NEWSLETTER

February 2017

February is the month of love! Here are 5 tips to help your student love learning

If it seems like your child asks you “Why?” all of the time, there’s a good reason. At this age learning comes naturally. Kids are

excited and curious to know how the world works and why things are the way they are. As a parent, the best thing you can do is to

answer their questions and give them the right words of encouragement.

1. Point to the positive

You are watching your daughter jump rope, and she gets through three turns before stepping on the rope. To

encourage her to keep trying:

Instead of saying: “You keep missing because you aren’t jumping high enough.”

Try this: “Wow! You got three jumps! Want to see if you can do four now?”

2. Let learning be the reward

To get your kindergartener to read more books, you do not need to offer a reward. Reading—whether it’s you reading to

your child or your child reading on her own—is exciting for kids who are just learning. When you sit down to read with

your son:

Instead of saying: “If you let me read this book to you, I’ll give you a cookie.”

Try this: “Let’s read this book together. I think you’ll like it since it’s about astronauts. If you like this

one, maybe we can find another book about outer space.”

3. Share your world

Your child wants to know what you think about all the things she’s seeing, hearing, and learning. If she asks, “What

is that TV show you’re watching?”

Instead of saying: “Oh, you wouldn’t understand it.”

Try this: “It’s the story of some people who came to this country a long time ago.” (Or another simple

way to explain the plot.) If your child asks more questions, give her even more details.

4. Put it in perspective

If your son is having a hard time reading a book and wants to quit:

Instead of saying: “I know reading can be hard, but you just have to do it. Your teacher said so.”

Try this: “Sometimes reading a book can be hard because we don’t know all of the words. Let’s read it

together. Show me the words you don’t understand, and I’ll tell you what they mean.”

5. Let them do the asking

If your child is asking you questions you do not know the answer to:

Instead of saying: “I don’t know. You’re driving me crazy with all your questions.”

Try this: “I’m not really sure. Why do you think our toes and fingers get wrinkled in the bathtub?”

(Hint: Google is a parent’s best friend for finding an answer to almost any question.)

Mesa Elementary

From Your Principal

Mesa’s Vision Statement: “At Mesa Elementary we will collaborate with families

to foster strong relationships within the greater

community. Our efforts will focus on delivering a

rigorous, standards-based, data driven curriculum to

ensure the academic success of all students. Our staff

will seek out professional growth opportunities

enhancing our knowledge of best practices. We will

create a positive, supportive, nurturing learning

environment leading to the development of respectful,

responsible and resourceful students.”

In This Issue:

From Your Principal

Students of the Month

Happenings at Mesa

District Events

Calendar Of Events

Saturday, February 4

Parenting With Love and Logic

9:00 a.m.—3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 14

Valentine’s Day

Wednesday, February 15

3rd Grade Music Field Trip

8:30 a.m.—11:15 a.m.

Thursday, February 16

Parent Teacher Conferences

NO SCHOOL

Friday, February 17

Staff Development Day

NO SCHOOL

Monday, February 20

President’s Day

NO SCHOOL

Thursday, February 23

Elevating Wellness Art Exhibition

4:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, February 28

Mardi Gras

Dress for the Weather

Break out the coats! The weather is changing, which means it is time to start layering up on clothes. Cafeteria doors will

not be unlocked until 6:55 a.m. If you drop your students off earlier than this time they will be waiting outside until the

door is unlocked. Please make sure you label your student’s jackets, gloves, and hats.

Wednesday, February 15th the entire 3rd grade is going to the Pikes

Peak Center with their recorders to play with

students from other schools in “The Orchestra

Rocks”, a performance with the Colorado

Springs Philharmonic. It is a program designed

by Carnegie Hall.

Ms. Rudin

February has always been one of my favorite months. I like that there are an

unusual number of days in February. I like that we have a special day to

celebrate those that we love. I like the snow

and I like that the days are getting longer. This

month we will be talking about how we

express ourselves with friends and loved

ones. Guidance will focus on thinking of

others and choosing kind and appropriate

words with our friends.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Gregor

Counseling Corner

From your Music Teacher

Elevating Wellness Art Exhibition

This event is a celebration and awareness campaign about the

importance of understanding mental health and wellness.

When: Thursday February 23, 2017

Location: Fountain-Fort Carson High School Cafeteria

900 Jimmy Camp Road, Fountain

Time: 4:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m.

Dinner Included

Join us for an evening of fun through fitness, music, art, activities, and

more! Community organizations will be available for resources. All

students are encouraged to attend with their families. Please contact Karen Jensen with any questions (719)360-0043 or kjensen@ffc8.org

DON’T FORGET

- Battle of the Books Friday

2:25 p.m.—3:15 p.m.

- 1st-2nd Grade Math Club:

Thursday 2:25—3:30 p.m.

-3rd-5th Grade Math Club:

Tuesday 2:25—3:30 p.m.

- Choir Tuesday

2:30 p.m.—3:30 p.m.

