A treasure hunt makes following directions fun
To improve your child's ability to follow verbal instructions, play a treasure hunt game: Hide a small toy or coin and tell your child exactly how to find it. Start by giving only two or three instructions. Help your child visualize carrying out the steps. Then, ask your child to repeat the directions and follow them. You can increase the complexity of your instructions as your child's skill improves.
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To improve your child's ability to follow verbal instructions, play a treasure hunt game: Hide a small toy or coin and tell your child exactly how to find it. Start by giving only two or three instructions. Help your child visualize carrying out the steps. Then, ask your child to repeat the directions and follow them. You can increase the complexity of your instructions as your child's skill improves.
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Anger has no place in discipline
Kids are great at pushing families' buttons. But reacting to misbehavior with anger isn’t effective. When you stay calm and under control, you deal from a position of strength. So, when your child's behavior is frustrating, take a deep breath and explain the behavior you want to see instead. Remind your child of the consequences of the misbehavior. Then, offer a choice: Your child can change behavior or accept the consequences.
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Kids are great at pushing families' buttons. But reacting to misbehavior with anger isn’t effective. When you stay calm and under control, you deal from a position of strength. So, when your child's behavior is frustrating, take a deep breath and explain the behavior you want to see instead. Remind your child of the consequences of the misbehavior. Then, offer a choice: Your child can change behavior or accept the consequences.
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You don't need a lab to sharpen scientific thinking
Many of the skills students need for success in science are things you can help your child practice at home. To sharpen powers of observation, ask questions that invite your child to notice small details. Demonstrate how to classify by sorting things into groups based on their characteristics. You can also encourage your child to make and test predictions about how the world works: "How fast do you think an ice cube will melt on the counter?"
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Many of the skills students need for success in science are things you can help your child practice at home. To sharpen powers of observation, ask questions that invite your child to notice small details. Demonstrate how to classify by sorting things into groups based on their characteristics. You can also encourage your child to make and test predictions about how the world works: "How fast do you think an ice cube will melt on the counter?"
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When you can't be together, connect in writing
If a hectic work schedule is making it hard to stay connected with your child, try using a notebook to aid communication. Every day, write your child a note. Write about special things that happened during your day. Remind your child of tasks that need doing and things that are coming up. Then, leave the notebook for your child to read. Ask your child to write you back and fill you in about the events of the day.
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If a hectic work schedule is making it hard to stay connected with your child, try using a notebook to aid communication. Every day, write your child a note. Write about special things that happened during your day. Remind your child of tasks that need doing and things that are coming up. Then, leave the notebook for your child to read. Ask your child to write you back and fill you in about the events of the day.
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Choose gifts that promote creativity and interaction
Your time and attention are the best gifts you can give your child. But when considering material gifts, think about screen-free items that encourage creativity and interaction. Gifts like hand puppets, balls, crafts, jump ropes and table games are great for children ages five to nine. For older children, gifts related to hobbies and scientific activities are ideal. And books are always a great option for children of all ages.
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Your time and attention are the best gifts you can give your child. But when considering material gifts, think about screen-free items that encourage creativity and interaction. Gifts like hand puppets, balls, crafts, jump ropes and table games are great for children ages five to nine. For older children, gifts related to hobbies and scientific activities are ideal. And books are always a great option for children of all ages.
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Strike back at the 'fourth-grade reading slump'
It's common for kids to hit a reading slump around fourth grade. Reading assignments are more challenging and some students' concentration decreases. To ensure that your child keeps reading, continue to read together. Your involvement shows that reading is important. Look for reading materials that match your child's interests. Then, limit recreational screen time. Being bored sometimes may encourage your child to pick up a book.
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It's common for kids to hit a reading slump around fourth grade. Reading assignments are more challenging and some students' concentration decreases. To ensure that your child keeps reading, continue to read together. Your involvement shows that reading is important. Look for reading materials that match your child's interests. Then, limit recreational screen time. Being bored sometimes may encourage your child to pick up a book.
