October 2024 Newsletter

Happy Fall! Mrs. Wellsandt’s 1st grade class is working hard. We will continue to learn number combinations to 5 and 10 using our rekenreks (math rack). Students just started using dominos to help make addition equations. In reading we are learning about vowels and the different sounds they make. We are reading fables and learning the moral of the story, identifying characters and the setting of the story. We’ve been reading everyday and are looking forward to starting reading groups this month. First graders have been writing in their journals, practicing capitals and punctuation. In science students are learning about spiders! We’ve learned that spiders are not insects (they’re arachnids) and they have two body parts (cephalothorax and abdomen) and eight legs. We will take a trip to the pumpkin patch in October. It has been so much fun learning together! I’m looking forward to a great year!

This year, we are excited to roll out PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Support) at Ritzville Grade School!

What is PBIS?
PBIS is a framework that helps schools create and maintain positive environments by teaching and supporting good behavior for all students. It equips schools with tools to design, implement, and evaluate effective plans for promoting positive behavior in classrooms, non-classroom settings, and even for individual students. This is a school-wide system that involves all students and staff in all areas of the school. PBIS is also a team-based process for problem-solving and planning at the systemic level.

PBIS at Our School: The Bronco P.R.I.D.E. Motto
We’ve created a unified set of school-wide expectations that focus on positive behavior. Think of it as a school-wide motto: Bronco P.R.I.D.E.

• P – Positive Attitude

• R – Respect

• I – In Control

• D – Dependable

• E – Engaged in Learning

All staff are on the lookout for students demonstrating these behaviors and are recognizing them when they show Bronco P.R.I.D.E.

How are Students Recognized?

Through Bronco Bucks!
You might have already heard your child talk about them. Students earn Bronco Bucks when they display the desired P.R.I.D.E. behaviors. These Bucks can be saved and traded for fun rewards like experiences or classroom rewards. For example, a student might spend 10 Bronco Bucks to sit by a friend of their choice in class for a day, or use the teacher’s chair! They can even save up enough Bronco Bucks to earn a special lunch with Mr. LaTour!

What Are Experiences?

Bronco P.R.I.D.E. Experiences are fun, 30-minute activities offered once a month that students can attend by redeeming their Bronco Bucks. Each teacher will create a different activity, and students can choose which one they’d like to join. Some example experiences might be a special art station, a kickball tournament, extra recess, making playdough, creating borax crystals, and more!

Monthly Assemblies
We will also be holding monthly Bronco P.R.I.D.E. assemblies where students will be recognized for their outstanding behavior. Each month, teachers will select five students from their class who exemplify each part of the P.R.I.D.E. motto:

• One student for always having a Positive Attitude

• One for always showing Respect

• One for being In Control

• One for being Dependable

• One for being Engaged in Learning

These students will be honored at the assembly, receive a certificate, and bring it home to celebrate their achievements!

Thursday, October 17th

7:30am until 8:15am

Students are welcome to invite a special “dude” in their life to enjoy breakfast together on us!

YOU “DONUT” WANT TO MISS THIS!

Fall Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 24th from 8:00am until 7:00pm AND Friday, October 25th from 8:00am until 11:00am. These will be NO SCHOOL DAYS!

Conference sign-ups will be available on October 1st.

Our annual Fall Festival will be on the afternoon of Thursday, October 31st. We will have lots of fun carnival-type games for our students to play!

This event is run entirely by parent volunteers. To make this event a continued success, please sign-up at the office to help!

More information will be sent home later in the month.

I am very excited to be a part of the district as the new school nurse serving the Lind and Ritzville schools. I have been known as “Grandma” for many years at the school’s extracurricular activities. I have been married for 48 years and have raised 5 children with my husband. I also a grandmother of 13 grandchildren: 10 boys and 3 girls. We also have 1 great grandson. I currently have 1 senior at the high school, 1 at Lind-Ritzville Middle School and 2 at RGS. I have been in the Nursing field for a long period and have seen many changes over the years. I have over 15 years of pediatrics experience and worked in private practice in Moses Lake for 5 years.

I am looking forward in taking care of the students in the district and making a difference with my experience.

Stephanie Lundgren

slundgren@lrschools.org

Friday, October 4th: NO SCHOOL (Teacher's In Service)

Thursday, October 17th: Donuts with Dudes (7:30-8:15am)

Thursday, October 24th: NO SCHOOL (Fall Conferences)

Friday, October 25th: NO SCHOOL (Fall Conferences)

Thursday, October 31st: Fall Festival (1:00-3:00pm)

Wednesday, November 6th: Veteran's Day Assembly (2:00pm)

Monday, November 11th: NO SCHOOL (Veteran's Day)

*Dates are subject to change.*

Principal: Mr. Tanner LaTour - tlatour@lrschools.org

Secretary: Stephanie Stokoe - sstokoe@lrschools.org

RGS Website: https://www.lrschools.org/Domain/89

Ritzville Grade School

401 E. 6th Ave

Ritzville, WA 99169

Phone: 509-659-0232 / Fax: 888-974-3546