Eagle News
Virtue of the Month- Kindness
January 8 - 12
No School January 15 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Good Afternoon Washington families!
We had a great first 2 days back from winter break. We have been reviewing school wide and classroom expectations this week. We have also been practicing safety drills for the second semester. Our Chocolate Candy Bar Fundraiser is coming up soon.
We will take students outside for recess as long as the windchill is 32 degrees or above. Please make sure to send appropriate coats or jackers for those cold days. We do still have a lot of coats and jackets in lost and found.
If we get any winter weather we will keep you updated if it will be a traditional snow day or a virtual learning day.
The Washington Elementary PTA is excited to announce our upcoming Bingo Night on January 26, 2024!
Do you own a business? Know someone who owns a business?
We are reaching out to kindly request your support for our event through a donation.
Your participation as a partner would be greatly appreciated. We will recognize your gift to all of our families, teachers, and participants.
Share Fair
Dear Parents,
I hope everyone had a restful break and had time to think about participating in this year's Share Fair. We hope to have a record number of participants. Intent to share forms are due to me by January 29th. All information and forms needed are below.
Washington will host its annual Share Fair on Thursday, February 15th in the Washington library and gym. The Share Fair exhibits will be set up for students to view during the day on Thursday, from 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM. On Thursday evening from 6:00 pm –7:30 pm, students will be able to share their presentation with observers and Washington Families. A Share Form and information letter are attached. Share Fair Letter
INTENT TO SHARE FORMS ARE DUE BY JANUARY 29th
Share Fair Intent to Share form
Please contact Mrs. Trumble with any questions.
Link to Presentation about Share Fair https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1MaLquLNLzWfMD32Db754fnaSAIY6ZmoU145UdawcWI0/edit?usp=drive_link
Small Skills Group
This year Washington will be offering free, optional small skills groups throughout the school year. These groups will focus on a variety of topics such as resiliency, mindfulness, feelings, social skills, and friendships. The skills groups will meet once a week for 45 minutes and last 6-8 weeks, depending on the group. The small groups will be facilitated by either the school counselor, Mr. Graham, or by a counselor from Crossroads Youth and Family Services. The upcoming groups being offered are below. Please contact Mr. Graham at grahamt@normanps.org or by calling Washington Elementary at 405-366-5984 if you wish for your child to participate or if you'd like more information. The deadline for enrolment is January 24th.
Group: Stress and Anxiety (dependant on enrollment)
When: January 29th- March 8th
Who: 3rd-5th graders
Facilitator: Crossroads Youth and Family
Group: Anger Management (dependent on enrollment)
When: January 29th- March 8th
Who: 3rd-5th graders
Facilitator: Crossroads Youth and Family
Group: Social Skills (dependent on enrollment)
When: January 29th- March 8th
Who: 3rd-5th graders
Facilitator: Crossroads Youth and Family
Group: Feelings
When: January 29th- March 8th
Who: Kindergarten
Facilitator: Mr. Graham
Group: Social Skills
When: January 29th- March 8th
Who: 1st & 2nd graders
Facilitator: Mr. Graham
Group: Building Friendships
When: January 29th- March 8th
Who: 3rd graders
Facilitator: Mr. Graham
Group: Healthy Friendships (boys group and girls group)
When: January 29th- March 8th
Who: 4th & 5th graders
Facilitator: Mr. Graham
Washington PE and the Heart Zones System
We will begin using the Heart Zones System for all 3rd-5th grade students. The Heart Zones System is a way to transform PE using technology. The students wear monitors that can be individualized for each student. The system allows for students to visually see their activity during PE by measuring heart rate, displaying “zones,” and several different types of graphs. This is a great system that helps align PE standards with curriculum. Be on the lookout as we will begin sending more information about the Heart Zones System through Seesaw. We will also provide an opt out option.
Important Dates
January 12- Geography Bee 5th @ 8:00 am and 4th @ 10:30
January 15-No School- Martin Luther King Jr
January 22- Chocolate Candy Bar fundraiser kickoff
January 23- Academic Scrimmage Washington vs. Lincoln
January 26- PTA Bingo Night 6-9
January 29-Share Fair Intent forms due
January 30- 4th grade OU engineering lab Soar field trip
February 1- 2nd grade music program 7:00 pm
February 5-9- Counselor Week
February 8-2nd grade music program 7:00 pm
February 9-Dress up as your favorite Team for the Super Bowl
February 12-15- Kindness week
February 14- Valentine parties
February 14- Virtue Assembly 1:30
February 15- SRO Appreciation Day
February 15-Share Fair- All day and evening 6:00-7:30
February 16- No School- Teacher professional day
February 19- No School- President's day
February 22-School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
District Communication/Second Step
NPS Kindness Week Shirts!
2024 NPS Kindness week begins Feb. 12 and our shirts are now on sale!
- Click here to pre-order your shirt by Jan. 19.
- Shirts will be delivered to schools on or after Feb. 5.
National School Counseling Week National School Counseling Week 2024 is fast approaching! Sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), NSCW highlights the essential contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and the tremendous impact they have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
Second Step Elementary: Next week your child will continue to learn about the power of being kind and having empathy! Families can also visit The Second Step Family Webpage to view full lessons and student handouts. Check out Norman Public School’s Prevention Resource library here! And follow #NPSMentalHealthMonday on Facebook and Instagram!
