Evening Star Elementary
April 2023
A Note from Principal Williams:
It's officially April! Can you believe that we will only have 41 school days remaining?
As we make our way into the 4th Quarter, we want to reiterate the importance of your child's attendance for the spring semester. Every minute of instruction between now and the end of the year is vital to your little owl's educational success. Please make every effort to have your child at school every day for the entire school day. When they arrive late or check out early, they miss valuable instructional time.
Additionally, when we start the 4th Quarter, we are reminded that the time for standardized assessment is quickly approaching. Arkansas will provide statewide tests beginning in April. This testing helps families and educators understand how much students have learned throughout the school year and whether they are on track to graduate high school and succeed in college, career, and life. Please mark these dates on your calendar and attempt to avoid or reschedule any non-critical appointments on the testing days.
ACT Aspire Testing Dates (3rd & 4th Grade):
- April 18, 2022: 3rd/4th Grade ACT Aspire (English)
- April 18, 2022: 3rd/4th Grade ACT Aspire (Writing)
- April 19, 2022: 3rd/4th Grade ACT Aspire (Science)
- April 20, 2022: 3rd/4th Grade ACT Aspire (Reading)
- April 21, 2022: 3rd/4th Grade ACT Aspire (Math)
MAP Testing Dates (Kindergarten-4th Grade):
- April 24th & 25th - 1st Grade MAP testing
- May 1st & 2nd - 3rd and 4th Grade MAP testing
- May 3rd & 4th - Kindergarten and 2nd Grade MAP testing
Furthermore, we look forward to sharing your child's success for the 3rd Quarter at Parent/Teacher Conferences this week. Our goal is to have 100% of our parents in attendance for Parent/Teacher conferences. If you still need to sign up for a date and time for a conference this week, please reach out to your child's teacher. We can't wait to see you!
Check out the April RISE Newsletter linked HERE. It contains information about executive functioning, the benefits of storytelling, and additional information about multisyllabic words.
Last but not least, we are asking for everyone's help in the car line. Cell phone use in a school zone is against Arkansas state law. No call or appointment is worth the risk of hurting a child. Please be diligent, and put the cell phones down. As a reminder, in Arkansas, the use of a hand-held cell phone for texting, typing, emailing, or accessing the internet is against the law, regardless of the driver's age. This is a primary offense. Remember - it can wait! Think about what you would want from any other driver when it comes to your precious child's safety. Together we can do better.
We appreciate you and all that you do to support Evening Star Elementary.
Principal Williams
Future ESE Events:
Mark your calendars:
- April 3rd, 4th, & 6th - Parent Teacher Conferences
- April 3rd - Support Staff Appreciation Day
- April 3rd-7th - Assistant Principal Appreciation Week
- April 4th - Librarian Appreciation Day
- April 7th- 2nd Grade Field Trip - Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
- April 11th - Kindergarten Graduation Pictures
- April 11th - 1st Grade Field Trip - War Eagle Cavern
- April 18th - 3rd & 4th Grade ACT Aspire English & Writing Assessment
- April 19th - 3rd & 4th Grade ACT Aspire Science Assessment
- April 20th - 3rd & 4th Grade ACT Aspire Reading Assessment
- April 21st - 3rd & 4th Grade ACT Aspire Math Assessment
- April 21st - 4th Grade performs at Naturals Game - Purchase tickets on MyPaymentsPlus - ESE Naturals
- April 24th - 3rd Grade Field Trip - Walton Arts Center
- April 24th-25th - 1st Grade MAP Testing
- April 24th-28th - Office Ladies Appreciation Week
- April 25th - PTO Meeting
- April 28th - Gold Rush @ Old Tiger Stadium 6:30 p.m.
- May 1st & 2nd - 3rd and 4th Grade MAP Testing
- May 3rd & 4th - Kindergarten and Second Grade MAP Testing
- May 5th - 3rd & 4th Grade PTO Spring Fling
- May 5th - Cafeteria Ladies Appreciation Day
- May 8 – Kindergarten Literacy Night for incoming Kindergarten Students - watch for a flyer
- May 9th - 3rd Grade Field Trip - Illinois Watershed
- May 10th - 4th Grade Field Trip - Rogers Bowling Center
- May 10th - School Nurse Appreciation Day
- May 16th - PTO Meeting
- May 12th - Gold Rush Bike Event
- May 23rd - Kindergarten Celebration at BWHS
- May 24th - Field Day
- May 29th - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
- May 30th - Last Day of School/Fourth Grade Clap-out
General Enrollment:
If you have a child who will be attending kindergarten this fall and missed the pre-registration deadline in Feb./March you will be able to fill out an enrollment form for the 2023-24 school year on or after April 3rd when our general enrollment opens up for brand new students for all grade levels.
