

Eagle Heights Family Newsletter
February 3, 2025
Daily Times:
Breakfast 8:30 Daily
Arrival 8:30-8:45 Daily
Student hours: 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m.
Early Release Days:
End Time: 1:15 pm
Student Pledge
At Eagle Heights Elementary, I am a respectful, in control and safe, and responsible leader.
Spirit Week - GO CHIEFS
Calling all Kindergarten Students for 25-26
From the Nurse!
Please click here for info from the health room!
Staff Shout Outs!
*Want to let an Eagle Heights staff member know they are appreciated, send them a shoutout! We send them out every Friday to all staff! It only takes a quick moment. Link is now active!
Click the picture to submit a shout out!
Yearbooks!
Deadline to order is Feb. 21st
It’s been such a great year! Yearbook order forms will be sent home, or you can easily order online through RevTrak by following the link below. Just be sure to place your order by February 21st!
https://smithville.revtrak.net/eagle-heights/#/v/ehe-yearbook-item
Please remember, we cannot make change in the office, so be sure to send exact cash if paying that way.
Order forms coming home today.
Classroom Photos
Order forms coming home Friday!
Eagle Heights Board of Education Recognitions
We apologize for any mix-ups that happened with these awards. We have changed our procedures to hopefully catch any mishaps that might occur. We will be adding a few more pictures after we recognize the remaining award winners at our next awards assembly.
Special shout-out to Nathanial Reyes for being a trooper through all our mistakes! We are so sorry Nathanial and appreciate your positive attitude!
Eagle Heights Parent Meeting with Dr. Maus
March 17 at 5:30
The Smithville School District Board of Education has approved ballot language for a No Tax Rate Increase Bond Initiative and Levy Transfer. There will be two questions on the April 8, 2025 ballot:
A bond initiative aimed at enhancing educational spaces and facilities across the district. This initiative will focus on critical updates and expansions, including:
- Improve safety and security at the main entrance, classrooms, library/media center and restrooms at Smithville High School.
- Improve classrooms, library/media center, locker rooms and restrooms at Smithville Middle School.
- Improve softball and baseball facilities to include turf and site amenities.
- Expand all-weather playing surfaces at Horizon, Maple and Eagle Heights Elementary Schools.
Stakeholders will have opportunities to collaborate with district leaders and architects in the design process for these improved spaces. Stay tuned for more details about upcoming engagement sessions.
The second question is the Smithville School District asking the community to consider a No Tax Rate Increase Levy Transfer. Here’s how it works: we’re asking voters to authorize a $0.30 increase to the Operating Fund (Fund 1), while reducing the Debt Service Fund (Fund 3) by the same amount. This adjustment results in no increase to your overall tax rate but allows us to reallocate resources toward needs like attracting and retaining top-quality staff, hiring additional support and safety personnel, addressing class size concerns, and working toward positioning Smithville as a top-paying district in the area. Importantly, even with this transfer, the District will still be able to pay all current and foreseeable debt obligations using the Debt Service Fund. By making this shift, we can invest in the people and resources that directly impact our students' success—all without raising the tax rate.
News from Encore!
Art with Mrs. Aeschliman
Hello Eagle Heights Families!
Here is a quick update on what students have been up to lately in the art studio: All grades began with a review of rules and expectations in the art room after our long break from the holidays and snow days!
K-1 has begun a paper strip sculpture center.
In 2nd grade we opened up watercolor as another option so we talked about what to set up for painting and how to clean it up. Prepare to see lots of paintings uploaded to Artsonia!
3rd grade now has a modeling clay center open. It doesn’t dry out so they can create something, take a photo and upload to Artsonia & then return it back to the cabinet for use again - it is not something they bring home.
In 4th grade we also began with watercolor techniques and watercolor painting will also be an option for them.
5th grade has been planning their clay projects. I let them choose what they want to make and they fill out a plan sheet so I can group them by handbuilding technique and be available to help them more. We will be continuing that throughout February as well.
Sixth grade 3D Art started the quarter entering Level 1 of the 3D Art game. They have a choice of 8 badges (projects) they can choose from and when completed with 3 they get to move up to Level 2! Level 2 has more choices and badges to earn while still enabling them access to Level 1 if they choose to.
