The Tiger Times
Sanders Elementary School, November, 2025
Administration and Support:
Carey Miller, Asst. Principal,
carey.miller@jefferson.kyschools.us
Christy Luther, Counselor, christina.luther@jefferson.kyschools.us
Tamara Dunlap, FRYSC,
tamara.dunlap@jefferson.kyschools.us
Marcie Helm, MHP,
marcie.helm@jefferson.kyschools.us
Scan QR Code to access the school website.
A Note from the Principal:
Dear Sanders Families,
November is a month that reminds us to slow down and notice the good around us. Here at Sanders Elementary, we have so much to be grateful for — our students who come to school each day ready to learn and grow, our dedicated staff who support and encourage them, and our families who partner with us in meaningful ways. Thank you for all that you do to help make our school community strong.
This month, our CharacterStrong focus is Gratitude. Students will be learning how gratitude isn’t just something we feel — it’s something we show. We will be encouraging students to pause and recognize moments and people that make a positive difference in their day. A simple “thank you,” a kind gesture, or a moment of encouragement can go a long way in building a caring school culture.
I encourage families to join us in practicing gratitude at home. Asking your child, “What is one thing you are grateful for today?” can spark meaningful connection and reflection.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I am grateful every day for this school community, and I look forward to a wonderful month of learning, kindness, and appreciation.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our students’ success. Together, we make Sanders a wonderful place to learn and grow!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Dahlgren
Principal, Sanders Elementary
Sanders Staff Spotlight:
- Ms. Amanda in the office. She not only does an amazing job running the office, but goes above and beyond for our students and to help us staff when we need it.
- Mr. Stobaugh goes above and beyond to help our ECE students. He is not afraid to step in and do whatever is necessary to help our students be safe and successful at school.
- A big thank-you to Ms. Kelly and Ms. Kristina for their incredible support of students across the building! Their dedication, flexibility, and teamwork make such a positive impact each day. I couldn’t do my job without them—our school family is lucky to have you both!
- Ms. Nichole from Mr. Davis's class - she supported a student in Ms. Yates's class and did a great job helping that student to be engaged in the learning. Although she was there just for the one student, she stepped in to help and support ALL students in the classroom.
- Huge shoutout to TJ Wilson! Even though he's not a staff member, he is stepping up in a big way. You’ve maybe seen him helping with soccer in the past, and now he’s stepped up to coach basketball — even without a kid on the team. Coach TJ jumps in purely to make Sanders better for everyone. His positive energy and “let’s do it” attitude set the tone for our whole community. Thanks, Coach TJ, for all you do!
- Mr. Nethery for helping with extracurricular activities and for doing an amazing job organizing Harvest Day. He put in a lot of time and effort and the students loved it!
- Mrs. Miller for always being willing to help in any way needed and for often coming to the rescue.
- Mrs. Glisson is doing an amazing job working on different strategies to keep students focused, engaged, and good collaborators. You're doing amazing!
- A big thank-you to Ms. Kelly and Ms. Kristina for their incredible support of students across the building! Their dedication, flexibility, and teamwork make such a positive impact each day. I couldn’t do my job without them—our school family is lucky to have you both!
- Mrs. Billiter is ALWAYS so helpful! She works so hard to try to give all of us helpful resources to engage students. She goes above and beyond.
- Use this link to recognize a teacher or staff member: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScAO1Qjfd0Snf-bRIqj9hgO9l7HDkIFJDZyzhTNi70YxCuSoQ/viewform
Focus on the Family:
- If you need to refer a student to the Sanders Family Resource Center please feel free to complete the online form at:
Thanks!
Mrs. Dunlap
Counselor's Corner:
This month, our counseling lessons have continued to focus on helping students recognize their feelings, build coping skills, and know how to reach out to a trusted adult when they need help. As part of our district’s ongoing commitment to student well-being and safety, we have also reviewed the importance of identifying safe adults and knowing that it is always okay to ask for support when we feel worried, overwhelmed, or unsure. These conversations are handled in age-appropriate ways that emphasize emotional awareness, connection, and care.
Our CharacterStrong trait for November is Gratitude. Throughout the month, students will be practicing ways to show appreciation, notice the good around them, and express thankfulness to others. Gratitude is a powerful skill that helps strengthen relationships, build resilience, and support positive mental health. You can help reinforce this at home by encouraging students to share one thing they are grateful for each day — big or small.
As always, we are here to support all students. If your child needs help, or if you have questions about resources or strategies, please feel free to reach out. We are partners in helping every student feel safe, seen, and supported at school.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Luther & Mrs. Helm
School Counselor & Mental Health Practitioner
Sanders Elementary
502-485-8322
A Message from Mrs. Miller
Dear Sanders Elementary Families,
November is always such a meaningful month in schools; a time to pause, reflect, and express gratitude for the many things that make our school community so special. I am thankful every day for our amazing students who bring joy and curiosity to learning, for our dedicated teachers and staff who pour their hearts into helping every child grow, and for our families who partner with us in countless ways.
