February Paw Print-19/20-

December Lion Pride Winners

Jonah G., Mila F., Nolan R., Nora S., Auliya A., Evelyn R.H. ,

January Lion Pride Winners

Jase J., Nora A., Bridgett W., Ruth L., Evelyn P.

Wow! January and February have come and gone very quickly, and February is almost over already! I think the weather will be turning soon, the sun is staying out later in the afternoon, and we are quickly approaching spring break. I am really looking forward to spring…

Regardless of the cold weather we had recently, the last few weeks have been busy! Last week, we had fun Valentine activities that happened in all of the classrooms. We definitely felt the love from your students!! Last Tuesday, we also celebrated Day 100, and students participated in 100 acts of kindness, counted to 100 in many ways, and celebrated being 100 days smarter! Our 2 ^nd , 3 ^rd , and 4 ^th grade actors did a fantastic job this weekend with SCPA’s partnership with Ashland Theatre to perform The Grunch . They had two performances, and it was really fun to see our young thespians on stage having a blast!

Also starting last week, students have been participating in the PowerUp Challenge, sponsored by HealthPartners. PowerUp is a community-wide initiative to make life easy, fun, and popular for kids and families to eat better and move more, so that our kids can grow up healthy. PowerUp is a long-term commitment to create change over 10 years in partnership with schools, businesses, health care, civic groups, families, kids, and the entire community. The students have had presentations in their classrooms and the opportunity to try new vegetables. For 2 weeks, we ask that you support your child in tracking the fruits and vegetables that they eat. When the trackers are returned completed, the school receives equipment to support a healthy, active lifestyle. There is also a survey that you can complete that supports the Lower School in funds for wellness/physical education/recess items. Thank you for supporting one of our wellness initiative!

We love looking for ways to highlight students who show good character, exude school spirit, and celebrate leadership. Fourth grade students have been leading the school every Monday by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance on the intercom and announcing the upcoming activities for the week. In addition, 4 ^th graders sing the school song CAVE LEONES (“Beware the Lions”) at the end of announcements. A trophy is awarded to the strongest, loudest, and most accurate classroom singers. All 2 ^nd , 3 ^rd , and 4 ^th graders who show exceptional leadership are rewarded to be taste testers for the cafeteria. They were able to taste and rate possible new food that may appear on the menu for all SCPA students. It is exciting for those chosen to be able to identify if they were going to like the new foods. Students are eager about future opportunities to be a part of the decision-making process at SCPA! There will be one more taste-testing opportunity this spring. Thank you for supporting our students in making good choices, showing outstanding character, and being positive leaders!

This year, we are trying a new fun way to excite students about reading and to put a book in every student’s hand before spirit week and DEAR Day. We are having a Book Swap on Friday, February 21 ^st . Starting Tuesday, February 18 ^th , every student can bring to school 1-5 books in good condition to receive a Book Buck to trade for another book that someone else has already enjoyed. This is an optional event, and students may feel free to donate more than 5 books (spring cleaning is right around the corner). Once all of the books are collected and sorted by grade, students will be able to get a “new” book per Book Buck starting on Friday the 21 ^st at 12:45 p.m. Parents and teachers will be available to help students select books that they may like. Based on how many books are available, every student will likely receive an additional free book from the event. We are very excited to see how this event inspires our students to read!

During the week of February 24, we will be hosting the 4 ^th annual Spirit Week in the lower school! Every spring, we will celebrate the joy of reading. This year’s author highlight will be a study of author Roald Dahl, who is famous for writing fun classics such as James and the Giant Peach , Charlie Chocolate and the Chocolate Factory , Matilda , and BFG . There will be silly dress-up days for the lower school only ( if students do not dress up, they must be in school uniforms ) . The Scholastic Book Fair will be Thursday, February 27 from 5:30-7:00p.m. at the 4 ^th annual Book BINGO, which is now sponsored by Parent Group, will be held in the Auxiliary Gym this year due to middle school concerts. Last year, over 100 students and family members joined us in the cafeteria to play the well-known game. It got a little competitive, as books from the Scholastic Book Fair books were the prizes! Please plan to attend this fun, free night created just for lower school students and their families.

Following are the Roald Dahl books and dress up themes:

Monday, February 24 –

Rhyme Stew (hat/crazy socks day – wear a hat and/or fun socks)

Tuesday, February 25 –

BFG (crazy hair day)

Wednesday, February 26 –

Danny and the Champion of the World (sports day – wear sports-related clothes)

Thursday, February 27 –

The Incredible Crocodile (stuffed animal day - bring a fuzzy stuffed animal to school)

Scholastic Book Fair

Book Bingo 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. in the Aux Box (auxiliary gym) – FREE event!

Friday, February 28 –

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (wear pajamas to school)

DEAR Day (Drop Everything and Read Day)

Scholastic Book Fair

Between now and spring break and then the long stretch at the end of the year, please remember to call your student in at the beginning of the day regarding attendance. The attendance line for the Lower School is (651) 395-5991. Additionally, if your child has a medical appointment and/or needs to leave early, please send them with a note or call the office as soon as possible. Please note: it is difficult to return calls to verify that the message was received. If you leave a message, we will do our best to have your child in the main office for pick-up. Occasionally, with busy school days and learning activities, the office may still need to call the classroom. We promise to do our best to make it as convenient and quick as possible.

Thank you for all of your support as we head into the home stretch of the school year. I am looking forward to seeing what spring has to bring!

Go Lions! Prep for Life!

Joann Karetov

Update on Service Day

Unfortunately, Service Day, which was scheduled for February 7, has been postponed until April 9 ^th . We will change up some of the activities as we celebrate service and our community and as we approach the 3-day weekend and prepare to start MCA testing. There will be more details in the coming weeks on what the events will be for each grade level. This will also give students extended time to save their pennies for their phy ed class as the LS donates to Pennies for Patients every year!

Good Study Habits

It is that time of the year when the academics are now in full swing, we have been back from breaks, and there is really only one major break left of this school year (I know it’s hard to believe because it is still winter, but the school year will be over before we know it). Here are some helpful tips when supporting your student in doing homework and studying for tests. Click here

Upcoming Events

February

Used Uniform Collection: February 19 from 9:00-9:30 a.m.

Book Swap week: February 18-21

Book Swap: February 21

Reading Spirit Week: February 24-28

Book Bingo: February 27 from 5:30 – 7:00 Aux Box

Scholastic Book Fair: February 27 (p.m.) – 28 (atrium)

March

Non-Uniform Day: March 6

Spring Break: March 9 – 13

Coupon Non-Uniform Day

End of Quarter 3 – March 27

No School – March 30

St. Croix Prep. Lower School | 651-395-5920 OFFICE |

LS Attendance Line 651-395-5991 | 651-395-5922 FAX