KES 2026 February Newsletter 💘
Valentine's for Veterans Program
We will once again this year participate in the 'Valentine's for Vets' program. The Valentine's for Vets program gives our students an opportunity to create Valentine’s Day cards for our local veterans, letting them know we appreciate everything they’ve sacrificed, and that they aren’t forgotten. The Valentine’s Day cards will be delivered to local Veteran’s organizations and the Montrose VA Hospital.
Kindergarten Orientation
Families with a child turning five years old on or before December 1, 2026 are invited to attend our Kindergarten Orientation, held at KES on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 from 7-8 p.m. Snow Date: Wednesday, March 4. Information about Kindergarten Registration will be provided. This presentation is for parents/caregivers only.
Community Read: The Power of One
The Power of One by Trudy Ludwig and Mike Curato- every act of kindness counts.
This book will be sent home with each child in class for one night during the month of February.
Honoring Black History Month
In celebration of Black History Month, the KES Library is excited to highlight the amazing contributions of Black Americans who are making history today. Students will explore stories of activists, scientists, artists, entrepreneurs and athletes whose ideas and leadership are shaping the world around us.
We’ll also be sharing a wonderful selection of books by Black authors and illustrators like Christian Robinson, Oge Mora, Kwame Alexander, Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Derrick Barnes, and many more. These stories help students see themselves in books, learn about different perspectives, and understand why representation matters. We’re looking forward to diving into these powerful and inspiring reads with our students!
Problem Solving Grades 1, 3 and 5
Students will develop problem-solving skills using STEP.
Say the problem without blame
Think of solutions
Explore the outcomes/consequences
Pick the best solution
These problem-solving steps incorporate previous lessons including empathy, identify and manage emotions, stay calm skills and perspective-taking.
HOW PARENTS CAN USE “STEPS” FOR PROBLEM-SOLVING
SAY THE PROBLEM WITHOUT BLAME
• It’s important to have discussions about what BLAME means.
• Avoid terms like “you always” or “she never.”
• It’s helpful to think of what each person wants to come up with a way to say the
problem without blame.
• For example, “I want you to clean up; You want to keep playing.”
“We both want to use the computer to do something different.”
“We feel differently about the best way to complete homework.”
• It’s so important to state the problem without blame in order to keep the conversation
neutral. If we point fingers at others, they get defensive which can cause a bigger
argument. We want to focus on finding a solution, not who is to blame for the problem.
THINK OF SOLUTIONS THAT ARE SAFE AND RESPECTFUL
• First list the possible solutions. You will explore the consequences for each in the next
step.
• You may include solutions that only work for one person, but you will realize that during
the next step.
• Examples of solutions are:
-Take turns during the timeframe or day by day
-Try it each person’s way
-Choose something altogether different
-Ask someone neutral for ideas
EXPLORE CONSEQUENCES
• For each solution, consider pros and cons, and if everyone will be satisfied.
• Remember, solving the problem does not mean everyone will be happy.
The goal is to be able to agree so we can move on in a safe and respectful way.
• For each solution, make sure it is safe and respectful.
PICK THE BEST SOLUTION
• Hopefully, the STEPS allow everyone to figure out the best solution without fighting.
• If the previous steps do not lead to a simple solution, an adult gets to make the final call.
Winter Outdoor Recess
The chilly weather is here!!! Please be sure your child comes to school in clothing that is appropriate for outdoor play.
If the temperature, including the wind chill, is below forty degrees, students should wear the following:
- Warm coats
- Long pants
On snowy days in order to play in the snow (including sledding) students will also need:
- Snow pants
- Boots
- Hats
- Gloves
All students will be going out for recess so please make sure that your children are dressed appropriately.
If the temperature, including the wind chill, falls below twenty degrees, the students will stay inside for recess. Dr. Louis A. Corsaro, the school district physician, has advised us in these matters.
Nurse Updates:
- Due to NYS medication guidelines the health office cannot apply Vaseline or lotion- please apply before school.
