Happy Sunday! We have about 2 weeks left before we start our end-of-year state testing. We want to ensure all students feel confident, supported, and ready to give their best effort.

Our CKH word of the month is Perseverance—the ability to keep going even when things are tough. We believe this word will inspire and motivate our students during the upcoming state testing. Tests can sometimes feel challenging, but with perseverance, our students can push through any difficulties and show their true potential. It's not about being perfect—it's about trying your best, and never giving up!

Here are a few tips to help support your child as we approach testing season:

*Encourage a Growth Mindset: Remind your child that the test is not about being perfect; it’s about doing their best and showing what they’ve learned. Emphasize effort over outcome, and celebrate their hard work!

*Stay Positive and Calm: Your child may feel nervous about the test, so your calm and positive attitude will help them feel more at ease. Offer words of encouragement and let them know you believe in their abilities. A positive LAUNCH each morning as you send them off to school is a great way to boost their day! Examples: "You can do great things!" "Take a deep breath and remember, YOU GOT THIS!!" "You are Smart, Strong, and Ready!" "I believe in you! You are going to do amazing!!"

*Create a Routine: A good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast, and some quiet time to relax before the test can make a huge difference. Keep a consistent routine to help reduce any pre-test anxiety.

*Technology Time-Out: Less screen time helps improve focus and attention. Limiting technology use, especially before bed, helps kids develop healthier sleep habits, which are critical for their overall well-being and cognitive functioning.

Please ensure that you help your child arrive at school on time. Testing schedules are strict, and being punctual will help them feel settled and ready for the day.

Additionally, don't forget to sign up for end-of-year activities as we send out information (Field Days, Field Trips, Completion Ceremonies). These activities are a great way to celebrate the accomplishments of the year, and we don't want anyone to miss out!

Thank you for your continued support as we finish the year strong!

Tamara Strawn, Ed.S.

Principal

We Need Your Encouragement for Our Students! As we approach the end-of-year state testing, we’d love to add an extra dose of encouragement for our students! We are inviting all parents to send in a short video message (10-20 seconds) offering words of support, encouragement, and motivation to our amazing students as they prepare for the tests. These videos will be compiled into a special motivational video that will be shared with the entire school to help boost our students’ confidence! Please send your video by Wednesday, April 16th to tamarastrawn@sheridanschools.org with “Crush That Test” as the subject line. Thank you for helping us inspire our kids as they give their best effort!

April 10th-1st Grade Family Night (See Information Below)

April 11th-Purple Up Day/Military Child Celebration (Students Only)

April 14th-May 16th-Spring State Testing Window

May 15th-Kindergarten Field Day

May 16th-1st & 2nd Field Day

May 19-21st-Kindergarten Completion Ceremonies (More Information Coming)

May 22nd-PreK Completion Day

May 26th-Memorial Day-No School

May 27th-Fun in the Sun Day

May 29th-Last Day of School

Our Capturing Kids' Hearts program is all about building strong, positive relationships, creating a safe and supportive environment, and showing genuine care and respect. The meaning behind sharing good things each day is to build a positive and supportive school culture where students feel valued and connected. By sharing good things, whether they are personal achievements, positive experiences, or acts of kindness, students and staff can celebrate moments of joy and success.

A social contract is an agreement, in individual classrooms and staff meeting rooms, about how everyone in that room agrees to work together and treat each other. It’s posted in each classroom where everyone can see it and refer back to it. The social contract is about making sure students and staff work together, respect each other, and treats everyone the way they would like to be treated.

The Launch each day serves as a powerful way to end the day with intentionality, setting a positive tone and fostering a strong sense of connection. Daily launches build community, reinforces social-emotional learning, motivates students, and creates a positive, structured environment in which both students and teachers can thrive.

Our staff at East End Elementary continue to work together to create a nurturing environment for our children and we want to give you the opportunity to take a moment to recognize their incredible dedication and hard work.

If you have a moment, we encourage you to send a staff shout-out. We will get the shout-out to the staff member.

Let’s celebrate the amazing individuals who contribute so much to our children’s growth and happiness.

