Pine Panther Family Newsletter

As we begin a new school year, we want to share what student success truly looks like in grades 4 and 5—years that build the foundation for middle school and beyond. Research from the American Institutes for Research, John Hattie’s Visible Learning, and Learning Sciences International consistently shows that students grow most when they engage in productive struggle, take academic risks, and experience consistent routines.

One of the most important things to understand is that errors are learning opportunities. When students make mistakes, they activate deeper thinking, strengthen neural pathways, and build resilience. Success isn’t about getting everything right the first time—it’s about trying, adjusting, and trying again.

Students also grow when they take risks, even when they don’t feel confident. Answering a question, sharing an idea, or attempting a challenging task helps build independence and prepares them for the demands of secondary education. Research is clear: students who participate actively learn more than students who stay silent.

Another key factor in student success is regular school attendance. When students are present every day, they stay connected to instruction, maintain strong peer relationships, and build the habits that lead to long‑term achievement.

At Pine Avenue, dedicated teachers and paraprofessionals support your child every day by creating safe, structured, and engaging classrooms. We value our partnership with parents and believe that when home and school work together, students progress academically, socially, and emotionally.

How Parents Can Support Their Child

Sometimes students choose not to complete work, refuse to participate, or shut down when tasks appear difficult. When this happens, your support at home makes a tremendous difference. Here are a few ways you can help:

• Acknowledge the struggle and remind your child that mistakes and challenges are part of learning.

• Encourage effort instead of perfection—praise trying, not only getting the right answer.

• Ask gentle questions like “What part felt hard?” or “What did you try first?” to help them reflect.

• Maintain consistent routines for homework, sleep, and contact with teachers.

• Contact your child’s teacher when your child is struggling—we are here to partner with you.

Together, we can help every student catch up, keep up, and move up.

Your partner in education,

Dr. Konowalow

Kindness Kick-Off Parent Newsletter

Dear Pine Avenue Families,

We are excited to celebrate Kindness Month with our new school-wide campaign: It’s Cool to be Kind! Throughout the month, we will encourage our Panthers to look for kindness happening all around them. We want our students to recognize that kindness isn’t always a big gesture - sometimes, it is the small things that help someone feel included, supported and valued.

Students will learn to:

1: Spot it: Look for someone showing kindness

2: Report it: Tell us about the kindness they noticed by filling out a Kindness Spotter Card (these can be found in the cafeteria during lunch and recess)

3: Celebrate it: Help us recognize the amazing things out Panthers do for one another! Students may spot kindness in the classroom, hallway, playground, cafeteria, on the bus, or anywhere throughout the school.

Some Examples:

- including someone in a game

- helping someone who is struggling

- giving an encouraging compliment

- sitting with someone who is alone

- encouraging a friend

- showing patience

- helping someone feel included

Our goal is to help students understand that kindness is happening everywhere - and they have the power to notice it and spread it!

Each week, we will also be looking out for our Kindness Classroom of the Week! One classroom will be recognized for consistently showing kindness, encouraging others, and helping create a positive school community. The winning classroom will earn a special guest for the week …. ROARSY!

Students can work together to show that kindness isn’t about earning a prize - it is about creating a school where everyone feels like they belong. ROARSY is simply our way of celebrating a classroom that helps spread that message throughout Pine Avenue!

Families can join us at home, too! Ask your Panthers: “What kindness did you spot today?” You can also encourage your child to look for opportunities to make someone else’s day a little brighter. Together, we can help our Panthers learn that: We don’t just see kindness, we spot it!

Be kind. Be cool. Be a Panther!

Dear Families,

As we begin the school year, I want to share the purpose behind our student placement process.

At Pine Avenue, we believe all students are capable learners and deserve a high-quality education. Our goal is to create classrooms where teachers know their students well, provide strong grade-level instruction, and respond effectively when students need additional support or greater challenge.

We thoughtfully determine student placement using multiple factors, including academic needs, student well-being, classroom balance, and the instructional resources available to support students. Smaller class sizes in some areas also allow us to strategically use our staff and resources to provide additional support where it is most needed.

Our focus is simple:

Catch Up. Keep Up. Move Up.

We want students who need additional support to accelerate toward grade-level expectations, students who are meeting expectations to continue growing, and students who are ready for greater challenges to keep moving forward.

Placement does not define a child's intelligence or potential. It helps us determine how best to support that child as a learner. Every classroom has high expectations, every classroom provides grade-level learning, and every classroom is designed to help students grow.

Thank you for your partnership and trust as we work together to ensure all learners grow.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kathy Konowalow
Principal

Student of the Week and Month:

Earning Student of the Week or Month honors as part of a PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) school acknowledgement program can be an exciting and motivating way for students to be recognized for positive behavior. Here are the ways in which students can earn Student of the Week or Month honors:

1. Demonstrates Positive Behavior (Following our ROARS)

• Respect: Treating peers, teachers, and staff with kindness and respect.

• Responsibility: Taking ownership of their actions, completing assignments on time, and following school rules.

• Safety: Taking care of oneself and others as well as reporting concerns to adults

• Citizenship: Contributing to the school community, participating in activities, and setting a positive example.

2. Academic Achievement

• Consistent performance in completing assignments.

• Active participation in class discussions or activities.

• Improvement in grades or work habits.

3. Exhibits a Growth Mindset and GRIT

• Willingness to learn from mistakes and try new strategies.

• Positive attitude toward learning, even when faced with difficulties.

• Seeking help when needed and showing perseverance.

4. Positive Peer Relationships

• Works well with others in group settings and cooperates during activities.

• Demonstrates leadership skills, such as helping others stay on task or resolving conflicts peacefully.

• Treats all peers with dignity, and avoids bullying or exclusionary behavior.

5. Attendance and Punctuality

• Consistent attendance with few or no tardies.

• Showing up on time and being prepared for class.

• Transitioning activities within the daily schedule and/or within the classroom in a timely manner

Our students had a fantastic week joining in collaborative learning during their WorkPlace Math Tasks. They worked together to solve problems, share strategies, and support one another — a great example of teamwork and active learning in grades 4 and 5. Students have also truly enjoyed recess, especially exploring and playing on the new playground equipment.

This week, classrooms concentrated on learning and practicing our school‑wide procedures, including how to safely use playground equipment, move through hallways, follow lunchroom expectations, and stay organized in their classrooms. Students are also practicing when to use Voice Levels 0–4 and showing their APS ROARS throughout the day. We are proud of their effort, enthusiasm, and commitment to starting the year strong.