Peine Ridge Tips

Dear Parents,

If your children are like mine the typical conversation goes like this:

“What did you do at school today?”

Your child replies, “Nothing.”

Or…

“How was school today?”

Your child replies, “Ok.”

Below we have included a list of questions that go beyond "How was your day?" These are questions to ask your child after school to get a conversation started. Once your child gets started discussing their day, wait to ask more questions and just let them open up. As parents, we tend to jump in with more questions, but waiting and listening are important. A child gains confidence as they relate to you. I also think it’s great to have your child ask you questions about your day. This will also teach them to listen.

Have a great September!

Dr. Ryan Andrews

Questions to ask your child after school to get a conversation started:

• What was the best thing that happened at school today?
• What was the worst thing that happened at school today?
• What was the hardest thing you had to do today?
• Tell me something that made you laugh.
• Tell me about what you read in class today. What did your teacher read to you?
• If you could choose, who would you like to sit by in class? Why?
• What's the biggest difference between this year and last year?
• Who did you sit by at lunch today? What did you talk about?
• Can you show me something you learned today?
• What part of school is your favorite?
• Tell me the name of 3 kids you sat next to today.
• What was the most interesting/funny thing your teacher said today?
• What class expectations does your teacher say are important?
• Tell me one interesting fact about your teacher.
• What is your favorite time of day at school?
• What are you looking forward to at school tomorrow?
• Did you get frustrated with anything at school today?
• Were you able to finish all of your work today?
• Tell me about a new word you heard today at school.
• If I called your teacher tonight what would he/she tell me about you?
• What made you happy today?
• Did anything make you sad today?
• How did you help somebody today?
• How did someone help you today?
• Were you bored at all today?
• Who would you like to play with at recess that you've never played with before?
• What do you think you should do/learn more of at school?
• What do you think you should do/learn less of at school?
• How were you a good friend today?
• Where do you play the most at recess?
• Did anyone do something nice for you today?
• Did you do anything nice for someone today?
• Was it noisy or quiet today during class? Which do you like better?
• Ask about a specific friend in your child's class.
• What questions did you ask today?
• Tell me what your learned today that you did not know before.
• On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your day? How could you make it at 10?
• If you got one wish about school, what would it be?
• Who is the funniest person in your class? Why is he/she funny?
• What was your favorite part of lunch?
• What challenged you most today?
• If you got to be the teacher tomorrow, what would you do?
• If you could switch seats with anyone in the class who would you trade with? Why?
• Tell me about three different times you used your pencil at school today.
• What do you like least about school?
• What do you like most about school?

We have just a few reminders to share with everyone:

1) Students must have their cell phones and smart watches silenced and in their backpacks. Cell phones and smart watches should not be creating disturbances in our classrooms. If you need to get in contact with your child, please call the office. 636-327-5110

2) Please remember that staff are not on outside duty until 8:05 am. Students should not be dropped off or released from cars without a parent until staff are outside at their stations at 8:05 am.

3) For students who walk or ride bikes/scooters to school, please help them set an appropriate time to leave the house in the morning. Students should not get to the main crosswalk until AFTER 8:05 am. The crosswalks are unsupervised prior to 8:05 am.

Please remember that Dr. Manning and I are always available to support you and your children. Please do not hesitate to stop in, call or email us with any questions or concerns. We are here for your children.

• September 4: No School/Labor Day
• September 18: Late Start Day
• September 28: Rock Your School Day
• September 29: No School/PD DAY

Hello Peine Ridge Family,

Hello! My name is Alyssa Springston and I am the 3rd grade through 5th grade School Counselor at Peine Ridge. This is my Fourth year as a school counselor and I am excited to be back working with the Peine Ridge team.

My name is Samantha Gorham, I am the counselor for kindergarten through 2nd grade. This is my third year at Peine Ridge Elementary and I am so happy to be here and work with the staff and students!

We work with students, parents, and staff to help guide academic, emotional, behavioral, and social growth. Mrs. Gorham and Mrs. Springston also offer individual and small group counseling, as well as class lessons, to help students resolve personal or interpersonal problems, enhance listening and social skills, learn to empathize with others, and find social support through healthy peer relationships. Our goal is to build strong, trusting relationships to advocate and support all students at Peine Ridge.

