Kentucky Trail Elementary

The KT office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the school year on days school is in session.

Principal: TJ Winkelmann

Counselor: Carey Hughes

Lead Secretary: Amy Dunn

Office Para: Lyndsey Pickens

Nurse: Stacie Williams

Hello KT Families,

I am ready for a great start to 2025! Take a quick look through the January newsletter for important information and news about things happening at KT!

Wishing you well,

Dr. Winkelmann

Principal, Kentucky Trail

At Kentucky Trail, we believe in fostering a learning environment that empowers every student. Our guiding principles of Equity, Perseverance, Integrity, and Critical Thinking are the compass that steers our educational journey. We strive to create a space where all students feel valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.

This winter Kentucky Trail will be hosting grade level Family Reading Nights. Families are invited to come learn more about what your child is learning in reading, complete activities together, and make reading tools to take home! Family reading night dates are:

3rd/4th Grade - January 14

All family reading nights will take place from 5:00-6:30pm in the Kentucky Trail cafeteria.

We will again implement up to 5 AMI days due to inclement weather. Check out this section of the BSD website for more information.

As the weather is changing quickly, please remember to send your child to school in a coat, hat, and gloves. Students will have outdoor recess as long as the wind chill is above 20 degrees. The students will not be allowed to stay in during colder temperatures unless there is a note from the doctor specifying that your child cannot go outside for recess due to medical reasons. We want to help every student stay healthy, and wearing a coat is an easy way to accomplish this. We will not take the students outside if there is thunder, lightning, or heavy precipitation.

The Cass County Dental Clinic will be at Kentucky Trail the week of January 27. Thank you to everyone that has shown interest in this program. Unfortunately, we recently discovered that the previous enrollment link was not working.

To ensure your child can participate in this program, we ask that you complete the updated consent form. Please take a moment to fill this out as soon as possible to avoid any delays.

English- https://form.jotform.com/243383634447159

Spanish - https://form.jotform.com/243533938468166

About the Clinic:

• Elementary-aged students who are insured by Missouri Medicaid or who are uninsured and on the free/reduced lunch program are eligible to receive care
• Services provided include x-rays, photos, dental cleanings, sealants, and fluoride treatments
• A virtual exam is completed by the dentist within 72 hours & a treatment plan is made
• Coordination of follow-up care including fillings, root canals, crowns, extractions, or even care under sedation

If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Thank you for your understanding and for supporting your child's health!

As we begin a new year, it's a great time for families to reflect and set some goals together. Goal setting is a valuable skill that helps children develop a sense of responsibility, accomplishment, and self-efficacy. It's not just for adults! Here are a few tips for making goal setting a family affair:

• Keep it simple and specific: Instead of broad goals like "do better in school," try something concrete like "read for 20 minutes every night" or "learn multiplication facts up to 5."
• Make it visual: Create a chart or use a whiteboard to track progress. Kids love seeing their achievements!
• Involve your children in the process: Ask them what they'd like to achieve, whether it's related to academics, personal growth, or even family time.
• Make it a family affair: Set some family goals too, like "have a family game night once a week" or "try one new recipe each month."
• Celebrate successes: Acknowledge and celebrate progress, no matter how small. This reinforces positive behavior and motivates everyone to keep going.

By working together to set and achieve goals, you can create a positive and supportive environment for learning and growth at home and at school. We look forward to a successful 2025 with all of our families!

Reminder: To have an absence excused, please submit a note from a healthcare provider.

We're excited to celebrate Valentine's Day in February with special classroom activities on February 13th! To make sure everyone feels included, we'll be focusing on cards this year.

We encourage your child to bring in Valentine's Day cards to exchange with their classmates. Please ensure that the cards are:

• Kind and inclusive: Avoid any cards with teasing or bullying.

• Free of food or candy: Let's keep our classrooms healthy and allergy-free!

• Alternatives to food or candy - Valentine’s Suggestions

Please watch for more information from your child’s teacher regarding the details for their classroom celebrations.

January

9 - PTO Meeting @ 5:00 in the library

14 - 3rd/4th Grade Reading Night from 5:00-6:30

20 - No School - Martin Luther King Day

27 - Teledentistry @ KT

The mission of Kentucky Trail Elementary, as a vibrant partnership of our students, staff, families, and community, to ensure all students pursue growth throughout life with innovative mindsets, emotional health, and strong character while meaningfully contributing to the world around them through extraordinary school experiences distinguished by:

• a culture of high expectations
• engaging learning opportunities
• activities that foster connection and joy
• collaborative relationships built on trust, safety, compassion, and support.

Email: kesoffice@bsd124.org
Website: https://kentuckytrail.beltonschools.org/
Location: 8301 E. 163rd St. Belton, MO 64012
Phone: 816.348.1100
Facebook: KT Facebook