*Just a reminder if we have AMI/snow days Encore is putting assignments for 3-6th grades on their Google Classroom. I am also available for a Google Meet that day (also posted in their classroom) if they have any questions on their assignment. K-2 was given a packet at Parent Teacher Conferences and can certainly email us with questions!
Mark your calendars! Our District Art Show has been set for April 25 & 26! More details to follow but this is always an amazing display of art PK - 12 grade!
Just a reminder, we are still continuing to upload student work to Artsonia. You may purchase items with your child(ren)s work on it anytime of the year. Keep in mind that Valentine’s Day is coming up & Artsonia offers snap-on jewelry, mugs, tumblers, magnets, etc.
THANK YOU so much for all of your support! You are an amazing school to work for!
Sincerely,
Ms. Aeschliman
Eagle Heights Elementary
PreK - 6th grade Art Educator
Innovation Lab: with Mrs. Thompson
Happy new year from tech and innovation!
The students have jumped into robotics, graphic design, circuits, stop motion and more!
This quarter and semester my class will be working on a lot of robotics and programming skills. Many students will be programming robots to solve different problems while others will be learning how to code and create their own video game.
Lastly, Play Club has also started off strong! This is a club for all grade levels. We meet after school on Tuesdays. In this club students can learn to problem solve and overcome obstacles by working with peers. If your child is interested in joining, contact myself or Callie Downey!
P.E. with Coach Parker
We’ve had an exciting time in Physical Education this winter! Our K-6 students have just wrapped up a fun and action-packed basketball unit. Throughout the unit, students worked on developing their skills in dribbling, shooting, passing, and teamwork. It was wonderful to see so much energy and enthusiasm from all grade levels.
In addition to basketball, we also played a game called "Sink The Ship," which was a big hit with our students. This game combined gymnastic mats, scooters, and bowling pins to focus on throwing, teamwork, and endurance. Students worked together to protect their "ship" from being sunk, all while improving their coordination and communication skills.
Looking ahead, our PE classes are gearing up for some exciting new units:
K-4th grade: We'll be doing station work to reinforce various physical skills, and students will get the chance to reconnect with our rock wall for climbing challenges. This will help them build strength, coordination, and confidence.
5th and 6th grade: We’re introducing archery! This unit will focus on safety, proper shooting technique, and the rules of archery. Students will also have a chance to learn the basics of scoring, though the main emphasis will be on form, focus, and accuracy.
We’re looking forward to continuing to keep our students active, engaged, and learning new skills in PE. Thank you for your continued support in encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle for all our Eagles!
Warm regards,
Coach Parker
Library with Mrs. Rice
EHE Library Update:
January has flown by! The library has been gearing up for our OBOD Reading Initiative that will last all of February through the beginning of March! Below are all the details regarding the OBOD!
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We’re thrilled to kick off our One Book, One District reading initiative on February 3rd with The Wild Robot by Peter Brown! This heartwarming adventure follows Roz, a robot who mysteriously wakes up on a remote island and must learn to adapt, survive, and connect with the wild creatures around her.
Join us as we read, discuss, and engage in fun activities that unite our community through storytelling! Stay tuned for reading schedules, family discussion guides, and exciting events. Let’s make this a memorable shared reading experience!
To find all readings & activities, the Wild Robot OBOD site is up and running! Link here: https://sites.google.com/smithville.k12.mo.us/obod24/home
#OneBookOneDistrict #TheWildRobot #CommunityReads #WildAboutReading
What are we learning in Library Class:
Kinder: Focused on Winter! We read the following books: I'm Going to Build a Snowman, A Polar Bear in the Snow, and King Penguin. After reading, students participated in library stations allowing them to experience different activities tailored to the book!
1st: Spent the month reading and learning about the Randolph Caldecott Medal that happens every January! Classes spent time learning about the medal, and the criteria for how books are chosen as winners, and towards the end, each student analyzed a book and its content to create a Caldecott Book Review Pennant. The books we read were the following: Knight Owl, The Yellow Bus, and Partly Cloudy.
