2021 September Newsletter

September Calendar


  • 17th – No School – Friday Academy
  •  21st, 22nd, 28th, 29th – Play Practice
  •  24th – Mustang Spirit Day – Wear blue and orange 
  •  30th – 6th Grade Virtual Yellowstone Day
   

Principals Message

 

It is GREAT to have students in the building.  We are geared up to meet the social, emotional, academic, and health related needs of our students this year.  We only have 160 days of school this year which is three full weeks less than just a few years ago, so each day of instruction is precious.  To that end, please have your children at school every day if possible.  I have been very impressed with the commitment to learning and the positive behaviors of our students this year.  That is to your credit and is appreciated.  I want to extend a hand of open communication.  If you have issues that pertain to the classroom, please make sure to contact your child’s teacher.  If the issue is beyond the classroom or has gone unresolved, please do not hesitate to call me.  We are here to make sure all is done to prepare our students for the “next level” and to serve all as member of the team.

 

 

Thank you for helping make this a great year at Etna Elementary.  We appreciate your support and all you do to make school a good experience for your child.  As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at 307-885-2472.

 

Etna Elementary Welcomes the Following New Staff:

Makena Johnson – 4th Grade Teacher

Ms. Johnson graduated from BYU-Idaho with a degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in math. She then went to Utah State University where she graduated with a degree in Communication Disorders and Deaf Education. She previously taught 5th grade in Utah for two years. She is excited to be back in Star Valley. She enjoys playing sports, baking, and the outdoors.

Deanna Robbins – 6th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Robbins graduated from Brigham Young University Idaho in 2019 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with and Emphasis in Earth Science. She taught 6th grade for the past 2 years in Idaho Falls. She is expecting her first child, a boy, due the beginning of December. She is excited to make Star Valley her home and raise her family her. She enjoys hikes with her husband, anything outdoors and reading. She already loves the Valley and is excited to be at Etna Elementary!

 

Wendy Kennedy – Kitchen Manager

Mrs. Kennedy was born and raised in Star Valley. She spent 15 years working in the nursing field. She is happily married with 5 amazing boys, ages 11.5, 9, 9, 5, & 5.  She has two sets of twins. She loves being outdoors, doing crafts and spending time with her  family. Her family is the world to her. She is the PTO president for Thayne Elementary. She is tickled to be here at Etna, She loves her job and loves being around the kids!!!

LeeAnna Guyett – Kitchen Aid

LeeAnna has been happily married to her husband, Mike, for 21 years.  They have two teenagers who attend Star Valley High School.  This is her fifth year living in Star Valley.  She loves to read, hike, and bake delicious desserts.

 Music Specials

Please check with Mr. Kratz at 307-880-5352 or lkratz@lcsd2.org if you have any questions or concerns regarding instruments this year. Also find Mr. Kratz on clever.com for all information and weekly lessons.

PTO NEWS

We are off to a great start! 

Thank you to those who signed up on SIGN UP GENIUS to help with activities this year.  It’s not too late to help and get your name on the list. Just send a quick email to ttw@silverstar.com

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook for more updates! Just look up Etna PTO.

Looking forward to a great year!

Etna PTO

This summer, several Etna Elementary students attended Mastery Camp.   The kids had a great time camping in tents for two nights and learning some camping skills.  They also had fun paddle boarding, swimming, and hiking.  What a great way to spend some of our beautiful summer days!

September Lunch Menu

Nurses Website

6th Grade Supply List English/Espanol

6th Grade Supply List
6th grade supply list-Spanish

5th Grade Supply List

5th Grade Supply List 2024-25 copy

4th Grade Supply List

4th-Grade Supply List

Application for Classroom Placement Letter

Application for Classroom Placement – 2024-2025

 

Parent input on student placement will need to be submitted using an application form that is available in the office and on our website under “Classroom Placement Application” at etna.lcsd2.org.  All requests can be either faxed to 307-883-3051, emailed to clbaker@lcsd2.org, or dropped off at the school.  Phone calls, emails, notes, or conversations with teacher about placement will not substitute for completing the form.  When making a recommendation, please consider the following:

