Happy December! It is one of my favorite times of the year! I love the holiday season. There seems to be something special in the air. One can almost feel it wherever they go. The holiday season can bring a wide range of emotions, stress, and excitement to each of us. CGS staff have plans to bring about positivity, smiles and excitement as we celebrate, have fun and create unforgettable memories with students. I wish you all a fabulous December and Happy Holidays.
Mrs. Stapp
“And, so together, they created a school they loved.”
Look What's Happening....
Dec. 4: National Cookie Day
Dec. 6: CHS Guardian Eagles
NHS Students visit CGS classrooms
Dec. 8: Early Dismissal @11:30 am & National Brownie Day
Eagle Invite
Dec. 14: 4th Grade Musical "Once on a Housetop" @7:00pm
CMS Auditorium
Dress Rehearsal @9:00am
Dec. 18: Colby Cinema Event
Grades K-4
Dec. 18: USD 315 School Board Meeting @7:00pm
BOE Room
Dec. 19: Kindergarten Christmas Program @12:00pm
Classrooms
Dec. 20: December Birthday Lunch
MS Cafeteria
Dec. 21: Early Dismissal @11:30
Winter Break
Dec. 22- Jan. 3: No School
Winter Break
Jan. 4: First day of school in 2024!
Nurse Sarah's News!
As we head into December, winter break is fast approaching. This break is a great time for you and your kiddos to spend time with friends and family as well as get some much-needed "R&R." Screens (phones, televisions, etc.) can be a part of this rest period for your child, but finding a healthy balance between screen time and activity is so important. This month we talk about some ways that you can manage screen time for your child.
What is “Screen Time”?
Why it Matters
Screen time is any time that your child spends looking at a phone, computer, television, video game, etc.
Spending too much time looking at a screen can have some risks for your child. These include:
• Headaches, sore eyes, stiff neck
• Less time engaging in physical activities such as sports and playing with friends
• Risks to development of language and social skills
• Exposure to negative images or ideas online
What You Can Do?
Benefits of Screen Time
It is not necessary or realistic to eliminate your child’s use of screens all together. However, here are some tips that you can use to help make your child’s screen time as beneficial as possible.
• Monitor what your child is using their screen for at all times .
• Establish consistent guidelines such as- “No phones after 5:00pm” or “1 hour of screen-free time after school.”
• Encourage your child to use interactive, educational, or creative programs.
Just because screen time comes with some risks doesn’t mean that it is all bad. In fact, screens can be a powerful tool for children. Benefits of screen time can include:
• Use of computers for homework
• Engaging with interactive learning programs
• Using screens to help learn new skills
It is important to note that every child is different. Many children rely on screens to facilitate their learning.
When it comes to screens, the most important and simple thing that you can do for your child is just to make sure that they are balancing their screen-time with fun and healthy activities such as riding bikes, playing outside with friends, or spending time with their families. Best wishes to you and your family this holiday season!
Mindful Messages
This time of year can bring happiness to families while at the same time can present challenges. The financial strain that the upcoming holidays can place on families may feel very overwhelming and cumbersome. Some families may be facing their first holiday season without certain loved ones. Research has found that those who give their time and attention to others see psychological and physical health benefits. When we see an increase in negative emotions, what are ways that we can decrease or eliminate these feelings? Researchers recommend that a way to combat negative feelings is to practice mindfulness and generosity outside of giving financially.
“Higher mindfulness was associated with higher levels of happiness and lower anxiety and depression symptoms” (Crego Et all, 2021).
Here are some ways that you can practice being mindful and present with your families and yourself:
Express appreciation towards each other. Even the smallest acts can be acknowledged!
Play board games, or observation based games like “I Spy” or “hide and seek.”
Set aside phone/electronic free time to engage in conversation, game playing or time to be outside.
Include your children in the spirit of giving. Whether that be volunteering your time, or wrapping gifts for others.
Incorporating these activities this holiday season could have a positive impact on not only your emotional needs, but your families as well.
Below is a list of community resources in or around Thomas County:
High Plains Mental Health Crisis Hotline - 800-432-0333
National Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Hotline -Text 988
Genesis Food Bank in Thomas County - 785-460-7930
LIHEAP - 888-369-4777
Salvation Army (Hays) - 785-621-4991
~ Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. Metcalf, Mrs. Hailey~
Mr. Miller's P.E.
For the month of December, the elementary students will participate in a 2-
week basketball unit. During this unit, the students will focus on dribbling,
catching, shooting along with team cooperative skills.
The month of December opens up several creative opportunities for me to
incorporate holiday related games into my lesson plans. These games include
holiday dances, gift giving relays and “Do you want to build a snowman.” I
integrate technology with interactive snow ball fights, “Where’s Waldo Christmas
Edition,” and interactive obstacle courses.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
-Mr. Miller
EOL Department!
Greetings from Colby K-8 EOL Department!
Did you know that the USD 315 K-8 ESOL Department is currently serving 56 second language learners? AND did you know that those 56 students represent the US, India, Brazil, Honduras, Philippines, and Mexico? AND did you know that our students speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, and Filipino?
We are many tongues but are One Voice!
Who are we?
We are 4 passionate and dedicated educators currently working with our K-8 second language learners. (Mrs. Austin, Mrs. Carrillo, Mr. Martin, Ms. Abi)
What do we do?
We prepare students for success in school and in society through the development of cultural awareness and English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
How do we do this?
Relationships! Relationships produce results - we get to know our students as individuals and then use these insights to guide our instruction. We can create a culturally responsive classroom by using the assets the children bring. In other words, we use what the students bring in their backpacks!
This month, we will be highlighting Christmas Traditions that our students celebrate at home with their families. This is a very important time of the year for the majority of our families as their customs and traditions are deeply rooted in their beliefs and values. We look forward to learning more about our students and the traditions they celebrate at home.
Mrs. Brown's Library
Library News
Students are involved in many different activities in the library. Besides checking out library books, kindergarteners, first graders, and second graders have activity time once a week during their library specials time.
Second graders have all become authors and illustrators of their own books! They have been working hard on their books for the last couple weeks. They started with their front covers which had to have the title of their book, an illustration and their name. Their stories had to be four or five pages long. The kids have made books about all subjects such as sharks, monsters, dogs, butterflies and the Titanic! Watch for their books to come home later this month.
First Graders have been learning about kindness and thanksgiving. We have read "Pearl and Squirrel Gives Thanks", "The Jelly Donut Difference" and "This is the Turkey" . They have made thanksgiving cards thanking the special people in their lives, whether it's their friend, teacher, sibling or parent. They have also made posters about how they can show kindness! Their kindness posters are hanging up on the bulletin boards outside the library in the intermediate building.
Kindergarteners have also been learning about kindness and thanksgiving. We have read "The Great Turkey Race", "Bear Says Thanks", "Mean 'Ole Crankfender", " A Turkey for Thanksgiving" and "This is the Turkey". They've shared ways they can show kindness. They have also drawn pictures of what they are thankful for and what they would bring to a feast.
Harmony with Ms. Hockett
3rd Graders are celebrating their talents in the upcoming musical "Compose Yourself." The musical features pieces from Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, and even Brahms, including, but not limited to Eine Kleine Nacht Musik, Tocata and Fugue, both Moonlight Sonata and the 9th Symphony (Ode to Joy), and Brahm's Lullaby. Students have had the opportunity to learn about many different composers from different periods and the well-known pieces from each.
Fourth grade has been working on recorders to perform at their own musical coming soon.
Second and first grade just finished writing their own compositions and are finishing the project by sharing with their classmates.
Kindergarten has been experimenting with instruments and rhythms.
More About CGS
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
