Tiger Tales

We had a crazy start to the second semester due to wild weather and two snow days. Things finally seem to be settling down, though. There are a couple important events that I'd like to remind everyone about. The first is the film event at Whittier Elementary on February 15th from 5:00-7:00. This is a FREE screening of the film, Like, which is a documentary that discusses the impact of social media on children. (See the flyer below.) The second is kindergarten registration from 3:30-5:30 on Thursday, February 29th. (If you or someone you know has a child that will be 5 years old on or before September 1st, please bring your child to our registration day!)

A few other things that we have to look forward to this month are the 6th grade ski/snowboard day at Bogus Basin, the Idaho Children's Museum visit, a 4th/5th grade trip to listen to the Boise Philharmonic, and the boys' basketball tournament. There is SO much going on at Taft! I know I say it all the time, but this is an incredible place to learn and work. Thank you for being a part of this special community!

Heidi Gudmundsen, M.S., LPC

Counselor

heidi.gudmundsen@boiseschools.org

208-854-6189

Hello Taft Families -

• Kindergarten - We will be reading two books by Kathryn Otoshi. The book “Zero” focuses on valuing yourself and the book “Two” focuses on friendship and self discovery. We will also read “At Little Spot of Feeling”. This book helps students recognize what feelings look like on themselves and on others. Lastly, we will be reading “The Last Stop on Market Street”. This book helps students realize we are all different and it helps students appreciate all the things they have.

• First Grade - We are focusing on conflict resolution. We will read “Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon”. The main character in this book is able to keep her cool even when another student is being unkind. We will read “Don’t squeal Unless it is a Big Deal”. We will discuss what is a big deal (you need to tell an adult) and what is a squeal (you can handle on your own). We will discuss how we can handle small problems on our own. In our next lesson we will discuss how “I Messages” can resolve a conflict. Lastly we will read the book “Mean Jean the Recess Queen”. Kids will have an opportunity to brainstorm ideas on what to do if someone is being mean to them.

• Second Grade -We are going to read the book “Chrysanthemum” which focuses on celebrating our unique selves. We will read “Don’t squeal Unless it is a Big Deal”. We will discuss what is a big deal (you need to tell an adult) and what is a squeal (you can handle on your own). We will discuss how we can handle small problems on our own. In our next lesson we will be reading a Unicorn from Slumberkinds. This book focuses on building confidence. Lastly, the 2nd graders will get to attend the 6th grade career fair. They will learn about all the amazing careers our 6th graders researched.

• Third Grade -We will continue to look at our sources of strength. We will be talking about the different areas of our brain and how they impact our emotions and our abilities

• Fourth Grade - We are continuing to learn about our Sources of Strength. We will review the Regulation Station. We will also talk about what to do if we see a classmate / friend who is feeling down.

• 5th Grade - We will continue with our Sources of Strength curriculum. We will continue to talk about positive friends and focus on perspective taking. Next we will discuss healthy activities and things that lift our spirits. We will wrap up the month by discussing what to do if we see a classmate / friend who is feeling down. Students will learn the warning signs for depression and learn they need to reach out to an adult they trust if they are worried about their classmate / friend.

• 6th Grade: This month is all about getting ready for junior high and preparing for the career fair. Students learned about what classes they can take in junior high and will select their classes on February 12th. Please look for the Junior High Registration form. Students will continue to research their chosen career and will create a poster to present to parents and 2nd graders. The Career Fair is scheduled for February 21st starting at 2:30. We hope you all can join us and celebrate all the hard work our 6th graders have put into their career posters.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call or email me.

Heidi Gudmundsen, MS, LPC

W.H. Taft Elementary School Counselor

208-854-6189

heidi.gudmundsen@boiseschools.org

Boise School District

Pronouns: She, her, hers

www.boiseschools.org/everythingspossible

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Reading and Math Intervention Specialist

What Are Intervention Groups?

We are excited to share with you one of our key aspects of our academic support system at Taft – Intervention Groups! As a Title One school, we take pride in offering tailored intervention groups in both math and reading to all our students.

Meet our fantastic team of paraprofessionals, Adria Young and Jeremy Cramer, whose primary focus is to work closely with students at their unique instructional levels. Together with our dedicated grade-level teachers, they create an environment where every student is met exactly where they are and provided with the targeted learning and skills they need to thrive academically.

Each group meets for 30-45 minutes, four days a week. This personalized approach ensures that each student receives the attention and support necessary to foster their academic growth.

