Cheetah Chatter! January 16, 2026

Posted Date: 01/16/26 (03:37 PM)

Safety Reminders for Icy Walks and Parking Lot

The pavement and sidewalks have been covered in black ice that is difficult to see this week. We want to ensure all our Cheetahs are safe!

As we navigate the slippery surfaces please keep the following in mind:

Drivers: Please slow down and allow for extra following distance between vehicles.
Walkers: When crossing the parking lot or sidewalks, please use caution and remember the "penguin shuffle" (short, wide steps) to stay stable.

AVID At-Home Success Checklist 🎓

Help your student build college and career readiness skills with these simple weekly activities!

Organization (The Foundation)

[ ] Binder & Backpack Refresh: Spend a few minutes each week reorganizing school binders with colored dividers and ensuring the pencil pouch is restocked.
[ ] Planner Check-In: Review a daily agenda or family calendar together to track upcoming homework, tests, and school events.
[ ] Learning Space: Ensure your child has a quiet, distraction-free spot dedicated to schoolwork.

Kinder–Senior Handoff Event

Kindergarten families are invited to a special tradition welcoming our youngest learners into the Kaveman family!

Date: Saturday, January 24

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: Kuna High School Gym

Join us for the Kinder–Senior Handoff, which will take place during halftime. Kindergarten students receive free admission with a paid adult, and families will receive a special gift during the event.

Families of the Class of 2038 are also invited to submit a photo of their student to be included in a special video featured during the event.

Roaring Readers

It's that time of year again to kick off our Roaring Readers program!

Program Requirements:

To earn a free ticket to Roaring Springs, students must meet the following goals:

Kindergarten – 4th Grade: 600 minutes
5th Grade: 800 minutes

Students must return their completed reading logs to their teachers no later than March 25, 2026.

BINGO Night! Friday January 23rd!

Join us for a night of family fun hosted by the Reed Elementary PTO! We can’t wait to see as many Cheetahs and their families as possible.

Doors Open: 5:30 PM
Games Begin: 6:00 PM
Cost: * Your first BINGO board is FREE! One for each of the first three games.
Additional boards for the first three games are only 25¢ each (don't forget to bring your change!).
The Final Round features a special BINGO card available for $5.00.

RSVP Information: An RSVP was sent out previously to help us prepare. However, if you didn't get a chance to respond, please come anyway! We would love to have you there.

Kuna Education Foundation Raffle at BINGO!

Enter for a chance to win a Big Al’s Birthday Party Package valued at $480!

Sponsored by the Kuna Education Foundation and Big Al’s.

50% of ticket sales from Reed will go directly to Reed!

Click here to purchase tickets on line!

https://bit.ly/kef-big-als

Cell Phone and SMART Devices

Reed is a learning zone. We want to have uninterrupted instruction time and we want kids to be able to play with each other.

For that reason, we have any student with a cell phones or a smart device turn them off and leave them in their backpacks during the school day (except for documented medical uses).

Smart watches can be used as watches or tools (example: the calculator function), but not as a cell phone (example: texting).

If a student is using their phone or smart watch while on campus, we have them bring it to the office for the rest of the day. If they do it a second time, we have them bring it to the office and keep it there for a parent to pick up.

Please help us protect instruction and social interaction time.

Keeping Our Community Healthy: A Partnership

Dear Cheetah Families,

As we return to school following Winter Break, we know that many different viruses are continuing to circulate, and we are asking for your help to keep our students and staff healthy and in school. The health and well-being of our entire community is our top priority!

A key to maintaining a healthy environment is a strong partnership between home and school. Please help us by encouraging your child(ren) to practice these simple yet effective health habits:

Hand Washing: Please encourage them to wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Hydration: Ensure they are drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
Cover Coughs: Remind them to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when they cough or sneeze.
Rest: Emphasize the importance of getting plenty of rest each night.

When to Stay Home

We know it's hard for students to miss school, but it is critical that if your child is not feeling well, they must stay home. Students and staff who come to school sick spread germs to others, causing widespread illness and making it harder for those who are sick to recover quickly.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone!

Winter Weather Dress

Time to Bundle Up! Recess Reminders

The cold weather is officially here! We believe that getting outside for fresh air and movement is essential for our students, even in the winter. Therefore, we plan to hold recess outdoors as long as the temperature is 18 degrees Fahrenheit or above.

To ensure your child stays warm, dry, and healthy during outdoor time, please make sure they come to school each day prepared with the following:

Warm Coat: A heavy coat suitable for cold weather.
Hat and Gloves/Mittens: These are essential for keeping heads and hands warm!
Scarf or Neck Gaiter: To protect the neck and chest.
Warm Pants: Snow pants are encouraged on snowy or very cold days.
Boots: Necessary for keeping feet dry in snow or slush.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Please write your child's name clearly on ALL belongings! With so many winter items coming off and going on for recess, things often get lost and misplaced. Labeling coats, hats, mittens, boots, and backpacks is the best way to ensure that lost items make it back home to your student quickly.

If your family needs assistance with obtaining any necessary winter clothing, please contact the school office, and we will be happy to help connect you with resources.

Picking Up Students Early

Just a friendly reminder....

If you need to pick up your child early, please call the office by 2:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and by 12:30 PM on Wednesdays.

This allows us enough time to locate your child, as schedules often change throughout the day and students may be in specials, recess, or other activities. Calling ahead ensures your child is ready and waiting when you arrive.

Thank you for your cooperation and helping us keep dismissal smooth and safe for all students!

Food Service Information

If you are in need of assistance with school breakfast/lunch, please contact Heather Martinez in Food Service. Her email address is Hmmartinez@kunaschools.org.

You can also apply through the online application .

Food Service and Food Allergies Information

Our Child Nutrition Program (CNP) is sharing this reminder about procedures regarding student food allergies and account information:

Allergy Accommodations

A current medical statement must be on file in order to accommodate any meal-related allergies.
Without this documentation, we cannot provide allergy accommodations.

Following Medical Statements

When a medical statement is on file, we must follow it exactly as written.
Any changes or deviations require updated documentation from the parent or guardian."

The CNP website is listed below. The form is called Meal Accommodation Form. It is available in English and Spanish.

https://www.kunaschools.org/nutrition

Important Dates

January 19: No School

January 22: School Store

January 23: PTO Bingo Night (5:30PM Doors Open; BINGO 6:00-7:00PM)

February 4: PTO Marco's Pizza Fundraiser

February 16: No School (Presidents Day)

February 18: SPOT Drawings

February 19: Reed Panda Express Fundraiser

February 19: Middle School Music Open House (5th grade only)

February 27: End of Trimester 2

Overhead view of a school parking lot with directional arrows for drop-off and pickup.

Pick Up, Drop Off, and Parking Lot Safety

Safety of your child(ren) is our priority. Please pick up and drop off your child in the designated areas.
NO drop-off/pick-up in the bus lane.
No traffic or parking allowed in the bus lane.
Please pull forward as far as you can. Students will use the sidewalks to get to the building/playground at the beginning of the day and again to get to you car at the end of the day.
If you plan to walk up to pick up your students, please park in a parking spot in the parking lot and use crosswalks.
Drop off may begin no earlier than 8:30 AM.
Use designated cross walks to access the parking lot or playgrounds.
Be patient, especially as we start the school year and the pick up/drop off routine are new to many families.
Call the office by 2:00 PM if there will be a change in the way your child will normally go home so the teacher can be made aware of the change in plans.