May 2018 Edition
Mrs. Peggy Griebenow, Principal 115 Upper Glenway/PO Box 10 Palmer Lake, CO Phone: 719-488-4760
Special Points of
Interest:
Principal’s Message
May Events
Back to School Dates
2017-2018
PTO News
5th Grade News
Social Worker , Music
& Library
Kindergarten, 1st
Grade, & 3rd Grade
News
EL & 6th Grade News
A Note from the Nurse
PANTHER PANTHER
PRIDEPRIDE We believe in local, national, and global stewardship to We believe in local, national, and global stewardship to
create strong citizens who will secure a better world. This create strong citizens who will secure a better world. This
is why we educate. is why we educate.
Once a Panther
always a Panther...
Principal’s Message
Dear Palmer Lake Families,
As a “seasoned” educator, I am always mildly surprised when this time of year rolls around. May? Really? This year is no different - in a blink of an eye, we are closing out another year.
Parents, if you are wondering how to prevent “summer lag” in your child’s reading, writing and math skills below are just a few simple ideas of how to connect school and summer:
Take family field trips to the library, museums, the zoo, points-of-interest.
Have your child read every day - just for 15-30 minutes. Celebrate suc-cess with a sticker chart.
Find and do math in cooking, traveling, and the great outdoors.
Have your child journal, keep a diary of their daily or weekly activities.
In a few short days, our classrooms and halls will empty as students begin their summer vacation. Our custodial and maintenance crews will kick into high gear to thoroughly clean our building and spruce up some spots in and around the build-ing.
I wish you all a wonderful and relaxing summer. It has been a privilege to work alongside an amazing staff and community of parents.
~ Peggy Griebenow, Principal
LOST & FOUND
LAST CHANCE.. Please take some time to look through our lost and found items outside of our cafeteria. All unclaimed items will be donated at the end of the school year. Thank you!!
May 2018
JULY 4th Fun Run
Remember this is our biggest fund raiser!!!
Volunteers Needed For
Getting Sponsors
Getting Food donated for end of race
Helping with Race Set up
Working at Packet Pick-up
Working at Race on Race Day
Please Contact Lindsey Lieker @ [email protected] for more information or to Sign –up!
BACK TO SCHOOL DATES FOR 2018-2019
Aug.1st - Office Opens
Aug. 20th - PLECC Popsicle Pop - in 1:00-2:00
Aug. 20th - PLES Popsicle Pop - in 2:00-3:00
Aug. 21st - First Day of School
Aug. 24th - Assessment Day
Aug. 28th - Back to School Night
Aug. 31st - PLC Day, No School
Sept. 3rd - Labor Day, No School
Events in May
May 4th - Popcorn Friday May 8th - Postal Field Trip May 11th - Writers Conference May 14th - Red Cross Pillowcase Project 4th Grade May 15th - Hawk Quest K-3 9:00-10:00 4-6 10:15-11:15 May 16th - 1st Grade Field Trip– Cheyenne Mtn. Zoo May 17th - Award Ceremony K-3 9:00-9:45 4-6 10:00-10:45 May 18th -6th Grade Promotion - 9:15-10:45 May 19th -Last Day of School for Students May 24rd - Report Cards Mailed home
We wish to thank the out going PTO Board for their hard work this year and welcome the new PTO Board for the 2018-2019 school year!
New PTO Board: Sheri Parks- President
Holly Longenbach- Vice President Sarah Hedrick - Secretary
Carrie Coates & Dana Schaefer- Treasurer
Teacher Rep. - Lori-Ann McConnell Fundraiser- Carly McAdams
May 2018
5th Grade News
Forty-two 5th graders, 5 teachers, and 12 Palmer Ridge High School counselors enjoyed the warm
sunshine, great food, and the four story treehouse at High Trails on April 11-13. Great fun was
had by all as we hiked, played, danced, and learned more about the outdoors and working togeth-
er. Many students had only positive comments about the delicious food, the interesting stations at
the Interbarn, the wild and crazy Hoedown, the s’mores, and even a beautiful early morning
hike. Overall, our visit to the Colorado Outdoor Education Center was a memorable and bonding
experience.
