Catoosa Family Connections

The holidays provide a wonderful opportunity for you to foster your child's learning in fun and engaging ways. By incorporating these activities into your holiday plans, you can create lasting memories while supporting your child's academic growth.

• Read together: Share a favorite holiday book, discuss characters, plot, and themes.
• Cook or bake: Involve your child in following recipes, measuring ingredients, and the trial and error of working in the kitchen.
• Decorate: Let your child help with decorating the house. Encourage them to create homemade decorations with items found at home to practice creativity and fine motor skills
• Play games: Board games, puzzles, and card games can enhance problem-solving, strategy, and social skills.
• Write letters or cards: Encourage your child to express their thought and feelings through writing cards and letters to family and friends. Thank you notes for gifts are a great start!
• Visit a museum or community events: Explore exhibits, attend a parade, visit a craft show. By sparking curiosity you can encourage your child to examine the world around them.
• Volunteer as a family: Participate in community service activities to teach your child about giving back and helping others.

Please take some time out of the hectic pace of the season to share some one-on-one time with your child. Your time is the best gift they will receive this year!

We would like to take a moment to introduce you to the incredible women who serve as the Parent Involvement Coordinators at our county's Title I schools. These ladies are here to help you fully engage in your child's education. They have resources and events planned for this year at your child's school. We encourage you to reach out to the PIC at your school to find out the ways in which you can become more involved!

Battlefield Elementary - Andra Herpst

Battlefield Primary - Amber Barnes

Cloud Springs Elementary - Kathy Honeycutt

Graysville Elementary - Stephanie McGuire

Lakeview Middle - Stacey Newell

Ringgold Elementary - Cathy Cooper

Ringgold Middle - Shea Wilkie

Ringgold Primary - Tracy Wilson

Tiger Creek Elementary - Sara Bridges

West Side Elementary - Dani Johnson

Woodstation Elementary - Mitzi Mew

We are excited to introduce our families to two new Parent Involvement Coordinators! Sara Bridges will serve as the part-time PIC at Tiger Creek Elementary. Sara retired from teaching last May and rejoined the staff at TCE in November. Mrs. Bridges will be in room 100, Monday - Friday from 7:30 - 11:30 am. We are so excited to have her back in a new role!

Dani Johnson joined West Side Elementary as the new PIC right before Thanksgiving Break. Dani has been the WSE PTO President and is a WSE parent. Dani is a full-time PIC and can be located in room 217, Monday - Friday from 7:30 am - 2:30 pm. Dani is a great addition to the West Side family.

During the holiday break, make time in the kitchen with your child. Choose a new recipe to make together by completing the following:

• Have your child read the recipe aloud
• Describe each ingredients using the five senses
• Identify which food group each ingredient belongs to
• Look up nutrition facts for three ingredients
• Identify and spell the tools needed
• Make a prediction on how the recipe will turn out

Not only will you learn a new recipe, but spending time with you is a gift.

Please take a moment to read the newsletter published by Catoosa Family Collaborative. They provide great resources for our county families, including physical and mental health, food assistance, activities for families, and much more. Be sure to click on the links provided throughout the newsletter for more information.