Primary Division Notes

Primary Division Notes

Dear Primary Division Parents,

World Banquet Reminder for Kindergarten Families
To add an extra special touch to our celebration, we're inviting you to create a short, 10-20 second, video of your student sharing about your family's heritage. This is completely optional, but it's always so heartwarming to see the students' enthusiasm for their unique histories. Please email submissions to Brannan Crossno by May 6. Videos should be shot from the horizontal/panoramic position on your phone.

We can't wait to see you all at the banquet on May 16 at 5:00 p.m.!

Upcoming Dates to Remember
April 29 - A Walk Through First Grade, see April 13 notes for details
May 16 - Kindergarten World Banquet, see April 6 notes for details

Take Care,

Clint McEwen
Primary Division Director
mcewenc@casady.org

General Information

Upcoming Special Dress Days
  • Free-Dress, Out of Uniform
    • Thursday, May 1
    • Thank you, Rosalie Brown!
  • Free-Dress, Out of Uniform
    • Tuesday, May 6
    • Thank you, Primary Division Director for the Day Vincent Kerber
This Week in Soul Craft
PreK - Inviting to Play
  • Summary: Students will practice using inviting language and inviting others to play during a game.
  • Try this at Home: Notice when your student is inviting others to play and reinforce their behavior with specific feedback, “I heard you invite John to play blocks with you. I can tell he had fun with you by the smile on his face.” Model welcoming and inviting students to join in and remind your student to invite others to play. 
Kindergarten - We Can Be Kind
  • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn that a kind act is something they can do to help someone feel good. They’ll practice suggesting kind acts to do for people in different scenarios.
  • Try this at Home: Encourage your student to think of a kind act they could do for someone, for example a sibling, grandparent, or neighbor.

Service Learning Corner
To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

Upcoming Important Dates

April
  • Tuesday, April 29: Rising First Grade Parent Night
    • 5:45-6:45 p.m.
May
  • Friday, May 2: May Day Break
  • May 5-9: CPO Teacher Appreciation Week
  • Friday, May 9: PD Parent Teacher Conferences, No PD Classes
  • Friday, May 16: Kindergarten World Banquet
    • 5:00-7:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, May 21: Last Day of Classes for 4-Day Lavender and Lilac
  • Thursday, May 22: Last Day of Classes, 4-Day Visiting Day
    • No Classes for Lavender and Lilac
  • Monday, May 26: Memorial Day, Offices Closed

PD Notes Archive

List of 33 items.

  • April 20

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Parent-Teacher Conference
    May 9
    Primary Division only

    Our end-of-year parent-teacher conference is coming up on May 9. The sign-up for your conference time is set to open Monday, April 21 at 8:00 a.m. If you are not able to find a time that works for your family, let your teacher know, and we will do our best to accommodate. Reminder, there are no classes, and childcare is only available during your conference time. We look forward to wrapping up a great year and discussing the next one with you soon!

    “Wear Your Homeroom Color” Day
    April 25
    April 24 for 4-Day PreK

    Our greater Primary Division community is a fantastic thing to be a part of! In our homeroom classes, we get to experience that community in a special way. This Friday, we will celebrate our homeroom pride by wearing our homeroom colors to School. Feel free to go all-out, head to toe, or if subtlety is your thing, socks, headwear, or accessories are a great way to represent. Keep in mind that it is a regular school day. So whatever you choose to wear needs to be appropriate for all school activities.

    Upcoming Dates to Remember
    April 29 - A Walk Through First Grade, see April 13 notes for details
    May 16 - Kindergarten World Banquet, see April 6 notes for details

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Upcoming Special Dress Days
    • Free-Dress, Out of Uniform
      • Thursday, May 1
      • Thank you, Rosalie Brown!
    • Free-Dress, Out of Uniform
      • Tuesday, May 6
      • Thank you, Primary Division Director for the Day Vincent Kerber
    This Week in Soul Craft
    PreK - Having Fun With Friends
    • Summary: Students will be able to identify how they feel when other students do or do not play in fair ways. Students will also practice the different ways that they have fun with their friends.
    • Try this at Home: When your student disagrees with a friend, encourage them to think about what would be most fun for everyone to play.
    Kindergarten - We Can Be Kind
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn that a kind act is something they can do to help someone feel good. They’ll practice suggesting kind acts to do for people in different scenarios.
    • Try this at Home: Encourage your student to think of a kind act they could do for someone, for example a sibling, grandparent, or neighbor.

    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • April 13

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    This week's edition of Primary Division Notes is specific to our Kindergarten families; however, we invite all Primary Division parents to read more about what to expect when it's your time to transition to Lower Division.

    A Walk Through First Grade for Kindergarten Parents
    Welcome to Lower Division and first grade! Kindergarten are invited to join us on Tuesday, April 29, at 5:45 p.m. for “A Walk Through First Grade.” This will provide an opportunity to meet the teachers, visit with First Grade CPO Parent Reps, and receive information about what to expect next year. You will rotate through four classrooms each sharing specific information. You will travel with your Kindergarten homeroom. The schedule below shows you where to start the rotation. The first grade teacher's name will be displayed outside the classroom door. The information we will cover is outlined below.

    Montie Sill, Clint McEwen, CPO Grade Level Reps, Holly Lee, Keema Kinchen
    Welcome; Transition Activities; Communication with Teachers and Parent Involvement; Friday Folders, Rotations in the Afternoon, and Homework; Health and Medication Information

    Holly Lee, Aimee Hanneman, Michaela Freeland, Tai Shriner, Hazel Lopez
    Reading in First Grade and Use of Lexia; Reading Support; Flexible Library Schedule; Learning Specialist, Uniforms, and Calvert; Spanish

    Katie Martinez, Megan Thompson, Kirsten Baer, Kevon Hoffman
    Things to look forward to in First Grade and Sample Schedule; Art, Bible, PE

    Molly LeRoi, Heather Vick, Emily Morris, Riley King
    Classroom Climate and Expectations; Launchpad; Classroom Counseling and Second Step Lessons; Music

    We are looking forward to seeing you and welcoming you to Lower Division!

    Sincerely,

    Montie Sill and Tai Shriner
     
    Rotation Times by Kindergarten Homerooms
    ClassroomMatiasMorganThompsonWashburn
    5:45-5:55 p.m.OllerLee LeRoiMartinez
    6:00-6:10 p.m.LeeMartinezOllerLeRoi
    6:15-6:25 p.m.MartinezLeRoiLeeOller
    6:30-6:40 p.m.LeRoiOllerMartinezLee


    Upcoming Special Dress Days
    • Free-Dress, Out of Uniform
      • Thursday, April 17
      • Thank you Harvey Choudhry!
    • “Wear Your Homeroom Color” Day
      • Friday, April 28
      • Thursday, April 27 for 4-Day PreK
    • Free-Dress, Out of Uniform
      • Thursday, May 1
      • Thank you, Rosalie Brown!
    • Free-Dress, Out of Uniform
      • Tuesday, May 6
      • Thank you, Primary Division Director for the Day Vincent Kerber

    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • April 6

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Kindergarten World Banquet
    May 16
    5:00-6:15 p.m.

    The World Banquet is just around the corner, and we're so excited to celebrate all the wonderful work your students have done this year. Please join us in Calvert Hall for our culminating Kindergarten event. This is a special event each year that celebrates some of the amazing work our students have done over the course of the year while giving everyone the opportunity to celebrate and share their cultural heritage. You won’t want to miss it. The banquet will feature a child-friendly menu featuring dishes from around the globe, a performance from our Kindergartners, and a special presentation!

    Each student will be permitted two guests for an evening of food, song, and fun. Families, you are invited to attend wearing clothing that celebrates your cultural heritage. This is optional. A red, white, and blue-themed outfit, or just casual wear works well too.

    To add an extra special touch to our celebration, we're inviting you to create a short, 10-20 second, video of your student sharing about your family's heritage. This is completely optional, but it's always so heartwarming to see the students' enthusiasm for their unique histories. Please email submissions to Brannan Crossno by May 6. Videos should be shot from the horizontal/panoramic position on your phone.

    We can't wait to see you all at the banquet on May 16 at 5:00 p.m.!

    Visiting Days and Picnic
    • Kindergarten Visiting Day
      • Thursday, April 10
      • 1:15-2:30 p.m.
    • PreK Visiting Day
      • Friday, April 11
      • 9:45-11:00 a.m.
      • Early Dismissal 11:30 a.m.
    • Primary and Lower Division Family Picnic
      • Friday, April 11
      • 11:00-12:00 p.m.
      • Bring a blanket and food for your family
    If you aren’t able to find a guest for your student, please let their homeroom teacher know, and we will find a faculty or staff member to be their person.

    Upcoming Special Dress Days
    • Free-Dress, Out of Uniform
      • Thursday, April 17
      • Thank you Harvey Choudhry!
    • “Wear Your Homeroom Color” Day
      • Friday, April 28
      • Thursday, April 27 for 4-Day PreK
    • Free-Dress, Out of Uniform
      • Thursday, May 1
      • Thank you, Rosalie Brown!
    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    This Week in SoulCraft
    PreK - Caring and Helping
    • Summary: PreK students will be able to demonstrate saying something kind in response to different scenarios.
    • Try This at Home: Practice complimenting one another and discuss how it makes our heart happy when we hear or say something kind. 
    Kindergarten - Sometimes We Feel Mad
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn to use body language and context clues to figure out when someone feels mad. They’ll practice looking at the person’s face and body, as well as thinking about what’s going on in the situation.
    • Try This at Home: Encourage your student to notice when others around them feel mad. Have them practice using body language and context clues to figure out when family members, friends, or characters in books, movies, or on TV might be feeling mad.

    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • March 30

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    It is a busy time of year, but not much new information to add this week. There is still a lot of relevant information available in last week’s notes, which can be found below.

    For our upcoming visiting days, if you are not able to attend, you are welcome to find a special guest (aunt/uncle, neighbor, etc.) If you aren’t able to find a guest for your student, please let their homeroom teacher know, and we will find a faculty or staff member to be their person.

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    This Week in SoulCraft
    PreK - Caring and Helping
    • Summary: PreK students will be able to demonstrate saying something kind in response to different scenarios.
    • Try This at Home: Practice complimenting one another and discuss how it makes our heart happy when we hear or say something kind. 
    Kindergarten - Sometimes We Feel Mad
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn to use body language and context clues to figure out when someone feels mad. They’ll practice looking at the person’s face and body, as well as thinking about what’s going on in the situation.
    • Try This at Home: Encourage your student to notice when others around them feel mad. Have them practice using body language and context clues to figure out when family members, friends, or characters in books, movies, or on TV might be feeling mad.

