Husky Headlines

October Newsletter for S-RC Elementary Families

Hello Jr. Husky families! It's October and that means it's time for Parent/Teacher Conferences, Fall weather, and all things pumpkin!! Conferences are MONDAY, October 2nd from 10:00-3:45. If you were unable to schedule a time on Monday, please reach out to your child's teacher and get something on the calendar (whether that is a before or after school meeting - or even a phone conference during the school day). It's so important that we keep the lines of communication open between home and school!

Remember, you also have an opportunity to get online with Powerschool to keep track of your child and their assignments (which could be more beneficial for upper elementary students). If you are interested in learning more, reach out to Wendi in the office for your parent code.

Important Dates

September 27th - Book-It Kick Off Assembly
October 2nd - NO SCHOOL - Parent Teacher Conferences
October 2nd - National Custodial Worker's Day
October 4th - 5th Grade field trip
October 11th - National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work/School Day
October 11th - BoE Meeting @ 7:00 pm (open to public)
October 12th - National Saving's Day
October 20th - End of 1st Quarter!!!
October 23rd - Fall Break - NO SCHOOL
October 25th - Professional Development - 10:10 Late Start
October 31st - Fall Classroom Parties
October 31st - Lower Grades Perform @ Senior Center

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Counselor's Corner

We have made it to the end of September with Homecoming Week! How fun is that?! The kids have done an awesome job with dress up days, it was so fun to see all of their creative outfits! This month in Guidance we will be finishing up our Growth Mindset and Goal Setting unit. We will be doing our Pumpkin Spice Choose to be Nice activities as well! Parents of 4th and 5th graders, ask your students about their goal, plan, and how it's going- they take great pride in meeting their goal!

Our book of the month is the famous "Spookley"! A lot of students have seen the movie or read the book before but they were just as excited to read it again! It is a story of a square pumpkin who hates that he is different but his differences are what allows him to save the pumpkin patch AND the farmer! In the end, the farmer loves Spookley so much that he began to grow more pumpkins just like him.

This was an awesome opportunity for us to discuss our differences and how we are all special because of those differences! If your child came home with a square pumpkin hat, that is why!

When will I be in your student's classroom?

Monday: Kindergarten and 3rd Grade

Tuesday: 2nd Grade and 1st Grade

Wednesday: 5th Grade

Thursday: 4th Grade

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child: mzelasney@shelby.esu7.org

Resource Information:

988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline- Call or Text 988

Blue Valley Behavioral Health- Columbus, York, David City, and Seward

Boys Town Crisis Hotline- text VOICE to 20121

Nebraska Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-800-652-1999

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Book-IT. . . A Universe of Possibilities

Book-It has officially started! We are so excited to have this fun and engaging opportunity to offer prizes for your children yet again this year! Our theme this year is “Book-IT. . . A Universe of Possibilities”. The program began on Wednesday, September 27th with a spectacular assembly and even some alien guests!! And as always, it will run for six months.

Students in grades K-2 are required to read or have read to them at least 15 books per month at home. Students in 3rd, 4th and 5th must meet their monthly AR goals set in their classroom. Students who meet their monthly reading goal will get a Pizza Hut coupon, a treat, and be eligible to participate in a mystery event each month.

We are offering SOMETHING NEW this year!!!! If your child would like another option, your family may choose to do monthly projects instead of a K-2 reading sheet or AR points. You can CLICK HERE to check out the PROJECT OPTIONS that you could complete instead of doing AR or the reading sheet!! If you complete a project, you can turn it in to Mrs. Peterson in the library and she will let your teacher know that you have completed your Book-It requirements for the month.

Please understand, the deadlines are the same. There is no extension for projects, sheets, or AR goals!

My challenge for students (and for parents), is the 20 minute challenge!! Each night, I challenge students to read, listen to audio books, or even listen to another reader for 20 minutes each and every night. If you do this, I not only guarantee you with ROCK your Book-IT goals, but you will truly begin to discover a.....UNIVERSE OF POSSIBILITIES!

Let's come together to encourage our next generation to explore their imagination and learn through literature! Let's get them READING!!

