February Newsletter

As we step into the wonderful month of February, we are excited to embrace the numerous positive experiences it brings to our learning community. February isn't just a month on the calendar; it's a canvas painted with love, growth, and a sense of accomplishment.

• Love is in the air.
• Parent/Teacher Conferences.
• Embracing the light (longer days.)
• Magical learning moments.
• Making a difference.

February is more than just a month; it's a testament to the continuous growth, love, and success within our school community. Let's celebrate the achievements, embrace the learning journey, and cherish the moments that make Colby Grade School a truly special place.

"And, so together, they created a school they loved.”

Feb. 1: 100th Day of School!

All CGS Classes

FEb. 2: 101 Days of School

2nd Grade Classes

Feb. 2: District Spelling Bee

Feb. 5: Parent/Teacher Conferences- NO SCHOOL

8am-7:30pm

Feb. 6-9: National School Counseling Week

Feb. 12: NO SCHOOL

Feb. 12-16: Random Acts of Kindness Week

Feb. 14: Valentine's Day

Feb. 15: 1st Grade Musical

Recital- 7pm Auditorium

Rehearsal- 1:40 Auditorium

Feb. 19: Staff Development- NO SCHOOL

Feb. 19: USD 315 Board of Education Meeting

7:00pm USD 315 Board Room

Feb. 20: County Spelling Bee

Feb. 21 & 22: STEAM Camp

3rd & 4th Grade Students

This month, we are focusing on how to protect and monitor your child’s vision. Vision is a tool that children use when experiencing and interpreting the world around them. Protecting their visual health is key to providing them with the best learning opportunities possible.

Why It Matters

It is not uncommon for children to have difficulty seeing. In fact, 1 out of 20 preschoolers are already experiencing vision problems. Early recognition and intervention is critical to making sure that your child’s vision is not interfering with their learning.

Signs of Vision Problems

Not all vision problems show obvious signs. Here are some things to be on the lookout for:

Frequent eye rubbing/blinking

Short attention span

Frequent headaches

Reading or looking at screens close up

Going “cross-eyed” or squinting

A pupil that looks white when light shines on it

An eyelid that looks droopy or partially covers the eye

What You Can Do

• Watch for signs that your child is having trouble seeing and notify their doctor right away if you notice any.
• Make sure that your child is having yearly eye exams. These can be done more often if you are concerned that there is a problem.
• Talk to your child’s teacher about what can be done in the classroom if you think that your child may not be seeing well.
• PROTECT your child’s vision by having them wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.
• PROTECT your child’s vision by making sure that they always wear proper protective sports eyewear.

February is the month of love. We have the opportunity each day to show love in a variety of ways to many different people. This month we would like to provide tips to help teach your children ways to be confident in themselves and increase their love towards themselves.

1. Model positive behavior in yourself! Children learn through observation and mimicking. If they see you being confident and honest, they can learn those same behaviors.

2. Encourage them to try new things. Change can be scary, but it is a part of life. If they can get comfortable with change and trying new things at an earlier age it will help set them up for success later on in life.

3. Help your kids find an activity they enjoy. Encourage them to do their best as they learn new skills.

4. Embrace mistakes and learn from them. Mistakes can be an excellent way to learn. No one is perfect, and with your guidance and encouragement kids can learn to get up and try again. Let your kids know that you love them no matter what.

5. Show your kids that you love them. Each day find a way to express to your children that you love them. Sometimes, our actions can go unnoticed or kids may not understand why we do what we do. Use the opportunities to verbally explain and express to your children that you love them and that you are proud of them.

We hope with these quick tips that you and your children are able to enjoy each other more and grow your relationship during the month of love!

Mrs. Hailey, Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. Metcalf

It’s already February! And with that, our second language learners are in the middle of completing the Kansas English Language Proficiency Assessment or KELPA. This assessment measures a student's acquisition of English in four different areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking and is administered every year in the spring.

Our second language learners have been improving their English proficiency skills daily within the classroom with the help of our wonderful classroom teachers and through small group pull-out with our ESOL team. Our ESOL team also provides push-in support within the classroom helping to support classroom teachers in grade-level content areas. Our students are all on varying acquisition levels which makes it challenging for them to receive exact individualized instruction but our classroom teachers are amazing and work tirelessly to find ways to help our students achieve their goal. Colby USD 315 is blessed with expert professional educators who work together to create a community of life-long learners!

Mrs. Austin

For the month of February, the students will participate in scooter board activities. While integrating physical challenges and exercises through games, scooter boards is a special activity that the students always enjoy participating in.

The students will also participate in the PACER running test. A few weeks before the running test, I work with the students and teach them how to prepare for the challenge. The students with the highest individual scores will earn their name on the PACER wall while receiving a running foot charm. The class with the highest averaged score will earn the golden sneaker for their classroom. The students always look forward to the competition and improving their scores from their last attempt.

Happy Physical Health!
-Mr. Miller

There will be no Spring Scholastic Book Fair this year.

The art students are ready for spring! We have dreamed of beaches, sand castles and sea creatures! But their favorite has been the butterflies- I think they are on the right track, come on warm weather!!

Ms. Miller

4th grade and 3rd grade are working on music reading skills.

2nd grade is learning about different instruments and music styles.

1st grade's musical is on February 15. This squirmy musical called Squirm! talks about the importance of things that might make us squirm and might even provide some newfound appreciation. "Something gross might be good for you!"

Kindergarten is talking about different emotions that we can feel with music.

Ms. Hockett

Several of our students had the opporutinty to particpate in STEAM Camp on January 29th ! They all had a blast with Ms. Brittany Shields and Mrs. Jessie Bloyd from Southwestern Plains! The next STEAM Camp is scheduled for February 19th.

This month the 3rd & 4th grades will get to practice yoga by Bethanie Cameron with Forever Together Yoga!

Thank you to the THOMAS COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION for the Grant Donation for Snacks!

The USD 315 After School Program is Monday through Thursday from 3:30-5:30pm. ASP is FREE for Grades K-4. Pick-up begins at 5:05.

If you need to pick up your child early, please call the Pk-4 office before 3:30pm (785-460-5100.)

Sometimes the time in the cafeteria can be rushed. When sending packed lunches with your child that need to be heated, please consider ones that require less than 1 minute of microwave time.

Cafeteria Reminders....

We are a NUT FREE school.

Breakfast for our Kindergarten - 4th Grade students is served until 8am. Be sure your child arrives with plenty of time to eat.

We are no longer selling milk cards. If your child would like to purchase a milk or an extra milk, student accounts will be charged by purchase.

No meals purchased at fast food outlets are to be consumed at mealtime in the cafeteria. If a food outlet items is brought to school it MUST NOT be brought to school in original containers.

Caffeinated beverages are NOT allowed in sack lunches or to be consumed in the cafeteria at any time

Email: hstapp@colbyeagles.org
Website: https://www.colbyeagles.org/o/colbyes
Location: 210 North Grant Avenue, Colby, KS, USA
Phone: (785) 460-5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550694944969
Twitter: @ColbyEagles