Asbell Elementary

Dear Asbell Families,

We are now in the 8th week of school, and it has been exciting to see students settling into routines and making real progress in their learning. Our classrooms are well into the curriculum, and we are already noticing growth in both academic skills and social confidence. As report cards approach, we look forward to partnering with you during Parent-Teacher Conferences to celebrate student success and discuss next steps for continued growth.

In order to help support you in your child's academic growth at home, the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education has created simple guides that outline the most important learning goals for students in grades K–8 in literacy, math, science, and social studies. These guides are designed for families to use at home. You can print them out and post them on the fridge, keep one in the car for road trips, or refer to them whenever you want to see what your child is learning this year. Each learning target also has a companion guide with fun activities you can do together to support learning outside of school. Links to the guides can be accessed here.

Looking ahead, October is full of opportunities for connection and celebration at Asbell. Next week, we’ll enjoy Muffins and Move. This is a wonderful way to start the day with your child and connect with other families at our school. Stay for the 4th Grade Performance afterward! Parent-Teacher Conferences later this month will give us the chance to reflect together on student progress. Our Trunk or Treat event will bring families together in a festive way, and we’ll close the month with Healthy Choices Spirit Week and Fall Parties. These events highlight wellness, school pride, and the joy of the season, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Baureis, Asbell Principal

Parenting in today’s digital world comes with new challenges. Fayetteville Public Schools invites you to a free session, Parenting in the Digital Age, led by Brock Murphy, co-founder of Parent ProTech. You’ll learn about online safety, how to spot digital risks, and the latest trends that affect kids and families.

The event will take place on Wednesday, October 29, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Fayetteville High School Performing Arts Center. This is the first in a series of five sessions designed to support families.

For questions, contact julie.williams@fayar.net or call 479-973-8626.

Last month, we met for Asbell's Annual Title I Meeting. Here is this year's Title I presentation.

Please click the link below to check out our Title I School- Parent Compact. A Title I School- Parent Compact is an agreement between the school, parents, and students. Its purpose is to clearly outline how everyone will work together to support your child's learning and success. It highlights shared responsibilities to help students do their best in school.

School Compact - English

School Compact - Spanish

Parent Right to Know - English

Parent Right to Know - Spanish

Parents, we have lots of items in our school Lost & Found. If you need to come take a look if your student is missing anything, you are welcome to stop by during school hours 8am-3pm. Please check in at the front office with your physical ID to get a visitor badge.

Reminder, if your student will be absent please notify the school at 479-445-1059 or email hilary.selby@fayar.net. Feel free to email Ms Hilary doctors notes as well.

No Student check out is permitted after 2:30 pm. Should you need to pick up your student prior to 2:30pm, please always bring a physical form of identification- Drivers License , passport, ID.

Any transportation changes MUST be called into the office prior to 2pm.This eliminates any dismissal confusion at the end of the day and ensures the safety of our students. Call the office at 479-445-1058 to make any transporation changes.

Parents are always welcome to eat breakfast with their student from 7:25am-8:00am. We ask that anyone visiting, please check in at the front desk, present your ID, and obtain a badge. Please say your goodbyes in the cafeteria so your student can head to class and start their day.

Please remeber to notify the front office of any updated contact information. This includes, email, phone number and home address.

Class photos have arrived! Parents, still need to order pictures? Check out Strawbridge's NEW code look up tool. You can simply scan the QR code and follow the directions to access your child's picture ordering gallery. No need to contact Customer Service for an access code! *Student last name and Student ID number will be required for data security.*

Still have questions - Please reach out to Strawbridge's Customer Service team via the Live Chat on our website, www.strawbridge.net.

Brush and floss twice daily for 2 minutes. Also brush after any sugary snacks. This will keep your teeth healthy and help prevent cavities!

Vision and hearing screenings are continuing this month. If your student has any problems with testing, I will reach out about retesting needs.

*Please make sure to send a water bottle and a change of clothes for your student in case of accidents or spills*

Here are some great ways parents or guardians can get involved in our school, no matter how much time you have to give!

1. Quick Contributions: Take just a moment to send a note of encouragement to your child’s teacher or donate a box of tissues or hand sanitizer to the classroom.

2. Classroom Helper: Volunteer to read a story to the class, help with an art project, or assist with a special activity during the school day.

