Principal's Notes

Principal's Message

On Saturday, our district marked a historic milestone as we celebrated the official groundbreaking of the new Middle School Building Project and the Pond Cove renovation project. Thank you to everyone who came out to witness and celebrate this momentous occasion!

A special thank you goes to Pond Cove third grader Lorenzo Todaro and fourth grader Pearl Rockers, who each gave a wonderful speech highlighting how the new facilities will benefit students. Pearl and Lorenzo did an amazing job—thank you both for sharing your thoughtful perspectives with our community!

We also want to extend a huge thank you to the Pond Cove Parent Association and all the incredible volunteers who made this year's Harvest Festival possible. The air was crisp and a little windy, but it certainly did not dampen the community spirit and fun happening across Pond Cove and CEMS on Saturday. We can't thank you enough for all of your hard work!

Here are a few important reminders for the weeks ahead:

Intentional Technology Use Family Night: Join us this Tuesday, October 20th at 6:00 PM in the Pond Cove/Middle School cafeteria. We look forward to sharing the ongoing work the district is doing around intentional technology use and answering your questions.

Parent-Teacher Conferences: Conferences will take place on Thursday, November 5th and Friday, November 6th. Options are available for both in-person and virtual meetings. If you haven't already, please take a moment to sign up for a time slot with your child's teacher.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Here's to a great week ahead!

Have You Ever Considered Being a Substitute Teacher?

We are looking for individuals who share a passion for education and a desire to make a positive impact in their community. If you are a parent looking for ways to be more involved in your child's school, enjoy working with children, and value the flexibility of a work schedule that aligns with school hours, we have an excellent opportunity for you!

Join Our Team as a Substitute Teacher at Pond Cove

At Pond Cove, we are actively expanding our pool of substitute teachers and educational technicians (ed techs), and if you are dedicated to education and have a love for working with children it would make you an ideal candidate.

Why Consider Substitute Teaching at Pond Cove?

Flexibility: Enjoy a schedule that accommodates your family's needs, allowing you to be present when your child is out of school.

Rewarding Experience: Make a meaningful contribution to students' education and well-being while gaining valuable teaching experience.

Community Impact: Support Pond Cove in providing quality education by stepping in when teachers or educational technicians (Ed Techs) are unavailable.

Application Process:

To express interest, please apply online using this LINK.
Ensure compliance by undergoing fingerprinting and a background check through the State Department of Education. Detailed instructions can be found HERE.

Connect with Us:

If you have any questions about the application process, fingerprinting, or background checks, feel free to reach out to Principal Tiffany Karnes or Assistant Principal Sarah Forrey-Pettit. They are more than happy to assist you in your journey towards becoming a substitute teacher at Pond Cove.

Thank You for Your Consideration:

Your decision to explore this opportunity is greatly appreciated. By joining our team, you play a crucial role in supporting our school's commitment to excellence in education.

We look forward to welcoming dedicated individuals to the Pond Cove family and fostering a collaborative learning environment for our students.

NWEA/MTYA Testing

Assessment Updates

Kindergarten: Students will complete the MAP Reading Fluency assessment in November.

Grades 1–2: Completing the MAP Growth math and reading and taking MAP Reading Fluency assessments.

Grades 3–4: Finishing up make-up sessions for students who missed a testing day or need extra time to complete their NWEA tests.

If you have any questions about NWEA or MTYA testing, please feel free to reach out directly to your child’s teacher.

Join Us For An Intentional Technology Use Discussion - 10/20/26

Insights for Families

Building Blocks for Healthy Self-Esteem in Kids

Happy Sunday, Everyone!

We all want children to feel good about themselves, but helping them develop a healthy sense of self-esteem involves more than offering praise and encouragement. It means creating opportunities for them to experience success, discover their strengths, feel a sense of belonging, and recognize that making mistakes is a natural part of learning.

This week's featured article from the American Academy of Pediatrics shares some thoughtful insights into how parents can nurture a positive sense of self-worth. One important takeaway is that children benefit from having meaningful responsibilities and opportunities to contribute, whether at home, at school, or in their communities. When children see that their efforts matter and that they have something valuable to offer, they begin to develop a stronger sense of confidence and purpose.

