Dear Bobcat Families:

Congratulations! Eden Park Elementary proudly maintained a “B” rating for 2023. Our success is a testament to the hard work of our students, staff, and families. Thank you for continuing to support your child and for your continued involvement in your child’s education.

As we conclude 2023, and take a break for the winter holiday, I want to take a moment to express my heartful gratitude to all who help make Eden Park Elementary an amazing place to be. We are a community of many gifts and talents, which we share daily with one another and with our students.

I hope you had the chance to attend the Immokalee Christmas Parade. This yearly tradition reminded me of how fortunate I am to be leading Eden Park Elementary and how strong our Immokalee community continues to be. I loved seeing all of our students at the parade. I believe that the faces of our students best express the true meaning of this holiday season. They radiate a sense of enthusiasm, joy, hope, and all good things that await them.

Please have a safe and joyous holiday season. Looking forward to seeing all of our Bobcats on January 2nd, 2024.

In partnership,

Mrs. Anderson, Principal

January 1- No school for staff and students

January 9- Bobcat Brilliancy Awards 8-9am (Invite Only)

January 12- Early Release Day

January 12- Semester 1 PBIS Celebration 8am

January 15-No school for students and teachers

January 16- No school for students- Teacher Planning Day

January 22- Report Cards go home

January 22-26: Scholastic Book Fair (Volunteers needed, contact Mrs. Carpenter.)

January 23- Winter Wonderland Night- 5:30-7 (Dinner served 5:30-6:00pm)

January 24- Early Release Day

January 26- Student Leadership Clubs 8am

January 11- 5th Grade Science Quarter 2 Benchmark Assessment

Hello Bobcat Families,

December is often known as a month full of celebrations. I know, however, that this is not always a joyful season for everyone. Some families are experiencing a loss, dealing with a big change, or are making sure to have enough for the month. Whatever the situation, I ask that you give an extra hug or smile. You never know how much that can mean to somebody.

Our families can practice encouraging each other all month! Here are some activities you can do at home with your children:

· Share Cookies: Leave a card (and perhaps a little treat) in your mailbox for the mail carrier.

· Say, “Thank you”: Make a challenge of saying, “thank you” anytime someone helps you with something – i.e. loading groceries, giving a receipt, or handing food to you.

· Do Something out of Routine: Instead of doing planned chores or other activities one day, learn a new skill, make cookies, or go on a family outing together.

· Encourage Sign Language: Practice learning and signing “encourage” with each other: https://www.facebook.com/ASLDeafinedMI/videos/encourage-asl/516470209146594/

· Donate Toys: Set the timer for 10 minutes. Have each person in your house go through their toys and choose a few to donate to the local thrift store.

Encouraging others can take a simple second. For our children, let’s model saying a kind word or sharing a smile with someone. Research shows that children learn by watching adults. Let’s show them how they can become leaders of encouragement!

Sincerely,

Kimberly Combes

School Counselor

Hello Bobcat Family,

On January 2nd, 2024, we will be changing our dismissal car line procedure. We will now use a “double line” dismissal procedure allowing us to load 12 cars at once, instead of 6.

What does this mean?

We will be using both left and right lanes for the first 6 vehicles, totaling 12 vehicles. All 12 vehicles will be loaded at the same time. All vehicles will remain stopped and parked until all 12 vehicles are loaded. This will ensure safety for all students. Once all students are loaded, vehicles will be released.

How can you help us?

No cell phones. Please focus on driving safely through car line. Be patient and aware of your surroundings. All students will be loaded on the passenger side of your vehicle, therefore, make sure that your student will be able to enter the passenger side of your vehicle and be properly seated. Students will not be permitted to enter the vehicle from the driver’s side. This will require students to pass through other vehicles which could limit drivers’ view of students entering the loading area. Follow the directions from school staff at all times.

What changed and why?

We are going from loading 6 cars at a time to loading 12 cars at a time in 2 lanes, instead of 1. Six cars in the right lane and six cars in the left will all be loaded at the same time.

The objective of this change is to load students quicker and decrease wait time in the car line. Additionally, this will alleviate Westclox Street traffic into the school parking lot. Thank You for understanding and support.

Eden Park Elementary is a Leader in Me school. We learn and use the 7 Habits throughout the day and in our lives.

Sharpening the saw means taking time for ourselves every day because it gives us the ability to do everything else. This habit aligns with the principle of renewal, continual improvement, and balance.

Identify your biggest gap in the four dimensions below. The dimension where you have the least amount of checkmarks would be your biggest gap and could be your priority for sharpening your saw.

WHEN

TUESDAY, January 23, 2024

WHERE

3650 WESTCLOX STREET

IMMOKALEE, FL

MORE INFORMATION

Join us in the media center to help make important decisions for our school’s improvement and increased student achievement.

In collaboration with Benison Center, we are excited to enter all community members who attend our SAC meeting into a raffle drawing. We look forward to seeing who will walk out of the meeting with a prize.

The January 23rd agenda can be found on our school website under About Us- School Advisory Council (SAC)

https://origin2.collierschools.com/app/Events/AAABH/participant/registration/NEW

All students will be issued and are required to wear a school ID and lanyard while at school. This is part of our school dress code. Students will use badges to sign on to their bus, check out library books, and go through the lunch line. Lost badges may be replaced in the front office for $2.00 cash.

School Board Policies 2266, 3362, and 5517 – Prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and/or gender identity), disability, or age in the provision of educational opportunities or employment opportunities and benefits. The District School Board does not discriminate on the basis of sex or disability in the education programs and activities that it operates, pursuant to the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

For additional information or to report Title IX or any other discrimination/harassment concerns, contact Ms. Valerie Wenrich, Chief Human Resources Officer/ Title IX Coordinator, at (239) 377-0351, wenriv@collierschools.com or at 5775 Osceola Trail, Naples, Florida 34109.