Peterson March 2026

Over the past few months, you may have heard us talk about attendance. In recent years, we’ve noticed a drop in student attendance, and we want to work together to change that.

Being at school every day is super important for learning, building routines, and connecting with teachers and friends. Even missing a few days can make it harder for students to keep up with lessons and activities.

We know that sometimes absences are unavoidable, but we ask for your help in making attendance a priority whenever possible. Together, we can make sure every school day counts and support our young learners’ success!

🎉 March Madness Attendance is here! Our goal this month is for all our K–4 classes to show up and shine—let’s make every day count and have some fun along the way!

Mr. Peterson

The Douglas County Youth Initiative (DCYI) is accepting nominations for the 2026 Outstanding Youth Awards.

Each year, DCYI honors exceptional young people who have overcome personal adversity and created positive change in their lives. These awards recognize teenagers ages 13–19 who have triumphed over great odds and now serve as inspirations and role models within our community.

If you know a deserving young person, please consider submitting a nomination - and share this opportunity with others who may know an outstanding youth. The deadline for nominations is April 3.

Due to a scheduling conflict, we moved our Annual Class Pictures to March 25. Please look in our weekly newsletter for ordering information coming soon.

We are excited to announce that the 2026 Ben Franklin Science Fair is going to be held from May 4th to May 6th, with a parent viewing night on May 5th from 4 pm - 7 pm. For parents of 3rd and 5th graders, please put on your calendars. The event will be held in the Lightning (small) gym. The 3rd and 5th graders will begin talking about their projects in their classrooms starting in March and April.

If you would like to come to view all of our student’s hard work, please fill out your information on the viewing volunteer signup genius link (click here). If any parents are interested in helping us judge students' science fair presentations, please complete the form on the judging signup genius link (click here). We only ask that you refrain from signing up to judge your child’s grade.

More information will be sent out closer to the event date, including Science Fair project expectations, viewing, and judging logistics. If you have any other questions, please refer to the BFA Science Fair Handbook linked on the BFA Science Lab webpage.

Throughout the year, we use this section to celebrate classroom or grade achievements, post a snapshot of what each grade level is doing and post important information to help each parent.

You can use the Table of Contents on the left side of your screen to quickly navigate to information that is important to you (on desktop version only).

All dressed up, our Kindergarten celebrated the end of their Domain Unit with a ball.

First Grade uses a glow party to help reinforce language skills.

Our 1st graders created an alien, wrote about its characteristics, and presented it to the class.

Our 3rd grade learned how force and motion interact.

In 3rd grade, our students dive deeper into fractions. Using Play-Doh, students explore fractions both visually and hands-on, helping them better understand how parts make up a whole through interactive learning.

The weather has been so beautiful that our library time moved outdoors! Students enjoyed reading and learning in our Outdoor Classroom, soaking up sunshine, fresh air, and great stories all at once.

3rd Grade learned Catapults.

Kindergarten are learning the basics of creating documents, from naming the file to changing font and colors.

4th Grade Artwork: Ceramics and Plaster.

Mrs. Bond welcomes all 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students into her classroom throughout the month, where they learn through engaging activities such as games. These games are designed to enhance learning while making it fun. In the first Mr. Peterson newsletter each month, we will spotlight one of the games our students are enjoying. We encourage families to consider adding these games at home as well, since playing together is a great way to support learning.

Jigsaw puzzles build focus and attention to detail. In a world full of distractions, puzzling invites children (and adults!) to slow down. Finding the right piece requires careful observation of color, shape, and subtle differences. This sustained attention strengthens concentration skills that transfer directly to classroom learning.

They develop planning and organizational skills. Successful puzzlers quickly learn strategies: start with the border, sort by color, group similar patterns. As children experiment with different approaches, they practice organizing information and creating step-by-step plans which are essential executive functioning skills.

Puzzles also strengthen visual-spatial reasoning. Turning pieces in different directions and mentally imagining how they might fit helps develop the brain’s ability to manipulate objects in space. These skills are foundational for math, engineering, reading maps, understanding diagrams, and even handwriting.

Equally important, puzzles nurture perseverance and confidence. Completing a puzzle doesn’t happen instantly. It requires patience, trial and error, and the willingness to try again. Each correctly placed piece builds momentum and a sense of accomplishment. Children experience firsthand that progress happens one small step at a time.

Family puzzling encourages communication and teamwork. Unlike competitive games, puzzles invite collaboration toward a shared goal. Family members naturally divide tasks, offer suggestions, ask for help, and celebrate progress together. The result is meaningful conversation, shared problem-solving, and quality time without screens.

Amazon offers many puzzle options. Amazon offers many puzzle options. Ravensburger is a perennial favorite for students in elementary school. 100–300 pieces are generally ideal for ages 5–7, while 300–500 pieces fit children ages 8–10. These piece numbers are in the sweet spot of challenging, but not overwhelming.

This March, we invite your family to clear a space on the table, open a puzzle, and enjoy the many benefits that come from working together, piece by piece!

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