3. Event Participation: Join us for school events like Field Day, our holiday programs, or family fun nights. Your presence makes a difference and strengthens our community!

4. Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO): Attend PTO meetings and be a part of planning activities that support our students and staff. Your ideas and energy can lead to exciting new initiatives! Contact asbell.fayar.pto@gmail.com for more information.

5. Sponsorship and Fundraising: If you're looking to make a larger impact, consider supporting our school through business sponsorships or participating in fundraising efforts that contribute to significant projects like technology upgrades or playground improvements.

Your involvement, big or small, enriches our school community and enhances our students' learning experiences. Thank you for all you do!

ASBELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOOD DRIVE is fast approaching! OCTOBER 27th - OCTOBER 31ST. Help us fill the Fayetteville Public School district’s food pantry called the Outback (located behind the ALLPS campus at 2350 W. Old Farmington Road Building G). The Outback is open to ALL FPS families every Friday from 8:00-11:30 am.

-Items needed include but are not limited to noodles, tuna, chili, pasta sauce, packaged breakfast items, crackers, and all unopened boxed items with a good expiration date. Donations are greatly appreciated and the winning classroom who brings the most food items gets an extra recess!!!

This month's Capturing Kids Hearts word of the month is SELF-DIRECT which we describe as the ability and learned skill to cast a vision of future goals and to take intentional steps toward who, where, and what we want to be. Instead of focusing on things to control or avoid, we empathize our ability to make positive choices related to our emotions, attitudes, and actions. See the parent newsletters below.

Self Direct Newsletter - English

Self Direct Newsletter - Spanish

What We’ve Been Learning
All Grades (K–4): We’re diving into three big concepts in music this month:

• Rhythm 🥁— the pattern of sounds and silences in music, like the steady beat of your heart.

• Performance Techniques 🎤 — how we sing or play to make music expressive (clear words, good posture, strong voices, and matching the style of the song).

• Form 🎵 — how music is organized into sections (like AB or ABA).

Students are practicing these through songs, games, and instruments!

4th Grade: “Arkansas: A Musical Journey”
All students have been assigned parts, and whole-grade rehearsals begin Wednesday, October 1.

• Reminder: If your child has a speaking or solo singing part, please help them memorize their lines or lyrics by October 1. Encourage practice at home with expression, clear words, and strong volume.

• If your child will not be at school on either date, Oct. 8 or Oct 9, please let Mrs. Pittman know ASAP the part can be reassigned.

• Performances:

  • October 8 (during the school day, for students)

  • October 9 @ 8:30 AM (for families & friends)

This performance will also be recorded and shared, so you can enjoy it again and again! More info on final details will be sent soon. If you have any questions or need additional copies of your child's script or solo, please reach out at pamela.pittman@fayar.net.

Veterans Day Performance

• Who: 1st and 3rd graders

• When: November 11, 2025 @ 8:30 AM
  Students will perform meaningful songs to honor our veterans. Our very own Ms. Dale, an Army veteran, will share about her experiences. Families of 1st and 3rd graders — and any community veterans — are warmly encouraged to attend this special event.

2nd Grade Musical: Pajama Party!
Second graders are beginning to learn the songs for their December musical: Pajama Party! Mark your calendars:

• December 10 (during the school day, for students)

• December 11 @ 8:30 AM (for families & friends)

This will be a cozy, fun performance you won’t want to miss!

🍂 Fall Fun in the Library! 🍁

Our students are enjoying fall-themed books, learning all about story elements like characters and settings, and even getting to read with special volunteers from the University of Arkansas! 📚🐗 They're also practicing how to find books all by themselves and learning how to be kind, responsible library users. 💛

✨ Please help your child remember to return their library book each week so they can check out something new and exciting! At the end of the month, we’ll celebrate with our 1st Nine Weeks Book Return Party! 🎉📖

🌟 Book Club is back and meets from 7:40 – 8:05 AM on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday! We are currently reading The Case of the Missing Pumpkin and will be reading Mercy Watson Princess in Disguise for October.

📚✨ Coming Soon: Fall Asbell Book Fair!
October 27th – October 31st | 7:40 AM – 3:20 PM

Get ready for a magical reading adventure! 🧙‍♀️✨
Once Upon a Time Books is bringing their awesome selection of books—all $7 or less! The Once Upon a Time Book Mobile will also be at Trunk or Treat, so families can shop too!

