Chief Weekly
Week of January 19th - 23rd, 2026
Week @ a Glance:
Zitzman Artwork is displayed at First State Community Bank for the month of January!
Monday: NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Tuesday: D Day.
Wednesday: A Day. ZE PTO Dine to Donate: Camila's at the Royale 11am-10pm. ZE PTO Mtg 4:00pm. MVR3 Board Mtg 6:00pm.
Thursday: B Day.
Friday: C Day.
Celebrating Success at Zitzman!
Attendance
We are excited to recognize the following classes for earning all of their CHIEFS Attendance Letters and receiving a class reward last week:
- Ms.Barmeier's Class
- Ms. Dillard's Class
- Mrs. Centerino's Class
Chief Cheers
This week, we are excited to recognize students who earned Chief Cheers for demonstrating Zitzman’s and Meramec Valley's Core Values. Congratulations to:
Responsibility: Myla F, Mason W
Community: Walker S
Learning: Lola P
Citizenship Hunter A
We are so proud of these students for modeling positive behaviors and helping make our school a welcoming and supportive place!
January - Bully Prevention Focus
Week 2 Focus
Using Words & Managing Big Feelings
Families can choose one activity to try at home:
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🗣️ Practice the Words: Help your child practice phrases like “I don’t like that,” “Please stop,” or “I need help.”
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🧠 Feelings Check-In: Ask your child to name one feeling they had today and what helped them manage it.
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🎨 Draw It Out: Have your child draw a picture of a time they felt frustrated and how they calmed down.
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🧘 Calm-Down Moment: Practice a simple strategy together (deep breaths, counting to 10, stretching).
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⭐ Catch Them Being Calm: Point out and praise when your child uses words or coping skills during a tough moment.
Parent Feedback Opportunity:
We value your perspective! This feedback form is NOT mandatory, but it’s a great opportunity to share your thoughts and help us build common language and understanding together.
Your voice matters and we are want to hear from you!
Yearbook Sales - Now open!
Breakfast Menu
Lunch Menu
Valentines Day at Zitzman Elementary
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and we’re excited to celebrate while keeping the focus on learning! We WILL celebrate on Friday, February 13th, but please remember—it is still a school day, and students will be engaged in learning activities, many with a fun Valentine’s theme.
Here are a few important reminders:
- Next Steps & Teacher Communication – You should be receiving details from your child’s teacher regarding their specific classroom plans. If you haven’t heard anything and have concerns, please reach out to them or me.
- Valentine’s Exchange – Students will be allowed to pass out Valentine’s cards during a designated classroom time. Please ensure your child brings one for each classmate to include everyone.
- No Candy Policy – We CANNOT accept valentines with candy attached. However, small, non-food items such as pencils, erasers, stickers, fidgets, or bookmarks, etc. are great alternatives. I am a parent as well and I understand how hard it is to go to the store and find valentines without food/candy of some sort. If a valentine is brought with anything edible the students will be asked to keep it in their bag/box until they get home for parent supervision/decision on what they can and cannot have.
Thank you for helping us make this a fun and inclusive celebration while keeping our focus on learning. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! ❤️
MVNation Opportunities
Coffee with Carrie Dates
Family and community engagement is a top priority for the MVR-III School District. To support this goal, Superintendent Dr. Carrie Schwierjohn is hosting monthly Coffee with Carrie sessions.
These informal gatherings offer a dedicated space for parents and community members to ask questions, share new ideas, and stay informed about district news. We invite you to join us for free coffee and conversation at Little Ireland Coffee, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., on the following dates:
February 10, 2026
March 10, 2026
March 31, 2026
April 14, 2026
May 12, 2026
We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your perspectives!
Community Opportunities
All Things PTO
Where is your money going with your support these events?
Our main focus for all monies raised is to purchase a sound system in the Zitzman Elementary gym! Right now when we have assemblies or performances we use a portable speaker system.
ZE PTO Dine to Donate - Wednesday January 21st
ZE PTO Meeting - Wednesday January 21st @
ZE PTO Trivia Night - Saturday March 28th
Contact Us
Email: zitzmanelempto@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/zitzmanelempto
Donations: https://givebutter.com/zitzman-elementary-pto
25-26 PTO Activities
- Jan. 21st Dine to Donate Day @ Camila's
- Jan. 21st PTO Meeting
- Mar. 28th - Trivia Night
Zitzman Spirit Wear!
Zitzman Store
Preview our Spirit Wear store! Get yourself some Zitzman or MVR3 gear to show your spirit on purple Fridays or wear our logo around town proudly! Lots of good items and you are able to pick colors and logos to customize to your liking!
MVR3 Spirit Wear!
District Store
This store has a WIDE variety of options and mostly PHS and Athletics based but there are some options where you can choose the Zitzman logo or just the district logo!
Guiding Us This School Year: Our Why & How
Looking Ahead - Save the Date:
- Jan. 19th - NO SCHOOL: Martin Luther King Day
- Jan. 21st - ZE PTO Meeting 4pm
- Jan. 21st - MVR3 Board Meeting 6pm
- Jan. 26th - 30th - National Kindness Week
- Jan. 30th - Feb. 13th - Zitzman BoBo's Fundraiser Sales OPEN
From me to you...
Dear Zitzman Families,
Thank you for trusting us with your children.
School is more than lessons and assignments. It’s a place where kids learn how to belong, how to try again, and how to grow—sometimes in big ways, and sometimes in very quiet ones. We know that learning doesn’t stop at the school doors, and we are grateful for the partnership we share with you each day.
Using Words & Managing Big Feelings
This week at school, we’re helping students practice using words and healthy strategies to manage big feelings. Learning how to express frustration, ask for help, and calm down are important skills that help prevent conflict and keep everyone feeling safe.
How families can support at home this week:
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Encourage your child to use words like “I don’t like that,” “Please stop,” or “I need help.”
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Talk about what helps your child calm down when they feel upset or frustrated.
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Praise moments when your child handles a tough situation with words or asks for help.
These small conversations make a big difference. Thank you for partnering with us as we build strong communication and self-regulation skills together.
Leading & Learning,
Dr. Jenna Sladek
Principal, Zitzman Elementary
