9/16/24 Trailside Parent Newsletter
Week 5
Message from the Principal
Hello Trailside Families!
Students have just spent the past two weeks completing our mClass Dibels 8 and MAP (Measurement of Academic Progress) Assessments. We are so proud of student's hard work! This data will be used to adapt and differentiate instruction and will help guide our Intervention block of the school day.
Please remember the new secure entryway allows students to walk to class with their teacher, by themselves (age appropriate), or with a staff member. If you arrive at school late, we ask all parents to sign in the office when dropping off/picking up their child.
Trailside Attendance Goal
Almost 94% Attendance
Thank you parents for your hard work getting your child to school this first month. Many factors contribute to your child's academic and social success in school- ATTENDANCE is one of these factors. Our goal this school year is to remain Above 90% the entire school year.
Lets get to 94% next month!!!!!
Arrival/Dismissal SAFETY
A friendly reminder that the arrival/dismissal car lane must keep moving. We ask that parents do not leave their cars or remain stationed in one spot- please follow the flow of the line. Thank you!
HIT THE TRAILS!!!! See Video Link Below
Unicycles at Recess
While weather permits, students will be allowed to Unicycle at recess (no bicycles, no rollerblades). Students and staff enjoyed practicing their unicycle skills at recess this past week. If you are interested in unicycling, please reach out to Mr. Richardson.
Music News from Ms. D
September 2024
Music News from Ms D
Fall Choir ‘24
Mark your calendars for our production of Frog and Toad. November 21! We will have an assembly performance for the school and an evening performance for family and friends.
Bell Choir ‘25*
Bell choir will begin in January! This is open to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. We will meet after school – the day is still to be decided. *This is such a wonderful opportunity for Trailside students. We are one of the only elementary schools in the district that have handbells!
Classroom Music News
K-1st is focusing on singing independently and practicing steady beat through singing, games and instruments.
2nd grades is singing, moving and we will begin rhythm reading.
3rd-5th are all learning the National Anthem as well as barred instruments. (xylophones)
4th and 5th graders will both play recorders this semester.
*Of course, we always sing in all the grades every time we meet!
Let me know if you want more details or have any questions!
"Stay Put" Exercise
The "Stay Put" exercise is a safety protocol that helps maximize safety at school. It simply tells teachers and students to stay in the classroom. For example, if an adult or student slipped on a wet floor outside the bathroom right before lunch, rather than have multiple classes walk by that person while they are receiving help, we would utilize a "Stay Put" and have everyone stay in their classrooms until the event was over. These exercises are typically very short and cause little to no disruption to the school day. There are many other scenarios where a "Stay Put" could be used.
As you probably know, Trailside has welcomed the incredible Lifeskills program. We have 3 Lifeskills classrooms each with one teacher and multiple paraprofessionals for support. The students in these classrooms are amazing. Trailside staff have been having important proactive conversations with students if and when they hear big emotions from the hallway and a "Stay Put" is called. As Mrs. Locke, 1st Grade teacher, wrote in her book, "Don't be scared, be prepared".
Free-Reduced Lunch Application
Families interested in applying for free/reduced lunch can apply here:
Ride your Bike to School? Remember to bring a bike lock.
Timberwolf Positive Behavior Awards
One of our school initiatives is to promote positive student behavior. The Timberwolf Award is designed to do just that and is aligned to our building guidelines for success "PAWS". Students will be acknowledged for their awesome work and behavior. The bottom portion will be turned into the office and the top portion goes home for families.
24-25 School Start Times
Please review the updated school start times effective this 24-25 school year.
Campfire- Afternoons Only
Campfire Alaska will once again be running their after-school program at Trailside. For more information click HERE.
School Drop off and Pick Up
Student Safety is our Top Priority. Please Read Below.
*****Drop Off 7:40-7:55AM. Please Do Not Drop off BEFORE 7:40AM*****
Breakfast Service
PLC Monday breakfast service is pushed 1 hour later, from 8:35-8:55am.
More information about meals and prices can be found here:
Reporting Absences
Please call the office when excusing your student due to sickness, or pre-arranged absence (Travel, Etc.)
When leaving messages for the office, please make sure to leave the student's first and last name.
Please also leave a good contact name and number we can reach you at if we have questions regarding the message.
907-742-5500
Message from the Counselor
Please click the link for this month's counselor's message:
CHECK YOUR PARENT CONNECT
All parents, please check your parent connection and make sure all of your contact information is correct.
Please notify the office of any of the following changes:
- Custody/Legal Documents (as soon as possible)
- Address Changes
- Phone number updates
- If you are moving, please notify the office as soon as possible.
Please make sure when using Q Parent Connection to excuse your student, it has to be done in the system prior to 8:30 am. If not, you will get a Robo-Call from the district notifying you that your student was absent for the day. Please call the office if it is after 9:30 am and the office staff will get your student excused.
If you are traveling please contact the office so we can get your student excused, you will then see a "P" (Travel status and other pre-arranged absences) in Q- Parent Connection instead of "E" (Excused).
TRAILSIDE PTA News and Updates
Trailside PTA Updates
1. Trailside Family Dance Party on Sept. 20!
Get ready to boogie down at Trailside's first family fun night: a Family Dance Extravaganza featuring the electrifying beats of our very own DJ Pop’n’Locke!
Save the date: Friday, Sept. 20 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Trailside MPR
Bring the whole fam and let's turn this school night into a dance-tastic delight! You can also fuel your moves with tasty treats. All concession proceeds support our awesome 4th and 5th grade camps. Snack on, dance on!
This is a family affair, not a drop-off event. Let's create some groovy memories together!
2. Trailside Spirit Wear: order by Sept. 29!
Show your Trailside pride with official school merchandise! Our online store is open now through Sept. 29. Browse and order at https://stores.blue84spirit.com/TAILSIDE2024. Items will ship a few weeks after the store closes. Best of all, every purchase gives back to our school!
3. Art To Remember
Trailside Elementary has teamed up with Art to Remember to transfer your child’s artwork onto keepsake products like mugs, ornaments, and art plaques. Your child is currently working on their Art to Remember projects with Miss Thorson in Art Class. Look for an order form with an image of your child's completed work to come home in November. With every order, a portion of the proceeds comes right back to our school! For questions, please contact our Trailside librarian, Mrs. Keller at keller_cindy@asdk12.org.
4. Make a difference at Trailside: Join the PTA!
Make a difference in your child's education & our school community! Sign up at https://trailsidepta.givebacks.com/
5. Afterschool Activities (ASA)
The Trailside PTA puts on a wide variety of ASA for our students throughout the year. Bookmark trailside.myptezcentral.com to reserve your spot! Have a fun skill or hobby and are interested in heading up an ASA? Contact ASA Chair Lia Slemons. at trailsideactivities@gmail.com.
6. Submit your photos for the yearbook!
Email photos to trailsideyearbook24@gmail.com Pictures must be taken at school events, activities, or in the classroom setting.
School picture day is Sept. 17, and we still need a few parents to help. Signup at https://signup.com/go/pghdrpw
Questions or want to get involved with any of the above or other ideas? Contact TrailsidePTAPresident@gmail.com.
Upcoming dates (look for a calendar of events for the year to come home soon):
- Trailside logo wear online store open (Sept. 12-29)
- School fall photo day: Sept. 17 (volunteers needed)
- Family Dance Party: Sept. 20
- Art to Remember projects: all month
- Hit the Trails: Oct. 5
- Texas Roadhouse Family Night: Oct. 22
- Fall Festival: Oct. 25
- Frog and Toad musical performance: Nov. 21