Parkside Newsletter 2/7/2025

NOTEWORTHY ITEMS

Valentines Day:  Parties are on 2/13.  Please reach out to your students teacher if you are willing to help plan, donate, or set up for the party!  Please be mindful of any dietary restrictions in the classroom when planning food!  

Conferences:  Mark your calendars conferences are 2/25 and 2/27.  A sign up will be sent via email next week.   

Get your 2024-25 Parkside Elementary Yearbook! 
Click the link below to order your yearbook: https://ybpay.lifetouch.comYearbook ID Code: 14563125

March is Reading month

We want to make this Reading Month the BEST EVER!  We are looking for volunteers to decorate areas of the building. Please see link to sign up:  https://www.signupgenius.comreading

This year’s highlights include One Book, One School, where our entire school community will unite around a shared story, along with themed dress-up days, read-alouds, White Caps reading program, book exchanges, and plenty of fun reading surprises sprinkled throughout the month.  Get ready to turn the page on an unforgettable adventure in reading!  

Encourage a love for reading with our Parkside School Book Exchange in March! Just like a Little Free Library, students can take a book to enjoy and leave a book for others to read. It’s a fun way to share stories, discover new favorites, and build a community of readers.

How it works:
Bring a gently used book from home (optional).
Choose a book from the exchange to take and read.
When finished, return it or pass it along to a friend!

Let’s keep the joy of reading going—one book at a time! We would love some donations of gently-used books to get the exchange going!  

Parkside shoutouts

Thank you to the Bradley Family for stocking the lounge.  

PTO filled our buckets and our bellies with a delicious lunch on Friday.  

Thank you to the Butters family for the sweet message and sweet treats. 

To the other Pachyderm families that dropped off surprise goodies to us this week thank you so much for your generosity and thoughtfulness! Your kindness and support mean the world to our teachers and staff.  

Green Tip of the Week

Sustainable Lunches for Kids!  

This February, make your child’s lunch eco-friendly! Swap single-use plastic bags for reusable containers, pack a cloth napkin instead of paper, and choose fresh, package-free snacks like fruits and veggies. Bonus: Get your child involved in packing their lunch to teach them the importance of reducing waste. Small changes add up to a greener planet!  

Character Trait of the month - Initiatve

"Initiative is doing the right thing without being told." – Victor Hugo

Conversation Starter: At dinner or bedtime, ask your children: "What’s one way you took initiative today? How did it make you feel?" Encouraging these reflections helps kids recognize their ability to take action and make a difference.

Tip: Help your child build initiative by setting small, self-led goals. Whether it’s completing homework without reminders, helping with chores, or starting a creative project, taking responsibility boosts confidence and independence. Celebrate their efforts to show that taking initiative leads to positive outcomes! 

Important Dates

• February 13 - Valentines Parties
• February 13 - DK/K Enrollment Begins
• February 14-17- No School Mid-Winter Break
• February 21 - Bring a Stuffie to School Day  
• February 25, 27 Conferences
• March - Reading Month
• Wednesdays in March- Wear Your Words
• April 3-11- No School Spring Break                                                                                                
• See full list of PKS Events on the calendar link:  Parkside Calendar 

PTO Corner

PTO Meeting is February 20 at 6:30.  We hope to see many parents there!  

We are looking for volunteers to provide a taco bar to feed our teachers during parent-teacher conferences on Thursday, February 27. We are planning to serve 20-25 people. Please label any dishes with your last name so they can be returned to you. Everything should be delivered by the end of the school day so teachers can eat as soon as students are released. THANK YOU!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FAFA62BA2FE3-54505764-parkside

Our PTO Staff Appreciation Committee is asking for a few more volunteers to sign up for stocking the lounge. Help us stock the staff lounge!
https://m.signupgenius.com/?#!/showSignUp/10C0A4DAAAA23A1F5CE9-51246850-stock

Enrollment opens 2/13/25

Enrollment for the 2025/2026 school year opens February 13th.  Children who turn five years old on or before December 1, 2025, are eligible to enroll for the 2025/2026 school year.  Please enroll your DK or K child before 6/1/25 to schedule an early placement screening. 

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