- Please ensure that emergency contacts are local and aware they are listed. Students going home sick are expected to be picked up within an hour of notification.
- Please ensure that all K/1 students have an extra set of seasonally appropriate clothes.
- Cough drops are prohibited at school due to being a choking hazard.
- Please review the lice statement on the health services website HERE, it is important for parents to regularly check children for lice at home.
Elementary Progress Reports: Semester 1
Classroom Teachers and Special Area Teachers are completing progress reports for our students. Progress Reports will be made available on February 13 via the Parent Campus. You will receive a Thrillshare message when the reports are available for viewing.
The progress report reflects your child’s progress in relation to the current NY State Standards. Student performance is reported on a continuum from beginning to secure for the specified time of year. As the year progresses and as children move from one grade level to the next, schoolwork becomes more challenging, and expectations increase accordingly. Therefore, the assessment indicators -beginning, developing, approaching secure, and secure- may vary as the student moves from semester to semester, or from year to year. Thus, a rating of “secure” may change in a particular area over time. Due to the pacing and/or complexity of the curriculum, some indicators may not be expected at the beginning or middle of the year, therefore, you may see NE, indicating a standard is not expected for that time of year. (See Progress Report Rating Scale below.)
The grade reporting system includes information about your child’s approach to learning as a whole (work and study habits), and their progress in academic areas. Within each academic category, there is an ‘At-a-Glance' description of the content area topics that are addressed at that time of year, as well as the standards that are being assessed. Teachers use a variety of methods to determine strengths and areas that require attention and support. The teacher comments section aims to give you a holistic view of your child as a learner and address specific learning goals.
Katonah-Lewisboro values ongoing communication between home and school. While there is one dedicated parent-teacher conference in our school calendar, families and teachers can reach out at any time to set up additional communication. This report may be a resource for helping students set goals as they seek to advance to the next level. We will continue to help all children grow at their own level of ability and readiness. We remain committed to your child’s success and creating a positive elementary school experience.
Progress Report Rating Scale
Beginning (B): Not yet demonstrating any independence in meeting standard expected at this time of year.
Developing (D): Starting to show some independence in meeting standard at this time of year.
Approaching Secure (A): Demonstrating independence in meeting standard at this time of year, however it is not yet consistent.
Secure (S): Independently and consistently meeting standard expected at this time of year.
(NE): Not expected at this time.
The progress report includes sections for ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, Visual Arts, Music and PE all in one multi-page document. The same rating scale is applied throughout.
If you have questions about the content of your child's progress report, please reach out directly to the classroom teacher(s).
K-5 Curriculum Updates
Each month, we will be providing curriculum highlights from each grade level. Please know that these are snapshots and do not reflect all the curriculum and learning in the classroom.
Students in kindergarten will continue to strengthen their reading powers as they read and reread to build fluency and comprehension. These powers include pointing under each word, sliding all the way through the sounds of an unknown word, and recognizing Snap Words. This work will be supported as children further develop their phonemic awareness skills by listening for individual sounds, or phonemes, in words. They will not only blend (put together) and segment (separate) phonemes, but will also work on adding, deleting, and substituting phonemes in words. As children write to teach others, they are working through the writing cycle to plan, illustrate, write, and share their 'How To' books. Craftsmanship is a priority as children write with their reader in mind. Kindergarteners will practice modeling with math as we explore addition and move on to subtraction. Students will represent and persevere in problem solving by using objects, fingers, drawings, acting out situations, or creating written equations. In science we will explore Forces and Motions using a variety of hands-on activities which will allow students to investigate and build their own knowledge about what happens when forces are exerted on objects.
