A Note from Mrs. Hammer
Partnering Together: Building RESPECT at Home and School
Last week, we introduced you to our current schoolwide behavior focus: RESPECT. At school, students are learning that respect is more than manners. One important skill in this is respectful communication and awareness of social context. This entails using words, tone, and behavior that are appropriate to the audience, setting, and situation.
Families play an important role in helping children practice these skills in everyday moments. This week I’m sharing simple strategies you can use at home to reinforce what students are learning at school; respectful communication means thinking about who we are talking to and how our words affect others.
Children learn communication by watching adults. Modeling respectful language helps children understand how words, tone, and body language work together.
🗣️ Try this:
• Model calm voices/language during stressful or frustrating moments
• Practice taking turns speaking at dinner or in conversation
• Encourage children to look at the speaker, make eye contact and use a clear voice
Practice “try again” language when words come out unkindly
Ask, “Who are you talking to right now? How should your voice sound?”
💬Family conversation starter:
“What does a respectful voice sound like at home? At school? On the playground? At the doctors office? etc.”
🎲 Quick Family Activity: Voice Check
Say the same sentence in three different ways:
• whisper voice
• shouting voice
• calm respectful voice
Ask your child:
“Which voice shows respect? Why?”
⭐ Respect in Action
When you notice respectful communication at home, name it:
“I noticed how calmly you explained your idea. That was respectful communication.”
Together, through school and family partnership, we are helping students build respectful habits that strengthen friendships, learning, and our entire school community.
And a quick reminder…when sending an email communication to me, please also include Mrs. Morrison (kmorrison@coventryct.org).
CGS PTO News & Events
*Talent Show
Join us TONIGHT at the High School Auditorium for the CGS TALENT SHOW!
Doors open at 6:45PM. The cost is $5 per person, or $10 for the whole family. Proceeds to benefit CGS. Amazing student acts from singing and dance, to magic and comedy. There are students and staff on the lineup. Concessions will be available for purchase.
We would love help with concessions and the admissions table, sign up: https://tinyurl.com/y7ckzyw8
*Monster Jam
Ticket orders due NEXT WEEK (March 6th). Email cgsptoct@gmail.com if you need a new order form.
*PTO Meeting
Our next PTO meeting is NEXT Tuesday (3/3) and will be virtual only! Join us: https://meet.google.com/mbw-cung-yjp
SAVE THE DATES
- March 10th - Butter Braid pickup
- March 20th - FREE EVENT - Spirit Night (Games, Music, Crafts and Treats)
- March 25th - 27th - Scholastic Book Fair during Student-Led Conferences
- March 28th - 2nd Annual FUN RUN @ CGS
- April 26th - Ringling Bros. Circus at the XL Center
A Peek Inside Our Week
See photos of some of the extra special and unique moments we shared this week with a blizzard, TWO remote learning days, and mountains of snow!
And be sure to check out the High Tide Heroes we celebrated this week! We had the privilege of recognizing a lot of role model students!
March Volunteering During Lunch Waves
CGS has LOVED welcoming family members into our building to support our students during one of the busiest and happiest parts of the day…LUNCH!
With three very full lunch waves, your presence truly helps everything run smoothly. Extra hands and caring adults create a calm, safe space where students can enjoy lunch, get the support they need, and transition successfully to recess.
If you are interested in volunteering in this role, For more information. You’ll also need to complete our CGS volunteer form before clicking the link below to sign-up for a time. The March schedule has just been released and will be updated on a monthly basis!
Student Led Conferences
We are excited to welcome families in for our upcoming Parent Teacher Conferences on March 25th, 26th, and 27th. This round of conferences will be especially meaningful, as students will play an active role in sharing their learning and growth with you.
During the student led portion of the conference (10 minutes), your child will take the lead in celebrating their progress. Students will prepare to:
• Share their growth in important social emotional and behavior skills
• Highlight literacy and math data that show their learning over time
• Talk about and present a writing sample they are proud of
• Demonstrate their learning by reading aloud, counting, or solving a math problem
• Share a personal goal they have set for the remainder of the school year
Student led conferences help children build confidence, reflect on their learning, and strengthen the home and school partnership that supports their success.
Conference sign ups will be shared with families next Friday, March 6th. We are aiming for 100% in person participation so that every child has the opportunity to proudly share their learning with you.
We look forward to welcoming you into our school and celebrating your child’s growth together!
Summer Curiosity Clubs
Hard to believe it’s already time to think about summer. If you’re looking for ways to engage your child(ren) during our break from school, Curiosity Clubs for Coventry Public Schools are now open for registration. Check out the club offerings, the at-a-glance flyer , and the website for registration.
Mark Your Calendars!
Read Across America Day: Monday, March 2nd **wear something readable!**
PTO Meeting (VIRTUAL): Tuesday, March 3rd
NO SCHOOL: Professional Development Day: Friday, March 13th
CGS’s PBIS Olympics: Thursday, March 19th (**new date**)
Due to the recent weather, remote snow days, and the impact on our in-person instruction, we’ll be moving our CGS PBIS Olympics to Thursday, March 19th! They were previously scheduled for Friday, March 6th.
Rock Your Socks for Down Syndrome Awareness: Friday, March 20th **wear mismatched socks**
Early Release Days - Student Led Conferences: March 25th - March 27th **sign-ups open 3/6**
Ask Me About...
Below you’ll find 2-3 questions from your child’s grade-level team and specials’ teachers that connect directly to what they’ve been learning; both in academics, related arts, and in social-emotional learning lessons. These are great conversation starters to help your child share, reflect on their day/week, and celebrate their learning with you.
Ask your KINDERGARTNER…
- What was your favorite part of your remote snow day?
- What makes the words “is” and “his” tricky? Sing the songs!
- Mrs. Emerson has 5 pink hearts. Mrs. Jensen has 3 red hearts. How many hearts do they have all together? Show your thinking in a number sentence or a number bond!
Ask your 1st GRADER…
- What is a vowel team? (A vowel team is two vowels together that make just one sound)
- Can you spell this week’s trick words: say and says?
- Why is counting by 10s faster than counting by 1s?
Ask your 2nd GRADER…
- How did virtual learning help to teach you how to be responsible, respectful, and safe?
- Name 2 ways to make a dollar.
- What are some similarities and differences between Johnny Appleseed and John Henry?
Want Access to a Previous Newsletter?
Throughout the year, you may miss something and want to easily access a previous week's newsletter. We've made it easy!
Quick Links
- Coventry Elementary Parent/Family Directory
- CGS/PTO Events Google Calendar
- Volunteer Guidelines
- Digital Backpack (includes events in the larger community)