Husky Headlines

• October 1st - Fired Up About Reading Assembly (students only)

• October 2nd - National Custodian Appreciation Day

• October 5th - National Walk to School Day

• October 7th - AgFest (4th Grade Students)

• October 14th - Picture Retakes!!

• October 14th - End of 1st quarter!!

• October 15th - NO SCHOOL (Fall Break)

• October 18th - BoE Meeting @ 7pm

• October 25-October 29 - Red Ribbon Week

Thank you for a GREAT day of Parent/Teacher Conferences. It was great seeing the building buzzing with adults! I've heard from several teachers that conversations with parents were wonderful and meaningful! Please remember that if you have a question or concern, you do not have to wait for our next official conference date. You are free to email teachers or call the school at any time. I do ask that you allow up to 24 hours for a response from your child's classroom teacher.

Here at school we use PBiS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Support) to encourage good behavior. Nebraska Department of Education has created a PBiS at Home guide for schools to share with parents and families. In our monthly newsletters, I will highlight tips and tricks recommended for YOU through this guide.

Tips and Tricks - Step 1 - Define Behavior Routines

Children's problem behavior may be prevented or reduced when behavior expectations are clearly defined and taught. Being safe, respectful, and responsible are three universal expectations often used as a basis for establishing positive behavior. These expectations can be used to define how specific behaviors will look at home.

Think of your daily routines. Some examples are: inside play, TV time, use of electronics, pet care, toy clean up, homework, chore time, mealtimes, and bathroom use. Choose ONE routine you would like to improve. Write the selected routine times in a chart (see below for an example). Write in positive language (e.g. no whining could be written as should speak in a happy voice).

Once you start to see improvement in these selected areas, you can extend out to additional areas.

We are in the beginning stages of creating a Preschool Advisory Board. We would like people from all aspects of the school and community to be part of the board. We will meet twice a year, and discuss community needs, preschool specific needs, and the vision for preschool here at Shelby-Rising City Public Schools.

If you are interested in being part of our Preschool Advisory Board, please CLICK HERE to fill out a quick form to provide your information.

Did you know that The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) has partnered with PTI Nebraska (Parenting Training Information) to create resources to help parents advocate for your children in terms of special education services? The resources are now LIVE on NDE's website.

Click HERE to check those resources out!

During afternoon pick-up please remember that our busses can not back up on school property. This means that if you park along the side of the school, you can not park too close to the bus line. We will be adding cones on the side of the building. Please do not park in front of the cones as this space is needed for busses. Thank you for your help in ensuring we can get all students (and busses) dismissed safely each day!

We are beginning our Book-It at-home reading program. Our theme this year is “Get Fired Up About Reading!”. The program begins on Friday, October 1st and will run for six months. Students in grades K-2 will be required to read or have read to them at least 15 books per month at home. Students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades will be using the Accelerated Reader program and will set their own monthly goals. Students who meet their monthly reading goal will get a Pizza Hut coupon, a treat, and be eligible to participate in a mystery event each month.

A record sheet will be sent home each month for students in grades K-2. Parents/caregivers must record the books you and your child are reading at home. A late sheet is only accepted if that child has been absent from school on the day it is due. It’s wonderful to turn the sheets in one or two days early to make sure that we do get them on time. The deadlines will be posted on the school Activity Calendar.

Please encourage your child to read, especially if you have a child in third, fourth or fifth grade since they must take tests at school in order to get points. Talk with your child every week to see how they are doing. Encourage them not to wait until the last week of the month to get all their points. Reading is a very important part of everyone’s life and helps all of us in so many ways. If you have any questions, feel free to call Mrs. Willis at the school. The parent volunteers for this year are Jen Vrbka, Rachel Siffring, Jennifer Reppert, Christa Ruth, Crystal Zimmerman and Kaylyn Pearson. Thanks for all that you do to help make this program such a success!

