Panther Pamphlet

Dear Parkwood Upjohn Families,

We hope this message finds you well! As we embrace the vibrant energy of fall, we want to take a moment to express our appreciation for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are creating a wonderful learning environment for our students.

Important Announcements

Key Dates:

• Thursday, October 30th:

  • Picture Retake Day
  • Panther Prowl Ending Spirit Assembly: Fun assembly featuring snow cones and our staff pie-in-the-face day!

• Friday, October 31st:

• Literacy Parade 10:30
• Half Day of School: Dismissal at 12:06 PM. Students can also be dismissed after the Literacy Parade if parents wish to take them home from the parade.
• Half Day Lunches: Students wishing to have lunch on this day will pick up a bag lunch from the lunch line and enjoy a working lunch in their classrooms before dismissal.

Literacy Parade Information:

• Who: Students in Pre-K to 3rd Grade will participate; 4th and 5th graders will observe and/or walk with younger students.
• What: Parkwood Upjohn Literacy Parade showcasing costumes made at school. Please do not send in costumes from home.
• When: Tuesday, October 31st. Parents may line the parade route starting at 10:20 AM, with the parade beginning at 10:30 AM.
• Where: Students will exit through the doors near the garden, proceed down Inkster, turn right onto Crane, and then right onto Parkwood until they return to school.

Sign-Out Process:

• Parents may sign out students after the parade. QR codes will be posted that will connect with a spreadsheet. Teachers will send students out to the front, who are on the sign out spreadsheet after the parade.

Note: 4th and 5th grades will hold low-level activities led by their individual class teachers, who will communicate specific plans directly to families.

• Costume Guidelines: No costume weapons or scary elements should be brought to school. Any items that accidentally arrive will be held by adults until dismissal.

Celebrations from the Week

We are thrilled that our kindergarteners have been enjoying bike lessons in PE! Thanks to our fabulous kindergarten team, each child was also fitted for and received a free helmet last week.

• Photos: Adorable pictures of our students with their new helmets below.

Additionally, our classrooms are buzzing with engaging UFLI/Phonics lessons. Check out the joyful moments captured during these lessons!

Additional Information

Conferences are Coming Up:

• Dates: Monday, November 4th, Wednesday, November 5th, and Thursday, November 6th.

• Conference links were shared this week and will be linked below as well. If you haven’t signed up yet, please do so at your earliest convenience. Our goal is to connect with 100% of our families!

• For families who do not sign up independently by the beginning of the week, teachers will assign an open time. Confirmation slips will be sent home this week. If your child does not bring home a confirmation form by Thursday, please reach out to your classroom teacher.

As we look ahead, we are excited about the many upcoming events and opportunities for collaboration. Thank you for being a vital part of our school community!

Warm regards,

-Principal Jessica Rosecrans

rosecransje@kalamazoopublicschools.net

(269) 337-0720

We are also excited to announce our Star Student Awards for the month of October! Each month, teachers will nominate one student from each class who exemplifies our school values—PURRS (Parkwood Upjohn is Responsible, Respectful, and Safe). These students will receive:

• A Star Student certificate
• Their picture displayed on our Star Student bulletin board
• A positive letter signed by our staff mailed home

Congratulations to our Star Students for October! Your dedication and leadership are truly commendable.

According to the USDA, one in every five children is unsure where they will get their

next meal. By partnering with Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes and CIS of Kalamazoo,

Parkwood is able to send students home on the weekends with food packs- each

designed to provide breakfast and lunch to one (1) student for two (2) days. The goal of

this program is to assist students and their families with their nutritional needs. It must

be stressed to your child that the food packs are NOT to be opened or eaten on the

school bus. They must be opened at home. Please contact Ms. Lownds lowndske@kalamazoopublicschools.net if you would like your

student to benefit from this program. If your child has a food allergy or another special

food need, they should not participate in this program. Loaves & Fishes has many

offerings that address food insecurity, including mobile distributions, food delivery, and

pantries at various KPS schools. https://kzoolf.org/ or call (269)343-3663 for assistance.

Oct 30th Spirit Assembly- Panther Prowl Snow Cone Day

Oct. 31 PreK-12 half day; records day 12:06 Dismissal

Nov 3rd- Conferences 4:00-8:00

Nov 5th- Conferences 4:00-8:00

Nov. 6 K-8 half day 12:06 Dismissal Conferences 12:06-4:00

Nov. 7 K-5 half day 12:06 Dismissal

Nov. 14 PreK-5; no students

Nov 21st Popcorn Friday

Nov. 26 Nov. 27 & 28 Thanksgiving Break; all buildings closed

Dec. 10 PreK-12; no students

Dec 12th Popcorn Friday

Dec. 22 - Jan. 2 Winter Break

Jan 23rd Popcorn Friday

Feb 20th Popcorn Friday

Mar 20th Popcorn Friday

Apr 17th Last Popcorn Friday