Principal’s News – January 2026
“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” Vern McLlellan
January Monday’s with Marissa we will focus on “making responsible decisions…stop, think, act.” The discussion will encourage students to reflect on what to do when they need to stop when reacting to a decision, what questions to ask when they think about the next steps, and how to act responsibly when responding.
As required by State law, elementary schools are required to conduct an evacuation drill within the first 10 days after winter break. This month we will conduct our standard fire drill to comply with State law.
As the weather changes, please send your students with appropriate clothing for recess. During the winter months we often see an increase in parents dropping off and picking up their students. Help us keep the students safe and the traffic flowing by following the rules of drop off and pick up. This year we have noticed an increase of parents parking in the bus lane before and after school. Our transportation department and bus drivers have asked that you not use the bus lane to park and/or drop of your students from 8:30am-9:00am and from 3:00pm-3:45pm. Please use the east parking lot during those times.
Being informed is more than knowing facts — it’s about helping young people learn to question, analyze, and make sense of the information they encounter every day. In a world where news, opinions, algorithms, and misinformation are everywhere, our kids need the skills to pause, think, and investigate before deciding what to trust. When children learn how to verify sources, recognize bias, and cross-check claims, they’re not just building academic skills — they’re developing the habits they need to stay safe online and grow into thoughtful, responsible citizens.
This month, we’re highlighting the Informed skill from Common Sense Education’s Digital Citizenship curriculum. At home, you can support this by talking with your child about what they see online, asking questions together, and modeling how to slow down and check whether information is trustworthy.
When children learn to be informed, they become safer, smarter, and more empowered citizens. https://cnyns.org/4p5IyJ9Links to an external site.
Calendar items:
01-05 Monday’s with Marissa
01-07 PTA meeting, 9am faculty room
01-12 SCC meeting, 4pm library
01-15 5th grade Science Fair
01-16 & 19 NO SCHOOL
01-20 thru 23 PTA membership drive