Students in first grade will continue working with nonfiction text sets during Reading Workshop. They will read and discuss the books in their text sets with a partner. Using these text sets and the classroom library, students will explore topics that interest them and may inspire their writing during Writing Workshop. In math, students will compare objects to determine which are longer or shorter using nonstandard measurement tools such as Unifix Cubes and paper clips. They will also work with two-digit numbers by identifying how many tens and ones make up each number. In science, students will continue their learning as light and sound engineers by exploring light sources and shadows. Although the month is short, it will be filled with exciting activities and celebrations, including “Football Friday” on Friday, February 6 and a Valentine’s Day celebration on Friday, February 13.
Students in second grade have been learning how to write opinion letters during Writing Workshop. For Valentine’s Day, the children will be writing letters to special people in their lives. These letters will be filled with kind thoughts, happy memories, and loving words, as well as clear opinion statements supported by evidence to explain their feelings. We look forward to Special Person’s Day, when students will perform in a musical presentation and then read their letters to their guests of honor. In reading, students have been working on building fluency, including intonation and expression. We are grateful to have so many wonderful books in our classrooms to support this practice! Students are also using these same reading skills to solve word problems in math. Our current focus is on solving addition and subtraction problems within 1,000, and we will then begin learning about measuring length. In science, students have been rolling up their sleeves as they explore landforms and how they change over time. Our second grade geologists are always eager to ask questions and investigate!
Students in third grade will deepen their character studies by growing theories, making predictions, and supporting their thinking with evidence from the text during reading. In writing, students will begin crafting literary essays, learning how to make a clear claim and support it with strong details. In math, third graders will build fluency with adding and subtracting within 1,000 using place value strategies such as partial sums and partial differences. They will also practice checking their work with estimation and using whole-number operations to solve problems. As the month continues, students will tackle two-step problems and learn to check their answers for reasonableness. In science, our young scientists will continue exploring weather and climate by analyzing data and making observations about patterns they see in the world around them.
Students in fourth grade are wrapping up a cross-curricular unit in ELA, in which they will be utilizing research skills, including note-taking and synthesizing, and finalizing the research by presenting the Living Wax Museum. By using our nonfiction research skills, alongside the writing unit, Boxes & Bullets, students will write and publish argument essays in which they make the argument for why the historical or important contemporary figure they studied should be included in a wax museum. In math, students will continue to develop their understanding of fractions by exploring problems around adding and subtracting fractions. In social studies, students are excited to begin learning about the events that led up to the Revolutionary War.
Students in fifth grade will will be honing their skills at writing powerful literary essays. They will be starting a math unit on computation with fractions. Students will start by adding and subtracting fractions and then move on to multiplying with mixed numbers. A trip to the Westchester Legislature in White Plains, has been planned for early in the month. This will augment the social studies unit on government and how laws are made. In science, fifth graders will continue their study of matter-- atoms, molecules, substances, mixtures—as they take on the role of food scientists. Parents will also be invited into the classroom to work with their fifth grader on engaging Valentine STEM activities on February 13. Details to come!
RTI Winter Benchmarking
As per our Response to Intervention District Plan mandated by New York State benchmarks, or screenings, will begin in mid-January for students in grades K-5. The assessments are administered as a whole group and individually, depending on the grade and subject area. The results of the screening along with other school data will be reviewed by the KES RTI Team (Principal, Assistant Principal, School Psychologist, Interventionists, Classroom Teachers). If your child qualifies for services, changes their level of services, or exits services based on the criteria outlined across the district, you will receive parent communication by February 13.
In celebration of Black History Month, the KES Library is excited to highlight the amazing contributions of Black Americans who are making history today. Students will explore stories of athletes, activists, scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs whose ideas and leadership are shaping the world around us.
We’ll also be sharing a wonderful selection of books by Black authors and illustrators like Christian Robinson, Oge Mora, Kwame Alexander, Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Derrick Barnes, and many more. These stories help students see themselves in books, learn about different perspectives, and understand why representation matters. We’re looking forward to diving into these powerful and inspiring reads with our students!
Snowy Trees
Kindergarten artists used brushes as well as fingertips to create a snowy scene.
Artists observed beautiful winter trees that had been freshly snowed upon.
