January Newsletter
Colby Grade School
Happy New Year! I hope everyone is refreshed and ready for an exciting new semester. As we embark on the 2024 year, I want to extend a warm welcome back to all of our staff and students.
I trust that the holiday season has provided an opportunity for rest, rejuvenation, and quality time with loved ones. With the start of the new semester, we have the chance to dive into learning, growth, and new possibilities.
Whether you're a returning or a new addition to our school community, I'm thrilled to have you with us. This semester promises to be filled with challenges and triumphs. I am confident that, together, we will create a positive and enriching learning environment.
As we embrace the new semester, I am excited to work together with enthusiasm, determination, and a commitment to supporting one another. Everyone plays a vital role in the success of our school community. Let's make this semester one filled with achievements, camaraderie, and memorable experiences.
If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, my door is always open. Together, let's make the most of this new beginning. Wishing you a fantastic start to the new year and an enriching semester ahead!
Mrs. Stapp
"And, so together, they created a school they loved.”
Look What's Happening....
Jan. 4: First day of school in 2024!
Jan. 15: Martin Luther King Jr Day
No School
Jan. 16: FastBridge Testing begins
Jan. 19: National Popcorn Day!
Jan. 24: National Compliment Day!
Jan. 25: Second Grade Musical "Hats"
Performance: Auditorium 7:00pm
Rehearsal: Auditorium 1:00pm
Jan. 29: No School
Professional Development Day
Jan. 31: National Hot Chocolate Day!
Nurse Sarah's News!
Hello families and welcome to the New Year! Most all of us set some sort of New Year’s Resolution around this time, and for many people that involves exercising more. Exercising frequently is a great thing for everyone to be doing, including your children! This is a great time of year to help your child find ways to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
How much exercise does your child need?
Why It Matters
Just like with adults, regular exercise is extremely beneficial for children. Some of these benefits include:
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Prevention of diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
• Reduced stress levels
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children should get a minimum of 1 hour of physical activity per day.
What You Can Do
Some tips that you can use to help your child maintain an active lifestyle include:
• Limit time spent playing video games or watching TV
• Find activities that you can enjoy as a family such as taking walks or riding bikes around your neighborhood
• If indoors, you can use YouTube videos that lead children in an exercise program, or simply put on some music and have a dance party.
Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy New Year!
Mindful Messages
Happy New Year and welcome back! We hope your winter break was filled with all things that bring you peace and joy and that you are feeling refreshed in the New Year.
We cannot believe it is already almost halfway through the school year! As we start on the second semester, now is a great time for you and your student to do some goal setting for the second semester. Setting New Year’s goals can help your child become a more self-directed, responsible learner and can improve motivation and independence. It’s also a great way to bond with your kids before the new year starts. Goals also help your child feel engaged in their academic career. Learning to set goals helps children become independent.
When you have time to sit together, discuss with your child what they would like to accomplish to help them with their learning. Start with small goals such as, “I will complete my homework this week.” Then move to bigger goals such as, I will complete my homework all this month.” As a parent/guardian you can help your child stay on track and reach their goals.
January is also Mental Wellness Month. Mental wellness is not something that occurs on its own, it is a muscle that needs to be strengthened every day. If your family does not already have a self-care practice, the new year is a great time to incorporate one into your everyday routine. Small changes can turn into wellness habits that set the stage for hope, joy, and resiliency in the new year.
Happy 2024 and Happy Goal Setting!!!
From Your Social Support Team, Hailey Williams, Krista Hamilton and Jody Metcalf
PE with Mr. Miller
I am always excited to start off the new year with fresh energy and being able to see the students after winter break. It is always enjoyable to hear about their travels and all of the fun toys they received over the break.
For the month of January, kindergarten through second grade will participate in a Jumping unit. During the unit, the students will focus on coordination, rhythm, timing, proper landing, and improving cardiovascular. My goal for the second graders is to develop the basic concepts of using a jump rope.
Third and Fourth grade students will participate in a hockey unit. During the unit, the students will focus on the rules of hockey along with proper stick handling, accuracy, and coordination.
