Friday Notes, 12/11/2020

Dear Panther Families,

I enjoyed being a part of the first ever PTO Game Night on Tuesday. It was a lot of fun! The event was so well received that the Parkwood-Upjohn PTO will be hosting a second game night on January 12th at 6 PM. Stay tuned for more details.

Congratulations to our Small Group Attendance Superstars for this week! I enjoyed dropping off prizes and certificates to our raffle winners and I am looking forward to celebrating next week’s winners as well.

Next week will also be our last week of school before the Holiday Break. This week’s Panther Project Idea, from the Parkwood-Upjohn 2nd Grade Teaching Team, offers families the chance to learn about holiday traditions from around the world while school is not in session. Thank you Ms. Guillen, Ms. Townsend and Ms. Erway!

Here are a few other important reminders;

1. The Curbside Library at Parkwood-Upjohn is still in full swing! Consider checking out books to read over the break.

2. For the most up-to-date information regarding Art, Music and P.E. class times, check out the KPS Specials site while logged into a KPS Account.

3. There will be lunch distributions over Winter Break at; Kalamazoo Central High School, Community Education Center (Chenery), Hillside Middle School, Milwood Middle School, Northeastern Elementary, Foxridge Apartments and Interfaith. There will be more details to follow.

4. The Parkwood Panthers will be hosting a Poppa Panthers Virtual Dance-Off on Friday, January 8th and are looking for a few more participants. If you are a dad, staff member or spouse of a staff member with dance experience  and are interested in participating, contact a PTO Board member or just reply to this email.

Also, when you get a chance, take a look at your child’s Social and Emotional Weekly Review from our Behavioral Specialist, Ms. Collins. This week’s topic was prejudice.

Have a great weekend Panthers,

Mr. Murray

Friday Notes, 12/4/2020

Dear Panther Families,

Thank you for making the transition to Trimester II seamless and highly productive for our students. Despite the scheduling changes for most students our attendance and engagement has remained as high as ever during the remote learning era. Thank you parents for continuing to make the partnership with your child’s teachers a success!

Next week, we need your help with two important initiatives;

First, we have brand new supplies in the office for your student! All students, regardless of learning option, have resources that need to be picked up in the office in order for students to be successful learners in Trimester II. Some of the supplies are basic – such as pencils and paper – others are specific learning resources that your child will need in class and can only obtain from Parkwood-Upjohn. A few parents were able to pick up these supplies this week. If you have not already picked up these new supplies, please do so during any school day next week between 8 AM and 4 PM. 

Second, continue to ensure that your child attends small-group learning as scheduled on school-day afternoons. Beginning next week, two students from each class will be honored for excellent small group attendance. We want every child to be a winner!

Also, when you get a chance, take time to check out this week’s;

A. Panther Project Idea with a focus on how students can “give back” during the holiday season.

B. Social Emotional Lesson Review from Parkwood’s Behavioral Specialist, Ms. Collins, that is designed to help students resolve conflict.

Thanks for staying Panther Strong!

Have a great weekend,

Mr. Murray