  • Every classroom in each grade level offers the same exposure to the curriculum.
  • The process for making classroom assignments for the following year is time-intensive and very complex; ensuring students are considered individually for how they will succeed based on teaching style, learning style, interaction with peers in the classroom, student strengths, and teacher strengths.
  • We cannot consider more than one request per student.
  • Parent input is one determining factor and not the only determining factor in placement. While we work hard to consider parent input, placement from parent input is not guaranteed. Teachers, along with myself, take the above listed factors into account when it comes to placing all students in classrooms.
  • Application forms that are incomplete will not be honored.
  • Parent input is due to the office by the end of the school day on April 25, 2024. Any requests received after that date, including requests made once the class lists have been posted, will not be considered.

Thank you for helping make this a great year at Etna Elementary. We appreciate your support and all you do to make this a good experience for your child.  As always, if you have any questions please feel free to give me a call at 307-885-2472.

David Saltzman, Principal, Etna Elementary

Classroom teachers for next year –

6th Grade – Mr. Crowther, Mrs. Kabonic, Mr. Mottl (New Teacher), Mrs Vrska (New Teacher).

5th Grade – Ms. Christie (New Teacher), Mr. Kinn, Mr. Rowe, Mrs. Wolfley

4th Grade – Mrs. Forsythe, Mrs. Helgesen, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Putnam, Mrs. Visser (New Teacher)

2022 February Newsletter

February 2022 Calendar

  • Feb 4 – No School
  • Feb 4 – 6th Grade Ski Trip
  • Feb 9 – District Spelling Bee – 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade
  • Feb 10 – Special Olympics – Afton Golf Course
  • Feb 11 – 6th Grade Ski Trip
  • Feb 14 – 17 – Random Acts of Kindness – Candy Grams 
  • Feb 16 – 4th Grade NAEP testing
  • Feb 18 – No School (Friday School)
  • Feb 22, 23 – Etna Enrichment
  • Feb 24 – Mustang Spirit Day
  • Feb 25 – No School
  • Feb 28 – March 3 – Literacy Week

Principals Message

I have had numerous conversations with parents, teachers, and students of late about foundational or basic skills.  Just like in sports, if the fundamentals aren’t in place, the rest of the skills will not be developed.  Typically, as the year progresses, basic skills receive less and less of our instructional time as we seek to help students have a deeper understanding of the identified grade level standards.  We do seek to bolster the identified basic and essential skills in some remediation and intervention time and after school tutoring, however, when a student is behind in these areas; the home is the best place for this catching up to be done as well.  We are all on the same team and our teachers are very committed each day to do all they can for your children. Together, let’s do all we can to prepare them for success at the next level.  Currently, our data indicates we have many students not progressing toward next grade level readiness.  If this is true of your child, please be prepared to work with your child’s teacher to do all we can to help them progress.

Two basic math skills needed for all grades are fluency with math facts (addition, multiplication, and divison) and solid understanding of fractions.  These are very simple to review and practice.  If your child does not know these facts, please ask your child’s teacher about ways to help him or her at home.  Also, fluent reading at grade level cannot be attained unless children regularly read at home.  It is recommended they read a minimum of 20 minutes at their independent level every day just to maintain the expected grade level reading skills.  In addition, as a basic life skill, every child should know their address and at least one reliable phone number to call.  

Together, let’s be their champion and combine our efforts to secure their success.  Please check with your child/children on how they are doing in each fundamental skill listed above.  If we can be a resource, please let us know.  Too much is at stake for any of us to not fully invest in their success.

Random Acts of Kindness week is February 14th through February 17th.  The Student Council are selling candy grams that the students can buy for anyone in the school.  They are anonymous!  The Goal is to spread kindness.

The students can purchase the candy grams for 50 cents each, Monday 2/14 through Thursday 2/17.  The money raised will go to a charity picked by the Student Council.    

