Kathryn Winn Primary
Leadership Starts Here
November 2026
A Message from Our Principal- Danielle Hamilton:
November is a wonderful time to reflect on the people who make our school community so special. I am thankful for our curious learners, our dedicated staff, and the families who partner with us each day. Together, we help our children feel loved, supported, and ready to learn.
This month, our focus remains on helping every child grow as a reader, writer, mathematician, and leader. For our kindergarten and first-grade students, each new skill is an important step toward greater confidence and independence. Taking turns, working through a challenging task, and showing kindness to a classmate are accomplishments worth celebrating alongside academic progress.
As we embrace this season of gratitude, I encourage you to talk with your child about the people and experiences they appreciate. A simple “thank you,” a thoughtful note, or an act of kindness can help our young leaders see the difference they can make in someone else’s day.
Your support at home matters so much. Reading together, talking about the school day, and maintaining consistent routines help children build on their learning. Try asking, “What did you work hard on today?” or “How did you help someone?” These conversations celebrate effort and remind children that learning and kindness go hand in hand.
Thank you for sharing your children with us and for being an important part of our Kathryn Winn family. It is a privilege to serve this school community. Wishing you a November filled with learning, connection, and gratitude!
Habit 3- Put First Things First
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“Work First, Then Play!”
As we continue our journey with the 7 Habits of Happy Kids, we are learning about Habit 3: Put First Things First. This habit teaches children to recognize what is most important, make responsible choices, and complete important tasks before moving on to other activities.
For our kindergarten and first-grade students, this means learning to manage their time, follow routines, and understand the difference between things they need to do and things they want to do. When children learn to put first things first, they develop independence, responsibility, and confidence in their ability to accomplish goals!
What Does Habit 3 Look Like at School?
Making Good Choices: Choosing to complete important tasks before moving on to something fun.
Following Routines: Taking responsibility for morning routines, classroom jobs, and daily expectations.
Staying Focused: Giving our attention and best effort to the task at hand.
Being Responsible: Taking care of our belongings, completing assignments, and being prepared to learn.
Learning to Prioritize: Understanding that sometimes we need to do the important things before the things we want to do.
We remind our students: “First I do what I need to do, then I can do what I want to do!”
Try It at Home!
Help your child practice Habit 3 by creating simple routines that encourage independence and responsibility. A visual checklist can help young children understand what needs to happen first!
Try asking:
“What is the most important thing you need to do right now?”
“What should we finish before we begin playing?”
“What can you do tonight to be ready for school tomorrow?”
“How does getting your responsibilities done help you have more time for fun?”
Give your child opportunities to practice putting first things first through everyday activities, such as putting away toys before starting a new activity, getting dressed before watching a favorite show, or preparing their backpack before bedtime.
Together, we are growing purposeful leaders who take ownership of their responsibilities, make thoughtful choices, and understand that their actions today help create success tomorrow!
Elevating Literacy: Growing Readers, One Book at a Time!
A November Message from Your Instructional Coach:
November is a wonderful time to celebrate the joy of reading! National Children's Book Week(November 9 -13) reminds us that books spark imagination, build vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, and inspire a lifelong love of learning. At Kathryn Winn Primary, we believe growing strong readers is a partnership between school and home. One of the most powerful ways families can support literacy is by reading together every day! Our teachers met with you for parent teacher conferences last month and stressed the importance of reading and helping your child grow into a strong confident reader.
Five Simple Ways to Elevate Literacy at Home
Read Daily: Spend 10–15 minutes enjoying a book together. Reading aloud matters, even when your child begins reading independently!
Let Them Choose: Encourage your child to select books that spark their interests and curiosity.
Talk About Books: Ask questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “What was your favorite part?”
Make It Interactive: Explore illustrations, discover new words, and connect stories to real-life experiences.
Celebrate Growth: Encourage your child to recognize letters, sounds, and familiar words while celebrating their efforts!
Children's Book Week Family Challenge!
Celebrate by visiting your local library, discovering a new author, or rereading a family favorite.
Our Challenge: Read together for 15 minutes each day for one week. That's 105 minutes of growing readers and making memories! Every story shared, every page turned, and every conversation about a book helps build a confident, capable reader.
Together, we are elevating literacy and empowering every child to reach their highest potential!
Michele Long-Kathryn Winn Primary Instructional Coach
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A Note from Ms. Ray: November Counseling Corner:
Happy November, families! As we enter a season of gratitude, I am reminded of how thankful I am to be part of such a wonderful school community. I continue to be so proud of our Panther Cubs and the growth they are making each day! From building friendships to learning new skills and becoming more independent, our little leaders are doing BIG things!
November Counseling Tip: Practice Gratitude!
November is the perfect time to help children learn the importance of being thankful. Practicing gratitude helps children build positive relationships, develop empathy, and recognize the good things in their lives. At home, try asking your child to name one thing they are thankful for each day. Encourage them to thank a friend, help someone without being asked, or draw a picture for someone special. Even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference! As we approach the holiday season, remember that children learn gratitude and kindness by watching the adults around them. Thank you for modeling these important skills and partnering with us as we help our students grow into caring, compassionate leaders.
Wishing your family a wonderful November filled with kindness, gratitude, and lots of reasons to smile!
With Panther Pride,
Jordan Ray- Kathryn Winn Primary School Counselor
Congratulations Ms. Devine!
Congratulation Mrs. Zelano !
