Panther Pride STEM School

CMAS/COALT (state testing) is coming in April for 3rd-5th grade students is April 7th-18th. Mrs. Lind will be sending a letter home to parents in March with dates and times. We ask that you do not schedule any doctor's appointments during testing. We have a short window and not as much time for make ups.

Teachers will be sending home information about summer school soon. This year we will be using I Ready reading and math. More information will be sent out soon!

We have partnered with Children's Literacy Center to help some of our students with reading. They will be here on Tuesdays and Thursdays (3:30pm-4:30pm) after spring break, working specifically with 2nd and 3rd grade. Teachers will be contacting families of those students that would fit the program well.

Our website is a great place to find out about our clubs, and any other information related to the school pinello.wsd3.org. We also have a Facebook page that you can see daily pictures, and information (Pinello Elementary School).

Spring Break is almost here, and warmer weather is around the corner. We look forward to finishing out the year strong!

Respectfully,

Amber Crigger – Principal

Tiffani Lind – Assistant Principal

Hello Pinello families!

Since our 3rd -5th graders are taking their CMAS tests in April, they may be feeling a little anxious. For this reason, Pinello’s staff and parents, can encourage students to focus on the following test taking tips.

• Note test dates on your home calendar

• Schedule outside appointments for students on non-testing days

• Practice relaxation techniques like taking deep, slow breaths

• Encourage your child to remember to think positively (“I Can Do It!”)

• Praise your child’s strength and good effort

• Make sure your child is well rested and is on time on testing days

As a reminder, we are very fortunate to have a wonderful full time social worker, Ms. Zarkovacki. If your family needs support with food, housing, or with any other issues, please do not hesitate to call Ms. Z or myself. The following link also provides a variety of local community resources.

Link: https://www.wsd3.org/about-widefield/family-resources

As always, if you have any other questions please feel free to reach out to, Emily Zarkovacki, School Social Worker at (719) 391-3410 or zarkovackiemily@wsd3.org, or Darlene Monson, School Counselor at (719) 391-3398 or monsond@wsd3.org. Thank you!

With Children First,

Darlene Monson

Pinello Counselor

391-3398

Please visit us at our Website and Facebook page for updated information.

Email: criggera@wsd3.org
Website: pinello.wsd3.org
Location: 2515 Cody Drive, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Phone: 719-391-3395
Facebook: facebook.com/PinelloElementary

Hello Families,

I hope you are enjoying the warm weather! It has been warm in the Music room, but not because of the temperature. It has been warm because of all the work students have been doing. In Kindergarten students will start to work on the music for their performance in May. First grade is listening to instrumental music and putting instruments in their families. Second grade is working hard on their program, which will be in April. Third grade will be working on a recorder unit. Fourth grade has been working on the music for their performance. They will perform on March 5, 2025 at 2:50 pm and 6 pm. Families are welcome at both performances. Fifth grade is finishing their composition unit.

The choir has also been working hard. They have been learning 2 songs in different languages for In Harmony. This event will happen April 14-16.

Stay Safe and Keep Making Music,

Mrs. Means

Thank you to everyone who has participated in the American Heart Association: Kids Heart Challenge. This year’s goal was to raise $2,500.00 and we are 63% of the way there, with $1,561.72. The Kids Heart Challenge will continue for the next week and a half. Students will start floor hockey in P.E. following the challenge!

STEM has partnered with PE this month and has been focusing on the heart and circulatory system. Students in all grades have been doing various activities to learn about the parts of the heart and its purpose as well as about heart health.

All of our learners have spent time learning the parts of the heart, how it functions as a pump for our circulatory system and how to take care of our heart. Students have even gotten to navigate the heart using our Sphero robots as a blood cell.

This year, we are not allowing parents to bring treats in for parties. Parents can bring non edible treat bags to be distributed at the end of the day.
Only clear drinks are allowed in classrooms. Shared food items including lunch meals and snacks are prohibited.

Thank you for your assistance in keeping our students healthy and safe!

Boy Scouts of America Pathway to the Rockies Council is offering Scoutreach Program

at the following location

The Scoutreach Program is being offered at Pinello Elementary School free of charge to

all Pinello students in grades 2 through 5. We will meet after school for approximately 1

hour on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

You can sign up for Scoutreach at https://bsa060.us/pinello or find out more about

Scoutreach by calling Mark at 719-219-2906

March

Mar. 5-4th grade music program at 2:50 & 6:00

Mar. 6-3rd quarter ends

Mar. 7-No Students-staff professional development day-parent/teacher conferences

Mar. 8-Coding in Action Grades 3-5

Mar. 10-4th quarter begins/report cards go home

Mar. 13-PTO meeting 3:40pm in the library

Mar. 21-Buck a Hat Day/Renaissance Assemblies K-2 @ 1:30, 3-5 @2:30/Smencils for sale

Mar. 24-28-Spring Break

April

Apr. 3-Battle of the Books competition 6:00pm-8:00pm

Apr. 8-Coffee with Pincipal-8:45am

Apr. 9-2nd grade music program at 2:50 & 6:00

Apr. 10-PTO meeting at 3:40pm in the library

Apr. 16-midterms sent home

Apr. 17-Academic Night 5:00-6:00 pm

Apr. 18-No School-April Day

Apr. 21-25- Buy one Get One Book Fair

Apr. 25-Buck a Hat Day, Smencils for sale for $1, Talent Show at 2:50

• “All our dreams can come true…if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney