CCE February 2026 Parent Connection

100% Student Success!

Curlew Creek Elementary will achieve this by being responsive to the academic, emotional, social, and individual needs of each child. Our goal is to develop critical thinkers and problem solvers who are prepared to be responsible, confident, and productive members of a diverse society.

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Dear Coyote Families,

We are delighted to share the wonderful progress our scholars are making in their learning journey. It's truly exciting to witness their growth!

We hope you're also observing this development at home in reading, writing, math, and science. This time of year is crucial for continuing to encourage, motivate, and emphasize the importance of hard work. The determination to overcome challenges will undoubtedly become one of the most valuable life skills for our children.

With less than a semester left, we're eager to maintain this positive momentum through the last day of school. Many students are on track to meet their grade-level expectations, and it's important for parents to be aware of their child's status. Mid-period reports will be sent home this week for students who are not meeting expectations, ensuring you have the information needed to support their progress.

Your support in fostering learning and discussions at home is greatly appreciated.

February is a fantastic month to dive into reading! Our participation in Celebrate Literacy Week has shown the positive impacts of your student's focus and effort in improving their reading skills. It's important to keep this momentum going at home. Families with students in PreK-1st grade should enjoy shared reading, while those in grades 2-5 should practice reading independently. Excitingly, some of our Kindergarten students are now reading their just-right books on their own!

As we approach end-of-year assessments for grades 1-5, students will encounter various text types, including Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry. Familiarity with these formats will better prepare them for success. Assessments for 1st and 2nd grades may last up to an hour, while those for 3rd-5th grades can extend to two hours or more. Building quiet reading stamina at home is crucial for their success.

Additionally, reading is essential in all subjects—science, social studies, and math—where students must understand directions, questions, and word problems. Reading connects all subjects, reinforcing its importance in our educational journey.

Feel free to reach out to me or your child’s teachers with any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your continued support. We truly appreciate you!

With warmest regards,

Principal Brickley

2/2-2/9 - PTA Valentine Gram sales

2/3 - Student Leadership Summit

2/4 - Grade 5 to Enterprise Village field trip

2/5 - Ready, Set, Kindergarten, 6-7:30 PM

2/6 - NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY (for Heart Health Month)

2/6 - Gr 4 Field Trip - Science Festival - USF St Pete

2/6 - $1 Lunch Fundraiser

2/6 - Quarter 3 midperiod reports

2/9 - Safety Patrol Meeting, 3:15

2/10 - Bus Evacuation Drill

2/11 - Kindergarten Fancy Nancy Program, 5:30-7 PM

2/12 - PTA Valentine Gram Deliveries

2/13 - No school for students

2/13 - Gr. 5 Student Led Family Data Chats

2/16 - No school for students

2/20 - Quarter 3 School Advisory Meeting, 7:30 AM (Math/Science updates, PBIS, Midyear Data)

2/20 - Parent Lunch Bunch Grades K, 1, 5

2/23 - Wendy's Spirit Night, 5-9 PM (US 19, Palm Harbor)

2/24 - Spring Pictures

2/26 - Gr 1 Student Led Conferences, 3:15-4 p.m.

2/27 - All Pro Dads, 7:30 AM

2/27 - PTA Family Movie Night

3/2 - Read Across America Week

3/5 - 1st Grade Western Program

3/6 - $1 Lunch Fundraiser

3/11 - Grade 4 Family Data Chats, 5:30-7 PM

3/13 - Parent Lunch Bunch, Grades 2, 3, 4

3/16 - Spring Break Week

3/23 - Say Something Week

3/23 - Wendy's Spirit Night, 5-9 PM

3/26 Commitment to Character Awards Assembly (Cooperation & Responsibility), 9:15 AM, Cafeteria

3/26 - Safety Patrol Meeting

3/27 - All Pro Dads, 7:30 AM, Media Center

3/27 - Parent Lunch Bunch, Grades K, 1, 5

3/27 - COYOTE CARNIVAL

• Monday is Motivational Monday – Wear kind or inspiring words.
• Wednesday is Wellness Wednesday – Wear a workout/exercise outfit.
• Thursday is College Spirit Day – Wear your favorite college shirt or colors.
• Friday is School Spirit Day – Deck out in your favorite Coyote gear and get ready for our weekly contests sponsored by our Coyote Council! Two classes will win a Coyote Paw Trophy each week!

