Cedar School News and Updates 12/10/23

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As we journey toward the winter break, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff and families for their dedication and commitment to making Cedar a school focused on the whole child. This includes an environment that promotes children’s academic growth, as well as cognitive, physical, and social and emotional development. We have made a significant amount of progress with our students in the classroom. We are also very proud of the hard work and dedication that the students have shown outside of the classroom, which leads me to my next topic. 

Last year, we had several initiatives during the year where our school community demonstrated giving back to our local community. This year is no exception. I am excited to announce that we collected 115 gift cards totaling over $2,400 in donations during our Blizzard of Kindness fundraiser! The Hanover VNA received the gift cards shortly after the conclusion of the fundraiser, allowing the organization adequate time to distribute the cards to families in need before the holiday season. This is a tremendous accomplishment for a fundraiser that was conducted in one short week. I am so proud of our students and families for making a positive impact on others!

There was a great deal of excitement surrounding the recent Thanksgiving Raffle. Two students were selected from each grade level and awarded prize bags. Our grand prize winner won a pizza party in my office. Thank you to all the students who contributed to this fun initiative and for sharing what you were thankful for this Thanksgiving. Also, thank you to the Cedar PTA for funding the raffle prizes. 

On Friday morning, Cedar students had the fun opportunity to throw (cotton) snowballs across the cafeteria in celebration of filling up the Super Friend Reward Jar. The facial expressions on the students during this activity were pure joy. We heard many students claiming that this was the “Best Day of the Year!” Students were able to engage with peers while getting great exercise. There is much anticipation around what the next school-wide celebration might look like later this winter!

This year, the Special Education staff at Cedar School has been involved in training around the new Individualized Education Program (IEP) Forms. It is expected that the new forms will be implemented by the district starting in the Fall of 2024. More information on this topic will be shared in the spring. 

Shoutouts

Thank you to Megmark Designs for the fantastic lawn sign that was on display for our students at the front of the school complex last Friday. This was a fun surprise for both students and staff to help wrap up the Blizzard of Kindness!

We would also like to recognize the Hanover Facilities Department for their recent work at Cedar. This department is constantly responding to requests in a timely manner and has made significant improvements to our building over the past three months. We are fortunate to have a department so committed to ensuring that the safety of our students and staff are at the forefront of their work. 

Additional Updates and Reminders

The dates for the Cedar School Winter Concert are listed at the bottom of this Cedar School message. We invite family members to attend this performance, but please know that we are encouraging no more than two adults per family in order to ensure we have sufficient space in the cafeteria.

The Gingerbread House event is quickly approaching! Each student will have the opportunity to create a Gingerbread House on the day of the event. Dates and times for each grade level have been provided below. This event is open to families, but please know that we are asking that only one adult attend the Kindergarten and First-Grade events in order to ensure there is adequate space for the students and their materials. We also ask that siblings not attend in order to help support this idea. Links pertaining to donating to this event can be found below. The Cedar PTA wants to remind the school community that all donations should be brought in by 3:00 pm on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. 

The Cedar PTA is seeking volunteers to help organize for the Gingerbread House event. Please email the Cedar PTA (cedarschoolpta@gmail.com) if you are interested in helping organize this event. 

Links

• Gingerbread House Supplies
• Preschool Gingerbread House Supplies
• Kindergarten Gingerbread House Supplies
• First Grade Gingerbread House Supplies
• HPTA Holiday Drop and Shop Registration
• PBS Home Certificate

Important Dates

• December 14, 2023 - Report Cards Available to Kindergarten and First-Grade Families in Aspen
• December 15, 2023 - Kindergarten Winter Concert for Parent(s)/Guardian(s), 8:45-9:15 am (Visitors are encouraged to arrive at 8:35 am)
• December 15, 2023 - First Grade Winter Concert for Parent(s)/Guardian(s), 9:45-10:30 am (Visitors are encouraged to arrive at 9:35 am)
• December 19, 2023 - Preschool Holiday Concert/Gingerbread Activity (Families are encouraged to attend)
  • AM Preschool Session, 10:00-10:40 am
  • PM Preschool Session, 1:30-2:10 pm
• December 20, 2023 - Kindergarten Gingerbread Activity (One parent/guardian is encouraged to attend)
  • AM Session (Chandler, Kinasewich, Weimann, Concannon, Driscoll), 9:15-9:45 am
  • PM Session (Bartolotti, Brown, Chase, Nameika), 1:30-2:00 pm
• December 21, 2023 - First Grade Gingerbread Activity (One parent/guardian is encouraged to attend)
  • AM Session  (Anderson, MacNeill, Horton, Pollock, Johnson), 9:15-9:45 am
  • PM Session (Sharpe, Caulfield, McGinnis, Downs), 1:30-2:00 pm
• December 22, 2023 - Early Release Day for Kindergarten/First-Grade Students; No Lunch,12:00 pm
• December 22, 2023 - No school for All Preschool Students
• December 25, 2023 - January 1, 2024 - No School for Students and Staff (Winter Break)
• January 2, 2024 - Students and Staff return from Winter Break
• January 9, 2024 - Early Release Day for Kindergarten/First-Grade Students, 1:00 pm
• January 15, 2024 - No School for Students and Staff (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
• January 26, 2024 - Report Cards Available for Preschool Families
• January 29, 2024 - Parent/Guardian Workshop, Facilitated by Cedar PBS Team, 6:00-7:00 pm

There are so many great things happening at Cedar over the next two weeks. We look forward to seeing you in the building soon. 

Best, 

Jesse Craddock
Principal