Happy Sunday Wildkittens!
We hope you are enjoying this beautiful fall weekend and getting ready another fabulous week.
This week we are celebrating World Kindness Week along with Veteran’s Day! Below are our spirit days. We hope everyone participates as we help spread kindness throughout our building and into our community.
Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Casey Brownsberger
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Monday, November 9th:
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Wake Up and be KIND-Wear PJs and practice doing random acts of kindness today like holding the door open for someone
- PTA’s Tat a Teacher Fundraiser
Tuesday, November 10th:
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Wildkittens are KIND-Wear your TUE spirit wear or purple & gold and say good morning to 5 people today
- PTA’s Tat a Teacher Fundraiser
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5th Grade Field Trip to the Kaufman Center
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PTA’s Station 7 Night from 4-8pm. Tired of cooking? Then come join us for a yummy meal at Station 7. A portion of sales goes right back to our amazing PTA!
Wednesday, November 11th:
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United by KINDness- Wear red, white and blue today for Veteran’s Day! Today’s challenge is to write a kind note to your parent or teacher today.
- PTA’s Tat a Teacher Fundraiser
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Veterans Day Parade begins at 9:15am.
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Fire Drill today
Thursday, November 12th:
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Hats off to being KIND-Wear a hat today and show kindness by asking someone how their day is going.
- 5th grade dress rehearsal performance
- Title I meeting at 5:40pm in the library. Enter the doors in the back of the building by the gym/prime time.
- PTA Meeting at 6pm in the library.
- 5th Grade Performance at 7pm
Friday, November 13th:
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World Kindness Day-Wear your grade level color today and pick up 5 pieces of trash in your neighborhood.
Kindy-red
1st grade-orange
2nd grade-yellow
3rd grade-green
4th grade-blue
5th grade-purple
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November 6th-12th—PTA’s Tat a Teacher Fundraiser (staff wear tattoos on the 13th)
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November 9th-13th—World Kindness Spirit Week
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November 10th—5th Grade Field Trip
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November 10th—PTA’s Station 7 Fundraiser Night
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November 11th—Veteran’s Day Drive Thru Parade
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November 12th—Fire Drill
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November 12th—Title I Parent Meeting at 5:40pm
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November 12th—PTA Meeting at 6pm in the LMC
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November 12th—5th Grade Performance at 7pm in the Gym
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November 13th—TUE’s Spelling Bee
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November 14th—PTA’s Clothing Drive
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November 16th & 17th—TUE’s Hearing Screenings for 1st, 3rd, and all new students to BSSD
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November 17th—PTA’s Sky Zone Kids Night Out Event
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November 18th—Butter Braid Fundraiser Pick Up 3:30-5:30pm at the Prime Time Doors
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November 20th—Mid Quarter
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November 25th-27th—No School-Thanksgiving Break
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December 23rd-January 6th- No School-Winter Break
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January 8th-2nd Quarter Grade Cards Emailed at 5pm
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January 18th- No School-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Observance Day
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February 9th-Mid Term
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February 15th-No School in observance of President’s Day
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February 16th-No School-Professional Development Day for Teachers
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March 22nd-26th- No School-Spring Break
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April 6th-No School-PD Day
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April 23rd-Mid Term
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May 27th-Last Day of School
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Establishing a consistent routine is essential for children's academic success and well-being. Children aged 5–11 need between 9 to 11 hours of sleep each night to thrive.
🕒 The Power of Routine: Why It Matters for Students
Creating a daily routine for children isn't just about keeping things organized—it's a powerful tool that supports their emotional, cognitive, and academic development. For students, especially those between the ages of 5 and 11, routines help build a sense of security, reduce anxiety, and foster independence.
📚 Why Routines Matter for School Success
- Improved focus and behavior: Children with predictable routines are better able to manage their emotions and behavior, which translates to improved classroom performance.
- Enhanced time management: Routines teach children how to allocate time for homework, play, meals, and rest—skills that are crucial for lifelong success.
- Reduced stress: Knowing what to expect each day helps children feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
- Better sleep hygiene: A consistent bedtime routine helps children fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.
😴 Sleep Needs for Ages 5–11
Sleep is a cornerstone of a healthy routine. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and other pediatric health experts:
- Children aged 5–11 years need 9–11 hours of sleep per night.
- Sleep supports memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and physical growth.
- Lack of sleep can lead to attention problems, irritability, and poor academic performance.
🛏️ Tips for Building a Healthy Routine
Here’s how parents can create effective routines that support sleep and learning:
- Set consistent wake-up and bedtime hours, even on weekends.
- Create a calming bedtime ritual: reading, warm bath, or quiet music.
- Limit screen time at least one hour before bed.
- Designate homework time in the early evening when children are most alert.
