Parsons Pirates Update
February 12, 2024
Message From the Principal
Dear Parsons Pirates,
I love communicating all of the fun events at Parsons. We have a lot this week! Candy grams, Valentine's Day, and the 100th Day of School. However, our main job is learning and we do that all day long! One of our district wide focuses this year is student engagement. Engagement doesn't just mean a student is quiet and compliant. We are looking for active engagement. How do students talk and engage with the task? How do they work with others to complete an activity? We are kid watchers! Check out this cool picture from Mrs. Gurney's class. Instead of just completing a worksheet on long division, students created their own problems and then worked in groups to solve the problem. They completed a gallery walk around the classroom, solving multiple problems with their classmates. Awesome job Pirates!
Sincerely,
Sarah Aherne
Valentine's Day
Bust out that red and pink! We are excited to celebrate Valentine's Day this week. Please check with your teachers for how Valentine's Day is being celebrated in class. If you are volunteering, you must have a background check on file. Please make sure it is in by Monday. No background checks will be completed on Wednesday.
Kids Heart Challenge™ is HERE!
Kids Heart Challenge Update!
We have 109 students registered. Sixteen students have completed Finn's Mission. We have raised $4, 205 for Kids Heart Challenge.
- Start by downloading the Kids Heart Challenge APP or click this link: http://www2.heart.org/goto/ParsonsElementary to sign up!
- Complete Finn’s Missions: learn TWO lifesaving skills as a family TONIGHT!
- Become a Heart Hero: Send emails/e-cards on the website or texts via the app to invite friends and family asking for support.
Watch the official kick-off video to get to know our heart heroes!
PLUS, this Online Envelope will show you all the thank you gifts your student can earn.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: http://www2.heart.org/goto/ParsonsElementary
OR DOWNLOAD THE
KIDS HEART CHALLENGE APP
Reading Month is Coming
Our PTO has already planned lots of amazing activities in preparation for Reading Month.
The Book Fair is coming February 21-February 28th. The Book Fair will be officially open for student shopping from 8am-9am on Thursday, February 22nd during Grandparents' Breakfast. We will begin our classroom shopping that afternoon at 1pm. We will have a full day of classroom shopping on Friday, and a half day in the morning on Monday, February 26th. The Book Fair will also be open in the evening on 2/26 during Bingo for Books. Since we do not have school on Tuesday, we will be open for a half day in the morning on Wednesday, February 28th for any make-up shopping needs.
I also advocated for an author visit and our PTO has made it happen! Author Lindsay Gizicki wrote The Pirate Doctor and To the Moon and Back. She does a one hour assembly presentation that includes a reading of one of her books, goes over the publication printing process and answers questions about what it's like to be an author. She does a writer's workshop activity and giveaway during the assembly. This assembly is geared towards 2nd-5th grade. However, she also said that she could do 15 minute classroom visits for kindergarten and 1st grade for free in addition to the assembly. She is coming on March 15th.
Spark Orange Frog Positive Award
Spark Student of the Week: Dominick Z
Dominick is a 4th grader who can happily be seen skipping down the hall. He loves his job at the end of the day helping the bussers. Dominick has made great gains as a student this year!
- What brings you joy? When it is warm outside
- How do you bring joy to others? By being kind and I give people compliments
- Who is someone that brings joy to you? My parents
Drama Club has come to Parsons. Mrs. Bloomfield, Mrs. Claus, and Mrs. Linge are directing. The play is Alice and Wonderland. Fourth and fifth graders who are participating in Drama Club will head straight to the gym on Thursdays for practice. They are expected to follow school expectations during Drama Club. The final show will take place on Thursday, March 21st.
Cold Weather Reminder
Outside recess occurs when the temperature and wind chill are 15 degrees or above. The children are expected to participate in recess activities and it is certainly to their advantage to dress properly. Children should wear mittens, boots, and proper head covering during cold weather.
We encourage students to bring boots and regular shoes. It is uncomfortable for students to sit in boots all day and it makes the classroom wet and dirty.
Watch Dogs
WatchDOGS started on October 10th. Check out the link and/or the QR code.
Please only sign up for two days to allow more parents to sign up.
School Safety
All doors are locked during the school day. If you come to school, you will be buzzed into the foyer area and office and then asked to show identification before your child is released. All visitors/volunteers in the building must report and sign in at the office. Visitors must wear a badge in the school building. All volunteers in the classroom and for field trips must have a background check on file each year.
Free School Breakfast and Lunch
Governor Whitmer has made school breakfast and lunch free again this school year. You will receive free and reduced lunch forms the first day of school. Even though meals are free we encourage all families to fill out the forms. The completion of the application by our families helps us receive federal funding. Lunch menus are available at this link.
Lunch is 11:45-1:00.
K 11:45-12:10
3 11:55-12:20
1 12:05-12:30
4 12:15-12:40
2 12:25-12:50
5 12:35-1:00
Mrs. Aherne
Email: ahernes@gibdist.net
Website: https://www.gibdist.net/parsons-elementary
Location: Parsons Elementary School, Middle Gibraltar Road, Gibraltar, MI, USA
Phone: (734) 379-7050
