Kathryn Winn Primary

Leading the Legacy

October 2026

A Message from Our Principal- Danielle Hamilton:

September was a month full of learning, growth, and reasons to smile at Kathryn Winn Primary! Our students are becoming more confident in their routines, building friendships, and growing in independence. From sharing their thinking during math to practicing reading skills and expressing ideas through writing, our Panthers are working hard each day.

Our first i-Ready Reading and Math diagnostics helped teachers identify students’ strengths and plan instruction to meet their needs. We were especially excited to see our first graders retaining the learning they worked so hard for last year! Throughout our classrooms, teachers are creating engaging lessons that encourage students to participate, collaborate, and celebrate their progress.

We are grateful for the teamwork of our teachers, instructional assistants, enrichment staff, and support staff. Their care and dedication help make KWP a place where every child feels supported and encouraged to succeed.

September also brought special opportunities to connect with our school families. Grandparents Day and our Back-to-School Bash filled our school with joy, and we invited families and community members to help shape our updated mission and vision. We wrapped up the month with an LIM celebration, focused on recognizing our students’ and staff’s hard work before fall break!

As principal, some of my favorite moments are the small ones, a proud smile, a new friendship, a student mastering a challenging skill, or a kind act between classmates. These moments remind us that growth happens in many wonderful ways.

Thank you for partnering with us and sharing your children with our KWP family. We have so much to celebrate and look forward to as we continue learning, leading, and growing together!

October Habit Spotlight

Habit 2-

Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind - “Have a Plan!”

As we continue our journey with the 7 Habits of Happy Kids, we are learning about Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind. This habit teaches children to think about what they want to accomplish and make a plan to get there!

For our kindergarten and first-grade students, this means learning to set goals, make thoughtful choices, and understand that the little steps they take each day help them accomplish BIG things!

What Does Habit 2 Look Like at School?

Setting Goals: Thinking about something we want to learn or improve.

Making a Plan: Deciding what steps we need to take to reach our goal.

Thinking Ahead: Considering what might happen before making a choice.

Staying Focused: Working toward a goal, even when something feels challenging.

Celebrating Growth: Recognizing that every small step brings us closer to success!

We remind our students: “A goal is something we work toward, one little step at a time!”

Try It at Home!

Help your child practice Habit 2 by encouraging them to think about what they want to accomplish before beginning an activity.

Try asking:

“What would you like to accomplish today?”
“What is your plan?”
“What will you need to do first?”
“How will you know when you've reached your goal?”

You can even help your child set a simple weekly goal, such as learning to tie their shoes, reading together each evening, or getting their backpack ready independently.

When children learn to set goals and make plans, they begin to understand that they have the power to shape their own success.

Together, we are growing purposeful leaders who dream big, make plans, and take ownership of their learning!

Our Habit 2 Reminder: “I have a plan, and I can reach my goals!”

Leading with Purpose. Elevating Learning. Growing Every Child.

Celebrating Growth: Reflecting on Our First Nine Weeks

Every Child. Every Step. Every Success.

It's hard to believe we have completed our first nine weeks of school! These first weeks have been filled with learning, building friendships, establishing routines, and discovering what it means to be a leader. As report cards come home, we encourage families to take a moment to celebrate just how much their child has grown since the first day of school!

Understanding Your Child's Report Card

In kindergarten and first grade, learning is a journey! Report cards provide a snapshot of your child's progress toward grade-level expectations. As you review your child's report card, remember that skills develop over time, and children grow at different rates.

Academic Growth: Look at your child's progress in foundational reading, writing, and math skills. What skills are developing? Where is additional practice needed?
Learning Behaviors: Consider how your child is developing independence, following routines, completing tasks, and participating in classroom learning.
Social & Emotional Growth: Celebrate progress in building friendships, working with others, solving problems, and taking responsibility for choices.
Areas for Continued Growth: Skills that are still developing are opportunities for learning! The first nine weeks are just the beginning, and teachers will continue providing instruction and support throughout the year.

Remember: A report card is a picture of where your child is right now, not a prediction of how far they can go!

Preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences are an important opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school. Together, we can celebrate successes, identify next steps, and create a shared plan for continued growth.

Before your conference, consider asking yourself:

What has my child been excited to share about school?
Where have I noticed growth in confidence or independence?
Are there any areas where my child seems frustrated or needs additional support?
What questions do I have about my child's academic progress?

Helpful Questions to Ask Your Child's Teacher:

What are my child's greatest strengths as a learner?
What reading and math skills should my child focus on next?
How is my child progressing toward grade-level expectations?
How does my child participate, collaborate, and demonstrate leadership in the classroom?
What are one or two simple things we can practice at home to support continued growth?

Growing Together!

Our goal is for every child to feel successful, develop confidence, and recognize their own potential. When families and teachers work together, we create a powerful partnership that helps children thrive. As we begin our second nine weeks, let's celebrate how far we've come, set meaningful goals for what comes next, and continue empowering every child to lead, learn, and grow!

Michele Long-Kathryn Winn Primary Instructional Coach

Empowering Hearts, Minds, and Leaders

.October is a great time to focus on helping children recognize and manage their emotions. Big feelings can sometimes be tricky for our youngest learners, and learning what to do with those feelings takes practice! At home, encourage your child to name how they are feeling using words like happy, frustrated, nervous, disappointed, or excited. Remind them that all feelings are okay, but not all behaviors are okay. When children can identify their emotions, they can begin learning healthy ways to manage them, such as taking deep breaths, asking for help, or taking a calm-down break.

Thank you for continuing to partner with us as we help our Panther Cubs grow into kind, confident, and resilient leaders. Remember, little moments of connection can make a BIG difference!

Wishing you a happy and cozy October!

Jordan Ray- Kathryn Winn Primary School Counselor