Monday, January 13th First Day of Quarter 3 

Tuesday, January 14th Events Committee Meeting 8 AM 

Tuesday, January 14th Board Meeting 6 PM 

Monday, January 20th No School/Martin Luther King Jr. Day 

Tuesday, January 21st Qtr 3 Clubs Start 

Wednesday, January 23 Mad Greens Fundraiser 

 

 

Specials for the first part of the quarter is PE>   

 

Kindness Week Information: 

 

Kindness Week is Monday, February 10th through Friday February 14th. A few things for you to know about:  

 

We do not exchange Valentines cards, candy, or treats at school. If your student arrives with Valentine’s cards, candy, or treats, they will be asked to put them back into their backpack to be taken home. 

Get your Kindness Day permission slip (virtually emailed to families) signed by Wednesday February 12th. Classes will be walking to different nearby businesses to deliver hand-made kindness cards to local businesses on Friday, February 14th. We do not need any chaperones for these trips.   

Be prepared to go rain or shine on Friday, February 14th (half day) – bring a warm jacket, gloves, beanies, etc. If needed because we will be walking outside.  

NEW this year – Kindness Week Food Drive! Let’s spread some kindness by collecting non-perishable food items for A Precious Child. The details:  

 

Bring non-perishable food items to your advocacy class from Monday, February 10th – Friday, February 14th.  

Last year in November we collected 1,100 non-perishable food items! Help us reach our goal of 1,500 this year!  

Monday, February 10th: Spice it up Monday - Dried herbs and spices  

 

Tuesday, February 11th: Pasta Tuesday - Dried pasta in boxes  

 

Wednesday, February 12th: Veggie Wednesday - Canned vegetables  

 

Thursday, February 13th: Toiletry Thursday - Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels  

 

Friday, February 14th: Fruit-filled Friday - Canned fruits  

 

  

 

In addition, there are different advocacy themes for each day aligned with the different love languages. Here’s a list of things that you can do to support your student’s learning at home.  

 

Monday, February 10th: Words of Affirmation  

 

Kindness Week Challenge #1 – Use kind words of affirmation with 3 or more other people you see today. It could be a family member, friend, teacher, grocery store worker, or anyone else. Set aside a few minutes daily where each person gives a positive word or phrase to another family member.  

 

Tuesday, February 11th: Quality Time  

 

Kindness Week Challenge #2 – Spend at least 30 minutes of quality time with yourself or someone you love today after school. Have a family game night, movie or show night, cook or bake something as a family, enjoy story time, crafts, exercise, or even some yard work together.  

 

Wednesday, February 12th: Acts of Service  

 

Kindness Week Challenge #3 – Do another act of service for someone when you get home! Cook a meal for the family, organize a shared space, help each other with chores, plan a relaxation evening, do a surprise improvement project, or care for a pet together.  

 

Thursday, February 13th: Gift Giving  

 

Kindness Week Challenge #4: Deliver the gift you made today in class to the person you made it for. Talk about how giving someone a gift made you feel. Dedicate an evening to creating homemade gifts for each other, create a family shared photo album, playlist, or video.   

 

Friday, February 14th: Kindness Day (Half Day) - various walking trips  

 

Kindness Week Challenge #5: Create a family “Compliment Jar”. Place a jar in a common area. Family members can write positive affirmations or compliments about each other on small pieces of paper and drop them in the jar. 

Advocacy Theme for January is Growth Mindset 

 

What is a Growth Mindset? A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's about embracing challenges, learning from criticism, and understanding that effort is the path to mastery.  

 

Skills Students Will Learn:   

 

Resilience  

 

Perseverance  

 

Adaptability  

 

Embracing Feedback  

 

Extending Growth Mindset to Personal Lives: It's essential to emphasize that the principles of a growth mindset extend beyond the classroom. Encourage your child to apply these concepts in their daily lives:  

 

Goal Setting: Help your child set realistic goals and work with them to develop a plan to achieve those goals. Celebrate progress along the way, reinforcing the idea that improvement comes with effort.  

 

Positive Self-Talk: Encourage your child to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind them that their abilities are not fixed and that they can improve with dedication and hard work.  

 

Embracing Challenges: Teach your child to see challenges as opportunities for growth. Encourage them to approach new experiences with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. 

December 18th Spirit Day at Your Pie 

December 20th 1st Grade Field Trip to CSU Spur 

Dec. 23rd – Jan. 10th Winter Break 

 

CSU Spur Field Trip: 

 

1st Grade will be going to CSU Spur this Friday, December 20th from 9:30-1:30 PM.  Please make sure your child has a sack lunch, water bottle, and comfy shoes for this field trip.   

 

1st and 2nd Grade Holiday Party:   

 

Our party is on Friday, December 20th from 1:15-2:15 PM.  For our 1-2 Pod Holiday party, please review the available slots below and sign up for snacks/drinks to bring.  

 

Please remember to send store-bought items with a nutrition label.  Items can be sent to school with your child anytime prior to our 1st & 2nd Grade Pod party. Make sure that all items are labeled 1-2 party before dropping them off. 

 

You can contact your child's advocacy teacher if you would like to volunteer for our party.  You must have a current background check on file in order to volunteer.  

 

We will contact volunteers who are selected to assist with the party.  

 

Thank you for helping us make our class party special! 

 

 

Advocacy Theme for December is Generosity.  

 

Students will define emotional generosity as the act of making others feel positive without expecting anything in return. 

