Husky Headlines

The temperatures have dropped to below freezing for quite some time, which has unfortunately meant we have been spending our recesses indoors. We will not go outside unless the feels like temperatures at at least 20 degrees. But please know that as soon as temperatures reach 20 degrees, your child will be outside for a full 20 minute recess - so be sure to send any layers they may need for outdoor recess each and every day (it is much better to have it and not need it than to not have it and need it)! Hats and gloves are recommended each day.

Please CLICK HERE to sign-up for parent/teacher conferences on February 10th.

Please make sure you only sign up with your child's classroom teacher. (You will not need to sign up with the other grade level teacher just because they teach science and/or social studies - teachers do not have time to meet with parents outside of their homeroom classes.)

Please do not remove another name OR make another page on the document. If you need assistance scheduling your conference - call the school, we would be happy to assist you. 😊

Please complete the survey below by clicking on the link (or the QR code) and provide feedback for our school. We will use this feedback to make changed and/or celebrate the things that our students, teachers, and staff are doing well. When you complete the survey, you could be entered to win one of three gift cards!!

English Parent Survey

Spanish Parent Survey

• February 4th - BOOK FAIR - Day 1!!
• February 5th - 5th grade Spelling Bee
• February 7th - Galentine's Day!!
• February 10th - No School - Parent Teacher Conferences
• February 11th - Last day of our Book Fair!!
• February 12th - 10:10 Late Start (Professional Development)
• February 12th - 5th Grade Science Fair
• February 17th - No One Eats Alone Event for Elementary Students!
• February 17th - World Kindness Day
• February 21st - No School (Winter Break)
• February 26th - 10:10 Late Start (Professional Development)
• February 26th - Book-It Goals are Due
• February 28th - Book Bingo Family Night
• March 1st - Preschool Enrollment Opens

The elementary students reached the milestone of the 100th day of school! To commemorate this achievement, Kindergarten, First, and Second-grade students collaborated on engaging math and writing activities. The activities included constructing STEM projects with 100 objects, performing exercises to 100, working together to solve a 100's chart code, participating in a lollipop-licking challenge to 100, and writing reflections on what they envision themselves doing at the age of 100. As the school year progresses, these students will continue building on their experiences and learning together!

💖 Send forms and money back with your child (in an envelope or a baggie). 💖

💖 💖 Order deadline FEBRUARY 6th!! 💖 💖

Students have learned the entire alphabet. They are using the sounds to spell words. Q & U were married and we celebrated that these letters will forever be joined together to make a sound! In math, students are adding and subtracting within 5 and learning about teen numbers. We had lots of fun celebrating the 100th day of school!

Happy New Year! First grade has spent the month of January learning lots of new math and reading concepts and enjoyed celebrating the 100th Day of School! In math, we learned to count coins and are now adding two digit numbers. In reading, we are learning long vowel patterns and working on our reading fluency. Please encourage your child to read 15 minutes each night and study their spelling words throughout the week. Just a reminder, practicing high frequency words each week also helps your child to become a better reader! Go Huskies!

Over the past couple of months, students in the High Ability Learner (HAL) program and STEAM classes have been engaged in a variety of creative and thought-provoking activities that stretch their thinking, foster problem-solving skills, and encourage self-expression. Here’s a snapshot of some of the exciting projects our students have tackled:

5th Grade STEAM
Our fifth-grade STEAM students explored engineering and design in two unique projects. In December, they utilized our 3D printer to design, create, and print Christmas ornaments. Students learned the basics of 3D modeling and saw their designs come to life. For Martin Luther King Jr. Day, they faced a new challenge: engineering a podium with specific shapes and dimensions that could stand on its own. This hands-on activity emphasized precision, planning, and creativity while connecting to historical significance.

5th Grade HAL
Creativity and persuasive skills were the focus for our fifth-grade HAL students. They designed "ugly sweaters" and presented speeches to "sell" their creations to others. This activity combined art, humor, and public speaking, allowing students to practice persuasive writing and oral communication in a fun, festive way.

3rd Grade HAL
Our third-grade HAL students got into the holiday spirit by turning into an elf from the North Pole. They imagined life as elves and wrote about the unique responsibilities and adventures they would have at the North Pole. This activity sparked their imaginations and gave them an opportunity to develop their narrative writing skills.

Kindergarten STEAM
Our youngest STEAM learners have been discovering the beauty of symmetry! Kindergarteners explored symmetry in shapes and identified examples around the school and in nature. They then used their creativity to design their own symmetrical patterns, building foundational math and geometry skills while having fun.

Across all grades, our HAL and STEAM students are embracing challenges and thinking outside the box. These activities not only enhance academic learning but also nurture critical thinking, collaboration, and a love of exploration. We’re excited for the many upcoming activities and can’t wait to share their accomplishments with you!

This month's spotlight is on fourth grade. Fourth graders started recorders in January and I am excited about their progress. Students were able to take their recorders home and play for their families (See pics below).

💕 🎶 💕 🎶 💕 🎶 💕 🎶 💕 🎶 💕 🎶 💕 🎶 💕 🎶 💕 🎶 💕 🎶 💕 🎶 💕 🎶 💕 🎶 💕 🎶 💕 🎶 💕 🎶💕 🎶 💕

Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade students will be going to the Shelby Senior Center to sing songs on Valentine’s Day, February 14th @ 1:15pm. Family and friends are encouraged to come and support our young musicians.

In reading, the fourth graders just began our 7th Module of Into Reading. This module is about Tricksters and Tall Tales! So fun! We get to read tall tales, fables, folktales, and legends. Students will learn lessons from characters in these traditional tales. The fourth graders are finishing studying verbs and will be moving onto adjectives next.

