Lewis & Clark Lynx Newsletter

Please be sure to read all the way to the end to be in the know about all that's going on at Lewis & Clark and community opportunities!

Thank you for your amazing support of our 2024 Giving Tree!

Twenty-Six L&C families benefited from your generosity. This truly could not have been done without all who contributed! The FRC would like to thank everyone who gave time, gifts or money

to make the Giving Tree such a success!

Words of thanks from our Giving Tree families…

A - Thank you so much. This is the first year I have been without work and unable to provide for the kids. You made this holiday more joyful!

B - Thank you Lewis and Clark School for all that you do. Have a great holiday season.

C Thank you very much. You are greatly appreciated at this time in our lives. God bless.

D Words cannot express how grateful I am for your tremendous support. Your gift is a blessing. My heartfelt thanks for everyone.

E Thank you so much. We are very blessed by your kindness.

G Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We are very blessed and grateful for your loving hearts.

H Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We appreciate everything!

I Thank you all very much. The Giving Tree definitely brings smiles to my family.

J Thank you so much for the kindness and generosity this Christmas holiday. It means a lot especially for a parent that is trying their hardest to keep it together. Merry Christmas! God bless you!

K The Giving Tree is such a wonderful thing for our family this time of year! We are so grateful for all the wonderful thoughtful things people are generous enough to give us to make the holiday happen.

L Thank you so much for your generosity this season. We are truly grateful. You have no idea how thankful we are!

M We are so thankful for the generosity of our community and colleagues. Thank you for making our Christmas bright. God Bless!!

N Thank you for all you do. You are the best! Merry Christmas!

O Thank you so much. Times are a little hard and this was a huge stress relief. We appreciate you all for what you do!

P Thank you for your generous gifts. This is a blessing!

Q I want to personally thank you for all the efforts going into helping all of the families who are struggling or trying to make a christmas memory this year. Like myself, it's been a tough year for both my health & financially. I'm more than grateful for the individuals who have shown what it means to be selfless & helping those in need. Thank you.

R Merry Christmas! I really appreciate everything and this makes me so proud of Missoula's community. God bless!

S Thank you everyone for helping share holiday joy!

T Thank you so, so, so much!!! God bless you! Woohoo! Made my kids day!!

U Thank you so, so much! We very much appreciate it!

V Thank you to all for your support! I'm ever thankful to the community and the willingness to help and make a magical time for all! My family and I will keep you in our hearts!

W Our family has really been struggling to keep up this year so the extra support is so greatly appreciated. We don't have any other family to be around for the holidays or to help with presents, so all the help from our community really means the world to us. Thank you, everyone, for helping our little family pull together what we need for the holidays.

X Thank you so very much for caring for our little family this year.

Y Thank you so much for your helpful donations! You really are making such a big difference! Merry Christmas - a Happy Mom!

Z Thank you so much for this. The holidays are always a struggle.

January 8 - PTA Meeting - 4:30-5:30 in the library

January 15 - Native Financial Cents - 5:30 - See Flyer Below

January 18 - Native American Heritage N7 Game - 10:00 AM - See Flyer Below

January 20 - No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

January 27-31 - Lost and Found Items Displayed

Mark your Calendars!

The Missoula Children Theater residency will be

February 3rd-7th for 1st-5th graders.

The performance of the Pied Piper will be the evening of February 7th! There will be more information being sent out soon on how to sign your student up.

We are in need of one host family to host a tour director. Do you have a cat free home that is close to Lewis and Clark Elementary that is private, clean, comfortable and safe with good cell coverage and internet? Are you a family that will foster an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome? This tour director is also allergic to shellfish and is a vegetarian. Please email Kylie Barnes at kbarnes@mcpsmt.org. Host families are guaranteed placement of their child(ren) in the MCT play.

Dear Lewis & Clark Families,

Wishing you a joyful New Year and a warm welcome back! I trust that everyone enjoyed a restful and meaningful winter break with loved ones.

As we step into this New Year, it's a wonderful time to reflect on the blessings of the past year and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead. The shared experiences we've had together were made possible through the unwavering support of each of you. This New Year presents us with a fresh opportunity to embrace new beginnings and write the next chapter of our journey.

I hope this year brings you all renewed happiness, goals, achievements, and inspiration. My aspirations for our students include fostering their curiosity, encouraging their passion, and nurturing their creativity.

