Cougar News

Greetings Cougar Families,

It is the greatest honor to serve at Colbert Elementary. The students, families, faculty, and staff are committed to student growth, not only in academics, but emotional and behavioral development as well. All stakeholders at Colbert, down to our fantastic support paraprofessionals, custodians, front office and SRO, take on their roles for the benefit of students. A special appreciation this week goes to Mrs. Katelyn Bennett, our school counselor, during National School Counselor Week. Thank you for all you do for our cougar families!

We are committed to supporting every child’s literacy development and ensuring they receive the resources they need to succeed. As part of Georgia’s literacy initiative, all elementary students will participate in literacy and dyslexia screeners throughout the school year. These screeners help us identify students who may need additional support in reading and early literacy skills.

The results will guide our instruction and interventions, ensuring that each child receives targeted support based on their needs. If your child is identified as needing additional assistance, we will communicate with you regarding next steps and available resources. The mid-year screeners are wrapping up and notification will be shared in the Tuesday folders next week on how we will be supporting reading development beyond the regular curriculum, if needed.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. Thank you for your partnership in supporting your child’s literacy journey.

As we approach spring, the calendar fills with exciting events. We attempt to include items in the Important Dates section of this newsletter, but be sure you are connected to your teacher's Dojo accounts so you don't miss important information. The publication of this newsletter will adjust to every other week, so look for the next publication on February 18th.

It's always a great day to be a Cougar!

Jolaine Whitehead, AP

Students in first through fifth grades have been hard at work on their reading logs for Malcolm Mitchell's ReadBOWL. This is the final week of the Bowl. Please turn in all Reading Logs on Monday, February 10.

Happy February! Did you know February is heart health awareness month?

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. They offer these tips and action items you can take to prevent heart disease:

- Know your risk. Knowing your risk can help you make lifestyle changes.

- Eat a healthy diet. Include daily fruits and vegetables and less processed foods.

- Be physically active. Move more - it's one of the best ways to stay healthy, prevent disease, and age well.

- Watch your weight. Stay at a healthy weight for you.

- Check your blood pressure and cholesterol. These are two main risk factors that could lead to heart disease.

American Heart Month: Be Prepared to Save a Life

In P.E., we incorporate daily exercises and other cardiovascular activities to increase endurance and strengthen/improve the hearts and lungs of our students. For the month of February, we will put an emphasis on heart health and things we can do to have a strong, healthy heart. We will also discuss healthy food choices and swaps that will benefit our bodies in the best way possible. Be sure to ask your child(ren) what they have learned and encourage them to make healthy choices!

The first Friday of February is National Wear Red Day to raise awareness about heart disease. Be sure to wear RED this Friday, February 7th! Please see the calendar for some extra fun and healthy tasks to implement at home as a family this month.

This week, we are excited to celebrate School Counselor Appreciation Week and recognize the incredible work of our very own Mrs. Katelyn Bennett!

Mrs. Bennett is a constant source of support, encouragement, and guidance for our students, helping them navigate both academic and personal challenges. She goes above and beyond to ensure that every child feels heard, valued, and empowered to succeed. From providing social-emotional support to fostering a positive school environment, her dedication truly makes a difference in the lives of our students and families.

Please join us in thanking Mrs. Bennett for her hard work, kindness, and commitment to our school community. Whether it’s a note of appreciation, a kind word, or a simple "thank you," let’s show her how much we value all that she does!

Thank you, Mrs. Bennett, for your unwavering dedication to our students—you are truly appreciated!

Friday, February 7 - Cougar Pride Assembly (rescheduled from last Friday)

Friday, February 7 - National Wear Red Day for Heart Health

Tuesday, February 11 - Progress Reports go home

Monday, February 17 - Winter Break; no school

Thursday, February 27 - Pre-K Registration, call 706-795-5611 for an appointment

Tuesday, March 4 - Spring Picture Day

Website: https://www.madison.k12.ga.us/schools/colbertelementary/
Location: 255 Colbert School Road, Colbert, GA 30628

Phone: (706)788-2341
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cescougars