Attitude Kindergarten Aquino Leilani Mack

Berhost Evelyn Gutierrez

Diaz Cayden Jensen

Whitson Eastyn Stowe

1st Grade Bannon Taylor Laskaris

Bonwell

Petermeier Lily Cheuvront

Price Alyssa Moreland

2nd Grade Glackman Chase Schneider

Kleinheksel Noah Monaco

Proper Amayah James

3rd Grade Hough Dainen Argyle

Przytulski Veronica Sanchez

Study Ava Turner

4th Grade Haley

Smith

Wood Jaime Garcia-Torres

5th Grade Brooks Corbin Stowe

Jenkins Julianna Barragan

Pich Kadin Phillips

SSN Garcia

Specials McGowan

Rudin

Sabala

Young

December

Students of the Month

Mesa Students of the Month are chosen by staff as exemplary

students who exhibit MESA Elementary’s GREAT traits:

G ood Choices

R espect

E ffort

A ttitude

T hinking

CONGRATULATIONS STUDENTS!

We are proud of you!

Next month we will be looking for students who are showing Thinking

Thinking Kindergarten Aquino Kyleigh Ribaudo

Berhost Anthony Weaver

Diaz Avianna Hernandez

Whitson Sophia Posley

1st Grade Bannon Elias Govea

Bonwell Leilani Collado

Petermeier Ethan Whitmer

Price Dade Troost

2nd Grade Glackman Mackenzie Riley

Kleinheksel Mia Moyer

Proper Aiden Grove

3rd Grade Hough Derell Denson

Przytulski Sophia Volpe

Study Adrian Barragan

4th Grade Haley Brayden Bachiller

Smith Jacob Giles-Johnson

Wood Sebastian Noguera

5th Grade Brooks Christopher Monaco

Jenkins Oz Schneider

Pich Abby Hernandez

SSN Garcia

Specials McGowan

Rudin

Sabala

Young

January

Students of the Month

Mesa Students of the Month are chosen by staff as exemplary

students who exhibit MESA Elementary’s GREAT traits:

G ood Choices

R espect

E ffort

A ttitude

T hinking

CONGRATULATIONS STUDENTS!

We are proud of you!

Next month we will be looking for students who are showing Good Choices

Please visit Mesa’s website

www.ffc8.org/Mesa

for the latest Mesa news and information!

5

Box Top$ for Education

Keep a lookout

for these

On specially

marked boxes!

Clip more to earn more!

Keep the box tops coming!

It’s an easy way to help earn

money for your school.

ATTENTION, PARENTS OF ELEMENTARY-AGE STUDENTS! Fountain-Fort Carson School District Office of Student Support Services Presents

Parenting with Love and Logic A Parent Training Program Designed by the Love and Logic Institute, Inc.

This course is designed to give you practical parenting skills.

This parenting program is designed to give you practical skills that can be used

immediately!

Get answers to:

“How do I get them out of bed in time to catch the school bus?”

“How can I stop my children from bickering and fighting?”

“How do I get my children to help with the chores without and argument?”

“Is there a way to discipline my toddler in public without creating a scene?”

“How do I get him to stop spitting his peas and whining at dinner?”

This is a ONE DAY TRAINING

Saturday, February 4, 2017

9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Location: Fountain Middle School

COST: FREE!

FREE CHILDCARE AND LUNCH ARE PROVIDED Limited space available!

To register, contact Jennifer Jones at (719)382-1580 or jenniferjones@ffc8.org

Book Fair is Coming to Mesa!

Mesa is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair

In the Mesa Library Monday, February 13th 8:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, February 14th 8:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 15th 8:00 a.m.—5 p.m.

Thursday, February 16th 9:00 a.m.—6:30 p.m.

This is a great time to purchase books for gifts… both for students and teachers.

Students will have a chance to visit the

book fair during the school day and again

after school. Teachers will create wish

lists for the classroom, if you wish to buy

a book for the classroom library. This is a

great way to make more books available

to all students and say thank you to a

teacher at the same time!

See you there!

P.I.T. Crew Meeting

Parents & Volunteers

You are invited to attend the next P.I.T. Crew Meeting (Volunteer

Group.) The P.I.T. Crew stands for

“Parents Interacting Together”

February 6, 2017

2:30 p.m. in the Music Room

Please join us as we discuss the many volunteer opportunities

in our school! Parenting With Love and Logic

Mesa’s Student Leadership will be having a coat drive!

February 1st to February 10th

We are asking for donations of gently used coats, gloves and scarves for

children of all ages. We will be distributing the coats first to Mesa student’s

who may need them, the remainder will be given to a local charity for children.

Thank you in advance for your donations.

Thank you to all who came out for Mesa’s 3rd Annual A.R. Family Reading Night and Chili Cook

Off! Despite the snowy weather and icy roads we had a wonderful turn out. Every class

entered a delicious pot of chili which made it very difficult for everyone to pick their favorite.

