Week of April 7th, 2025

With the final quarter underway, we’re building momentum at Combs! This week, we’re keeping families in the loop on yearbook sales (closing Friday!), our exciting Color Run fundraiser, reminders to help students gear up for MAP testing, and a deeper look at how digital drama is affecting school life—and how we can work together to curb it.

Let's make it a great week!

• Tue 4/8 - Teacher Work Day- No Student Attendance (Election Day)
• Mon 4/21- Wellness Day- No Student Attendance
• Mon 4/28 - Fri 5/9 - MAP Testing
• Tue 4/29 - Combs Spring Fine Arts Night (at STEAM@MSB)
• Fri 5/9 - ELL Family Movie Night (at STEAM@MSB)
• Fri 5/23 - Half Day - Last Day of School

We’re excited for the return of our Combs Color Run—happening on May 19, 2025 on the Combs blacktop! Students can register now for just $10 (cash only) by bringing their payment to Mrs. Dove.

Registration includes sunglasses and a color pouch, and the event is open to Combs students only. Don’t miss this fun, energetic way to celebrate the end of the school year with color, movement, and community spirit!

Deadline to register: April 30th

Let’s make it the most colorful run yet!

Our students will begin Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) testing at the end of April. This is an important opportunity for students to show what they’ve learned this year! Families can help by encouraging regular sleep routines, healthy breakfasts, and positive conversations about doing their best. We’ll share testing tips and more details soon—thank you for supporting your child’s success!

These days, many student conflicts don’t start in the classroom—they start in group chats, texts, social media posts, and online games. What might begin as a misunderstanding, inside joke, or offhand comment online often snowballs into real-world problems that disrupt learning, strain friendships, and cause emotional distress. We’ve seen this firsthand at school—and we need your partnership in helping students navigate it.

What Counts as Digital Drama?

• Group chat gossip and screenshots shared without permission
• Exclusion from online chats or games
• “Roast battles,” teasing, or cyberbullying
• Misinterpreted text tone that leads to real conflict
• Sharing embarrassing or inappropriate photos or videos

What We’re Seeing at School:

• An increase in conflicts rooted in online interactions
• Students distracted or upset due to things said the night before
• Time spent resolving issues that originated outside of school

What Families Can Do:

• Check in regularly: Ask your child about the chats and platforms they use.
• Set boundaries: Limit screen time, especially in the evenings.

• Encourage empathy: Remind students that typed words still have power.
• Remind them: Online drama is never private—it always finds its way back.
• Model healthy habits: Show how to pause before reacting online.

A Quick Reminder:

Please speak with your child about appropriate online behavior and remind them that any digital conflict brought into school will be treated as a school matter. Our goal is a safe, focused environment where all students can thrive—and that includes keeping digital drama out of our classrooms.

Let's work together to make this final push towards testing season count!