AGPS Elementary Newsletter

November 2023

Dear Ashland-Greenwood Elementary Families,

As we approach the end of the first semester, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your continued support and commitment to Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools. It has been an incredible journey so far, filled with growth, learning, and unforgettable moments.

As we embark on the well-deserved holiday break, we hope you find time to relax, recharge, and create lasting memories with your loved ones. Whether you're traveling, enjoying cozy moments at home, or exploring new adventures, we wish you a joyous and festive holiday season.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back for the start of the second semester on January 4th, ready for more exciting opportunities and achievements.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday break and a Happy New Year!

Ashland-Greenwood Elementary Staff

Upcoming Events

Dec 8 - 5th Grade Field Trip

Dec 7 - K-2 Music Concert @ 7:00 @ HS Main Gym

Dec 13 - The elementary Choir & 5th Grade Band will perform at 2:30 PM in the elementary gym. This mini concert offers our students an opportunity to share what they have learned during 1st Semester. Parents of performing students are welcome to attend.

Dec 14 - Last day to donate Giving Tree items

Dec 20 - AG Intermediate Schoolwide Movie Event (Staff & Students only)

Dec 21 - Staff & Student Sing-a-long; Early Out (Intermediate 12:50 & Primary 1:00); & end of 2nd Quarter

Dec 22 - Jan 3 - Holiday Break

Jan 4 - School Resumes

Jan 5 - 2nd Quarter Report Cards will be sent home with students

Feb 1 - PTO hosts Movie Night at the Primary-Mark your calendars!

Giving Tree

Each school year, students and staff participate in the “Giving Tree” activity. Food and supplies are collected for area families in need. The Intermediate Student Council will deliver these items to our local food pantry and they are made available to families that live in Ashland and the surrounding area. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to give to those in need. Students may bring donations to their classrooms through December 14.

Beginning Thursday, January 7, bus routes for Mike Simpson, Rod Kissel/Joe Yingling, Lori Spethman-Twiford, Andy Pfeiffer, and Brad Pfeiffer will be reversed. Students who are currently picked up first will be picked up last and students who are currently picked up last will be picked up first. This change applies to drop off times as well. Bus students are also reminded to be at their pickup location on time. The bus driver cannot wait for late comers as this alters bus schedules and causes other students to wait in the winter weather for an extended time.

Thank you Veterans!

Here are a few pictures from our elementary Veterans Day Program and Donuts with Vets Events.

National Young Readers Day

The Ashland-Greenwood Elementary PTO organized for several volunteers from the Ashland-Greenwood community to come read to our students on November 14th! We are grateful for their organization and to the volunteers for their time and sharing their love of literacy with our students!

Elementary Unified Volleyball Day

Check out these photos from our Elementary Unified Volleyball Day on November 3rd!

Let's Celebrate! The AG Intermediate Student Council is planning a new tradition for our school. We are going to celebrate the end of our first semester with a schoolwide movie. We will watch Dr. Suess’ The Grinch (2018) on Wednesday, December 20th. The movie is rated PG for brief rude humor. On December 20th, students may wear their pajamas to school. Students may also bring a blanket to sit on. We will be watching the movie in the gym, and students will be given popcorn to enjoy.

If you do not want your child to watch the movie, please let your child’s teacher know by Monday, December 18. If you do not contact your child’s teacher, it will be assumed your child has permission to watch the movie. Thank you for your support.

Monthly Lunch Menu

We are thrilled to share hassle-free ways for you to support our school and enhance the learning experience for our students. Check out the flyer below with details about TAGG, Direct Your Labels, and Box Tops - fantastic fundraisers that make supporting our school as easy as 1-2-3! 🌟

TAGG and Box Tops allow you to effortlessly contribute to our school's success while you dine, shop, or enjoy local services. Simply snap a photo of your receipts from participating businesses using the TAGG/Box Top apps, and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to our school. It's a seamless way to turn your everyday activities into valuable support for our students and teachers.

This short video demonstrates how TAGG works. Thank you for your support!

Mrs. Kelley's and Mrs. Wemhoff's classes were able to participate in an Ashland Public Library program where they brought in Snap Circuits and learned about electricity. What a fun way to connect to this 4th grade science unit study!

Captured Moments, Celebrations, and Recognitions

Mrs. Kelley's class had a special guest, Veteran Tom Deleski, come and talk with our classroom and another Veteran was zoomed into our classroom. We have been learning a lot in Room 212!

Mrs. Brady's class has reached their goal of 250 Bluejay Tickets earned, and will be celebrating with a class party. Their next goal is 300 Bluejay Tickets!

All students in Mrs. Lambert's class completed their reading goal for December!

Congratulations to the following students in Mrs. Cooper's class for being Bluejay Way Role Models this month: Etta Anderson, Ben Borst, Tucker Cook, Wyatt Parker, and Addilyn Weeden!

Congratulations to Mrs. Starns' Kindergarten for meeting their October and November reading goals! Way to go Harper Allemann, Ralph Atkinson, Bo Beranek, Paisley Collins, Ben Drelicharz, Laiklynn Foutch, Owen Haynes, Seth Lane, Granger Leuck, Fletcher Lofing, Hunter McMeekin, Tate Mink, Cruz Moon, Lucas Novotny, Hudson Phillips, Joey Rasmussen, Olivia Ruiz, Karter Sayer, Harper Shirm, Cohen Smith, Juliet Vrbka, Chloe Wolf.

We are proud of our first grade students for entertaining the residents at the Oxbow retirement home. We sang a Thanksgiving song and recited a Thanksgiving poem. In addition, our first grade students decorated placemats for the residents. This was a great opportunity for our students to give back to our community!

Congratulations to these students in Mrs. Lawley’s Class. They met their October reading goal. Keep reading and keep up the great work.

HARPER, EVA, PIPER, BRADEN, HAVEN, CALEB, ZOIE, AVRI, EMMA, MAVERICK, ADDISON, BROOKS, RYLEIGH, CRUZ, MILLIE, NORA, GAGE, & NORA

Congratulations to the following students in Mrs. Gude-Rung's class who met their October reading goal: Arabella Adel, Brooks Anderson, Brooklyn Bryant, Christian Claus, Quentin Duncan, Rayna Hanlin, Liam Hansen, Kaiyana Jackson, Caileigh Logue, Abbi Mallousek, Easton McFerrin, Thomas Myers, Jacob Richardson, Allie Varilek, Delanie Vrbka, Grayson Wolf & Natalia Wood. Keep up the great work!

Thank you, Caitlin Henry, for coming to read to Mrs. Gude-Rung's class on National Young Readers Day.

Congratulations to Adella Slagle who was top 10 out of 128 students in the poster contest that Mrs. Kerkman's class participated in sponsored by the Nebraska Section of the American Water Works Association (NS-AWWA). Adella's picture is below. Way to go!