CFL December Family Newsletter
December 2023
How to translate Smore Newsletters (English) or Cómo traducir boletines informativos de Smore (Spanish)
Mission and Vision Statements
CFL Vision
At CFL, we are an uplifting crew who embrace our students, staff, and families in a kind and fun learning environment where all can grow.
CFL Communication
Dear CFL Families,
I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving Break, and now the winter holiday season is upon us! As I reflect on the first half of the school year, I am feeling grateful for the CFL community of students, staff, and parents who all make this a wonderful place to learn and grow!
Reminder: Please support your child in dressing appropriately for the winter weather. On most days, our students will be outside to play which means hats, coats, snow pants, boots, mittens, etc. will be important for them to stay warm and dry! (Be sure to label all clothing, and check our lost & found if you find items missing!)
The last day of school prior to winter break will be Friday December 15th. Winter Break is December 18th -January 3rd. Classes will resume on Wednesday, January 4th. As a reminder, we begin school at 7:30 and end at 3:15.
I want to wish you all a very Happy and Safe Holiday Season and hope you all enjoy a wonderful and relaxing winter break! See you in 2024!
Sincerely,
Kim Frees (Principal)
Holiday Parties
As the Holiday Season approaches, we are preparing for our holiday traditions and classroom celebrations. Parties will be from 2:15-3:00 on December 15th. Most classrooms will have simple treats (individually wrapped and prepackaged) and fun activities. All food brought in needs to be store bought. If you plan to participate, all volunteers need to be in our safety system, Raptor. If you have not already, make sure to stop at the office with your ID so we can get you in the system. We will have multiple check in tables to expedite check in.
Fundraiser Update
Our top selling classrooms were:
Preschool: Mrs. Bobbi's Class
Kinder: Mrs. Weem's Class
1st grade: Mr. Clark's Class
These classroom will receive a popcorn and juice party.
Our top Wreaths sellers were:
Pk: Eliana Pena and Bowen Jones
Kinder: Aurora Royal
1st grade Joseph Mtwake
These student will earn a special lunch with the principal.
As soon as wreaths come in, we will contact you. Shipment is running slow this year! Thanks you!
Attendance Matters
Dear Families,
Our priority this school year is to ensure that every student attends school regularly.
Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in Pre School and Kindergarten. Parents play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and in life.
We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, we also know that when students miss too much school regardless of the reason, it can cause them to fall behind academically. Your child is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent—which means missing 18 or more days over the course of an entire school year.
Research shows:
Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
We don’t want your child to fall behind in school and get discouraged. Please ensure that your child attends school every day and arrives on time. Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:
Make sure your children keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.
Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
Ensure your students go to school every day unless they are truly sick
Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your children feel anxious about going to school.
Develop back up plans for getting to school if something comes up.
Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.
Holiday Luunch at CFL on December 13th
Holiday Lunch at CFL on December 13th
CFL will serve our traditional Holiday lunch on December 13th. If you are interested in joining your child please rsvp to the office by December 8th so we can plan accordingly. Adult lunches are $4.25. If you plan to join. you will need to be in our safety system, Raptor. If you have not already, make sure to stop at the office with your ID so we can get you in the system.
Kinder lunch: 11:30-12:00
1st grade 12:00-12:30
ELL News
❄️❄️ Happy December Families! ❄️❄️
We are in the final stretch before the holidays and the winter break, but we are working harder than ever with our learning journey. I love the fun relationships I have built with each and every child. We started simple and have been adding on to our learning process and I see tremendous growth.
We are preparing for our annual WIDA ACCESS in January when we return after break. This is a time for your child to show what they have learned, vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading and writing. Attendance will be very important for this, as it always is for learning.
Reading to your child is a wonderful thing to do every day, read in your native language or English. Learning English is important, but embracing your native language is important too. Growing up bilingual is such an amazing thing! I learn so much from them daily!
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to me.
Melanie Kerrigan
Intervention News
December is the busiest month of the year for many of us. It can be easy to forget about reading with the kids when we are busy wrapping gifts, and baking cookies. I want to give you a couple of simple ideas you can try this holiday season that will help you spend time with your child, and still experience the cheer that comes this time of year.
Shopping- When you are out buying gifts for the family, or supplies to make cookies, let the kids come along. As you are driving you can have them practice saying the alphabet, or read a book to you.