6th Grade Ski Trips

The 6th Grade Ski Trips have been scheduled for Friday, February 4th and Friday, February 11. They will be going to White Pine Ski Resort in Pinedale, Wyoming. For more information contact your childs teacher or the office. 307-885-2472

 

     Congratulations to Emma Daniel who earned The Great American Citizenship Challenge

To earn this award she memorized the following:

The Preamble to the Constititution of the United States

The Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

The Gettysburg Address

The 50 States and Capitals

The Star Spangled Banner

The Pledge of Allegiance

January Mustang Mentors

Mustang Mentors are students selected by their teachers for demonstrating strength in one or all of our 8 Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Skills:  Name It to Tame It, Body Awareness, Focused Attention, Self-Awareness, Golden Rule, Growth Mindset, Mindfulness, & Leadership.  

 Mustang Mentors are announced once a month at our Mustang School Spirit Day and will be honored for a month. If you would like more information about each of our 8 skills, please email abkurtmason@lcsd2.org.  

Back Row (l-r): Parker Dyches, Adelaide Chapel, Osvaldo Montiel Preza, Gigi Buttram, Ginny Sinclair,
Mrs. Adele Helgesen (Staff Mentor), Josey O'Donnell, Preston Roberts, Taylor Battleson
Middle Row (l-r): Ryker Merritt, Finley Earling, Benzee Sanderson, Kaden Sturgeon, Tayvon,
Dylan Stevens, Elsje Boogaard, Rylee Western
Front Row (l-r): Callie Tibbitts, Brayton Martin, Natalie Wilson, Clarie Hobbs, Liam Bagley, Mason Suter, Enzo Miles, Rosalie Bazil, Jordan Scott

Ryker Merritt, Kellsie Dunne,
McKinley Thygerson, McKinley Frye, Lila Kinder, Hayden Kennedy,
Zoie Herrod, and Willow Ooka

have earned the

INDIAN PAINTBRUSH AWARD

for reading all ten titles nominated for this Wyoming Children’s Book Award.



McKinley Thygerson

earned

AR Honors Reader

by earning 100 AR points for 

reading books on the 

Honors Readers List.

ETNA GRADE LEVEL SPELLING BEE WINNERS

The following students placed in their grade level spelling bees, qualifying them to participate in the LCSD2 Grade 4-6 Spelling Bee held at the District Office.

4th Grade

Kiersom Toutjian, Jaxton Merritt-Wood,             Rylie Deming, Abelina Scherbel, Mason Suter

5th Grade

Sawyer Crook, Derek Crowther, Wyatt Canfield, Emmaline Crook, Meysa Sutton

6th Grade

Axel Carlston, Ava Sutton, Nola Simpson, Hayden Kennedy, Slayden Penny

4th - 6th Grade LCSD2 District Spelling Bee
Etna Elementary Winners

4th Grade

2nd Place – Abelina Scherbel

3rd Place – Jaxton Merritt-Wood

5th Grade

1st Place – Emmaline Crook

        Four sixth graders move on to compete in the District Oral Bee on February 9th.  Nola, Hayden, Slayden, and Axel.

Fastest Class PE Challenge

And the winners are:

Music 2 – 6th Grade Class 

Music 1 – 5th Grade Class

Mr. McKinneys – 4th Grade Class

The winning classes ran the most laps around the gym in 3 minutes.  Every class showed improvement.

February Lunch Menu

Nurses Message

Specials Calendar

Student Conduct

Student Conduct

PTO

Etna Elementary Staff

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

The PTO here at Etna Elementary is a volunteer organization made up of parents, teachers, administrators, and staff who are all dedicated to the successful education of our students.  Additionally, the PTO works hard to help make the school year enjoyable and exciting for students, teachers, and parents.

 

There are lots of opportunities and various ways to volunteer – even if for an hour or two; we welcome you and would love to have your help!

Please let us know if you would like to help at etnawypto@gmail.com.

Follow us on Facebook at Etna PTO!

Summer Reading Calendar

Summer Reading letter 2024
june-july-august-2024-calendar