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PBES Bus notice: Bus 564 Mrs. Kelly and Bus L206 Mrs. Kim will NOT be running tomorrow (Friday, December 19). Please make arrangements to drop off and pick up your students. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
Tomorrow, Friday, December 19, 2025, will be an early dismissal day for staff professional development. Bus riders will begin boarding at 12:05 pm and car riders will follow once buses leave the campus around 12:10 pm. All students should be picked up before 12:30 pm to allow for staff to attend professional development. We appreciate your understanding.
🎄Reminder: The Ginger-Math Man is coming to town! Run, run, as fast as you can, come solve problems with the Ginger-Math Man! Then, stay for our class celebrations in honor of the holiday season!
Join us this today Thursday, December 18th, from 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm for math activities and class parties. Don't miss out on the fun! Bring your thinking caps and your holiday cheer!
Join us this today Thursday, December 18th, from 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm for math activities and class parties. Don't miss out on the fun! Bring your thinking caps and your holiday cheer!
Why your child's attendance matters
Studies continually show how important school attendance really is. Absenteeism in kindergarten can influence whether a child gets held back in third grade. Frequent absences later on increase the chances a student will drop out of school altogether. Absenteeism is reversible, so make sure your child starts school on time, every day.
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Studies continually show how important school attendance really is. Absenteeism in kindergarten can influence whether a child gets held back in third grade. Frequent absences later on increase the chances a student will drop out of school altogether. Absenteeism is reversible, so make sure your child starts school on time, every day.
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🔥🕶️ Lil Red Hot Staff Went Undercover! 🕶️🔥
Last week, the Port Barre Elementary Lil Red Hot staff put their disguises on and brought the fun with Undercover Dress Days! From secret agents to sneaky styles, our staff showed up in full undercover mode—and our students loved every minute of it!
Thanks for always being such great sports and making school a fun place to be. You never know who might be undercover next! 😎❤️🌶️
#LilRedHots #UndercoverDressDay #PBEPride #StaffFun #RedHotStrong
Give your child these priceless gifts
As you think about giving your child gifts, remember that there are some only you can give. One is the gift of your time, spent listening, reading, helping and having fun together. Another is the gift of understanding. If your child makes a mistake, listen before you scold. Confidence is another precious gift. When you show you believe your child can succeed, you help your child believe it, too.
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As you think about giving your child gifts, remember that there are some only you can give. One is the gift of your time, spent listening, reading, helping and having fun together. Another is the gift of understanding. If your child makes a mistake, listen before you scold. Confidence is another precious gift. When you show you believe your child can succeed, you help your child believe it, too.
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These four outstanding Port Barre Elementary Talented Visual Arts students placed in the statewide visual arts contest, put on by the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs. The students created art pieces to help spread the awareness of advocacy for people with disabilities. Our students used their unique artisic talents to convey what advocacy means to them. The Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs hosted the 2025 Inclusive Art Awards Program, on December 10th, at the Old State Capital in Baton Rouge. A medal and special recognition, from Governor Jeff Landry, was presented to the winners.
1st - 2nd grade:
• Honorable Mention – Sophia M.
3rd Grade:
• 2nd Place – Emma M.
• 3rd Place - Henley M.
4th Grade:
• 2nd Place – Victoria B.
1st - 2nd grade:
• Honorable Mention – Sophia M.
3rd Grade:
• 2nd Place – Emma M.
• 3rd Place - Henley M.
4th Grade:
• 2nd Place – Victoria B.
Teach key ways to get along with others
The ability to get along with people is a social skill that helps children throughout their school careers. To build this skill, teach your child the importance of being polite. Explain that when friends are talking and your child wants to join in, it's polite to enter the ongoing conversation rather than change the subject. Encourage your child to ask others what they would like to do. Emphasize the need to consider other people's feelings and show them respect even when disagreeing.
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The ability to get along with people is a social skill that helps children throughout their school careers. To build this skill, teach your child the importance of being polite. Explain that when friends are talking and your child wants to join in, it's polite to enter the ongoing conversation rather than change the subject. Encourage your child to ask others what they would like to do. Emphasize the need to consider other people's feelings and show them respect even when disagreeing.
