Husky Headlines

Hello Jr. Husky families! I am so excited to be decorating the halls for the upcoming school year knowing that students will be filling them with laughter soon!

Our theme for the 2024-2025 school year is Unleash the Superhero in YOU! Teachers are ready to help all students realize their limitless potential this year in all areas; from math, reading, science, and writing - to music, art, PE, and technology! We are excited to come alongside of you and mold your child into who they are meant to be!

I would like to take this time to remind you that can not have a successful year with your child if we do not partner together to ensure that we are all on the same page. As a school team, we will do everything we can to make sure that your child is successful at school. We ask that you make sure your child gets a full night of sleep (research says that elementary students - aged 9-12 - should sleep for 9-12 hours per night rb.gy/l65or).

Another thing you can do to help your child be successful in school is talk to them each night about what they are learning to help reinforce the concepts. If practice opportunities (some may call this homework) are sent home, please make sure those problems are completed. If they do need help, or do not understand what they are doing, please contact your child's teacher directly so they can help! The earlier we can identify a misunderstanding, the better off we all are!

A bit about me - I am a firm believer in open communication. I am always willing to talk to you or your child about any situation that may arise at school (or at home). I know that it is crucial to work together as a TEAM for your child(ren). If there is ever anything I can do to help you or your child(ren) - please do not hesitate to reach out! My email is hthompson@shelby.esu7.org and my office phone number is 402-527-5946 ext 5718. Let's have a SUPER year here at S-RC Elementary!

• August 12th - MS/HS Open House 6-7:30

• August 13th - Preschool Open House for new to district @ 4:30

• August 13th - Elementary Open House 6-7:30

• August 14th - First Day of School (1:15 Dismissal)

• August 16th - Bus Evacuation Drill

• August 19th - First Day of Preschool

• August 19th - Picture Day!!

• August 19th - BoE Meeting - Open to the Public

• August 26th - 5th Grade Instrument Night (be on the lookout for information!)

• August 28th -10:10 LATE START - Staff Development

• September 2nd - No School (Labor Day)

Our picture day is early again this year! Start practicing those smiles early so they are ready to go on August 19th!! Our photographers will be here to capture memories and smiles along with anything else that may happen to come along with your child that day!!! Let's hope you don't end up with something like these (although they sure would look great in a senior slideshow)...

• The school day officially begins at 8:10.
• Students will be marked tardy at 8:15. This gives students a five minute grace period to get to their classroom after the start of the day.
• Teachers will go to the gym and get their classes at 8:05. This allows students time to put away their bookbag, jackets, and any other belongings that will not go into the classroom with them.

Students can NOT enter the building until 7:40. We do not have staff on duty until 7:40 for breakfast and or Walk & Talk. We ask that you do not drop your elementary child off prior to 7:40 for any reason. Elementary doors will remain locked until 7:40, so if students do arrive prior to 7:40, they will not be able to enter the main building.

When Walk & Talk does begin each, it is an awesome opportunity for students to walk with their friends, chat before the school day begins, and get ready for a great day. If students are going to breakfast, they should come in and go directly to breakfast. They can then come to walk & talk once they have finished eating.

Remember - students do need to sign up for breakfast the day before if they are eating HOT breakfast at school. Please remind your child to add their name to the daily count if they will be here in time for school breakfast! This is a great opportunity for students to get the nutrients they need for a successful day of school. Your child should sign up to eat breakfast with their classroom teacher (all classroom teachers take a count each day as part of their daily routine).

The Physical Education classes will be going outside as long as the weather is nice. We will be working on many skills that involve running, kicking, jumping etc. Students must wear appropriate shoes on PE days. Flip flops, sandals, and boots make it hard for students to participate at their full ability. The P.E. schedule can be found below. Thank you.

Kindergarten - Monday, Thursday, and rotating Wednesdays

1st Grade - Monday, Thursday, and rotating Fridays

2nd Grade - Monday, Thursday, and rotating Wednesdays

3rd Grade - Tuesday, Friday, and rotating Wednesdays

4th Grade - Tuesday, Friday, and rotating Thursdays

5th Grade - Monday, Thursday, and rotating Wednesdays

As most of you know, I am a HUGE proponent of reading! As a matter of fact, I put out a personal word for word challenge to all fourth and fifth graders last year for the final month of Book-It in hopes to incentivise some of them to step up their game (and boy did they ever)!

This year, I am incentivising even more! I am dangling BRAG TAGS in front of your child. Students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade (who take AR tests), have the opportunity to earn brag tags as they collect AR points throughout the year! I have SUPERHERO brag tags for 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, and even 200 AR points!! I can't wait to see who is going to be the first student to reach the 200 point mark!!

Encourage YOUR CHILD to earn points by reading 20 minutes per night. In fact, did you know that if your child reads 20 minutes per day, statistics say that they will score higher on standardized tests? Crazy, right?? If your child starts reading 20 minutes per day in kindergarten they will have read for an equivalent of 60 school days by the end of 6th grade! If they only read for 5 minutes a day they will have read for an equivalent of 12 school days. A student who only reads one minute a day at home will have only read for an equivalent of 3 school days. That's a HUGE difference!!

If your child needs help finding a book that they love - have them go see Mrs. Peterson in the library! She is amazing and helping students find their "just right" books!!

Please make sure you contact Mrs. Wendi Sanley in the elementary office if:

• ...your child is sick and can't come to school
• ...your child has an appointment an needs to leave school early OR will come to school late
• ...you need to get a message to my child's teachers
• ...you have a message that needs to get to my child

Please call or email Wendi whenever you have questions or concerns. She will either have the answer or find the answer and get back to you!

Here is Wendi's contact information: (402) 527-5946 ext 5717 or wsanley@shelby.esu7.org

We will have an Elementary Open House on Tuesday, August 13th from 6:00-7:30. This is a great opportunity for your child to come and meet their teacher, see their new classroom for the year, drop off ALL of those school supplies so they don't have to lug them all to school on the first day, and to see some of their friends!

Additional Happenings for the evening:

• Tables will be set up in the gym to drop off ALL paperwork that was sent home in our family mailers (demographic pages, free/reduced paperwork [recommended for all families], and the elementary technology agreement)!
• Speech, Special Education, Counseling, High Ability Learners/STEAM, and English Language Learning teachers will all have tables set up in the gym to meet and greet with students and families!
• 5th graders - you will have an opportunity to chat with Mrs. Hyde about BAND!!!
• Little Spikers - Kasey Hopwood will be here collecting forms and answering any questions.

Elementary Principal

Special Education Director

Shelby-Rising City Public Schools

Email: hthompson@shelby.esu7.org
Website: https://www.shelby.esu7.org/
Location: 650 North Walnut Street, Shelby, NE, USA
Phone: 402-527-5946 5718
Twitter: @ms_thompson007