FTE October Family Newsletter
Dear FTE Families,
There is something special about this time of year at FTE. Our school routines are taking shape, relationships are growing stronger, and our hallways are filled with the energy of kids learning, laughing, trying, and sometimes working through challenges. As I walk through classrooms each day, I am continually reminded of just how fortunate I am to be part of this extraordinary school community.
One of the things we are focusing on this year is a simple reminder that You + Attitude + Effort = Growth. #BetterEveryDay. We are encouraging our students and staff to embrace the idea that growth doesn't happen because everything is easy, rather it happens when we show up, have a positive mindset, put forth effort, learn from our mistakes, and keep going. I see our Warriors living this out every day. I see students taking risks, persevering through challenges, celebrating their progress, and cheering one another on. I see our staff learning, reflecting, adjusting, supporting one another, and continually looking for ways to be better for kids. That is what #BetterEveryDay looks like. In just a few weeks we will be sharing more information on how you can purchase your very own spirit wear that includes this year's theme!
A special sentiment for our FTE parents and caregivers, please know that we see you, too. Parenting is not always easy and there is no perfect playbook. What matters is that you continue to show up, love your children, encourage them, and help them navigate both the successes and the struggles, while holding them accountable for their learning and their actions. Those everyday moments matter more than you may realize. You are an important part of your child's growth and we are grateful to walk alongside you.
As we move through October, I hope we continue to notice the little things that make FTE such a special place: a student who doesn't give up, a friend who includes someone, a teacher who finds a new way to reach a child, a colleague who steps in to help, or a family who partners with us when things get hard. Those moments are growth. Those moments are our Warrior Way.
At FTE, we believe that a strong partnership between school and home matters. We value your questions, feedback, and communication, and we are always looking for ways to grow and be better for our kids. Please know that your perspective matters and we welcome opportunities to listen, learn, and improve together. If we don’t know, we can’t grow.
Thank you for trusting us with your children and for being such an important part of our FTE family, as we continue to make FTE a place where every Warrior can be Better Every Day.
Grateful For You,
Shelly
The FTE Reading Team has reading interventions in full swing! Whether your child is in reading intervention or not, it is vital that ALL children are reading at home. A bonus would be for an adult to listen to them read aloud. Our main goal is to encourage a love of reading! We are sharing a graphic that depicts the amount of time a child should spend reading each day. Please reach out to the reading team if you have any questions. We are happy to help and listen to your comments and concerns. Thank you for your support at home!
~ Mrs. Garman, Mrs. Kunkel & Mrs. Naylor
At FTE, the Warrior Way serves as the foundation for how we learn, work together, and care for one another each day. Throughout the year, our staff will intentionally model these values and provide students with opportunities to practice them through their words, choices, and actions, helping to create a positive school culture where everyone can thrive.
We know that students are most successful when school and home work together. We encourage families to reinforce the Warrior Way by talking with their children about the 4 B's: Be Here, Be Involved, Be Committed, Be Kind....ultimately leading to positive choices each day. When students see these values modeled and encouraged both at school and at home, they are better equipped to build strong character and contribute to a caring, supportive community.
FTE’s Warrior Way
· Be Here: Every Day, On Time, Ready to Learn
· Be Involved: Participate, Engage, Be All In
· Be Committed: Be Responsible, Make Safe Choices, Have Ownership for Actions and Learning
· Be Kind: Show Respect, Include Others
As we continue on the theme of executive functioning (EF), I wanted to remind you that developing EF skills in children doesn’t have to feel like a chore for you or them. Working memory capacity, selective and sustained attention, impulse control, emotional regulation, forward thinking and other cognitive skills related to EF can be developed while doing fun and/or relationship-building activities without utilizing screens.
Some examples could include: memory/matching games, playing Simon Says or Red-Light Green-Light, reading a book to/with your child that they enjoy, learning a new TikTok dance together, providing coaching and co-regulation.
If your child has big emotions related to losing a game, it may be helpful to use strategies to maintain/regain focus or perhaps have a conversation about winning and learning, instead of losing. This is particularly helpful when playing a game that requires concentration under pressure, like Perfection or pick-up-sticks.
Something else worth sharing, while app creators can and will claim that their game-based apps can increase EF skills, we are social beings and the development of these skills yield the most relevant outcomes when learned and practiced in natural social contexts. Have fun growing together!
~ Mr. Hogg; FTE Counselor
Thank you to all the families who have turned in their pink Health Survey for their child so quickly this year! This form allows us to know anything medical about your child that is pertinent, may need addressed and gives permission for any treatment or medication here in the health room. If you need another copy, please let me know!
Family First Health Dental will be coming to FTE on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 to provide preventative dental care to our students. If you would like your child to participate, please submit the consent form from this link https://familyfirsthealth.jotform.com/251734387844063 by Friday, October 23, 2026. If you would like a paper copy sent home please message the school nurse ASAP to have one sent home with your student. The first preventative visit with your child will include a Dental Exam, X-rays, dental cleaning, fluoride treatment and oral hygiene education.
If your child has any of the following symptoms listed below, your child is considered to be symptomatic and, in some cases, must be kept home from school. To mitigate the spread of communicable disease, whether it be cold, flu, strep or any virus, we strongly recommend contacting your child’s healthcare provider to discuss his/her symptoms.
Fever 100 degrees or higher
Sore Throat
Cough
Headache
Shortness of Breath
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Nausea
Changes in sense of smell/taste
Chills/Rigors
Difficulty Breathing
Fatigue
If after consulting with your child’s healthcare provider and it is determined that your child’s symptoms are not due to a communicable disease, your child may return to school after being fever-free for 1 day (24 hours) with no medication.
~ Ms. Mead, RN, BSN, CSN
We’ve had an amazing start to first grade! In CKLA, we’ve explored fables and now we are diving into fairytales. In phonics, we’re focusing on short vowel sounds and closed syllables. In math, the students have enjoyed playing several new games, learning about new counting strategies, and sorting collections. In science, we are learning what it means to be a scientist. Our first science unit is all about exploring and experimenting with sound. We are incredibly proud of these young Warriors!
~ Miss Ashley & Mr. McCardell
