Shadowlawn Scoop
December 2025
Dear SLE Families,
As we approach the end of the second quarter on December 19, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible effort and growth we’ve seen from our students this semester. We are so proud of how hard they have worked! Please remember that winter break begins December 20, and students will return to school on January 6. Report cards will be sent home on January 12, and we encourage you to review them with your child and celebrate their accomplishments together.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in and supported our recent Read-a-Thon! Thanks to your generosity, we raised nearly $5,500, which will go directly into our classrooms to fund student activities, classroom projects, incentives, and more. Your continued support makes a big difference in creating engaging and enriching experiences for our students.
On behalf of our entire staff, I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday break filled with joy and rest. We look forward to welcoming our students back in the new year, ready for more learning and growth!
Warm regards,
Amber Eliason
Principal
December 19: End of Quarter 2
December 20-January 5: Winter Break
January 5: Teacher Plan Day - No School for Students
January 6: Students Return - Quarter 3 Begins
January 12: Quarter 2 Report Cards Go Home
January 19: No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 27: School Advisory Council Meeting -7:40AM
January 30: Just Book It Event
February 2: Student Led Conferences 5:00-6:30 - Mark your calendar!
February 11: Early Release Day - Dismissal at 12:05
February 12: Quarter 3 Interims Published
February 13: Field Day
February 16: No School - President's Day
February 24: School Advisory Council Meeting - 7:40AM
March 5: End of Quarter 3
March 6: No School for Students - Teacher Plan Day
March 9--13: Spring Break
Click HERE to access the CCPS academic calendar.
Uniform: Students are expected to dress in school uniform attire every day at school. During colder weather, plain colored sweatshirts, hoodies or sweaters are allowed but they must be free of graphics, logos, or writing.
- Shirts: T-shirts (new this year!) or polo shirts in any solid color with no print/design.
- Sweatshirts: Solid color sweatshirts or hoodies with no print/design.
- Pants, Shorts, or Skirts: Navy, black, or khaki in color.
- Shoes: Sneakers or tennis shoes only. No sandals or crocs..
- Special School Spirit Days: Shadowlawn school spirit t-shirts may be worn on Fridays. Parents will be notified in advance of any special dress days.
Scents: We have a number of staff and students with allergies on campus and the wearing of perfumes, body spray and heavily scented lotions makes it difficult for them at school. Please do not wear perfumes or fragrances at school to help out our classmates and staff.
Apply online at collierschools.com/prek — we’d love to welcome your family to our school community!
As we enter holiday season, there are plenty of activities throughout Naples for families to enjoy. Please visit VisitNaples for a comprehensive list of events occurring through December and into the new year! This is an outstanding resource that you may use year-round to find fun and exciting activities for the whole family.
Speaking More Than One Language with My Child
If your child seems to be delayed in learning to talk, you might be wondering if using more than one language is making things more difficult for them.
This is a natural question for a parent to ask. And you may have received different advice from others, making things even more confusing. Research shows that bilingual parents get lots of different advice. Some parents are told it is fine to use more than one language, while others are told to use only one language!
So, which is true? Let’s explore what the research tells us about the most commonly asked questions about bilingualism.
What is bilingualism?
Bilingualism means learning more than one language and being able to understand and communicate in these languages. Depending on when a child learns their languages, they may be considered either a simultaneous bilingual or a sequential bilingual:
- Simultaneous bilingual: The child learns two (or more) languages at the same time, from birth
- Sequential bilingual: The child learns a second language after their first languages established, often when they start school
Does bilingualism cause language delays?
There is no evidence that being exposed to more than one language causes language difficulties or delays. Both children who are and are not bilingual can have language delays.
Can children with language difficulties or delays learn more than one language?
Yes, research has shown that children with language difficulties can learn more than one language, either simultaneously or sequentially2. Children with language difficulties should have the opportunity to be bilingual just like other children! What is most important is that children are involved in enjoyable back-and-forth interactions in both of their languages, so they have enough exposure to their languages to support their learning.
My child switches between their languages in conversation – is that okay?
Switching back and forth between languages in conversation, otherwise known as code-switching, is very common in bilingual speakers. On its own, switching between languages is not a sign of language difficulties5. Studies suggest that children pull words from one of their languages if they don’t know the word in the second language9. Code-switching just shows how children use all the tools they have to communicate as best they can, using both of their languages.
What are the benefits of bilingualism?
Being able to speak more than one language has many benefits. Here are some:
Bilinguals can interact with more people, using all of their languages
Bilinguals are able to share traditions and connections with family members in their home languages
Some studies suggest bilinguals are better at focusing on important information and ignoring unnecessary information.
How can I best support my bilingual child who has a language difficulty or delay?
If you are worried about your child’s communication, the most important step is to see a speech-language pathologist (SLP). The SLP will assess your child’s communication skills and provide recommendations for how you can support them.
You are the most important person in your child’s life and how you interact with your child in all the languages you speak is what makes the biggest impact on their communication skills. It is important to expose your child to their languages during enjoyable, back-and-forth interactions in a variety of situations. This means not just talking to your child but talking with them.
Here are some ways you can support your child’s communication:
- Speak to your child in the language you’re most comfortable using.
- Let your child start interactions, so you know what they want to communicate about. This means that you wait without talking, looking interested, so your child has a chance to communicate what’s on their mind.
- Interact with your child during everyday activities such as play time, bath time, mealtimes, or going for a walk.
- When your child communicates with you in any way – this may be by using a gesture (e.g. pointing, using the “sleep” gesture of head to the side and resting on their hands), making a sound or using words – respond right away by saying something related to their message. In other words, don’t change the subject! Stick with what they are interested in.
- Once you respond, give your child the time they need to respond. You may need to wait up to ten seconds.
https://www.hanen.org/information-tips/
By Rachelle Comeau
October 20, 2025
Kids on the Go!
The Kids on the go Challenge has been heating up! Encourage your child to come running every morning for a healthy heart! Here are the top 20 runners. The final mile will be held on January 29, 2026 at Golden Gate High School. Runners will participate in a fun event where they get to showcase their running skills against other students in their grade! It’s fun for the whole family!
Healthy Meal of the Month: Bell Pepper Nachos
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Number of Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 teaspoons seasoning (try a mixture-chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, pepper)
- 2 cups cooked meat (chopped or shredded), beans or tofu
- 1 cup reduced fat shredded cheese
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F.
- Wash bell peppers, remove seeds and cut into bite-sized pieces. Arrange pieces close together in a single layer on a large foil-lined baking sheet.
- In a medium bowl, combine salsa, seasonings and meat, beans or tofu. Spoon the mixture evenly over pepper pieces then top with cheese.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until peppers are heated through and cheese is melted. Serve warm.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Notes:
- For added flavor, top with chopped cilantro, green onions or black olives!
Winter vacation and holidays are a great time for learning, reading, and writing together. These ideas share activities connected to the season, as well as tips for getting the New Year off to a good start.
