Fairview Elementary 

            Reading Thunderbirds

                                January 2026  

Welcome back, families! We hope you had a joyful and restful Christmas break and know how grateful we are for your continued partnership and support. As we begin the second half of the school year, we are excited to set goals together, work as a team, and finish the year strong while supporting every student’s growth and success.

HOMEWORK AND CLASS WORK – We want to encourage students to strive for excellence in all of their schoolwork.  Many students understand the learning objectives – but because they do not complete or hand in their assignments their grades suffer.  Teachers in grades 3-6 record all assignments and tests in PowerSchool.  Parents should take advantage of this powerful on-line tool to monitor their child’s schoolwork and then help them to get those assignments turned in.  Parents of students in grades K-2 can check regularly with their child’s teacher to ensure that assignments are being completed and turned in.  It often takes a firm and loving parent to teach their child about the importance of completing all schoolwork.

 

At home, make sure that your children have a designated place to complete their homework.  Turn off the TV and other distractions so that students can concentrate – which means they are likely to finish their work more quickly and it’s more likely to be correct.  Set aside enough time for your children to finish their work without rushing.  Really learning something takes time and effort.  When your child just “isn’t getting it,” make sure you talk to your child’s teacher.  Most importantly, help your child to take the completed homework and to put it in their backpack or folder so that they can remember to turn it in the next morning.  Let’s get 100% of class work and homework turned in – so that your child will be more successful in school.

 

FREE ACCESS TO NATIONAL PARKS FOR 4TH GRADERS AND THEIR FAMILIES – If you have a 4th grader and you would like a free National Parks pass for your family, go to:  https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm   It’s a great deal!

 

SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL - Our School Community Council will meet on February 24 at 2:45 pm at the school.  This is an open public meeting and we encourage school community members to join us as teachers and parents work together to make our school even better. Mary Kay Mower, Reuben Anderson, Ashlee Olson, and Heidi Hodgson are your elected parent representatives.  You are encouraged to discuss school issues with them so that they can then bring them to the Council.  You can also email the principal (allynne.mower@nsanpete.org) who will pass your comments on to the School Community Council.

 

PARKING LOT SAFETY – Just a few reminders to keep everyone safe in our parking lot:

§  Be so careful as you pull in and out of the parking lot.  Drive very slowly and always stop at the crosswalk.

§  Remind your children to always use the crosswalk and sidewalks and to be aware of moving cars.  If you are walking with them, please be a good example and always use the crosswalk and sidewalks.

§  Remember that children have a tendency to run out between cars if they see a parent or friend.  As drivers, expect the unexpected – and be aware of what is happening around you.  Watch for children.

§  Children should always be seat belted in the car – even if it is only a 2-minute drive to the house.  It is the law and it is the right thing to do.

§  If you are walking with preschoolers, hold on to them and never let them out of your sight.

§  Drive slowly.Focus 100% on your driving – leave the cell phone alone while driving in the parking lot.

CELL PHONES AND TOYS - Students are provided with the technology that they need to learn and succeed. Data consistently shows that electronic devices are a distraction to learning and result in lower student achievement. Any student who chooses to bring an electronic device to school is subject to all school rules and expectations concerning that device. Cell phones, earphones (including air pods) and other personal electronic devices (including smart watches) are prohibited from being used on school property during class time or recess.  If a student needs to call a parent, that phone call needs to be made from the office or classroom with teacher permission.

Christmas is a fun time where students want to show and play with the toys they received.  This is a distraction to the learning environment.  In order to prevent toys from being lost, broken, or stolen at school, please leave ALL toys home.

Please help us at school to prevent messes.  If you would like to send a water bottle with your child to school, make sure it does not spill when tipped over.  While a Stanley may seem like the cool water bottle, they make large messes when tipped over.  Also, please remember water only at school.  Thanks for your help.