- Include physical activity during the day to help children fall asleep more easily at night.
🧠 Long-Term Benefits
Children who grow up with structured routines tend to develop stronger executive functioning skills—like planning, organizing, and self-control. These skills are directly linked to academic achievement and emotional resilience.
By prioritizing routines and sleep, parents can set their children up for success both in and out of the classroom. It’s not just about structure—it’s about nurturing their potential.
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Before the school day starts each day, please discuss with your child if he/she will eat breakfast and/or lunch at school.
Breakfast and lunch are offered daily.
If you think you might qualify for free or reduced meals, please complete the appropriate forms ASAP on www.schoolcafe.com. Each year, you have to apply to qualify for free or reduced. It does not roll over.
Elementary Breakfast $2.25
Elementary Lunch $3.45
Milk Price $0.70
*Reduced Breakfast $0.00 (must qualify)
*Reduced Lunch $0.40 (must qualify)
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To help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone, please review the following visitor procedures:
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Schedule Your Visit: Please call the school office to schedule a lunch visit with your child. Lunch visits must be arranged at least three school days in advance to allow us to accommodate guests and seating needs. Please note that lunch visits may not be available on certain dates due to occupancy, school events or activities.
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Check-In Procedures: All visitors must check in through the front office and present a valid photo ID upon arrival. We recommend downloading the Raptor App before your visit to help speed up the check-in process. Keeping your information updated in the Parent Portal will also make check-in more efficient. Once approved through the Raptor system, visitors will receive and must wear a visitor badge while in the building.
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Background Screening Requirement: All lunch visitors must complete the Volunteer Guest Background Screening Process before visiting. The Blue Springs School District partners with DataSource to provide a screening process that is free, secure, and easy to complete. If you have children attending multiple district schools, only one application is required. After submitting your application, watch for an email from DataSource notifying you of your approval status. Complete your screening here: https://bssd.quickapp.pro
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During Lunch: Visitors will enjoy lunch with their student in the office conference room. To help maintain a positive and focused lunch environment for all students, lunch visits are limited to the visitor and their child. Other students may not join lunch visits. Additionally, siblings will not be excused from instructional time to participate in another student's lunch visit, as we strive to protect valuable learning opportunities. Families wishing to have lunch with multiple children are encouraged to schedule separate lunch visits for each student.
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After Lunch: Once your child's lunch period ends, visitors must exit through the front office to check out. Visitors may not accompany students to recess or walk them back to their classrooms.
We appreciate your partnership in helping us maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all students. If you have any questions, please contact the school office. We look forward to seeing you at lunch!
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World Kindness Week…We are celebrating World Kindness Week 11/9-11/13 by having a spirit week at TUE. We would love for your kiddos to participate. Check out the attached flyer for more information.
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TUE’s Spelling Bee– Our annual school Spelling Bee will be held this Friday at 1:30 p.m. Parents of participating spellers are welcome to attend and cheer on their child. To enter the building, you must have a background check on file. If you have not already completed one, please do so at BSSD Background Check Portal. Background checks must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to the event. When you arrive, please check in at the office and be sure to bring a valid photo ID. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes early to allow plenty of time for the check-in process, as our computers can sometimes run a bit slowly. If you are unable to attend in person, no worries! You can still cheer on your speller by watching the event live online using the following link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2716747908187055?p=hS4kDNfaUl3pPMzxiH. We look forward to celebrating our talented spellers and wish all participants the best of luck!
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Family Assistance…As the holiday season approaches, we want to make sure our families feel supported. If your family could use assistance with Thanksgiving food or holiday gifts, please complete Family Support Form. All families are welcome to submit a request, and support may be provided while spots and resources are available. We also have additional holiday support for military families, especially those with loved ones serving overseas. If extra support is helpful this season, we encourage you to reach out
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Major Saver…Major Saver is excited to once again partner with our school and the Blue Springs Education Foundation for your upcoming 2027 Major Saver fundraiser, January 7th through January 21st. Students will once again be able to sell the traditional physical/plastic Major Saver Card, while still having the option to sell the Digital Major Saver Card online. This approach gives families the familiar card they know and love, while also keeping the digital convenience of anyone who prefers to have the card on their phone. For the first time ever, students will be able to choose their own prizes through our new Prize Vault. Student prizes will be bundled by individual student and delivered approximately two weeks after the campaign closes. Our Kickoff Assembly is Friday, January 8th Campaign Dates: Friday, January 8th – Thursday, January 21st.
