On Teacher Appreciation Week, it goes without saying, how much I recognize and honor our hardworking, dedicated teachers and outstanding support staff. This week is typically filled with daily opportunities to send a note, card or message of gratitude. We encourage you to still reach out with a special gratitude to let your teacher, classroom aide, support staff and secretaries know how important they are in the education of your student and our school. We never could have imagined having to recreate the way we teach. But even in the current crisis, our DES educators strive to make a difference in the lives of our children, finding creative avenues for continuing the important work we have started. Their work and impact extends for beyond the boundaries of our classrooms into your homes. Please join me as we #thankateacher this week!
The spring time of the year is typically filled with opportunities to recognize students for various achievements and awards. Last week I was able to recognize Papoose Pride students on Facebook live for the trait of Patience. Here is the announcement should you want to watch. Those awardees are:
4th grade: Kyla W., Henry R., Alayshia C., Broxton P., Kylie N. , John H, Collin F., Zach H., Elle H, Ava N.
3rd grade: Sophia T, Josie H, Ben W, London W, Conner H, Haven R, Connor C, Legend L, Kai T, Quade M, Gabriella F.
2nd grade: Nicholas K, Jaylee R., Madilyn B., Karson C., Luna M, Makynzee S., Natalee C., Brooklyn J., Hailey V., Audree H., Khloe C., Grayson P.
1st grade: Kadence K., Zoey H., Korbin S, Evan P., Lola B., Macy H., Westin D., Noah S., Easton M., Bentley M.
Kindergarten: Max E., Sienna M., Ben S., Corbin M., Ellie M., Ophelia H., Marion P., Richard N.
Congratulations to these students. We will have our final Papoose Pride for Courage on Facebook live May 15 at noon.
It is with great pleasure we also recognize our students who were selected for awarded writing awards. The 2020 Spring Celebrations by the Southern Illinois Reading Council included three Du Quoin Elementary student authors. The SIRC sponsors an annual
writing contest, open to public and private school students across the southern Illinois regions in grades 2nd – 8th in a 13 county region. Students are judged on creativity and organization, as well as overall theme and message. Our 2020 winners are 3rd graders Ashlyn Strode (3rd place) and Kai Travis (1st place), submitted by teacher, Mrs. Kimberly Loyd; and 4th grader Kaila Kiechler (1st place) submitted by teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Craft. We are filled with pride for these students and their scholarly achievement!
This week we distributed the final packet of work for our engaging STEAM activities. We encourage you to complete the activities each day and send your teacher photos and messages about what you have learned. We will finish our A Boy Called BAT book this Friday and have scheduled a Facebook live discussion with our "Animal Guy," Mr. Bob Tartar at 1PM. We invite you to send questions and participate. The week of May 18 - 20 will be the final collection of completed work and books that need to be returned. We have bagged up student supplies and have them in the classrooms. We are hopeful to provide those to families later this summer when the opportunity to open the school is safe again. When that time occurs, we will send out a schedule and more details.
Finally please remember to make weekly contact with your teacher or complete our Remote Check-in Form. I am in the office daily and can be reached at extension 1050 or by email to answer questions and concerns.
With Papoose Pride,
Diana Rea
Facebook: @duquoinelementary
Twitter: @despapoose
Instagram: @despapoose