2nd: Spent the month reading and learning about the Randolph Caldecott Medal that happens every January! Classes spent time learning about the medal, and the criteria for how books are chosen as winners, and towards the end, each student analyzed a book and its content to create a Caldecott Book Review Pennant. The books we read were the following: Big, King Lion, and Touch the Sky.
3rd: Spent the month reading and learning about the Randolph Caldecott Medal that happens every January! Classes spent time learning about the medal, and the criteria for how books are chosen as winners, and towards the end, each student analyzed a book and its content to create a Caldecott Book Review Pennant. The books we read were the following: Watercress, Ahoy!, and The Last Zookeeper.
4th: Worked on an Emoji Unit where students were learning the history of Emojis, the diversity of Emojis, and how emojis have evolved to what they are now in the modern day and age. The end goal that the students are working on this week is creating their food emoji by rough draft sketching and then final drafting on Sketch.io!
5th: Worked on an Emoji Unit where students were learning the history of Emojis, the diversity of Emojis, and how emojis have evolved to what they are now in the modern day and age. The end goal that the students are working on this week is creating their food emoji by rough draft sketching and then final drafting on Sketch.io!
6th Grade Encore: This quarter has been great so far. Books to Movies voted on the books that they wanted to read this semester and the first chapter book that we are analyzing is the Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning. After students are done reading, we finish the book by watching episodes 1 & 2 of the Netflix show made by Nickelodeon. Up next will be the picture book, The Lorax!
A note from Mrs. Rice: Thank you for ALWAYS supporting the library! If you would like to purchase items for the EHE Library, the Amazon Wishlist is here. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns at ricel@smithville.k12.mo.us
Music with Mr. Venner
Dear Eagle Heights Families,
February is here, and our music room is buzzing with exciting activities! From drumming traditions around the world to preparing for upcoming performances, our students are engaging in hands-on, creative music-making. Here’s what’s happening this month:
Kindergarten & First Grade
Our youngest musicians will be playing interactive music games and participating in drum circle activities featuring drums from around the world! Through rhythm and movement, they’ll explore different cultural sounds while building teamwork and listening skills.
Second & Third Grade
Big preparations are underway! Our second and third graders are hard at work creating music presentations and performances for their upcoming Music Program on March 18. Stay tuned for details as they bring their creativity to life for your enjoyment!
Fourth, Fifth & Sixth Grade
Older students will dive deeper into music technology and instrumental skills this month. They’ll be working with recording technology, guitars, bass, and drums to explore the process of music production. From learning how to layer sounds to creating their own recordings, these students are developing skills that blend creativity with technology.
Thank you for your continued support of our music program. February is shaping up to be a fantastic month of learning and performance!
Musically yours,
Mr. Venner
Eagle Heights Elementary Music
News from Eagle Heights PTO 💚
Joining PTO provides you with the opportunity to volunteer and contribute to your children’s educational experience! Our purpose is to support our teachers/staff and our children to make their school year experience successful!
There are many ways to help, so please consider joining! Online sign up and payment is available at this link: EHE PTO MEMBERSHIP FORM
All latest updates can be found on our Facebook page
Any additional questions, please email: eagleheightsptosmithville@gmail.com
Christy Ford
EH PTO President
816-898-8556
STAY CONNECTED: DOWNLOAD THE MYRIDE K-12 APP
To stay in touch with your student's bus route, please download and check the MyRide K12 app. Information provided in the app is live. For detailed instructions on how to use the app, please follow this link.
24-25 Revised School Calendar
Important Upcoming Dates
February
Feb. 2: Groundhog Day
Feb. 3: 100th Day of School
Feb. 3: One Book One District Kick-Off
Feb. 3-7: National School Counseling Week
Soup-er Bowl Food Drive Week
Feb. 9: Super Bowl Sunday- Go Chiefs!
Feb. 14: No School-Staff Professional Development Day
Feb. 15: School Resource Appreciation Day
Feb. 17: No School- Presidents' Day
Feb. 19: Board Meeting 7 pm
Feb. 28: Spring Parties