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The Inclusive Corner with Mrs. Hoadley & Mrs. Stewart

Visual Schedules:

Many adults rely on visuals throughout our day. We use calendars, road maps, and even menus to help us navigate the world around us. To help students learn to navigate their world, we utilize pictures of their day-to-day tasks. This can be as simple as a daily planner, clock in their room, or a visual schedule created to meet their needs. Visual schedules help maintain consistency for students as well as notify them of changes throughout their day. These visuals can help reduce stress and anxiety throughout the child’s day.

If your child is struggling with routines at home, consider starting a visual schedule or using a daily planner. You can find some great visual schedules (usually at a decent price - or even free) online!

Fall Room Parties

Our Fall Parties will be on Tuesday, October 31st. Classroom teachers will send more information about times, activities, and ask for volunteers to donate items if needed.

The ability for students to wear costumes will depend on grade levels. Teachers will be sending letters out about that as the date approaches. Here are some guidelines for costumes that are worn to school:

1. Costumes must be in good taste and not represent horror movies or violent themes.

2. Costumes will not contain guns, knives, swords, hatchets or any other type of weapon.

3. Costumes, makeup, and masks that depict blood will not be allowed.

4. Do not send children to school wearing their costumes or any part of their costume.

5. Makeup will not be worn throughout the day. Students will be given a reasonable amount of time to prepare for their party and must be able to change into their costumes on their own (or with little assistance).

🚸 🚸 SLOW DOWN! 🚸 Safety First! 🚸 🚸

Drop-Off & Pick-Up

Please remember safety is important at school, especially during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times. If you choose to park your vehicle in a parking spot, please walk with your child through the parking lot.

Pulling up to the curb next to the South Gym will allow your child to get out of the vehicle on the passenger side without the worry of additional traffic. If you choose this option, we ask that you do not get out of your vehicle as this is our 'drop and go' lane.

When picking your child up, if you choose to park, please exit your vehicle and meet your child by the door to walk them to the car. You can also pull up to the curb for your child to get into the vehicle on the passenger side. If you are waiting for your child to come out of the building, please pull up as far as possible to allow other parents to utilize the curb pick-up process as well. If you are utilizing the 'pull through lane,' please always make sure that busses have enough room to maneuver at all times. Busses can not be blocked in as this is a safety issues.

NOTE: We have had vehicles reported to us as speeding through the parking lot. These vehicles have also been reported to local law enforcement. Please know that the safety of our students is our utmost concern. We ask that you keep the safety of our students in mind at all times, and drive slowly as you drop your child(ren) off or pick them up from school. Thank you for your assistance!

Positive Character Traits - and - PAWS!

You may have seen a "BRAG STICK" come home attached to your child's backpack recently that says their grade level. That is, what I hope to be, the first of many brag sticks that your child earns this school year! We have begun giving out character trait brag sticks on Fridays (three per grade level). Our first focus has been on KINDNESS. We have one more week of kindness, and then we will move on to our next trait. Throughout the last month, as students have worked on kindness, it has been great to see students holding doors open for others, picking up trash that wasn't theirs, helping their friends when they drop something, or asking a friend to play at recess. Talk to your child and ask them if they have gotten a kindness brag stick - or even a kindness PAW!

In the month of September, adults in the building have given out 588 PAWS to students!!! That means this school year, elementary students alone have already received 898 PAWS! I couldn't be more proud of the outstanding students we have here at Shelby-Rising City!!

The other character traits we will be focusing on throughout this school year are: empathy, respect, honesty, integrity, responsibility, accountability, and trustworthiness.

Parents Visiting for Lunch

Parents are welcome to come and enjoy lunch with your child(ren) again this year. In order to do so, please make sure you:

Contact your child's classroom teacher prior to your visit to let them know you will be coming and verify lunch times.
Check in at the front office and get a visitors badge to wear for the duration of your visit.

Please also understand that parent visits for lunch are restricted to the lunchroom only. Parents can not accompany their child out to recess.

Adult lunches cost: $3.65. You can bring money with you, or use money from your child's account if you have a positive balance. Adults will not be able to eat and charge an account that has a negative balance.

Lunch Times for Each Grade Grade Level

Kindergarten - 10:50-11:20

1st Grade - 10:50-11:20

2nd Grade - 11:10-11:40

3rd Grade - 11:10-11:40

4th Grade - 11:30-12:00

5th Grade - 11:30-12:00