Cracker Trail Elementary Newsletter

Dear Mustang Parents & Caregivers,

I am very proud of how well our Mustangs are doing so far this year!! Thanks to the hard work of our kindergarten teachers and our staff, our youngest Mustangs have had a very smooth transition into elementary school. Our 1st-5th grade Mustangs continue to be great examples for our younger students.

Looking ahead - one of the most exciting events in October is our annual Character Parade. We are scheduled to host the parade on Friday, October 27 at 8:30 AM. Parents, caregivers, and guests are welcome to attend. Visitors will be required to sign in at one of our side gates before entering campus. More information will be sent home soon.

CTE’s famous HoeDown will return in November. Save the Date for Thursday, November 2 from 5 to 7 PM. Our PTO and staff have been working hard to bring our traditional family-friendly event back to campus. Thank you to everyone involved in the planning. More information will be shared closer to

the event.

Parent conferences will be held this month as well. Our fabulous teachers will be reaching out to you to discuss setting up face to face conferences for all students.

It is my hope Cracker Trail Elementary will continue to blaze a trail others will follow - we will do so with the help of our students, staff, and extended family. Stay safe and keep doing your BEST!!

Sincerely,

Mr. Rick Kogelschatz —Principal

On October 27th we will have our annual character parade. This year we have a few changes Students will have the opportunity to dress up as their favorite character however, it does not have to be a book character. The following guidelines are to help you decide how/if your child will participate. Included are both School Board of Highlands County Dress Code and Student Code of Conduct Items. Please carefully read these guidelines.

*Important*

Please send your child in their costume and with extra clothes to change into after the parade.

Red Ribbon Week is a pledge to lead a drug free, healthy, happy life and a way to say no to alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. It is a way to help friends make wise choices. Celebrate this week with us!

• Monday October 23rd Be Kind To Your Future Wear Red
• Tuesday October 24th Be Kind To Your Past 90s Dress Up
• Wednesday October 25th Be Kind To Your Grade Level Wear Grade Level Colors
• KG-Blue
• 1st-Green
• 2nd- Pink
• 3rd-Yellow
• 4th-Orange
• 5th-Black
• Thursday October 26th Be Kind To Your Dreams Wear Pajamas (No Slippers)
• Friday October 27th Red Ribbon Week Costume Day Wear Costume/Character Dress Up

Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and in life.

We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, we also know that when students miss too much school— regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically. Your child is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent—which means missing 18 or more days over the course of an entire school year.

Research shows:

• Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
• By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.
• By 9th grade good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.

Absences can add up quickly. A child is chronically absent if he or she misses just two days every month!!

Currently Title I, Part A defines parent involvement as the participation of parents in regular, two-way and meaningful communications with school staff that involves the student, addresses learning and engages the family in school activities. The Title I ,Part A classification of parent involvement derives from the definition of Parent and Family Engagement, as outlined in the Every Child Succeeds Act, circa 2017-2018.

To Learn more about Parent Family Engagement you can pick up a brochure in our front office and view our current PFE Plan on the CTE Website under the School Resources Tab.

• 10/2 SAC Meeting @ 2:30 p.m.
• Title 1 Meeting @ 3:30 p.m.
• 10/9 Good News Club Every Monday @ 2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
• 10/13 PBIS Glow Dance
• 10/16 Student Holiday No School
• 10/16-10/20 Report Card Conferences
• 10/23-10/27 Red Ribbon Week
• 10/25 Early Release 12 p.m.
• 10/27 Hat Day $1, Snow Cone Day, Character Parade 8:30 a.m. – Children may wear costumes

Follow CTE on Facebook!

Download our APP, and select Cracker Trail as your favorite school!