In science, we are studying vision and light. Students are learning how animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival. We are looking closely at models to help describe that an object can be seen when light reflected from its surface enters the eye.

The 4th graders will be finishing their measurement unit in math and will move on to their fraction units. We will be working hard to learn what fractions are, while adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions. Please keep practicing math facts at home!

The 4th graders have been working really hard in social studies studying life on the Oregon Trail and the westward expansion of the U.S.

In our last installment I exhibited students’ work regarding the element of Line. Our next element of design is Shape and Form. Shape is a two-dimensional area enclosed by a line. Shapes can be used to create balance, composition, and emotion. Form is a three-dimensional element of art (i.e. sculpture, pottery…) that describes the shape, structure, and arrangement of an object in space. It can be geometric, organic, or free-flowing a work of art.

The fourth grade explored Shape and Form through the works of Claes Oldenburg. Oldenburg was what we call a Pop-artist. Meaning that he used or was inspired by ordinary consumer objects. He created large public sculptures of small items and place them in parks, among buildings, along streets and highways. He was also known for his ‘soft’ sculptures; whereas his work was constructed with vinyl, fabric and other flexible materials that were sown together and stuffed like a cushion.

Here some examples of the students rendition of these ‘soft’ sculptures where we used paper and staples rather than thread and vinyl.

S-RC will celebrate ‘No One Eats Alone’ on February 17th. The goal of this event is to create connections and friendships in the lunchroom to promote social inclusion. We envision a world where all youth are accepted, valued, and included no matter their differences.

This ‘No One Eats Alone’ event will be for the elementary students and will be held during lunch. Students will get to sit with new friends and have conversations. This event will be hosted by the SRC Circle of Friends Group.

IN A WORLD WHERE YOU CAN BE ANYTHING, BE KIND!!!

Hosted by: Circle of Friends, Stacy Stewart & Alicia Hoadley

Here are 20 easy ways to show kindness on World Kindness Day!

1. Leave happy/uplifting messages around the neighborhood.
2. Be authentic and sincere when complimenting people.
3. Hold the door open for someone.
4. Do a chore without being asked.
5. Be extra polite–saying “please” and “thank you.”
6. Call your grandparents and have a meaningful conversation.
7. Smile at everyone you see.
8. Hug someone for 8 seconds.
9. Strike up a meaningful conversation with a quiet family member or friend.
10. Donate toys and books to a charity.
11. Find someone who’s had a bad day and give them a high-five and a compliment.
12. Draw a picture for your parents.
13. Bake your favorite cookies for a teacher.
14. Share a treat with your child’s bus driver.
15. Speak positively about the things you see around your community.
16. Tell a friend something that you love about them.
17. Text someone a happy or inspirational message.
18. Leave a thank you note in the mailbox addressed to the mailman.
19. Write your siblings a note about how much you appreciate them.
20. Wave to people in your neighborhood.

Mark your calendars for March 1st! Our preschool enrollment will begin on March 1st, and this year we will be going to a digital enrollment format available through our S-RC website (links on the website will not be there until March 1st). You will need to fill out all enrollment forms, and then prior to the first day of school in August, you will need to bring in your child's original birth certificate and immunization records. Ideal times to bring in those forms would be before the last day of school OR at our Preschool Open House in the Fall.

You will receive more information as the school year rolls on and Preschool Enrollment continues!

In celebration of International Games Month, we turned the library into a playful hub by placing board game stations throughout the space. Students, teachers, and families joined in, creating heartwarming moments of bonding and joy as they rolled dice, flipped cards, and strategized together.

Our kindergarteners had a blast showcasing their favorite book characters while discovering even more during our continued reading of Golden Sower nominees. We finished all the nominees before Christmas break, and students were even able to join kids across the state in voting for the Golden Sower Little Bluestem winner!

First graders explored story elements through engaging Golden Sower titles like Agatha May and the Anglerfish, Poopsie Gets Lost, I’m a Unicorn, and More than Peach. These books inspired laughter, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of storytelling basics.

Second graders dived into digital citizenship, honing their internet safety skills with realistic scenarios. They also explored the rich history of the Wampanoag people and practiced researching the first Thanksgiving—a perfect mix of technology and cultural learning.

Third graders tackled the question, “Is Seeing Believing Online?” in a thought-provoking lesson from Common Sense Media. By analyzing manipulated images, students sharpened their critical thinking and media literacy. They also went on a scavenger hunt using PebbleGo, learning how databases help us find reliable information.

Fourth grade rose to the challenge of finishing Swindle before the holiday break by reading additional chapters with their classroom teachers. Library lessons focused on giving and receiving constructive feedback and learning about Creators’ Rights and Responsibilities, empowering students to grow as both consumers and creators of information.

Fifth graders worked hard to stay on track with When You Reach Me, committing extra time to ensure they could complete the book before the break. Alongside their read-aloud, students partnered to create “Who Would Win” slideshows using PebbleGo and World Book Kids databases. Their digital collaborations on Google Slides will culminate in class presentations, showcasing their research and teamwork skills.

Our time was packed with moments of learning, growth, and fun. We’re so proud of the creativity and effort our students bring to the library each day. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures as we continue our amazing adventures in the S-RC library!

Special Education Director

Shelby-Rising City Public Schools

Email: hthompson@shelby.esu7.org
Website: https://www.shelby.esu7.org/
Location: 650 North Walnut Street, Shelby, NE, USA
Phone: 402-527-5946 5718
Twitter: @mrs_thompson007