Jan Elementary Schools Newsletter

As we enjoy the winter season, please ensure your child comes to school with winter gear for recess. We'll be heading outdoors for recess unless temperatures drop below zero. Staying warm and prepared is key to enjoying these chilly days!

Get ready for an opportunity to make a difference! This January, we'll be sharing information on how you can register your student for our Kids Heart Challenge. This important initiative not only educates students about maintaining a healthy heart and brain but also raises funds to support children with special hearts!

Stay tuned for more details in January on how your student can join this life-changing challenge.

Sign-ups for our fun-filled Campus Kids Summer Care start in April. We will be sharing details as soon as they are available. You can visit our Early Childhood Center website for the most updated information about Campus Kids Childcare.

Creating daily routines is powerful. Routines help kids know what to expect and what is expected of them.

This helps kids feel more comfortable, secure, and confident. Routines also build independence and responsibility. Creating the right get-ready-for-school routine can make everyone’s lives easier. What’s the right routine for your family?

Well-rested kids have an easier time coping with the demands of school. That gives your child enough time to get ready without having to rush. Children ages 3-5 need anywhere from 10-13 hours of sleep per night.

It’s hard to believe we’re already preparing for the next i-Ready® Diagnostic. The second Diagnostic is an important benchmark for understanding your student’s growth, which is why it’s so important they try their best. These results allow us to better support them in achieving their goals for the year.

The most important thing we can do is prepare students and motivate them to put forth their best effort. Here are a few things you can do to help support your student:

• Make sure they get a good night’s rest before taking the Diagnostic!
• Talk to your student about why the second Diagnostic is important. You can say things like:
• The second Diagnostic helps you find out how much progress you’ve made since the beginning of the year.
• It allows your teacher and I to celebrate your accomplishments!
• Try your best, and do not rush—but don’t spend too much time on a question either.
• Remember, questions on the Diagnostic change are based on your answers to earlier questions. You will see some questions you don’t know. That is okay! Just try your best.
• Let them know you’re excited to celebrate their progress.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your student’s learning.

Every Friday, classroom teachers will select a student who embodies our school values: being safe, kind, brave, and responsible. These students consistently showcase our expectations. Teachers, please add your chosen student's name to the spreadsheet. They'll be announced the following Monday and included in our weekly draw.

Each Friday, we'll pick a winner from kindergarten/young 5’s and 1st grade. At month's end, these lucky winners will enjoy lunch with Mr. Carpenter and/or Mrs. O’Brien. Plus, all 'Students of the Month' will be celebrated on our Facebook page, and winners will be featured in the newsletter.

Get ready for our first 'Student of the Month' announcement on January 15, 2024!

December PE Recap: Locomotion, Skating, and Bowling at Cedar Trails

This January, Cedar Trails students are actively engaging in PE activities that focus on developing locomotor movements. They've been ice skating and skiing with skates, enhancing their sliding skills in fun and challenging ways. Dodging taggers while skating has added an extra layer of excitement to the sessions!

In addition to these activities, our students are also honing their skills in underhand rolling through bowling. Thanks to Sparta Lanes, we've had access to mobile bowling sets for two weeks, which has significantly boosted their interest in the sport. Don’t be surprised if your student asks to go bowling, It's a great opportunity for some family fun!

A heartfelt thank you to all the families who joined us on December 5 for a wonderful evening focused on literacy, math, and PBIS! It was great to see so many of you there. Congratulations to the two lucky families who won either a literacy or math basket.

Additionally, we were pleased to send every family home with supplies to enjoy the activities shared during the event. These supplies were thoughtfully purchased using Title 1 funds.

In the coming weeks, our Red Hawks at Beach will embark on a unique adventure where art and literature blend. As we dive into various books, students will explore the seven elements of art within these stories.

Not only will they discover art in literature, but they'll also use these literary wonders to inspire their art projects. Get ready for a burst of creativity and learning!

We want to extend a huge thank you to all the families who volunteered for our classroom Holiday Parties. Your enthusiasm and partnership made our events extra special! Your support truly makes a difference in our school community. Thank you for taking the time to be involved in your child's education!

Remember, students need to consistently demonstrate our HAWKS Behavior Expectations to participate in these weekly activities. This is a fantastic way to jump back into school life and enjoy a wonderful winter at Cedar View!

Our 5th-grade students will participate in 'Willing2Wait' lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the first two weeks of January.

These informative sessions will cover important topics like internet safety, HIV/AIDS awareness, self-esteem, and understanding puberty.

Our preschool families recently concluded Unit 2, journeying through environments near and far, including the fascinating Coral Reef. Our little learners discovered the resources our environment provides and how we can protect them. They explored animals, plants, and various earth features.

Embracing their creativity, they crafted a coral reef right here in Cedar Springs and wrote invitations to invite a guest to a special scavenger hunt. What an adventurous learning experience!

Attached, you'll find some fantastic info all about the magic of early literacy and math exposure from Early Learning CORPS for January! Dive in and discover the wonders of learning through talking, reading, writing, and counting together!

Explore the Talk, Read, Write, and Count With Me family newsletter for some awesome activities to try at home. Let's make learning an adventure and watch those little minds shine bright!

Email: cspstogether@csredhawks.org
Website: https://elementary.csredhawks.org/
Location: 204 East Muskegon Street, Cedar Springs, MI, USA
Phone: 616-696-1204
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/csredhawks
Instagram: @csps_redhawks