Avilla Elementary Family Newsletter

Avilla Families,

I'm writing this message on Election Day, as our students are all voting on their favorite of two school logo designs that will be available on items to purchase later this year. Kids were really excited to participate as voters on Election Day! You'll see some pictures of our big day in this newsletter.

Our PTO is excited to try something new this year, due to the spring carnival being cancelled last year. Our PTO worked very hard to obtain items for the carnival auction. They are attempting a trial run of a silent auction within this newsletter. You can find three items in the newsletter below. Three jumbo stuffed animals are available to bid on beginning today and ending on November 22. Winners will be contacted on the 23rd. Depending on how this quick auction goes, you may see a greater offering of items at a future date.

As we move closer to Thanksgiving I want to express my gratitude to all of you, the families of Avilla Elementary students. I am grateful for your support of our staff and your students through this unprecedented school year. I am also grateful to have the opportunity to serve as principal here and look forward to opening our doors for more family events once it is safe to do so. Please continue to reach out with your positive feedback and any questions that you have. I hope that you all have a nice Thanksgiving later in the month.

Jeff Harper, Principal

email: jharper@eastnoble.net

phone: 260.897.2301

Picture retakes will happen on Tuesday, November 10 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. If you have a student that is participating in our online learning option, you may call the school to schedule a time to have their picture taken that day. Please just give us a call and we will help you to make those arrangements.

Miss Williams, our school counselor, visited classrooms last week to talk about making safe, healthy choices and staying drug free. Students shared examples of every day things that they do to stay safe in school and at home. Miss Williams shared the importance of knowing who trusted adults are and how to say no to peer pressure. The kids all colored their own ribbons to demonstrate their desire to make healthy and safe choices.

Due to pandemic restrictions in place for our school, we are unable to hold our annual Donuts with Dads or Muffins with Moms events that are sponsored by our PTO. One is typically held during fall and the other in spring time.

In order to continue the tradition of celebrating an important adult in our students' lives, our PTO would like to invite all of you to participate in our PTO sponsored "Donuts with Grownups". Every student received a coupon good for two donuts at Tasty's in Kendallville. We are hopeful that every student can use this coupon with an adult of their choosing in place of an in person event for the fall at Avilla. We are remaining hopeful that our spring event can still take place in the building. Please contact your child's teacher if you did not receive a coupon.

Our PTO is continually seeking new parent and guardian members to help plan our supports for Avilla Elementary students and staff! The next PTO meeting will be held at Avilla Elementary on Monday, December 7 at 3:30 in our school library. Please enter door 1 if you attend and please wear a mask.

As colder weather is beginning to arrive please keep in mind that we go outside daily. Students will need a hat, gloves, and a warm coat. If you need any assistance with getting any of these items please contact us. Also, please place your child's name or initials on a tag on these items to help us avoid a crowded lost and found.

You can also consider sending in a jacket or sweatshirt that will remain at school in case of any forgetful mornings or drastic weather changes.

Check out Avilla Elementary on the free East Noble app. The app is a great place to see real time updates and important information.

Click here for the Android app

Click here for the Apple app

There have been an increasing number of students coming into school without masks. Please be sure that your child has a mask for school each day.

We are always striving to keep students safe. During this time, masks are mandated on the bus for safety. If students are not wearing masks on the bus, the bus driver and school may be communicating that to you. Thanks for continuing to help us keep everyone safe!

Our car line process is going pretty well. We need your help to make it a bit better. Doors open daily at 7:50 (8:35 on Mondays) and we dismiss at 2:45. Here are some tips to help us with our car line:

• Arriving early and waiting will most likely take more of your time than showing up closer to our doors open and dismissal time. We need everyone to show up closer to our advertised times in order to lessen traffic on streets close to the school.
• Preschool parents should be the only people in our car line before 2:30. Our preschool parents pick up around 2:10 and have been blocked by people waiting for our 2:45 dismissal. Please help us by keeping the car line open for preschool pickup. These students need the most help with car pickup and a clear line really helps.
• Please do not park your car and walk across the street to greet your child. When you remain in your car it helps us to worry less about pedestrians and takes less time to get students to where they need to be.

Click here for a complete 2020-21 East Noble School Corporation calendar

Nov. 9 Report cards issued

Nov. 10 Picture retake day

Dec. 7 PTO meeting in our library at 3:30

Jan. 8 Progress report grades available online, Google Slides for K-2 and Powerschool 3-5

Feb. 17 End of trimester 2

Week of Feb. 22-26 Elementary parent/teacher winter conferences by invitation only

Feb. 22 Report cards issued

March 8-19 IREAD-3 Testing window

April 13 Progress report grades available online, Google Slides for K-2 and Powerschool 3-5

April 30 Fifth grade visit to Junior Achievement Biz Town

May 27 Report cards issued on last student day