General enrollment for the next school year for all NEW students starts TOMORROW- April 3rd. Please click HERE to learn more about enrolling your child in our school district.
Kindergarten Graduation Picture Day:
Kindergarten graduation picture day is April 11th. The picture day code for your Kindergarten Cap & Gown is: EVTHJHMNZ.
The system will remain open for orders for 48 hours. Anyone who didn’t order will also receive the proof sheet to order from if they choose. We will send home picture day flyers as soon as we receive them from Lifetouch.
ESE Run Club Information:
Registration is STILL open for the annual Gold Rush 5k and Fun Run! The final day to join Run Club is April 5th.
We want your runners-in-training to join us every Tuesday and Thursday after school. Run Club for April is from April 11th through April 27th.
In order to join Run Club, your student must be registered for the race along with an adult buddy runner. You must also fill out the registration/health history & release of liability form. Both must be completed for your student to be in Run Club! Students will not be allowed to run without both parts completed.
- First: Register your student and an adult buddy runner for the Gold Rush 5k or Fun Run at https://app.regwiz.io/register/goldrush/968
- Next: Fill out the Health History Update & Release of Liability form at https://forms.gle/YGnJGNkqFmyuKz5b7
- Last: Send your students in running clothes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from April 11th to April 27th with a water bottle and an extra snack. Car line will start at 3:30 each afternoon.
If you have any questions, you can reach out to Mr. Coriell at ccoriell@bentonvillek12.org.
We can’t wait to start running together!
The Discovery STEAM Before/After-School Program:
The Discovery STEAM Before/After-School Program is coming to ESE starting this fall when school starts.
Mission: Our goal at Discovery is to create a safe and fun environment where kids can learn and explore through experiential learning with hands-on activities balanced with active play. Students are placed in age-appropriate groups and spend 35-40 minutes rotating between our science, art, STEM time, library, gym, playground, and game time.
Program Details:
- Morning care starting at 6:00 am
- After-School care until 6:00 pm
- $85 a week
- $75 activity fee per semester
- Full Days offered on school breaks
- Located at the school
- Schools we serve: Centerton Gamble, Evening Star, Vaughn, and Willowbrook/Brightfield
- Click HERE to read more.
Contact Information:
Phone: 479-412-0770
ESE PTO News:
Our next PTO Meeting is April 25th at 8:30 am in our ESE Wonder Room. If you are interested in serving on our ESE PTO Board, nominations are being accepted until April 30th. If you would rather be a committee chair, we have spots available. Please email us your preference or nomination at Eveningstarpto@gmail.com. We are looking forward to a great year next year!
News from Nurse Crutchfield:
World Autism Awareness Day is Sunday, April 2nd. Please wear BLUE on Monday, April 3rd to show support for friends with autism and to help raise awareness of the condition. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 44 children in the United States today. For more information on Autism, click on the following link: https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism
Nurse Crutchfield
Counselor Updates:
Guidance lessons this month will focus on Careers/Goals/Hobbies.
April is testing season, and we are excited to see the progress that our owls have made this year! 3rd and 4th graders will take the ACT Aspire on April 18 - 21. We want everyone to feel calm and ready to do their best. Here are some tips to help your child cope if they experience test anxiety.
Remember: Not all stress is bad. Good stress pumps us up and can help us perform well. But too much stress can give way to anxiety and fear that get in the way of kids showing what they know. If you notice test anxiety, try these tips to help your child feel more at ease with test-taking.
- Ask your child what’s making him/her feel nervous. Often talking through it and saying what’s happening out loud can bring some relief.
- Remind them of past successes.
- Tell them that a little anxiety before a test is actually normal and can be helpful in performing your best.
- Practice doing tasks with a timer so that they are more at ease.
- Keep a good routine at night and in the morning. Getting plenty of rest is crucial to their success. Also, arriving at school on time helps to set a positive tone for their day. Prepping clothing, lunches, etc… the night before is key to starting off on the right foot!
- Fuel up with a good breakfast! Not too much sugar on testing mornings. Save the pancakes and syrup for a celebration of completion.
- Encourage them to just do their best! They have prepared all year and have the strategies to do well.
- Tell them to take deep breaths until they feel their bodies relax and give themself positive self-talk, “I will do my best.”
Then they can proudly show off what they know!!! Tests should be their time to shine as wise ESE owls!