Programs available to our Peine Families

We have a variety of programs to support students and their families throughout the school year.

Operation Backpack: A weekend nutrition program sponsored by Peine Ridge Church in Wentzville which provides a bag of food items to support student nutrition on the weekends. Please contact one of the counselors if you are interested in receiving this support for your child.

Operation Warm: Wentzville School District values relationships with our community and we want to support all families that are within our district and find themselves sometimes in need of assistance. Soon we will provide warm winter coats to those students with families that may reach out to us requesting support.

Holiday Assistance: Wentzville School District works with community organizations to help our families who may benefit from gift donations during the holiday season. Please contact a counselor if you feel this program will assist you.

Contact Information:

Alyssa Springston

alyssaspringston@wsdr4.org

Samantha Gorham

samanthagorham@wsdr4.org

Each new school year brings opportunities for academic growth and growth in all areas of

development. Although children must be knowledgeable when they graduate, they must also be

healthy, engaged, responsible, and caring people. We’re grateful you’re here at our school and we’re excited to partner with you and your child. As a Leader in Me School, we believe that every member of your family has greatness and we can’t wait to learn and grow from you! Leader in Me (LiM) is an evidence-based, comprehensive school-improvement model—developed in partnership with educators and FranklinCovey—that empowers students with the leadership and life skills they need to thrive in a global community. Our school has chosen to operate through a uniquely different lens.

Leader in Me is about empowering your child to reach their full potential while ultimately finding their voice. As a school, the staff in this building have made five core commitments to your child. We call these our Core Paradigms. In these paradigms, you will find the belief and way we view all students.

At this school, we see that:

• Everyone is a leader.
• Everyone has genius.
• Change starts with me.
• We empower students to lead their own learning.
• Educators and families partner to develop the whole person.

Not only do these paradigms apply to your student, but they also apply to all of us! Leader in Me provides our school with the vision and language to lead the school in a way that addresses all areas of development. As each child discovers and develops their unique gifts and talents, they are given opportunities to lead. As leaders, they become active, engaged partners in their own education, and their self-confidence, responsibility, and initiative grows. The children quickly understand the benefits of different gifts and talents; they learn to listen to new ideas, work together to achieve results, and motivate one another to be the best. Together, we will see each child grow throughout the year.

During the 2023-2024 school year, our entire staff will become trained in Leader in Me. Our work with students will not start until the following year after all staff is trained. If you have questions, please contact your building administrator.

Our first late start day is Monday, Sept. 18. The WSD will provide supervision for k-5 students who need to be dropped off at the regular start time on Late Start Days. This is separate from our Before Care Program through Chautauqua. Register your child

Students can enter the building at 8:05 a.m. Please do not drop students off prior to this time.

School Starts: 8:20 a.m.

School Ends: 3:20 p.m.

Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Yes, you are welcome to eat lunch with your child. You will need to sign in at the front office with a picture ID. You are welcome to bring lunch in for your child but not for other Peine Ridge Students.

• Kindergarten | 10:45-11:05
• 1st Grade | 12:00 - 12:20
• 2nd Grade | 12:25-12:45.
• 3rd Grade | 11:10-11:30
• 4th Grade | 11:35-11:55
• 5th Grade | 12:50-1:10

We are not allowing any edible treats to be brought in for birthdays. Students may bring in a non-edible item for their birthday. Please check with your child’s teacher so everyone in the class receives one.

Changes to your child’s dismissal/transportation plans need to be communicated to the

teacher AND the main office. If you need to make an occasional transportation change (car rider instead of the bus, etc.) you must send a note to your child’s teacher. If that is not possible, you may call the office on the day of the change before 2:00 p.m., so the office staff has adequate time to notify your child’s teacher. You must provide a note or call each day that you want your child to go home in a different manner than usual.

To access the required volunteer registration forms and to read the Wentzville School District's Volunteer Policy click here: https://www.wentzville.k12.mo.us/Page/10282 If you have questions about the volunteer policy or forms, contact Patty in the front office, patriciaforce@wsdr4.org

Once the sign on the front drive is turned to tell you that you have arrived late, you will need to walk your child into the main office. Please do not have your student exit the car and walk in by themselves. A parent will need to walk the student in and sign them into school.