Cannon Falls Elementary School

💬Principal's Message

My monthly message occasionally promotes reading with your children, playing educational games, implementing time every night for educational activities, etc. Those are all extremely important! With this month's newsletter, I want to focus on play and the social skills that come with it.

I recently observed a staff member teaching a social skills lesson to a small group. The topic was being a good sport and it motivated me use this space to hit on some key points. Here are some strategies you can use at home to promote appropriate play and social skills.

Set aside time to put away devices/electronics and play
Encourage inclusive play
Promote supporting others that are participating even if they are not on your team
Teach children how to handle losing
Model how to appropriately talk through disagreements
Talk to your children about what it means to be a good friend, ask them if they helped anyone today, etc.

Here are some of the common phrases we use at school that you can try to incorporate at home.

Own it. Fix it. Move on.
Size of the problem (small, medium, big)
Hands to self
Stop. Think. Choose.

Thanks for all that you do!

Mr. Strauss

Principal

📋 End of Trimester/Report Cards

Our first trimester ends on November 20th. Report cards will be available in Infinite Campus at 3:30 on November 30th. On a report card, grades will be listed in the following way:

Does not meet the standard
Partially meets the standard
Meets the standard
Exceeds the standard

Please keep in mind that our goal is to have all students meeting standards by the end of the year. Your child may not be at that point yet. If you have questions as to how you can support his/her learning and development in a particular area, reach out to your child's teacher. Teachers want that involvement and partnership from parents.

🚗 Driveway/Parking Lot Safety Reminder

Our parking lot and driveway are, in general, a very safe place. We have dedicated staff, children that follow the expectations, and parents that care about the safety of all involved. Thank you all for that!

Recently, a few of our staff have stated that they've seen vehicles driving 20 mph or greater as they pass the speed limit sign. While driving to the elementary, the speed limit is 15 mph. It might seem slow, but it is what is safest for all involved. Going those extra 5 mph for a few hundred feet isn't worth it. As the roadways and sidewalks are going to start turning to snow and ice, please keep safety in mind as you are driving to and from school to transport our most precious cargo.

🦃 Turkey Bingo

Bring the family to Turkey Bingo for some fun and a chance to win a turkey!

👶 ECFE Activities

Here is a flyer for ECFE classes in November and December. Contact Caitlyn Severson, ECFE coordinator, at severson.caitlyn@cf.k12.mn.us with questions.

This flyer is for ECFE open play opportunities in November and December. Contact Caitlyn Severson, ECFE coordinator, at severson.caitlyn@cf.k12.mn.us with questions.

🍕 November Breakfast and Lunch Menu

Below is the breakfast/lunch menu for November. It can also be viewed on the school website under 'Dining' icon on the main page or in the app.

📆 Other Upcoming Events

There are two Veterans Day programs in the district on November 11th. The elementary program is at 9:00 and the high school program is at 10:00. The high school program is open to the public but the elementary program is not.
Due to parent-teacher conferences, there is an early release on November 12th. Pick up starts at 12:50 instead of 2:50.
There is a flu shot clinic at the elementary school that is open to the public from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on November 12th.
Conferences are from 1:30-7:30 on November 12th and from 8:00-12:00 on November 13th.
There is no school for students on November 13th.
On November 24th, we will play our own "Turkey Bingo" in the afternoon with all students in the afternoon as a fun activity before Thanksgiving Break.
There is no school on November 25-27 for Thanksgiving Break.

🎁 Holiday Help

We know the holidays can bring financial pressure to many households. Thanks to the generosity of our community, Cannon Falls Area Schools is able to connect families who need support to sponsors who can purchase and wrap gifts. Matches depend on sponsor availability, but we strive to help every family who reaches out. The process is completely anonymous.

** To apply for holiday help, we ask that you be a family within the Cannon Falls Area School District and have children 18 and under. Please complete the Holiday Help Request Form linked here by Friday, November 6th.

**Sponsors -- If you would like to be a Holiday Help Sponsor and help gift a family this holiday season, please complete the Holiday Help Sponsor Form linked here.

Any questions? Please contact Courtney Molitor at molitor.courtney@cf.k12.mn.us