Happy Reading, Asbell Readers! 🌟📘

Kindergarten and first grade have been learning about different types of lines and creating line monsters. They are learning to use a variety of art materials to create a complete work of art.

Second grade has also been learning about lines and how different lines can convey different meanings. They created abstract works of art where the lines, colors, and patterns show a message about a feeling they chose.

Third grade has been learning more about the word abstract and creating "Ish" self-portraits. We read the book "Ish" by Peter Reynolds and learned that our art doesn't have to be perfect to be good. They have been adding meaning to their self-portraits through the use of color, line, and symbols.

Finally, fourth grade learned about the artist Vasily Kandinsky. They learned about how he saw sounds and heard colors. They have been using line, shape, and color to create works in the style of Kandinsky. Each work is meant to convey a message about a feeling.

Dear Asbell Families,

We have had a busy and exciting month in PE!

In September, we started off with Gaga Ball. Students learned how to keep the ball low and in control while practicing teamwork and good sportsmanship by “reffing” themselves. This gave us a great opportunity to work on both movement skills and responsibility as players.

Next, we shifted into Volleyball. We began with the skill of bumping, practicing how to use our forearms together to keep the ball in play. As we move forward, students will continue to build on these skills by learning how to set and serve.

We’ve also had some fun with equipment! Students pulled out the scooters, working on safely moving around the gym while learning how to manage their space. To round out the month, we added in some lighthearted challenges using scarves and balloons, which gave students the chance to practice coordination, focus, and control in a playful way.

It’s been a wonderful start to the school year, and I look forward to all the fun and learning in October in PE!

It's never too early to order a yearbook! To order:

Visit www.treering.com/validate

Enter Asbell's Passcode: 1016947069144218

The cost is $20.93 and all orders are 10% off right now through October 30th!

We love TreeRing because of the FREE custom page option. Upload photos from your computer, phone, Facebook, Google Drive and more. This is a great way to preserve memories of your child at this age.

Breakfast and Lunch Menus can be found at our website here.

Thinking about lunch next year? Don’t let the rising cost of food get you down! Many children in the school district may qualify for free meals or for reduced priced meals based on household size and income criteria. You can see if you are eligible for meal benefits by clicking here or going to https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/

For more information, please visit this link or call the front office and ask for assistance. We are happy to help!

We love for our students to be fed and happy in the mornings! Mornings can be super busy, so if you don’t have time for breakfast at home they can always get breakfast at school. If your student is eating breakfast, please drop them off before 7:50am, so they have plenty of time to enjoy breakfast!

We’re excited to announce our Fall 2025 Program for ages 5–10 at Asbell Elementary! This is a wonderful opportunity for kids to stay active, make friends, and have fun after school.

Program Details:
• Dates: September 4 – October 23 (8 weeks)
• Day/Time: Thursdays, 3:20–4:00 pm
• Cost: $144 + $25 registration fee (includes jersey)

Scholarships are available— https://ss.ly/SKURER

Spots fill quickly, so don’t wait—register today and give your child a chance to be part of the fun!

We can’t wait to see our Roadrunners on the move this fall!

Asbell will be partnering with Fayetteville Fire Department to bring a fire safety program to our students on October 2nd.

We are so excited to invite the students and families of Asbell Elementary to our Children’s Literacy Movie Night hosted by Pi Beta Phi! This event is October 7th!

Location: 502 W Maple Street (Pi Beta Phi Courtyard)
Time: 5–7 PM
Details: Join us in the courtyard for movies, popcorn, little treats, and a celebration of our philanthropy.

Parking is available at Wilson Park, as our chapter house parking lot is reserved for members. We know this can be a bit confusing, so we appreciate your understanding.

We would love to have you join us for a fun evening of community, literacy, and philanthropy. If you are able, we would greatly appreciate it if this could be shared with students and parents. We have greatly appreciated working with Asbell over the years!

Walk to School Day is Tuesday, October 8th! We encourage families who can safely walk or roll to celebrate active transportation as part of our Safe Routes to School efforts.

On Thursday, October 9th, bring your child to the track on the playground and grab breakfast! Walk laps, talk with your child, and enjoy a breakfast on the go! Starting your day with physical activity boosts energy levels, improves focus, and enhances mood, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day. Stay after for the 4th Grade Performance in the cafeteria at 8:30!