    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • March 24

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    April Picnic and Visiting Days
    April 10 and 11 will be an exciting couple of days in Primary! On April 10, we will have a visiting day for Kindergarten families from 1:15 - 2:30 p.m., and a 5-Day PreK Visiting Day on April 11 from 9:45-11:00 a.m. We will have Visiting Days for our 4-Day classes in May. These Visiting Days will follow the same format as our Grandparents Day. Your student will be your guide through Primary Division and show you all the areas they work in and many of their favorite things to do in each area.

    While we aren’t able to accommodate large groups of visitors, we would like each student to have someone during their visiting time. If a parent isn’t available a relative, friend, or babysitter can make a great substitute!

    Our PreK Visiting Day on April 11 will flow directly into our Primary and Lower Division Picnic. After your tour through Primary, you may take your student (and siblings) to the picnic. Kindergarten families can begin signing their students out for the picnic at 10:45 a.m. Our 4-Day families are also invited to return on Friday and join the picnic. April 11 is a half day for all of Casady School for Immersion Day. All Primary Division students must be picked up by 11:30 a.m. There is no Extended Day or After Care.

    Upcoming Special Dress Days
    Thursday, April 17, will be a “Free-Dress / Out of Uniform” day. Thank you to Harvey Choudhry for providing this fun day for all of our Primary students!

    Friday, April 25, will be a “Wear Your Homeroom Color” day for Primary Division, and Thursday, April 24, for 4-Day Half Day students. Show your class pride by coming dressed in the color of your homeroom area. If you don’t have an outfit in that color, an accessory works just as well!

    Parent Coffee: Encouraging Healthy Technology Habits
    Friday, March 28
    8:15 a.m.
    Crabtree Library

    Are you navigating the challenges of screen time and digital habits with your student? Join us for a casual and insightful Parent Coffee where we’ll discuss practical ways to encourage healthy technology use in young families. Come sip coffee, connect with other Primary and Lower parents, and walk away with actionable tips to help your family build healthy digital habits.

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    This Week in SoulCraft
    PreK - Accidents
    • Summary: PreK students will be able to identify when something happens by accident and what they can say in the moment.
    • Try This at Home: Practice with your student about what they can say and do when something happens by accident!
    Kindergarten - Sometimes We Feel Mad
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn to use body language and context clues to figure out when someone feels mad. They’ll practice looking at the person’s face and body, as well as thinking about what’s going on in the situation.
    • Try This at Home: Encourage your student to notice when others around them feel mad. Have them practice using body language and context clues to figure out when family members, friends, or characters in books, movies, or on TV might be feeling mad.

    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • March 9

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Reflecting on Grandparents' and Grandfriends' Day
    It was a joyful and busy few days in Primary this week as we welcomed a strong turnout of grandparents and other cherished guests. If you have had a chance to look at our social media feeds, it is easy to see what a special opportunity this was for our students to show off all of the amazing things they are capable of doing. A couple of reflections really stood out this year.

    Grandparents' Day is always exciting, but this year, the engagement of students seemed particularly high. In the excitement of the special event it can be hard for the students to sit and really do work on par with what we see on a typical school day. This is a testament to the talent and commitment of our teachers, who have clearly done a remarkable job of preparing our students with the skills and knowledge needed to demonstrate their ability to immerse themselves in their work. Witnessing this level of concentration is one of the inherent joys of teaching in a Montessori environment, and we were glad to share it with our guests.

    Another profound moment came when we heard grandparents talk about returning to Primary, years removed from being parents here. Hearing recollections of our founder, Dr. Loeffler and other longtime and beloved faculty is a delight for those of us committed to continuing their good work. To hear that the spirit of their time in Primary remains strong today is tremendous validation and one of the best compliments we can receive.

    We will rest well this weekend—after an exciting and busy week, in the satisfaction of a job well done and in gratitude for the community we serve. Thank you to all who were able to be our guests, and to those that worked to make this a memorable day.

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

  • March 2

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Grandparents' and Grandfriends' Day
    Kindergarten - Thursday, March 6, 1:15-2:30 p.m.
    PreK - Friday, March 7, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

    Note: 4-Day Lavender and Lilac classes will not participate in Grandparents' and Grandfriends' Day

    We are very excited to welcome our grandparents and grandfriends! If you have not had a chance to RSVP, or need to review information, you can view the invitation here. We encourage guests to take their students with them at the end of the visit because a mid-day separation from a loved one can be difficult for our young students to manage. For those who are not able to make arrangements, we will remain in session for the full school day.

    If your student is leaving with a grandparent or grandfriend, please let us know who your student will be leaving with by filling out this form. If you sign your student out early, we ask that they remain out for the day. Having a number of students returning throughout the afternoon disrupts our work cycle and is challenging for many children.
    Please ensure that the person your student is leaving with knows their carpool number. Homeroom teachers will remind grandparents and grandfriends of the carpool number on the day of the event if their name is on the RSVP list. We will check carpool numbers at the door before we let your student leave with a guest.

    In order to make our best showing for our distinguished guests on Grandparents’ and Grandfriends' Day, we will have a Dress Uniform Day on Thursday, March 6, for Kindergarten, and Friday, March 7, for PreK. You can review our dress uniform guidelines here. There will be no spirit day this week.

    For parking on Grandparents’ and Grandfriends' Day, guests should arrive on campus through the Welcome Center at the Pennsylvania entrance. They will be directed to available parking, and a shuttle bus will be available to transport guests from the lots to Loeffler Building. If other accessibility accommodations are needed, please contact the Primary Division office at 405-749-3148 or dillierk@casady.org.
    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

  • February 23

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Your parent reports will be ready to view Monday evening through the MyCasady portal. We hope you will find the information presented clear and helpful. As you read the report, think about how it can be a guiding document for our parent-teacher conferences on Friday, Feb. 28. It will be helpful for us to know how you interpret the information presented and, through our conference, confirm or clarify your understanding as needed. Your students are wonderful, and we are so glad to support their growth and development.

    We look forward to discussing them with you on Friday!

    Childcare is available for your conference time(s) only. Please note that if you scheduled a virtual conference, it has been changed to in-person. Please see the email sent Friday afternoon for additional details. 

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    This Week in SoulCraft
    Kindergarten - Sometimes We Feel Sad
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn to use body language and context clues to figure out when someone feels sad. They’ll practice looking at the person’s face and body, as well as thinking about what’s going on in the situation.
    • Try This at Home: Encourage your student to notice when others around them feel sad. Have them practice using body language and context clues to figure out when family members, friends, or characters in books, movies, or on TV might be feeling sad.
    PreK - Same or Different Feelings
    • Summary: PreK students will be able to identify whether they feel the same as or different from others in response to scenarios.
    • Try This at Home: Practice identifying feelings with your student while reading book or watching a movie. Try to see if your student can name the emotion that the different character are displaying.

    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • February 17

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Thank you all for your cooperation with reviewing our dropoff and pickup procedures. We received lots of good feedback, and have seen some improvements. We appreciate the collective effort in making a busy time a little easier!

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Safety Week
    This week is Safety Week. As we did in the fall, Divisions across campus will participate in Fire, Tornado, and Secure Campus drills. In Primary Division, we will practice:
    • Evacuating our building for the Fire Drill
    • Moving to our storm shelter building Nichols Activity Center for the Tornado Drill
    • For the Lockdown Drill, which we will refer to as a Listening Drill for Primary students, announcements will be made over our loudspeaker, but there will be minimal impact on students in the building.
    If you have any questions or concerns about your student participating in a drill, please contact Clint McEwen.

    Drills can be an abstract concept for our young students, so we want to minimize worry and emphasize that we have a plan and grown-ups are here to help. When talking to your student about Safety Week, keep it simple. If they have questions, don’t lead; let their questions guide the information you share. Be honest when answering questions, but do not offer more information than they are asking for. Teachers will use the following talking points to help prepare our students. You can use them as guiding language.

    General Talking Points
    • Practicing these routines helps keep us safe at Casady.
    • If you are frightened, worried, or unsure what to do, your teacher is here to help.
    • Our teachers have a plan and know what to do to keep us safe.
    Fire Drill
    • You will hear a loud buzzing noise. This noise tells us it is time to stop and look at our teacher.
    • You can leave your things just as they are and follow your teacher out of the building.
    • It is important that you stay with the teacher you are with.
    • When practice is over, our day will continue as normal.
    Tornado Drill
    • You will hear an announcement over the intercom, like what we hear at carpool.
    • Your teacher will lead your class to a room that keeps us safe in storms.
    • You can leave your things just as they are and follow your teacher out of the building.
    • It is important that you stay with the teacher you are with.
    • When practice is over, our day will continue as normal.
    Listening Drill (Lockdown)
    • You will hear a voice over the intercom, like what we hear at carpool.
    • Stop and look at your teacher, they may ask you to sit with them and listen to a story.
    • This practice is to help us remember that listening to our grownups will keep us safe.
    • As always, if you have any questions or need any further resources, please let me know.

    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • February 9

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    A Few Reminders about Morning Drop-Off and Afternoon Pick-Up
    Remember, our carpool motto is “Safety first, efficiency a distant second.” Please keep all devices out of hand when driving on campus. We all feel the pressure to get where we are going, especially on a hectic morning. Conscientious and courteous driving is the safest and quickest way to get all our Cyclones to class and have a positive start to their learning day.

    Morning Drop Off
    • To keep the main roadway clear, we need to have two lines running parallel to the Primary lot. A driver starting the second line is not cutting you, but following procedures. We will “zipper-merge” (think Chick-fil-A) before the final turn in front of Primary.
    • Try to have your student unbuckled and ready to exit the vehicle before the final turn if possible. If your student has trouble keeping their head, and limbs inside the car after unbuckling, we would rather they stay buckled.
    Afternoon Pick-Up
    • Our two-lane formation will begin once you enter campus from Britton Road.
    • If you are using the drive-up option, remember to pull all the way forward if you need to buckle your student before turning onto the north/south campus road.

