The Student Leadership Team is gearing up for a "Souper Bowl" canned food drive starting Monday, February 3rd and running through Monday, February 10th. We are encouraging kids to bring in canned goods that are not expired. Kids will have the opportunity to place their cans on a table to vote for either the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles. Canned goods will be donated after February 10th.

• Presidents. George Washington (Feb. 22) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) had profound influence in shaping America. What would your child want to do if president?
• Heroes. Rosa Parks (Feb. 4) and Susan B. Anthony (Feb. 15) were champions for rights and equality. Go online together to learn how Parks spurred on the Civil Rights movement and Anthony campaigned for women's right to vote.
• Artists. Nina Simone (Feb. 21) and Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Feb. 25) made lasting marks on music and art. Listen to Simone's singing and look at Renoir's paintings in a book or online together.

~The Parent Institute

The good feelings that come from reaching a challenging goal are great motivators. Help your child celebrate achievements that result from hard work with each of these encouraging ideas:

• Balloon bonus. On one side of a piece of paper, write your child's goal. On the other side, write a small reward. Roll up the paper, put it in to a balloon and blow up the balloon. Upon reaching the goal , your child can pop the balloon and claim the reward.
• "I did it" dinner. Set a "fancy" table and serve your child's favorite foods. Ask your child to say a few words about how awesome it feels to reach a goal.

~The Parent Institute

• Thursday, February 6 - Alfons Flamin' Grill

• Tuesday, February 11 - Lucious Layers

• Wednesday, February 19 - Evergreen Cafe

• Monday, February 24 - Lil Red Wagon

Mrs. Schwarzkoph's ST Math class minutes and puzzles are consistent each week! She supports her students when they have alerts. This support allows for an excellent class Journey progress for the year!

Congratulations, Mrs. Schwarzkoph

A. Children who start off the morning saying, "I don't want to go to school" may offer lists of excuses. But the real problem is more likely that they don't feel ready to handle what they must face when they go out the door.

To turn the situation around:

• Say that you are happy to help your child cope with any issues at school - but that you still expect your student to attend school today.
• Find out what's behind the excuses. Ask why your child doesn't want to go to school (but continue with your morning readiness routine as you do so). Listen carefully, then ask about your child's fears or problems with schoolwork, the teacher or friends.
• Acknowledge your child's distress. Say something like, "I know you're upset, but we all have to do things sometimes that we wish we didn't. It usually feels better once you have a plan and get started."
• Brainstorm ways your child might handle the situation.
• Talk with your child's teacher or the school counselor if the reluctance to go to school or the reason behind it continues.

~The Parent Institute

Fluent readers read aloud smoothly, accurately and with expression. They are also more likely to understand what they read. Are you helping your child increase reading fluency? Answer yes or no to the questions below:

1. Do you ask your child to read aloud to you regularly, in addition to the time you spend reading aloud?
2. Do you let your child choose what to read aloud? Choosing the same book repeatedly is OK. Familiarity boots fluency.
3. Do you avoid interrupting while your child is reading? Correct misread words after your child finishes.
4. Do you supply a pronunciation if your child asks, then encourage continued reading?
5. Do you discuss the book when the reading is finished?

How well are you doing?

More yes answers mean you are helping your child practice reading fluency. For each no, try that idea.

~The Parent Institute