (3 to 5): 9 to 12 hours.

Middle School (6 to 8): 9 to 11 hours.

High School (9 to 12): 8 to 10 hours.

If a student's behavior shifted suddenly, sleep is worth checking before anything else.

Please check out our website for up to date information!

https://russell.sd5.k12.mt.us/

September 16th ~ Early Release 1:45

September 23rd ~ Early Release 1:45

September 30th ~ Early Release 1:45

October 7th ~ Early Release 1:45

October 15th & 16th ~ PIR Days - NO SCHOOL

October 21st ~ Early Release 1:45

October 21st ~ PICTURE DAY

October 28th ~ Early Release 1:45

October 30th ~ Parent Teacher Conferences/NO SCHOOL ELEMENTARY ONLY

November 4th ~ Early Release 1:45

November 11th ~ Early Release 1:45

November 18th ~ Early Release 1:45

November 25th - 27th ~ Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL

December 2nd ~ Early Release 1:45

December 9th ~ Early Release 1:45

December 16th ~ Early Release 1:45

December 21st - January 1st - Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

Email: michelle.morris@sd5.k12.mt.us
Website: https://www.sd5.k12.mt.us/8/home
Location: 227 West Nevada Street, Kalispell, MT, USA
Phone: 406-751-3900