Hello Jr. Husky families! We have officially entered the last month of the semester! It's time to BUCKLE-UP and FINISH STRONG! This tends to be the time of the year where it can be hard to focus, and all we really want is Christmas Break - but with your help, we can still get some great things accomplished in the next three weeks!

In W.I.N. classes we will be switching the focus to READING, so make sure to ask your child what skills they have been working on AND if they get to work with anyone new in their W.I.N. groups. The concepts they work on during W.I.N can be reinforced through conversations with you - or even on IXL practice in the evenings (if you need your child's username and password, I'm sure their teacher can help you - or email the office and I can help too)!

Students will begin taking mid-year benchmark tests on December 11th - so please check out the schedule that will be posted below to know when your child will be testing. I do ask that your child get a good night sleep AND have a healthy breakfast on testing days (remember, school breakfast is ALWAYS an option if you're in a hurry)!!

As always, thank you so much for partnering with us and making sure your child's educational journey is an amazing one!

• December 1st - Book-It Awards Assembly
• December 6th - Elementary Problem Solving Team Meetings
• December 7th - Elementary Winter Concert @ 7pm
• December 11th - MS/HS Winter Concert @ 7pm
  
• December 15th - Title I Movie Night
• December 18th - BoE Meeting @ 7:00 (open to the public)
  
• December 20th - 10:10 Late Start (professional development for staff)
• December 20th - December Book-It Deadline
  
• December 21st - 5th Grade Science Fair (6pm-7pm)
• December 22nd - Early Dismissal (Elementary -1:15 - MS/HS -1:25)
• December 23-January 3rd - No School for Students: Christmas Break!!!
• January 4th - Students return to school!!

November was another great month for Book-It! We celebrated 91% of our elementary students making their goal - WAY TO GO, JUNIOR HUSKIES!!! We are all so proud of you! Keep reading each night and working on those monthly goals.

Our December deadline is PRIOR TO Christmas Break (December 20th) - so don't forget to turn in that reading log (grades K-2) or take those AR tests (3-5)!

Please remember safety is important at school, especially during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times. If you choose to park your vehicle in a parking spot, please walk with your child through the parking lot and if needed, help to remind them of the parking lot safety rules.

Lately, one of our biggest safety issues has been students running through the parking lot, not using the crosswalk, and not following basic road/sidewalk rules when they are walking to and from school. Teachers have taught and have been reviewing safety rules for the parking lot, but there is something about the bell ringing at the end of a school day that causes some of that to be forgotten.

Twice during the month of November, I had bus drivers report to me that students ran in front of them while in the parking lot. Thankfully, they were able to stop the bus. I would ask that you help our bus drivers, teachers, and me by having conversations with your child(ren) and remind them to use the sidewalks while walking around the school, to use crosswalks while crossing the streets, and to never run while in the parking lot (especially from in between cars where they may not be seen).

Parents are welcome to come and enjoy lunch with your child(ren) at any time. In order to do so, please make sure you:

1. Contact your child's classroom teacher prior to your visit to let them know you will be coming.
2. Check in at the front office and get a visitors badge to wear for the duration of your visit.

Please also understand that parent visits for lunch are restricted to the lunchroom only. Parents cannot accompany their child out to recess.

Adult lunches cost: $3.65. You can bring money with you, or use money from your child's account if you have a positive balance. Adults will not be able to eat and charge an account that has a negative balance.

Lunch Times for Each Grade Grade Level

Kindergarten & 1st Grade - 10:50-11:20

2nd Grade & 3rd Grade - 11:10-11:40

4th Grade & 5th Grade - 11:30-12:00

Tis the season for gift giving and buying that PERFECT gift for your child! When buying gifts for your child please remember that simple gifts that provoke creativity and thinking are helpful for the language development of kids! Language development supports the ability of your child to communicate, express, and understand feelings. Here are some helpful tips to buying gifts for kids:

1. No batteries

2. Follow your child’s interest

3. Toys that have multiple uses

4. Active toys

5. High quality, durable

6. Toys that spark creativity and imagination

When your child is actively engaged in playing (not watching TV or pressing buttons on a battery operated toy), he or she is developing cognitive, speech, and language skills!!

Gifts such as blocks, bubbles, arts and craft materials, board games, stacking toys, cards, and items for pretend play are encouraged and LOVED by children of all ages!

For the month of November the biggest behavioral issue in the elementary was defiance. Defiance is defined as, 'a brief or low-intensity failure to respond to adult requests, such as when asked to do something, the student refuses or ignores the adult's request.'

Solution for defiance:

Acknowledging Positive Behavior

How do I do it:

• Studies indicate a 5:1 ratio, or, 5 confirmations, praise & approvals for every 1 criticism or disparagement.
• Give praises even more frequently to challenging children.
• When a child is seen behaving appropriately, paying attention, being on task, being kind to others, etc, make a remark to the child about how happy or proud you are to see what they are doing. You could also say to your child, “Good Job paying attention to ______”, “I like what you are doing when you _______”, “You are doing ________ so well!”, etc.
• IMPORTANT! When giving praise, it is essential that you display a positive affect or demeanor while doing so. Express excitement and that you are pleased. This will increase the effectiveness of the technique.

Resources & Support for technique:

• Praise’s Magic Reinforcement Ratio: Five To One Gets The Job Done

Shelby-Rising City Elementary will be hosting a “Family Movie Night” and Title I Annual Meeting in the South Gym Friday, December 15th from 6:30-8:45 p.m. Preschool through Fifth Grade families are invited to attend. Popcorn will be provided. You may bring your own mix-ins and beverages. You may bring blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and lawn chairs.

In order for students to attend, they must be accompanied by an adult. If you are unable to attend, your child is welcome to have a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or other special adult as a guest. Younger/older siblings are welcome to attend. With this being a family event, we also expect students to sit with their families throughout the duration of the movie.

I hope you are able to bring your family and enjoy the movie along with me!

The Shelby-Rising City Cheer and Dance Team will be hosting a Cheer/Dance Camp for all students in the grades Preschool-8th.

DETAILS

Camp Practice and Preparation: Friday, January 5th, and Wednesday, January 12th from 6:30-7:45 p.m.

Performance Friday, January 12th: During the halftime of the boy’s varsity basketball game against Hampton.

Students participating will receive a t-shirt and a cheer bow to wear the night of the performance

The cost of the camp is $20 per student

If your child would like to participate, please fill out this Google Form link: tinyurl.com/SRCdance

Payment will need to be sent to school offices by Friday, January 5th (Make checks payable to Shelby-Rising City Dance)

Elementary Principal

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