March Newsletter

Amazingly, it is already March. March is a significant month for instruction and learning. Most grade levels are working through their third unit of instruction and are building in time to review content previously learned throughout the year. The third nine weeks will end mid March, and we will enter our last quarter of instruction. Our KSA and MAP assessments are coming soon and we are working to prepare our students for both. As a school, we always strive to create an environment where all students can learn at high levels. We also want to create experiences where students may spark an interest that could last a lifetime. We have a saying that every day counts! We are working to make sure we make the most of every minute of instruction.

This week we had a famous author, Aaron Reynolds, visit our school. He had an important message for our kids: Read what you love, and you will love to read. When you find a love for reading, you will want to write. Writing opens the world and allows you to tell your story or use your creativity to tell the story of others. This is a powerful message to our students.

In February we also had our STEAM showcase night, where students’ artwork was showcased and families could engage in STEM activities. Our counseling team and Officer Grider hosted an Open Spaces night focused on student mental health and internet safety. Parents were able to ask questions and network with each other on common challenges.

March is Women’s History Month and to all of the women in our Sandersville community, THANK YOU for the many ways you positively impact others!

• The family survey will close this evening. This provides our school and district with great feedback. The survey should take no longer than 5 minutes. https://bit.ly/FCPSFS25

• The 2nd and 3rd grade leadership group is hosting a toy drive for the UK Children's Hospital. Please consider participating: The ages we are collecting for are birth to 18 years old. There is a list of suggested donations and also a list of things we are NOT allowed to donate. We are starting collections on March 12 and we are ending on April 18. We really appreciate you donating for the children. Toy Drive.pdf

• Be on the lookout for spring photo proofs. You will need to use the QR code on the paper that was sent home on Thursday, March 6th.

• We will take the Spring MAP test in mid-April. I will send the finalized dates soon.

• Please be on the lookout for Spring Conference dates and times from your student's teacher.

• In the spring, there are more opportunities for parent volunteers and field trips. If you plan to attend a field trip or volunteer in a classroom, please make sure to fill out the volunteer application below. There can be a 2-4 week turnaround time for approval.

• The first section of your student's planner contains our Sandersville Student & Family Handbook. It is filled with information that is helpful throughout the year.

• Please review the guidelines for student absences in the student code of conduct (beginning on page 29). A quick reminder: notes for absences must be in writing and submitted within three days.

• If you plan to leave the country for an extended period of time, please call the front office for clarifications on next steps.

2nd Week of March

Saturday, 3/8- Academic Challenge Competition Cardinal Valley

Monday, 3/10- Robotics 3:00-4:00, Stronger Connections 3:00-5:00

Wednesday, 3/12- Honors Chorus (5th Grade), Chess Club 3:00-4:00, Sharks on Stage 3:00-5:00 Cast A and B, Cooking Club 5th 3:00-4:00, Stronger Connections 3:00-5:00

Thursday, 3/13- EPIC E-Sports 3:00-4:00, LFUCG/FCPS Greendale School Meeting 6:00 pm (Library)

Friday, 3/14- Weather makeup day - School is in Session!

3rd Week of March

Monday, 3/17- Robotics 3:00-4:00, Stronger Connections 3:00-5:00

Wednesday, 3/19- Chess Club 3:00-4:00, Sharks on Stage 3:00-5:00 Cast A and B, Cooking Club 5th 3:00-4:00, Stronger Connections 3:00-5:00, PTA Meeting 6:00 PM (Library)

Thursday, 3/20- EPIC E-Sports 3:00-4:00,

Friday, 3/21- Quarter 3 Behavior Bash

4th Week of March

Monday, 3/24- Robotics 3:00-4:00, Stronger Connections 3:00-5:00

Tuesday, 3/25- SharkCast 3:00-4:00, SBDM 4:30 (Library), Pre-K Bike Safety Night 5:00 PM

Wednesday, 3/26- Quarter3 Report Cards sent home, Chess Club 3:00-4:00, Sharks on Stage 3:00-5:00 Cast A and B, Cooking Club 5th 3:00-4:00, Stronger Connections 3:00-5:00

Thursday, 3/27- 3rd Grade Field Trip (Kitchen, Master, Shelton), - EPIC E-Sports 3:00-4:00, Sharks on Stage 3:00-5:00 Cast A and B 3:00-5:00 PM

Friday, 3/28- School Smiles Dental Clinic, 3rd Grade Field Trip (Kendrick and Skeens)

PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) Updates:

Sandersville's PBIS includes routinely teaching expectations, providing opportunities for students to practice, and acknowledging student's for making positive choices. Our staff has submitted 515 positive student recognitions this year with our certificate system! We also support students with misbehaviors (discipline referrals). Our top resolutions for the misbehaviors this year are conferencing with the student, communicating with families, and reteaching expected behavior. Here is a snapshot of our discipline referrals through the end of February:

August/September- 38 Discipline Referrals

October- 29 Discipline Referrals

November- 11 Discipline Referrals

December- 7 Discipline Referrals

January- 4 Discipline Referrals

February- 12 Discipline Referrals

From our behavior data report for August through February, 98.27% of our students are responding to our Tier 1 Schoolwide PBIS supports, whereas 1.74% of our students are getting additional support at a tier 2 and tier 3 level.

To additionally support positive behavior each day, our staff teaches Social Emotional Learning (SEL) concepts using our Tier 1 curriculum, Caring School Community.

DESSA SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Screener-