We are so proud of our students for their hard work the last few weeks. Already, we are seeing students grow in leaps and bounds. Our team here at Churchill appreciates your continued support.

A couple of reminders:

• Arrival and Dismissal - https://www.smore.com/c2skn
• As the weather turns and we begin to bundle up, please label coats, hats, gloves with your child's name. Our lost and found is located right outside of our main office.
• Those that are on our opt-in list for SHIELD will receive tests Monday and should complete the test at home. Tests are collected before 11am on Tuesday.
• Halloween Celebrations will be held on Monday, October 31st from 1:45-2:45pm. Thank you to our PTA volunteers for volunteering to organize some fun activities on this day. The students may wear costumes, but refer to an earlier bulletin with guidelines for what is allowed and note that there is no parade. HSD 153 food service will provide a snack - no outside food is allowed. Please let your child's teacher know if they are not to participate in Halloween themed activities.
• If you have a question or concern about your child's experience in any way, please first contact the teacher. You are welcome to contact the main office as well, but please be prepared to share the nature of your concern so we can direct your call to the appropriate staff member.
• Don't forget about our awesome math corner for families. There are so many great resources to stay in the know and ideas on how to support at home.

Your child’s regular attendance may be the greatest factor influencing his/her academic success.

· Students who attend school regularly are more likely to pass reading and math assessments than students who do not.

· Children chronically absent are much less likely to read at grade level.

Here is how you can support your child’s 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 children 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 backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.

A “truant” is a child subject to compulsory school attendance who is absent without valid cause from such attendance for a school day or portion thereof.

Chronic or habitual truant – A “chronic or habitual truant” is a child who is subject to compulsory school attendance and who is absent without valid cause from such attendance for 5% percent or more of the previous 180 regular attendance days. Families whose children are identified as chronic or habitual truants will be reported to the appropriate authority at the Intermediate Service Center after school interventions have been exhausted.

Currently 5th - 8th Grade students bring their district issued laptops to and from school on a daily basis. Starting on Monday, October 24th, all 3rd - 8th students will be bringing their district issued laptops back and forth from school each day. We are excited for the educational opportunities this will open up for all Churchill and James Hart students. Below are a few device safety tips for all students while they are at school and at home.

Device Safety Tips

• To ensure optimal performance, restart the laptop daily
• Shutdown the laptop when it is not in use
• Charge the laptop nightly
• Keep the laptop in the issued case at all times
• Do not eat or drink near the laptop
• Keep the laptop on a flat surface to prevent it from dropping
• Treat the laptop with respect and care

Internet Pause / Parent Internet Report

Thank you to all families that completed the "HSD153 Internet Pause Feedback Survey" at the end of last school year. Based on the feedback we received we are continuing with the Internet Pause is school year, as well as offering the Lightspeed Parent Report.

• The district will "pause" access to the internet on district devices between the hours of 10pm and 6am.
• The Parent Report sends a weekly email that provides a summary of their student's internet browsing history.

If parents would like a more in-depth look at their students internet activity, they can sign up for a Lightspeed Parent Portal account. If you are interested in receiving a weekly browsing history report please click here for more information.

Heads up! Churchill was invited and will be attending a performance of the James Hart musical on the morning of Wednesday, November 16th. An informational letter will be coming home in early November which will include an opt-out option. All students will attend the musical unless we receive the signed opt-out. An alternate activity will be provided for those who remain at school or those who are late to school and miss the busses over to Hart.

We are looking ahead and are so excited to engage with you and your child during parent-teacher conferences. Your child's teacher will send out a Sign-up Genius link in early November along with more details on what to expect. Your child and you are an essential component of a successful conference. We can not wait to share information with you, but also partner with you to determine some next steps. Conferences take place from 8am-8pm on Monday, November 21st (Zoom and In-person options available) and from 8am-12pm on Tuesday, November 22nd (Zoom ONLY). There is no school for students the week of Monday, November 21st.