Sea Gate Scoop

It’s hard to believe we are entering the final stretch of the school year! Our teachers and students are working hard to strengthen skills and close any remaining learning gaps so students can confidently demonstrate their growth on the upcoming PM3 assessment.

Please note that beginning April 6, our school will be closed to lunch visitors as testing season begins. We truly appreciate your understanding and continued support during this important time.

As always, thank you for your partnership at home. Encouraging your child to read daily and share what they’re reading with you makes a big difference! We are excited to finish the school year strong and celebrate all that our students have accomplished.

Make Waves,

Ms. Kirby

Parents,

Please remember to lock your vehicle when parking at the church across the street. Unfortunately, there have been reports of theft during drop‑off and pick‑up times.

For everyone’s safety, we ask that you use the designated crosswalk and crossing guard when crossing the street. We have noticed some families crossing over the median, and this presents a safety concern.

Please remember to display your blue Park and Pick‑Up sign, as it helps us ensure a smooth and organized dismissal process.

Once you have received your child, we kindly ask that you exit the school property promptly. For safety reasons, students should not climb trees or play in the Park and Pick‑Up area.

As a reminder, dogs are not permitted on school property.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us keep our school community safe.

As we enter the spring season, I would like to take this opportunity to share some important reminders and expectations for the remainder of the school year. Your continued support and collaboration play a vital role in helping our students thrive, and we are grateful for everything you do.

1. Attendance and Punctuality
Please remember that regular attendance is crucial for student success. We ask that students arrive on time and are ready to learn. If your child is absent, please notify the school office as soon as possible. Students who are not in their classroom before the bells ring at 8:25am will be required to sign in tardy.

2. Walker Arrival and Dismissal
Parents and students must use the crosswalk, road crossing signals, and crossing guard. When parking at the church for walkers, you must walk down to the light to properly cross the intersection. Students and parents are not to linger in the dismissal small park area.

3. Spring State Testing
A separate newsletter was sent out on Sunday, March 22nd. This newsletter contains testing dates, sample test items, and frequently asked questions. To review and save the newsletter again, click the following link: https://app.smore.com/n/7w8ev

We are excited for the spring semester and the continued growth of each of our students. Thank you for your partnership in making this school year a successful one. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me at howarm2@collierschools.com

We have noticed an increase in students bringing toys, stickers, and Pokémon cards to school, which can become a distraction during the school day. To help us maintain a focused learning environment for all students, please ensure these items are left at home. Any items brought to school will be collected and held until the last day of school, or a parent/guardian may choose to pick them up. Thank you for your support and partnership in helping our students stay engaged in learning.

April’s character trait of the month is Fairness, and I’ve been excited to teach our students what it means to make fair choices each day. In our lessons, we will talk about taking turns, playing by the rules, listening to others, and treating people with kindness and respect. Sometimes fairness looks different for students; it can mean that everyone gets what they need to be successful even if it is a bit different from others. Families can help reinforce fairness at home by modeling these behaviors, setting clear expectations, and encouraging kids to be thoughtful about how their actions affect others. This month also kicks off our Test Prep Success lessons for grades 3-5 and now is a wonderful time to help your child feel confident and prepared. Simple strategies like getting plenty of rest, practicing skills at home, maintaining a calm routine, and reminding them to simply do their best can make a big difference. Below, you’ll find quick visuals with tips for supporting fairness and test-taking success this month.

I’m excited to welcome an FGCU School Counseling intern this semester; please do not hesitate to reach out if your child needs to chat with us. We are here to support all students be the best they can be!

Sincerely,

Katie Violaris

Happy Spring, Sea Gate families!

I hope each of you had a wonderful Spring Break and feel refreshed as we begin the final stretch of the school year.

As we prepare our fifth-grade students for their transition to middle school, they will be visiting their zoned middle school on April 24th, buses will leave promptly at 9:30 a.m. and return at 11:30 a.m. In addition, there will be a Parent Night on April 23rd at 6:00 PM, at your zoned middle school site.

Parent Night is a valuable opportunity to visit your zone school’s campus and learn more about the academic, social, and emotional supports available to students. It’s always an informative and engaging evening we hope to see you there!

ESY and Summer School Information:

If your child has an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) and is eligible for ESY (Extended School Year), permission slips have been sent home with details including the date, time, and location of the ESY program.

Some students may be eligible for both Extended School Year and Summer School. Families of these students will be contacted directly to discuss the team’s recommendation and determine the best option.