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Valentine's Day and Out of Uniform
    Our Valentines Celebration on Feb. 13 will be a “Red and White” (that includes pink) out-of-uniform day. Students should bring Valentines to share with their homeroom class. Valentines should not be addressed to individuals. A simple “From: ____” is all the Valentines will need. 

    Homemade or store-bought cards are fine, and they may have something small attached to them, for example: stickers, temporary tattoos, pencils, etc. During the celebration, your student will place their Valentine in a small paper sack for each one of their homeroom classmates. Bags will then be sealed so that you and your student can open their Valentines together at home. To make sure that the bags can hold all of the Valentines, we ask that Valentines not be bigger than a deck of cards.

    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • February 2

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Parent Information Night
    I enjoyed seeing those of you that were able to attend Tuesday night. If you were unable to attend, there is a recording of the presentation available here, and the slide deck is available here.

    We hope you found the time worthwhile, and we always welcome feedback.

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Valentine's Day and Out of Uniform
    Our Valentines Celebration on Feb. 13 will be a “Red and White” (that includes pink) out-of-uniform day. Students should bring Valentines to share with their homeroom class. Valentines should not be addressed to individuals. A simple “From: ____” is all the Valentines will need. 

    Homemade or store-bought cards are fine, and they may have something small attached to them, for example: stickers, temporary tattoos, pencils, etc. During the celebration, your student will place their Valentine in a small paper sack for each one of their homeroom classmates. Bags will then be sealed so that you and your student can open their Valentines together at home. To make sure that the bags can hold all of the Valentines, we ask that Valentines not be bigger than a deck of cards.

    SoulCraft
    • Summary: PreK students will be able to identify whether they feel the same as or different from others in response to scenarios.
    • Try This at Home: Practice identifying feelings with your student while reading a book or watching a movie. Try to see if your student can name the emotion that the different characters are displaying.
    Kindergarten - Sometimes We Feel Happy
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn to use body language and context clues to figure out when someone feels happy. They’ll practice looking at the person’s face and body, as well as thinking about what’s going on in the situation.
    • Try This at Home: Encourage your student to notice when others around them feel happy. Have them practice using body language and context clues to figure out when family members, friends, or characters in books, movies, or on TV might be feeling happy.

    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • January 26

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Primary Division Student Placement
    Parent Information Night
    Tuesday, Jan. 28, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
     
    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Lunar New Year Celebration
    Our all-day students will have the chance to see a special Lunar New Year's presentation on Wednesday afternoon. Each student will come home with a lucky red envelope. Thank you to the Ngo and Nguyen families for sharing your culture with the students!

    Extended Day Families - We are not planning to have our Extended Day students attend. If you would like, you may check your student out early to attend the presentation of the dragon dancers. Please contact the Primary Division Office for details.

    Valentine's Day and Out of Uniform
    Our Valentines Celebration on Feb. 13 will be a “Red and White” (that includes pink) out-of-uniform day. Students should bring Valentines to share with their homeroom class. Valentines should not be addressed to individuals. A simple “From: ____” is all the Valentines will need. 

    Homemade or store-bought cards are fine, and they may have something small attached to them, for example: stickers, temporary tattoos, pencils, etc. During the celebration, your student will place their Valentine in a small paper sack for each one of their homeroom classmates. Bags will then be sealed so that you and your student can open their Valentines together at home. To make sure that the bags can hold all of the Valentines, we ask that Valentines not be bigger than a deck of cards.

    Parent Information Night: Primary Division Student Placement
    Tuesday, Jan. 28
    5:30-6:30 p.m. 

    We hope that you will be able to attend this Parent Information Night. As we approach our Winter Parent Teacher Conference, our attention turns to next year concerning placement. In Primary Division, this is usually a quick discussion, but there are times when we want to consider what placement is best, particularly for students with late spring and summer birthdays.

    The purpose of this event will be to give an overview on:
    • Differences between our grade levels
    • How to use our new parent reports to inform this decision
    • Paint a broad strokes picture of “readiness” for the next grade level
    • Grade and age demographics throughout Casady
    If you feel that you will find this information helpful in advance of hearing our recommendations at conferences, we hope that you will be able to attend. 

    Illness Policy Reminder
    When to keep your student at home:
    • Fever alone, 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
    • Sore throat or tonsillitis
    • Any eruption of the skin, or rash
    • Any nasal discharge accompanied by fever
    • A severe cough, producing phlegm
    • Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting
    Students must be symptom-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school. Thank you for your support and willingness to keep your student and their classmates healthy and strong. 

    SoulCraft
    PreK - Identifying Anger
    • Summary: PreK students will be able to identify the feeling mad/angry when presented with physical clues.
    • Try This at Home: Ask your student about a time when they felt angry and then share about a time when you felt angry and how you handled it.
    Kindergarten - Sometimes We Feel Happy
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn to use body language and context clues to figure out when someone feels happy. They’ll practice looking at the person’s face and body, as well as thinking about what’s going on in the situation.
    • Try This at Home: Encourage your student to notice when others around them feel happy. Have them practice using body language and context clues to figure out when family members, friends, or characters in books, movies, or on TV might be feeling happy.

    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • January 20

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    If you were born in the summertime in the 1970s, you were never able to celebrate your birthday at school. Summer birthdays are great, but I always felt like I was missing out on something growing up. Fortunately, long ago, someone at Primary Division decided we should celebrate all of our birthdays. So, for students and teachers born in June, July, or August, we celebrate half-birthdays. 

    As you can see, it is a real treat. Thank you to all of our students who spent so much time making these wonderful cards! It is a joy to see all the thought and hard work that goes into them. Thank you, families, for all that you do to make our teachers and staff feel celebrated on their birthday, or half-birthday, each year. Your support is one of the many ways that make it so good to be a Cyclone!

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Valentine's Day and Out of Uniform
    Our Valentines Celebration on Feb. 13 will be a “Red and White” (that includes pink) out-of-uniform day. Students should bring Valentines to share with their homeroom class. Valentines should not be addressed to individuals. A simple “From: ____” is all the Valentines will need. 

    Homemade or store-bought cards are fine, and they may have something small attached to it, for example: stickers, temporary tattoos, pencils, etc. During their celebration, your student will place their Valentine in a small paper sack for each one of their homeroom classmates. Bags will then be sealed so that you and your student can open their Valentines together at home. To make sure that the bags can hold all of the Valentines, we ask that Valentines not be bigger than a deck of cards.

    Parent Information Night: Primary Division Student Placement
    Tuesday, Jan. 28
    5:30-6:30 p.m. 

    We hope that you will be able to attend this Parent Information Night. As we approach our Winter Parent Teacher Conference, our attention turns to next year concerning placement. In Primary Division, this is usually a quick discussion, but there are times when we want to consider what placement is best, particularly for students with late spring and summer birthdays.

    The purpose of this event will be to give an overview on:
    • Differences between our grade levels
    • How to use our new parent reports to inform this decision
    • Paint a broad strokes picture of “readiness” for the next grade level
    • Grade and age demographics throughout Casady
    If you feel that you will find this information helpful in advance of hearing our recommendations at conferences, we hope that you will be able to attend. 

    Illness Policy Reminder
    When to keep your student at home:
    • Fever alone, 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
    • Sore throat or tonsillitis
    • Any eruption of the skin, or rash
    • Any nasal discharge accompanied by fever
    • A severe cough, producing phlegm
    • Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting
    Students must be symptom-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school. Thank you for your support and willingness to keep your student and their classmates healthy and strong. 

    SoulCraft
    PreK - Identifying Anger
    • Summary: PreK students will be able to identify the feeling mad/angry when presented with physical clues.
    • Try This at Home: Ask your student about a time when they felt angry and then share about a time when you felt angry and how you handled it.
    Kindergarten - Sometimes We Feel Happy
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn to use body language and context clues to figure out when someone feels happy. They’ll practice looking at the person’s face and body, as well as thinking about what’s going on in the situation.
    • Try This at Home: Encourage your student to notice when others around them feel happy. Have them practice using body language and context clues to figure out when family members, friends, or characters in books, movies, or on TV might be feeling happy.

    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • January 12

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Parent Information Night: Primary Division Student Placement
    Tuesday, Jan. 28
    5:30-6:30 p.m. 

    We hope that you will be able to attend this Parent Information Night. As we approach our Winter Parent Teacher Conference, our attention turns to next year concerning placement. In Primary Division, this is usually a quick discussion, but there are times when we want to consider what placement is best, particularly for students with late spring and summer birthdays.

    The purpose of this event will be to give an overview on:
    • Differences between our grade levels
    • How to use our new parent reports to inform this decision
    • Paint a broad strokes picture of “readiness” for the next grade level
    • Grade and age demographics throughout Casady
    If you feel that you will find this information helpful in advance of hearing our recommendations at conferences, we hope that you will be able to attend. 

    Illness Policy Reminder
    When to keep your student at home:
    • Fever alone, 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
    • Sore throat or tonsillitis
    • Any eruption of the skin, or rash
    • Any nasal discharge accompanied by fever
    • A severe cough, producing phlegm
    • Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting
    Students must be symptom-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school. Thank you for your support and willingness to keep your student and their classmates healthy and strong. 

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

  • January 5

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Welcome Back!

    I hope that you all had a break filled with joy and time with loved ones. As wonderful as breaks can be, welcoming the students back to school is so much fun. They always seem to grow several inches!

    Thank you to all of you who contributed to our holiday fund. Our faculty and staff were truly touched by your generosity. 

    As the weather becomes cooler, please send your student to school dressed appropriately. Outdoor play is an important part of our day, and we will continue to have recess during the winter months— even for just 15 or 20 minutes. A hat, scarf, gloves and a warm jacket are all important for playground time during the winter months. Our morning playground time is often significantly cooler than our afternoon time, and if the wind is blowing across the lake it may feel 10 degrees cooler than your weather app may suggest. 

    Also, we ask that you label all of your student's outerwear. We want to help your student manage their belongings independently, but it can be a near impossible task to match a student with their jacket without a name written in it. If you find that you are missing an article of clothing, please check the lost and found located just inside the Primary Division front doors. Thank you for your help with managing this important part of your student’s day!

