Simpson News

We are now writing chapter 2025 of our stories! While I am not one to create robust New Year’s resolutions, a new year does have me focus on small habits so I can prepare for a healthy and successful year. I have found that “the basics” may not be too glamorous, but they are the foundation of success. If you are like me and have strayed from routines in the latter half of 2024, now is a good time to get back on track!

Sleep

Simpson-aged kids should be getting 9 to 12 hours of sleep. Many are getting less. If you have nappers, consider moving the bed time a little earlier. If kids are struggling to get to sleep on time, reduce screen time close to bedtime and set up some routines to get their mind and body in sleep mode. Lack of sleep causes a number of issues that can affect a child’s development and learning.

Phones/Technology

When we were kids and were leaving the house, parents would ask questions such as: Where are you going? Who are you going to be with? How long will you be? The same should be asked when they are going on their phones/devices. Not only is there a lot of unsettling content available at their fingertips, but there are also a lot of issues (privacy, bullying, etc.) around social media. If students have access, please remind them to share if anything makes them uncomfortable and teach them how to block/report accounts in other apps. Lastly, please review their screen time.

We have gone from a play-based childhood to a screen-based childhood as most reports are showing that American kids are averaging 4-6 hours a day. In some cases, kids are on screens as much as they are sleeping. While electronics will forever be a large part of our society, please still consider the importance of “being where your feet are” as our kids’ brains are being wired every single day. Help them build those healthy neural pathways in their brain.

If you are seeing an unhealthy usage/addiction to video games and phones, please reach out to us for resources as this is a real issue facing today's youth. Some good questions to ask yourself are: Does the individual struggle to limit or balance their time? Has the individual lost interest in other hobbies? Is the individual being deceptive or lying about their play? Is the individual continuing to play despite negative impact?

Grit

Getting to school can be hard. Doing school can be hard… but we can do hard things. Attendance and effort are an integral part of student success and we celebrate students who have earned “Grit Awards” each month. Please help us by having high expectations and going over them regularly with your kids. Also, please remember all those “little things” (sleep, hydration, diet, exercise, screen time, etc.) all play a large role in the success of students. Our goal is to get students ready for life and all its opportunities and I appreciate the partnership we have here in Monte.

A new year marks the heart of the school year. Routines, expectations, diagnostics, etc. have all been set and the next few months is where the bulk of our learning takes place. I hope everyone has a happy and healthy start to the year! As always, please reach out if I can be of assistance.

-Chris Cady, Principal

We are happy to announce the dates for the Simpson Elementary Arts Program winter performances. All performances will be held in the Simpson Elementary School gym.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025 (Grades 3 and 5)

Grade 3 will perform at 5:30 p.m.

3rd grade performers must check in with their classroom teacher by 5:10 p.m. for attendance. The show will promptly begin at 5:30 p.m.

Grade 5 will perform at 6:30 pm.

5th grade performers must check in with their classroom teacher by 6:10 p.m. for attendance. The show will promptly begin at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, January 30, 2025 (Grades 4 & 6)

Grade 4 will perform at 5:30 p.m.

4th grade performers must check in with their classroom teacher by 5:10 pm for attendance. The show will promptly begin at 5:30 p.m.

Grade 6 will perform at 6:30 p.m.

6th grade performers must check in with their classroom teacher by 6:10 p.m. for attendance. The show will promptly begin at 6:30 p.m.

Please arrive early to ensure students are there in time for attendance. Students are expected to remain for the entire performance.

Please click on the link below for more details.

Simpson Winter Performance Details

The Missoula Children’s Theatre is returning to Montesano in January for a production of Alice in Wonderland. This traveling theater company brings directors, sets, costumes, and original scripts to guide participating students through a week-long intensive theater experience at our school. Auditions will be Monday, January 20th at 3:00 p.m. in the Simpson Elementary gym. Auditions are open to all students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Practices will be every day after school that week with two performances on Saturday, January 25.

Please refer to the registration form for details. (Registration forms will also be coming home in boomerangs.) For more information, contact Jennifer Irving at jirving@monteschools.org.

The Simpson Project Fair will be held on Thursday, February 27 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the gym. The Project Fair is open to all Simpson students! Students interested in participating should sign up in the office by January 31. Please click on the link below for more details.

Simpson Project Fair Details

This month we will be using iReady again to assess students for their winter benchmarks. This online program helps us determine your child's needs, personalize their learning, and monitor progress throughout the year. Your child's teacher will be communicating testing dates with you.

There will be an early release at 12:10 p.m. on Friday, January 24 so teachers can prepare end of the semester grades. Report cards will be mailed home to families on Friday, January 31.

Please notify the office if you have moved to a new address or have a new phone number. It is important that we have the correct information for report card mailings and in case of an emergency.

Simpson students brought in $1,464.86 during Coin Wars to benefit our local food bank. Sixth grade had the highest class total and won an extra recess with the high school leadership team. We are so grateful for the generosity of our community!

Each month, Simpson students focus on developing specific character traits. Students learn what it looks like to exhibit these traits and are recognized for demonstrating them inside and outside of the classroom. December's character trait was "cooperation and teamwork." Congratulations to December's Bulldogs of the Month: Lenny W., Bradley S., Austin A., Lauryn R., Aryanna B., Madison F., Lena L., Rydar S., Ruby G., Chloe S., Londyn W., Elli E., Huntley F., Carson B., Piper K., Keaton S., Arik B., Sophie W., and Kieran E.

Students will focus on "integrity" as the character trait for the month of January.

January Menu

January 20

No School, MLK Holiday

Missoula Children's Theatre Auditions, 3:00 p.m.

January 24

Early Release, 12:10 p.m.

January 29

3rd Grade Winter Performance, 5:30 p.m.

5th Grade Winter Performance, 6:30 p.m.

January 30

4th Grade Winter Performance, 5:30 p.m.

6th Grade Winter Performance, 6:30 p.m.

February 6

Early Release, 12:10 p.m. - Elementary Conferences

February 7

Early Release, 12:10 p.m. - Elementary Conferences

February 17

No School, Presidents Day

February 27

Project Fair, 6:00 p.m.

Please make sure you are informed of possible delays or school closures due to inclement weather or road conditions.

The Montesano School District will initiate an automated phone call to the primary phone number listed on each student’s record to announce emergency schedule changes or school closures. Please log into your Skyward Family Access account to verify the primary phone number on your child’s record is correct.

Parents can also sign up for FlashAlert for FREE by visiting www.flashalert.net. FlashAlert provides emergency notification via text, email, and/or Twitter. Local radio and television stations will broadcast the public information from FlashAlert between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Additional emergency information can be found on our district website:

http://www.monteschools.org/district-emergency-closure.

There is no breakfast service on late start days. In the event of a school closure due to weather, the school day will be made up on the designated weather day on the school calendar.

Fax: 360-841-7528

Location: 519 West Simpson Avenue Montesano, WA 98563

Email: simpsonskyward@monteschools.org
Website: http://www.monteschools.org/simpson-elementary