The Roundup

Dear Patch Families,

Wow! What a busy week it has been at Patch Elementary School! With multiple weather delays, this week certainly kept everyone on their toes. A huge thank-you goes out to our Patch families, teachers, and students for the incredible flexibility and positive attitudes shown throughout the week. Despite the schedule changes, classrooms remained focused, productive, and full of great energy as everyone worked together to make the most of each school day.

One bright spot from the winter weather was recess! Students enjoyed getting outside to play — building snowmen, laughing with friends, and making the most of the winter fun. We were fortunate to have weather conditions that allowed students to safely enjoy outdoor recess time.

Across grade levels, students were hard at work on engaging and meaningful learning:

• Pre-K students enjoyed a great week of fun and learning as they worked on developing their storytelling skills.
• Kindergarten celebrated Cultures from Around the World Week, learning about music and foods from many different cultures. A special highlight was when Ms. Metz led students in learning how to make onigiri from Japan.
• First grade students worked in groups to practice discourse skills. Not only did they practice within their own classrooms, but they also partnered with students from other homerooms to strengthen their speaking and collaboration skills. They also tackled story problems and a variety of problem-solving activities.
• Second grade had a lot of fun investigating liquids through hands-on exploration.
• Third grade focused on idioms and dictionary skills while also sharpening their comparing and contrasting abilities.
• To cap off the week, our fourth- and fifth-grade students celebrated their achievements during an awards ceremony. It was a fantastic event and well attended by families as we recognized the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments of our students. 

Happy National School Counseling Week! 🎉

Next week we celebrate our amazing school counselors, Ms. Taylor and Ms. Callie, and the important work they do every day! School counselors help students build friendships, manage big feelings, solve problems, and grow into confident learners. They support students through classroom lessons, small groups, and one-on-one check-ins—always with care and compassion.

Counselors also partner with teachers and families to make sure every child feels safe, supported, and ready to learn. We are so thankful for the positive impact Ms. Taylor and Ms. Callie make in our school community. Join us in giving them a big THANK YOU this week!

Welcome to the New Host Nation Teacher!

Starting on February 2, we welcome our new Host Nation teacher, Ms. Weymer! Check out this week's email to read all about her.

Health, Wellness, & Important Reminders

• NAEP Testing (Grade 4):
  A notification was sent earlier regarding upcoming NAEP testing on Feb. 18. Families who wish to opt a fourth-grade student out of the test should contact Mr. Andrasko by February 10 at:
  israel.andrasko@dodea.edu
• Dental Screenings:
  The Panzer Dental Clinic will be visiting Patch Elementary on February 24 and 25, offering free dental screenings for students. Families who wish to opt out should contact the school nurse, Nurse Rachel Farrar, by mid-February at:
  rachel.farrar@dodea.edu
• Hearing & Vision Screenings:
  Hearing and vision screenings are currently ongoing as part of our regular health services.
• Illness Reminders:
  Flu season is underway, and we appreciate your help in keeping our school community healthy. As a reminder, if a child has the flu, a fever, or has been vomiting, they must be symptom-free for at least 24 hours without medication before returning to school.
• Weather-Appropriate Clothing:
  With ongoing inclement weather, please ensure students come to school dressed appropriately for the season. Layers work best, as they allow students to adjust throughout the day. We have had a few instances where students needed loaner jackets in order to go outside for recess. Making sure students arrive prepared helps them fully enjoy outdoor time.

Supply Check-In: 

We've made it halfway through the school year, and that means students' supplies might need to be replenished. Check in with your student to see if they need more pencils, folders, crayons, etc. to replace what they've used so far. 

PTA Glow Dance — February 6

Our PTA Glow Dance is coming up on February 6 and is always one of the highlights of the year! The PTA does a fabulous job hosting this signature event, and we are excited to see our Patch families there.

📍 Location: MPR
🕔 Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m.
👨‍👩‍👧 Reminder: Students must attend with a parent or guardian.

We look forward to seeing everyone come out for an evening of fun, music, and school spirit!

In service,
Dr. Quinland and Mr. Pieper