Lyseth School Family Newsletter 

Third graders have begun an exciting new literacy module focused on a very practical and real-world topic: money. In Module 3, Explorer, students are building their financial literacy by learning how money works and exploring the money-related decisions people make every day. Through reading, writing, and discussion, students will think about choices around saving, spending, and sharing, and consider how those choices can make a difference in people’s lives and in their communities. As students move through the upper elementary grades, they also practice close reading of connected texts to strengthen their vocabulary development and reading comprehension. Throughout the module, students are encouraged to think critically as readers, writers, and thoughtful citizens of the world, while making meaningful connections to real-life experiences.

Meanwhile, our Kinder learners are working on making sense of addition and subtraction number stories. They are learning when to "take away" and when to "put together." It's been delightful to see them acting out numberstories, and represent objects!  

---

Snow Day Procedures

In cases of inclement weather, Portland Public Schools will use up to three traditional snow days, during which schools will be closed and students will not be expected to attend in person or learn remotely; no school meals will be provided on these days. Any snow days used would be made up on June 16, 17, and 18, meaning the last possible day of school for students would be Thursday, June 18, and the last possible day for teachers would be Monday, June 22 (Friday, June 19 is Juneteenth, a federal holiday observed by the district). If more than three weather-related cancellations occur, the district will shift to remote learning days instead of additional snow days; on these days, students will remain home and complete academic assignments, and these days will not need to be made up at the end of the year. For elementary students in grades PK–5, remote learning will consist of hard-copy materials to be completed at home and returned to school the following day, and school meals will be available for family pickup. To help families prepare, we will likely send snow day work packets home in advance and will notify you on the day those packets are coming home.

---

Birthdays

Parents/guardians are welcome to send a healthy peanut-free snack such as pretzels, goldfish, or juice boxes for their child’s class in honor of a birthday. You must let your child’s teacher know of your plans in advance. Students may only hand out birthday party invitations at school only if all students in the class are being invited to the student’s personal celebration.

---

Mark you Calendars! Lyseth World Cup is February 13th!

Students have been hard at work practicing their dribbling, passing, and shooting skills over the past few weeks. Among other topics, they have been learning about rules, positions, team strategies, and sportsmanship. ALL students grades 3-5 have been invited to participate in this event to culminate their skills. Those who do not wish to play will be spectating and cheering on their friends and classmates. At the end of each session students will have the opportunity to play against the Lyseth Staff Team. Please join us in experiencing the joy and passion that this community brings to the game of soccer!

Date: Friday, February 13th, 2026

Times:
5th Grade (9:30-10:15)
4th Grade (10:20-11:05)
3rd Grade (11:10-11:55)

Location: Lyseth Gym

Who: ALL students Grades 3-5 will either be playing or spectating. Families/friends are welcome to join in spectating! Upon arrival check in with the front office to sign in and then head down to the gym. 

---

Lyseth Needs Your Used Winter Gear!

We are looking for winter gear donations for students, especially snow pants and gloves. We will collect any donated items in the front office. And as always, please feel free to come peek in our lost and found for missing items. 

---

Home Energy Assistance Program Online Application Resources

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps qualified homeowners and renters pay for heating costs. Benefits include assistance with fuel costs and emergency fuel delivery. You can also qualify for energy-related repairs and utility payments if you are eligible for HEAP.

Click here to fill out the online HEAP application.

https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/energy/energydetails/home-energy-assistance-program-online-application-resources

https://www.waysidemaine.org/

---

Looking Ahead — Calendar Highlights

Here are some important upcoming dates and events at Lyseth Elementary:

• January 19 - No School - Martin Luther King Day

• January 20 - Trimester 2 Clubs Begin

• February 13 - Lyseth World Cup 9:30-12

PTA CORNER and Upcoming Events

2/1 Lyseth Day at the Maine Celtics 1pm, Portland Expo Center 2/10 craft night - more details coming soon!  2/12 Monthly PTA Meeting w/childcare 5:30-6:30pm, Lyseth Library Click here to register for childcare or translation, or to ask a question Last week to buy ME Celtics Tickets! Join Lyseth Elementary PTA for an exciting afternoon of basketball! The Maine Celtics will host Lyseth PTA on Sunday, February 1 at 1 PM as they take on the Westchester Knicks at the Portland Expo! A portion of every ticket purchased will be donated back to Lyseth PTA. All tickets purchased through this special ticket offer will include a FREE Maine Celtics Hat! Visit https://www.gofevo.com/event/LES26/offer to purchase your tickets now.    Don’t wait any longer - the deadline to purchase through our ticket block is at midnight this Sunday, Jan 18, 2026 and this game is almost sold out.   The Lyseth PTA is excited to offer 2025-2026 Yearbooks for purchase to all Lyseth Students!  The Yearbook includes school photos of every grade, class candids, student artwork, photos from around the school, and a special section dedicated to our 5th Grade Students! Order yours today using the link below! **Attention 5th Grade Families!** Every 5th grade student will be gifted a yearbook from the Lyseth PTA!  But we do offer student dedications and free love lines which can be completed and purchased using the link below!  Memorybook Online Pay SCHOOL CODE: 971627M Last day to order 5th grade DEDICATIONS -April 19th Last day to order memory books - April 22nd For more on the PTA, find us:  On the web: lysethpta.org On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LysethElementaryMEPTA/

---