2024 Family Engagement Calendar

Zammiello

5th Grade

TBD

Landing onto STEM

Franz

Career Day

6th Grade

February 21, 2024

2:30 PM to 3:00 PM

Career Presentations

Rose and Enrico

4th and 5th Grade

Car Engineering Day!

February 23, 2024

1:45 PM to 2:45 PM MST

Help your child build an electric car and take it home!

Kindergarten Registration

February 29, 2024

3:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Come enroll your Taft Tiger for kindergarten!

Culture Fest

Schoolwide

May 9

5:00 to 7:00 PM

A celebration to honor our diverse cultures at Taft, featuring food, art, music, and more.

Learning Coach

At Taft we are always working on being the best learners we can be! In every classroom we have talked about what good learners do and how learners help one another. One of our goals at Taft is to show Tiger PRIDE. PRIDE stands for Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, and Empathy. After winter break, three day weekends and snow days, sometimes it's hard to show perseverance. Ask your child how they are doing in class. Are they giving their best effort? Did they get enough sleep the night before to be ready to focus on learning? Are they persevering when learning something new? Remind them to keep at it, even when the learning gets tough, and don't give up!

February Books

Share a Little Love!

A Crankenstein Valentine by, Samantha Berger Illustrated by, Dan Santat

Summary: An ordinary kid becomes Crankenstein on the most lovey-dovey, yuckiest day of the year: Valentine's Day. Cheesy cards, allergy-inducing bouquets, and heart-shaped everything? YECHHHH! It's enough to turn anyone into a monster!

In this third entry into the beloved Crankenstein series, see if our grumpy little hero can make a sour day sweet and find a little love in his heart!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYAKk-X_T_o

Grumpy Monkey Valentine Gross Out by, Suzanne Lang Illustrated by, Max Lang

Summary: When Jim Panzee hears Oxpecker cooing over her doting boyfriend on Valentine’s Day, he has just one thought: Gross. But Jim finds out that not everything about Valentine’s Day is hearts and kisses. Jim learns there are different types of valentines and many kinds of love, such as love for a parent or for friends.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z12UwibyNzo

Pig The Pug Love Pug by, Aaron Blabey

Summary: What does Pig the Pug love best? Dancing, dress up, and friends, of course!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6wg8dZnmbI

Jenny Hirst

Community Schools Coordinator

Community Schools Update!

Taft Family Food Pantry Day moves indoors! (on rainy or snowy days…)

We’ve now entered months that provide unpredictable weather! On the 1st and 3rd Thursdays, if the weather forecast is rain or snow, we’ll hold the TFFPday in the cafeteria. Students who ride busses will still be able to shop before the end of school, and at 3:15 any student may come and shop for food in the cafeteria, and then exit the doors to find you (if you are picking your child up) Because we only have limited space indoors, we’ll only allow students to shop on indoor TFFPdays. Please remember, parents are always invited to make an appointment with me if you would like resources and food items from our Community School pantry!

2nd Grade

Hailey Bucklin

2nd Grade is Having Fun!

It has been such a fun year in second grade! We have learned and grown so much in such a short amount of time. In math, we will begin to add three digit numbers next week. We have worked extremely hard on three digit place value to help us prepare for three digit addition. In reading, we are focusing on going back to the text to find text evidence to help us answer comprehension questions. In science, we have learned about landforms and bodies of water and are creating maps that include both. I am so proud of our second grade class for the growth that they have made this year. I am so excited for the fun to continue throughout the year!

We have been blessed with many donations this year which have allowed us to offer family events like the Taft Family Portrait Night and other special opportunities for kids and staff. If you or someone you know is interested in supporting Taft, please use the QR code below for an easy, tax-deductible donation.

• February 19 Presidents' Day - No School Pre K-12
• February 29 Kindergarten Registration 3:45 - 5:30 p.m.
• March 15 End of Third Quarter - Early Release K-6, No School Pre K
• March 18-22 Spring Break - No School Pre K-12
• April 19 No School Pre K-12
• May 16 Last Day of School for Seniors, Early Childhood Special Education Programs and Pre K
• May 17 Early Release K-6
• May 21, 22, 23 Secondary End of Semester Testing - Early Release *7-12
• May 23 Last Day of School - Early Release K-6
• June 4-28 Secondary Summer School - Semester 1 (19 days)
• July 1-26 Secondary Summer School - Semester 2 (18 days)
• July 4th & 5th No Summer School

Email: tim.lowe@boiseschools.org
Website: taft.boiseschools.org/
Location: 3722 West Anderson Street, Boise, ID, USA
Phone: (208) 854-6180
Twitter: @TaftElem