The Bear Blast

Monday, July 28th

4 days - 10 hours work week
Stripping & waxing K-1 hallway & cafeteria - DO NOT ENTER K-1 hallway OR cafeteria
ALL Classrooms are ready for set up - YAY!!!

If you plan to come and set up your room, please send Goods a text message.
DO NOT SLIDE FURNITURE ACROSS THE FLOORS - If you need help moving heavy furniture, please let us know.

Tuesday, July 29th

Stripping & waxing K-1 hallway & cafeteria - DO NOT ENTER K-1 hallway OR cafeteria

Wednesday, July 30th

Stripping & waxing K-1 hallway & cafeteria - DO NOT ENTER K-1 hallway OR cafeteria
Mrs. Heather & Goods off campus
Building will close at 3:30pm

Thursday, July 31st

Stripping & waxing K-1 hallway & cafeteria - DO NOT ENTER K-1 hallway OR cafeteria
Mrs. Heather & Goods off campus
Building will close at 3:30pm

Friday, August 1st

SCHOOL CLOSED!!!

2025-2026 Traditional Calendar

Hi, my name is Katie Kuster. I have a degree in Bible and Communication from Columbia International University. I am currently working on my Master's in Teaching with a Specialization in Elementary Education from UNC Pembroke. I taught Bible at Rockingham County Middle School and High School. I grew up here in Reidsville. My parents are John and Georgie Kuster. I have an older brother, Jonathan, and a younger brother, Nathaniel. I am the Children’s Director at Growing Oaks Community Church here in Reidsville. I love working with children! I am very musical! I play guitar, drums, and piano. I have a miniature dachshund named Max Jr. I enjoy running, skateboarding, playing pickleball, and sports of all kinds.

Blessings,

Katie Kuster

Hello Bears! I am super excited to be joining the team. Throughout my experience as a teachers assistant for elementary EC and a K-8 substitute, I became aware of how unique each scholar's learning style is. The presence of South End Elementary and its commitment to the children and the community is inspiring. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my passion and skills. As a first year teacher, I hope to learn and partner with my peers in the most positive ways.

Ms. Bostick

Hello everyone!

My name is Grace Barrios and I am so excited to be joining you at South End as a 5th grade teacher for the 2025-26 school year! I attended SE as a student and the "Home of the South End Bears" will always hold a special place in my heart. I graduated from Rockingham County High in 2020 and from Liberty University in 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in middle grades mathematics. For the past two school years, I have taught 6th grade math at Rockingham County Middle School. With this being my first year in elementary education, I am excited to learn from each of you and gain a broader range of experiences in teaching. I am so looking forward to working with you all this year and cannot wait to meet you in person!

Let’s Get Moving, South End! 🏃🏽‍♀️💪

Hey team! One of our very own, Mrs. Howington had a great idea—to kick off a School Fitness Challenge this summer to help us stay active and show stronger support for our upcoming 5K event!

Here’s how it works:

It’s simple—just add your name to the chart and record how many minutes you exercised each day.
Any activity counts—walking, running, biking, yoga, etc.
Progress will be tracked and shared regularly to keep us all motivated!

Let’s have fun with this and encourage one another to stay active and healthy this summer! 💥
Ready to join the challenge?

#GoBears #HealthyHabits

Team A = 173 miles

Team B= 83 miles

If you're planning to come in over the summer or during our scheduled workdays to set up your classroom, you're not alone! Some of you have already shared that you'd like to begin organizing and preparing your rooms ahead of the new school year.

If you’re planning to come in and would like a helping hand, whether it's moving furniture, organizing materials, decorating or just having support while you work...please let me know. I’ll do my best to coordinate assistance so you’re not doing it all alone. We’re a team, and we’ll tackle this together!

Please complete the form HERE to let me know your plans.