Please help us with our attendance goal this year. If your child has 8 absences each semester or a total of 16 absences in the year they are considered chronic. Any chronic absenteeism is counted against Washington. It is so important for our Eagles to be at school so we can help them grow academically.
Please remember to stay in your car and have your child ready to unload when you pull up in the mornings. If you need to help your child unload please wait to move up to spot number 1 or 2 in the lane closes to the building. This will allow cars to move around you and your child can exit safely.
Reminder to please NOT pull through the BUS LOOP in the front area to drop off your student. This is for the safety of your child. We ask that you get in the drop off lane. Please park and walk your child to the front if you are past 7:50.
As the weather gets cooler please make sure that your child is not getting dropped off early. We have NO supervision until 7:25 am.
Please put your child's name inside their jackets, hats and gloves. We will go outside for recess on cool days. This helps us return the items to the correct students when they have their name inside.
Birthday Reminder:
- Please check with classroom teachers for food allergies before bringing birthday treats. You can drop the treats off in the office. We do ask parents not to send balloons or big bouquets to school. These are a big distraction in the classroom and if your child rides the bus it is hard to handle on the bus. Thank you.
- Birthday party invitations may be distributed at school as long as every student in the class receives an invitation. Please contact your child's teacher if you have any questions.
Reminders:
- PLEASE don't drop off your student before 7:25 when staff gets outside. We have no supervision before 7:25. Our staff is not on contract until 7:25. Thank you for helping us keep your kids safe.
- If the doors are closed on the north side please park and walk your child inside. The doors are locked all day on that side of the building.Please stay in your car during drop off and pull up if you need to buckle your child. This helps our line move faster.
WES Yearbook for Sale
Yearbooks & 5th Grade Ad's are available for purchase: (School code: 227540M)
Please submit school related photos for the yearbook by using this link:
https://images.jostens.com/0yrNOwKA6sp1sdilF5H6qDA
Username: 0yrNOwKA6sp1sdilF5H6qDA
Message from Mrs. Shannon our School Nurse
Does your student need medication at school ? The Medication Request and Release form 2023-2024 will need to be filled out annually to administer ANY medication to your student at school. This includes cough drops, inhalers, OTC (age appropriate) , and prescription medications ! If you have any questions, please call the school at 405-366-5984 and ask for Shannon.
4th and 5th Grade Honor Choir
Honor Choir is a free after school choral music experience provided by Mrs. Lenington and Mrs. Arce to all Washington 4th and 5th grade students. No audition is required to join, just a love for music, singing, and a great attitude.
The choir meets after school on Tuesdays from 2:45 to 3:45 in Mr. Lenington's music room. Parents will need to make arrangements for their child to be picked up in the north school oval after choir rehearsals (unless your child is enrolled in Alphabest). All choir members must be picked up after choir no later than 3:50.
The choir will perform a Spring Concert on Thursday, May 9th in the Washington Gym at 7:00pm.
If you have any questions please reach out to Mr. Lenington markl@normanps.org or Mrs. Arce tstephen@normanps.org
Cafeteria
Link for menus
https://www.normanpublicschools.org/domain/55
Breakfast / Lunch
(paid). $0.90 $3.10
(reduced) $0.30 $0.40
Free and Reduce Meals
Reminder to fill out the application for free and reduce meals for the 23-24 school year. If you don't fill out a new form each year your child will start being charged after October 1, 2023. The application is below. Please complete only ONE application per household (not per student).
If you need a paper copy please call the office and we will send one home.
You can also go into your parent portal- click the 3 lines and the "more" tab, then "Meal Benefits"
Here is the link for the Parent Portal:
https://normanok.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/norman.jsp
Tutoring Options
NPS is excited to offer FREE online tutoring to all of our students. Click on the images below for more information or scan the QR code to get started
WHAT IS BRAINFUSE?
Brainfuse provides FREE online tutoring, homework help, writing lab assistance, test prep, video lessons, and study tools to all students.
Expert tutors, ready to help: All Brainfuse tutors are experienced professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree and complete an intensive onboarding process prior to assisting Brainfuse users.
SCAN HERE TO LINK TO BRAINFUSE
For the past 20 years, Brainfuse has significantly boosted academic performance for thousands of students nationwide.
Guiding students without providing answers: Through a variety of personalized techniques, Brainfuse tutors collaborate with students to help them work out problems rather than offer solutions.
Rigorous quality control: Their comprehensive monitoring and review system provides tutors real-time guidance with instructional strategies and assists students with special tutoring requests.
BRAINFUSE RESULTS
At the end of each session, an average of 98% of students were satisfied with their tutoring sessions, while 97% would recommend Brainfuse to a friend.
Top Ranked
A Colorado Department of Education study ranked Brainfuse first among tutoring providers in math and reading – with a math improvement rate of 30% and a reading improvement rate of 39.3%.
Washington PTA
Washington has a wonderful PTA. Our goal is to have a parent for each student sign up for PTA this year. We appreciate all the support and help.
Washington Student/Parent Handbook
Cell Phones and Smart Watches:
Student cell phones should remain in backpacks and turned off. All smart watches must only be used as a watch during school hours. If a student is using their device for calls, texting, photos, videos or apps. during the school day, the device will be taken away and a parent must pick it up from the office.
Dress Code:
Clothing should be school appropriate. Please make sure your child covers their midriff and shorts are appropriate length.