Families of Longfellow Elementary-
I've been sharing a lot of my gratitude lately for all the wonderful things our community does for the kids of Longfellow. Another big thank you goes out to the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, Salida Parks and Rec, the Salida Fire Department, and the Fibark Board, for their support of our 3rd annual “Every Kid in a Life Jacket” program. With the river being such a big part of our town, river and water safety is something that we all must take seriously. A few years ago, this group came together and created this event to teach our kids how to play safely in the river. Through the efforts of these groups, each kid walks away from the event with their own PFD. I’m truly thankful for all these groups and the care they show for our kids and their safety, especially in and around the river.
The LPA sponsored run club is almost here! First through 4th graders are invited. Kindergarteners are welcome, but need a parent to attend and participate in all of the activities. Registration is capped at 30 students, so sign up soon to get your spot! It’ll be held Mondays after school from 4:00 - 5:00 pm. It starts next Monday, April 28th, and ends May 19th. Students will meet in the foyer of Longfellow after school to check in. All activities will take place on the grassy field at Longfellow. For Kindergarten parents, pick up your child from their teacher, as usual, and then come in through the front doors of the school to check in. If your student is interested, you can sign up here: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/run-club-spring--2025
Speaking of our kindergarten friends, yesterday, we held our second annual “Hop into Kindergarten” from 5:00-6:30. We invited our next year’s kindergarteners and their families as a way to get comfortable with our building and all the wonderful things we have going on at Longfellow. The families entered through the Kindergarten doors on the east end of the building as a way to help start building those routines and were able to tour the classrooms and the building. I’d like to extend a thank you to our kindergarten teachers and all the families who were able to attend. (It’s great for us too, as we get to meet our new little lions.)
As we are heading into the last week of our annual swim lessons, I wanted to give a shout out and a big thank you to our friends at the Salida Aquatic center. As an extra thank you to the swim instructors, Coach Gardunio is organizing an opportunity for families to show their gratitude as well. A designated tip jar will be placed in a visible location near the pool entrance. Parents and guardians may contribute if they wish to show appreciation. Tips will be distributed fairly among the swimming instructional staff. This is completely optional and just our way of saying thanks.
Finally, our families here at Longfellow come in all shapes and sizes. It’s part of what makes the world beautiful. Knowing this, I’m attaching a couple of flyers that I hope will allow some of our guardians to connect. One is a Nurturing Fathers Class offered by Family Youth Initiatives. The other is a Grandfamilies listening session offered by the Age Strong Chaffee Coalition. Both events offer child care and dinner. Every kid deserves someone who loves and cares for them and for everyone, I just wanted to say thank you. You make a difference for a kid…which makes a difference for the world.
Cory Scheffel