Elementary Principal Newsletter: What to Send in February

February arrives in the middle of the longest instructional stretch of the school year. Winter break is behind you. Spring break is still more than a month away. The novelty of September has long faded, and the finish line of June is not yet visible. For elementary principals, February is the month to re-energize the community with content that connects families to what is happening in classrooms and gives them something to look forward to.

The February newsletter covers more ground than it might appear to at first. Valentine's Day, Black History Month, dental health, spring enrollment, and the preview of reading month all land in the same four weeks. Here is how to address each one clearly.

Principal's note: finding the energy in February

Write the February principal's note with an awareness of where families are emotionally. The year is more than halfway done. Most families have settled into a routine that is either working or not. Some students are thriving. Others are in a stretch. February is when engagement can dip if the school does not actively sustain it.

Use the February note to name something genuine about the midyear stretch: what the school has noticed, what students are working on, and what is coming that families can look forward to. A brief mention of reading month in March, spring events on the calendar, and the second semester momentum is enough to remind the community that the year has a good second half ahead.

Valentine's Day classroom celebration policy

State the policy clearly and completely. This is one of the events where family assumptions vary most widely, and the newsletter is the only place where those assumptions can be aligned before the day arrives. Include:

• Whether classroom Valentine exchanges are happening and on what date.
• Whether cards must be brought for every student in the class or only for selected students.
• Whether treats or candy can be included and what allergy restrictions apply, including any nut-free building policies.
• Whether store-bought or homemade treats are permitted, or neither.
• Whether family attendance at any class celebration is permitted.

For schools that have replaced traditional Valentine exchanges with a friendship or kindness activity, describe what students will do and why the school made that choice. Families are more accepting of policy changes when they understand the reasoning.

Black History Month: what students are learning

Black History Month communication in the February newsletter should describe actual classroom activity, not just acknowledge the month exists. Tell families what students in each grade level are reading, studying, or creating. Name specific units, books, projects, or guest speakers. If there is a schoolwide display, assembly, or student showcase connected to Black History Month, include the details.

Give families a way to extend the learning at home. For elementary grades, this might include:

• Age-appropriate picture books and middle-grade titles connected to the month's themes.
• A documentary or biographical film appropriate for the grade level.
• Local events, museum exhibits, or community programs happening in February.
• A conversation starter appropriate for the age: who is a Black leader from history or today that your child can name?

100th Day of School (if applicable)

For schools that celebrate the 100th Day of School in February, give families everything they need to help their student participate. Include the specific date, what students are expected to prepare or bring, and what the day's activities will look like. Many 100th Day traditions involve bringing a collection of exactly 100 small items in a bag or on a poster, dressing up as if you are 100 years old, or completing a 100-item challenge.

Be specific about what is expected versus what is optional. For kindergarten and first grade families, the 100th Day of School is a genuine milestone in early numeracy. A brief sentence about what the activity teaches, counting to 100, understanding quantity, building number sense, helps families engage with it as a learning event rather than just a costume day.

Dental Health Month

February is Dental Health Month, and many elementary schools use it for health curriculum connected to science and personal wellness standards. If your school is doing activities connected to dental health, name them in the newsletter: a visit from a dental hygienist, a classroom toothbrushing activity, a health lesson on nutrition and dental care, or a student-made public health poster project.

A brief, practical takeaway for families rounds out this section well: fluoride toothpaste twice a day, flossing, limiting sugary drinks, and a regular dental checkup are the habits that last a lifetime. For schools with community health partners who offer free or low-cost dental screenings, include that information here.

Spring enrollment preview

February is when many districts open kindergarten registration and inter-district transfer applications for the following school year. The February newsletter should include the kindergarten registration opening date and required documents, any information sessions or kindergarten orientation events planned, and who families should contact with questions.

For current families with younger siblings approaching kindergarten age, this information is directly useful. For families considering a school transfer, a brief note about what makes your school a strong choice is appropriate alongside the enrollment logistics.

Preview of March reading month

March is National Reading Month and one of the most engaging months of the year for elementary schools. The February newsletter is the right place to build anticipation. Name two or three things coming in March: a read-a-thon, an author visit, a schoolwide reading challenge, a classroom library expansion, or a Dr. Seuss themed dress day.

Encourage families to start talking with their students now about their favorite books and characters. Reading month is more engaging for students when the conversation has already started at home. A brief family challenge at the end of February, read together for 20 minutes three times this week, builds the habit that makes March reading month land differently for families who are already in it.