Beautification Day 8/9 @9am - Link HERE
Prayer Walk TBA
Stuff the Bus - Link HERE
Back to Work - Welcome 8/18 - Mandatory Workday

Breakfast 8/18 @7:15am-7:50am (will be available throughout the morning)
Staff picture 8/18 @8am
BOY Staff meeting 8/18 @8:15am

Mandatory Bus Drivers Orientation 8/19 @9am
Open House 8/21 @3pm-7pm (MANDATORY FOR ALL STAFF)

Join us for our South End Beautification Day on Saturday, August 9th from 9:00am to 12:00pm as we come together to freshen up both the inside of our school and our school grounds for the new year! We'll be planting flowers, picking up trash, organizing outdoor areas, and spreading some South End pride! Your help makes a difference. Let’s work as a team to make our campus shine!

Sign up HERE if you'd like to volunteer. We appreciate your time and support!

We’re excited for Beautification Day and appreciate our volunteers who are eager to help! If you would like assistance in your classroom, please add your name to the list along with a brief description of what you need help with (e.g., organizing materials, decorating, cleaning).

Thank you for helping us make our school a welcoming and beautiful place for the new year!

Sign up HERE

Stuff the Bus will be at Reidsville Walmart on

Friday, August 22nd from 11:30am-2:00pm.

Please sign up for a spot/spots below (You can earn a comp time coupon).

We will need people at both entrances.

Sign up HERE

Here are a few updates regarding our committees for the 2025–2026 school year. Thank you for your continued support and collaboration as we work together to make this a successful year!

Tier I – SIT/Leadership Team - Guides school improvement efforts, monitors data, and supports strategic planning aligned with school goals.
Tier II – MTSS Team (PBIS Embedded) - Oversees attendance, academic and behavioral interventions, ensures Tier II supports are in place, and integrates PBIS practices.
SEB Team (MTSS) - Focuses on Social, Emotional, and Behavioral support for students through problem-solving and intervention planning.
Beautification/Decor Committee - Promotes school pride by enhancing the appearance of the building through seasonal décor and beautification projects.
Crisis/Safety Committee (CPR-Trained – Subcommittee of MTSS & SIT) - Ensures emergency procedures are updated, staff are trained, and safety protocols are practiced regularly.
Hospitality/Fellowship Committee - Coordinates staff celebrations, recognition events, and morale boosters to foster a positive school culture.
Mentors/Mentees Committee - Supports new staff members by pairing them with experienced mentors to provide guidance and encouragement.
PTO Representatives - Act as liaisons between staff and PTO, helping coordinate events, fundraisers, and parent involvement opportunities.
Yearbook Committee - Captures and compiles school memories throughout the year into a student yearbook.
Technology/Media Committee - Supports technology integration, helps troubleshoot classroom tech, and works with media to enhance instruction. Members also serve as go-to persons for Infinite Campus and Canvas support.
Wellness Committee - Encourages healthy habits for staff and students through wellness initiatives, challenges, and informational events.
Grade Level Chairs - Facilitate team planning, communication, and curriculum alignment. Help keep the team unified, on track, and informed of all key tasks and updates.
MTSS Gurus - Support grade levels with interventions, documentation, and data-driven problem-solving. Follow established expectations/protocols, use data and collaborate as a team.

To help us hit the ground running in August, I’ll be sharing important information ahead of time so you can review it at your own pace this summer if you like. This will allow us to make the most of our time together during our back-to-school meetings and be fully prepared to support our students from day one.

Please take time to read through each item at your leisure. Having this information ahead of time will ensure smoother planning, clearer expectations, and a more focused start to the year.

Let’s start strong...because Learning Has No Limits…and we’re ready to LEVEL UP!

Front loading - Important Information HERE

Special Events Calendar - grade levels will sign up

Please take a moment to check HERE to review and complete the items needed to help ensure a smooth transition into the upcoming school year. Your prompt attention to this is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Thank you for your continued support!

Emergency info - please make a copy & share with Goods via email. We will print for you. Thank you!

Please click on your name and make sure you have updated your list. Our list is HERE.

Below is how we can get the parent portal letters printed for I.C.

When we have Open House for the upcoming year, we will print these letters for all students. Right now, we will print on request only.
Data Mart Directions
>Admin Menu> IC Parent Portal Activation Report > Print by school or Select specific Student
Online registration - Parents must be present in the building to use the link. Office staff are the only ones that will have this link. This link CAN NOT BE SHARED WITH PARENTS OR ONLINE! Our office staff will check addresses before continuing to ensure parents are registering at the correct school. For the time being, we will continue to do paper registration. More information to come with our NEW registration system.

