December Monthly Update

🎄It's December!

This is a very lively month in an elementary school! We look forward to making memories with our students. Below you will see some of our December highlights.

Happy Holidays!

TC Elementary Staff

Parents of students in K-6! The Class of 2025 is hosting a movie night in the elementary gym. Look for permission slips from your student.

Monday, December 16 @ JH/HS

K-6, 6:00 p.m.

7-12, 7:15 p.m.

The Elf Shelf Holiday Shop is coming to our school! Look for more information coming home soon from PTO.

1. Basic line etiquette while waiting in lunch line
2. Use silverware appropriately
3. No flipping of milk cartons or water bottles
4. Maintain appropriate indoor voice levels
5. No sharing of food, and stay seated unless necessary

We thank you for discussing these expectations at home as well!

Please welcome Lindsey Lenger to the elementary school. She will be serving as the elementary secretary. The office phone number is 641-944-5241. You may email Lindsey in the office at l.lenger@twincedarscsd.org.

Schools are responsible for teaching your child. Regular school attendance is important to a child’s academic performance. When students come to school regularly and on time, they develop a sense that school is important. When school is missed, activities such as class discussions, experiments, and demonstrations cannot be fully re-taught. We understand that there are times when it is necessary for a student to be absent. In these cases, please call the elementary office at 641-944-5241 before 8:00 a.m. each day. If we have not heard from you, we will call to verify an absence.

If your child is doing something different at dismissal, for instance going home with another student or getting off the bus in a different location, please send a note with your child that morning. If you have to call with a change, please call the office 641-944-5241before 3:00 p.m., or we cannot guarantee that your child will receive the message. Without a note, the child will be sent to the usual location. WE STRICTLY ENFORCE THIS RULE.

Playing outside is healthy and fun. All children (K-6th) are required to go outside during recess time unless it is raining or below 10 degrees. During cold weather, students should be dressed warmly, including coats, snow pants, boots, hats, and mittens. These items will be loaned to students as needed so that students can be comfortable outside and be off the hard surfaces. Students will not be allowed to stay inside from recess if they are not dressed appropriately for the weather. Rather, items will be loaned out for students to wear.

Between 10 and 40 degrees, it is recommended children wear:

Winter coat

Closed shoes or boots

Stocking caps and gloves are recommended

Between 41 and 50 degrees, it is recommended children wear:

Winter coat or heavy jacket over long sleeved clothing

Closed shoes or boots

Stocking caps and gloves are optional

Between 51 and 60 degrees, it is recommended children wear:

Jacket or sweatshirt/hoodie or long sleeve shirt

Closed shoes or boots

Stocking caps and gloves are optional

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to monitor their children’s clothing selections to make sure they are prepared for colder temperatures and are appropriately dressed for outdoor recesses. Please let the office know if you are in need of warm clothing, we would be happy to help with this.

Students may bring cell phones and/or internet connected watches to school, but the phone/internet connected watches are to be kept in lockers and are not to be used during the school day. Any student's cell phone/watch that is "seen or heard” may be confiscated by a teacher or staff member. On the first occurrence, the phone/watch will be returned to the student at the end of the school day. For the second (2nd) and subsequent confiscations, the parent/guardian will be contacted and they will need to pick up the phone/watch.

On Fridays, our students will attend Twin Cedars Elementary "Family Groups" comprised of about ten or less students ranging from Kindergarten-6th grade. The Family Groups will remain the same throughout the year so our students can begin forming bonds with each other and really have a chance to become friends. Each Family Group will be led by a teacher in our school. Family Groups will be held from 8:00-8:30 a.m. and will provide a range of activities from getting to know you games, arts and crafts, and other team connecting activities. Encourage your children in older grades to prepare to be leaders and role models in their groups. The younger students really look up to the big kids.

Mrs. Van De Kieft has office hours every day at the elementary school. Please email her at jvandekieft@twincedarscsd.org if you would like to talk with her regarding anything that may be impacting your child's emotional well being. She is here to meet with students, parents, and overall provide any support she can to our families. This can be a difficult time of year for families, please reach out!

Our PTO is such a wonderful group of individuals working together to create the best school experience for students and staff at Twin Cedars. The PTO is working hard to provide some really awesome opportunities. Please consider joining this group!
https://www.twincedarspto.org/home

https://www.facebook.com/SabersPTO

Students are welcome to bring an optional snack to school each day. We ask that snacks are on the healthy side (pretzels, granola bars, fruit, fruit snacks, crackers, popcorn, beef jerky, carrots, etc.) Teachers will begin reminding students not to bring pop and/or candy and junk food to class.

The last day of school for students will be Friday, December 20. Students will resume school on Monday, January 6, 2025.

Donita Geetings - TC Elementary Principal

If you would like to connect, please email dgeetings@twincedarscsd.org. My priority is to be present with students and staff during the day. I will do my best to respond in a timely manner. If you would need immediate support, please contact Lindsey in the office @ 641-944-5241.