We’re celebrating Healthy Choices Spirit Week with fun dress-up days and activities that highlight the connection between healthy habits, learning, and well-being. Join us each day to show your school spirit!

Mindful Monday – Wear a Positive Message
Mindfulness practices help children focus, manage emotions, reduce stress, and improve both academic and social outcomes.

Tech Break Tuesday – Wear Pajamas
Limiting screen time and getting good sleep is essential. Research shows school-aged children (6–12 years) should get 9–12 hours of sleep each night.

Workout Wednesday – Wear a Sport Shirt or Workout Gear
Regular physical activity boosts brain function, improves mood, and supports better overall health, leading to stronger academic performance.

Thriving Thursday – Wear Green, Yellow, or Asbell Gear
At Asbell, we thrive together! Wearing our school colors builds pride and belonging, while strengthening community, confidence, and teamwork.

Feel-Good Friday – Dress as a Good Character
Choose a book or movie character who shows kindness and thoughtfulness. Think about one thing you admire about that character and try to practice it during the day.

This is list will grow as the year progresses and is subject to change!

FPS District Calendar can be found here!

October 3 - 3rd Grade Walton Arts Center Field Trip 9:30-11:30am

October 7 - Student Flu Shot Clinic

October 9 - Muffins and MOVE! 7:25-8:20am

October 9 - Fourth-Grade Musical - 8:30am

October 9 - Kindergarten Field Trip to Walton Arts Center 11:30-1:30pm

October 10 - Holiday - No School for Students

October 13 - Holiday - No School for Students

October 17 - Second-Grade Field Trip to Apple Seeds

October 17 - Fourth Grade True Lit Field Trip 10-12:30pm

October 23 - Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences

October 24 - No School for Students - Parent Teacher Conferences

October 27-31 Good Choices Week + Book Fair Week!

October 28 - Trunk or Treat Event at Asbell

October 29 - Parenting in the Digital Age - Free Parent Event (see flyer above!) 5:30-7:00 FHS PAC

October - 31 - Self-Direct Roadrunner Rally /"Dress like a Good Guy"

October - 31 - Fall Party Day! 2:30-3:00pm

November 7 - Lady Razorback Basketball Game (3rd/4th Grade) 10:30am

November 11 - Veterans Day Program

November 21 - Teamwork Roadrunner Rally

November 24-28 - Thanksgiving Break

December 19 - Responsibility Roadrunner Rally

December 11 - Second-Grade Program 8:30am

December 12 - Spelling Bee

December 19 - Holiday Sing-along Rally 8:30am

December 22-January 5 - Winter Break

January 6 - First Day of Spring Semester

January 30 - Respect Roadrunner Rally

February 3 - "Heart Beats!" Drum Circle Night (Feb 12th - Snow Date)

February 12 - Valentine's Party Day! 2:30-3:00pm

February 13 - Teacher In-Service, No School for Students

February 16 - Holiday - No School for Students

February 27 - Kindness Roadrunner Rally

March 2-6 - Book Fair!

March 3 - International Discovery Day / Multicultural Night 4:30-6:00pm

March 17 - Spring Parent Teacher Conferences

March 19 - Spring Parent Teacher Conferences

March 23-27 - Spring Break

April 3 - March Courage Roadrunner Rally

April 24 - Holiday - No School for Students

May 1 - April's Perseverance Roadrunner Rally

May 5 - Kindergarten Celebration

May 12 - Fourth-Grade Celebration

May 13 - Field Day

May 14 - Spring into Summer Block Party 4:30-6:00pm

May 21 - Integrity Roadrunner Rally + Last Day for Students

We are always here to help and answer any questions you may have. Feel free to reach out to us through any of the following contact methods. Visit our website at https://asbell.fayar.net/o/aes. Watch for weekly newsletters from your teachers and monthly newsletters from the principals. Follow us on social media, too!

Instagram - asbellroadrunners

Facebook - Asbell Elementary

• Email:

• Jamie Baureis, Principal: jamie.baureis@fayar.net
• Marjo Burk, Assistant Principal: marjo.burk@fayar.net
• Stephanie Alkire, Administrative Intern: stephanie.alkire@fayar.net
• Cameron Magness, Counselor: cameron.magness@fayar.net
• Shanice Diaz, Administrate Assistant: shanice.diaz@fayar.net
• Chrissy Feinstein, Nurse: christine.feinstein@fayar.net