Let’s have some fun! We’re creating a Fun Facts sheet where staff can submit an interesting or quirky fact about themselves. The twist? Others will try to guess who it is!

Click the link to add your fun fact and let the guessing begin!

We’ve got some fun facts from our amazing South End staff and now it’s your turn to guess who's who! Think you know your coworkers well? Let’s put that to the test! Check out the clues in the Bear Blast each week and see if you can match the fun fact to the staff member.

Want to be featured?

Submit an interesting or quirky fact about yourself and join the guessing game! Let the fun begin! 🐾

COMING SOON!!!

School Improvement Goals 2025-2026

Weekly Discipline data...coming soon

Reminders

South End Family!

Thank you for everything you do each day to keep our students and staff safe. A special thank you to our crisis team for their quick response and to our teachers for swiftly removing students from the situation and following our crisis expectations.

A few important reminders:

In an emergency, please use the radio or call the office.
State "Code Medical" followed by the location—do not mention student names over the radio.
ALL designated crisis team members should report immediately.
The front office will make an announcement over the intercom as a backup in case the radio call is missed. They will instruct everyone to "stay in place" until the call is lifted.

Thank you for your continued support and diligence!

For a missing student (Project Locate):

Conduct a quick search
Then immediately notify the office via phone, and/or radio with the student’s name, grade, and last known location.
Admin will initiate the appropriate response.

For a medical emergency (Code Medical - name location):

Stay calm, assess the situation, and call the office or 911 if critical.
Provide the location, student’s name, and symptoms.
Admin and medical responders will assist.

Your quick action keeps our students safe—thank you!

For the safety and well-being of all students, it is essential that they are not left unattended at any time. If you require coverage or assistance, please reach out immediately, and we will ensure proper supervision is arranged. Student safety is our top priority, and your diligence in this matter is greatly appreciated.

PLEASE ADD TO YOUR SUB PLANS AS WELL!

Safety Updates:

Please make sure doors are CLOSED behind you!
Please talk to students about NOT opening the door for ANYONE!
This is a friendly reminder that students must be supervised at all times. Specifically, when in the K-1 building, students should have adult supervision when going to the restroom.
Please ensure that your class is never left unsupervised.
Lock classroom doors after morning announcements
Check all doors - make sure doors are locked and closed behind your class.
Do NOT prop doors open.
Parents should not walk students to class or hang out in your class without prior approval from admin. If you need assistance, please let us know.

Teachers, please be aware that some students are going to the far end of the playground, beyond camera range, during recess. There have been reports of students engaging in pushing, rough play, and even fighting in these unsupervised areas. To ensure student safety, please make sure a staff member is stationed at that end of the playground during recess. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

This is a friendly reminder to complete an accident report whenever a child is injured. It's important to notify parents promptly.

Accident reports are crucial as they:

Document incidents
Ensure parental communication
Provide legal protection
Assist in medical follow-up
Improve safety
Fulfill insurance requirements
Demonstrate accountability

If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you!

Digital Contracts

Below you will find a link to a memo providing a notice to certified staff members regarding the use of digital contracts as we move forward. Please share with your staff.

MEMO

As we gear up for another incredible school year, now is the perfect time to begin refreshing your classrooms for the students we’ll soon welcome. Let’s take this opportunity to declutter, reorganize, and update classroom décor to create inviting, engaging spaces that reflect the vibrant learning environment we strive for at South End.

Please begin removing or recycling any outdated materials, clearing unnecessary items, and refreshing bulletin boards or displays. A clean and intentional classroom helps set the tone for focus, creativity, and growth!

Thank you for all the care you put into making your rooms a warm and welcoming place for our students. Let’s start the year off with fresh energy and purposeful spaces!

CHECK BACK IN SEPTEMBER!

Shout Out Form HERE

Check back in August

Check back in August

Share HERE

Check back in August

We would like to hear some of your stories about things you thought you would never hear or say. Please complete this form. We will share responses in our next Bear Blast.