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Amana Elementary
Newsletter
News and Notes
October has come and gone and just like that, we are a quarter of the way through the school year. After last winter I was certain it just can’t get any worse. After looking out my window and seeing the snow, I can’t help but feel an impending sense of doom! Perspective! If we got this snow three weeks before Christmas, we would be celebrating the beauty! I could complain about it, much like I could complain about taxes, but it’s not going to get me anywhere.
So we adjust! We celebrate the opportunity. And we make the best of it. Did you know having students be responsible for putting on coats, gloves, hats and snow pants builds individual responsibility? Having students zip their own coats, tie their own shoes and put on their own gloves helps refine fine motor skills? Did you know encouraging students (in our upper grades) to bring coats, gloves, hats, etc. helps develop greater responsibility in students which will pay huge dividends in the future?
The weather is a funny topic of discussion. Why didn’t we have a late start? (I did get a few of those questions yesterday). Are we going outside for recess? (Yep). I’m sure I will have an opportunity to discuss the decision making that goes into why we have/why we call off school during our winter months, so I will skip that for now. I will remind everyone going outside for recess has far greater effects than staying inside. I highly encourage everyone to dress for the weather. Do not assume we will stay in for recess. For a whole host of reasons, I am not inclined to loan out coats and snow pants (we have had lice issues in the past and I don’t want to bring that issue up). If people need coats, gloves, hats, etc. we have resources to give some out. No questions asked. The supply is not endless but we do our best. The generosity offered to our school as well as our district is amazing!
With it being a quarter of the way through the year, we start to hyper-focus on student needs. Our goal through our work is to meet every students’ needs. We want all students to grow academically as well as socially. That’s a tall task to be sure. We at Amana Elementary believe it’s all of our jobs to meet those needs. As an example, we believe any and all adults as well as students can help the kindergarten recognize and name all the letters. Mrs. Hilton (the greatest kindergarten teacher in the world) has a far greater ability to move the students further into their reading ability if all of the Amana elementary helps speed up the process of letter recognition. Same goes for 1st, 2nd etc. in the skills they need. Goes for social emotional support as well as building wide PBIS (hopefully you are hearing about our SAIL expectations, celebrations and recognition).
Stay warm! Get those kids outside this weekend. Read, create and engage your children in meaningful activities. Have them do dishes, walk the dog, sort their laundry! I promise, it will pay off. They may not be perfect and yes I’m sure you could do it faster. But if I zipped up every coat, tied every shoe, opened every milk carton, what will I have reinforced for our students?
Ben Macumber, Principal
Upcoming Events
- Friday, November 8 - Picture Retake Day
- Wednesday, Nov. 27 - Friday, Nov. 29 - No School
- Monday, Dec. 16 - K-2 Concert, 6:30 PM; 3-5 Concert, 7:30 pm
Art and Library Request!
Amana Elementary Families,
We need your help! In the next few weeks, we will be working on a collaborative project in art and library class. All students will be working together to create a 10-foot mural. We are in need of lots of MAGAZINES!! If you have magazines that you don't want, please send them to school with your child or drop them at the office.
Thanks so much!
Ms. Campbell and Mrs. Fox
The BackPack Program
We participate in a program called The BackPack Program. This is a partnership between HACAP and the CCA Community Schools. The BackPack Program provides a food pack of kid-friendly, non-perishable food for children on the weekends and during school breaks. This is a FREE program, without cost to families. It is also kept completely confidential – only the counselor will be aware of participating families. If this would be helpful for you and your children, please contact Kelsey Koffend by phone at (319) 622-3255 or by email at kelseykoffend@ccaschools.org. There is a limited number of spots available, so it is important that you call or email to get your child’s name on the list.
Shoes That Fit
Shoes That Fit is a program that provides shoes to children in need. If your child needs new shoes this year and this program would be helpful to you, please contact Kelsey Koffend by phone at (319) 622-3255 or by email at kelseykoffend@ccaschools.org.
Help Support Our School
Ronal McDonald House Tabs
Box Tops for Education
Register Tapes for Education
Register Tapes for Education
Amana Elementaty
benmacumber@ccaschools.org
319-622-3255
Email: colleenconrad@ccaschools.org
Website: https://www.ccaschools.org/AE
Location: 3023 220th Trail, Middle Amana, IA, USA
Phone: (319) 622-3255