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Keep your child's brain active over break
Winter break is a time for fun. But that doesn't mean your child can't also continue learning. Encourage your student to read for pleasure. You can help find books by authors your child likes or suggest rereading old favorites. If your child receives holiday gifts, schedule time to write thank-you notes. Board games are another fun way to learn. Play games with your child that require math or higher-level thinking skills.
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Winter break is a time for fun. But that doesn't mean your child can't also continue learning. Encourage your student to read for pleasure. You can help find books by authors your child likes or suggest rereading old favorites. If your child receives holiday gifts, schedule time to write thank-you notes. Board games are another fun way to learn. Play games with your child that require math or higher-level thinking skills.
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📢 Check Out This Week’s Newsletter! Stay up to date with all the latest news, updates, and reminders
👉https://app.smore.com/n/unj90v
Here’s what’s inside ⬇️
- Dress up days and activities for the week as follows:
Monday, Dec. 15 - Grinch day
Tuesday, Dec. 16 - Candy Cane day
Wednesday, Dec. 17 - Pajama day
Thursday, Dec. 18 - Deck the halls - Math activity and party day
Friday, Dec. 19 - Light the way and early dismissal day
- We did Not meet our attendance goal last week, but we can do it this week! Let’s make sure students arrive on time and stay for the entire school day — every minute counts! 🙌
👉https://app.smore.com/n/unj90v
Here’s what’s inside ⬇️
- Dress up days and activities for the week as follows:
Monday, Dec. 15 - Grinch day
Tuesday, Dec. 16 - Candy Cane day
Wednesday, Dec. 17 - Pajama day
Thursday, Dec. 18 - Deck the halls - Math activity and party day
Friday, Dec. 19 - Light the way and early dismissal day
- We did Not meet our attendance goal last week, but we can do it this week! Let’s make sure students arrive on time and stay for the entire school day — every minute counts! 🙌
Suggest fun things for your child to graph
Graphing makes information easy to understand at a glance, and it is an important math skill for elementary schoolers. Encourage your child to make some graphs over winter break. Suggest topics your elementary schooler might enjoy graphing, such as colors of cars in your neighborhood, the number of T-shirts each family member owns, or the high and low temperature each day.
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Graphing makes information easy to understand at a glance, and it is an important math skill for elementary schoolers. Encourage your child to make some graphs over winter break. Suggest topics your elementary schooler might enjoy graphing, such as colors of cars in your neighborhood, the number of T-shirts each family member owns, or the high and low temperature each day.
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Our students had the honor of serving lunch to the elderly in our community, and they truly made us proud! Each student served with a smile and kind heart, receiving so many wonderful compliments from those they served. 😊
We are especially thankful to have been asked by the Chief of Police of Port Barre to be part of such a meaningful opportunity. Moments like these show the power of service, respect, and community coming together.
Great job to our students for representing us so well!
A chore chart makes responsibility clear
To provide practice in being responsible, involve your child in family chores. Create a chore chart, listing everyone's assignments for the week. Post the chart where it can be seen. When someone completes a task, it is that person's responsibility to check it off. If your child forgets to mark the chart, the chore is automatically your child's assignment again next week. This eliminates arguments about whose turn it is to do a chore, and encourages responsibility for doing chores and keeping correct records.
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To provide practice in being responsible, involve your child in family chores. Create a chore chart, listing everyone's assignments for the week. Post the chart where it can be seen. When someone completes a task, it is that person's responsibility to check it off. If your child forgets to mark the chart, the chore is automatically your child's assignment again next week. This eliminates arguments about whose turn it is to do a chore, and encourages responsibility for doing chores and keeping correct records.
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Make stress relief a part of your family's routine
Stress is all too common in families today. And when your children are stressed, it can affect their success in school. To reduce stress at home, create a peaceful after-school-and-work routine that lets your family reconnect. You might share a healthy snack while you talk together about the day. After 15 minutes or so, you'll all be more refreshed and ready to take on evening tasks.
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Stress is all too common in families today. And when your children are stressed, it can affect their success in school. To reduce stress at home, create a peaceful after-school-and-work routine that lets your family reconnect. You might share a healthy snack while you talk together about the day. After 15 minutes or so, you'll all be more refreshed and ready to take on evening tasks.
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