This year, we are adding something NEW to our daily routine! You may have heard your child come home talking about W.I.N. Time. W.I.N. stands for What I Need. During this last 15-20 minutes of the school day, students are split into groups based on what they know and what they are ready to learn. Students are not grouped by grade level, or to specific grade level teachers.

The cool, and exciting thing for students is that they are able to spend their W.I.N. Time getting the enrichment or extension opportunities that are truly geared toward THEM! It's been great to see the excitement in the hallways as teachers welcome new students into their classrooms and ALL students rotate around the building.

Each W.I.N Time rotation will last three weeks. Over the past two weeks we have been focused on Algebraic Concepts. Here are some examples of skills that fall under algebraic concepts:

Lower Elementary Level

• Adding/subtracting using two sets of objects
• Determines the missing addend in an equation
• Understands the facts that make up a fact family
• Represents add-to word problems as equations

Upper Elementary Level

• Decomposes numbers to make 10 as a strategy for addition
• Represents one-step equal-groups multiplication word problems with expressions or equations, whole numbers
• Writes linear expressions in one variable to represent real-world or mathematical contexts

You should definitely ask your child who they have been able to work with recently - AND what they have been able to learn!

We will move to new groups for reading W.I.N. Time on October 11th!

Retakes are scheduled for October 14th. If you would like to have your child's pictures retaken, please plan on retakes that day.

Parents are welcome to come to lunch with their child this year. In order to do so, please make sure you:

1. Contact your child's classroom teacher prior to your visit to let them know you will be coming and verify lunch times.
2. Check in at the front office and get a visitors badge to wear for the duration of your visit.

Please also understand that parental visits for lunch are restricted to the lunchroom only. Parents can not accompany their child out to recess.

Adult lunches cost: $3.65. You can bring money with you, or use money from your child's account if you have a positive balance. Adults will not be able to eat and charge an account that has a negative balance.

There is nothing better than seeing a student with a book in their hands!! The problem is, that sometimes it's just hard to get books into their hands - books they get to KEEP, that is! This year, we are introducing Birthday Books to the elementary building. On their birthday, students are able to come to the office and pick a BRAND NEW book (from 100's of options). There truly is nothing better than the smile on their face when they are making their selection! On your child's birthday - make sure you check to see which book they chose!!

1. Talk to your child every day about their school experiences, successes, and worries.
2. Read the school handbook and all notices that the school sends home.
3. Meet your child's teacher and attend parent/teacher conferences when they are offered.
4. Talk to your child's teacher or school staff whenever you have concerns.
5. Attend any open houses, school events, programs, and/or school board meetings.
6. Stay aware of your child's academic progress. Praise all earnest efforts and accomplishments.
7. Review homework assignments each day and help your child organize time and work.
8. Provide learning experiences. Visit museums, watch educational TV shows, have books and other learning materials available at home.
9. Participate in school activities.
10. Volunteer at school. From classroom assistance to field trips, school fails, and fundraisers, there are many opportunities to offer your service.

Remember - your attention and involvements show your child(ren) that school is important!

Are you an adult who would love to get involved in our school district?

Do you have at least 60 college credit hours?

Have you ever considered being a substitute teacher?

If you answered YES to the above questions, now is a great time to consider becoming a Local Substitute Teacher! Please contact Heather Thompson, elementary principal, for additional information OR check out the Nebraska Department of Education's informational page by clicking HERE or finding more information HERE!

If you do not have 60 credits, you could still be put on our para sub list! If you are interested in being added to either list, please contact Heather Thompson at hthompson@shelby.esu7.org or by calling (402)527-5946 ext 5718

Elementary Principal

Special Education Director

Shelby-Rising City Public Schools

Email: hthompson@shelby.esu7.org
Website: https://www.shelby.esu7.org/
Location: 650 North Walnut Street, Shelby, NE, USA
Phone: 402-527-5946 5718
Twitter: @mrs_thompson007