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

  • December 15

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Christmas Week: What to Know
    Here's a bullet point list for a busy week. For more details, please refer to previous weeks' notes.
    • Monday, Regular Uniform
      • PreK and Kindergarten After School Care moves to Loeffler Primary Division Building. Please ring the doorbell to be let into the building to check out your student.
    • Tuesday, Regular Uniform
      • If you signed up to provide teacher treats, please bring them with you to morning drop-off.
    • Wednesday, Regular Uniform
      • Wednesday Schedule
    • Thursday, Christmas/Free Dress
      • Christmas Parties: volunteer parents only. We will send photos of your student’s class party.
    • Friday, Dress Uniform
      • No red sweater
      • Navy or white hair accessories only
      • Early Dismissal at 11:15 a.m.
      • No Extended Day, No Aftercare
      • PreK Christmas Chapel at 9:45 a.m.
      • Kindergarten Christmas Chapel at 10:45 a.m.
      • If you or a family member need access or parking assistance, please complete this form by Dec. 18.
      • If you are not taking your student with you after their Chapel performance, please notify your homeroom teacher. All students must be picked up from Primary at 11:15 a.m.
    Thank you for a fantastic 2024! Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year!

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Parking and Carpool Change - Dec. 17-20
    The parking lot in front of the Learning Center (Annex) will be closed. This will impact those of you who park and walk up for carpool. Because of this, we can anticipate heavier traffic in our carpool lines. Please adjust your schedule accordingly.

    SoulCraft This Week
    Kindergarten - Mistakes Are Okay!
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. They’ll practice encouraging their classmates, and themselves, while the class learns and practices a skill together: snapping their fingers.
    • Try This at Home: Remind your student that everyone makes mistakes and that mistakes help us learn. Point out when you make mistakes or tell them a story about a time you learned something from making a mistake.
    PreK - Identifying Anger
    • Summary: PreK students will be able to identify the feeling mad/angry when presented with physical clues.
    • Try This at Home: Ask your student about a time when they felt angry and then share about a time when you felt angry and how you handled it.
    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • December 8

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Christmas Chapel
    This year’s service is Friday, Dec. 20. Please send your student to School in Dress Uniform for this special performance. PreK Christmas Chapel will be at 9:45 a.m., and Kindergarten at 10:45 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20 is early dismissal at 11:15 a.m., and there is no Extended Day or After Care. Chapel will be open for seating approximately 20 minutes before each service. 

    If you or a family member need help with parking due to accessibility or other medical issues, please fill out this form.

    Hanukkah Celebrations in Primary
    If your family celebrates Hanukkah, and you would like to share about your tradition with us, please reach out to the division office.

    Out of Uniform
    Don’t forget: Thursday, Dec. 19, will be a Christmas-themed out-of-uniform day!

    Student Placement Parent Information Night
    Tuesday, Jan. 28
    5:30-6:30 p.m.

    This evening is designed to give big-picture information for parents who are considering the benefits of moving up vs. repeating a year of PreK or K.

    SoulCraft This Week
    Kindergarten - Mistakes Are Okay!
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. They’ll practice encouraging their classmates, and themselves, while the class learns and practices a skill together: snapping their fingers.
    • Try This at Home: Remind your student that everyone makes mistakes and that mistakes help us learn. Point out when you make mistakes or tell them a story about a time you learned something from making a mistake.
    PreK - More Feelings
    • Summary: PreK students will be able to discuss the feelings of surprised and scared when presented with physical and situational clues.
    • Try This at Home: Ask your student to demonstrate their scared or surprised face and discuss how our face and body change when we have those feelings.

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

  • December 1

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Christmas Chapel
    This year’s service is Friday, Dec. 20. Please send your student to School in Dress Uniform for this special performance. PreK Christmas Chapel will be at 9:45 a.m., and Kindergarten at 10:45 a.m. Friday is early dismissal at 11:15 a.m., and there is no Extended Day or After Care. Chapel will be open for seating approximately 20 minutes before each service. 

    Parking and pick-up details to follow.

    Hanukkah Celebrations in Primary
    If your family celebrates Hanukkah and you would like to share about your tradition with us, please reach out to the division office.

    Out of Uniform
    Don’t forget: Thursday, Dec. 19, will be a Christmas-themed out-of-uniform day!

    Student Placement Parent Information Night
    Tuesday, Jan. 28
    5:30-6:30 p.m.

    This evening is designed to give big-picture information for parents who are considering the benefits of moving up vs. repeating a year of PreK or K.

    Flyer Coming Home
    Be on the lookout for a flyer coming home with your student this week! It will provide details about a special opportunity to honor your student or a teacher at Casady this holiday season.

    Bags
    At the beginning of the school year, we stated that our hope was for the current Casady bags to last the students for their time with us in Primary. Unfortunately, they do not seem to have the durability that we hoped for. We will re-assess before next year. 

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    SoulCraft

    Kindergarten - Mistakes Are Okay
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. They’ll practice encouraging their classmates (and themselves) while the class learns and practices a skill together: snapping their fingers.
    • Try This at Home: Remind your student that everyone makes mistakes and that mistakes help us learn. Point out when you make mistakes or tell them a story about a time you learned something from making a mistake.
    PreK - Identifying Feelings
    • Summary: Students will be able to identify the feelings happy and sad when presented with physical (face or body) clues.
    • Try This at Home: Ask your student to share about a time when they felt happy or sad. Take turns and share an example of how you’ve experienced happiness or sadness.
    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • November 17

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    A brief update heading into our last week before Thanksgiving Break: Friday, Nov. 22, will be a “Free Dress Day.” Please dress in weather and activity-appropriate attire, but there are no uniform guidelines in effect for the day.

    On Monday, Nov. 18, Upper Division Service Learning students will be joining our Kindergarteners to help color placemats that will be used to decorate the Thanksgiving Dinners being served at Iris Memory Care in Oklahoma City. We love the opportunities to connect across divisions and brighten our greater OKC community.

    And speaking of community, as we are taking stock of our blessings this time of year, I am exceedingly grateful for our wonderful Casady Community. From our dedicated teachers, to our supportive families, and our many wonderful students. However you are celebrating during this break, please know that I am thankful for you.

    Happy Thanksgiving! 

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    SoulCraft

    PreK - More Feelings
    • Summary: PreK students will be able to discuss the feelings of surprised and scared when presented with physical and situational clues.
    • Try This at Home: Ask your student to demonstrate their scared or surprised face and discuss how our face and body change when we have those feelings.
    Kindergarten - Why We Pay Attention
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn two important reasons for paying attention: to learn and to stay safe. Students will also learn more about, “What is Mindfulness?”
    • Try This at Home: Ask your student why they think it’s important to pay attention during different activities, for example, when listening to information or instructions, when helping out with a task, or when crossing the street with you.
    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • November 10

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Parent Reports are ready to view, you can find instructions on where to find them here. We look forward to hearing your questions, thoughts, and feedback!

    A few reminders about morning drop off:
    • The exit leading to Nichols Road adjacent to the Annex will remain open if:
      • Families do not park in business lots and walk through the gates
      • Cars do not block others from exiting
    • Mornings are hectic, but please be courteous. By taking turns when merging in and out of division drop-off loops, we keep traffic moving. Not allowing a car to exit eventually creates a gridlock.
    • Turning left when exiting onto Britton is prohibited. The Village police enforce this. Left turns also create a back-up that impacts Primary and Lower drop off.
    • Thank you for watching for pedestrians, and keeping phones and devices down while driving on campus.
    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Illness Policy Reminder
    We had a higher number of students (and teachers) dealing with illness this week. We would appreciate it if you could take a moment to review our illness policy:
     
    When a student has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or more, they need to be fever-free, without the use of fever reducers, for 24 hours before returning to School.
     
    In the case of vomiting, nausea, and/or diarrhea, students cannot return to School until 24 hours after symptoms have stopped.
     
    If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Kinchen.

    CPO BINGO Night
    Save the date for Casady’s annual Bingo Night on Friday, Jan. 24. To ensure the night is a success, CPO is collecting prize donations. 

    Prizes should be new toys, games, or accessories for children aged 3-12 years old and should not be valued at any more than $10 each. To donate prizes, you can shop the Amazon wish list, or you can drop off prizes at the front office of Primary or Lower Division. 

    CPO is also looking for raffle items for the event. If you or your business would like to make a donation, please email bingo@casady.org.

    We hope you can join us for a night of family fun, food, and friendly BINGO competition! 

    SoulCraft

    PreK - Identifying Feelings
    • Summary: Students will begin a new Unit on Empathy. In this week’s lesson, students will be able to identify the feelings happy and sad when presented with physical (face or body) clues.
    • Try This at Home: Ask your student to share about a time when they felt happy or sad. Take turns and share an example how you’ve experience happiness or sadness.
    Kindergarten - Why We Pay Attention
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn two important reasons for paying attention: to learn and to stay safe. Students will also learn more about, “What is Mindfulness?”
    • Try This at Home: Ask your student why they think it’s important to pay attention during different activities, for example, when listening to information or instructions, when helping out with a task, or when crossing the street with you.
    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • November 3

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Our parent reports will be ready to view this coming Friday. You can find instructions for how to view reports here. It is our hope that these reports are successful in achieving our objectives:
    • To provide a clear and concise picture of where your student is at this point of the school year, and in terms of “readiness” for the next grade, based on their age not current grade. For example, half-day students who meet the age requirements for kindergarten will be reported on readiness for kindergarten.
    • To serve as a foundation for meaningful conversations with your student's teachers.
    • To celebrate the growth and wonderful uniqueness of each student.
    A few things to keep in mind while reading these reports. “On Track” indicates where a typical student is in any given skill at this point in the school year. Expectations will rise as the year progresses. It may not be uncommon for a student to move from “On Track” to “Supporting” between reports. “Supporting” indicates an area of focus and growth for your student.

    Some common questions:

    My student is “on track”, does that mean they have mastered this skill?
    Not necessarily. It means that your student is where we would expect a student in their grade to be at this point in the school year. Some concepts may have just been introduced, and most students are just beginning to develop in this area. This would be considered “On Track”.
     
    My student received several “Supporting” ratings. Should I be worried?
    Absolutely not. We are highlighting areas that we want to bring to your attention, and where we will be providing extra support. While “Supporting” does indicate an area where your student may fall outside of what is “typical”, it is atypical for a student to be “On Track” in all areas throughout the course of the year. We are in school for a reason! We are supporting all students throughout the course of the school year. In instances where we are providing more intensive support, or we have greater concern, you will have already been notified, and we will be working together towards a growth goal for your student.
     
    We hope you enjoy these reports. Reading through them, I was moved by how clear it is that our teachers know and care deeply for their students. Please reach out to me with any questions or feedback!

