You’re Invited!

Who?  ALL students and parents/guardians from ALL elementary buildings in Kent

What?  Family Math and Literacy Night

Where?  In the comfort of your own home, on Google Meet

When?  Thursday, March 11, 2021, 6:30-7:40 PM

Why?  To participate in fun math and literacy activities with your child and to hear information from our math and literacy coaches about current teaching strategies and programs

How?  Click on the Google Form below to RSVP.  PLEASE RSVP BY FRIDAY, MARCH 5TH.  You will choose three sessions you would like to attend according to grade level/topic.  Each session will have its own Google Meet.  By Wednesday, March 10th, you will receive FOUR Google Meet invitations (a brief Introduction session plus three separate sessions with the specific time for each Meet). Please pay close attention to the TIMES and SESSION # on each Meet invitation so you know the order in which you will be attending each session.  (There will be a five minute gap between sessions to give you time to “travel” to the next Meet.)

Event Schedule:

6:30-6:40 PM – Introduction Meet
6:45-7:00 PM – Session #1 Meet
7:05-7:20 PM – Session #2 Meet
7:25-7:40 PM – Session #3 Meet

Google Form RSVP Link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScq2_xR28r9Roku0roT4086XDexIxbUG0wvGh3CiNjgKV49Qw/viewform

***Each family who attends will be entered to win 2 Game Baskets donated by Kent Healthcare and Rehabilitation!***

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Bee, Family Engagement Coordinator at Lbee@kentschools.net .  We look forward to seeing you there!

You may order your yearbook for the 2020/2021 school year online by visiting www.ripchostudio.com and using password walls21.

Yearbooks are $18 and are a soft cover, full-color yearbook. Yearbooks will be distributed at the end of May before the last day of school.

If you prefer sending in your order, please call the office to receive an order form, or mail in your money (exact change) or check made payable to Ripcho Studio in an envelope with your student’s name, grade and classroom teacher.

All order forms are due on March 5, and online sales continue until March 12.

Questions? Call 330-676-8300

Dear Walls Family,

If you read about mammals and what they typically do in the winter, you will notice that there are three choices… migrate, hibernate, or ADAPT.  With all that has occurred during this last year, most of us feel like migrating or hibernating (and in many ways, we are).  As humans, we learn to adapt.  No one is better at this—at being

resilient, that is—than our children.  They learn to adapt and to keep moving forward even when things feel hard.  It is a life skill that most of them are fortunate to have, and it is further reinforced by the strength they draw from you.  Thank you for all that you are doing to
support your child at home.

We want to let you know that we are here for you, as a school community and as a resource.  January, February, and March are times of heavy instruction and increased curricular difficulty,  and we know it can be challenging to maintain stamina!  Please continue to encourage your student to TRY his/her best, even when things feel hard.  Communicate with us whenever you feel help is needed, either academically or social-emotionally.  Don’t EVER feel like you need to simply “hang in there,” especially if you have questions or concerns.  The only way for us to get through this challenging school year is to stick together!

Beginning in February, and throughout this month, we are celebrating Black History in our school community.  Keep an eye out for posts on social media, highlighting our various activities around the building.  We begin each day with a student-read “mini bio” highlighting many Black Americans and their contributions to our world.  Students are also doing various levels of research and discovering ways that our lives, both past and present, have been shaped by the contributions of these individuals.

Valentine’s Day will look different than it has in the past, but we never pass up an opportunity to celebrate the word LOVE.  All students, remote and face-to-face, will receive a Valentine’s treat and craft to make.  For students coming into school, we encourage parents to send a 4 x 6 photo of your child prior to 2/11 (A) or 2/12 (B) to use in his/her craft.  If you forget, don’t worry… they can still do the craft (photos just increase the cuteness factor).  PLEASE DO NOT SEND FOOD, VALENTINE’S, OR OTHER ITEMS FROM HOME FOR  DISTRIBUTION DUE TO COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS.  THANK YOU FOR HELPING US STAY SAFE!!!

As always, call our office or send a REMIND message to your child’s teacher if we can help you in any way.  We can’t wait to see everyone’s smiles in the future!

Sincerely,

Heidi B. Singer
Principal, Walls Elementary School
330-676-8300

Dear Walls Family,

To say that this past year has been challenging would be an understatement.  I have always been a person who focuses on the positivity in every situation, but now I often find myself struggling to “keep my chin up.”  What has helped
TREMENDOUSLY is what I observe daily in your children, both online and in the classroom.  Our students have shown tremendous resilience and strength, and they continue to bring joy to the classroom.  How could we ask for more?

The lesson that we have all learned together will be one that they take forward for their entire life.  It is a lesson that I have tried, often unsuccessfully, to teach my own children time and again.  I am certain that you have tried to do the same.   It can be summed up simply in the following phrase… HAVE GRATITUDE.

When the cloud is lifted and our world begins to open up again, it will not be a time of going BACK to normal…but rather, a time of moving forward into our NEW normal.  We will never again take for granted the wisdom of a teacher in the classroom sharing their stories.  We will never again take for granted that “aha” moment when a student finally gets it.  We will never again take for granted the giggles, the smiles, and the whispering across the desk that is the fun part of school friendship.  We will work together, hug, laugh, and learn with a new appreciation for what we have always had…and more.

It is the season of giving.  Whatever holiday you celebrate, you can feel it in the air.  You have already given us the greatest gift that could be given…the trust to share and
support your child. Thank you for being a part of our Walls School family!

We are here. We will stay the course, and we WILL get through all of this together. We look forward to seeing you in 2021!

Please let us know if there is anything more we can do to support your child’s learning.

Have a wonderful, safe, and healthy winter break!

With Love,

Heidi B. Singer
Principal, Walls Elementary School
330-676-8300