A Note from Mrs. Hammer
Attendance Spotlight
November brought so much to celebrate. Our students continue to show up ready to learn, and the impact is showing in our data. Right now, only 17 of our 326 students are considered chronically absent, which places us at 5 percent and meets the state’s goal. Even better, several students who were identified as chronically absent earlier this fall had no additional absences in November. That growth deserves a huge round of applause. ๐
Our average daily attendance sits at 97 percent, well above the state target of 95 percent, and our second graders are leading the way at 96 percent. We also want to give a special shoutout to the 90 students who have had perfect attendance, showing up for all 64 days of school so far. That consistency makes an enormous difference for their learning and confidence. ๐
As we move into a joyful but very busy season, we appreciate families continuing to stay mindful of attendance. Winter months often bring colds, flu, and unpredictable weather, so partnering together helps keep students healthy, safe, and in school when they are well enough to attend.
A few practical reminders as we head into December and beyond:
- Build a calm evening and morning routine to help with smoother starts. โฐ
- Keep a simple checklist by the door for backpacks, folders, and winter gear. ๐๐งค
- If your child wakes up feeling off, touch base with your pediatrician or our school nurse to decide whether they’re well enough for school. โค๏ธ
- Try to schedule appointments outside of school hours when possible. ๐
- Let us know early if you’re facing a barrier to getting your child to school. We are here to help. ๐ค
Thank you for helping us keep attendance strong. Your partnership makes all the difference, and we love celebrating these successes with you.
And a quick reminder…when sending an email communication to me, please also include Mrs. Morrison (kmorrison@coventryct.org).
CGS PTO News & Events
**PTO Craft Show: TOMORROW, 9am-2pm. Be sure to stop by Coventry High School to pick up gifts and a baked treat or two, there will also be crafts for the kids to make! Mrs. Hammer will be there shopping between 9-10AM!
**CCMC PJ DAY: Students get to wear their PJs to school and feel free to donate $1 or more; proceeds will benefit CCMC. They are also collecting small toys (Hot Wheels/Barbies, soft throw blankets or gift cards from $5-$20) which will be distributed to the kids in the hospital. In the evening, join us for PJ Movie Night at 6pm at the high school with food, raffles, Frosty the Snowman movie, and a sing-a-long featuring Mr. Kyer!
**Restaurant Days: Save the Date with Husky Pizza on December 15th! For every purchase on that date, Husky PIzza will donate 15% back to the school!
**๐ ๐ผ ๐ค๐๐ฃ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ข๐ฎ๐ช๐ผ๐ธ๐ท ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ๐ ๐ผ ๐ค๐
CGS PTO has adopted a family through Coventry Human Services. With the help from our amazing community, we could make this family’s holiday wish come true! Below, you will find the link to our Sign Up Genius that includes items from our Adopted Family’s wishlist! ๐ฃ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ด๐๐ต. They can be dropped off at CGS or sent with your students labeled “CGS PTO” Thank you for all your support!
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0E4CA4AB2EA4F8C16-60721630-adopt
A Peek Inside Our Week
See photos of some of the special moments we shared this week.
Highlights include: “Team theme” outfits, disguised turkeys, Kindergarten marble runs, and tanagrams in Grade 1!
And be sure to check out our first High Tide Heroes of December. We had the privilege of recognizing a lot of role model students this week!
**NEXT FRIDAY** CCMC Pajama Day for the Kids
This year marks the 15th anniversary of PJ Day for the Kids, a fundraiser that began right here in Coventry — in a 2nd grade classroom at Coventry Grammar School! What started as a small act of kindness has grown into a statewide tradition supporting the amazing care provided by the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (CCMC).
On PJ Day (Friday, December 12th), students and staff across Connecticut wear their coziest pajamas and donate to help kids fighting cancer and other serious illnesses. It’s a wonderful way for our young learners to see how kindness, empathy, and community spirit can make a big difference.
Check out the flyer linked below, scan the QR code to donate or share with family and friends, and don’t miss the short promotional video that tells the inspiring story of how PJ Day began — right here at CGS!
CGS - PJ Day 2025 Flier (1).pdf
(please see this updated flyer as there was difficulty with the previous QR code!)
Daily Snack Reminder
We’ve noticed many more students arriving at the Main Office in need of a snack, and our small emergency supply is being used very quickly. Every classroom enjoys a daily snack time, and having something from home helps students stay energized and ready to learn throughout the day.
When packing lunches each morning, please be sure to include a snack or two. Families also have the option to purchase a snack through the cafeteria if that works better.
Thank you for supporting these healthy habits and helping our days run smoothly.
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…
- Have your child tell you about the story of The Three Little Pigs.
- Letters y, yellow, /y/ and x, fox, /x/. Can he or she write the letters with correct formation?
- Shapes…While children can identify basic shapes with ease, encourage your child to use details to describe a shape!
Ask your 1st GRADER…
- What is a fable?
- What lesson can we learn from “The Ants and the Grasshopper”?
- How do you spell the tricks words: who, what, when?
- Who is the Polite Penguin?
Ask your 2nd GRADER…
- What does a “silent e” do to a vowel?
- Can you think of 5 words with a “silent e”?
- What are the major points on a compass rose? How can these points help you?
Ask ALL students based on their visit to the Library…
- How can you tell if a book is fiction or nonfiction?
- When reading a book together, ask “Who are the characters? What is the setting?”
Mark Your Calendars!
PTO Craft Fair/Bake Sale: Saturday, December 6th
CCMC PJ Day for the Kids: Friday, December 12th
CGS Student/Staff Holiday Spirit Days: December 12th - December 23rd Spirit Day Calendar
Breakfast with Santa: Saturday, December 13th Breakfast with Santa Flyer 2025.pdf
CHS Carolers Visit CGS: Monday, December 22nd
Early Release - Winter Break: Tuesday, December 23rd
Winter Break: December 24th - January 2nd
Events in the Larger Community
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