Panther Pamphlet

Dear Parkwood Families,

It's hard to believe we are almost through the first month of 2026 and heading into February! Thank you everyone for a wonderful and flexible January.

Celebrations from the Week

We had many bright moments this month despite the snow interruptions!

• Thank you to families and staff for being flexible with schedule changes due to the storms — your cooperation helped keep students safe and learning.
• We are hopeful that we are back on track for a full week of school next week. As always the district will update if we do have any additional snow or cold days.
• Unfortunately when there are snow days all of our scheduled meetings have to be rescheduled. This included our board recognition night.
• Although our board recognition night was postponed, we appreciate everyone who planned to attend and we will share the rescheduled date as soon as the district confirms it.

We are grateful for the community spirit at Parkwood — it’s what helps us bounce back quickly after interruptions.

Important Announcements — Please Note These Dates

• Mon, Jan 26 — Start of second semester
• Wed, Jan 28 — Building Spelling Bee CANCELLED due to snow days. Rescheduled for Friday, Feb 9 at 2:15 PM. Teachers will reach out next week with more information for eligible students. Eligible students: 4th and 5th graders who first pass the classroom qualifying spelling tests.
• Fri, Jan 30 — Popcorn Friday: Students may purchase popcorn for $0.50 per bag.
• Mon, Feb 2 — No school (Professional Development Day)
• Fri, Feb 13 — PTO‑Sponsored Valentine’s Dance. More information coming soon!
• Wed, Feb 25 — Parkwood Literacy Night (details below)

Additional Information & Save-the-Date Details

• Parkwood Annual Literacy Night

  • When: Wednesday, February 25 — 5:00–6:30 PM
  • Theme: Kalamazoo Promise Readers: Literacy Today, College & Career Tomorrow
  • Focus: Activities to promote literacy, future educational opportunities, career exploration, and information about the Kalamazoo Promise.
  • Volunteers: If you have college or career connections or expertise and would like to help:
    • Contact your child’s classroom teacher to support a classroom activity, or
    • Contact me if you’re interested in hosting a table or activity on career/college topics. We’ll also have many community partners present.

• First Day Shoe Fund — Ordering Now Open

  • Free new tennis shoes for all Kalamazoo Public Schools' K–5 students are available through the First Day Shoe Fund. Ordering is now open!
  • Order link: https://firstdayshoefund.org/order/
  • Ordering window: Open now (starting Jan 22) through 6:00 PM on Feb 10, 2026.
  • Fitting & distribution: Shoes will be fitted and sent home with students between Feb 18 and Mar 12.
  • Important: If you have children in more than one KPS building, place a separate order for each child with the correct school so fittings and deliveries go to the right location.
  • See the flyer in the Upcoming Events & Flyers section for more details.

• Help Design the Future of Kalamazoo — Flyers & Meetings

  • Information and meeting dates are available in the Upcoming Events & Flyers section. We encourage families to review and participate if interested.

We are thankful for community resources like the First Day Shoe Fund and for families who help make school events meaningful and accessible for our students.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Your involvement, encouragement, and care for our students make Parkwood a wonderful place to learn and grow.

We look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events — especially Literacy Night on February 25 — and to continuing our strong partnership throughout the rest of the school year.

Warmly,

Principal Rosecrans

rosecransje@kalamazoopublicschools.net

269-337-0720

We love when our parents volunteer! Different volunteer opportunities include helping restock our library, helping chaperone field trips, organizing the popcorn for popcorn days, and helping in classrooms if you have arranged this with your child's teacher. Volunteers must have a background check on file. These are in the office if you need a form.

Also our district has an additional layer to help support the safety of our students. This is the Raptor technology sign in tool. Anyone who is not a KPS employee will be asked to sign in using this tool. The machine will scan any visitor's id and check Michigan registry databases. It will then print out a visitor badge for the person to wear and enter our building. If you are just staying in the office to pick up your child or drop something off you will not need to use this sign in tool. Thank you for helping support the safety of our students and please reach out to me if you have any questions.

Digital Media can be used for so many activities that advance learning and improve our lives. They can also have a negative side if boundaries aren't put in place.

We have had many students interact with each other outside of school on social media. This can be a great way for them to connect and build strong friendships. Last week though, we saw 5th grade students bring conflict into the school stating it started from weekend group chats among friends. We weren't able to identify all students in this group chat. This is a friendly reminder for all families to be checking your child's text chats and social media. Digital Citizenship is an important social skill and children learn best when we guide them on how to have healthy digital friendships.

Jan 28th NO spelling Bee! Rescheduled due to snow days

Jan 30th Popcorn Friday

Feb 2nd No School Professional Development Day

Feb 9th 4th & 5th grade spelling Bee @ 2:15 for eligible students

Feb 13th PTO Sponsored Valentine's Dance 6-7:30

Feb 19th 5th Grade Orchestra @ Chenery 6:30

Feb 20th Popcorn Friday & 2nd Grade Wax Museum @ 3:05

Feb 24th Spring First Day Shoe Fund Distribution

Feb 25th Literacy Night & 3rd Grade Performance

Feb 27th No School Mid-Winter Break

Mar 4th PEEP & Kindergarten Orientation for next year

Mar 13th Popcorn Friday

Mar 19th No School Professional Development Day

Mar 20th No School Records Day

Mar 23rd-Mar 26th Scholastic Book Fair More info coming soon

Mar 23rd 1st and 2nd Grade Musical & Conferences 4:00-8:00

Mar 24th Spring Conferences 4:00-8:00

Mar 26th Spring Conferences 12:00-4:00

Mar 27th No School

Mar 30th-Apr 3rd Spring Break

Apr 17th Last Popcorn Friday

Apr 20th 4th & 5th Grade Performance

May 21st Orchestra & Drum Choir Performance

5th Grade Orchestra Concert

Date: Thursday, February 13th

Time: 6:30 pm - 5:45 arrival time

Location: Chenery Auditorium - Enter through Dutton Street doors

Dress Code: "Dress to Impress"

Admission: Admission is free, so please invite your whole family

This is a required performance event, so please do all that you can to ensure that your student is there to perform along side all their orchestra colleagues!

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Take care,

Ben Gudbrandson

Parkwood Orchestra Teacher

gudbrandsonbd@kalamazoopublicschools.net