Port Barre Elementary School

Give chores a positive spin Doing chores helps kids develop responsibility, and that pays off in school. But how do you get your child to do chores? Kids love to plan and to carry out their plans. So, involve your child in deciding what to do when. Each week, let your student choose two or three chores from a list. Schedule a "family chore time," then follow up with fun: Fill a jar with activity suggestions your child can pick from when chores are done. https://tpitip.com/?15eQ17376

Spin the dial to encourage responsible study habits Here's a creative way to motivate your child to do schoolwork: On sticky labels, write small rewards your child would like, such as choosing what's for dinner, skipping a chore or reading an extra book together. Then, get a spinner from a board game and apply the labels to it. When your child completes assigned work without being reminded, offer the chance to spin the dial for a reward. https://tpitip.com/?15eP17376

To improve behavior, explain, encourage and set an example The way families communicate with their children has a lot to do with how the kids behave, both at home and in the classroom. To encourage positive behavior, explain why rules are needed, and involve your child in setting rules and consequences. Then, offer lots of genuine praise and encouragement, and give your child more attention for appropriate behavior than misbehavior. Set an example by showing your respect for rules and the rights of others. https://tpitip.com/?15eO17376

FUN DAY 2025 was a huge success!!! I want to send a big thank you to all the parents who supported the fundraisers throughout the year and donated snacks, water balloons, hoses, and other items. Thanks to all the parent volunteers who ensured the sun and spent the day with us. The day would not have been a success with our parents support! I would also like to thank the PB police department and fire department volunteers that helped in our dunk tank!! Also, let's not forget our rockstar staff that helped the students have a wonderful day. Thanks everyone for all that you do!!

At family meals, make conversation the main course Shared meals strengthen families. Family meals also help children build vocabulary and social skills. Try to make eating together a regular habit. While you eat, engage your child in relaxed conversation by asking specific, open-ended questions. "What was the funniest thing that happened today?" will probably get a more detailed response than "How was school?" Never use mealtime to criticize your child. Then, keep the conversation going as you clean up together! https://tpitip.com/?15eN17376

Kindness changes everything! Mrs. Keys, Ms. Aymond, Hayden M., Sophia C., and Brinleigh R. participated in a donation event cutting at least 8 inches of their hair to donate to the organization Children With Hair Loss. Students learned the importance of giving and how giving just a little can go such a long way. 💇‍♀️❤️✂️

Brush up decision-making with a decorating project Redecorating your child's bedroom can be a great way to help your child practice reasoning, planning and decision-making skills while expressing personality. Begin by brainstorming ideas. How would your child like the room to look? Next, set a budget, and figure out together which of your child's ideas are realistic. Then, work together on a step-by-step plan of action. It's OK if you don't like the results; the goal is for your child to make choices and live with them. https://tpitip.com/?15eM17376

Friday Fun: Seeing Double! 👯‍♂️👯‍♀️ Last Friday, our amazing staff was twinning—and we could hardly tell them apart! It felt like double the talent, double the fun. 😄 The celebration doesn’t stop there! This week, we are keeping the good vibes going. Help us show our staff some love and appreciation—they deserve it!

Congratulations to last week's Positive Office Referrals!!

Staff kicked off Appreciation Week with a Vacay Thursday dress-up day. Looks like they are all ready to head to the islands! 🏖️☀️✈️. Our Staff Appreciation Week will continue throughout this week.

Our SLP Schools app keeps getting better and better! Parents/guardians who have already created an account can now access new app features like Messages and Class Streams via web and in the app. If you haven't signed up, be sure to accept the email and/or text invite sent earlier this morning. Download for Android https://aptg.co/ddXmVt Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/D9hB1Y

Help your child learn the difference between needs and wants Learning to manage money teaches children math skills as well as school success skills like responsibility, patience and how to set priorities. Help your child distinguish between "needs" and "wants" and keep track of them in a notebook. Explain that your child should pay for the needs first. Any money left over can be saved toward the cost of the wants. Help your child track the savings in the notebook. https://tpitip.com/?15eL17376

🎉 Awards Day Schedule 🎉 It’s that special time of year when we celebrate the hard work and achievements of our students! Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Awards Day ceremonies: Pre-K – Thursday, May 15 at 9:00 AM 4th Grade – Friday, May 16 at 9:30 AM Kindergarten – Friday, May 16 at 1:00 PM 1st Grade – Friday, May 16 at 2:00 PM 2nd Grade – Monday, May 19 at 1:00 PM 3rd Grade – Monday, May 19 at 2:00 PM Additional details will be provided by each grade level. Invitations will be sent home with students who will be receiving awards. We look forward to celebrating with you!

🎉 Fun Day – Tuesday, May 13 🎉 Reminders for Students, Parents, and Staff: - Be sure to wear your Fun Day shirts with uniform bottoms! - Please have students at school on time ! - If you volunteered to bring shade tents or tables, please drop them off Monday or by 7:10 AM Tuesday. - Parent Volunteers , who have been directly contacted by telephone, please arrive on time and ready to help. - This year’s activities include a Magic Show, Carnival Games, Water Balloon Throw, a Petting Zoo, Inflatables, and a Dunk Booth. - Students will enjoy 1 juice, 2 popsicles, and 2 snacks throughout the day Let’s make it a day full of fun, laughter, and great memories!

Please check out this week's newsletter for important information. https://secure.smore.com/n/e6m1g Read more about: - The dates and times for our awards day. Additional details will be provided by each grade level. Invitations will be sent home with students who will be receiving awards. We look forward to celebrating with you! - Fun day is Tuesday, May 12. Please have students to school on time. Remember to wear fun day shirts. - Great Job to 1st and 4th Grade for making the 95% attendance goal for the week of May 12 - 16. Please assist us in reaching our attendance goal by ensuring your child attends school daily.

Use report cards to plan for the future Many adults remember report card time as stressful. But it doesn't have to be! Eliminate surprises by talking with your child throughout the grading period about how schoolwork is going. When the report card comes, comment on something positive first. Then, calmly discuss each grade with your child. If there's room for improvement, what steps does your student think will help? Write up a plan together. You may want to consult the teacher for ideas. https://tpitip.com/?15eK17376

Talk about real people who write To spark an interest in writing, talk about the authors of the books your child reads. What information does the book give about its author? How does the author's life relate to the book, if at all? Help your child think about the author's style: humor, short sentences, or a certain point of view, for example. Can your student write a story that imitates it? https://tpitip.com/?15eJ17376

Create a family motto that inspires persistence It isn't always easy for children to persevere in tough situations. One way to inspire your child to keep trying is by creating a family motto that expresses this idea. It could be something like, "In our family, we stick with it until it's done." Have family members make suggestions and decide together on a motto. Repeat the motto often. Over time, this saying will become personal for your child. https://tpitip.com/?15eI17376

Logical consequences reinforce responsibility Learning to carry out instructions is part of developing responsibility, at home and at school. Instead of repeating commands over and over, stop telling and start doing. If you've asked your child to empty pockets before putting pants in the laundry basket, wash only the pants with empty pockets. When favorite jeans stay dirty and your child has to wear disliked pants to school, your student may be more motivated to act responsibly. https://tpitip.com/?15eH17376

The Kona Ice Truck will be on campus Friday, May 9, 2025. Find those refillable cups and put them in your bookbag. Prices range from $3 - $7. Please send money with your child in the morning.