If you have any pictures of you and your military child/dependent that you would allow us to use for our Military Child Celebration slideshow, please send those to joysharp@sheridanschools.org with the subject line: Military Child Celebration.

• Want to eat lunch with your child? We have a limited number of seats, so you are required to call the office to reserve a specific date and spot. 501.888.4262
• Please try and send all lunch and snacks with your student in the morning rather than bring to the office for us to deliver.

• You MUST have your student car tag in order to pick up your child. (Handbook-pg.68)
• You can purchase ONE additional car tag in the office for $1.00.
• Parents must stay in their vehicle in the carline. We have staff to assist students. When stopped, students should open their car door and have all items ready to get out in the morning. If you have a child safety lock on your door, please ask for help opening the door.
• When staff start to close the morning gate at 8am, we will not re-open it. You must check your student in the front office after 8am.
• For the afternoon carline, we encourage you to work on your child buckling themselves. If they cannot, please pull up to the front parking lot after they get into your vehicle to buckle them. This helps our carline work more efficiently.
• If at all possible, please have your student's car seat on the passenger side. It is safer for staff and students if all students enter and exit the vehicle from the passenger side.

• Students at EEE know how to show the HEART of the YellowJacket.
• Honest, Effort, Accountable, Respect, Teamwork
• Every positive behavior shows the HEART of the YellowJacket.
• Students can earn Jacket Bucks!
• Behavior Bash after each 9 weeks. Criteria to go: No MAJOR Behavior Referrals and 80% on class behavior log.
• POSITIVE Office Referrals=Phone call home & Celebrated on our Caught Being Kind Wall!

Students are doing a great job showing the HEART of a YellowJacket in all areas of the building. See the expected behaviors on the bus.

Arkansas law (Act 930 of 2017) requires the administration of a developmentally appropriate measurement or assessment for kindergarten through grade two (K-2) in literacy and mathematics. Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, ATLAS, or Arkansas Teaching and Learning Assessment System, will be administered. The ATLAS K-2 assessment is intended to be administered three times during the school year so that educators can make data-driven instructional decisions. This will help inform teachers of students that require remediation, intervention and/or enrichment. Each test is an adaptive type test, and students are not expected to know all of the test items.

Parental involvement in elementary education—such as assisting with homework, signing daily folders, and holding children accountable—has been shown to significantly enhance student success and growth. Research indicates that children whose parents are actively engaged in their education tend to achieve higher academic performance, exhibit better social skills, and demonstrate improved classroom behavior.

UAMS Health Six Bridges Clinic is an adolescent and young adult substance use treatment clinic.

• Six Bridges Clinic offers outpatient substance use treatment for Arkansans ages 12-21.

• Treatment is individualized to meet the needs of the adolescent and may include individual, group, and family therapies; medication; ongoing recovery support services.

• The clinic accepts self-referrals and/or a provider may send us a referral.

• Simply complete this online referral form OR call 501-526-8487 to schedule an appointment.

AR ConnectNow is a 24/7-accessible virtual therapy clinic for all ages. Call 800-482-9921 to schedule.

• Access short-term virtual therapy services anywhere in the state for help managing stress, depression, anxiety, grief, and more.

• AR ConnectNow has transitioned from a free service to a fee-for-service model. The UAMS Office of Financial Clearance is available to assist patients who are uninsured or underinsured.

• Although AR ConnectNow’s therapy is no longer free, the virtual clinic still offers free resource coordination to help Arkansans meet their basic needs (and sometimes more specific needs).

• The AR ConnectNow website was recently redesigned and expanded to include mental health education and tools for building healthy coping skills.

• Find more tips on Instagram: @UAMS_ARConnectNow

Please feel free to contact East End Elementary administration for any reason. We are here to partner with you to ensure safety and success for your child. You may call the office at 501.888.4264 or by the emails listed below. Thank you for choosing to share your child with EEE!

Tamara Strawn, Principal

tamarastrawn@sheridanschools.org

Alan Braden, Assistant Principal

alanbraden@sheridanschools.org

Christy Whitley, Counselor

christywhitley@sheridanschools.org