Chief Charlo HOWL Newsletter

You may have noticed some large holes in our pavements and playground areas. Our MCPS maintenance crew is working on getting them fixed. In the meantime, please ask your student(s) to play with caution around these areas and to not touch or play with the caution tape. They are there for their safety.

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Our Fall Scholastic Book Fair is NEXT week!! The Book Fair is set up in the front lobby area by the elevator. See below for further details.

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Please take a look through the Lost and Found before or after your student's Parent/Teacher Conference. Whatever is left after conferences will be donated!!

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* Do not forget, ALL students will be dismissed at 11:00am, Thursday, November 14 and NO school on Friday, November 15. Also NO school November 27-29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

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November 6 - Hearing Screening for Early Literacy, Kindergarten and 1st Graders, as well as any other students new to MCPS.

November 7 - Early Out - ALL students dismissed at 2:10pm

November 11-15 - Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 12-15 - Schoolwide Book Fair

November 14 - Early Out for Conferences - ALL students dismissed at 11:00AM

November 15 - NO SCHOOL

November 21 - Early Out - ALL students dismissed at 2:10pm

November 27-29 - Scheduled Holiday (NO SCHOOL)

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PTO Events

November 12 - PTO Meeting, 6:00-7:00pm in school library. FREE childcare provided.

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Looking Ahead - Holiday Programs will occur on the following dates in December:

Tuesday December 10th: Kinder/First - 1:00pm

Wednesday, December 11th: 2nd/3rd Grades - 1:00pm

Thursday, December 12th: 4th/5th Grades - 1:00pm

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With November comes the beginning of colder temperatures. Make sure your student is dressed appropriately for the cold weather. Consider wearing layers and do not forget to cover your child's head, hands and feet to keep the heat in. Lastly, please consider putting your child's initials or names in their outer gear.

Read below to learn how to set up an eWallet account for your student(s) so they can pick out books without needing their grownup present or cash in their hands.

Click button below to visit the Scholastic book fair website, purchase items online or see what books are actually available for sale at the school. All orders from the school's Online Book Fair ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for orders over $25.

The online book fair will end on November 24th.

Both online orders and at school purchases will benefit our school's library.

MCPS is fortunate to have a Health Services Department that includes a team of registered (RN) and licensed practical (LPN) nurses. MCPS RNs are assigned to 3-4 schools. Our Nurse, currently on Maternity Leave until January, is Sara Manning. While on leave, our Sub Nurse is Trish Clarke. A nurse is at Chief Charlo several times per week and available via phone or email every day. Our LPNs mainly work in the high schools, but may also support RNs and students in K-8 schools as needed. In addition MCPS has a team of substitute and agency nurses to assist as needed.

School nurses support the education of our students by providing the following services:

• Health promotion and disease prevention

• Immunization management

• Direct medical services

• Medical case management services-working with your students’ healthcare providers to meet their needs

• Health education services

• Provide or link students, families, and staff to health resources

• Assists students with disabilities, chronic or acute illnesses, and/or injuries in obtaining appropriate medical accommodations to improve equity and access to education and medical services by working with the 504 and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) teams

• Support counselors and other mental health professionals to meet mental health needs

• Provide medical training to other staff who work with your students

Research shows that school nurses enhance academic outcomes; improve graduation rates, test scores, and attendance, and help prevent, detect, and facilitate treatment for mental health issues.

Please reach out to our school nurse if your student(s) have any health issues or questions or you would like more information. She can help your student(s) reach their academic potential by supporting their health care needs and connecting them to resources to help them learn and succeed.

Each month, we have one character trait that we focus on school wide. For the month of November, our trait is Gratitude. One way to think about Gratitude is “choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives.” Practicing Gratitude can increase our well-being and our happiness. What are some small things you and your family are grateful for? It might be a favorite water bottle, how a pet cuddles, a specific family memory, or the way someone makes cookies. As a family, can you make a list of 10 things you’re grateful for?

At the beginning of the year, the counseling staff teaches and re-teaches the Zones of Regulation. The Zones of Regulation teach about 4 different “zones” an emotion can fall into. Using the Zones of Regulation, students are able to develop insight and knowledge about their emotions and how this might impact them at school or during interactions with others throughout their day. Students learn which zone a certain feeling can be associated with and, in addition, learn a coping skill to help get back to the green zone. We make sure to teach that all feelings are relevant, and we all experience a full range of emotions.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will begin November 11. The school's PTO will be providing the staff dinner on Wednesday, November 13. Please consider donating a food item or helping with setup or cleanup. If interested, click HERE to do so.

This year's Trunk-or-Treat was a lot of fun!! Thank you to everyone who set up a trunk, donated candy to the event, and came out for a good time!!

We raised $180 from the night's proceeds. Watch for future Dine Out Night opportunities. They are a great way to help your child(ren)'s school while spending time together connecting as a family creating memories!

The Families in Transition (FIT) Program is here to assist Chief Charlo students and families experiencing housing instability (McKinney-Vento Act) and/or economic hardship. FIT works as a bridge between those families, our school and the district staff to empower students to stay in school and remain successful both in school and as lifelong learners. FIT also provides families access to community resources and services.

FIT is able to provide extra services to our students in need. This may include extra one-on-one educational support, or supplying students with school supplies, weekly EmPower Packs, or basic needs such as clothing, gym shoes, winter gear, toiletries, etc. FIT is here to support your family, because we care about all of our Wolves - BIG and small!! I look forward to meeting you!

Coryll Rupert (FIT Coordinator)

406-728-2400, X4983

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Did you know making pancakes with your child encourages them to use their math and reading skills all while making a delicious family breakfast?

We Need Your Input - Come Join Us!! Find Chief Charlo PTO on Facebook

Current Board Members:

Elyse Johnson chiefcharlopto@gmail.com
Kaila Nuanez chiefcharloptovp@gmail.com
Annie Harris chiefcharlotreasurer@gmail.com
Kristen Owens chiefcharloptosec@gmail.com

Interested in becoming a member? Everyone is welcome! Membership is free due to our amazing sponsors. The Chief Charlo PTO encourages families to join, stay informed, and help out in any way you can. It's never too late to join and be part of the FUN!!

Email: ChiefCharloPTO@gmail.com
Website: https://www.mcpsmt.org/page/8832
Location: 5600 Longview Drive, Missoula, MT, USA
Phone: 406-542-4005