Is your child starting Kindergarten in the fall? Don't miss our engaging Open House on Thursday,February 5, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Media Center!

What to Expect:

• Meet our friendly Kindergarten teachers.
• Discover our exciting Kindergarten program and learn about state standards.
• Get invaluable tips on preparing your child for Kindergarten.
• Explore classrooms and enjoy interactive, hands-on experiences.

Bonus:

Families can register in the school office to secure a spot for Fall 2026.

Spread the word to friends and neighbors with incoming kindergarteners. This is an event not to be missed!

Each year, the Florida Department of Education surveys parents of children receiving special education services to determine how well their children’s schools are partnering with them. The survey is for students in grades PreK-12 who have an IEP. Feedback helps the school district improve special education services and collaboration with families. Families can learn more and access the survey at www.pcsb.org/ese.

To ensure a successful start to the school day, it is crucial that all students arrive before 8:45 AM. This ensures they are seated in their classroom and ready for instruction, which begins promptly at 8:45 AM. Arriving after 8:45 AM disrupts the teaching and learning already in progress.

If your child is late, you must walk them in and sign them in at the front office. Please do not drop them off and leave, as our front doors are locked and entry is managed through the security doorbell system.

We strongly urge your cooperation in this matter to maintain a productive learning environment for all students. Thank you for your understanding and support!

February is a wonderful time to celebrate the impactful contributions of Black Americans to Florida’s vibrant history and culture. It's an important opportunity to engage in conversations about the stories and experiences of Black individuals.

We want every student to finish February with a deeper appreciation for the rich stories, cultures, and accomplishments that shape our shared history.

The Department of Education is excited to announce the Black History Month contests open to elementary, middle, and high school students. The submission deadline is February 9. More details can be accessed here.

We encourage students to participate in the 2026 Black History Month art and essay contests, themed “Celebrating Black History.” This is a great chance for students to learn about how Florida has been shaped and strengthened by these contributions.

All Florida students are invited to participate. Students in grades K-3 can join an art contest, while those in grades 4-12 can participate in an essay contest. We hope every child will take advantage of this opportunity to explore and celebrate these significant contributions.

A COYOTE WELCOME to our newest Curlew Creek staff member, Bilingual Assistant Katherine Mickelson!

THANK YOU to parents who have sent staff recognitions by clicking the button or the link at the top of the monthly newsletter! Our staff appreciate those recognitions more than you know!

A HUGE SHOUT OUT to our wonderful MENTORS for taking the time to see our kiddos every

week! You are greatly appreciated!

A SHOUT OUT to Mrs. Michelle Brooks and the Literacy Team for planning a fun Celebrate Literacy Week, and to all who participated in the daily activities!

COYOTE WHOOSHES to Mrs. Jen Flory for coordinating and delivering our Character Assembly, recognizing students who displayed outstanding charity and kindness/caring! Parents and students were so very proud of their Coyote scholars!

Speaking of Mrs. Flory, the first week of February is National School Counseling Week. A SHOUT OUT to Mrs. Flory for the tremendous impact she has on our community and on helping students achieve success! Remind your scholars to thank her for all she does!

CONGRATULATIONS to Art Teacher Natalie Potacco and her National Elementary Art Honor Society students who had their formal induction ceremony last week. Our Curlew Creek NEAHS is one of two in Florida who were accepted into the organization.

Parents, your positive words can make a huge difference! If you’d like to recognize the hard work and dedication of a Curlew Creek staff member, please take a moment to submit a shout-out. Your compliments mean the world to them! Don’t forget to fill out a separate form for each staff member you’d like to honor.

Share Your Compliment Now

We have finished our second round of state testing. The expectations are to be at the 50th percentile or above. Data tells a story. Do you know your child's story? Please make sure to review the test results with your child and their teacher to find out how you can help support your child at home. Test results are also available in FOCUS.

