Skip to main content

Chambers Primary

Kids Come First

Chambers Primary Weekly Principal Newsletter November 1, 2026

Posted Date: 11/01/26 (09:00 AM)

Champs

Chambers Primary

Weekly Principal Newsletter

November 1, 2026
 

Upcoming Events

Nov 2-6 PTA Read-a-Thon
Nov 3 Remember to Vote
Nov 5 3rd Grade Music Performance 6pm (arrive at 5:45pm)
Nov 11 No School - Veterans Day
Nov 24 Spirit Day - Fall Flannel Day
Nov 25-27 No School - Thanksgiving

Principal's Message

Thank you to all of the families who joined us for parent teacher conferences this week! We had a wonderful turnout, and we appreciated the opportunity to celebrate student growth, discuss next steps, and strengthen the partnership between home and school.

It was also wonderful to see so many families at our PTA Trunk or Read event! Thank you to everyone who decorated a trunk, donated treats, volunteered, or attended. The creativity, costumes, books, and time together made it a fun and memorable evening for our Chambers community.

Growing Gratitude
Throughout November, we will share a simple weekly prompt to help children recognize the people, experiences, and small moments they appreciate. Practicing gratitude helps children focus on what is going well, notice the kindness of others, and think about how they can show appreciation.

This week, try asking:
“Who helped you today, and what did they do?”
You might also follow up with: “How could you show that person you are thankful?”

Gratefully serving Chambers students, staff and community,
Mrs. Gann

Assistant Principal's Message

Dear Chambers Primary Families,

It was a joy seeing so many of you in the building for Parent Teacher Conferences. Thank you for taking the time to meet with our teachers, celebrate your child's growth, and commit to partnering with us for their continued success. Strong home and school partnerships make a huge different for our students.

We wrapped up our week with a fantastic Trunk-or-Read event! Thank you so much to all of the families who decorated trunks, attended the event, volunteered at the book fair, or shopped at the book fair. A special thank you to our PTA for organizing the event and tracking candy donations. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm in making Chambers Primary such a warm and welcoming place to be!

Attendance

We are continuing to promote strong attendance habits. As a reminder, our goal is for at least 90% of students to attend 90% of days. This week, we will continue with "Beat the Bell". We will randomly select a student from each grade level. Help your student arrive to school each day on time to see if their name is selected for a prize!
  • Tip for Families: Incorporate a favorite morning playlist or tradition into your getting ready or drop off routine. Motivation improves when mornings feel encouraging rather than rushed. Letting your child pick a favorite song to listen to right before stepping out the door or our of the car creates positive momentum, reduces morning anxiety, and gives your student a fun anchor that makes them look forward to arriving at school ready to learn

Social Emotional Learning

Our November CHAMPS trait of the month is: Honest: being truthful (factual) in what you say and do.

In our SEL lessons this week, our students are also diving into specific skill building. This week all students will review the "hands off" expectation. 
  • Students will review the definition and examples of "hands on" choices and practice more effective and appropriate problem solving strategies. 
This week our regulation skill is called Connected Gestures from the "connect"  category, which are Co-regulation tools using empathy, thinking of others, and accessing relationships for support. 

What is “Connected Gestures”? Connect and say “hello” with body signals such as:
  • Head nod
  • Wave
  • High five
  • Peace sign
  • Soft fist or elbow bump

As our students build these habits, try bringing these new reflection questions to your dinner table or after school conversations:
  • Did you use any "connected gestures" today at school? If so: How did it make you feel? What did the other person do?
  • Tell me about a time someone gave you a connected gesture (high five, fist bump, wave, etc.). How did it help you feel supported or ready to learn?
  • What is a calm choice or words you can use instead of being "hands on" when someone makes you feel frustrated or invades your personal space?

Thank you for partnering with us to reinforce these important life skills at home! 

In partnership,
Ms. Catie Bartley

Reminders/Notifications

Holiday Assistance Available

As the holiday season approaches, we understand this time of year can bring added challenges for some families. Our school is once again partnering with the Families Unlimited Network to provide holiday support for those in need. If your family could benefit from assistance this season, please reach out to Ms. Quay for more information.

Monthly Updates from our Specialists

Library

It’s been a wonderful month of learning and exploring in the library! Here’s a peek at what our students have been reading and discovering.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

All grade levels celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by enjoying stories written by Hispanic authors and exploring illustrations by Hispanic artists. Some of our featured books included The Piñata That the Farm Maiden Hung, Alma and How She Got Her Name, Federico and the Wolf, Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match, A Flicker of Hope, and Josẽ Saves the World. These stories helped students explore different cultures, traditions, and perspectives while celebrating the voices and creativity of Hispanic storytellers.

Reading, Thinking, and Discovering Science

Students also enjoyed Lena the Chicken (But Really a Dinosaur!) by Linda Bailey, another Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award nominee. This fun story inspired us to think like paleontologists! We compared and contrasted dinosaurs and their modern-day relatives, explored how animals have changed over time, and asked questions about the world around us. This lesson connected to the American Association of School Libraries Think framework, as students practiced showing curiosity, asking questions, and exploring topics that connect reading with science.

Special Programs: Let’s Get Moving!

Our Special Programs students have been exploring movement through read-alouds connected to the Unique Learning System’s Move It! Unit. Students have been learning to identify objects that move and describe how people, animals, and vehicles move. Our featured stories included Dancing Feet by Lindsey Craig, Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae, From Head to Toe by Eric Carle, Move! by Steve Jenkins, Roadwork by Sally Sutton, and Newton and Me by Lynne Mayer. Through stories, songs, and interactive activities, students have been building vocabulary, practicing observation skills, and discovering the many ways things move!

