Turrill Family Newsletter

Dear Turrill Families,

Our students are learning about being thankful and showing gratitude during the month of November. Practicing gratitude has benefits that go beyond the few listed here. We hope you will join us in openly practicing gratitude and teaching our children about being thankful.

Warmly,

Kelly Vangel

Principal, Turrill Elementary

• 11/1/24 Popcorn Day
• 11/4-8 PTC Penny Wars
• 11/12 LEAF Deposit Day
• 11/11-25 PTC Cookies 'n' Creme Fundraiser

• 11/20 PTC ZOOM Mtg @ 7:30

• 11/25-29 Thanksgiving Break

We will be postponing Family Math Night until January to accommodate use of our new Multi-Purpose room (and so we can have something fun in winter :)

Join Turrill staff members for an evening of math games, fun!

Dice games, board games, card games, a scavenger hunt, and much, much more!

Parents,

We take time daily to reinforce positive behavior at school, but we cannot do it alone. We need your help. Please take time to speak with your children about the following important ideas:

• Use kind words - Children struggle at times with saying inappropriate things to one another. Sometimes they hear adults use unkind or inappropriate words to each other. Sometimes they see or hear things on YouTube, social media, and TV that they just don't understand. Either way, it's trickling into our school environment. Please remind your children that what they say carries meaning, whether it's hurtful or helpful, in person or in the digital world. What you say matters.

• Have safe hands and feet - We have some students who get carried away from time to time at recess with rough housing or their go-to strategy when frustrated is to throw something, hit/kick, or lash out. These are inappropriate behaviors. If you see your children exhibiting these behaviors, please stop them and discuss how to have safe hands and feet.

• Think before you speak - In our fast paced world, children are losing sight of the fact that they need to think before they speak. Again, their words carry meaning. Is it hurtful or helpful? You can teach your children to have a productive conversation by modeling first. The art of taking turns, sharing with each other, and listening to each other is in jeopardy in part to the digital world that we live in.

• Think before you act - Think twice, act once. Impulsive behavior, as we know, can get you in major trouble as children or adults. If a student hurts someone else with words or actions, sometimes an apology just isn't enough to fix the problem and consequences will follow. Please speak with your children about thinking....then think some more...then some more before acting.

• Have good sportsmanship - Unfortunately, our children are being bombarded with unsportsmanlike conduct. Somehow it has become socially acceptable to "trash talk" at sporting events, professionally and even at our youngest levels. It's not OK. Trash talking leads to yelling, shoving, and ultimately losing the privilege to play the sport at recess. Let's teach our kids to be good sports and to play for the love of the game, not the love of be the winner.

Thank you for joining us in growing our students into productive and amazing citizens. We appreciate you!

As the weather gets colder (and the playground gets muddier), please remember to send your child to school with two pair of shoes (indoor shoes and outdoor boots), as well as a warm coat, hat, gloves, snow pants, and extra clothing.

Turrill will be hosting Kona Ice days at Turrill this year to spread a little frosty joy to our students. Kona Ice treats are $4.00 and will be served from 12:00-3:00 on the dates below. If you would like your child to enjoy a Kona Ice, you may send in $4.00 cash with your child on the day of the event (money must come in by 10:30). Funds raised from Kona Ice sales will go towards classroom field trips. Thanks!

• March 19, 2025

• April 30, 2025

• May 28, 2025

• June 11, 2025

I am beyond excited to announce that we are partnering with The Positivity Project at Turrill this year for character trait building. The Positivity Project is currently used at both Rolland Warner and Zemmer campuses, as well as Schickler for 2024-2025. To learn more about The Positivity Project, click here to watch Of This, I'm Positive, as well as The Positivity Project's Founding Story

BOLT Bucks

Students can earn BOLT Bucks from adults throughout the school day for exhibiting positive behavior. Students can use BOLT Bucks in each month to buy prizes. Students can also buy extra recess, lunch with a staff member, or be "Principal for the Day." If you would like to donate PBIS prizes to Turrill, we would really appreciate it. Prize examples include: pencils, erasers, fidgets, small games, small toys, etc.

Compliment Chains

Classrooms have compliment chains made out of paper links in their classrooms to measure compliments they receive from adults. When a class meets their personal goal, they enjoy a compliment party of their choice.

Students of the Month

Each month, teachers nominate one student from their class to be "Student of the Month" based on whoever best embodies what it means to be #bettertogether. We will celebrate our October Students of the Month by having a Candy Apple Bar.

