Cardinal Elementary News

Monday, October 19th:

Early release for students @ 1:50

Regular Board Meeting 6:30 @ OVHS Community Room

Tuesday, October 20th:

Wednesday, October 21st:

Thursday, October 22nd:

3:00-4:30 DI Team Meetings

5:30-7:00 Harvest Night

Friday, October 23rd:

Cardinal Pride Day: Wear your OV Gear or Colors

Friday Treats- 50 cents each $2.00 max.

Upcoming Important Dates:

October 22nd Harvest Night 5:30-7:00

October 26th-29th Fall Conferences/ Early Release/ Scholastic Bookfair

October 30th Halloween Parade 9:30

November 2nd- No School for students

November 9th- Early Release

November 9th PTO Meeting 5:30-6:30

November 16th Early Release

November 16th School Board Meeting @ OVHS Community Room 6:30

November 25th-27th Thanksgiving Break

December 2nd-3rd Santa's Workshop

December 3rd 5:30-7:00 Holiday Craft and Cookie Night (Santa's Workshop will be open)

November 16th 6:30 Regular Board Meeting @ OVHS Community Room

November 19th- Thanksgiving Luncheon

November 25th-29th Thanksgiving Break

December 2nd and 3rd Santa's Workshop

December 3rd Holiday Craft and Cookie Night (Santa's Workshop will be open)

December 7th 6:00 2nd Grade Holiday Concert

December 8th 6:00 3rd Grade Holiday Concert

December 14th 6:00 4th Grade Holiday Concert

December 14th 6:30 Regular Board Meeting at OVHS Community Room

December 15th 6:00 5th Grade Holiday Concert

December 19th- January 3rd Winter Break

We are looking for volunteers to help at the Scholastic Book Fair. Background checks are required 72 hours before volunteering.

If you are interested in helping work the book fair, please click the link.

The parade will being at 9:30.

Costume Guidelines

To ensure a fun, safe, and school-appropriate celebration for all students, please review the following costume expectations:

• No Blood or Guts: Costumes should not include blood, gore, or graphic elements.

• No Fake Weapons: Toy weapons or weapon accessories are not permitted.

• School-Appropriate Attire: All costumes and clothing must be appropriate for the school setting.

• Masks: Masks may be worn during the costume parade but may not be worn during the school day.

• Come to School Ready! Students must arrive at school wearing their costumes and any makeup they plan to use. We will not have time set aside for students to get dressed or apply makeup.

• Bring a Change of Clothes: We encourage students to bring a change of clothes, especially if their costumes are uncomfortable or difficult to wear throughout the day (such as inflatable costumes).

Thank you for helping us make our Cardinal Costume Parade a safe, fun, and memorable experience for everyone! ❤️

One parent or grandparent will be able to attend the classroom party. Teachers will communicate with their families the time for their classroom party. Times will vary based on classroom schedules.

To help ensure a safe, organized, and enjoyable event for everyone, please keep the following expectations in mind:

• Two Adults Per Student: Due to space limitations, we can accommodate only two parents or grandparents per student. We ask that all families follow this guideline consistently so that everyone is treated fairly.

  
  

• No Additional Children: Siblings and other children will not be permitted to attend classroom parties. No exceptions.

  
  

• Help Us Plan! We welcome family volunteers who would like to help plan games, snacks, and activities. If you are interested in helping, please contact your child's teacher!

  
  

• Visitor Stickers Required: All visitors must wear a visitor sticker while in the building. Stickers will be provided at the event. If you do not have a visitor sticker, you will be directed to the office to obtain one.

  
  

Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and support in helping us make this a great experience for our Cardinal students, staff, and families! ❤️

The Toys for Tots sign up is open now through November 1st. Please follow the link to apply for help during the holidays.

9/25/26

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Your child is about to begin, or may have already begun, a period of rapid growth called puberty.

Many children wonder if they are normal as they notice themselves and their friends going through

physical and emotional changes that prepare them for adulthood.

By teaching children about the wonderful ways they are maturing, adults can promote a positive

attitude that helps children grow into healthy, responsible adults. Children who have talked to their

parents and other trusted adults are more likely to understand the changes they are going through

and are able to avoid risky behavior.

As your partners in education, your Board of Education has approved a series of lessons called

Puberty: The Wonder Years, as part of our health curriculum. These lessons were selected after

careful scrutiny by parents, teachers, students, and medical personnel from our community. These

lessons will be taught along with a unit on Health during P.E. class during the week of October 19,

2026.

Your child will be encouraged to talk to you about growing up and to ask you questions.

The main focus of these lessons is to promote appreciation and respect for the amazing physical

changes experienced by self and others.

If you choose to excuse your child from this lesson, please attach a note to this letter signed by a

parent/guardian and give it to the classroom teacher.

You may make an appointment to review the materials if you wish. You may have your child

excused from any of the puberty lessons without penalty if you decide that is best. Please contact

me if you have any questions or would like to discuss this information further.

Sincerely,

Jeff DeKuiper – P.E. Teacher (231) 760-1763

Jennifer Fethke – School Counselor (231) 760-1718

It has been a good start to the year in physical education. We began the year discussing the importance of rules when playing games, as it helps lessen conflict when there is a common understanding of how to play. We discussed the rules and played two games that students could also play during recess…gaga ball and four square. This week we worked on the skills of throwing and catching, and will continue to practice these skills for the next couple of weeks. We focused on the cues for throwing underhand(facing target swing-step-throw) and overhand(capital L, side to target and step-twist-throw).

Click the link below if you would like to support a Cardinal Elementary Teacher!

Please review our Spectator Guidelines with your children before attending sporting events and other special events.

We hope to see you at an upcoming game!

Upcoming Home Games:

• October 9th 7:00 OV vs. Fremont HS
• October 16th 7:00 Oakridge HS

We are continue to have quite a few families parking to drop off and pick up students in the front lot. This creates concerns for the safety of our students and families since we do not have a crosswalk in the front lot. Additionally, vehicles are parking in the exit lane to Marquette and in areas that are not parking spaces. Please follow these procedure for the safety of students, families, and staff.

If you wish to park and pick your student up from the sidewalk or doors, please use the west lot and the crossing guard. The front lot is only for the car rider line. When people are trying to cross, it causes traffic back ups and puts students at risk.

Please leave pets at home or in your vehicle.

Please review the poster below.

We are here to work collaboratively to provide a safe, nurturing school for your children. We are happy to meet with you regarding any concerns you may have. We do ask that you follow the expectations outlined below, or you will be asked to leave and schedule a time to meet with us later.

Thank you for your assistance with this.

Sincerely,

The Cardinal Elementary Office, Teachers, and Staff

On the "Parents" page, there are updates about upcoming activities and other important information for parents.

#1 Mrs. Lewis' 5th Grade Classroom 99.1%

#2 Mrs. Dault's 5th grade Classroom 97.4%

#3 Mrs. Cooper's 2nd Grade Classroom 96.7%

#4 Mrs. Mosley's 5th Grade Classroom 96.3%

#5 Ms. VerSluys' 4th Grade Classroom 95.6%

Email: heather.macdonald@orchardview.org
Website: https://www.orchardview.org/schools/cardinal-elementary/
Location: 2310 Marquette Avenue, Muskegon, MI, USA
Phone: 231-760-1700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/147170625423848