The Panther Post
April 2025
In this month's newsletter:
- Principal's Message
- Month of the Military Child
- Handbook Highlight
- April Focus
- Attendance
- April Parent Series
- Who do you appreciate?
- Parkside PTA
- Calendar
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
This month our school focus is Encouragement. This is a great connector to our focus last month- The Power of Words. Encouragement is a powerful tool that benefits not only our children but our entire school community. When we uplift our school community with kind words and support, we foster a positive atmosphere where everyone feels valued and motivated. This ripple effect of encouragement helps children take risks, embrace challenges, and build resilience. As we work together to create a nurturing environment, we all thrive—students, parents, and teachers alike. Let’s keep inspiring each other!
It's another great day to be a Parkside Panther!Mrs. Vincent, Principal
Mrs. Rushforth, Administrative Intern
MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD
HANDBOOK HIGHLIGHT- DRESS CODE
Each month we will highlight a section of our Parkside Handbook.
Dress Code:
- No hats/hoods will be worn inside the school building.
- Clothing must cover entire torso from armpit to armpit and must have straps.
- Shorts must have at minimum 3-4" inseam.
- Shoes are required to be worn at all times and should be compatible with safe play and activity.
APRIL FOCUS: ENCOURAGEMENT
- Who encourages you?
- How do you encourage others?
- Can you think of five more ways to encourage others?
- Have you ever cheered up someone who seemed discouraged?
- How do small gestures of encouragement add up?
(resource: Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools Playbook)
ATTENDANCE
Student attendance is critical in elementary school, as it forms the foundation for academic and social development. Regular school participation ensures children learn essential skills, maintain academic progress, and develop a positive attitude toward education. Frequent absences can create significant learning gaps and hinder a child's ability to understand core curriculum concepts. By attending school consistently, students build important social skills, establish routine and discipline, and receive continuous instructional support. Emphasizing the importance of attendance helps students develop strong educational habits that will benefit them throughout their academic journey.
Our students are engaged in 120 minutes of literacy instruction each day- that 10 hours each week! We know that illnesses occur, and we thank you for keeping children home when they are sick and communicating with your child's teacher.
When students are at risk of becoming chronically absent (18 or more absences in a school year) we follow a progressive attendance plan that includes:
- attendance interventions with teacher, administration, family advocate
- attendance letters sent at increments
- attendance support meeting with parents, administration, teacher, family advocate
- referral to district attendance support specialists
Thank you for your continued effort to ensure your students arrive to school on time each day!
APRIL PARENT SERIES
The Parent Series is an amazing resource for our families. Please check out the attachments below and see if any of the topics will benefit you and your family.
2,4,6,8 WHO DO YOU APPRECIATE?
Gratitude /ˈɡradəˌto͞od/ (noun): the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and return to kindness.
It's always a good time to show appreciation and kindness!
- Does your child have a teacher, see a reading/math tutor, go to DEEP, enjoy recess, eat lunch, ride the bus, loose teeth, call home, or receive help from an adult at school?
- Has an employee at the school done something to help make your child's school experience a little better?
Fill out this form to share appreciation and gratitude for a staff member at Parkside https://forms.office.com/r/n9CuxBcfx1
PARKSIDE PTA
A message from your PTA:
- PTA meeting April 9 3:30-4:00 at Parkside Elementary
- Book Fair April 21-25th after school
- Donuts and Dear Ones April 23rd 8:00-8:45 (book fair open)
- Skate Night April 23rd at Classic Skating
Please consider joining our PTA and PTA board! We love and appreciate our parents!!!
APRIL/MAY AT A GLANCE
Tuesday, April 8
- Lunch with the Mayor for selected students
Wednesday, April 9
- PTA Meeting 3:30
Thursday, April 10
- Choir 3:30-4:15
Friday, April 11
- Early Out 1:30
- Hope Squad Meeting
Monday, April 14- Wear team shirts
- Championship Martial Arts 3:30-4:00 (sign up in the office)
Tuesday, April 15- Wear RED (Remember Everyone Deployed)
Wednesday, April 16- Wear camouflage
- Championship Martial Arts 3:30-4:00(sign up in the office)
Thursday, April 17- Wear stars and stripes and sparkles
- Choir 3:30-4:15
Friday, April 18- Wear 80's clothes
- Early Out 1:30
Monday, April 21- Book Fair in Library after school all week
- Championships Martial Arts 3:30-4:00
Wednesday, April 23- Donuts and Dear Ones (book fair open 8:00-8:45)
- Championship Martial Arts 3:30-4:00
- PTA Skate Night 5:00-8:30
Friday, April 25
- Student of the Month Assembly
- Early Out 1:30
- Hope Squad Meeting 1:30
Thursday, May 1
- 3rd grade field trip
- Musical performance for families
Friday, May 2
- Musical Assembly for students
- Early Out 1:30
- Musical performance for families
Monday, May 5- Teacher Appreciation Week
- Arts Night 5:30-7:00
Friday, May 9
- Early Out 1:30
- Hope Squad Meeting 1:30
Monday, May 12
- 2nd grade walking field trip
Tuesday, May 13
- Lunch with the Mayor for selected students
- 4th grade field trip
Wednesday, May 14
- Kindergarten field trip
- PTA meeting 3:30
Thursday, May 15
- 1st grade field trip
- 4th grade program for families
Friday, May 16
- Student of the Month assembly
- 6th grade end of year celebration
Wednesday, May 21
- Field Day
Thursday, May 22- Last Day of School
- Early Out 1:30