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Illness Policy Reminder
    We had a higher number of students (and teachers) dealing with illness this week. We would appreciate it if you could take a moment to review our illness policy:
     
    When a student has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or more, they need to be fever-free, without the use of fever reducers, for 24 hours before returning to School.
     
    In the case of vomiting, nausea, and/or diarrhea, students cannot return to School until 24 hours after symptoms have stopped.
     
    If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Kinchen.

    Primary Diwali Celebration
    Celebrating our diversity is an important part of our School’s identity. On the morning of Thursday, Nov. 7, several Primary Division families will give a presentation about Diwali, and some of their families’ traditions around the holiday. This has become an anticipated annual event over the past several years. We value the opportunity to share special days with all of our Casady Community. A note from our presenters:
     
    Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the Hindu Festival of Lights. It symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It is celebrated every year in autumn, usually falling between October and November. The celebrations generally last five or six days, with the main celebration occurring on the third day. Diwali is largely observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, but much like Christmas, the holiday transcends religion and is now celebrated by many people outside those celebrations.

    CPO BINGO Night
    Save the date for Casady’s annual Bingo Night on Friday, Jan. 24. To ensure the night is a success, CPO is collecting prize donations. 

    Prizes should be new toys, games, or accessories for children aged 3-12 years old and should not be valued at any more than $10 each. To donate prizes, you can shop the Amazon wish list, or you can drop off prizes at the front office of Primary or Lower Division. 

    CPO is also looking for raffle items for the event. If you or your business would like to make a donation, please email bingo@casady.org.

    We hope you can join us for a night of family fun, food, and friendly BINGO competition! 

    SoulCraft

    PreK - Asking for What You Need or Want
    • Summary: PreK students will learn how to ask for what they need or want, face the person they are asking, and use a respectful voice.
    • Try This at Home: Have your student practice asking for something that they want using good manners (please/thank you), eye contact, and body language.
    Kindergarten - Why We Pay Attention
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn two important reasons for paying attention: to learn and to stay safe. Students will also learn more about, “What is Mindfulness?”
    • Try This at Home: Ask your student why they think it’s important to pay attention during different activities, for example, when listening to information or instructions, when helping out with a task, or when crossing the street with you.

    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • October 27

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Halloween Parade
    Please join us for our annual Primary Division Halloween Parade! Our Halloween Parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. Our Primary students will parade around campus, and classes will be available for group pictures. After the parade, your students will return to their class for a Halloween celebration and treat!
    • Thursday will be an out-of-uniform day. Please have your student dress in out-of-uniform clothes under their costumes, if possible. If clothes under their costumes do not work, please send a change of clothes for your student to change into after the parade. Teachers will help your student get changed but the easier the clothes are to put on independently the better!
    • Costumes should not have weapons, full face masks, facepaint, be too scary or gory
    • Students will change out of their costumes after the parade. It will be out of uniform
    • Parents are invited to attend the parade between 8:30-9:00 a.m.
    • Please do not send treats or party favors to School
    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Coffee with Mr. McEwen
    Please join us for “Coffee with Mr. McEwen” on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 8:20 a.m. in our Primary Conference Room. This is an open format conversation, so just bring questions. I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you! If you would like to submit an anonymous question in advance, you may do so here.

    CPO BINGO Night
    Save the date for Casady’s annual Bingo Night on Friday, Jan. 24. To ensure the night is a success, CPO is collecting prize donations. 

    Prizes should be new toys, games, or accessories for children aged 3-12 years old and should not be valued at any more than $10 each. To donate prizes, you can shop the  Amazon wish list, or you can drop off prizes at the front office of Primary or Lower Division. 

    CPO is also looking for raffle items for the event. If you or your business would like to make a donation, please email bingo@casady.org.

    We hope you can join us for a night of family fun, food, and friendly BINGO competition! 

    SoulCraft
    • Kindergarten - We Watch. We Listen. We Think.
      • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn about being a good listener, friend, and class participant. Paying attention means watching, listening, and thinking carefully about something. Students will also discover and practice the skill of deep breathing.
      • Try This at Home: Ask your student to show you how they can pay attention, for example, when you are reading a story with them or explaining how to do something.
    • PreK - Following Directions
      • Summary: PreK students will learn that listening, following, and repeating directions helps us to remember them.
      • Try This at Home: Ask your student to complete a set of directions, then have them repeat them back.

    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • October 20

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Primary Division Field Trip - October 24
    If you have not RSVP'd, please do so by clicking here.

    Thursday morning:
    • Wear closed toe shoes and dress weather-appropriate. If it rains, it may be muddy.
    • If your student is riding the bus, please have them at School by 8:10 a.m.
    • If they are not returning to School, they do not need a bag.
    • Students returning to School will eat lunch at Casady. Please send a lunch as usual.
    • We have one ticket for each student and a guest. Additional guests will need to purchase tickets separately.
    • Our buses will arrive between 9:00-9:15. a.m. There are gravel roads that may slow our travel time.
    When you arrive:
    • If you are your student's only guest, look for a greeter near the brown gate and wait for your student’s class to exit the bus. You will enter the patch with your student.
    • If you need to purchase additional tickets, please do so upon arrival and wait for your class inside the gate.
    At the Pumpkin Patch:
    • If you plan to do the hayride and maze, we suggest doing that first.
    • There is a candy and gift shop that is cash only. This is a School event; we ask that you not purchase toy guns. Please do not send candy or toys back to School with your student.
    • Petting zoo food is $1 per cup, cash only. You can feed everything on the farm except for ponies and donkeys. No food, drinks, or strollers are allowed inside the petting zoo.
    • Each guest may take one pumpkin per admission.
    • If your student is not returning to School, you must sign them out with their teacher in person, or via text or email.
    • If your student is returning to School, please have them by the exit by 10:45 a.m. Look for your homeroom teacher. Buses will load by class.

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Picture Retake Day
    Picture Retake Day will be Wednesday, Oct. 23. Please let us know if you want your student to retake their picture. Filling out this form will ensure your student’s picture is taken.

    Coffee with Mr. McEwen
    Please join us for “Coffee with Mr. McEwen” on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 8:20 a.m. in our Primary Conference Room. This is an open format conversation, so just bring questions. I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you! If you would like to submit an anonymous question in advance, you may do so here.

    Halloween Parade
    Look for Halloween Parade information in next week’s Note. As you are planning your student’s costume, please keep the following in mind:
    • Costumes should not have weapons, full face masks, face-paint, be too scary or gory.
    • Students will change out of their costumes after the parade, it will be out of uniform.
    • Parents are invited to attend the parade between 8:30-9:00 a.m.
    • Please do not send treats or party favors to School.

    CPO BINGO Night
    Save the date for Casady’s annual Bingo Night on Friday, Jan. 24. To ensure the night is a success, CPO is collecting prize donations. 

    Prizes should be new toys, games, or accessories for children aged 3-12 years old and should not be valued at any more than $10 each. To donate prizes, you can shop the  Amazon wish list, or you can drop off prizes at the front office of Primary or Lower Division. 

    CPO is also looking for raffle items for the event. If you or your business would like to make a donation, please email bingo@casady.org.

    We hope you can join us for a night of family fun, food, and friendly BINGO competition! 

    Universal Screeners
    Casady School will participate in universal social-emotional and behavioral (SEB) screenings as part of a larger effort to enhance the health and wellness of Casady students. Universal screening is a process for identifying strengths, needs, and useful information so that students can be better supported in interventions that prevent or reduce challenges and promote resiliency. Screenings in the school setting are not used for diagnostic purposes but will help us understand and monitor the social and emotional functioning of our students. Screenings will be completed during the month of October.
    • The Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS-SEL) screener will be used for Primary and Lower Division.
    • The screenings will be completed by the homeroom teachers.
    • You will be notified by a member of our Student Support Services team, if the results indicate that your student could benefit from school-based interventions or parental consultation.
    • If this is the case, Samantha Kobs and/or Emily Morris will share the overall results with you and discuss ways you can get support for your student. You will not be contacted if your student is found not to need additional support.
    • Please complete this Casady SEB opt-out form if you do not want your student to be screened. 
    Reach out to Samantha Kobs with any questions.

    SoulCraft
    Kindergarten - We Watch. We Listen. We Think.
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn that paying attention means watching, listening, and thinking carefully about something. They practice different ways of showing they’re paying attention.
    • Try This at Home: Ask your student to show you how they can pay attention, for example, when you are reading a story with them or explaining how to do something.
    PreK - Focusing Attention
    • Summary: PreK students will learn that focusing our attention uses our eyes, ears, and brain. Also, practicing helps us get better at focusing our attention.
    • Try This at Home: Continue to practice the Listening Rules at home
      • Eyes watching. Point to your eye.
      • Ears listening. Cup your ears with your hands.
      • Voice quiet. Put your finger to your lips.
      • Body calm. Hug your body with both arms.
    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • October 14

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Trunk or Treat
    On Sunday, Oct. 27, from 3:30-4:30 p.m., we will host a Trunk or Treat on campus for Primary and Lower Division families. Families may choose to come just for the walk-through, set up a “trunk” to hand out treats, or both. This will not be a nut-free event. If your student has food allergies, please be mindful. Click here to let us know how many Treaters to prepare for. The more “Trunks”, the merrier!

    If you have not RSVP’d for our Primary Pumpkin Patch Field Trip on Thursday, Oct. 24 please do so here.  Details can be found at the link.

    Look for Halloween Parade information in next week’s Notes.  As you are planning your child’s costume, please keep in mind:
    • Costumes should not have weapons, full face masks, face-paint, be too scary or gory
    • Students will change out of their costumes after the parade; it will be out of uniform
    • Parents are invited to attend the parade between 8:30-9:00 a.m.
    • Please do not send treats or party favors to School
    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Coffee with Mr. McEwen
    Please join us for “Coffee with Mr. McEwen” on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 8:20 a.m. in our Primary Conference Room. This is an open format conversation, so just bring questions. I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you! If you would like to submit an anonymous question in advance, you may do so here.

    CPO BINGO Night
    Save the date for Casady’s annual Bingo Night on Friday, Jan. 24. To ensure the night is a success, CPO is collecting prize donations. 

    Prizes should be new toys, games, or accessories for children aged 3-12 years old and should not be valued at any more than $10 each. To donate prizes, you can shop the  Amazon wish list, or you can drop off prizes at the front office of Primary or Lower Division. 

