February 23, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Wonderful PTE Families,

As we embrace the month of February, I am excited to connect with you all and share some important insights and strategies that will contribute to the success and well-being of our students. At our school, we are committed to fostering a culture of care, where every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Next week, Carmel Clay Schools will take part in Culture of Care week. Each day, we will celebrate our talents and unique attributes we bring to our school. We will celebrate each day with a special spirit day:

• Monday:  It’s COOL to be Me!  Wear something to express your unique self.

• Tuesday:  Yeti or Not, Here I come!  Wear bright colors to represent your bright future or dress as your future career. Mayor Finkam is even coming to PTE to help us celebrate our bright futures!  

• Wednesday: Snow time for negativity! Wear white to white out negative thoughts. 

• Thursday:  It’s ICE to be a Prairie Trace Hawk! Wear school spirit wear/grade level shirts! We will also have a leadership convocation!

• Friday: Carmel Culture of Care: The Best is Yeti to Come! Wear blue and gold to support the community of Carmel!  

At the heart of our school community is a deep commitment to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student feels safe, respected, and supported. We believe that when students feel a sense of belonging and connection, they are better able to engage in learning and reach their full potential. As partners in this journey, your ongoing support and involvement play a crucial role in nurturing this culture of care.  As we celebrate the culture of care at school, we will be focusing on having a growth mindset. Think about ways you can work on this at home with your child too. They may not be able to do it yet, but they will at some point with practice and patience!  

IREAD 3 is coming up for our third grade students! I was honored to go to the State House last week to accept an award for our IREAD 3 achievements last year as over 95% of our current 4th graders passed the assessment last year. The state’s goal is to have over 95% passing.   Effective test-taking skills are essential for academic success, and we want to empower our students with the tools and strategies they need to excel. Our students have been working hard on the essential standards here at school.  Here are some simple, yet effective test-taking strategies that you can reinforce at home:

• Encourage Preparation: Help your child establish a consistent homework routine and create a designated study space free from distractions. Read to them or have them read to you. Practice their math facts with them.  

• Teach Time Management: Encourage your child to pace themselves during tests and allocate time wisely to ensure they have ample opportunity to answer all questions.

• Promote Positive Self-Talk: Encourage your child to adopt a positive mindset and remind them that their worth is not defined by their test scores. Encourage them to focus on their efforts and progress.

• Model Stress Management: Model healthy coping mechanisms for managing stress and anxiety, such as deep breathing exercises or taking short breaks during study sessions.

• Celebrate Effort: Celebrate your child's hard work and effort, regardless of the outcome. Emphasize the importance of learning and growth over perfection.

As we approach the end of the grading period, our teachers are diligently preparing report cards to provide you with valuable insights into your child's progress and achievements. This is also a time for reflection and goal-setting as we work together to support your child's continued growth and development. I encourage you to review your child's report card together, celebrate their accomplishments, and identify areas where they may need additional support.

As your principal, I am committed to fostering a school culture where every student feels empowered to reach their full potential. I am here to support you and your child every step of the way, and I welcome your feedback and insights as we work together to create a positive and enriching learning environment for all. Insight is our skill for success we are celebrating this month, and I value your insight as well. Reach out if you need anything or ever want to share new ideas!  

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in your child's education. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students.

Warm Regards,

Kim Piper 
Prairie Trace Elementary School Principal