Neptune Elementary School

Cross Country Tryouts

We are excited to announce upcoming Cross Country Tryouts for students in grades 2–5!

 Remember:
 - You must have an account filled out for your child at aktivate.com before trying out.
 - Please dress comfortably for tryouts and make sure to pick up your child on time.
 
 If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Rodriguez.
 
 We look forward to seeing our Rockets out on the course! 🚀
 

Leader in Me: Habit 2 – Begin with the End in Mind

This habit is all about having a plan! Families can practice it by:
 🎯 Setting a small weekly goal together (like a family game night or trying a new recipe).
 📝 Making a “goal list” or drawing a picture of something you want to achieve.
 🔄 Talking at bedtime about what you did today and what you want to do tomorrow.
 🎉 Celebrating when goals are reached—even the little ones!
 
 Planning ahead makes reaching goals fun for the whole family!
 
 Look out for student leadership opportunities this month:
 - Student Light House Team
 - Mission Ambassadors
 - Peer Mediators
 - Student Council
 

School Counseling Corner

Mental Health Team
 - Shernelle Wiltshire-Carter, School Counselor
 - Elizabeth Peterson, School Social Worker
 - Sarah Burgos, Mental Health Therapist
 - Ryan Quinlan, School Psychologist
 
 This month we will begin life skills groups focusing on emotional regulation, self-management, and self-awareness.
 
 We are also partnering with The Children’s Home Society to provide Rainbows Groups for students who:
 - have parents who are divorced/separated
 - are dealing with the loss of a loved one
 - have a parent who is incarcerated
 
 These groups provide support, fun activities, and coping strategies. All sessions take place during the school day, outside of academics.
 
 👉 If you believe your child could benefit from one of these groups, please reach out to Shernelle Wiltshire-Carter, School Counselor.
 

Literacy Corner (K–5)

Our readers and writers are building strong foundations in literacy. This week, students are diving deeper into:
 
 Vocabulary Building – Using context clues and word parts (prefixes, suffixes, and roots) to become word detectives.
 Writing with Purpose – Organizing thoughts clearly and supporting ideas with evidence.
 
 How You Can Support at Home:
 - Ask your child what they’re reading and what they think about it.
 - Encourage journaling or writing short stories to spark creativity.
 - Play word games like Word of the Day or Synonym Challenge to make vocabulary fun!
 

Math Focus This Week

- Kinder: Compare numbers 0–5
 - 1st Grade: Skip counting
 - 2nd Grade: Add & subtract within 20; equal groups, arrays
 - 3rd Grade: Compare, order, and round whole numbers
 - 4th Grade: Equations, place value relationships
 - 5th Grade: Compose/decompose numbers
 
 Online Math Tools: Visit www.mathlearningcenter.org/apps for district-approved online manipulatives.
 

Science Focus This Week

- Kinder: Matter – properties of objects
 - 1st Grade: Matter – classify objects
 - 2nd Grade: Pushes/pulls, magnets
 - 3rd Grade: Changes in matter
 - 4th Grade: Describe matter
 - 5th Grade: Properties of matter; physical & chemical changes
 

Media Center Updates

Our Rockets loved checking out library books last week!
 
 Coming up:
 - Mrs. Blake will introduce students to Mackinvia eBooks and other resources in ClassLink.
 - Our September Reading Challenge begins this week with the goal of reading and logging 300 minutes throughout the month.
 
 Parents: Please remind your Reader Leaders to log reading into Beanstack with a daily goal of 20 minutes per day.
 
 📚 Keep Reading, Rockets!
 

Testing Update

We are wrapping up our first progress monitoring of the school year this week with 1st and 2nd grade math and make-up tests.
 
 ➡️ Test results will be posted in the parent portal within the next two weeks.
 ➡️ Click on the Florida Statewide Assessments icon to view your child’s reading and math scores.
 

MTSS Update

We are beginning reading and math interventions this week.
 
 - Reading:
    - Grades 3–5 will use Magnetic Reading to focus on standards-based skills.
    - Grades K–2 will focus on foundational reading skills.
    - Students performing above grade level will receive enrichment opportunities.
 
 - Math:
    - Students needing extra support will work on fact fluency and standards review.
    - Teachers will use a variety of assessment tools to identify student needs.
 
 We are excited to provide our students with targeted support to help them grow as learners!
It’s going to be a great week of learning and growth. Partner with us as we continue our journey.
 
 Let’s go Rockets! 🚀💙

Hello Families!
 
 I hope that everyone has had a wonderful Labor Day weekend! As we start Week Four in our journey to an A, we are honored to partner with you in supporting your children in reaching their highest potential. As proud principal of Neptune Elementary School, I am excited to see our students learning and growing into leaders who are taking responsibility for their learning.
 
 We are setting goals, getting a little better each day, and working together toward that A. Thank you for entrusting us with your most valuable treasure—your children. We look forward to our continued partnership this year.
 
 👉 Please follow us on Facebook to see our weekly progress. Don’t forget to share what you are doing at home!
 
 Although lengthy, each weekly newsletter strives to keep you informed of what your children are doing at Neptune each day.
 
 It’s Mission Possible this year, and we are unstoppable!
 Go Rockets! 🚀
 

Safety Reminder: Student IDs Required

For the safety of all students and staff, every Neptune Rocket must have their student ID with them at all times.
 - IDs are needed to enter the cafeteria, ride the bus, and check out library books.
 - Wearing/bringing IDs daily helps staff quickly identify students and maintain a safe environment.
 - Please check each morning to ensure your child has their ID before leaving for school.
 