    CPO is also looking for raffle items for the event. If you or your business would like to make a donation, please email bingo@casady.org.

    We hope you can join us for a night of family fun, food, and friendly BINGO competition! 

    Universal Screeners
    Casady School will participate in universal social-emotional and behavioral (SEB) screenings as part of a larger effort to enhance the health and wellness of Casady students. Universal screening is a process for identifying strengths, needs, and useful information so that students can be better supported in interventions that prevent or reduce challenges and promote resiliency. Screenings in the school setting are not used for diagnostic purposes but will help us understand and monitor the social and emotional functioning of our students. Screenings will be completed during the month of October.
    • The Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS-SEL) screener will be used for Primary and Lower Division.
    • The screenings will be completed by the homeroom teachers.
    • You will be notified by a member of our Student Support Services team, if the results indicate that your student could benefit from school-based interventions or parental consultation.
    • If this is the case, Samantha Kobs and/or Emily Morris will share the overall results with you and discuss ways you can get support for your student. You will not be contacted if your student is found not to need additional support.
    • Please complete this Casady SEB opt-out form if you do not want your student to be screened. 
    Reach out to Samantha Kobs with any questions.

    SoulCraft
    Kindergarten - We Watch. We Listen. We Think.
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn that paying attention means watching, listening, and thinking carefully about something. They practice different ways of showing they’re paying attention.
    • Try This at Home: Ask your student to show you how they can pay attention, for example, when you are reading a story with them or explaining how to do something.
    PreK - Focusing Attention
    • Summary: PreK students will learn that focusing our attention uses our eyes, ears, and brain. Also, practicing helps us get better at focusing our attention.
    • Try This at Home: Continue to practice the Listening Rules at home
      • Eyes watching. Point to your eye.
      • Ears listening. Cup your ears with your hands.
      • Voice quiet. Put your finger to your lips.
      • Body calm. Hug your body with both arms.
    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • October 6

    Dear Primary Division Parents,

    Just a short Division Notes ahead of a short week! Please refer to last week’s note for information on our upcoming field trip and Halloween celebrations. I hope that you all have a safe and enjoyable Fall Break. Remember, Thursday will be Chapel and spirit day due to our shortened week.
     
    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Universal Screeners
    Casady School will participate in universal social-emotional and behavioral (SEB) screenings as part of a larger effort to enhance the health and wellness of Casady students. Universal screening is a process for identifying strengths, needs, and useful information so that students can be better supported in interventions that prevent or reduce challenges and promote resiliency. Screenings in the school setting are not used for diagnostic purposes but will help us understand and monitor the social and emotional functioning of our students. Screenings will be completed during the month of October.
    • The Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS-SEL) screener will be used for Primary and Lower Division.
    • The screenings will be completed by the homeroom teachers.
    • You will be notified by a member of our Student Support Services team, if the results indicate that your student could benefit from school-based interventions or parental consultation.
    • If this is the case, Samantha Kobs and/or Emily Morris will share the overall results with you and discuss ways you can get support for your student. You will not be contacted if your student is found not to need additional support.
    • Please complete this Casady SEB opt-out form if you do not want your student to be screened. 
    Reach out to Samantha Kobs with any questions.

    Primary Division Field Trip
    We are looking forward to our next opportunity to gather our Primary Division community! On Thursday, Oct. 24, Primary Division will visit Chester's Pumpkin Patch, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. You will be able to sign your student out for the day from the Pumpkin Patch. Our buses will head back to Primary for lunch, but the lunch facilities at Chester's will be available for those who choose to remain.

    We will provide bus transportation for our 5-Day Half-Day, All Day PreK, and Kindergarten students. Please help us get an accurate head count for the buses by completing this form.

    Our 4-Day, Lavender, and Lilac students are invited to join us for the Field Trip, but we will not provide transportation. Four-Day students who go to the Pumpkin Patch will need an adult chaperone.

    At the gate, all Primary students will receive two tickets covering the price of admission. One for the student and one for an adult guest. Tickets for additional guests may be purchased separately.
    We hope to see you all at the pumpkin patch!

    Trunk or Treat
    On Sunday, Oct. 27, from 3:30-4:30 p.m., we will host a Trunk or Treat on campus for Casady Primary and Lower Division families. Families may choose to come just for the walk-through, set up a “trunk” to hand out treats, or both! This will not be a nut-free event. If your student has food allergies, please be mindful. Look for the request form and RSVP in upcoming Division Notes!

    Parade and Parties Information
    On Oct. 31, Primary students may come to School in costume for a Halloween Parade and Party
    • Costumes should not have weapons, full face masks, or be too scary or gory
    • Students will change out of their costumes after the parade for out of uniform
    • Parents are invited to attend the parade between 8:30-9:00 a.m.
    • Please do not send treats or party favors to School
     
    R.O.A.R. In Primary Division 
    As part of our ongoing commitment to safety and wellness, students in Primary Division will be participating in The CARE Center’s ROAR program again this year. This program teaches body safety and empowers children to keep themselves safe from child abuse. 

    In the ROAR program, students in Primary will learn about a lion named Rex who teaches kids about his “Rules of ROARing.” 

    The Rules of ROARing are:
    • R - Remember, privates are private
    • O - Okay to say no
    • A - Always talk about secrets
    • R - Raise your voice and tell someone
    In the presentation, we only use the words “private parts” or “places covered by your swimsuit or underwear;” no other words or specific language is used. The word “abuse” is not used in the program. 

    Our Primary Division Counselor, Emily Morris, will be teaching our Kindergarten students the ROAR lesson in their homeroom beginning next week. Our PreK classes will next follow suit. Students will be sent home with a Caregiver Guide once the lesson is completed. 

    To review last semester’s parent night and slides about ROAR, check out the Student Support Services Resource Board in MyCasady or contact Samantha Kobs with any questions.

    Coffee with Mr. McEwen
    Please join us for “Coffee with Mr. McEwen” on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 8:20 a.m. in our Primary Conference Room. This is an open format conversation, so just bring questions. I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you!

    SoulCraft
    SoulCraft is a collaborative effort between the Chapel, Student Support Services, Service Learning, and Community and Inclusion departments. Healthy spiritual formation leads to thoughtful awareness of yourself and others. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, he said, ”Love God with your heart, soul, mind, and strength AND love your neighbor as yourself.” SoulCraft is learning how to know and love yourself so you can love your neighbor. 

    Each week, the topic that will be explored in SoulCraft will be included in your Division Notes, along with some follow-up discussion questions should you wish to continue the conversation at home with your student. We are so thankful to partner with families as we help these students grow and navigate their relationships with family and friends.

    Kindergarten - We Watch. We Listen. We Think.
    • Summary: In this week’s lesson, your student will learn that paying attention means watching, listening, and thinking carefully about something. They practice different ways of showing they’re paying attention.
    • Try This at Home: Ask your student to show you how they can pay attention, for example, when you are reading a story with them or explaining how to do something.
    PreK - Focusing Attention
    • Summary: PreK students will learn that focusing our attention uses our eyes, ears, and brain. Also, practicing helps us get better at focusing our attention.
    • Try This at Home: Continue to practice the Listening Rules at home
      • Eyes watching. Point to your eye.
      • Ears listening. Cup your ears with your hands.
      • Voice quiet. Put your finger to your lips.
      • Body calm. Hug your body with both arms.
    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • September 29

    Dear Primary Division Parents,
     
    Primary Division Field Trip
    We are looking forward to our next opportunity to gather our Primary Division community! On Thursday, Oct. 24, Primary Division will visit Chester's Pumpkin Patch, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. You will be able to sign your student out for the day from the Pumpkin Patch. Our buses will head back to Primary for lunch, but the lunch facilities at Chester's will be available for those who choose to remain.

    We will provide bus transportation for our 5-Day Half-Day, All Day PreK, and Kindergarten students. Please help us get an accurate head count for the buses by completing this form.

    Our 4-Day, Lavender, and Lilac students are invited to join us for the Field Trip, but we will not provide transportation. Four-Day students who go to the Pumpkin Patch will need an adult chaperone.

    At the gate, all Primary students will receive two tickets covering the price of admission. One for the student and one for an adult guest. Tickets for additional guests may be purchased separately.
    We hope to see you all at the pumpkin patch!
     
    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Trunk or Treat
    On Sunday, Oct. 27, from 3:30-4:30 p.m., we will host a Trunk or Treat on campus for Casady Primary and Lower Division families. Families may choose to come just for the walk-through, set up a “trunk” to hand out treats, or both! This will not be a nut-free event. If your student has food allergies, please be mindful. Look for request form and RSVP in upcoming Division Notes!

    Parade and Parties Information
    On Oct. 31, Primary students may come to School in costume for a Halloween Parade and Party
    • Costumes should not have weapons, full face masks, or be too scary or gory
    • Students will change out of their costumes after the parade for out of uniform
    • Parents are invited to attend the parade between 8:30-9:00 a.m.
    • Please do not send treats or party favors to School
     
    R.O.A.R. In Primary Division 
    As part of our ongoing commitment to safety and wellness, students in Primary Division will be participating in The CARE Center’s ROAR program again this year. This program teaches body safety and empowers children to keep themselves safe from child abuse. 

    In the ROAR program, students in Primary will learn about a lion named Rex who teaches kids about his “Rules of ROARing.” 

    The Rules of ROARing are:
    • R - Remember, privates are private
    • O - Okay to say no
    • A - Always talk about secrets
    • R - Raise your voice and tell someone
    In the presentation, we only use the words “private parts” or “places covered by your swimsuit or underwear;” no other words or specific language is used. The word “abuse” is not used in the program. 

    Our Primary Division Counselor, Emily Morris, will be teaching our Kindergarten students the ROAR lesson in their homeroom beginning next week. Our PreK classes will next follow suit. Students will be sent home with a Caregiver Guide once the lesson is completed. 

    To review last semester’s parent night and slides about ROAR, check out the Student Support Services Resource Board in MyCasady or contact Samantha Kobs with any questions.

    Coffee with Mr. McEwen
    Please join us for “Coffee with Mr. McEwen” on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 8:20 a.m. in our Primary Conference Room. This is an open format conversation, so just bring questions. I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you!

