T.H.E. Trail Guide

Trailblazer Families,

We know that one of the most important partnerships we have with families is making sure students are at school and here on time. Attendance is a critical building block for student learning. If students are not present, they cannot engage in learning. Attendance is a powerful signal and leading indicator of equity. It can signal when students might need additional support and areas for system and school improvement. Chronic absenteeism impacts all students—no matter their age. Students that miss just two days a month for any reason are more likely to not read at grade level, and more likely to not graduate.

As you can see from our September attendance data, we need to improve on getting our students to school so they are not missing out on critical core instruction. If you need support or ideas on how to get your student(s) to school and here on time, please reach out. We value our partnership with families and are here if you need us.

Monday-Students can be on campus starting at 10:25

Tuesday-Friday-Students can be on campus starting at 8:45

Trailblazers Step Up!!

Jennifer Knight, Principal

OCTOBER

October 20th-MOD Pizza PTA Take Over Event- Be sure to mention Tehaleh Heights or use code MODF11976 online or on the app

October 21st-Last day to turn in your Talent Show audition form

October 24th-Late Start @ 10:35

October 25th-WatchDog Event @ THE 6:00-7:00pm

October 28th-PTA Trunk or Treat @ 6:00-8:00pm

October 31st-Late Start @ 10:35

October 31st-Halloween

NOVEMBER

November 3rd-Vision & Hearing Screening @ THE

November 6th-Daylight Savings Time (Yeah!!! Fall Back an Hour)

November 7th-10th-Book Fair in the library

November 8th-9th-Talent Show Auditions @ 4:15-5:30

November 9th-PTA Meeting @ 6:30

November 10th-Veteran's Day Assembly

November 11th-Veteran's Day-NO SCHOOL

November 16th-18th, 22nd-Fall Conferences-Student 1/2 Day Schedule

November 21st-Talent Show Rehearsal @ 4:15

November 22nd-Talent Show Assembly

November 23rd-25th-Thanksgiving Break

This month we are talking about Responsibility. One way to define Responsibility is “taking action and understanding the impact of our choices.” Taking action can mean doing the right thing or completing the tasks you have been assigned. Understanding the impact of our choices means that our actions matter. Positive and responsible actions can help people and irresponsible actions can hurt others. Throughout the school, students will be developing skills like focusing, organizing, and goal-setting. We have challenged our students to find one way they can show responsibility when at home or out in the community.

We are excited to announce that our WatchDog Kick Off event has been rescheduled!! Please join us on Tuesday, October 25th from 6:00pm-7:00pm in the Tehaleh Heights Launch Pad for information on what it means to be a WatchDog at THE and how you get signed up!

Parent-student-teacher conferences are a great way to connect with and understand students better. These meetings provide a platform for teachers to work with parents and students and reflect on student's interests, performances and progress. Conferences empower students to identify, plan and set their own learning goals. Conferences focus on learning, although behavior and social concerns might be discussed. The teacher will review your child's progress, including strengths and areas in need of improvement.

Please keep an eye out for an email from your student's teacher for an opportunity to sign up for a day and time to attend a conference.

Conference Dates:

November 16th-18th, 22nd

Students will been dismissed at 12:15 on conference days and will have lunch before they leave.

Trailblazer families, we want to take the time to honor Veterans and current service members who have a connection to Tehaleh Heights Elementary! Please take the time to fill in the form below for as many current and former servicemen and servicewomen in your family! We will be displaying their information and photos in our 2022 Veterans Day Assembly on Thursday November 10th. Thank you!

Veterans Day 2022 Submission Form

We love to celebrate here at THE! With Halloween quickly approaching students will have the opportunity to participate in a Spirit Week (listed below) from October 24th-31st.

October 24th-Spooky/Wacky Hair

October 25th-Blackout Day (all black)

October 26th-Pink Day (Cancer Awareness)

October 27th-Hero Day

October 28th-Sports Day

October 31st-Orange and Black Day (no costumes)

Please remember that balloons cannot be brought to the building. Balloons set off the motion sensors (even during the day) on our security system. When balloons get away from us, they trip the beam detectors on the fire system located high up in our gym and common area. Thank you!

We understand at Tehaleh Heights that personal mobile devices (specifically, Smartwatches) are becoming increasingly common on the wrists of our students per parent request. In order to support and comply with our district policy as stated in the 22-23 Student and Family Information Guide (pp.36-37), we are asking for your support with the following:

• Cell phones should remain in backpacks and are not to be used during the school day.

• Smartwatches must remain in “school mode” during the school day. (If you have the option as the parent to set this “mode” up on the device, we are asking for your support with this.) This means that the watch should be used for telling time only and may not be used for calling or texting during the school day.

• If you are in need of getting a message to your child, please contact our main office at (253) 891-6530. It is critical that any changes in transportation be communicated directly to the office by 3:15pm so that we can ensure your child can be safely supported by the THE staff at the end of the school day.

• Smartwatches (and cell phones) may not be used for taking pictures or video while at school or on the bus ride to/from school. If a Smartwatch becomes a distraction to classroom instruction, the teacher or administrator may ask the student to put it into the backpack for the day.

Thank you for your partnership and ongoing support.

FAMILY FUN! Friday, Oct. 28th, 6-8pm - Trunk or Treat walk-thru event, coordinated by the PTA! Expect lots of clever trunk displays, candy, food trucks and socializing! All Trailblazer families are welcome! We anticipate a full school parking lot, so please walk if you can. School-appropriate costumes encouraged!

Want to join in the fun of decorating your car trunk or truck bed and handing out candy? There's still time! Click https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0948A4AE2CA5FE3-2022 for full details! Questions? Contact Brittany Dela Vega, PTA Events Chair, events@tehalehheightspta.org

BOOK FAIR IS COMING, Nov. 7-10, in the library! It’s been THREE years since our last in-person Scholastic Book Fair! Our Classroom Previews, all day Monday, Nov. 7, kick off four days of fun! Students are invited to shop during lunch recess T-Th. We'll be open to families after school M-W and before school T-Th. Add these other special Book Fair Week events to your calendar, as well:

*Tues., Nov. 8th, 9:30am - Future Trailblazer Storytime with Principal Knight in the Book Fair! (For our pre-k T.H.E. neighbors!)

*Wed., Nov. 9th, 6:30pm - PTA Membership Meeting with Guest Speaker SBLSD Superintendent Dr. Laurie Dent in the Launchpad!

*Thurs., Nov. 10th - the Book Fair will be open after our school's Veteran's Day Celebration for our special guests to visit!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS for the PTA? Email info@tehalehheightspta.org