April 2024

First graders at Park Elementary participating in an “Adopt a Peep” activity. Prior to Easter weekend, students selected a Peep from a table of the sugary confection to adopt and then returned to their classrooms to fill out paperwork on the adoption which included writing descriptions of their Peep, names, colors, and drawings.

Stewart Runsick, Clay County Extension Agent/Chair came to Park Elementary to visit K-C to talk about embryology on Friday March 29. Mrs. Burkheart’s class is hatching chick eggs provided by Kylee Burkheart in their classroom.

Spring is finally here! As hard as it is to believe, we are on the last stretch of the 202324 school year. This is one of the busiest times of the year and can be very trying on teachers, students, and parents. We are tired and struggling to stay motivated. However, spring is a season of renewal, and as we begin to countdown to summer break, I have a few tips to share with you to help your students stay motivated and enjoy the remaining weeks of school. First, we need to refresh our expectations. We have all faced challenges this year, but we need to let go of our previous performances, set new expectations and finish strong. Second, let’s look to the future with renewed purpose. Think of the remaining weeks as a mini school year. Our yearly standardized tests are upon us and we want our students to do their best. Next, let’s prepare for summer break. Research shows that students regress 2.6 months in math over summer vacation. To help prevent this loss, show students how classroom learning applies to life. Use this summer to explore nature, play brain games, and read! Make sure you support your child by reading with them, taking them to the library, and having them read something every day. Students can enjoy summer vacation and learn at the same time. Lastly, the school year can be hard on everyone, so we will do our best to end on a positive note. We’ve worked hard this year and deserve some fun. The weather is improving; we are getting antsy for summer and ready for the break. After testing is over, we are planning some fun activities and outside learning for our students. We want to leave students with lasting memories, motivate them to learn and be good citizens, and uplift them throughout their lives. As we begin this last quarter of the 23-24 school year, I challenge all teachers, students, and parents to stay the course and finish this year strong!