TIME: something we all should cherish. Our Longfellow Lions mean the world to us and we look forward to seeing them each day. Their educational journeys are branching in so many directions and are filled with challenges to help guide them towards their goals and also being kind citizens of the Mitchell community. The time, that we are able to spend with them, is PRICELESS!! We thank parents for sharing their children with us and ensuring they are in school each day. Please take the much deserved TIME to make new memories with your children. TIME is something we can never get back and we look forward to hearing all about your break.

We are so blessed to collaborate with such caring parents and know that our LO Lions are raised to WORK HARD and BE KIND. The LO Staff want to wish you all a very Merry CHRISTmas and may 2024 be a year filled with positivity and kindness.

Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year!
Mrs. Heckenlaible

As it stays dark and cold in the mornings, we want to make you aware that the doors do not open and supervision doesn't start until 7:30 AM. It can be very cold in the mornings so we want you to be aware that if you drop your children off before 7:30 am and leave, our building is not open and that can be very dangerous for them. Please make other arrangements.Thank you for your attention on this matter!

Please update your info in the Campus Portal OR contact the office at 605-995-3092 so we have your information correct. Why does it matter?

• If your child is hurt or injured and we need to get ahold of you or an emergency contact.
• If school is being released early, we could send you a message alerting you to that.
• If school is cancelled due to weather, you may receive a message alerting you, but you should always listen to the radio and/or watch the local news in case our messaging system is delayed.
• Longfellow, or the school district, ocasionally sends letters in the mail especially at the end or begining of the school year. We need an updated address so you can receive that.
• If you have gotten married or had a baby, we need to get that name listed in your family's household.

We have no way of knowing if you moved or your phone number has changed so we really appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us to update your info.

Don't forget that we serve breakfast each morning before school! Please have your child arrive BEFORE 8:10 AM to get through the breakfast line.

Studies show that eating breakfast at school has many advantages.

According to healthychildren.org

• Kids perform even better on standardized tests than those who skip breakfast. Maybe because they're eating closer to test time.
• Kids who eat breakfast at school have improved attendance and behavior.
• Kids who eat breakfast at school have improved academic performance.
• Students who eat at school are tardy less often and their math scores are higher.

If your child(ren) qualified for free or reduced lunches last year, you need to reapply each year and it expired October 31st. If you did not reapply, your child(ren)'s lunch account has been adding up. Please ask the office for an application or click the link above and return it to the office ASAP!

There are a lot of things happening in Mitchell! One way to keep up with that is to look at the monthly events calendar for Mitchell Main Street and Beyond.

Please remember to go to the corner and cross the street with the crossing guards. Please do NOT encourage your child to cross in the middle of the street. We want to keep ALL of our students safe and set a good example.

• Stuffy noses ,coughs, etc., are common occurrences and we do not expect kids to stay home for every sniffle.
• Vomiting, diarhea and fevers are reasons to stay home....please.
• You are welcome to bring OTC medications for your child(ren) but they must be kept locked in the nurse's office.
• Lice seem to be an ever-present issue. Don't panic. Follow the steps listed below and pay close attention to cleaning your home and you will be fine.

Report cards sent home with parents = Jan 11th, 2024

Professional Development Day (No School) = Jan 15, 2024

Parent-Teacher Conferences = Feb 1, 2024

President's Day Weekend = Feb 16-19, 2024 (No School)

Spring Break = Mar 14-17, 2024 (No School

Easter Break = Mar 29-Apr 1, 2024 (No School)

The South Dakota summative testing window runs from March - May 3rd. We do most of our testing in April. Please avoid scheduling appointments during the school day, if at all possible. Testing with their peers is the most normal testing environment for our students. If they miss testing dates, they will have to make them up during important class time. Your help is much appreciated! More detailed grade-level information will come out when the schedule is finalized.

Please check out the Dates to Remember section of this newsletter as well as the section above for dates that we do not have school. They would be the perfect time to schedule appointments or travel.

Den A hosted a gingerbread house making party where the learners could invite a friend or family member to join them. And we sure had a full house! What a fun time!!!

