Welcome to this week's edition of the Blue Ball Elementary School Newsletter! We're excited to share the latest happenings and updates from our school community to keep you informed and engaged.

We hope that everyone is staying warm and safe during our current winter storm. A communication was sent from the District Office that if we are closed tomorrow, Monday (1/26), it will be a traditional snow day. All students brought home Flexible Instruction Day (FID) materials in the event that we are not in school on Tuesday. Please reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions about the FID materials.

Flexible Instructional Day (FID) is a remote learning day (an asynchronous day) that can be used instead of a traditional school closure during emergencies like a snowstorm. It counts as a full school day without the need for makeup days. On a FID, students complete assignments assigned by their teachers from home, and attendance is based on the submission of these assignments. If your student does not complete the required work, they will need to hand in an excuse card. This approach allows us to fulfill instructional time requirements while providing flexibility during unexpected closures.

This FID day will be treated like a regular school day regarding attendance. If a learner does not complete the required work within three (3) days, they will need to submit an excuse card.

Did you know that reading nightly steadily increases vocabulary by exposing the mind to new words in meaningful contexts. When readers encounter unfamiliar terms in stories or articles, they naturally infer meanings from surrounding sentences, which helps words stick more effectively than rote memorization. Regular exposure also reinforces previously learned vocabulary, deepening understanding and proper usage. Over time, this habit sharpens language skills, making communication clearer, more precise, and more confident.

Join the fun with our Book Bingo challenge! Papers came home last week with your child or you can print one from the link above. Reading each night is a great way to increase the vocabulary that your child hears and reads. Turn in completed bingo cards to earn a prize —happy reading!

Math fact memorization is important because it builds a strong foundation for efficient problem-solving and deeper mathematical understanding. When basic facts are recalled automatically, your child can focus their mental energy on reasoning, patterns, and complex concepts rather than simple calculations. This fluency increases speed and accuracy, reduces frustration, and boosts confidence in math tasks. Over time, memorized facts support success in higher-level math, where quick recall is essential for tackling more advanced problems.

We are grateful to our families for sharing your children each day as we grow and learn together. When students attend school consistently, they not only strengthen essential skills in reading, writing, and math, but also benefit from collaboration with peers—sharing ideas, building teamwork, and forming lasting friendships. Being together nurtures social development and fosters a sense of belonging that enriches the learning experience. When everyone is present, we grow stronger, more confident, and better prepared for success—together.

Congratulations to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Grades. These grades had 95% or better attendance this past week!

Congratulations to our weekly pizza winners. These learners have had an average daily attendance of 95% or more. We are gradeful for DiMaria's Pizza and Italian Kitchen for their continued support.

As 6th grade transitioned to the middle school, we would like to continue offering a mixer for our 5th grade learners. This event provides learners with the opportunity to meet peers from other schools and participate in engaging activities together.

To successfully host this event, we are seeking support with planning and assistance on the day of the event. If you have not had a change, please complete this Google Form to let us know how you can be involved.

Thank you for your continued support.

Elementary Principals