3.24.23

March

Fri, 24 -- Anything But a Backpack Day

Mon, 27 -- Spring Break Begins!

Thurs, 30 -- Dine for Cushing: Panera, 4-8

April

Sat, 1 -- Yearbook Orders Due

Mon, 3 -- Classes Resume

Fri, 7 -- NO SCHOOL

Mon, 10 -- NO SCHOOL

Thurs, 20 -- FIELD TRIP: 4th & 5th Grades, Camp Edwards

Fri, 21 -- FIELD TRIP: 4th & 5th Grades, Camp Edwards

Mon, 24 -- Book Fair Starts

Thurs, 27 -- FIELD TRIP: 1st Grade, First Stage

Fri, 28 -- FIELD TRIP: 2nd Grade, Retzer

Dear Families,

This week during our student services lesson on Respect, Ms. Wiseman spent time with each class reviewing their classroom respect agreements and had discussions about being accountable for upholding them. During the lesson, students read the story The Rule Doesn’t Apply To Me by Julia Cook.

This week’s lesson also focused on working with students on building a better understanding around what happens when their classroom respect agreements aren’t being followed. As parents, you may also be wondering, what happens next? Ms. Wiseman and our staff have been reviewing our school-wide “remind, re-teach, reflection sheet” process with students, and this will also be used when students are chronically not upholding their classroom respect agreements. Our school-wide work around respect and the created agreements were also discussed at our last parent advisory meeting. Parent feedback showed overwhelming support for teachers reaching out with a phone call and/or  meeting to discuss any chronic concerns related to classroom respect agreements with their students. 

Following spring break, the focus of our student services lessons will be on respecting others through problem solving and conflict resolution. Students will engage in learning new tools and strategies around areas such as listening to others opinions, respectfully disagreeing, and how to resolve conflict in a healthy way.

Ms. Hanson

Anything But A Backpack Day TODAY! Friday, March 24th

Today is Anything But A Backpack Day!! Students can come to school with all of their supplies in anything that isn’t a backpack. We are asking that the following parameters are followed:

• The container/item must hold everything a student needs for the school day
• A student should be able to easily carry the item into and around the building and on the bus
• Large items like canoes, large wheelbarrows etc. will not be allowed
• Nothing motorized

Get Your Acts Together!

Time for students to polish up their acts and show off their talents. Cushing’s Variety Show will be on May 23 and 24th during the school day for all students to enjoy. The show will be recorded and shared with parents so they can enjoy it too.

Whether you play the piano, dance, skateboard, sing, do gymnastics, or whatever, we want to see what you do in action! BE CREATIVE! Perform by yourself, with a friend, or group. Do you have a talent that can’t be shown live? Submit a video! More information coming soon.

Design Lab - Items Needed

Cushing Design Lab is in need of the following items:

• Small boxes (Mac & cheese or smaller)
• Medium boxes (Cereal Boxes or smaller)
• Toilet Paper and Paper Towel tubes (free of residual paper)
• Packing Peanuts
• White school glue
• Tape

If anyone is able to donate supplies, it is always appreciated.

Star Slip Winners!

Introducing: Cushing Staff Wellness Room

Our volunteers have worked hard (and resourcefully) to update the former Mothers’ Room/storage. This provides an adequate space for nursing mothers and will also accommodate any medical or personal needs staff may have.

This project could not have been completed without the support and generosity of several Cushing families, alum and staff. THANK YOU!

Dine For Cushing at Panera: March 30, 4-8

Jump Rope & Playground Ball Collection 

Do you feel like you have too many jump ropes and playground balls? Maybe your child received several from Jump Rope For Heart! Well the Cushing PTO is here to help take those off your hands. The week of April 3, one of your Cushing PTO members will be waiting at the carline after school to take any unwanted jump ropes and playground balls. No need to inflate playground balls if they aren’t yet. We’ll take care of that!! Simply spot us (we’ll make it easy) standing by the stop sign where the buses pass through. For questions please contact [email protected].

Spirit Wear Friday Is Back

Show us your Cushing pride!! Every Friday our Cushing Staff wears spirit wear and we’re inviting all students to join in and match the staff. Students may wear Cushing gear, decathlon shirts or anything blue and gold. Let’s see a sea of Cushing pride every Friday!

Clear Out Your Garage

Your friendly and helpful Cushing PTO is once again helping you declutter. As you are spring cleaning your garage or basement, if you find any outdoor games that you would like to donate to the school, we would happily take them. The Cushing PTO is trying to help the teachers and recess supervisors by finding fun things for the students to do once the playground demolition starts this spring. So if you have anything you’d like to donate, we would sincerely appreciate it. For questions please contact [email protected].

Cushing Playground Needs & UPDATES

The Cushing playground will be removed soon in preparation for our new playground coming this fall! To help our kids have fun at recess while the equipment is down, please take a look at our Playground Wish List. Items purchased directly from this Amazon wish list will be automatically mailed to Cushing for your convenience. The wish list can also be used as inspiration for donations of unused toys from home or deals you might spot elsewhere (for example, Five Below has a lot of playground toys for sale right now!). Thank you for considering!

We received an update this week that prep work will be starting over spring break. Over spring break, 6 foot fencing will be installed surrounding the playground equipment site, extending northwest towards the nature trail / tree line. This area will be blocked off for the remainder of the school year and will be off limits to ensure safety of all students. Removal of all the old playground equipment will commence at any point within the next few days / weeks, depending upon the ground temperatures and weather. I can assure you that construction equipment will be entering from the front parking lot, along the tree line into the fenced-in area, and will not interfere with the safety and designated recess play areas.

**LAST CALL** Cushing Elementary Yearbook - Due April 1

Yearbook orders are due April 1, 2023!!!! Click this link before time runs out. Yearbooks will be handed out by the school in June. The cost is $10 each.

Box Tops

Buy the brands you already love and make a difference for Cushing! Simply scan your receipt within 14 days of purchase to earn cash for your school with every participating product you buy.

Google | APPLE Store

Save The Date: Spring Book Fair - Week of April 24

More details to come!

Upcoming PTO Meeting Dates

If you would like to join a meeting, please email [email protected]

April 14, 2023

May 12, 2023

June 2, 2023

Check out the PTO’s website. You can also find us on Facebook

KM Community Education provides recreational and educational opportunities for families. Please be sure to visit the website often for updates and new programs. For program information and registration forms, visit www.kmsd.edu/communityed.

Jr. Laser Football Fall 2023

Registration is now open for Jr. Laser Football for the fall season. Anyone interested in playing flag football for grades K-4 and tackle football for grades 5-8 are encouraged to sign up. Registration deadline is April 7. Late fee is applied after April 7 and team placement is not guaranteed. Sign up online at www.kettlemorainelaserfootball.com

After School Wrestling

An After School  Wrestling Program for all Elementary Students (K-5) will be offered this spring. This will be an action packed, fun, and safe  introduction to the sport of wrestling. Students with all ability and experience levels are welcome. Registration is available online at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/