Cooler weather is no longer approaching, it's here and will only get colder. Please make sure your children are dressed appropriately. We go outside unless it is raining or the tempurature or wind chill dips below zero. If your child needs a coat, please register for an appt at the Caring Closet!!

Thank you for sending your child(ren) to school wearing their warm clothes but please send tennis shoes in their back packs as we do not want our learners in boots all day.

PE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MONTH

• BK/K learned to ride Strider bikes!!!

• 1st - 5th grade students ran the PACER running test! Wow, do we have some amazing runners here at Longfellow!!!

• Lots of fun holiday games: The Grinch’s Cave, Cookie Toss, Build the Trees, Sleigh Ride, Elf on the Shelf Yoga, Shopping Spree, and more!

*Remember Tennis Shoes On Gym Days

***Exciting News!!! - We are partnering with the Mitchell Rec Center for our challenges this month! This means that you will not only be eligible to win a prize at Longfellow, but you will be able to take your completed challenges to the REC Center for a FREE FAMILY DAY PASS TO SWIM OR EXERCISE!!! There will be a BINGO board that comes home with your child. The BINGO board will be turned in at the REC Center. You will still post pictures of your challenges or email me the pictures. I’m so excited about this partnership! The REC Center can’t wait to see our Longfellow Lions enjoying the pool and gym! Have lots of fun!!!

Sticking to a task at hand; Follow through to completion; Can and do remain focused.

Strive to be clear when speaking and writing; Strive to be accurate when speaking and writing; Avoid generalizations, distortions, minimizations and deletions when speaking, and writing.

The day of the program, our lions gave a performance JUST for the other students. It's a great opportunity for the performers to get their nerves out and for our older lions to learn to sit and show respect while watching the show.

Dr. Christensen stopped by the Library this week with an intern Joseph Tegethoff who is Senior in High School at Mitchell Christian School. He is shadowing Dr. Christensen, because he wants to become a Pediatrician. They surprised us at the library asking Mrs. Hauk's students if them could listen to their heartbeats, it is practice for Joseph. The students where very excited, and we loved it when Dr. Christensen stoped by!

Mrs. Brink

Librarian

• "I know I asked the doctor's office to send a note for that appointment, but did they remember to do so?"
• "I sent the doctor note with my child. Did she remember to deliver it to the office?"

The best way to check on that is to log on to your parent portal. You may not see daily grades but you will be able to see their quarter grades and, of course, attendance. The parent portal will become extrememly important as your child moves on to Middle School and High School as you can check on missing assignements and current grades. Also, the parent portal is where you update your info at the end of each year, which registers your child for the upcoming school year. PLEASE, famlilarize yourself with the portal. If you do not remember your log on info, please ask the office.

Does your child look forward to school each day?

Does your child tell you that a person in the lunch line greets them with a smile each morning?

Does your child say music is there favorite day?

Does your child tell you that math is so hard but they love how their teacher explains it?

Here's your chance to let that person know that they make a difference! Every person in this building, from the teachers, to the paras, to the custodians and office, care about your children. They care about educating students but also making them laugh; keeping them warm and fed; showing them that they can be anything and go anywhere. If there is someone at Longfellow who has done that for your child, please take a moment to recognize them and nominate them for Teacher OR Classified Staff of the Year.

Teacher of the Year includes: classroom teachers, music, art, physical education, title and special education.

Classified Staff of the Year includes: Librarian, Custodian, Paraeducator/Aide, Food Service, Secretary, Nurse, etc.

Click the links below to fill out the form online. It's as simple as that.

NOTE: Paper forms will not be sent home this year.

Our students have been working on being internet safe during their guidance lessons. Internet is an ever-changing world, even if you think you are well-versed. It is just as important for parents to stay internet wise as it is for kids.

Thank you to Mr. Bruna for leading us and his wonderful elves for playing the piano. Listening to our lions singing together is very heartwarming and an absolute highlight for those of us who share time with them each and every weekday.