Star Elementary Newsletter

March 2026:

March 4th - No School - Teacher Professional Learning

March 6th - 2nd Grade performances- Enter through the gym near the parking lot

• Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Stone and Mrs. Zickefoose’s classes will perform at 10:00 a.m.
• Mrs. Petross, Ms. Richards and Mrs. Scribner’s classes will perform at 11:30 a.m.

March 23rd - Roaring Reader's Due

March 16th-20th - Spring Break- No School

April 2026:

April 2nd - Kindergarten Enrollment for Star & Independence Elementary School- See Flyer below

April 9th - Spring Class Photos

1. Goal Setting

Set a small weekly goal together (e.g., keeping the house tidy, planning a family meal). Encourage everyone to contribute ideas and share responsibilities.

2. Shared Chores Chart

Create a rotating chore chart so children learn responsibility and teamwork within the family.

3. Family Game Night

Play board or card games that require turn-taking, patience, and teamwork.

4. Cook Together

Have children help prepare meals by assigning age-appropriate tasks. Cooking together promotes communication and cooperation.

5. Practice Active Listening

Encourage children to:

• Make eye contact

• Avoid interrupting

• Repeat back what they heard

Modeling respectful listening strengthens cooperation skills.

6. Problem-Solve Together

When disagreements arise between siblings, guide children to:

• Share their feelings calmly

• Listen to each other

• Find a solution that works for both

7. Community Service as a Family

Participate in simple acts of kindness, such as helping a neighbor or donating items. Working toward a shared purpose builds unity.

8. Plan a Family Project

Work together on a garden, puzzle, DIY craft, or home improvement task. Assign roles and celebrate teamwork.

9. Encourage Team Sports or Group Activities

Participation in sports, clubs, or music groups helps children learn cooperation outside the classroom.

10. Praise Cooperative Behavior

Notice and acknowledge when your child shares, helps, or works well with others. Positive reinforcement encourages continued cooperation.

Thank you for all of your entries. We have some very talented students at Star Elementary!

❄️ Safety First on Weather Days

• Dress your child appropriately for the weather — layers, boots, hats, and gloves on cold or snowy days help keep them safe and comfortable. Names on everything please.

🚌 Transportation Tips

• Plan extra travel time to arrive on time.

🏫 School Decisions

• Decisions about closures or delays are always made with student and staff safety as the top priority and are communicated as early as possible.

Please continue to remind your students to pick up their missing items from Lost and Found. Items left behind will be donated over winter break.

As long as it is used in an appropriate manner, it is treated as a watch or the tool it is, we treat it as an approved wearable. Once it is used as a phone/text device, it is treated as such and held to the same rules as a cell phone. If the device is used as a phone/text device it must be powered down and placed in a designated storage area (usually in the backpack.)

• Birthdays can be celebrated with non-food items. If you wish to send in non-food items, please send it with your child or drop it off in the office.

• If your student will be absent, please call the office 208-855-4110.

• Please ensure your child has a water bottle every day (only water in the classroom)

• Cell phones AND smartwatches must be off and in backpacks at all times.

• VERY IMPORTANT: If the way your child gets home changes during the day please call the office before 3:00pm.

• Hats are not allowed inside the building in elementary schools as stated by the district.

We met our school goal of raising over $30,000 so we celebrated with a teacher race and pie-ing Mr. Adams! Such a fun celebration bringing our school community together, and Mr. Adams is such a good sport. Congrats to Coach Kendall for winning the race!

Counselor’s Corner

Hi! My name is Summer Ash. This is my 3rd year at Star Elementary and 5th year as a counselor. Prior to counseling, I was a teacher for 22 years. Over the course of the year, I will be teaching your student(s) lessons every 1-2 months during library specials time. My office is in the main hallway (by the red mailbox) where students can drop in or fill out a request slip to see me if they are having a hard day. I love being a school counselor and truly enjoy getting to know and helping students. I am excited for the year ahead.

Please feel free to contact me at any time via phone or email with questions or concerns. I look forward to meeting you! ash.summer@westada.org or 208-855-4110

Students are encouraged to wear their spirit wear or our school colors (red, white or black) on Fridays. Not only does this build school pride, but classes with the highest participation win a prize!