December 2025 Newsletter

PE, Art, Music and STEM are run on a monthly schedule. So, each class will have one special everyday for one week each month.

Gifted (MILE) is an academic enrichment program available to students who test and are found eligible for the program. Gifted (MILE) classes are held Monday-Thursday for part of the day. If you are interested in more information about the gifted program please contact Ms. Cobb.

Music

Kindergarten & 1st Grade: Timbre

2nd & 3rd Grade: Pitch & Harmony

4th & 5th Grade: Recorders & Winter Program.

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PE

As your child's elementary physical education teacher, I am thrilled to share some exciting news about the upcoming unit we will focus on - Teamwork! This unit is designed to improve your child's physical abilities and cultivate valuable life skills that go beyond the playing field.

Teamwork is a fundamental skill that lays the foundation for success in sports and life. Here's what you can expect from this unit and how you can support your child's learning:

1. Building Strong Foundations: In this unit, your child will learn the importance of communication, cooperation, and collaboration. They'll discover that working together as a team is not just about winning but also supporting each other and having fun.
2. Inclusivity and Respect: We will emphasize respecting differences and recognizing individual strengths. Teamwork isn't about everyone being the same but valuing each person's unique contributions.
3. Physical Skills: We will also focus on developing physical skills. Your child will be able to engage in activities requiring balance, coordination, and movement while working with their peers. This will improve their overall physical fitness.
4. Problem-Solving: Teamwork often involves problem-solving. We will introduce various challenges and scenarios to help your child learn how to think on their feet and make quick decisions as part of a team.
5. Parent Involvement: Encourage your child to share their experiences with you and reflect on what they've learned about teamwork. You can also participate in discussions at home about the importance of working together, reinforcing the lessons they're learning in class.

We aim to make learning about teamwork fun and engaging for your child. We hope to foster a sense of community in our PE class through games, activities, and teamwork exercises.

The teamwork unit promises to be an enriching experience for your child. They will grow physically and develop valuable life skills that will serve them well in their future endeavors. I appreciate your support in making this unit a success.

If you have any questions or concerns about this unit or any other aspect of our physical education program, please do not hesitate to reach out. Together, we can help your child thrive on and off the playing field.

Thanks!

Sam Dietrich

Park Street Elementary, Physical Education

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STEM

Kindergarten will begin learning the characteristics of living and non-living things.

First grade will begin a multi-week session on animals and their classifications.

Second grade will start our lessons on forces at work like pushing and pulling.

Third grade will begin to learn about the effect of the sun and heat sources.

Fourth grade will develop an understanding of the placement of the sun, earth, and moon in our solar system.

Fifth grade will focus on strengthening their understanding of chemical and physical changes.

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Art

Winter Themes- Focus on artists and illustrators who use light and colors in their work to create 3D winter landscapes, depict changes in seasons, and use art to tell a story

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Gifted:

K-3: During the month of December MILE students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade will begin a short unit on Origami, when students are not involved with MAP testing. We will learn the history of Origami and the geometry behind it. The students will also create a variety of Origami examples.

4-5: During the month of December MILE students in 4th and 5th grade will continue learning about the history of Hess trucks as we work through the Hess STEM unit, when students are not involved withe MAP testing.

Music

All grades will be preparing for the Black History celebration in February.

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PE

We hope this message finds you well and filled with excitement for the upcoming activities in our Physical Education program. We are thrilled to share some fantastic news about the upcoming unit that your child will be participating in: Invasion Games!

Invasion games are a dynamic and engaging category of sports that involve two teams competing to invade each other's territory while protecting their own. These games not only promote physical fitness but also foster teamwork, strategic thinking, and sportsmanship. Our PE unit will introduce your child to various invasion games, providing them with a well-rounded and enjoyable experience.

Here's a sneak peek into what your child can expect during this exciting unit:

1. Team Building:

Your child will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with their classmates, developing essential teamwork skills. Cooperation and effective communication will be emphasized as they strategize and execute their game plans.

2. Skill Development:

Our dedicated PE instructors will focus on teaching fundamental skills required for invasion games. These include dribbling, passing, shooting, and defensive strategies. Through carefully designed activities and drills, your child will enhance their motor skills and gain confidence in their athletic abilities.

3. Sportsmanship and Fair Play:

We believe in instilling values that go beyond the playing field. Our instructors will emphasize the importance of good sportsmanship, fair play, and respect for opponents. These values will be woven into every aspect of the unit, ensuring that your child not only becomes a better athlete but also a more well-rounded individual.

4. Fun and Excitement:

Physical education is all about enjoying movement and activity! Invasion games provide an exhilarating experience that keeps children actively involved and excited about coming to PE class. We aim to create an environment where every child looks forward to the joy of play and exercise.

5. Parental Involvement:

We encourage you to engage with your child about their experiences in PE class. Ask them about the games they played, the skills they learned, and the friends they made. Your involvement can reinforce the importance of staying active and healthy.

We are confident that this unit will be a memorable and enriching experience for your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our PE department. Thank you for your continued support in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for your child.

Let the invasion games begin!

Thanks!

Sam Dietrich

Park Street Elementary, Physical Education

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STEM

Kindergarten will begin diving into distinguishing living and nonliving things.

First grade will work on creating their own zoo as they learn about animals.

Second grade will design small boats to carry passengers safely ashore.

Third grade explore the effects of heating and the power of the sun.

Fourth grade will develop a working model of the moon phases.

Fifth grade will explore real-life examples of chemical changes.

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Art

K-5 will create and prep for Black History month art display creating artwork based on influential African Americans and events in history.

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Gifted:

K: We will begin a STEM unit that is based on classic fairy tales. Each class the students will hear a modified fairy tale, and they will be asked to create an object that will result in a solution for the main character.

1st, 2nd and 3rd: We will begin a unit called Tour America. In this unit students will choose a state that they would like to learn more about, research that state, and write an informational book about the chosen state.

4th and 5th : We will complete the building and decorating of our mini-golf holes. We will also continue the Hess fire STEM unit that we began last semester.

Upcoming Events

December 2 - Pictures with Santa

November 4 - Christmas Tree Lighting in the Marietta Square

November 5 - Doughnut Day

November 11 PTA Holiday Concert

November 12 - Kindergarten Winter Festival at Park Street with Westside

December 4 - Tree Lighting Marietta Square

December 22 - January 5 - Holiday Break

January 6 - Students Return

Student Dress Code

• Navy blue, light (powder) blue, yellow, and white polo shirts
• The uniform shirt can be purchased from Wal-Mart, Target, Amazon, and other affordable retail stores.
• Khaki or Navy Blue skirt/pants/shorts/or skort
• Khaki or Navy Blue dress
• Khaki or Navy Blue Jumper
• All pants must be belted/affixed at the waist and worn with a tucked in shirt
• The length of the khaki/navy blue shorts and skirts must be no more than five inches above the knees as measured from the inside bend of the knee.

Fridays are designated as “Spirit Wear Day.” Students may also dress as they like on Fridays as long as they are following the Marietta City Schools (MCS) Dress Code Policy.

If there is a change in transportation arrangements, we require notice from the parent before allowing students to be transported by anyone other than a parent. You may send in a note with your child or email parkstreet@marietta-city.org with the details of the change. We do not allow students to walk or to ride home with unauthorized people.

At dismissal time bus riders will be put on the school bus unless a parent is present for pick-up, or the parent has notified the school office of another arrangement.

Students are not permitted to change buses to ride home with friends without a note from their parent. Please make arrangements for your child before he/she comes to school. If you must make a change during the day, notify the school office staff before 2:30 p.m.