    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • September 22

    Dear Primary Division Parents,
     
    Parent Conference Day will be Friday, Sept. 27. I have heard some questions about the timing of this first conference - it seems so early to provide feedback about your students at School when so many are still settling into their new routines. While your teachers may share some initial observations, the primary goal of this conference is not to deliver an in-depth report on your student but to give you some time with your teacher to ask questions, share information about life at home, and develop a good foundation for the partnership that will be one of the most important support structures for your student during this school year. I am sure you will enjoy this time with your teacher. We are looking forward to seeing you on Friday!

    Childcare will be available during your student's conference time only.
     
    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Carpool Safety
    We have had a growing number of students leaning out of car windows and sunroofs during morning drop-off. While it is always great to see joyful faces eager to greet friends and teachers, we are concerned with everyone’s safety should something unexpected happen in the carpool line. We understand that drop-off can get congested, and your students are excited. We do appreciate your cooperation in keeping everyone safe.

    Coffee with Mr. McEwen
    Please join us for “Coffee with Mr. McEwen” on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 8:20 a.m. in our Primary Conference Room. This is an open format conversation, so just bring questions. I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you!

    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • September 15

    Dear Primary Division Parents,
     
    It was so nice to see all of you who were able to attend our Parent Information Night. I love hearing our teachers talk about their craft. Their knowledge and passion are always evident! As always if you ever have any questions about our instruction or approach, please let me know!

    I would like to invite you all to a “Coffee with Mr. McEwen” on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 8:20 a.m. in our Primary Conference Room. This is an open format conversation, so just bring questions. I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you!

    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Parent Conference Day
    Parent Conference Day will be Friday, Sept. 27. This conference will allow you time to share information about your student. Childcare will be available during your student’s conference time only.

    New Primary School Bags
    Please let us know if your student’s bag is showing signs of manufacturing defects.
     
    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • September 8

    Dear Primary Division Parents,
     
    This week is Safety Week. All divisions across campus will be participating in fire, tornado, and lockdown drills. In Primary Division we will practice evacuating our building for the Fire Drill; and moving to our storm shelter building, Nichols Activity Center, for the Tornado Drill. For the Lockdown Drill, in Primary Division we will refer to it as a "Listening Drill" with announcements made over our loudspeaker, and there will minimal impact on students in the building. If you have any questions or concerns about your students participating in a drill, please contact Clint McEwen.

    This year, we will not publicly announce drill days or times, but we want to prepare our students. Drills can be an abstract concept for our young students, so we want to minimize worry and emphasize that grown-ups are here to help. When talking to your student about Safety Week, keep it simple. If they have questions, don’t lead, and let their questions guide the information you share. Be honest when answering questions, but do not offer more information than they are asking for. Teachers will use the following talking points to help prepare our students. You can use them as guiding language.

    General Talking Points
    • Practicing these routines helps keep us safe at Casady.
    • If you are frightened, worried, or unsure what to do, your teacher is here to help.
    • Our teachers have a plan and know what to do to keep us safe.
    Fire Drill
    • You will hear a loud buzzing noise. This noise tells us it is time to stop and look at our teacher.
    • You can leave your things just as they are and follow your teacher out of the building.
    • It is important that you stay with the teacher you are with.
    • When practice is over, our day will continue as normal.
    Tornado Drill
    • You will hear an announcement over the intercom, like what we hear at carpool.
    • Your teacher will lead your class to a room that keeps us safe in storms.
    • You can leave your things just as they are and follow your teacher out of the building.
    • It is important that you stay with the teacher you are with.
    • When practice is over, our day will continue as normal.
    Listening Drill (Lockdown)
    • You will hear a voice over the intercom, like what we hear at carpool.
    • Stop and look at your teacher, they may ask you to sit with them and listen to a story.
    • This practice is to help us remember that listening to our grownups will keep us safe.
    • As always, if you have any questions or need any further resources, please let me know.
     
    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Parent Information Night
    Please join us for an informative evening focusing on the practice and pedagogy of our Montessori-based instruction. The evening is designed for you to rotate as homeroom groups through our core academic areas of Math and Sensorial, Language Arts, and Practical Life, as well as giving you an overview of our enrichment classes and give you a chance to hear about our exciting new Block Lab!

    Parent nights are not intended for students. We will have no childcare available.

    New Primary School Bags
    Please let us know if your student’s bag is showing signs of manufacturing defects.

    Speech, Language, Hearing, and Vision Screenings:
    We are pleased to offer an opportunity for all Primary Division students to be screened for any speech, language, fluency, and hearing development. The speech, language, and hearing screenings will be provided during the month of September by Sensational Kids, Inc. at no charge to you.

    Parents will be notified if their child’s screening suggests a further evaluation is needed.

    If you do not wish to have this screening, please fill out this form.

    If there are questions about this service, please contact Samantha Kobs, Director of Student Support Services, at kobss@casady.org.

    Picture Day
    Picture Day is on Thursday, Sept. 12. Please remember that students are to wear their dress uniforms. Please review the following guidelines for our Dress Uniform.

    One of the following uniform options is required for all students on designated Dress Days.
    • Sailor dress with white tie OR
    • Navy polo with Casady crest, khaki pants, shorts, or skirt/skort
    • In cooler weather, a navy sweater, sweater vest, or cardigan.
    • Navy or white hair accessories only
    Parent Conference Day
    Parent Conference Day will be Friday, Sept. 27. We will notify you when you can log in to My Casady and schedule a conference with your student’s teacher. This conference will allow you time to share information about your student. Childcare will be available during your student’s conference time only.
     
    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • September 2

    Dear Primary Division Parents,
     
    Every school year we experience a special kind of tired after the first full week of school. It is that fulfilled, yet all-encompassing kind of tired that comes with giving your maximum effort mentally, physically, and emotionally along with the release of nearly a month’s worth of anticipation and excitement for the new year to begin. Needless to say, I hope this break has been a restful one!

    As we establish our school year routines, it is always helpful to consider how much rest our students are getting. If you remember your Psychology 101 classes, Maslow told us that our basic needs must be met before we can engage in the important work of learning. Sleep is fundamental to our student’s ability to focus, work through challenges, and engage others with kindness.

    Here are the most recent recommendations for sleep based on age. Getting the full amount of rest can be challenging to work into our busy schedules, particularly when we want those precious extra hours to spend with our students. However, just as we would not dream of denying our students food or water, we cannot deprive them of sleep. Their health, well-being, and success at School depends on proper rest. If you find your student is having trouble going to sleep or staying asleep, here are some tips for good sleep hygiene.

    Please let us know if you would like some additional information or support to help your student, and you, sleep better. A fully rested student is a game changer.
     
    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Birthday Celebrations
    We have already had many birthday celebrations during our first week of school! Thank you all for your support as we shift to School-provided treats during these celebrations. As with any new procedure, we will discover the need to adjust as we go. Our first adjustment is that we would like to ask parents not to send party favors to School for the celebrations. We are blessed with a generous community, but these can be a distraction. As always, we want our celebration to be a special time for you and your student to share and enjoy the story of your life together so far. Thank you for your flexibility and understanding!

    New Primary School Bags
    Please let us know if your student’s bag is showing signs of manufacturing defects.

    Speech, Language, Hearing, and Vision Screenings:
    We are pleased to offer an opportunity for all Primary Division students to be screened for any speech, language, fluency, and hearing development. The speech, language, and hearing screenings will be provided by Sensational Kids, Inc. at no charge to you during the month of September.

    Parents will be notified if their child’s screening suggests a further evaluation is needed.

    If you do not wish to have this screening, please fill out this form.

    If there are questions about this service, please feel free to contact Samantha Kobs, Director of Student Support Services, at kobss@casady.org.

    Picture Day
    Picture Day is on Thursday, Sept. 12. Please remember that students are to wear their dress uniforms. Please review the following guidelines for our Dress Uniform.

    One of the following uniform options is required for all students on designated Dress Days.
    • Sailor dress with white tie OR
    • Navy polo with Casady crest, khaki pants, shorts, or skirt/skort
    • In cooler weather, a navy sweater, sweater vest, or cardigan.
    • Navy or white hair accessories only
    Parent Conference Day
    Parent Conference Day will be Friday, Sept. 27. We will notify you when you can log in to My Casady and schedule a conference with your student’s teacher. This conference will allow you time to share information about your student. Childcare will be available during your student’s conference time only.
     
    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • August 25

    Dear Primary Division Parents,
     
    Nothing compares to the first days of school. The payoff on the mad scramble to get everything “just right” for the children is always a bountiful return. There has been so much joy and so much to celebrate in our building the past few days. Thank you all for your willingness to partner with us to give your child the best possible early school experience.
     
    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Carpool
    Morning drop off — It is our goal to let the front door be the separation point. This is not to make parents feel unwelcome, but to foster your child’s independence at School. Please let us know if we can help you. (Our four-day parents will walk their children to their classrooms until after Labor Day).

    Afternoon Pickup — WOW! I always like to temper expectations at the beginning of the year, but we finished our first-day pick-up in 25 minutes! Way to go, everyone! On Friday, we had the opportunity to practice patience! Please enter campus through the Britton Road gate for afternoon pickup. Please Note: Cars coming to and from Primary Division through the Pennsylvania gate can cause issues exiting the Primary lot. Thank you for your help and cooperation. Remember– safety is our priority. Efficiency is a bonus!

    School Bags
    We have heard so much positive feedback about our redesigned School bags. They are a great symbol of the quality of learning in Primary! Thank you all for your cooperation with treating our bags as part of our uniform and keeping them free of extra decorations. What a great way to show School pride!

    Orientation Slides - click here

    Half-Day Families and Playground Availability
    We are fortunate to have a wonderful playground at Casady, and we love to use it! Our playground is available to families after school hours, but not during the school day.  It is used by Primary and Lower, and the scheduling at times is tight. Thank you for your help!

    Chapel
    Parents are invited to attend Primary Division Chapel. We will begin our Chapel services after Labor Day. Look for more information next week.

    Parent Information Nights
    Our Parent Info Nights are coming up. Four and five-day PreK will meet Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6:00 p.m. Kindergarten will meet Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the Loeffler Primary Building. This is a great opportunity to come and hear about our curriculum. You will have a chance to hear each of your child’s teachers discuss the “how’s and why’s” of our Montessori-based education. This event is intended for parents, and we will not have childcare during these times.

    Speech, Language, Hearing, and Vision Screenings:
    We are pleased to offer an opportunity for all Primary Division students to be screened for any speech, language, fluency, and hearing development. The speech, language, and hearing screenings will be provided by Sensational Kids, Inc. at no charge to you during the month of September.