 Thank you for partnering with us to keep all of our Rockets safe, secure, and ready to learn! 🚀💙
 

Hello, families!
 We are three weeks into our mission, and our students are working hard. With your partnership, we can keep growing, learning, and reaching towards that A!
 

Leader in Me (Habit of the Month: Be Proactive)

We’re learning the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Families often ask how to support our leadership work—our answer is simple: use the 7 Habits language at home. When students hear the same words at school and at home, they know we’re all on the same team.
Try asking: “How were you proactive today?”
Examples of being proactive at home:

• I got ready on time for school.
• I cleaned my room without being asked.
• I stayed calm when I was upset.
• I encouraged someone in my family.

School Counseling Corner 

Did you know the 7 Habits can help us become emotion-ninjas? 
 
 Habit 1: Be Proactive is our secret weapon. It reminds us that there’s a magical pause between something happening and how we react.
Mission Moment: Ask your child— “How do we carve out that precious pause when we feel frustrated, angry, or overwhelmed?”

Here are some strategies kids can try:
 

• Breathing: Star breathing (Smile, Take a breath, And Relax)
• Asking for Help: Talk with a trusted adult
• Move: Do some jumping jacks
• Your Senses: Listen to a song or calming music

Testing Update 

This week we’re continuing our first progress monitoring testing of the year in math and reading.

 Use this as a time to talk about academic goals with your child. Ask:
 • “What’s one thing you want to improve in math/reading?”
 • “What’s a small step you can take this week?”
 

MTSS Interventions (Multi-Tiered System of Supports for academics and behavior)

We’re rolling out school-wide MTSS supports this week:
 • Grades 2–5: Flexible reading groups across the grade level for targeted instruction.
 • Kinder–1st: Focus on strong foundational reading skills.
 • Math: Interventions embedded in the daily math block for all learners.
 

Reading Focus

Kinder–2nd Grade: Becoming Sound Experts

Students are mastering letter sounds and new sight words. At home, try:
 

• Make flashcards with index cards
• Turn sight words into a memory or matching game
• Invent your own creative games!

3rd–5th Grade: Reading for Meaning

Students are learning to identify parts of a text and summarize what they read. Practice by:
 

• Creating a daily reading routine
• Asking your child to retell or write a summary after reading
• Using movies/TV shows—ask them to share the important parts only

Math Focus 

Here’s what each grade is working on in math this week:
 • Kindergarten: Read, write, and count numbers 0–5
 • 1st Grade: Count forward & backward to 120; skip count by 2s and 5s to 100
 • 2nd Grade: Add and subtract within 20
 • 3rd Grade: Plot, compare, order, and round whole numbers
 • 4th Grade: Identify and extend numerical patterns; practice multiplication facts daily
 • 5th Grade: Plot, order, compare, and round decimals to the thousandths; practice multiplication facts daily

Parent Tip: Multiplication Boost
 Quick daily practice makes a BIG difference!
 • 5 minutes of flashcards or a facts app
 • Say facts aloud while driving or cooking
 • Focus on one set at a time (2s, 5s, 10s, then 3s/4s/6s…)
 • Celebrate progress—accuracy first, speed second
 

Science Focus 

Students are exploring exciting science topics by grade level:
 • Kindergarten: Properties of matter & objects
 • 1st Grade: Classify objects
 • 2nd Grade: Pushes and pulls
 • 3rd Grade: Changes in matter
 • 4th Grade: Describe matter
 • 5th Grade: States of matter
 

Media Center 

Last week, library visits began with an orientation and read aloud. A few classes even had time to start checking out books!
 
 This week, classes will enjoy another engaging read aloud and will learn how to be Reader Leaders. Students are encouraged to log their reading into Beanstack with a goal of 20 minutes per day.
 

Family Action Steps This Week

1. Read Daily: 20 minutes each night.
 2. Talk About Learning: Ask your child what they read or learned each day.
 3. Stay Consistent: Homework + bedtime routines make a big difference.
 4. Check Folders: Look for notes, work, and reminders.
 

Attendance Matters 

Every day counts toward success! Please help us reach our goal of 95%+ daily attendance.
 
Being in school every day is the key to learning, growing, and staying on track. Even a few absences can cause students to fall behind in reading, math, and other important skills. Consistent attendance helps students build confidence, keep up with lessons, and reach their full potential.
 

Together, We Can Do This 

Your partnership makes all the difference. We will update you each week during our journey so that we may partner together to ensure that every student meets their full potential. We are excited to watch our students grow! Let’s keep working side by side to make our Mission to an A possible!

Aug 18 25

Dear Families,
What a wonderful first week of school we’ve had! Our hallways and classrooms were filled with smiling faces, excitement, and the joy of new beginnings. Students have been busy learning school expectations, rules, procedures, and most importantly—making new friends.

This year, our school motto is:
 “Mission Possible: Unlocking Our Potential One Goal at a Time.”

 As a Leader in Me school, we are committed to helping every student grow into confident, capable leaders. Throughout the year, we will focus on the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, setting meaningful goals and working hard to achieve them.
Our Habit of the Month for August is:
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Being proactive means taking responsibility for your actions and choices. It’s about choosing your attitude, being prepared, and doing the right thing—even when no one is watching. We encourage students to be leaders of themselves by thinking ahead, solving problems, and showing initiative.

👉 Ask your student how they’ve been proactive throughout the day!
 This is a great way to spark meaningful conversations and reinforce leadership habits at home.

We are so proud of how our students have started the year, and we look forward to a year full of growth, learning, and leadership.

Warm regards,
 Shannon Mahoney
 Principal