Happy Friday, Lil Steamer Families!

From the Desk of: Principal Hoese

Lil Steamer Families --

Welcome to the Second Semester! I hope your winter break was filled with rest, relaxation, and at least one morning where you didn't have to pack a lunchbox or hunt for a missing left shoe.

Stepping back into the school routine can be a bit of a shock to the system. If you or your student felt like a confused penguin trying to remember how "mornings" work this week, please know you are not alone.

To help us all get back into the swing of things, here are a few "Second Semester Reminders" to keep the school year running smoothly:

Write Names on Winter Gear - Our lost & found bins typically overflow during the winter months, but we always check gear for names first!
Attendance - Routine is key! Every minute of learning counts, but if they have a fever, flu, etc. please keep your child home to rest and help keep our classrooms healthy.
Drop Off & Pick Up - While we are not aiming for Formula 1 Pit Crew efficiency, please stay in your vehicles and try to minimize the time you are stopped in the line to help keep it moving.

We are so grateful for your continued partnership. Let’s make this second half of the year even better than the first.

JAG

From the Desk of: AP Marten

Happy New Year! It has been wonderful to see the hallways filled with smiling faces and hear the hum of excitement once again. We hope your winter break was filled with rest, joy, and quality time with loved ones.

As we dive into the second half of the school year, there is a sense of "new beginnings" in the air. This semester is always a special time in elementary school—it’s when we often see students make significant leaps in their reading, social connections, and independence.

One last note - Thank you to all for the patience this past Thursday during dismissal. While the procedures are in place, there are always hiccups that need to be worked out.

From the Desk of: Counselor Meumann

As we come back to school from a long break, we need to adjust to getting up early in the morning again. Sleep is so important for children. Most kids between 5 and 12 get about 9.5 hours a night, but experts agree that most need 10 or 11 hours each night. Sleep is an individual thing and some kids need more than others.

When children don't have enough hours to rest, they may feel tired or cranky, or they may be unable to think clearly. They might have a hard time following directions, or they might have more arguments with friends over something really silly. A school assignment that's normally easy may feel impossible, or they may feel clumsy playing their favorite sport. Plenty of sleep will help your children to have more happy, productive days.

2nd Grade Accelerated Reader Party!

Today, 2nd grade celebrated all the students who reached their AR goal for the 2nd quarter. We had a game day, where everyone brought a game from home and got to play with their friends in second grade. Congrats to all the students who met their goal this quarter!

Our class had fun setting goals for the new year and enjoyed eating some yummy toast to celebrate!

It is easy to learn about the teacher that your child/children have or have had. However, at FBP and FES, we are one large team. For this reason, we will introduce and give some fun information about each of our family members in our newsletter!