MARK your CALENDAR!

DECEMBER 2020

1 - Challenge 2:35, MEC 2:45

2 - Staff in-Service, early dismissal–

Brown 11:45

3 - Student Council 2:35, MEC 2:45

8 - Challenge 2:35, MEC 2:45

10 - MEC 2:45

15 - MEC 2:45

17 - MEC 2:45

18 - End of 2nd qtr, staff in-service,

early dismissal–Brown 11:45

21-31 Christmas Vacation - NO SCHOOL

JANUARY 2021

1 - Christmas Vacation - NO SCHOOL

4 - school resumes, In-service, early

dismissal–Brown 11:45

5 - MEC 2:45

7 - Student Council 2:35, MEC 2:45

12 - MEC 2:45

14 - MEC 2:45

18 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - NO

SCHOOL

19 - MEC 2:45

21 - MEC 2:45

25 - Brown PTO Meeting 6:30 pm

26 - MEC 2:45

28 - MEC 2:45

Christmas Donations

Lettie Brown School and Student Council will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for children ages infant to 12 years old.

Toys will be distributed to children in Morton and Tazewell County by Toys for Tots and the United State Marine Corp Reserve.

lettie brown elementary

2550 n. morton ave.

morton, illinois

309-266-5309

24 hr. absence line

309-284-1000

DECEMBER 2020

COLD WEATHER IS HERE! Students may only play in the snow if they have boots, snow pants, coat, & gloves.

Reminder...All Kindergarten-6th grade students go outside each day at noon recess unless there is precipitation or the temperature is below 10° wind-chill. Please be sure to send them with the proper clothing.

Morton School District 709, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will continue the free lunch and breakfast program in December, including the Christmas holiday.

All Morton children ages 1 to 18 (not just District 709 students) are eligible for the program, regardless of family income.

If you wish to receive meals over the holiday, the deadline to let us know is Thursday, Dec. 10. Parents of students attending schools in person must register here. Families who receive December meals for remote students do not need to sign up a second time for these holiday meals.

Holiday pickup times are between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 21 and on Monday, Dec. 28 at Bertha Frank.

If you have questions, please direct them to Kristina Klein, operations supervisor at Arbor Management, kristina.klein@mcusd709.org or 309-284-6320, or to Amy Zimmerman at the Morton District Office, amy.zimmerman@mcusd709.org or 309-284-8070.

This USDA program is a carryover from the free lunch program instituted last spring in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue through the end of the school year, which ends in June 2021.

PAW PRIDE AWARDS - given out NOVEMBER 2020 Respect - Responsibi l ity - Safe - Engaged

Writing thank-you notes from Mrs. McDowell - Literacy Coach (from https://austinfamily.com/6-tips-for-teaching-kids-to-write-thank-you-notes/)

One of the easiest ways for children to express thanks is through a simple, handwritten note. Unfortunately, the ability and desire to write thank you notes is becoming a lost art. When we encourage our kids to routinely verbalize their gratitude, we teach them that saying thank you is a worthwhile habit—hopefully one that will stay with them. Follow these tips to simplify the process of writing thank you notes and teach your children to appreci-ate both the gifts they are given and the individuals who have given them. 1. Say thank you yourself. If you treat thank you notes as an obligation, your kids will see them that way, too. Instead, emphasize the importance of letting others know how much you appreciate their thoughtful gestures. Get in the habit of writing thank you notes yourself, and you will find that your children are more receptive to the idea of writing their own. 2. Make the notes age-appropriate. Young children who are just learning to write may not be able to compose long, eloquent letters, but they can draw pictures or sign their name. One fun way to cut the amount of writing required is to include a picture of your child with the gift he has received. 3. Keep stationary and art supplies on hand. .Designate a special thank you note box where your family stores supplies, so you are less likely to procrastinate (and then forget entirely). If you allow your kids to decorate their notes with stamps and glitter, they may be more enthusiastic. 4. Break up the work. Active children rarely want to sit and write for hours, so avoid working on lots of notes all at once. Instead, plan several short sessions over a week or two. Make it fun by enjoying a special treat while you work. 5. Participate in the process. Even older children are likely to need help clarifying their thoughts. Ask to see what they plan to write and offer constructive criticism. Emphasize neatness for the final copy. Yes, the kids may whine, but they will improve their writing, editing and penmanship skills. 6. Send notes through the mail. Many of today’s students are leaving school without ever learning how to correctly address a letter. Insisting on thank you notes is a great way to ensure that your child isn’t one of them.

