Newsletter Translation
Message From the Principal's Desk
Remember that we still have two very large goals for your child: Reading on or above grade level and grade-appropriate growth in math by the end of the year. We will have a "dipstick" assessment when we return from winter break to check on progress. Then in February, those scores will be discussed with you during conferences. Your help at home goes a long way. Continue to read to your child at night, have them read to you, and find fun ways to get math involved in your conversations. You are your child's biggest advocate. Please let us know how we can be a better partner as you raise your children. Thank you for trusting us in these very uncertain times.
I give you my best always, and yours in education,
Eric Kilburn
News From Unity's Title Team
Warm Up With Winter Reading & Snowman Soup
Thursday, December 10th, ONLINE FACEBOOK LIVE EVENT @ 6pm for TK, Kindergarten, 1st grade, & 2nd grade. Title teachers will read a book live and model strategies & fluency. We will send a book home prior to the event for each family that has a student at that grade level. We will send a reading strategy sheet home to parents with a focus on fluency. We will also send home a “snowman soup” packet with each child from that grade level.
Counselor's Corner with Kelly Nelson
There are 2 basic rules in Love & Logic: Adults set firm limits in loving ways without anger, lecture, threats or repeated warnings. Set limits using enforceable statements, regard mistakes as learning opportunities, and resist the temptation to nag.
Teaching with Love and Logic, Jim Fay & David Funk
Counselor's Corner with June Mikkelson
Self Care
Children are feeling the stress created by long list of unknowns, changes and transitions related to Co-Vid. Helping children process their thoughts and feelings will encourage their social emotional growth. A few coping skills to role model and practice with kids to manage stress include: intentional deep slow breathing, positive self-talk and striking a power pose; these coping skills can help increase confidence before or while dealing with a stressful event.
As adults, avoid the negativity bias about our the current state of our community and nation when around children. When kids see adults using positive coping skills, they will feel empowered to use those skills, too.
Ms. Mikkelson is available by phone, email or Teams.
Unity’s number is 712-279-6829, extension 2104
Box Tops
Dear Families,
During this challenging time, our teachers and students need more help than ever.
No matter what school looks like, Box Tops for Education is a fast and easy way for
you to help out from home.
The Box Tops program has been around for over 20 years, and it really works. In fact,
Box Tops for Education has helped give almost a billion dollars to schools since 1996.
In 2019, the program evolved to become digital so that you can earn for your school
with just the touch of a button.
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: Buy participating products and use the Box Tops mobile
app to scan your store receipt. The app identifies eligible products and automatically
adds Box Tops to your school's earnings online. Even if you’re shopping online or
doing grocery pickup, you can still submit your e-receipts and earn Box Tops. Twice a
year, our school gets a check!
Your earnings may seem small, but they really do add up. The more people that participate,
the bigger the impact we can make. So let's give our teachers the support
they need and help give more kids the opportunity to dream. Little by little, we can
help make a big difference!
HyVee Receipts
All receipts must be from the Sioux City or South Sioux City HyVee's or the HyVee Mainstreet Store. Receipts must be dated August 1, 2020 - April 25, 2021. Please do not send receipts that are outside of the dates listed. No fuel, postal, money order, Western Union, lottery, Quest, Mid-American or gift card receipts will be accepted.
Notes from the Nurse
Brrrr, It’s Cold Outside!
Dressing for Chilly Climates
Wearing the appropriate winter clothing is a good idea if you are planning to venture out in cold weather. This is especially true for children. First, you should make sure to dress them in several different layers of clothing. This will help to keep them warm and dry as they play outdoors. These layers can easily be removed should your child get too hot.
Layer it on
For long exposure to cold weather and for extreme cold, the innermost layers (next to skin) should be made of material that can “wick” away moisture. Long underwear made of non-absorbent synthetic materials works well. Cotton retains moisture and if wet, can result in loss of body heat no matter how well your outer layers fend off the rain and snow. The middle layers should insulate - polar fleece, down, or wool (bibs, pants, sweaters, down vests, etc) are good insulating materials. Finally, the outermost layer (shell) should protect from wind and water. Finish by dressing in thick socks with waterproof boots that have good treads on the bottom---this will provide more traction in the snow and prevent them from falling.
Cap It Off!
Just before going outside, make sure you put on earmuffs, thick gloves, and especially a hat. Much of a person’s body heat is lost through the top of their head, so by helping your child to follow these simple steps will keep them warm and prevent them from getting too cold.
Drink Up!
Did you know that drinking liquids is important even in colder weather? It’s true! As people breathe in and out, the body loses a large volume of water. Giving your child soup or cider to drink will not only help them to warm them up from the inside out, but will keep them well hydrated.
Teeth-chattering
As most parents know, the human body is designed to protect us from any perceived threat or danger. Visible shivering or chattering of the teeth is an indication that the body’s internal temperature is beginning to drop. Feeling dizzy or weak is another sign of this. If your child is beginning to exhibit these symptoms, tell them to come inside and take a break for a while by doing some type of indoor activity until they are ready to start again.
Wintertime can be an exciting time to play outside, but make sure you and your children are well-prepared and well-dressed for the occasion.
For more wintertime safety visit: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/WinterWeather/
Let's Talk
An engaged community makes our District stronger. That is why we have made it easy for you to connect with us whenever it is convenient for you. We encourage you to take advantage of Let’s Talk!, our 24/7 online submission site. Reach out with your ideas, questions, concerns, and praise. To make a submission, please visit http://www.siouxcityschools.org/lets-talk/.
Communication and Preparedness
Student and staff safety is of paramount importance in the Sioux City Community School District. For this reason, the District exercises a host of crisis prevention and planning tactics. Should an emergency occur, the school notifies you through our Blackboard phone system. In an emergency, the system calls every phone number associated with your child in order to reach you. The message will give you details about the emergency and provide directions on when/where to pick up your child if the normal school day is altered. Learn more about school safety.
Focus 2022 Strategic Plan
Unity Elementary School
Principal: Eric Kilburn
Website: https://www.siouxcityschools.org/unity/
Location: 1901 Unity Avenue, Sioux City, IA, USA
Phone: 712-279-6839
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnityKnightsk5/
Twitter: @UnityFuture