The 5th graders also enjoyed a “chilly” geology field trip to the Garden of the Gods on April
24th. The hands-on experience was informative and interesting. You now have a Junior Ranger to
help you tour the city park.
Busy Days Ahead
Students are done presenting their ancestors projects, which have been wonderfully informative
and interesting. We receive so many positive comments from the staff when they are posted in the
hallways. The month of May is jam packed with events and is sure to pass quickly. During the
week of April 30, students will take their end of the year NWEA assessments. We will be COM-
PLETELY finished with all our testing the first week of May and I am anticipating great gains for
all students. On Friday, May 4th we are having a representative from Progressive Insurance teach
a math lesson on probability. The Young Author’s conference will be all day on May 11th, and
yearbook signing will be the afternoon of May 16th. Finally, there will be an end of the year
awards assembly on the 17th. More details will come later about that.
Please consult the school calendar for the many events this month.
Have a safe and peaceful summer. Keep the PLES community garage sale in mind if you do any
sorting or cleaning over the summer.
And thank you again for sharing your 5th grader with us this year. We all agreed that it was a fun
and productive year.
Mrs. Malone and Mrs. Balkenbush
From the Desk of Social Worker
The end of the year is quickly approaching! I have enjoyed working with your
children this year either in whole class guidance, groups or on an individual
basis. I hope you have a great summer spending quality time with your kids. I can't wait to see them again in the fall. Next year we will continue
with some of the programs here at Palmer Lake Elementary including Diver-
sity week, Peer Advocates, Watchdogs and Path2Empathy. If you have ideas
of other programs you would like to see brought to the school please feel free
to contact me so that we may discuss them.
~ Mrs. McConnell
May 2018
Music/Band
Notes from Mrs. Jensen:
1. The PLES 6th grade band performed so
well at the All-District Band Concert and
Festival Band in April!
2. Fifth grade parents be sure to contact
Mrs. Jensen with your intent to take band,
or not to take band.
Summer band is available in August this
summer. Check the school website during
the summer for information.
3. All Grade Levels have done a music
performance this year. Hooray for all the
wonderful singing and playing, and for all
the parent support!
Happy Summer from Mrs. Jensen
A Word from Library…..
Greetings from the Library! It’s hard to believe, but this will be our final week for the library check out. I will continue to send home overdue/fine reminders, but even if you don’t receive one for your child, it would be great if you could still help. Please take a quick look around the house and in the cars. Play dates, sleep, overs and car pool may have left books with you which other students and parents would be thrilled to see returned. All books needs to be re-turned by Friday, May 11th. If you have any questions contact me. My email is: [email protected]. Thank you, Mrs. Alwais
Kindergarten
Wow, what a year kindergartners have had! We have worked hard and
learned so much. We are readers and writers, mathematicians and scien-
tists! We took care of each other and helped each other. We celebrated
successes and learned from mistakes. Most of all, we had FUN! We are
so proud of these students!
Congratulations Kindergartners!
Mrs. Edstrom and Mrs. Sturgill
3rdGrade
Our third grade classes have progressed from learning to read to reading to learn. We have reviewed addi-
tion, subtraction, learned multiplication and introduced division facts. Third graders discussed Pikes Peak
history. Students researched the life cycle of insects and took a field trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
We explored communities. Students learned about rocks and minerals, researched each student’s individual
birthstones and visited the Cave of the Winds. Students have been writing narratives, non-fiction book writ-
ing and persuasive and we are finishing the year with fairy tale writing. We’ve have had a year filled with
discovery, new challenges and much growth.