Writing thank you notes doesn’t have to be as difficult as we make it out to be, and it’s a great way to teach our children an atti-tude of gratitude. Now is the perfect time to share this valuable skill with your child—and maybe get back into the habit yourself.

KBr Nova B.

Trueman M. Lennon O. Declan O.

Raj P. Hudson S.

KBu Caroline B. Naomi D.

Griffin G. (2) Tagg H. Bryer M.

Ramsey M. Violet M. Noah M. Avery S.

1S Alanna B. Olyvia G.

Eden M. (2) Charlotte O. (4)

Colton S.

1W Owen J.

Ollie K. Hollis L. (2) Harper S.

2B Hayden J.

2K: Jackson B.

Kendall C. (2) Aubrey C. (2) Olivia F. (3) Charlie G. Mason H.

Hudson H. Wendy L.

Daisy M. (2) Cael M. (3)

Ellie O. Anna P. Kunj P. Maya S.

Grayson S.

3K Alayah B. John K.

Sophia S.

Elizabeth S. Luella S.

Kamren Y.

3O Camden O.

Elijah W.

4B Brody B.

4Z Campbell B.

Milo K. Hadley L.

Brody M. Ellie R.

5G Gigi E.

Brayden H. Alayna J.

Izabelle K. Tinley S. Luke W.

6G Adly H. Addy J.

It’s hard to believe that the holidays are upon us! This last month we have spent time discussing what respect looks like at school, at home, and in the community.

If you haven’t yet, it would be a great time to have a follow-up conversation at home about respect. We also continued our conversations about kindness

and how one act of kindness can have a ripple effect. Our next character education lessons are scheduled after Christmas Break!

Mrs. Steiner , Lettie Brown School Social Worker

LETTIE BROWN PTO NEWS

Now that the warm weather has passed for the season, shorts will no longer be allowed during the second and third quarters at school. Also, leggings must be worn with a long shirt or sweatshirt that covers

the behind.

- Anytime your child is absent, you need to call the school to report the absence

on our 24-hour line.

call 284-1000

Please give the following information: the student’s

name, teacher, reason for the absence, along with any homework requested.

OTHER SCHOOL

NEWS

Limited Excused Absence

PLEASE help keep germs from spreading by following a few rules…

Remember to check your children for symptoms each morning. Keep your children home if they are exhibiting any symptoms. Please encourage your children to wear their masks, maintain

social distancing guidelines, and wash their hands throughout the day.

We want to stay as healthy as we possibly can so that we can continue in-person instruction.

Follow our Lettie Brown Elementary School

Facebook page!

We share updated school & district information, lots of classroom activities, and other fun things!

So, please search Lettie Brown Elementary School

on Facebook, and “like” our page!

the Lettie Brown Staff wishes a Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year! YOU

You can help Lettie Brown School by participating in the

KROGER Community Rewards Program

Register online at https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards

Click on Create Account or Register (you will need your Kroger card number) & create a profile

Select your Community Rewards to go to Lettie Brown PTO (organization #70347)

Kroger sends us a check (up to 5% of our purchases) quarterly for every time you use your card at the Morton Kroger!

*Please note - your enrollment in Community Rewards needs to be renewed each year. If you have not done so recently, go to the link above & click on Re-enroll Now.

amazonsmile

Register at smile.amazon.com/ch/37-1270878

Check your profile to make sure Lettie Brown School PTO

is your charitable organization

Shop at smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com

Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible Amazon Smile purchases