 

Social and emotional skills are founded on self-awareness, emotions, and the connection between emotions, thoughts, and actions that we see in children. The ability for children to manage their emotions, thoughts, and actions (or behaviors) rests in perspective, impulse control, and self-awareness. As children develop, they begin to have empathy for others, and can build relationships.  

 

Fostering children’s feelings of gratitude encourages them to be thankful and appreciative for what they have and recognize that others may not have similar things. This realization is important in a child’s development of empathy, an important social emotional skill that is the foundation for teaching children the concepts of giving and generosity. 

 

 

Upcoming Dates and Announcements: 

 

Monday, October 28th Individual Picture Retakes 

Tuesday, October 29th Texas Roadhouse Spirit Night 

Thursday, October 31st Halloween Carnival and Class Parties 

 

Reminders: 

As we prepare for our exciting class parties, we wanted to share a few important guidelines to ensure a fun and safe experience for everyone. Please review the following information carefully: 

1. Volunteer Guidelines: 

• No young children or siblings may accompany volunteers during the team parties. We appreciate your understanding as we maintain a focused environment for our students. 

1. Costume Expectations for Adults and Students: 

• No Masks or Face Coverings are allowed. 

• No Full Face Paint is permitted. Partial face paint is allowed if students can apply it themselves in the time they have to get ready before class parties. Face paint may not be worn to school. 

• No Weapons or items that could be used as a weapon should be part of any costume. 

• No Inappropriate or Offensive Costumes. Please ensure all costumes fully cover the body. 

• Costume Guidelines for Students (K-8): 

• Students may NOT wear costumes to school. Costumes should be brought in backpacks and will remain there until students are allowed to change after lunch. 

• Students will be in regular classes during the morning, so costumes and their accessories should not be a distraction. 

1. Thank you for your cooperation in making these parties a fun and safe celebration for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. 

If you would like to donate to our 1-2 Pod Halloween Party use the link below: 

Classroom Party Sign Up Genius Link   

October Advocacy Focus: Using Your Voice & Bully Prevention 

 

This month, our focus is on using your voice and bully prevention. Everyone can share their voice to prevent bullying. Whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or community member. Some key things to think about.  

A focus on preventing bullying is important, as is promoting positive actions such as kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. 

Bullying affects witnesses as well as targets. Those who witness bullying often report feeling unsafe, helpless, and afraid that they will be the next target. 

Students who bully others can also be negatively affected by the behavior with higher rates of physical and emotional health issues. 

 

Bullying is not only devastating while it’s happening; research shows that the negative effects can last a lifetime. 

 

Students can be especially effective in bullying intervention. It’s important for adults to encourage youth to be supportive of anyone experiencing bullying and to educate youth on how to advocate for themselves and for others. 

 

Everyone’s actions matter; we all have a role to play in bullying prevention. Our message to others is stronger when we are united by the common principle that bullying is never acceptable. 

 

Dates and Announcements: 

Oct. 21-23 Trunk or Treat Candy Donation Gathering during both carlines 

Monday, Oct. 21 Events Committee Meeting 2:00 – 3:30 PM 

Friday, Oct. 25 Trunk or Treat 6:00-7:00 PM 

Reminders: 

• Extra Clothes: Due to a stomach bug going around we are asking that you put some extra clothes in your student’s bag for the time being. We will take the necessary steps to help your child while they are here and we appreciate your support with this matter. 

October Advocacy Focus: Using Your Voice & Bully Prevention 

This month, our focus is on using your voice and bully prevention. Everyone can share their voice to prevent bullying. Whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or community member. Some key things to think about.  

A focus on preventing bullying is important, as is promoting positive actions such as kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. 

Bullying affects witnesses as well as targets. Those who witness bullying often report feeling unsafe, helpless, and afraid that they will be the next target. 

Students who bully others can also be negatively affected by the behavior with higher rates of physical and emotional health issues. 

Bullying is not only devastating while it’s happening; research shows that the negative effects can last a lifetime. 

Students can be especially effective in bullying intervention. It’s important for adults to encourage youth to be supportive of anyone experiencing bullying and to educate youth on how to advocate for themselves and for others. 

Everyone’s actions matter; we all have a role to play in bullying prevention. Our message to others is stronger when we are united by the common principle that bullying is never acceptable. 

 

 

Reminders:

 

• Specials: Our Special is Music.

 

• 1^st and 2^nd Grade Parent Engagement Night
  • No students, please. 
  • Parents and Guardians of 1^st and 2^nd grade students only.
  • This is an opportunity for you to connect with and get to know other Parents & Guardians.
  • Come for merriment and connections!

 

• Extra Clothes: Due to a stomach bug going around we are asking that you put some extra clothes in your student’s bag for the time being. We will take the necessary steps to help your child while they are here and we appreciate your support with this matter.

 

My name is Mrs. Koenig and I am your child’s Advocacy Teacher/ Advocate. Advocacy is more than just Homeroom. Advocacy classes are first and foremost a time for students to build supportive relationships with their peers and with an adult they can trust, as well as learn about social and emotional health. It is a time for everyone to feel recognized and welcomed into the classroom and school community.

 

 

We will be teaching students what these 4 words mean—focusing on a different part of RISE each week—and what it looks like to live these values out during school and at home. We will use RISE all year to celebrate positive behaviors.  

I am excited for the school year and am looking forward to working with you and your child to help them grow!