This month, our focus continues to be on kindness, gratitude, and growth. In classrooms, students are setting goals, reflecting on their progress, and building strong habits that will carry them through the rest of the school year. As we head into the holiday season, I encourage everyone to take a moment each day to notice and celebrate the small successes: a helping hand, a kind word, or a proud smile after a job well done. This aligns perfectly with our Character Strong mentality!
Thank you for your continued support and for helping make Sanders Elementary a place where every child feels seen, valued, and loved. I wish each of you a wonderful November filled with gratitude and joy!
Warmly,
Mrs. Miller
Assistant Principal, Sanders Elementary
carey.miller@jefferson.kyschools.us
Facebook: @SandersElem https://www.facebook.com/SandersElem
Twitter: @SandersElem https://twitter.com/SandersElem
Mark Your Calendar:
Important LINKS and Dates:
4 Career Day
12 Picture Retake Day
13 World Kindness Day
20 Thanksgiving Family Lunch]
21 Johnson Traditional Visits Sanders for 5th grade
26-28 Thanksgiving Break
Check out the latest updates and information on the programs and resources used to teach your students for Reading and Math: Links to Educational Updates for Families for Reading and Math
Tech Time with Mr. Nethery
🌟 STEM Newsletter – October 2025
Raising Curious Kids: Becoming Citizen Scientists
🍂 Happy Fall!
The cooler air, changing leaves, and shorter days bring more than just pumpkins 🎃 and Halloween costumes 👻—fall is full of natural science waiting to be explored. Kids notice these changes all around them, and this season is a perfect time to nurture their curiosity. Every falling leaf 🍁, floating pumpkin, or chilly breeze 🍃 is an opportunity to wonder, ask questions, and investigate together.
This month our focus is on helping students (and families) think like citizen scientists. When something sparks curiosity, encourage your child to:
- ❓ Ask “why” and “how.”
- 🔮 Make a prediction before testing.
- 👀 Observe carefully and share what they notice.
- 🤔 Be okay with not having the answer right away.
Your role isn’t to always supply answers—it’s to guide their questions and show them that exploring together is science.
🏡 At-Home STEM Fun for October
🎃 For K–2 (younger scientists)
Pumpkin Sink or Float 💦
- Fill a sink, tub, or bucket with water.
- Guess: Will the pumpkin sink or float?
- Try it out—then test other Halloween objects (an apple 🍎, a plastic spider 🕷️, a mini candy bar 🍫).
- Talk about why some things float and others sink.
🔍 Why it happens:
A pumpkin floats because it is less dense than water. Density is how much “stuff” (mass) is packed into a space (volume). Even though a pumpkin looks heavy, much of the inside is air and hollow space, which makes its overall density lower than water. That’s why it bobs on top instead of sinking. 🌊
🎃 For Grades 3–5 (older scientists)
Pumpkin Decomposition Investigation 🧪
- Place a small pumpkin outside (or cut one open and leave half outside).
- Each day, record changes—color 🎨, texture 👐, smell 👃.
- Predict what might happen tomorrow.
- Compare with one kept inside.
🔍 Why it happens:
Pumpkins rot because of living things we can’t see—bacteria 🦠 and fungi 🍄. These tiny organisms break down the pumpkin into nutrients that return to the soil. Warmth, moisture, and air speed up the process, which is why an outside pumpkin breaks down faster than one indoors. This is nature’s recycling system ♻️ at work.
– Mr. Nethery, STEM Lab Teacher
I welcome you to please reach out to me if you have any additional technology questions or concerns. You may call the school or email me at: Troy.Nethery@jefferson.kyschools.us
Library News from Mrs. Billiter
Hello from the Library!
We’re getting ready for our Scholastic Book Fair, which begins Friday, November 7 and runs through Friday, November 14 for in-school shopping. Students are busy creating their wish lists this week!
You can also visit our Book Fair webpage here: Scholastic Book Fair – Sanders Elementary.
Online sales continue until Thursday, November 20, and our school earns 25% of all online purchases to help us buy new books and materials for the entire school.
Students are currently exploring the digital book and information resources available on our Sanders Library website. These resources can be used both at school and at home.
To access them from home, click on the “Students & Staff” tab and enter the password tigers. Any additional passwords needed for specific resources will also appear there.
We’re also connecting students to the Louisville Free Public Library by adding it to their Sora app (found under the Online Books tab on our library site). Students are learning how to access eBooks and audiobooks from both Jefferson County Public Schools and LFPL.
During Book Fair week, we love to highlight how funds from previous fairs have been used—many of our eBook and audiobook resources, such as those in MackinVia (also under the Online Books tab), were purchased thanks to your support!
Additional online reading tools are funded through the state of Kentucky and JCPS district allocations, helping us provide even more great books for our students.
If at any time you have questions about reading challenges, using the Ebooks resources, or other questions that may arise, please contact me at paula.billiter@jefferson.kyschools.us
Mrs. Billiter, Librarian