Baking- When you get home with all of those baking supplies it would be a great time to have the kids help in the kitchen. Maybe you can read your favorite recipes together, or as you are baking try listening to a book online. There are some great chapter books read aloud on You-Tube.
Wrapping- If your kids need to practice writing you can ask them to fill out the name tags for you. (Maybe they can even work on making cards for far away family)
Bedtime- Don’t forget to share a Christmas story at bedtime. Here are a couple of my favorites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHxCIDyXLx8 - Don’t Let The Pigeons Drive the Sleigh
By: Mo Willems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHt03d7TSqs - Santa’s Underwear by: Marty Rhodes Figley
I hope these ideas will help you enjoy this crazy time of year and spend time with your kids at the same time. As always, Happy Reading.
Melissa Bradley
CFL Reading Interventionist
Goal Setting at CFL
At CFL all students, preschool through first grade, set individual literacy goals. When they meet their goal they sign their name on a frog and put it up on their class lily pad.
PE News
Hello CFL Families,
This month is PE class, we will be focusing on basketball. We will be learning about sport specific skills in basketball that include; dribbling, passing and ball control. We will continue mastering our locomotor movements with your child being able identify and demonstrate a hop and a run. Please send your kiddos with appropriate footwear for the gym and outside. I like to wear boots to school and pack my shoes to wear when I am not outside.
Thank you for sending your kiddos to school everyday.
-Mr. Cora
Music News
I can hardly believe that we are almost through our first semester! It has been so much fun working with all the students and teaching them different aspects of music!
Our second program is rapidly approaching and the students will perform their Holiday Programs on December 6th!
Kindergarten will perform at 6:00pm
1st grade will perform at 7:00pm
Students have been working hard to learn and memorize speaking parts, learn dances, and of course, sing songs! Be prepared for a festive and fun-filled night!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the school at any time!
Musically,
Mrs. Volk~
Dear Preschool Families,
Happy December! We hope this newsletter finds you well and ready for a month filled with joy, learning, and festive cheer. As the winter chill settles in, we want to remind you to send your little ones to school with warm winter attire to ensure they stay cozy during outdoor playtime. Please make sure to label all items with your child's name to prevent mix-ups.
Independence in Winter Gear:
This month, we encourage you to help your child develop independence by learning to put on their own winter gear. Practice at home with them, starting with simple tasks like putting on mittens or zipping up their jackets. This not only fosters a sense of accomplishment for your child but also prepares them for the colder days ahead. Remember, patience is key as they navigate this new skill!
Upcoming Music Program- Wednesday, December 6th at 5 PM:
Mark your calendars for our much-anticipated music program on December 6th at 5 PM. Join us for an evening filled with delightful performances by our talented preschoolers. We can't wait to see you there!
Parent Tip: The Power of Play and Reading:
As we approach the holiday season, it's essential to remember the importance of playing with your child and incorporating reading into your daily routine. Playtime is not just fun; it's a crucial part of your child's development. Through play, they learn problem-solving, social skills, and creativity. Take a few moments each day to engage in activities your child enjoys, fostering a strong bond between you and your little one.
As we approach the festive season, we wanted to share some exciting news about our current focus in the classroom, which is Letter Knowledge Exploration.
Our dedicated teachers are currently emphasizing letter knowledge for all our preschool students. We believe that developing a strong foundation in letter recognition is a key building block for early literacy skills.
How You Can Support:
We encourage you to extend the learning experience beyond the classroom. Here are a few ways you can support your child's letter knowledge development at home:
1. Read Aloud: Share storybooks and point out letters while reading together.
2. Sing Together: Have fun singing alphabet songs at home.
3. Letter Hunts: Turn everyday activities into letter treasure hunts. Look for letters in books, on signs, and in daily objects.
4. Art and Crafts: Create letter-themed art projects together
Stay Connected:
We want to keep you involved and informed. If you have any questions about our letter knowledge focus or would like additional resources to support learning at home, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Warm regards,
Ms. Nicole Hills-Assistant Principal & Preschool Director
Center For Family Learning
Email: kfrees@garfield16.org
Website: https://cfl.garfield16.org/
Location: 100 E 2nd St, Parachute, CO 81635, USA
Phone: 970-285-5702