We love seeing our young readers grow in curiosity, confidence, and a love of books. Thank you for supporting our learning adventures! 

Mrs. Morgan

PE

This month, all students participated in a soccer unit. They learned and practiced three foundational skills: dribbling, trapping, and passing. Students also used a four point rubric to assess their current skill level and recognize their growth.

Students practiced dribbling through cones arranged in a zigzag pattern and learned to stop, or trap, the ball on command through games such as Red Light, Green Light. Skill stations allowed students to practice at an appropriate level. Students also played Sharks and Minnows, dribbling around cones and through “shark infested waters” while working to maintain control of their soccer balls.

Kindergarten students developed visual tracking and hand eye coordination by following scarves blown into the air by a fan and catching them before they reached the ground. These activities will help prepare students for the upcoming throwing and catching unit.

Students in first through fourth grade participated in a hula hoop tag game that developed aerobic endurance, aim, and accuracy. Students also worked with partners during warm ups and closing activities. In one game, partners listened for commands such as “head” and “shoulders,” then tried to be the first to grab the ball when they heard the word “ball.” These short activities help students cooperate, have fun, demonstrate good sportsmanship, and learn that they will not win every time.

Special Programs: Kindergarten and First Grade
Students are learning a more structured routine for entering the gym and locating a floor marker labeled with their name. They are making progress with remaining on or near their assigned space while participating in exercise videos. Students also practice walking across a balance beam after completing their opening exercises.

Additional activities have focused on hand eye coordination, throwing a ball toward a target, and increasing spatial awareness while riding scooters.

Special Programs: Second Through Fourth Grade
Students now begin class by locating a floor marker labeled with their name and remaining on or near that space during exercise activities. Following exercise videos on the large screen is new for this group and has helped students become more focused and calm.

Students are also learning to complete stations using a visual schedule similar to those used in their classrooms. Activities include tossing beanbags underhand into a bucket, riding scooters, and practicing kicking and dribbling with soccer balls. Some students ride scooters on their stomachs, while others sit with their legs crossed and work with a staff member who helps pull them using a hula hoop.
Students are continuing to build toward participating in four stations at the same time and rotating successfully so everyone has an opportunity to complete each activity.
 
Breakfast & Lunch Menus
Spirit Days
UPSD Primary Student Handbook
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
My Ride (School Bus Tracking)
Chambers Primary Website
Chambers Primary PTA Website
 
UPSD Nondiscrimination statement

Chambers Primary PTA

Newsletter

Hello, Chambers families! 

Thank you to everyone who donated treats, supported our Book Fair, decorated a trunk, or volunteered for Trunk or Read! We appreciate the time and generosity you bring to our Chambers community. November brings more opportunities to read, connect, and support our students!

 Read-A-Thon Starts Monday! November 2–6
Our fall Read-A-Thon begins Monday and takes the place of catalog sales this year! Help your student build reading habits while supporting our school and PTA.

Register your reader, invite family and friends to support their efforts, and check the flyer for instructions on recording reading minutes and voting for a teacher or staff member to be pied!
Students earn an entry into the pie-throwing drawing for registering and for every $25 raised. There are also individual and classroom prizes! Thank you for cheering on our readers throughout the week.

 Register your reader here:

Just Between Friends: November 5–8
Shop for children’s clothing, books, toys, and more at the Just Between Friends sale at the Washington State Fair ShowPlex in Puyallup!
See the Chambers Primary JBF flyer for free admission and details on earning 5% for our PTA. Thank you for supporting Chambers while shopping for your family!

Sale information and shopping hours:

 Keep Our Champs Moving at Mileage Club!
Thank you to everyone who has helped cheer on our students! We’re still looking for Mileage Club volunteers and would love to have you join us.
 Find volunteer opportunities on our PTA sign-up page:

Round Table Pizza Takeover: Tuesday, November 17, 5–8 p.m.
Save the date for our upcoming Round Table Pizza takeover in University Place! Join us for a meal while supporting Chambers Primary PTA.

We’re also looking for volunteers to help with the event. Our helpers always have a great time!

Visit our PTA volunteer sign-up page:
Questions or trouble finding the event? Email volunteer@chambersprimarypta.com and Jason will help you get connected! You can also reach us at info@chambersprimarypta.com.

Next Popcorn Friday: December 4
Thank you to everyone who helped with our October Popcorn Friday! Our next one is Friday, December 4. Interested in helping? Check our PTA sign-up page for volunteer opportunities:
🙋 Want to Volunteer? Start Here!

1. Apply with the district. New volunteers should open the link below, select Register, and follow the application steps.
2. Watch for your approval email. Wait for district confirmation before volunteering at school. Already approved? Go straight to step 3. Unsure whether your approval is current? Email volunteers@upsd83.org.
4. Choose an opportunity. Open our PTA sign-up page below, select the event you’re interested in, and follow the prompts to choose an available time.

Need help finding a spot or using the links? Email volunteer@chambersprimarypta.com and we’ll help you get connected!

💙 You Can Still Join the PTA!
PTA membership is open throughout the school year! Individual membership is $15 and supports student activities, school events, and our Chambers community.

🔗 Join here:
Questions or ideas? Reach us at info@chambersprimarypta.com.

Thank you for being part of our Chambers community! 🐾
join pta
read a thon
read a thon
read a thon