Annual Parent Survey – Florida Department of Education

Each year, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) conducts a survey to gather information about how well schools are partnering with parents and promoting parent involvement in their child’s education. The results are shared with the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

The survey:

• Is open to all parents of children with an IEP receiving ESE services from preschool through grade 12.
• Is not intended for parents of students receiving only gifted services through an Educational Plan (EP).
• Is required as part of each state’s State Performance Plan under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Please scan the QR code below to complete the survey.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. You can contact me directly at (239) 377-8311 or via email at ellisa2@collierschools.com.

Sincerely,
Ashley Ellis

Popcorn Reading is back for the fourth year!

Popcorn Reading is an initiative to motivate students to read daily for a sustained duration of time (15 minutes for grades K-2 and 30 minutes for grades 3-5). This is because sometimes, the most difficult part of the end-of-year testing is the length of the test and a student’s ability to maintain focused attention.

Be on the lookout for a YELLOW slip coming home on Thursdays for three consecutive weeks (starting April 9th). This tracking sheet will encourage your child to complete their nightly reading. Children that read 5 out of 7 days in the week as indicated by parent initials will earn a popcorn treat (dairy-free) on Fridays in the café.

Sustained, silent reading works best when a timer is set, when children have enough reading material, when the time is actually spent reading (not taking breaks or using the restroom), and when the location is quiet and distraction-free.

For students with allergies, an alternative treat will be provided (Please write “alternative treat” on yellow slip).

March ended with our students voting for their favorite Sunshine State Young Reader books! Every Student in Kindergarten and First Grade was eligible to vote, and over 100 students in grades 2-5 qualified as well! We’ll know who the winners are in the next few weeks.

Great things have been happening as we gear up for the fourth quarter. Students have been going out of their reading “comfort zone” and trying new genres, and some have found an entirely new set of books they love. It’s so great to see students come into the library excited to read the next book in the series or tell me all about the book they just finished. The best part is seeing students recommend books to other students, there’s no better promotion than that!

So, let’s keep these kiddos reading! Remind them to return their library books so they can check out new books. Also, if you have the opportunity to take your students to the public library, it is a wonderful supplement to our library here. The public library opens a whole new world of literature to them and provides fun activities for them to do as well. Students can even get their own library card, which gives them such a sense of power to be able to check out their own books. More information on the Collier County Public Library can be found here: https://www.collierlibrary.org/kids-teens/

Happy reading!

April

4/2: Light it Up Blue: World Autism Awareness Day

4/3: No School

4/6: School closed to lunch visitors for the remainder of the school year.

4/7: 4th and 5th grade State Writing Assessment

4/17: 3rd grade Concert @ 8:45am

4/20: Kindergarten Round up @ 9:00am

4/21: Kindergarten ELA PM3

4/22: 1st Grade ELA PM3

4/23: 2nd grade ELA PM3

• 5th grade Middle School Parent Information Night (at your zoned school) 6:00pm

4/24: 5th grade Middle School visits 10:00 - 11:00am

4/28: Kindergarten Math PM3

4/29: 1st Grade Math PM3

4/30: 2nd Grade Math PM3

• PTO General Meeting @ 9:00am

May

5/5: 3rd grade ELA PM3

5/6: 4th Grade ELA PM3

5/7: 5th Grade ELA PM3

5/12: 3rd Grade Math PM3

5/13: 4th Grade Math PM3

5/14: 5th Grade Math PM3

• 3rd Grade iReady Diagnostic

5/20: PBIS Day

5/22: Early Release Day; 11:50 Dismissal

5/25: No School: Memorial Day

5/26: Math Challenge 3rd - 5th grades- Top 10 students from each grade advance

• 4th and 5th grade Games for Gains

5/28: 5th grade Moving Up Ceremony @ 9:15 SGE Cafeteria

5/29: Last Day of School, Early Release Day; 11:50 Dismissal

📣 Sea Gate Elementary Families: Order your school supply kit for the 2026/27 school year today and get the exact supplies your student’s teacher requested – no store hopping, no stress! Delivered before the first day of school!

School Board Policies 2266, 3362, and 5517 – Prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and/or gender identity), disability, or age in the provision of educational opportunities or employment opportunities and benefits. The District School Board does not discriminate on the basis of sex or disability in the education programs and activities that it operates, pursuant to the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

For additional information or to report Title IX or any other discrimination/harassment concerns, contact Ms. Valerie Wenrich, Chief Human Resources Officer/ Title IX Coordinator, at (239) 377-0351, wenriv@collierschools.com or at 5775 Osceola Trail, Naples, Florida 34109.