Panther Pride STEM School

CMAS/COALT (state testing) is this month for 3rd-5th grade students from April 7th-18th. Please make sure that students get a good night's sleep, and a full breakfast. We ask that you do not schedule any doctor's appointments during testing. We have a short window and not as much time for make ups. The students have worked hard this year, and we look forward to seeing their growth!

The PTO fundraisers is currently running. It is Flower Power, and is flowers that can be bought anywhere in the United States. It will be open through the end of the school year. The flowers will be delivered according to the climate of the area. We will be having PTO elections in April. If you are interested in being part of the PTO please join our April meeting.

Summer school will be online this year for math and reading. We will be using I Ready as our platform. Computers will be loaned out for those that need them. If your child is not signed up yet, contact Mrs. Rodriguez at the front office (719-391-3395) for more information.

Our website is a great place to find out about our clubs, and any other information related to the school pinello.wsd3.org. We also have a Facebook page that you can see daily pictures, and information (Pinello Elementary School).

Respectfully,

Amber Crigger – Principal

Tiffani Lind – Assistant Principal

With Spring around the corner, it can be hard to keep children focused on their learning. So, what can be done at home to help school remain a priority? Here are some ideas to keep in mind.

*Make attendance job #1.

Remind your kids, that school is their job. Unless they are sick, they must go to school to do their best learning. Try to schedule routine appointments after school hours or during school breaks. Most importantly, remind your child, that we miss them when they are not at school.

*Focus on “Good Things”.

Want your children to know that you value their learning? Talk to them before and after school about their school schedule, activities and projects. With our Capturing Kids Hearts program, we connect with our students with “Good Things”. Ask your child about what was a good thing about the school day and how it made them feel and affected others.

*Keep it positive when problem solving!

Even with life’s challenges, set a positive example. When talking about school problems, encourage your child to think about ways they can control their choices. At Pinello, we use “Kelso Choices” (i.e. Talk it Out, Wait and Cool Off, Ignore, Go to Another Game, Walk Away, Take Turns, Tell Them to Stop”, and Make a Deal, and Apologize). If a problem is a safety issue or has continued after trying a couple of strategies, remind your child to safety tell with a trusted adult.

*Monitor screen time.

Establish clear rules and limits with the amount of screen time (i.e. videogames, cell phones, TV). Create tech free zones or times (i.e. during meal times, close to bedtime). Monitor online or any social media for older students. Social media is not recommended at the elementary level due to potential risks of cyberbullying and developmentally inappropriate material.

We love our Pinello community and are excited about these last couple of months. Please let me or Ms. Z, our school social worker know if you have any concerns or questions.

With Children First,

Darlene Monson, Pinello Counselor

Emily Zarkovacki, Pinello Social Worker

Please visit us at our Website and Facebook page for updated information.

Email: criggera@wsd3.org
Website: pinello.wsd3.org
Location: 2515 Cody Drive, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Phone: 719-391-3395
Facebook: facebook.com/PinelloElementary

Hello Families,

While we can feel summer is on the horizon, students are still accomplishing a lot in the Music classroom. Kindergarten is working on the songs for their promotion in May. First grade is starting a dance unit. Second grade is still working on the music and their speaking parts for their program. Their program will be April 9 at 2:50 pm and 6:00 pm. Families are welcome at both performances. Third grade is working with pitch recognition on the staff through playing recorders. Fourth grade is working on a chord unit using mini keyboards. Fifth graders are starting an ukulele unit.

Choir members have been working hard for their In Harmony event that will be April 14-16. They have been learning a song in Portuguese and then will learn an African lullaby.

Keep Making Music,

Mrs. Means

Hello,

In PE we finished our Heart Obstacle course while participating in the Kids Heart Challenge (Parent you might remember it as Jump Rope for Heart). We raised $2267.00, parents thanks for all your work to make that happen. Any student that raised $75.00 or more gets to slime ME! Looking forward to that day, we will send home information as that time nears. If you are waiting for the additional thank you gifts like the T-shirt, Jump Rope and Playground Ball. Those thank you gifts have been ordered and usually take about 3 weeks to arrive. We also participated in a floor hockey unit working on striking.

When we come back from spring break we will start a brief unit reviewing/going over Field Day events. Can't believe it's spring break!

STEM has started its habitat unit! Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will be spending time studying plants, animals, adaptations and habitats. This month, students will spend a good amount of time working in teams to research habitats, plants, animals and adaptations. At the end of the month students will be presenting their findings to their classmates.

Fifth grade students have spent some time CMAS prepping in STEM as well. They created Minecraft block animals as part of a volume zoo project where they had to measure and calculate the total volume of their animal.

This year, we are not allowing parents to bring treats in for parties. Parents can bring non edible treat bags to be distributed at the end of the day.
Only clear drinks are allowed in classrooms. Shared food items including lunch meals and snacks are prohibited.

Thank you for your assistance in keeping our students healthy and safe!

Boy Scouts of America Pathway to the Rockies Council is offering Scoutreach Program

at the following location

The Scoutreach Program is being offered at Pinello Elementary School free of charge to

all Pinello students in grades 2 through 5. We will meet after school for approximately 1

hour on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

You can sign up for Scoutreach at https://bsa060.us/pinello or find out more about

Scoutreach by calling Mark at 719-219-2906

April

Apr. 3-Battle of the Books competition 6:00pm-8:00pm

Apr. 8-Coffee with Pincipal-8:45am

Apr. 9-2nd grade music program at 2:50 & 6:00

Apr. 10-PTO meeting at 3:40pm in the library

Apr. 16-midterms sent home

Apr. 17-Academic Night 5:00-6:00 pm

Apr. 18-No School-April Day

Apr. 21-25- Buy one Get One Book Fair

Apr. 25-Buck a Hat Day, Smencils for sale for $1, Talent Show at 2:50

May

May 6.-5th grade Knowledge Bowl at 2:50

May 7.-4th grade Knowledge Bowl at 2:50

May 8.-4th vs. 5th grade Knowledge Bowl at 2:50

May 9.-No School for students-kindergarten roundup at 2:00

May 12-16-Smencil Sales before school

May 16-Buck a Hat Day, Field Day

May 20- 5th Grade Graduation at 9:30, Kindergarten Celebration at 11:00, Early Release at 12:00

May 21-Student's last day of school, Renaissance Assembly all students at 11:00 am, Early Release at 12:00, Report Cards sent home.

• “It always seems impossible until it is done” – Nelson Mandela