. ~ Mrs. Middleton and Mrs. Miller
May 2018
1st Grade
It is hard to believe that our school year is almost over. When we see the current kindergarteners walk-ing the halls, it is a great reminder of just how much our first graders have grown. Looking back on their early attempts at reading and writing, and seeing what they are able to accomplish now, shows just how diligently these boys and girls have worked this year and how much they have learned. Over the sum-mer, we encourage you to keep them growing by finding engaging ways to allow them to practice their academic skills. Some ideas might include; joining a reading program, writing letters to grandparents, asking your children to tell you the time, or having them count out money for a purchase. Above all be safe, have fun, and enjoy these precious moments together. We look forward to seeing you again in Au-gust and hearing about your summer adventures!
Mrs. LeSage and Mrs. Berg
May 2018
6th Grade This has been a big year for the 6th graders as they transition from elementary school to middle school in a few weeks. We have seen a lot of growth throughout the year and are very excited for the students and the possibilities that await them.
Students have learned everything from chemistry and Civic Responsibility to writing research papers and a whole lot of cool stuff in between. As they face an environment of more independence and responsibility, we feel confident we have done our best to prepare the students for this exciting change.
Ask your student about the hike to the reservoirs. On Monday April 30th the 6th grade made their way up to see the 2 lakes where they had lunch.
The 6th grade promotion ceremony is going to be Friday, May 18h at 9:15. A reception will follow in the cafe-teria.
Lindsey Burris, Jen Coopman, & Wayne Hughbanks
6th Grade Promotion 6th Grade families are invited to attend the 6th Grade Promotion at PLES on
Friday, May 18th 9:15-10:45
We have a limited time frame as we need to clean up and be cleared out of the cafeteria as lunch starts at 11:25 for students at PLES.
Parents may take their 6th Grade student home after promotion. Please check them out in the office before you leave.
*Check your email as sign-up Genius will be open this week for parents to help with promotion.
EL News………
I have thoroughly enjoyed this year in the EL program and have learned a lot
along the way. The best part of all is the relationships that have grown with these
students with whom I’ve had the privilege to get to know. Thank you, Parent(s) for
working in partnership with me throughout the year. Your children have made
steady progress throughout the school year thanks to your interest in his/her educa-
tion.
Homework Club allowed for some valuable time and help for those students
who attended. Thank you for allowing your student to participate and we look for-
ward to continuing that next year. The family meals that took place twice this past
year were also well attended and enjoyed by everyone. I will be happy to host those
again next year.
-Mrs. Bumpus
A Note from the Nurse…...
If your child has medications in the office, please pick them up by the end of the school
day on May 18th. Please remember, medications cannot be transported to/from school
by students.
Any medications that are left at school after the end of the school year will be destroyed.
Upcoming Kindergarteners:
Most children will need immunization boosters prior to Kindergarten entrance next August.
Please check with your provider to determine the immunization needs of your child:
· DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis)
· IPV/OPV (polio)
· Hep B (hepatitis B)
· MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella)
· Varicella (chicken pox)
*If your child has had the chicken pox, please provide documentation from your health care
provider. The documentation will fulfill the Varicella requirement.
Upcoming 6th Graders:
All students entering the 6th grade are required to have the Tdap (adult tetanus, diphtheria and
pertussis) immunization prior to the start of school next August. Most physicians require that
your child be at least 11 years old to receive this vaccine. If this is the case for your child, he/
she will not be required to have this vaccine until after his/her 11th birthday.
In addition to your primary care provider, there are community resources available for low/no
cost depending upon your health insurance status:
· El Paso County Health Department: 578-3272
· Tri-Lakes Cares: 481-4864, ext. 103 to make an appointment
Students with Personal/Religious Exemptions for immunizations: Just a reminder that the
State of Colorado now requires that all personal and religious exemption forms be re-signed
ANNUALLY. Please go to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s
website for information about this process: www.colorado.gov/vaccineexemption
Please provide proof of updated immunizations or the appropriate exemption documentation
to the front office on or before the first day of school in August.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Ann M Colby, RN
LPSD38 District Nurse Consultant
719-433-6418
May 2018