Thank you for being such valuable partners in our educational journey!

Warm regards,
Alanna

Supporting Kids with Coping Skills

Emotional regulation is a skill that kids are learning and developing as they grow. Emotional regulation is the process of identifying feelings and making healthy choices that take care of our bodies and feelings.

The prefrontal cortex- the part of our brain that plans and makes decisions- of kids brains is not fully developed, leading to decisions made from the amygdala- the brain’s emotional control center. This can result in impulsive, emotional driven responses.

Here are a few tips to help your child develop healthy coping skills:

Make a plan: When a child is upset, it’s very difficult to problem solve and learn new skills. Teach and practice these skills when your child is calm and create a plan for potentially difficult situations (ie: what are some things you can try if you’re upset with your little sister?”)

Create a safe space calm down corner: provide a safe and quiet space for your child to go when they are having big feelings. This could look like a corner of their bedroom with fidgets, books, and coloring supplies, or a basket of tools in a shared space of the house.

Name it to tame it: When your child is having a big feeling, reflect back what you’re seeing by naming the feeling (ie: “it looks like you’re feeling really frustrated right now)

Teach and practice coping skills: Practicing things like muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and positive self talk can help your child when they’re experiencing uncomfortable feelings.

Extras: read feelings books together, put up a poster of feelings on your fridge at home, or do feelings check ins at dinner. Use Zones of Regulation language to match how we talk about feelings at school!

If you’d like to talk more about this or other ways to support your child you can contact me at:

Linsey Myers lemyers@mcmsmt.org, 728-2400 x4379

If your child will be absent due to illness or travel, please call the L&C Attendance Line to excuse them. 406-728-2400 ext. 4362

Please make sure and call or email the office when students are absent or tardy as sometimes teachers don't get to their emails once the day starts: atranel@mcpsmt.org or 406-542-4035

December Attendance Celebrations!

Lewis and Clark Families! We are aiming to fly to new heights this year with attendance to make this a year of SUPER H.E.R.O.s (Here! Everyday! Ready to Learn! and On Time!)

In our effort to encourage attendance, each month any student who misses 0 or 1 day of school is entered into a drawing for a prize.

For December, 359 students of our total 432 students qualified for the drawing.

Ten students won a L&C Lynx water bottle. Way to be at school Lynx!

We celebrate one class of SuperH.E.R.O.s who had the most students at school all month long. That class gets a special visit from Ms. Vaneps and keeps the Attendance Trophy in their classroom for the month. The top 2 classes with the most students here for the month will also receive attendance charms.

Our top class winner for December is Ms. Hougard's 3rd Grade with 96.53% - wow!

Our second place class for December is Mrs. Brown's 4th Grade with 96.52%!

As we start the new year Lynx, resolve to be at school on time, everyday!

Ms. M's Early Literacy Class made over 100 cards for the Missoula Senior Center. These cards will be on display during their annual holiday dinner for all the attendees to take home with them! Lewis and Clark's earliest learners enjoyed working with volunteers and their buddies to craft these beautiful cards. Hip hip hooray, spread some joy today!

Many thanks to the Missoula area Knights of Columbus charitable organization that donated about 20 pairs boots to Lewis & Clark this December. Kevin Burke and Leif Griffin delivered the boots to the Family Resource Center's Lisa Hayhurst. Lewis & Clark was 1 of 5 MCPS elementary schools (along with Franklin, Hawthorne, Russell and Lowell) chosen to receive winter boots from the Knights of Columbus "Boots for Kids" program.

The Parent-Teacher Association of Lewis & Clark Elementary School strives to build an enriching school culture and a welcoming environment

for all children, parents, and staff.

The 2024 Lewis & Clark Coffee Toffee Tea fundraiser

was a success!

Thank you to those who participated in what has become a Lewis and Clark tradition! The PTA would like to thank Montana Tea & Spice Trading Co., The Sweets Barn, Béquet Confections, and Florence Coffee for providing their amazing local treats as well as the Pattee Creek Market for their in-kind donation of the paper grocery bags.

A BIG thank you to everyone that showed up to sort and distribute the CTT orders! Overall, Lewis & Clark school made $4,865. These funds raised will go towards future teacher grants, school facilities and equipment, and overall improvement of the school.