Snowy Landscapes (Tiny but Mighty!)
First grade artists learned about perspective as they attempted to create the illusion of distance in their small, sweet paintings. By putting the biggest trees at the bottom in the biggest area of land, they appear closer. The smaller trees towards the top in the smaller area of land seem further away. Artists first drew and then painted with homemade watercolors to create these tiny but mighty snowy landscapes.
Bears in Sweaters
Second grade artists explored line to create these fun, festive Bears in Sweaters. They discovered that a line can be used to create the look of texture. Artists used line to create their bear’s fur then played a game with dice and a line pattern game sheet to create the detailed sweater.
Winter Weaving
Third grade artists tried weaving with paper and created some bold, patterned pieces upon which they laid their cut-paper snowflakes and icicles, if desired.
Evergreen Study
Fourth grade artists observed real sprigs of evergreen trees, which keep their green all year round. Looking closely at the branches and the needles, artists drew what they saw (not imagined) and layered colors with oil pastels to give it depth and texture. Can you guess what unexpected painting tool they used to splatter the "snow"?
Kindergarten:
Kindergarten students will continue to demonstrate proper mallet technique while learning to play a variety of songs on bell sets(“SnowFlakes, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”). They will perform in small groups to reinforce ensemble skills and cooperative music-making. Students will further explore and differentiate vocal qualities (speaking, singing, whispering, and shouting) through songs and dramatic play. In addition, they will learn about the role of the conductor and practice conducting the class using simple quarter-note patterns.
First Grade:
First-grade students will continue developing note-reading skills through the use of Orff instruments, learning to identify notes on the staff while performing simple rhythms. They will explore orchestral instrument families through Peter and the Wolf, gaining an understanding of strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion while connecting music to emotion and storytelling. Students will also celebrate the African influence on music in the Americas by exploring rhythms from North America, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
Second Grade:
Second-grade students will focus on final preparations for their Special Person’s Day performance. They will then learn foundational skills on Orff instruments, performing songs with multiple parts while reinforcing note-reading on the music staff. Additionally, students will celebrate the African influence on music in the Americas by exploring rhythms from North America, the Caribbean, and Latin America, as well as learning about African American composers and musicians.
Third Grade:
Third-grade students will continue to strengthen their recorder technique and playing ability, performing songs using the notes B, A, G, D, and C with an emphasis on producing a clear tone and playing together as one ensemble. Students are encouraged to review and practice their recorders at home. Recorders and books should be brought to each class.
Fourth Grade:
After receiving their roles in Schoolhouse Rock Jr., students will begin developing foundational acting and singing skills to support their performances. Through drama games and improvisation, students will build trust, strengthen connections, and foster a love of theatre. Additionally, they will explore jazz improvisation while learning about the contributions of influential Black musicians such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald.
Fifth Grade:
Fifth-grade students will continue learning the basics of guitar, building on their prior ukulele experience. They will explore similarities and differences between the two instruments while refining left-hand technique, rest stroke, and free stroke to play melodies. Students will also learn basic chords and perform in both small and large ensembles. Additionally, they will research and explore influential contemporary African American composers and musicians.
Are you a NY Rangers fan? Islanders fan? Or maybe you're a Buffalo Sabres fan? The month of February in PE will consist of our fun and exciting floor hockey unit! Students will be engaged in a variety of stations combining fitness and hockey skill work including stick handling, passing and shooting. As the month goes on and the students' skills progress, they will participate in grade appropriate modified and lead up hockey games and 7 on 7 hockey. Our hockey unit will also include a fan favorite - Scooter Hockey!🏒🥅
Cristy Harris, Principal and KES Dignity Act Coordinator 763-7700 or charris@klschools.org
Kweon Stambaugh, Assistant Principal (designee) 763-7705 or kstambaugh@klschools.org
Jessica Fulton, Social Worker (designee) 763-7669 or jfulton@klschools.org.