Increase Miller Elementary School

November 12, 2019

 Dear IM Families,

November has been a very busy month at Increase Miller!   Parent-Teacher Conferences, the PTO Book Fair, and Author Dan Gutman assemblies are just some of the events that have taken place at IMES.  We look forward to future happenings including SEPTO’s Differences Day for Grades 2 and 5 along with Differences Programs organized by our PTO.  Our Grade 1 Thanksgiving celebration is also just around the corner!  Please continue to check our school website http://imes.klschools.org/home along with the Eagle Express for more information about Increase Miller. 

Differences Week

During the week of November 18, students in grades 2, 3, 4, and 5 will learn about various types of disabilities and differences. PTO and SEPTO are leading and coordinating these programs for our students.  SEPTO’s Differences Day for students in grades 2 and 5 provides our children with hands-on experiences designed to simulate visual, auditory, speech, and motor impairments along with other physical learning differences.  Students in grade 3 will meet Geri Mariano, an inspirational speaker who describes her many accomplishments in life while navigating the world with physical differences.  We welcome The Tourette Association Youth Ambassador Program back to Increase Miller too.  Grade 4 students will learn about the disorder and challenges people face along with dispelling misconceptions and stereotypes associated with the diagnosis.  Through these programs and other learning opportunities, our intent is to teach our students about diversity to better understand the perspective of others and develop social awareness. 

 Character Education

Our Character Education Committee continues to promote our year-long focus, Kind, Responsible, and Safe. This month, we will have school assemblies related to focusing attention and listening respectfully.  Our school assembly next week will review and reinforce the theme through interactive activities, a read aloud of the book Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller and a slide show of how we practice kindness in our classrooms. We will continue to define and discuss how focusing attention and listening respectfully are a part of being kind, responsible and safe.  Our fifth grade morning announcements, morning meetings, and mindful moments will continue to be embedded in our students’ daily experiences to reinforce these important messages.

 School Library and Classroom Libraries

This month, our school library media specialist, Mrs. Hoffman, will be working with parent volunteers and the PTO to reorganize the library!  Our intention is to make books more accessible and inviting to students and create an updated space with flexible furniture, providing opportunities for choice and collaboration. 

We also have a focus on diversifying our school library and our classroom libraries this year.  Publication dates, culture, race, family structure, setting, gender, ability, and language are among the factors in selecting books that are relevant, engaging, and representative of our students and the world around them. 

 Outdoor Recess

Our chilly weather is already upon us!  As stated in our Family Handbook on our school website, please be sure your child comes to school in clothing that is appropriate for outdoor play.  If the temperature, including the wind chill, is below forty degrees, students should wear the following:

• Warm coats

• Long pants

On snowy days in order to play in the snow (including sledding) students will also need:

• Snow pants

• Boots

• Hats

• Gloves

Please be aware that if a student is not dressed appropriately, he or she will be unable to attend outdoor activities (including recess). If the temperature including the wind chill falls below twenty degrees, the students will stay inside for recess. Dr. Louis A. Corsaro, the school district physician, has advised us in these matters. 

Attendance

As a reminder, please call the school attendance line at 763-7150 if your child is absent from school. If your child is absent and no call is made, the school will attempt to contact you.  Additionally, please send in a written excuse with your child when he/she returns to school. 

Mark Your Calendar

 Wednesday, November 13         IMES PTO Meeting/Principal’s Coffee 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 14             Early Dismissal 12:15 p.m./No lunch served/PT Evening Conferences

Thursday, November 28            Thanksgiving/Schools Closed

Friday, November 29                

*Not all grade level events, such as field trips, are listed above. 

 As we look forward to Thanksgiving, a holiday of gratitude with our families and friends, we would like to wish you and your families a very happy & healthy Thanksgiving!  

 Sincerely,

Kerry Ford & Andy Galotti