THANK YOU to the Lewis & Clark families that donated and prepared delicious breakfast burritos and the other holiday breakfast treats for our amazing Lewis & Clark staff! We are so appreciative of your assistance and time.

Want to know more about what we do as a PTA? Join a meeting sometime! Our next meeting is Jan. 8th from 4:30-5:30 in the library.

Happy New Year!
The Lewis and Clark PTA

Contact the PTA at: lclynxpta@gmail.com

President– Keri McHugh

Co-Treasurers—Kyle Bocinsky & Staci Nugent

Secretary—Josh Harteis

Teacher Liaison—Rachel Mosbacher, 4th Gr teacher jgarland@mcpsmt.org

Teacher Liaison—Sharon Jones, 4th Gr teacher sgjones@mcpsmt.org

ALL those who contributed time and donations to the 2024 Giving Tree - Individuals, Families, Staff, Missoula Cognizent Employees and Friends who jumped in last minute to fulfill final Giving Tree gift requests - Wow and Thanks!

Ogg family- Snowpants

Knights of Columbus - Boots

Doria familiy - High Protein Snacks for FRC

Tracey Cravy and Lisa Hayhurst

406-728-2400 X4355 or frclewis@mcpsmt.org

Family Resource Center Hours: M-F - 8:15-3:15

When coming to school, please remind your child(ren) to dress for the cold, wet weather. Students will be going outside to play each day they are at school, unless it is below zero or a complete downpour. Students should wear a warm coat, mittens, a hat, and rain/snow boots.

If you need help providing your child(ren) with warm outerwear, please contact the Family Resource Center for assistance at: 728-2400x4355 or frclewis@mcpsmt.org

Our Lost and Found boxes are purged monthly. Items will be displayed the

last week of each month for final claiming.

January Lost and Foundwill be displayed 1/22-1/31.

Unclaimed items will be donated or added to the FRC collection.

PLEASE LABEL CLOTHING, LUNCHBOXES & WATER BOTTLES.

Items with legible first and last names are delivered to students.

Did you clean out over the holidays? Or are you able to donate a new item? UM is collecting gently used or new professional clothing for the College of Business Professional Closet.

Items like ADULT suits, blazers, dress shirts, sweaters, ties, shoes, and accessories can make a big difference in helping UM students feel confident and prepared for internships, interviews, and career events. Drop off donations in the Gallagher Building, College of Business, Lower Level L35 in the Student Success Center, Monday-Friday 9:00 am-3:30 pm, or call Traci Beighle at 406.243.6621 to arrange a drop-off or collection time.

The Lifelong Learning Center is partnering with Families First to provide training in MCPS Elementary and Middle Schools. Call Lifelong Learning Center at 406-549-8765 to register for the FREE CLASSES and FREE ONSITE CHILDCARE or at www.MissoulaClasses.com (Search Parenting and Family Classes)

Cooperation, Compassion, Kindness, and Self-Esteem - Thurs. Jan 23 - Jeannette Rankin Elementary Library - 6:00-8:00pm

Children who have a healthy self-esteem and who feel accepted and appreciated, tend to approach life with optimism and confidence. This class will answer questions such as: What is self-esteem? How do children "get" it? How do parents "give" it? Participants will leave class with strategies to engage with their children in a manner that fosters self-esteem, kindness, and compassion. Register online and for free childcare - details above.

Have you ever wondered why you talk, but your child doesn't respond as you expected? In this class, participants will learn about what is underneath parent and child communication and how to unveil great results through the discovery of innate skills. Participants will also learn some helpful techniques to create connection, collaboration, and healthy communication at home. Register online and for free childcare - details above.

MCPS has several unfilled positions that help keep the district and schools running smoothly. You can find these position and more employment opportunities on the MCPS Homepage by clicking the EMPLOYMENT tab, or you can click the link listed here: Missoula County Public Schools - Frontline Recruitment (applitrack.com)

Below are new job postings on the MCPS Employment page:

• Overload Para Educator - Lewis & Clark
• Noon Duty - Lewis and Clark
• Life Skills Para Educator - Jefferson
• Plumber - District Wide
• Custodian - Various Locations - Full time part time, substitutes
• Custodian - Hellgate High School - Reposted
• Substitute Teachers and other Para Educators