Congratulations to our October Students of the Month:

• Jaimesyn Price
• Boston Sedley
• Aubree Patterson
• Allison Burd
• Everly Lawrence
• Kylee Thane
• Adalynn Christenson
• Julianna Coates
• Serena Branco
• Ireland Cavenaugh
• Roman Lopez
• Jaxen Darnell
• Kasen Wright
• Lily Thompson
• Elijah Kraszewski
• Dayton Little

Be on the lookout for November Reading Logs! Students have a goal of reading at home for at least 20 minutes every day and completing a reading log throughout the month. Reading at home with your child is part of Read-by-Grade Three Law.

Click here for a list of books about gratitude to read with your child.

Be on the lookout for September Reading Logs! Students have a goal of reading at home for at least 20 minutes every day and completing a reading log throughout the month.

Reading with your child is a proven way to promote early literacy. One of the most important things you can do to prepare your child for his/her future is helping to make sure that your child is reading at grade level by third grade. You can influence your child’s success in school by making reading a daily routine in your home. Research shows that students who read at least 20 minutes per day score in the 90th percentile on standardized tests. Do you want to help your child to be successful in school? They simply need to read.

Click here for some Thanksgiving math fun

Click here for some more math at home activities

For more information on math skills by age level, click here

Hello LCS Families,

Check out our bond update presentation from the October 2 LCS Board of Education meeting at this link: October 2, 2024: Bond update presentation from LCS Board of Education meeting – Nuts & Bolts – LapeerBond.com

Please check out our latest bond and safety update as we approach the 2024-25 school year.

The video presentation regarding safety and security updates is in that link above and also HERE. Please watch and share as needed.

All of this information will also be shared on our Facebook page and at each building's registration night/open house. We will be at the Turrill parent-teacher conferences next month as well.

Calling all volunteers! Turrill has an amazing PTC that needs your help. Check out the newsletter below to find out more.

Please make sure to fill out the LCS Volunteer Application below if you plan to volunteer in your child's classroom, attend parties, chaperone field trips, or volunteer in other capacities.

Our PTC hosted its annual Halloween event at Turrill on October 17th. Families walked the haunted hallways of Turrill for some spooky fun, including cider, donuts, popcorn, and much more. Thank you PTC for such an amazing night!

Each year we need to seek input on our Family Engagement Plan. Below is a link to our plan. Please take some time to review it. If you see anything that needs revision or have any recommendations please email me at kelly.vangel@lapeerschools.org .

Turrill Family Engagement Plan 2024-2025

LEAF, the Lapeer County Education Attainment Fund, promotes fiscal responsibility in children and encourages them to save money for college. LEAF deposit days are listed below:

• November 12
• February 11
• March 18
• April 22

For more information on the LEAF program, please CLICK HERE.

• Yes, we're Learning Coaches, so we LOVE to read, but did you know that reading to your child has lasting benefits? Here are just a few:

8:00 Office Opens

8:45 Student Drop off Begins

8:50 Students Allowed to Rooms

8:54 Classes Begin

2024-2025 Recess Schedule:

11:15-11:45 4th - 5th Grades

11:45-12:15 2nd - 3rd Grade and CI Classrooms

12:15-12:45 E5/KDG - 1st Grade

2024-2025 Lunch Schedule:

11:45-12:054th - 5th Grades

12:15-12:35 2nd, 2/3 Split, 3rd Grade, and CI Classrooms

12:45-1:05E5/KDG - 1st Grade

3:50 Dismissal

4:30 Office Closes

As in years past, we plan on offering programs during our intersession weeks. Stay tuned for more information regarding the programming and intersession themes. The dates for intersession are as follows:

1st Intersession: October 21-24 (Monday-Thursday)

2nd Intersession: February 18-21 (Tuesday-Friday)

3rd Intersession: March 24-28 (Monday-Friday)

We have two lovely Mental Health Specialists at Turrill - Miss Chittle and Ms. Schneider. Their role at Turrill is to provide a listening ear to students. They work on social skills, emotions, and so much more with students. Students are able to meet with Miss Chittle and Ms. Schneider with your permission by filling out an Informed Consent Form (pictured below). Informed Consent Forms will be available during Open House night as you meet your child's new teacher.

Click here to explore a valuable mental health resource from Children's Advocacy Centers of Michigan.

Click here to access the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services.

Email: kelly.vangel@lapeerschools.org
Website: http://turrill.lapeerschools.org/
Location: 785 S Elm St, Lapeer, MI 48446
Phone: (810) 667-2438
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Turrill-Elementary-1415374235385217/

Mission: We will use our talents and compassion to educate our students in order to create a world in which all children embrace the journey of learning.

Turrill Vision: We are a kind family built on trust.

Turrill Motto: Better together!