After counting the votes the winners are:

3rd Place: #20 Nessie’s Veggie Supreme submitted by Mrs. Petermeier’s class

2nd Place: #1 Easy Crockpot Chili submitted by Mrs. Glackman’s class

1st Place: #33 Bean Venison Chili submitted by Ms. Study’s class

Congratulations!!!

Chili Cook Off Results

Mesa Coat Drive

When picking up on Camino Del Rey, Corte Amino, or Monterey Way please be courteous and DO NOT BLOCK

ANY OF THE NEIGHBORING RESIDENT’S DRIVEWAYS. Thank you!

1st grade: Strategies for growing comprehension skills in early readers

February is a great month to participate in a variety of reading and writing activities with your child/children.

1. The newspaper is a treasure of reading and writing skills!

A. Younger children can read and highlight high frequency words.

B. Older students can identify and highlight topic sentences, vocabulary, main idea, details, etc.

2. Have family time by creating a family newspaper!

A. Have each member write a section of the newspaper.

B. Be creative with the sections.

C. Have younger children illustrate.

3. February is a month of fun and love!

A. Read and write poems.

B. Write Valentine poems to family members and friends.

C. Write sentences or stories with words and phrases from candy hearts.

Enjoy your reading and writing adventures!!

Mrs. Byerly and Miss Katie

From your Title I Interventionists

Thursday, February 16, 2017—Friday, February 17, 2017 Prepare questions in advance. What groups has my child been assigned to? Is my child finishing

the work assigned in class? The most important question of all is “How can I help my child at

home?”

Let the teacher know if there is a particular topic you want to discuss. If you want to talk about

your child’s progress in reading, let the teacher know. He’ll be able to have test scores,

textbooks, and other material on hand to aid your discussion.

Be specific. Bring with you any work that is of concern. Describe clearly any situation in the

classroom that make your child uneasy. Ask the teacher to describe your child’s strengths and

weaknesses. Ask to see your child’s work.

Exchange information. Let the teacher know about any situation at home that may affect your

child’s school work, such as a death in the family, a new baby, or a change in daycare

arrangements.

Take notes. Your conference may result in several actions for both you and the teacher. Taking

notes will help you remember what was discussed and what was agreed upon.

Start with a positive attitude. Don’t waste valuable conference time by focusing on the negative.

You and the teachers are a team. Positive comments such as “How can we solve this problem

working together?” will be the first step in coming up with good solutions.

Support yourself. If you are not confident about your communication skills, bring someone to

help. If your understanding of English worried you, bring a friend to translate.

Discuss the whole child. Your child’s social and emotional development is as important with

other children and willingness to participate in class discussions.

Allow enough time. Take time to do the task well. That may mean freeing up your schedule by

taking vacation to attend the conference.

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If plans change on how your student will be going

home, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE TO LET THEM KNOW AS

SOON AS POSSIBLE. This way they can contact the

teacher. If your student rides the bus, the office also

needs to let the staff members who walk the students

to the bus know. Also, if you have any phone messages

for your student please try to call the office BEFORE

2:00 p.m. so we have time to get the message to them.

Thank you!

Office Phone Number:

(719)382-1370

Change of Plans

2 Hour Delays & School Closures

The weather in Colorado can vary widely from day to day and through parts of the Colorado Springs region.

District .8. monitors the weather closely in an attempt to provide safe access to schools for students, parents

and staff. We do want to make parents and students aware of the fact that the district has the option of either a

school closure or a two-hour late start.

School Closures and two-hour late starts will be broadcast via local television and radio stations, the district

web-site and the Flash Alert Emergency Notification System.

Please be aware that announcements for closures and late-starts will list as: Fountain-Ft. Carson District .8.

This differentiates the school district from any closures that may occur on Fort CARSON.

A two-hour late start will mean the following:

1. ALL bus pick-up times will be moved back TWO HOURS.

(Therefore, a normal pick-up time of 7:00am would become 9:00 am.)

2. No breakfast will be served.

If our students are already at school and a storm should develop, there may be an early closure. This will also be

announced. PLEASE ensure the office has correct and current contact information for such an emergency.

To sign up for the Flash Alert Notification system, please go to: www.flashalert.net

Click the Colorado Springs icon—Click on School Districts—Click on Fountain-Ft. Carson Dist. 8

If you are sharing housing because of job

loss, domestic violence, family conflict or

similar reasons, your children may be

eligible for educational supports and

services such as free school meals, school

supplies, waiving of fees, transportation,

etc….

For more information, please call

Promis Bruno at (719)492-8810

or

pbruno@ffc8.org

Housing Crisis

Colorado weather is very changeable!

If you see the red flag flying in front of

the school and the RED FLAG DAY note

has been posted in the foyer, this means

that there is inclement weather and

your student should head to the

cafeteria upon arrival at school.

They will be released from the cafeteria

directly to their classroom.

Red Flag Days

REMINDER:

Please DO NOT drop off students until 7:15 a.m. unless they are going to the Cafeteria to eat breakfast.

There will be no supervision until 7:15 a.m. on the playgrounds.