Dear North Star Families:
December is here, and with it comes a month full of excitement, learning, and celebration as we head toward the winter break! There’s so much happening at North Elementary, and we’re thrilled to share it all with you. From House meetings and Nukumori Unity Day to the Division Spelling Bee and Mobile Dentist visits, our students will have plenty of opportunities to shine academically and personally.
We’re also looking forward to some festive events that bring us together as a school community, including our beloved Breakfast with Santa, our Holiday Sing-Along, and a variety of themed spirit days to spread holiday cheer. These moments help us build unity, joy, and connection within our North Stars family while creating lasting memories for our students.
As always, thank you for your continued support and involvement in making North Elementary such a special place for our students. We’re looking forward to finishing the year strong and hope you’ll join us in celebrating this season of warmth and togetherness. Let’s make this month one to remember!
Candy Llewellyn, Ed.D.
Principal
804-524-3430
IMPORTANT DATES 📆
Thursday, 12/5 --> Kiwanis Terrific Kid Presentations
Friday, 12/6 --> Nukumori Unity Day (wear PURPLE)
Saturday, 12/7 --> Breakfast with Santa @ NES cafeteria 8:30 am - 11:00 am
Tuesday, 12/10 --> Division Spelling Bee @ Lakeview Elementary 6 pm
Thursday, 12/12 & Friday, 12/13 --> Mobile Dentist
Friday, 12/13 --> Colonial Pride Day (wear RED/BLUE Colonial wear)
Tuesday, 12/17 --> CHMS Band visits for 5th grade ! 1:15 pm
Thursday, 12/19 --> NES Annual Sing-Along
To help ensure a smooth and safe dismissal process, please keep the following in mind:
Car Riders: If picking up your child by car, please display your car tag clearly. Stay in your vehicle and have your child enter on the passenger side closest to the sidewalk to avoid traffic hazards. If you need to leave your vehicle to assist your child, please park in a designated space to keep the car line moving smoothly. If you do not have a car tag, visit the front office with ID to complete the necessary paperwork.
Walkers: Parents and guardians picking up walkers should meet their child at the main entrance. A staff member will call your child from the building to meet you.
Bus Riders: For students in grades PK-2, an adult must be present at the bus stop for pick-up. Students in grades 3 and above are not required to have an adult meet them.
Early Pick-Ups: Early dismissals must be completed by 2:45 p.m. After this time, we are preparing for dismissal, and it may be difficult to accommodate early requests. If you arrive after 2:45 p.m., you may be asked to wait until regular dismissal begins.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our dismissal process safe and efficient for all!
Stay Connected with North Elementary – Join Rooms Today!
We’re thrilled to introduce Rooms, a new, easy-to-use communication tool available through the CHPS App! We encourage all families to download the app by searching “Colonial Heights PS” on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Once you’ve downloaded it, you can join Rooms to stay directly connected with North Elementary and the Colonial Heights school community.
Rooms makes it easier than ever to stay informed and engaged with two-way conversations between you, your child's teachers, and the school. A fantastic feature of the app is its ability to translate messages into multiple languages, making communication accessible for all families. With Rooms, you’ll receive updates, ask questions, and stay informed about school events – all with just a few taps on your phone. Join us in staying connected to your child’s education today!
4o
The Importance of Attending School Every Day
Consistent school attendance is vital for your child’s growth, confidence, and long-term success. Attending school regularly builds positive habits and lays the groundwork for academic achievement, not only in the early years but also through high school, college, and beyond.
Why Attendance Matters:
- Early habits impact future success: Missing even a few days in the early grades can make it difficult for children to keep up, especially with foundational skills like reading.
- Chronic absences hinder learning: Missing 10% of the school year (about 18 days) can prevent children from mastering essential skills, such as reading proficiency by 3rd grade.
- Occasional absences add up: Missing one or two days every few weeks can lead to learning gaps and poor attendance patterns.
- Tardiness affects learning: Arriving late disrupts your child’s routine and the entire class, as teachers often need to reteach missed content.
How to Support Regular Attendance:
- Set a routine: Regular bedtimes and morning schedules create a smooth start to the day.
- Prepare ahead: Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before to reduce morning stress.
- Stay up to date: Ensure immunizations and required paperwork are completed before school starts.
- Ease school nerves: Help your child feel comfortable by introducing them to their teacher and classmates early.
- Consider health carefully: Only keep your child home if they’re truly unwell; many minor symptoms can stem from school-related anxiety.
- Ask for help: If your child is nervous about school, talk to their teacher or other parents for advice.
- Have a transportation backup: Plan ahead with family or neighbors in case of unexpected transportation issues.
- Plan appointments wisely: Schedule medical visits and trips outside school hours whenever possible.
Together, we can foster a positive and consistent school experience for your child, ensuring their success today and in the future. Every day counts!
Sources:
Absence Notes & Excuses
It is important for students to be in school every day. However, if your child is ill, please keep them home. We do require a doctor or parent note following any absence - even if you called the school office. We want all of our Stars to be successful and in order for that to happen we need them at school each and every day. If possible, please do not schedule vacations during the school year.
Remember if a child misses more than 2 days of school per month (even for excused absences) that equates to 18-20 days over the course of the school year - making them chronically absent.
School Meals
Breakfast and lunch will be served daily to all students at no cost.
School menus can be found HERE.
If your child will be bringing his/her lunch to school, please help them so they are able to open juice boxes or other containers they bring in their lunch. We have adults on hand to help but if the students can open things themselves, it makes lunch go smoother!
Dress Code
Please make sure that students are dressed appropriately for the weather and for play. Students have recess every day and they should wear shoes that are comfortable and safe (sneakers are preferred).
Shorts, skirts, and dresses should be no shorter than fingertip length (about 3 1/2 inches from the knee). Students are not to wear cropped tops or shirts that reveal their midriff. Tank tops, halter tops, or tops with spaghetti straps should not be worn. Jeans with holes are permitted, however the holes must not be above 3 1/2" above the knee. House shoes/slippers are not allowed.
Students are not to wear hats, caps, or hoods of any kind inside of the building or on the bus.
Literacy Resources
Reading and engaging with your child at home is one of the most powerful ways to support their learning and success. When you spend time reading together, you’re helping them build critical language and comprehension skills, as well as fostering a love for stories and learning. These moments not only boost their confidence but also make a significant impact on their progress in school, especially as they practice sounding out words, recognizing patterns, and building vocabulary.
Working with your child also strengthens the connection between home and school, showing them that learning happens everywhere, not just in the classroom. Even small efforts like talking about their day, reading a bedtime story, or practicing sight words contribute to their development and help prepare them for new challenges. This time together lets them know they’re supported and that you value their education, laying a foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
The Virginia Literacy Partnerships website offers a variety of resources to support families in helping their children develop strong literacy skills. It features information and activities on topics such as listening to books, playing computer games to enhance literacy, developing phonological awareness, learning letter names and sounds, reading and spelling words, expanding vocabulary, improving reading comprehension, supporting language development, encouraging writing, and reading online books. The website also includes a comprehensive section for educators, with professional learning opportunities, instructional resources, and materials.
