The Blackhawk Flyer

January 2024

Principal's Corner

Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed your winter break. I know we were all ready to get back and see our kiddos. If you haven't had the opportunity to see our presentation with the junior high regarding our work with Visible Learning, you can view it on the Pea Ridge School District Facebook page by clicking on the December board meeting link. We are working hard with our learning intentions and success criteria. Ask your child at home about them! I want to take this time at the beginning of the new semester to remind you of some of our procedures and policies.

Transportation changes end at 3:00.
Student check out ends at 3:00.
Students may only be picked up as a walker if you have a walker tag. We are continuing to experience a problem with parents parking at the facility and walking up. This is interfering with our busses. Please refrain from this practice if you are currently doing it.
Doctor notes must be turned no later than 5 days after the absence to be excused as a medical absence.
There are 9 allotted food days that we are allowed to give students outside food (cupcakes, donuts, cookies etc). We will communicate food days to our families ahead of time.

January Events:

1/19-Clubs (during the day)
1/22-26-MAP testing
1/26-100th Day
2/1-Blackhawk Bash-Wear Red

Sincerely,

Darah Bennett

MAP Testing

We will be MAP testing January 22-26th. This is our state assessment for kindergarten through second and provides us with essential data to guide our instruction. Please make sure to have your child at school these days. Students always perform better when they are not pulled out for a make-up test. Here is our schedule for the week of the 22nd.

Monday, January 22nd-1/2nd Grade Literacy

Tuesday, January 23rd-1/2nd Grade Math

Wednesday, January 24th-Kindergarten Literacy

Thursday, January 25th-Kindergarten Math

We will begin promptly at 8:00 am. If your child comes in late, they will have to wait in the office until their class is finished testing. They will take their test in a make-up session.

Book Nook with Mrs. Hamilton

It is almost time to begin our 3rd One Book, One School book selection! This year we are

partnering with PR Intermediate School to read Newbery Award winning The Tale of

Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. This year marks the 20 th anniversary of this fairy tale of a small

mouse on a quest for love and honor! Be on the lookout for the announcement letter Friday,

January 19 th . Books and pacing guide bookmarks will go home on Monday, January 22 nd . We will

conclude our reading with TWO family literacy nights during our Parent/Teacher conferences on

February 27 & 29. I just LOVE the excitement reading a good book together brings to our school

and community!

Nurse Notes-Nurse Rhonda

Thank you all for the donations that have been sent.The Pea Ridge Community is always ready to meet the needs of the children and families and I am so thankful for all of you.

Please make sure your child is dressed warm for this cold weather as they will be going outside to play. There are already coats in the lost and found. Please write your child’s name on the inside of their coat/jacket so that we are able to get it back to them if they lose it.

We are still needing sweatpants of all sizes, new or gently used coats, socks, hats and gloves and as always healthy snacks and waters.

We have been seeing some cases of the stomach bug, pink eye, flu, strep throat and covid. Remember to encourage your child to wash their hands!

When bringing in medications/refills for your child, please make sure their medication is in the original prescription bottle. I have been told the pharmacy does not want to give an extra prescription bottle for school for controlled meds. If I can help with this, Please have them call me @ 479-451-8183 to verify.

Please continue to send water bottles with your child and encourage them to stay hydrated.

For Covid Students who test positive may return to school as indicated on the Medical return to school note and they must be fever free without medication for 24 hours. Any absence that may exceed 3 days, medical documentation is strongly encouraged.

For vomiting and diarrhea, the same 24 hour rule applies.

I hope you and your family had a Happy New Year,

From Nurse Rhonda

Counselor's Corner-Ms. Brodie

Hello Primary Families!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday break. As much as I enjoyed the time off, I am so happy to see everyone's smiling faces back at school! I am spending this month focusing on conflict resolution. In Kindergarten, we will read "A Bug and a Wish" and learn the importance of using our words when someone does something we don't like. In 1st and 2nd grade, we will learn about "Kelso's Choices for Conflict Management." This resource teaches the difference between big and small problems, and teaches different strategies to solve conflicts with others.

Thank you for continued support for the Primary! Please continue to reach out if you have any questions for concerns.

Ms. Brodie