It is hard to believe we will be wrapping up the first quarter this month and we are in the Fall of the year. Our students have acclimated well to the structures that we have in place at Forsyth Elementary. It is a joy to go into classrooms and see them actively participating in their classroom activities and lessons.

Parents, we need your help! Talk to your child each night and ask them what they are doing in each of their classes. They should be able to give you specific details of the strategies they are focusing on in school. We encourage seamless communication between school and parents, so please feel free to reach out if you have questions regarding your child's academic progress. It is important that we work together for the academic success of our students.

Parent teacher conferences are right around the corner. Parent teacher conferences are scheduled for Monday, October 21 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. and Thursday, October 24th from 3:45 pm to 7:30 pm. There are many exciting events planned for the month, please mark your calendars and do not hesitate to call if you have any questions.

Parent teacher conferences are an opportunity for you to connect with your child's teacher and gain insights into their academic progress, behavior, and overall well-being at school. As we approach this event, I want to offer tips to help you make the most of this time:

• Come Prepared - Make a list of questions or concerns you would like to discuss.
• Arrive Early - With only 15 minutes of scheduled time allotted for each parent, you don't want to arrive late and shorten your time with your child's teacher.
• Discuss Goals/Strategies - Collaborate with your child's teacher to set realistic goals for your child and ask about strategies and resources you can use at home to support their growth.
• Stay Positive - Remember the teacher is there to work with you and your child's best interest. Both of you want the same things for your child to be successful at school each day.

Your active involvement and positive communication with teachers can have a significant impact on your child's educational journey. We look forwarding to meeting with you!

• We are using SignUp Genius to schedule parent teacher conferences.
• To schedule a conference, click on the link below and click on your child's teacher to schedule a conference time.
• Please sign up for only one slot per child.

We are excited to announce that the Scholastic Book Fair will be here the week of October 21st- 25th. The book fair will be open during Parent Teacher Conferences. It will also be open each morning from 7:40 to 8:05 and after school until 4:00 for parents to come shop with their children.

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Families can use these strategies to help kids build a habit of good attendance.

1. Set a regular bedtime and morning routine so kids know what to expect.

2. Prepare the night before: Pick out clothes and pack their backpack the night before.

3. Practice Healthy Habits to stop the spread of germs and illnesses.

4. If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers and counselors for advice.

5. Try to schedule medical appointments and extended trips when school isn't in session.

6. Communicate with the school. Work with the school to address systemic barriers that might be causing kids to miss more days of school than they should.

The students will be focusing on basic math facts at each grade level. Basic addition and subtraction facts for lower grades and basic multiplication and division facts for third and fourth grades. We need your help!!! We have noticed that the students are really struggling knowing their math facts and basic math skills, like adding and subtraction. These are skills that students need to master at home in order to be successful in the classroom and not fall behind. Please study basic math facts each evening until your child has them memorized.

How do we build fact fluency?

It is important to realize that Fact fluency is not just memorizing the basic facts. During class, the students will focus on building students' conceptual understanding of basic facts, rather than focusing solely on memorization.

What can you do to help?

Students will be required to practice math facts at home. The extra practice is needed and helps the brain transition facts from short-term memory into long-term storage. Practicing can be as easy as quizzing your child in the car and doing flash cards. Writing them multiple times will help if your child is struggling to memorize them. If they are not practicing at home, they will get behind! Please encourage your child and help them master his/her math facts.

Friday, October 11th is Homecoming. The Forsyth Panthers will take on the Strafford Indians. I invite you to bring your family and cheer on the Forsyth Panthers! To celebrate Homecoming week, the district will be participating in "Spirit Week". See the flyer below for the spirit days.

Friday, September 20th Mrs. Kaufman and I had a party in the park with the students who met their summer reading challenge goal. They had sonic sundaes and played in the park that afternoon. Congratulations to the following students who completed the summer reading challenge.

Natthias Anderson

Oliver Block

Lance Burall

Zaxtyn Curtis

Ava Hunt

Aubree Hunt

Grace Jaco

Anderysyn Keen

Gracie McCall

Parker McCall

Sammie Neininger

Bennett Olson

Cirilla Queen

Dylan Rogers

Sadie Tilley

Charleigh Voliva

Kenzie Weyrauch

Tasker Wiley

Alexander Youngblood

Friday, September 20th the elementary had our first assembly. The "Morris Brothers" presented on the importance of having good character. We recognized one student per grade level who has shown good character this year. The following students earned the "Panther Paw" award.

Kindergarten - Calvin Olson

First Grade - Nevaeh Green

Second Grade - Tasker Wiley

Third Grade - Ava Hunt

Fourth Grade - Jack Robison

• Halloween parties will be October 31st. Please check with your child's teacher for the exact time of the party.
• If you plan to bring treats for the party, please bring store bought items.
• Halloween costumes are not allowed at school. Students that arrive in costumes will asked to change clothes.

• Kindergarten students are the only exception to the rule. They will have their annual costume parade through our building that day.

Mrs. Storment, our librarian is working hard to instill the love of reading in our students. She has planned exciting and fun lessons for the students during their library class. She needs our help! She has created a wish list of books she would love to have in the library. The link is below if you would like to donate a book to the library. Thanks in advance for your generosity!

• 10/4 - First Grade Field Trip to McKenna's Family Farm
• 10/11 - Second Grade Field Trip to Branson Meadows
• 10/21 & 10/24 - Parent Teacher Conferences
  
• 10/31 - Halloween Parties
• 11/14 - Third and Fourth Music Concert
• 03/13 - First & Second Music Concert
• 05/19 - Honor's Night
  
• 05/20 - Kindergarten Celebration

Email: lturner@forsythr3.k12.mo.us
Website: https://www.forsythpanthers.org/
Location: Forsyth, MO
Phone: (417) 546-6381