At Curlew Creek Elementary School, students earn PBIS points by demonstrating the school’s PAWS expectations, which guide daily behavior and help create a positive learning environment. P – Put Safety First reminds students to make choices that keep themselves and others safe, whether they are walking through the hallways, using equipment, or participating in classroom activities. A – Are Responsible encourages students to take ownership of their actions by completing assignments, following directions, and taking care of materials. The W – Wonder and Learn expectation celebrates curiosity and a growth mindset, motivating students to ask questions, explore new ideas, and stay engaged in their learning. Finally, S – Show Respect highlights the importance of kindness, empathy, and consideration for others in all areas of the school, from the classroom to the cafeteria to the playground. When students practice these PAWS behaviors, they earn PBIS points that move them closer to exciting rewards and celebrations, reinforcing the positive choices that help make Curlew Creek Elementary a safe, supportive, and inspiring place to learn.

Getting along with others and working together to accomplish a goal.

“Civilizations should be measured by the degree of diversity attained and the degree of unity retained.” ~W.H. Auden

"Each life is like a letter of the alphabet. Alone it can be meaningless. Or it can be part of a great meaning.” ~Unknown

As a Healthy School, we follow specific Wellness Guidelines. Here are our birthday policies:

• No Birthday Parties at School: We do not host birthday parties.
• No Party Favors or Bags: Please refrain from sending party favors or bags for classmates.
• Bringing Snacks:
  • Check with the teacher for approval.
  • Snacks must be from the healthy category, store-bought, and individually wrapped.

Please refer to our attached Wellness Guidelines for further details.

Parents,

Per new safety legislation. there are to be no students on campus prior to 8:15 AM. This is non-negotiable.

If you arrive prior to 8:15 in car line, the student is to stay in the car with you. If you walk or ride a bike, please adjust your schedule so that your child arrives between 8:15-8:45 AM. The school does not provide supervision for students prior to 8:15 AM. Club students & Patrols are the only exceptions and will be greeted by their sponsor. We need YOU to adhere to this safety concern. Thank you!

EVENT DAY PROTOCOL (During the School Day)

1. On Parent Lunch Days, siblings may accompany a parent or grandparent only if they are in a stroller. For safety reasons, siblings must remain in the stroller and may not run around.
2. Siblings from another classroom will not be pulled from class to see their brother or sister receive an award.
3. For outdoor events you must stay for the entire event, as the gates will remain closed until the event concludes.

On special event days, early dismissal for students is not permitted. Our small office staff is unable to manage mass grade level dismissals before the regular dismissal period. We understand that many families have multiple children they may wish to check out early, however, calling into classrooms for students disrupts instruction. Additionally, this process does not provide our office staff with sufficient time to prepare for the regular dismissal routines for car riders, bus riders, and van riders, nor to communicate any changes to the personnel supervising dismissal. Thank you for understanding and cooperation.

Please see the one-page summary of our School Improvement Plan (click to enlarge). Teachers and staff will use this to guide their instructional and professional goals and work throughout the school year. Feel free to leave feedback on our school webpage where you may also view our full School Improvement Plan.

Click to enlarge.

See Something, Say Something:

https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/say-something-tips/

Fortify Florida reporting site:

https://getfortifyfl.com/Tip.html#

Become a part of the Curlew community by joining the PTA today through the PTA Givebacks portal! Individual membership dues are just $10, and joining does not require you to volunteer. Simply scan the QR code below and select membership in the dropdown menu. Thank you for your support!

By joining the PTA, you are supporting vital initiatives that benefit our staff and students. Your $10 membership helps us provide:

• OUR NEW COYOTE COURTYARD!
• Supplemental Reading Materials
• Exciting Family Events
• Booster-Thon Fundraiser
• Table Full of Thanks
• Teacher Grants for Classroom Materials
• Staff Appreciation Week
• AND MUCH MORE!

Don’t miss out on the chance to make a difference in our school community. Join the PTA today!

Did you know our school is registered with Box Tops for Education?!

This is an EASY way to help our school earn extra money. It’s as easy as scanning your grocery receipts. The app identifies the items that qualify and our Coyotes get a cut.

Download the app, select Curlew Creek Elem and start scanning your grocery/shopping receipts! You select which grade you want to give credit to.

Which grade will come out on top at the end of the year?

Here is a link to register & start earning free money for our school:

https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=MYY11JLM

Email: brickleyk@pcsb.org

Website: https://www.pcsb.org/curlew-es
Location: 3030 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor, FL, 34684
Phone: 727-724-1423
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