Dear Parent or Guardian,
Spring has sprung and with it brings state testing for grades 3-8 and grade 11. It is the time of year when the Mitchell School District students can showcase what they’ve learned throughout the year (and hopefully the gaps we’ve closed due to absences during COVID). South Dakota is part of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium where students across the nation are being assessed on common core standards. Longfellow students will test from April 2 – May 3. Your child’s teacher will give you more specific dates as each classroom tests at different times and dates. Please watch for this important information.
Please keep this in mind when scheduling appointments as we primarily test in the mornings. It is important for our learners to be on time so they can start the testing session with their classmates. We appreciate your efforts to ensure our Longfellow students have a positive testing experience. A good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast, and encouraging words to do the best they can are a few ways that parents can assist their children. Preparing our children for academic success requires a partnership between home and school. Our Longfellow teachers feel very fortunate to be able to work with such supportive families. Thank you for all you do!
It's time to register your child for the 2024-2025 school year. Please complete your ‘Annual Information Update’ for the 2024-2025 school year. Please follow the online directions, in this newsletter, to update your information for your Begindergarten-4th grade child/ren, during the month of April. All information updates need be completed by May 1, 2024. This meets the requirements for registering your child for Longfellow for the 2024-2025 school year. Providing completed forms and updated information will assist us for the upcoming school year. If you have questions, please call the Longfellow office at 995-3092.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Heckenlaible
Kindness Alert
During the month of February, we asked our Lions and Longfellow staff to 'catch' each other showing true acts of kindness. They were asked to nominate one another, stating exactly what was done that showed kindness. It was wonderful reading all of the acts of kindness that happen every day.
Examples of Kindness
Picking up litter. Always using manners. Asking a student to join when they are all alone. Sharing a smile in the hallway. Showing compassion. Kindness is something anyone can give. It doesn't matter if you are the star athlete or great at math, someone who struggles with reading or can't sing a note. We can ALL be kind.
Please update your info in the Campus Portal OR contact the office at 605-995-3092 so we have your information correct. Why does it matter?
- If your child is hurt or injured and we need to get ahold of you or an emergency contact.
- If school is being released early, we could send you a message alerting you to that.
- If school is cancelled due to weather, you may receive a message alerting you, but you should always listen to the radio and/or watch the local news in case our messaging system is delayed.
- Longfellow, or the school district, ocasionally sends letters in the mail especially at the end or begining of the school year. We need an updated address so you can receive that.
- If you have gotten married or had a baby, we need to get that name listed in your family's household.
We have no way of knowing if you moved or your phone number has changed so we really appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us to update your info.
Winter? Spring? Summer?
Parents, please make sure to send your child with a light jacket or sweatshirt (or in some cases they may still need their winter gear). We know the temperature changes frequently during this time of year and we want the students to be prepared for recess. Thank you for your help!
Lost and Found
If your child missing a hoodie or fall jacket, it might be in our lost and found. Please remind your child to look. You may also stop in and look as whatever is left after the last day of school will be turned over to The MSD Caring Closet.
Where's Mrs. H?
You never know where Mrs. H will be. She might be in her office, but it's more likely that she'll be in and out of classrooms, reading to a class, observing a den meeting, or even serving breakfast.
Be On The Look Out!
Please check backpacks for important info that will be coming home! Remember, if we do not receive a signed form, your child may miss out on a fun activity. Things to watch for.
- Yearbook Order Forms
- Field Trip Permission Forms
- Summer LEAP Forms for those selected
When asking your child about their day, ask if they have any papers to show you. The classroom teachers are also good about mentioning these things in their weekly newsletters so make sure you are signed up for SeeSaw or Dojo. If you are not, contact the classroom teacher.
7:30 AM - 8:10 AM
Don't forget that we serve breakfast each morning before school! Please have your child arrive BEFORE 8:10 AM to get through the breakfast line.
Studies show that eating breakfast at school has many advantages.
According to healthychildren.org
- Kids perform even better on standardized tests than those who skip breakfast. Maybe because they're eating closer to test time.
- Kids who eat breakfast at school have improved attendance and behavior.
- Kids who eat breakfast at school have improved academic performance.
- Students who eat at school are tardy less often and their math scores are higher.
If your child(ren) qualified for free or reduced lunches last year, you need to reapply each year and it expired October 31st. If you did not reapply, your child(ren)'s lunch account has been adding up. Please ask the office for an application or click the link above and return it to the office ASAP!
Doctor Appointments? Vacations?
The South Dakota summative testing window runs from March - May 3rd. We do most of our testing in April. Please avoid scheduling appointments during the school day, if at all possible. Testing with their peers is the most normal testing environment for our students. If they miss testing dates, they will have to make them up during important class time. Your help is much appreciated! More detailed grade-level information will come out when the schedule is finalized.
Please check out the Dates to Remember section of this newsletter as well as the section above for dates that we do not have school. They would be the perfect time to schedule appointments or travel.
Headphones Required
As we prepare for the Smarter Balance testing, learners will be required to use their headphones. Ask your child if their headphones work. Can their hear out of both ears? Have they been chewing on the cord like a cat? You may bring your own or purchase some from the office for $5.00.
PE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MONTH
Lots of basketball.
Read Across America fitness stations.
Leprechaun Tag.
We had our 1st ever Leprechaun Escape Room!!! The students had to complete brain busters and fitness challenges to escape! We had a fun time with it and we were able to escape!
Dancing and yoga fun.
Egg races.
*Remember Tennis Shoes On Gym Days - No Snow Boots Allowed!
Field Trips Are Coming Up
MItchell Community Scholarship
The Mitchell Community Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)3 organization created in 2001 and maintained to provide scholarships for every graduating senior from MHS or MCHS that qualifies. This fund assists Mitchell’s graduating seniors to attain their goals of continuing educational opportunities and to demonstrate Mitchell’s belief in their youth. The student must attend a postsecondary institution to receive the scholarship money and complete the necessary claim form. A board of directors oversees the efforts, and all monies raised are done through fundraising and special events. Community members and school representatives are members of the board that has no fiscal relationship with the Mitchell School District or Mitchell Christian School. Funds are held and managed by the Mitchell Area Charitable Foundation with 100% of money raised dedicated to scholarship awards.
- "I know I asked the doctor's office to send a note for that appointment, but did they remember to do so?"
- "I sent the doctor note with my child. Did she remember to deliver it to the office?"
The best way to check on that is to log on to your parent portal. You may not see daily grades but you will be able to see their quarter grades and, of course, attendance. The parent portal will become extrememly important as your child moves on to Middle School and High School as you can check on missing assignements and current grades. Also, the parent portal is where you update your info at the end of each year, which registers your child for the upcoming school year. PLEASE, famlilarize yourself with the portal. If you do not remember your log on info, please ask the office.
LEAP (Longfellow Education Achievement Program) is wrapping up their year! They have been working incredibly hard on sharpening their reading and math skills, and they have had very successful STEM projects as well!
Summer LEAP is right around the corner.
Please be on the lookout for a form coming home for your child if he/she has been selected!
