Calendar

• Tuesday - Thursday 1/6-1/8 - Hearing/Vision Screenings 
• Thursday, January 8th - PTO Meeting @ Franklin 3:15 pm 
• Tuesday, January 13th - Report cards go home 
• Tuesday, January 13th - 5th Grade Band/Orchestra Instrument Try It Outs during specials
• Thursday, January 15th - 5th Grade Band/Orchestra Parent Meeting (information below)
• Monday, January 19th - MLK Day - No School 
• Wednesday, January 21st - Band/Orchestra Registration Deadline
• Thursday, January 22nd - TechGyrls Begins 

PLC Wednesday Dismissal will continue with 3-5 dismissing at 1:55 pm. This will take place every Wednesday, unless it is a District Half-Day, in which case we will dismiss at 11:25 a.m.

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Dear Families,

Happy New Year! It has been wonderful seeing our students return with such energy and enthusiasm this week. As we kick off the second half of the school year, here are a few quick updates:

Winter Reminders

Bundle Up: We go outside for recess whenever possible. Please send labeled coats, hats, and gloves.

Safety: On snowy mornings, please prioritize a safe commute over arriving on time.

Health: To keep our community healthy, please keep students home if they have a fever.

Help your child "reset" this month by re-establishing consistent sleep routines, setting one specific spring goal, and making time for daily reading.

We are so excited for the months ahead. Thank you for your continued partnership!

Emily Stephenitch
Principal

When dropping off your student in the back, please do not stop in the alley. We want to keep traffic moving! Thank you for your help! 

All 5th grade students will attend a presentation for Band/Orchestra involvement on January 8th during their specials time. The following week, students will try out each instrument family to determine if they have an interest or preference. On Thursday, January 15th, there will be parent meetings at CMS at 4:00 or 6:30. You only need to attend one information session. The registration deadline for beginning band/orchestra is Wednesday, January 21st. 

As we move further into the winter season, we want to ensure our students are prepared for any shift to e-learning. To avoid making up snow days at the end of the year—which is critical given our scheduled construction projects—we need your help making nightly iPad charging a consistent habit. 

                                                                 Troubleshooting "Not Charging" Issues

We understand some families are experiencing technical difficulties. Our Technology Department has identified a few common causes and solutions:

Check the Case Connection: Many iPads show a “Not Charging” message because the plug built into the protective case isn't fully seated in the iPad. Ensure the connection is firm.

Charging Directly: While Apple-certified chargers are recommended, you may carefully unplug the case adapter and plug your charger directly into the iPad.

Important Note: Please handle this with extreme care. The cases are not covered by insurance; damage to the case will result in a $99 fine.

                                                                         How to Hard Reset Your iPad

If your iPad is unresponsive or won't start charging, a hard reset often fixes the issue. (For 10th Generation iPads with no Home button):

- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.

- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.

-Press and hold the Top Power Button until the Apple logo appears. (This will not erase any of your students' data.)

In the event the district uses an E-Learning day, please refer to the graphic below for our schedule and attendance during those days. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out! For more information about E-Learning, please review the parent letter or the District E-Learning Plan. 

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

By this point in the year, students have learned how to manage their emotions and show empathy. Unit 4 teaches them how to apply those skills to resolve conflicts with friends and classmates.

                                                          The "STEP" Process

The core of Unit 4 is teaching children a specific, four-step framework to handle disagreements or challenges. Most elementary grades use the STEP acronym:

S: Say the problem. Children learn to describe the issue without using "blame words" (e.g., instead of saying "He stole my toy," they are taught to say "We both want to play with the same toy").

T: Think of solutions. They brainstorm several safe, respectful ways to solve the problem.

E: Explore consequences. They think about what might happen for each solution. "If I do X, how will my friend feel? Will it work?"

P: Pick the best solution. They choose the option that works best for everyone involved.

                                                   How You Can Support at Home

You can help reinforce these lessons by using the same language the teachers use in the classroom:

Use the "S" word: When your child is upset about a conflict, ask them: "Can you Say the problem without blaming anyone?"

Avoid solving it for them: When they come to you with a problem, try asking, "What are some solutions you can Think of?" before offering your own advice.

Role-play: If they are nervous about a social situation (like asking to join a game), practice the "P" (Pick the best solution) by acting it out with them in the living room.

Parent Tip: The goal of this unit isn't just to stop fights; it’s to build your child's confidence in their own ability to navigate the world without needing an adult to intervene every time.

• Students with a fever of 100.0 degrees or greater will be excluded from school until they are 24 hours fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen.

• A doctor’s note or clearance from the school nurse may be required before a student's return if the student missed three or more consecutive days.

• Students with vomiting or diarrhea will be excluded from school until 24 hours after symptoms resolve, without medication.

Daily Schedule

(Mon., Tues., Thurs., and Fri.)

• 7:40 am School Doors Open

• 7:55 am Classroom Doors Open/End of Breakfast

• 8:05 am Tardy Bell Rings

• 11:25 am Lunches Begin

• 2:45 pm Dismissal

Wednesday PLC Schedule

• 7:40 am School Doors Open

• 7:55 am Classroom Doors Open/End of Breakfast Line Bell

• 8:05 am Tardy Bell Rings

• 11:25 am Lunch Begin

• 1:55 pm Dismissal

Morning Procedures:

Run Club: Begins at 7:15 and ends at 7:55. Students can participate anytime during this time frame.

Breakfast: Begins at 7:40 and ends at 7:55

Hallway: Students wait by their lockers until 7:55, when they go into their classrooms.

Tardy Bell: Students are considered late at 8:05.

After School Procedures

Bus Dismissal: 2:40 pm and leaves by 2:50 pm

Walker/Car Dismissal: 2:45 pm

*At 3:00 pm, students will be brought to the front of the building due to no supervision on the playground.

*Students should not be on the playground without adult/parental supervision after school hours.

estephenitch@sps5.org

esester@sps5.org