Have a wonderful week!

Sarah

Building Blocks for Healthy Self Esteem in Kids

From the CESD Technology Department: Technology Tip of the Month

Healthy Technology Habits

Healthy habits are great to establish at the beginning of the school year! Please see this month's related tech tip in collaboration with Common Sense Media.

Technology brings wonderful opportunities for learning and fun, and keeping screen time balanced with device-free family time is essential for student well-being. Use this family activity to prompt conversation and reflect together on screen habits surrounding sleep, meals, and daily routines. Deciding on goals as a team helps ensure your family's digital habits stay healthy and balanced. *The activity states it is meant for grades 3-5, however using it with younger students should also yield good conversation!

Thank you for considering this!

Courtney Graffius, Director of Educational Technology

School Breakfast and Lunch Menu

Breakfast and Lunch Menu Click Here

To check this week's breakfast and/or lunch menu, click the button above.

Photo of the Week

Third Grade friends hanging out at recess!

What's Happening At Pond Cove

Update from the Music Room - Ms. Bean

Beat game:

"Can you keep a steady beat?" Ask your child in 3rd or 4th grade how to play!

Musical basketball: Many classes have been practicing bouncing, tossing, rolling basketballs to music. We worked on a routine to the song Axl F. Ask your child in second grade to show you! This activity helped students develop a sense of beat and musical form. Rolling the ball also helps kids to feel the length of half and whole notes, which can be a tough concept for young musicians.

Playing instruments:

Students in this photo are learning hand drumming technique and how correct hand placement creates specific sounds. They are also focusing on the concept of playing a beat (kids in the center) against a rhythm (kids on drums in the outer circle).

Guided listening: Students are listening to Bach's Concerto in E "Allegro Assai". They are tossing a bean bag to the beat of the music for the "A" Section of the music, (just like the "chorus" part of a folk song). They did a hand-to-hand toss for the B, C, D, and E sections of the music, (like the verses of a folk song). The challenge in this activity is to notice the familiar part, and every time it returns. Also to notice changes in the music and the parts that we only hear once. Ask your first grader to show you!

Parent-Teacher Conferences Are Coming Soon!

Mark your calendars! Our first Parent-Teacher Conferences of the school year will take place on Thursday, November 5th and Friday, November 6th.

This year, all three schools in our district are coordinating schedules to offer conference times during the same window, featuring both evening and morning options across the two days to best fit your schedule. We ask that all families do what they can to find a conference time on November 5th or 6th that works for them.

How to Sign Up

Conferences will be scheduled through the Reach My Teach platform, where you can choose between an in-person or virtual meeting. Conference slots are 15 minutes long.

Important Note on Sign-Up Links: You may have received an email link to sign up this past Friday; please disregard that previous message, as it was sent by mistake. We sincerely apologize for any confusion! Please look for a new sign-up link coming directly from your child's teacher early this week.

Parent-Teacher Conferences are a crucial opportunity to discuss how your child's school year has started and to connect one-on-one with their teacher.

If you have any questions or need assistance signing up, please feel free to reach out directly to your child's teacher. We look forward to connecting with you!

The Telling Room Joins Fourth Grade Writers for the Third Year

We are thrilled to welcome The Telling Room back into our fourth-grade classrooms! During an engaging kick-off lesson in Mr. Trammell’s class, students participated in guided brainstorming activities designed to uncover their personal passions, memories, and unique interests. By tapping into what matters most to them, students are laying the creative foundation for an exciting upcoming unit on poetry writing. We can't wait to read the expressive, heartfelt poems our young authors will create in the coming weeks!

Exploring Ecosystems: Mrs. Tweedie’s Class Takes to the Trails at Robinson Woods

This week, Mrs. Tweedie’s class headed out into the autumn air at Robinson Woods for a hands-on outdoor science lesson. Walking along the forest trails, the students observed how plants, animals, and natural processes connect to form a healthy woodland habitat. They explored how energy flows through the forest, tracing the path from native trees and foliage absorbing sunlight, to the local wildlife searching for food, down to the organisms clearing away fallen leaves on the damp forest floor. By taking their learning outside, the class gained a clear, real-world look at how every living thing works together to sustain the forest environment.