January 7, 2022   *   Edition 10

Dear PTE Families,

Happy New Year! I was so excited to see the students this week after a wonderful break with family and friends. I hope you had a great time with your children. They promised me they would read every day, so I’m hoping they shared that experience with you!

We were so lucky to have great weather during the first semester, but we know that is not going to last forever in Indiana! Therefore, please ensure that your child has the proper clothing for recess. All students go outside as long as the weather is at least 20 degrees, factoring in wind chill. Students must be dressed appropriately for the weather which includes a winter coat, gloves, and hat/hood. If we have snow on the ground and students choose to play in it, then they must have the following winter gear: winter coat, gloves, hat/hood, snow pants, and snow boots to change into. Based on our lost and found situation in the first semester, I also highly encourage you to label all of your student’s gear, so we can return it quickly to your child if necessary. Thanks in advance for having your child prepared!

As you know, safety is my top priority with our students. We must work together to ensure that our students are safe before and after school as well as during the day. Please drive slowly in our neighborhoods before and after school and pay close attention to our students who are walking and/or on bikes. Also, remember to stop for all buses as they stop to pick up students. Cars are not allowed to go around the bus when the STOP arm is out. Warning lights flash first, and that is your signal that a bus is going to make a stop. Please wait patiently for the bus stops, so all students are safe.

Here are some important events coming up in the next few weeks:

• Report cards will be emailed to families on Jan. 10th.
• NWEA assessment window is from Jan. 10th - Feb. 2nd. Students will take the math and literacy assessment in their classrooms during this timeframe.
• There is a late start on Jan. 12th. If your child is coming to school before 8:00 AM, then they need to be registered for ESE.
• No school on Jan. 17th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

This month we are working on Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood. Our students are working on listening before we talk, so we can hear all perspectives. This is a great habit that can be incorporated into life at home too! We are better together!

I can’t believe it, but Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. As you are preparing with your children, they might be excited to see all of the valentines with candy and extra goodies. We know these are fun, but we don’t want to overload the students with extra sugar. Please refrain from purchasing the cards that come with the additional candy as the students will not be able to pass those out. Thank you in advance. This might make the card shopping a little more easier for you too!

Thanks for all you do to make PTE a great place! I love you and your kids!

Mrs. Piper