We are here to help!
Pam Gaskin 479-360-7407 pgaskin@bentonvillek12.org
Paula Kaufmann 779-360-7408 pkaufmann@bentonvillek12.org
Whooo Loves to read? Your ESE OWLS DO!
Thank you all for your generosity with PTO’s Be the Change drive! All the Activity classes will benefit, and my list of student-requested books continues to grow! Another wonderful way to grow our library collection and honor your child for their accomplishments is to purchase a Celebration book.
2nd- 4th graders are all involved in some wonderful media projects,1st grade has had a blast designing and creating their own pinball games, and our sweet kindergarteners continue to love reading and being read to!
I love every minute with each of our children!
Read, Learn, and Explore!
Mrs. Watson, ESE Librarian
"Gym Shorts"
For the month of April, we will be learning about some lifetime sports such as tennis, golf, and riding bikes. With tennis, your little owls will be learning how to hit a moving ball coming towards them and learn to toss and hit on their own. For golf, we will teach both putting and chipping. We will finish off with a few fun stations using bicycles.
Coach Kerkhover and Coach LaRocco
ART Studio:
During the month of April, we have several exciting projects coming up! 4th graders are completing a canvas painting that will make a nice keepsake :) Our 3rd graders are completing a mask assignment and will do some acrylic painting as well. Little Owls in K,1 and 2 will continue to explore some exciting and fun day projects. I hope our artists at Evening Star Elementary are sharing their artwork with family members!
Keep Drawing!
Mr. Van Slyke
Music Notes:
Spring - and beautiful music - is in the air!
- Kindergartners are learning their songs for the Kindergarten Celebration on May 23. Mark your calendars - you won’t want to miss these sweet voices!
- 1st graders are continuing our exploration of traditional folk songs and singing games, expanding our vocal technique and musical understanding through play.
- 2nd graders and 3rd graders are expanding our music vocabulary and will soon begin a rhythm unit on our new set of African drums.
- 4th graders are working hard to apply their music reading skills, and vocal technique in preparation for their mini-concert at the Naturals Game on April 21st.
Buy your tickets today and let’s fill the stands with ESE friends and families! Tickets are available to purchase through any ESE 4th grader or through your child’s mypaymentsplus account. Please be careful when ordering on mypaymentsplus as other schools may also be selling online. Our event is the ESE Naturals game performance - tickets are for the Friday, April 21st game.
Please contact me if you have any questions! esimpson@bentonvillek12.org
Keep filling the world with music.
Mrs. Simpson
Global Connections:
How is it April already?! I have enjoyed hearing about the awesome adventures that took place during Spring Break. It is amazing to hear that students visited locations that we have studied in class and made real-life connections! We will kick off April with an introduction to Asia, while also focusing on Japan, Russia, and India! I have had many inquiries throughout the year about Asia and lots of eager owls wanting to learn all about it!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Connor
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE:
All of my students have finished ELPA testing, and parents will be notified by email with the results in the next couple of months. I am super proud of them for working so hard, and I am truly impressed with how far they have come this year. I also wanted to share about a fun multicultural festival coming up in Bentonville this month. This free, family-friendly event commemorates the many cultures that call Bentonville home. Mark your calendars now to join us for a fun event on Saturday, April 29th 4:00-9:00 pm at Orchards Park.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Tomblin
ESE Yearbook!
Yearbooks are on sale! Click this link to purchase and use our school code: 1015671061902803
The last day to create your custom pages is April 23rd.
Whooo's Soaring at ESE?
To access the Google form click on the following link: https://forms.gle/FNdobVKuUbBv2sx1A
Absences & Transportation Changes:
Teachers and front office staff may be out, so we ask that you refrain from emailing staff directly. This also applies to transportation changes. You can also use the esesattendanceclerk@bentonvillek12.org to send in doctor's notes. When parents email the esesattendanceclerk@bentonvillek12.org, both Mrs. Kendra and Mrs. Tammy receive the email. Thank you for your help with us as we want to make sure your child's attendance record is accurate and current.
2023-2024 School Calendar:
- TENTATIVELY Aug. 10th will be our Open House Day
- Aug. 16th is our first day of school
SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MENUS:
School breakfast and lunch are no longer provided for students for free. If you have not deposited funds into your child's account or applied for support for the cost of the meals, please log in to the Family Portal and do that. You will need your student's ID to log in.
If you would like to see what our cafeteria will be serving for breakfast and lunch for this month, simply click on the following link: https://www.bentonvillek12.org/page/food-and-nutrition