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Dismissal Changes & Attendance Reminders – To help ensure the safety of all students, please notify both the school office at nmurdock@bssd.net and your child's teacher whenever you need to report an absence or make a change to your child's dismissal routine. Whenever possible, please send these notifications before noon. If your plans change after noon, please call the school office directly at 816-874-3710. Teachers are actively teaching throughout the afternoon and may
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Veteran’s Day Drive Thru Parade- TUE is excited to invite all parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and other family members who have served or are currently serving in the military to participate in a special Veterans Day celebration on Wednesday, November 11th. To honor our veterans, we will host a drive-through Veterans Parade in the TUE parking lot. Our students will be lined up along the sidewalks to proudly wave, cheer, and show their appreciation as veterans drive through the parade route. Veterans should enter the parade line at the north entrance, traveling east on Vesper Drive. Participants are encouraged to decorate their vehicles, display flags, and create signs featuring their name and branch of service. The more patriotic, the better. Our students absolutely love seeing the creativity and pride on display! Please remember that decorations should be school-appropriate for our elementary-aged students. We look forward to celebrating and honoring the brave men and women who have served our country. Thank you for your service and sacrifice!
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PTA’s Reflections- It's time to start getting your ideas together for the National PTA Reflections Art Contest entry! 2026-2027 Reflections theme: “What My Culture Means to Me.” This program is for students of all grades and their parents and caregivers. National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education. For over 50 years, Reflections has helped students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning. The Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boosts student confidence and success in the arts and in life. Students create artworks in one or more of the available arts category areas:
Dance Choreography
Film Production
Music Composition
Literature
Photography
Visual Arts
Learn More:
We just know our Wildkittens will bring the creativity this year!
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· School hours are 8:25am – 3:30pm. Doors open at 8:25am. Please do not send/drop off your student any sooner since there is not any supervision until then. The earliest that you can drop off your student(s) is 8:25am. If you need to drop off your students earlier contact our Prime Time to get your child enrolled.
· Water bottles: We highly encourage you to send your child with a water bottle filled with WATER only, every day. We have water filling stations to refill their water bottles as needed. Juice and colored liquids will be reserved for lunch time only.
· Headphones: Headphones are not on the school supply list, but if you would like for your child to have his/her own set of headphones exclusively for his/her own use, please feel free to send them on the first day of school.
· Food Delivery: We cannot deliver food orders sent to students at our school (ex. Door Dash, Grub Hub, etc). So please do not order them and send them to school unless they are addressed to Mrs. Brownsberger. This includes bringing up food to be dropped off.
· Birthday Treats: If you would like to provide treats for your child’s birthday, this must be pre-arranged with your child’s teacher at least 24 hours in advance. Also, all treats must be store-bought, individual (not whole cakes), and packaged.
· Volunteer/Background Check Information: Each year we need an updated background check if you plan on volunteering up at school. The Blue Springs School District uses DataSource to enhance and strengthen our current background screening process for Volunteer Guests. It is FREE, SECURE, and SIMPLE to register. Please visit: https://bssd.quickapp.pro to fill out an application. Once there you will see all Blue Springs School District schools will be listed. Click on the building in which you are planning to volunteer. (If you have students attending multiple buildings, you will only need to complete one application. After completing the application, please contact the Building School Resource Officer for the school you applied at and let them know you have students at additional locations). Volunteer applications MUST be submitted at least five (5) days before the event for which you are volunteering. After submission, please wait for an email from DataSource. The email will let you know whether you have been approved or denied. |
· Cell Phone and Smart Watches: We’ve noticed an increase in the number of students wearing smart watches to school. The watches and any personal electronic devices (PEDs), such as cell phones, can quickly become a distraction in the school environment. These devices are prohibited during the school day or any school-sponsored activity. Please take a few moments to review the policies related to PEDs.
· Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) The possession and use of a student or parent/legal guardian owned personal electronic device is a privilege, not a right. The district may revoke this privilege at any time at its sole discretion. Please note that the district is not responsible for lost or stolen PEDs, whether in student or district possession, or any damage to the PED, its programs, or its contents.
PEDs may be brought to school but must be stored or carried out of sight in an off or silent mode and shall not be used by students during the school day or while being transported by a district vehicle.
Additionally, PEDs may not be used to capture or share sound, video, document, or photo images at any time or anywhere during the school day or while being transported in a district vehicle (school bus) without the prior approval of administrators or staff.
· PTA…Be sure to join PTA! The PTA consists of parents and teachers working together to support and best serve all students, the needs of Thoams Ultican Elementary and our community. PTA is a team effort and we would love to have your involvement anytime! We also have business memberships available as well. To sign up, click on this link Thomas Ultican Elementary - PTA Information
· 3rd-5th Grade Devices…We are working on distributing student devices this week.
- Please be sure to read the Student Issued Device Handbook
- Please be sure to pay for your Device Insurance - $25
- Insurance may be paid with cash, check, or on RevTrak (Technology Fee)
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