I encourage all parents to help their students stay physically active over break. Take advantage of all of the indoor facilities that Colby has to offer. Colby Community College offers free pickle ball/tennis courts along with free access to their swimming pool. There is also free access to the event center with indoor playground and basketball courts. Pioneer Museum is always one of my families’ favorite places to visit when it is cold outside.
Happy New Year!
-Mr. Miller
Interactive Snowball Fight!
2nd Grade "Do you want to build a snowman'
4th Grade "Musical Hoops"
Mrs. Brown's Library
Students are involved in many different activities in the library. Besides checking out library books, kindergarteners, first graders, and second graders have activity time once a week during their library specials time.
Second graders have all become authors and illustrators of their own books! They have been working hard on their books for the last couple weeks. They started with their front covers which had to have the title of their book, an illustration and their name. Their stories had to be four or five pages long. The kids have made books about all subjects such as sharks, monsters, dogs, butterflies and the Titanic! Watch for their books to come home later this month.
First Graders have been learning about kindness and thanksgiving. We have read "Pearl and Squirrel Gives Thanks", "The Jelly Donut Difference" and "This is the Turkey" . They have made thanksgiving cards thanking the special people in their lives, whether it's their friend, teacher, sibling or parent. They have also made posters about how they can show kindness! Their kindness posters are hanging up on the bulletin boards outside the library in the intermediate building.
Kindergarteners have also been learning about kindness and thanksgiving. We have read "The Great Turkey Race", "Bear Says Thanks", "Mean 'Ole Crankfender", " A Turkey for Thanksgiving" and "This is the Turkey". They've shared ways they can show kindness. They have also drawn pictures of what they are thankful for and what they would bring to a feast.
Art with Ms. Miller
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas break and are well rested! January brings a new year and new projects. I’m excited to introduce perspective and relief models, and SPRING! The kids really love working on their art projects.
Ms. Miller
Harmony with Ms. Hockett
4th grade had a fantastic musical in December and will continue learning more about the recorder. They will continue to apply their music reading skills and will get to learn about more instruments.
The Nutcracker Ballet was shown to the 3rd grade classes to let them experience what ballet is and see how the music from Tchaikovsky, whom they previously learned about, is used every year. Third grade will start their instruments of the orchestra unit in January.
2nd grade is working hard learning their musical Hats! Their musical takes place on January 25, 7:00 PM. Hats! is a story about being kind and helping a friend know what hat works best for them and where they belong.
1st grade is also working hard learning their musical Squirm!
Kindergarten worked on their songs for their classroom programs along with having some winter-y fun leading up to break.
Ms. Hockett
After School Program (ASP)
Students enjoyed the holiday activities, crafts, and celebrations in December. We are looking forward to family Math & Reading nights in the coming weeks. Information will be shared with families soon.
January 29th STEAM Camp: 8:30am to 3:30pm. Registration forms will be shared with ASP families soon.
If you need to pick up your child early, please call the Pk-4 office before 3:30pm (785-460-5100.)
Cafeteria News & Menus
Sometimes the time in the cafeteria can be rushed. When sending packed lunches with your child that need to be heated, please consider ones that require less than 1 minute of microwave time.
Cafeteria Reminders....
We are a NUT FREE school.
Breakfast for our Kindergarten - 4th Grade students is served until 8am. Be sure your child arrives with plenty of time to eat.
We are no longer selling milk cards. If your child would like to purchase a milk or an extra milk, student accounts will be charged by purchase.
No meals purchased at fast food outlets are to be consumed at mealtime in the cafeteria. If a food outlet items is brought to school it MUST NOT be brought to school in original containers.
Caffeinated beverages are NOT allowed in sack lunches or to be consumed in the cafeteria at any time
District 23-24 Calendar At-A-Glance
More About CGS
Email: hstapp@colbyeagles.org
Website: https://www.colbyeagles.org/o/colbyes
Location: 210 North Grant Avenue, Colby, KS, USA
Phone: (785) 460-5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550694944969
Twitter: @ColbyEagles