    Parents will be notified if their child’s screening suggests a further evaluation is needed.

    If you do not wish to have this screening, please fill out this form.

    If there are questions about this service, please feel free to contact Samantha Kobs, Director of Student Support Services, at kobss@casady.org.
     
    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • August 18

    Dear Primary Division Parents,
     
    Our first day is upon us! We are working hard to get our finishing details in place and to have everything “just right” for your student on their first day of class. We have some new teachers on our team, returning teachers with new roles, and even a few returning teachers with new names!  I’ll have a chance to share this information and more with you during our orientation time this week. 

    Orientation is scheduled for Wednesday. Your orientation times should have been emailed to you on July 15. Please contact the Primary Division office if you did not receive a “Welcome to…” email on July 15. Orientation is for you and your student. We ask that your student come in uniform. We are anxiously awaiting Wednesday!
     
    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Automobile Identification
    Parents, students with cars, and faculty will receive a vehicle decal on Orientation Day. Cars displaying decals on the lower driver side portion of their windshield will be admitted through our Welcome Center at all times. Cars without decals will be asked to stop and check in with Security.

    Loeffler Primary Division Building Security
    Exterior doors are locked during school and after school hours. All faculty have ID badges that include functionality to unlock access-controlled doors. All visitors must enter through the main doors and check in with Ms. Dillier. 

    Orientation and First Day of School
    You should have received Mr. McEwen's email on July 15 stating your orientation and “meet the teacher” times on Aug. 21. If you did not receive this email, please contact the Primary Division Office. Our first regular day of classes is Aug. 22.

    At our orientation meeting, we will cover:
    • Carpool Procedures
    • Classroom Procedures from Homeroom Teachers
    • Casady Parents’ Organization Information
    • Big picture overview of the school year
    • Time for Q&A

    During the school year, our doors open for Early Care at 7:30 a.m. Our school day begins at 8:10 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and at 9:10 a.m. on Wednesday (see details below). Students are released at 2:55 p.m. Please make every effort to have your student at school no later than 8:10 a.m. so that they can be prepared for their classes. More information about arrival and dismissal procedures will be provided at Orientation.

    After School Care Program
    A supervised After School Care Program in the Learning Center is provided until 6:00 p.m. for students who stay on campus until 3:00 p.m. Registration is through the Extended Programs portal located on the MyCasady Resource Board. Registration is now open. If you have any questions, please contact Extended Programs Manager Joella Pearson.

    Students remaining in Primary Division at 3:30 p.m. will be walked to the Learning Center and parents will be billed accordingly. All students must be picked up from After School Care by 6:00 p.m.

    Wednesday Schedule
    As a reminder, there is a Wednesday schedule we will follow every Wednesday starting Aug. 28.
     
    Regular ScheduleWednesday Schedule
    Early Care
    7:30-7:45 a.m.
    Arrival
    7:45-8:05 a.m.
    Start of Morning Group Time
    8:10 a.m.    		Early Arrival Drop Off Period
    7:30-8:00 a.m.
    Arrival
    8:45-9:05 a.m.
    Start of Morning Group Time
    9:10 a.m.
     
    Every Wednesday, except the first day of school, the beginning of school day activities will shift back an hour. Wednesday arrival/carpool time begins at 8:45 a.m., with school starting at 9:10 a.m. Families are encouraged to take advantage of the extra hour in the mornings when they are able. If your student receives outside services, this would be a great time to schedule it.

    However, we know that some families may still need to drop off their students during their regular arrival time on Wednesdays. Students who need to arrive during this regular 7:30-8:00 a.m. window are welcome to do so. They will spend that time in monitored classrooms at no extra cost for families. 
     
    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

  • August 4

    Dear Primary Division Parents,
     
    Welcome to the 2024-25 school year! I hope that you all were able to make some wonderful family memories this summer. We have been busy this summer getting ready for your students. We have a fantastic team of teachers who are looking forward to an exciting year of learning and growth. We cannot wait to welcome you in a few weeks!

    Below, you will find information on the forms that must be completed annually. All forms, unless noted, can be accessed by logging into MyCasady and selecting the "PD Forms and Resources" icon on the Resource Board. The forms are PDFs and can be downloaded to complete. 

    If you have not already, please complete all health forms online immediately. If you have difficulty completing forms or have questions, call Administrative Assistant Ms. Dillier at 405-749-3148.

    While you are on MyCasady please review the Primary Division Parent and Student Handbook. After reviewing, please share this information with your student and other family members. This informative booklet covers procedures for most of our School activities. If you have any questions concerning a topic, please feel free to call the Primary Division office. Also, please review the School Uniform Information. We will continue Spirit Wear Fridays and have fun socks/leggings on Wednesdays.

    I am excited to share that you will see several different faces in new roles this year in PD:
    • PreK
      • Mrs. Lucie Kusbel, Arcoiris Area
      • Mrs. Lindsey, née Beam, Blue Area
      • Mrs. Lopez has moved from Half-Day PreK and Spanish to be a Green Area teacher
      • Mrs. Zuniga will move from the Blue Area to the Red Area
    • Kindergarten
      • Ms. Washburn, Turquoise Area
    • PreK and Kindergarten
      • Ms. Caroline Baker, Rainbow Area and Kindergarten Art and Cooking is now Mrs. Dent
      • Ms. Zesiger will teach Geography enrichment to Kindergarten and PreK
      • Mrs. Kusbel will teach Kindergarten Spanish in the afternoons
      • Mrs. Lopez and Mrs. Zuniga will teach PreK Spanish

    So many hours of thought and hard work have gone into getting us ready for this school year! Casady is a special place, and it is our community that truly makes for the Casady experience. 
     
    Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. We want to ensure you and your student feel welcome and prepared for the start of school.
     
    Take Care,

    Clint McEwen
    Primary Division Director
    mcewenc@casady.org

    Automobile Identification
    Parents, students with cars, and faculty will receive a vehicle decal on Orientation Day. Cars displaying decals on the lower driver side portion of their windshield will be admitted through our Welcome Center at all times. Cars without decals will be asked to stop and check in with Security.

    Loeffler Primary Division Building Security
    Exterior doors are locked during school and after school hours. All faculty have ID badges that include functionality to unlock access-controlled doors. All visitors must enter through the main doors and check in with Ms. Dillier. 

    Orientation and First Day of School
    You should have received Mr. McEwen's email on July 15 stating your orientation and “meet the teacher” times on Aug. 21. If you did not receive this email, please contact the Primary Division Office. Our first regular day of classes is Aug. 22.

    At our orientation meeting, we will cover:
    • Carpool Procedures
    • Classroom Procedures from Homeroom Teachers
    • Casady Parents’ Organization Information
    • Big picture overview of the school year
    • Time for Q&A

    During the school year, our doors open for Early Care at 7:30 a.m. Our school day begins at 8:10 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and at 9:10 a.m. on Wednesday (see details below.) Students are released at 2:55 p.m. Please make every effort to have your student at school no later than 8:10 a.m. so that they can be prepared for their classes. More information about arrival and dismissal procedures will be provided at Orientation.

    Save the Dates
    Positive Discipline for Montessori Parents
    6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
    Wednesday, Aug. 14

    Positive Discipline for Montessori Parents is a workshop with Chip DeLorenzo, co-author of Positive Discipline in the Montessori Classroom.
     
    Chip will conduct a two-day training session with our Primary Division faculty in August. This will be the second time in the last four years that we have brought Chip in to work with our faculty on Positive Discipline. Chip’s training has provided our teachers with a deeper understanding of the causes of misbehavior and an effective toolkit for addressing them.

    Please join us on the Aug. 14 to learn about this child-centered approach to discipline. The workshop will provide you with a strong foundation for partnering with us to support your child to help them get the most out of their Primary Division experience!
     
    More on Positive Discipline in Montessori education can be found here.

    Parent Information Night
    We will have a Parent Information Night to provide parents a chance to hear from all of your child's teachers and get an understanding of the “How’s and Why’s” behind our Montessori-Based Instruction.
    • 4-Day and 5-Day PreK Parent Information Night
      • Tuesday, Sept. 10
      • 6:00-8:00 p.m.
    • Kindergarten Parent Information Night
      • Wednesday, Sept. 11
      • 6:00-8:00 p.m.

    After School Care Program
    A supervised After School Care Program in the Learning Center is provided until 6:00 p.m. for students who stay on campus until 3:00 p.m. Registration will be through the Extended Programs portal located on the MyCasady Resource Board. Registration is now open. If you have any questions, please contact Extended Programs Manager Joella Pearson.

    Students remaining in Primary Division at 3:30 p.m. will be walked to the Learning Center and parents will be billed accordingly. All students must be picked up from After School Care by 6:00 p.m.

    Cyclone Express
    Registration for the Cyclone Express closed on Aug. 1.

    Wednesday Schedule
    As a reminder, there is a Wednesday schedule we will follow every Wednesday starting Aug. 28.
     
    Regular ScheduleWednesday Schedule
    Early Care
    7:30-7:45 a.m.
    Arrival
    7:45-8:05 a.m.
    Start of Morning Group Time
    8:10 a.m.    		Early Arrival Drop Off Period
    7:30-8:00 a.m.
    Arrival
    8:45-9:05 a.m.
    Start of Morning Group Time
    9:10 a.m.
     
    Every Wednesday, except the first day of school, the beginning of school day activities will shift back an hour. Wednesday arrival/carpool time begins at 8:45 a.m., with school starting at 9:10 a.m. Families are encouraged to take advantage of the extra hour of time in the mornings when they are able. If your student receives outside services, this would be a great time to schedule it.

    However, we know that some families may still need to drop off their students during their regular arrival time on Wednesdays. Students needing to arrive during this regular 7:30-8:00 a.m. window are welcome to do so. They will spend that time in monitored classrooms at no extra cost for families. 
     
    Service Learning Corner
    To view Family Service Suggestions, click here.

Links

Downloads

Downloads for this week's notes can be found below.
9500 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73120     |     Phone: (405) 749-3100
Casady School is an independent, co-educational, college preparatory, Episcopal day school serving students in pre-k-12. Educating Mind, Body, and Spirit.
Casady School is a PreK-12, independent, college preparatory Episcopal day school committed to deeper-level learning. Casady School welcomes a student body that reflects the diversity of the world around us and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, and other school-administered programs generally accorded or made available to students at the School.