Parent Comet News
Tombaugh Elementary Newsletter: May 2025
A Word from your Principals:
Dear Tombaugh Families:
At Tombaugh, we are committed to nurturing not only the academic growth of our students but also their social and emotional development. In our effort to help students become respectful, responsible, and empathetic individuals, we are implementing restorative practices as a key approach to building conflict resolution skills.
Restorative practices are centered on fostering healthy relationships and creating a strong sense of community. When conflicts arise—whether between peers or within the classroom—we guide students to reflect on their actions, understand the impact on others, and take responsibility in a meaningful way. Rather than focusing solely on punishment, restorative approaches encourage dialogue, accountability, and repair of harm.
You may hear your child talk about “restorative circles,” “community meetings,” or conversations where they are asked to express how they feel and how others might feel too. These strategies empower students to resolve conflicts respectfully, communicate effectively, and grow in their ability to empathize and problem-solve.
We invite you to support this approach at home by encouraging open communication, modeling empathy, and helping your child reflect on ways to resolve conflicts peacefully. Together, we can equip our students with the tools they need to build strong relationships and thrive as kind and thoughtful citizens.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about restorative practices at our school, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Lisa Wilson - Principal / lmanes@lcps.net
Javonna Leos - Assistant Principal / jleos@lcps.net
Registration OPEN for 25-26 School Year!
School T-Shirt Days
Thursday is our College Shirt Day!
Friday is our School Shirt Day!
LOST & FOUND
PLEASE remind your child to go through the lost and found table to retrieve anything that belongs to them! We will donate remaining items after May 15th. We will ask teachers to also take their classes to look through items. You are welcome to come and look yourself as well!!!
Attendance Matters
Attendance for Success
Across the country, more than 8 million students are missing so many days of school that they are academically at risk. Chronic absence — missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absence for any reason—excused, unexcused absences and suspensions, can translate into third-graders unable to master reading, sixth-graders failing subjects and ninth-graders dropping out of high school.
A Word From our Nurse
Dear Families,
I want to take a moment to share a quick reminder about when you can expect a phone call from the nurse’s office. To prioritize the health of the students in our care and ensure they receive the attention they need, we typically make phone calls home only for specific situations: head injuries, illnesses with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, suspected fractures or severe injuries, or when a student presents with ongoing signs of significant illness after multiple visits.
Please know that this approach allows us to focus on providing the best possible care to students in the nurse’s office, while also supporting their time in class and continued learning. We will always use our professional judgment and keep your child’s health, safety, and well-being at the center of every decision.
Thank you for trusting us to care for your children.
Warmly,
Shawni Pinson
School Nurse
Student Handbook Spotlight
Our Student Handbook has been provided to all students. Complete Student Handbook can be found below. We will highlight an area of focus each month on our Parent Newsletter.
NO DISMISSAL CHANGES AFTER 2:00
Walking School Bus Day
Tombaugh will host Walking School Bus EVERY THURSDAY for the 24-25 School Year!
Upcoming NO SCHOOL Days
Monday, May 26th: Memorial Day / No School
Friday, May 30th: Early Release Day / Last Day of School
HELP US KEEP OUR TEACHERS HAPPY!
We will GLADLY accept donations for our teachers' snack table. This goodie table is located in our PLC / Conference Room where meetings are held daily for staff. Thank you to those who donated last month!
Upcoming Events:
5/1: District Track Meet (Selected 5th Grade Students)
5/5-5/9: Teacher Appreciation Week
5/7: Kinder Music Concert @ 1:30
5/8: Fourth Grade Music Concert @ 1:30
5/13: Fourth Grade Field Trip
5/14: KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP @ 8:00-10:00 & 5:00-7:00 (incoming Kinders for 25-26 school year)
5/21: TGT Biggies Talent Show @ 9:00 & 1:00
5/22: Fifth Grade Field Trip
5/22: Headstart Water Day
5/23: PreK Parent Conferences / NO PreK Students
5/23: Kindergarten End of Year Celebration @ 9:00-10:30
5/23: Senior Grad Walk @ 1:00
5/26: NO SCHOOL / Memorial Day
5/27: PFO Meeting @ 3:00
5/29: NMPreK & DD-Pre Water Day & Kinder Water Day
5/30: Last Day of School / Early Release Day
Tombaugh PFO Meeting (Zoom available)
Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 03:00 PM
Tombaugh Library OR https://lcps.zoom.us/j/82365116381?pwd=S4NFg4ZCAXQaXxxXca9QLeZf4jxYQM.1
Tombaugh's Vision & Mission Statement
Tombaugh Mission Statement
As teachers at Tombaugh, we provide each student with differentiated instruction in a safe, encouraging environment that develops critical thinking, motivation, and excellence in learning while promoting respectful core values. We work as a team with parents and community members to support the students in developing skills to become life-long learners.
Tombaugh Vision Statement
To create a SAFE, ENCOURAGING ENVIRONMENT, where EVERYONE feels APPRECIATED, LISTENED TO, and RESPECTED.
LCPS's Vision and Mission Statement
Vision
Where all learners thrive.
Mission
The Las Cruces Public Schools provides a safe, caring, equitable, and student-centered learning environment that cultivates civic and community engagement, promotes excellence, and honors diversity.
iRide App
We will still utilize the iRide App! It is a great system of communication to help us know your child is SAFELY released from school each day. If you do not have the option of using the app, PLEASE make special arrangements with your child's teacher to help us make sure they are ready for you. Instructions for the iRide app can be found below in English and Spanish.
Contact Information
Email: lmanes@lcps.net
Website: https://tombaugh.lcps.net
Location: 226 Carver Road, Las Cruces, NM, USA
Phone: 575-527-9575