EC-5 Elementary Express
November 2017
November EC-5 Dates At-A-Glance
October 25-November 2 - 1st Grade Fall Conference
October 30-November 3 - WIS Parent /Student/ Teacher Conference Week
October 30-November 3 - MPS Scholastic Book Fair
October 30-November 3 - 3rd Grade Swimming Unit
October 30-November 10 - Elementary Campus Thanksgiving Food Pantry Drive
November 2 - WIS Related Arts Conference Night
November 6-9 - 4th Grade Swimming Unit
November 6-17 - Kindergarten and 2nd Grade Fall Conferences
November 7 - Kindergarten Vision Screening
November 7 - Orchestra Field Trip
November 7 - 3rd Grade Up Close & Musical
November 8 - Early Childhood Open House 6:00pm-6:45pm
November 9 - End of First Quarter
November 10 - Staff Professional Development - NO SCHOOL
November 13-17 - American Education Week
November 13-17 - 5th Grade Swimming Unit
November 20 - Bowls for Hunger at MHS from 5:00pm-7:00pm
November 20 - 5th Grade Field Trip - "WONDER" Movie
November 21 - First Grade - IMAX movie field trip - Morning
November 22 - Jersey/Sport Day Elementary Campus
November 23-24 - NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Holiday
November 27 - NO SCHOOL: Staff Development Day
Dates to look forward to in December....
December 1 - Family Science Night at WIS 5:30-7:30 - WIS GYM
December 22 - January 1 - WINTER BREAK NO SCHOOL
January 2 - Class Resumes
Cold Weather Gear
Emergency Contact
Health Services Is Requesting...
As we approach the rainy/snowy season, we are requesting that each student keep a spare set of clothes in their backpack. Please label all items and store them in a Ziploc bag. Clothing should include socks, underwear, pants and a T-shirt. Bathroom accidents and/or soiled clothing can occur through-out the school year. Having spare clothes at school will result in less classroom time missed and your child will feel more comfortable wearing his or her own clothes.
Please note that if your child does not have a spare set of clothes at school; you may be called to bring in clothing as the need occurs. McFarland Primary School makes the effort to keep some donated clothing available but the supply is limited in sizes and quantity. Clothing donations are always welcome at CEELC, MPS and WIS. Please contact Health Services with questions. Thanks.
CEELC Health Office: 838-4500 ext. 5613
MPS Health Office: 838-4500 ext. 4902
WIS Health Office: 838-4500 ext. 5454
Thanksgiving or Holiday Assistance
"If your family is in need of Holiday or Thanksgiving assistance, please contact Lily Hlavacek at the Elementary Campus 608-838-4610, hlavacl@mcfsd.org or Casey Ruhland at WIS 608-838-5448 ruhlanc@mcfsd.org.
If you are interested in helping McFarland families in need this Holiday Season please visit: hostafamily.org, mcfarlandfoodpantry.org, http://www.goodmancenter.org/events/thanksgiving-baskets"
The Latest Buzz...
Scholastic Book Fair - Held at Primary school
CEELC/Primary Building Information
P: 608-838-3146 ext. 4652
F: 608-838-4503
Email: broomeE@mcfsd.org
Primary Building Admin. Assistant: Sheryl Leemon
P: 608-838-3115 ext. 4903
F: 608-838-4612
Email: leemonS@mcfsd.org
Email: novakk@mcfsd.org
Website: http://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/schools/elementary/
Phone: 608-838-3115
A Note From Principal Novak...
Dear Families,
By tradition, November is commonly known as the month for giving thanks. Thanks for things big and small, for persons near and far, and for events from the past, to the present, and into the future. In the spirit of this tradition, I would like to open this letter with a sentiment of thankfulness for the opportunity to become a member of your Elementary Campus and 4K families. I have enjoyed working with and getting to know you and your students, as well as the greater learning community that represents the heart and soul of McFarland. I’m excited about the strong relationships that we’ve built thus far and look forward to continued partnership in the days and months ahead. Thank you for all you do to support your child’s learning and readiness for school. We love what we do and feel so fortunate to be able to celebrate the continued growth and development that our students amaze us with each and every day!
This is an exciting time at the Elementary Campus! Our fall Book Fair will run from October 30th-November 3rd, with evening hours on Thursday, November 2nd when families can shop from 7:30 AM-7:00 PM. This evening will also include the revealing of our Storybook Pumpkins whereby each class decorated a pumpkin with a costume to represent a favorite book character. The students and staff have had a blast with this project and you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to see their amazing talents on display, as well as vote for your favorite pumpkin! Special thanks to Mrs. Martin, Mrs. Kilpatrick and Mrs. Friedel for all their hard work on this great event!
Thank you for planning to participate in our fall conferences which are taking place over the next few weeks. This is a great time for teachers and families to come together to share the strengths our students have shown thus far, while also collaborating around goals to work towards this year. Our teachers work diligently to prepare for these special conversations and we all look forward to the opportunity to partner with you and your student!
Since the month of November is a time of offering thanks and recognizing others, we are pleased to be participating in the McFarland Food Pantry’s food drive to collect pie ingredients for the Thanksgiving holiday. Running from October 30th-November 10th, we’re collecting the following ingredients to support this worthwhile cause: Kindergarten: Evaporated Milk; 1st Gr: Pie Crust Mix; and 2nd Gr: Pumpkin Filling. Thank you for helping us fill the donation boxes that are located by each office! We’re also excited about our next school-wide assembly on Friday, November 3rd where we will recognize our SAFE, KIND, and RESPONSIBLE SPARTAN STARS during our first PBIS Award Ceremony. Make sure to ask your student about our fun Spartan Star song!
Finally, with the fall days turning shorter and cooler, we appreciate your assistance and support with ensuring that our students are properly dressed for the weather. Outdoor playtime and an opportunity to get fresh air is an important part of our learning day and we want to make sure your child is dressed appropriately so he/she can enjoy these activities.
Thank you for all you do to support your child and our learning community! As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I wish you and yours a wonderful celebration of togetherness and gratitude.
Warm Regards,
Kelley Novak, Ed.D
Principal
Greg Nelson
Principal Teacher on Special Assignment
Elementary Campus Construction Update
Our “Construction Question Box” has seen a lot of action over the past month and we’re excited to share the new information we’ve learned through our first episode of News from the Construction Zone (click link to see video). Special thanks to everyone who contributed their questions, time, and talent to this project, especially our stars and producers, Brooke Hauser, our technology integrator, and Peter Saindon, our Findorff Project Manager. Stay tuned for more exciting and informative episodes and keep those questions coming!
Pick Up Confirmation
If your child requires a change in after-school arrangements, including transportation, the school can only comply with the change IF the school has received either written confirmation from a parent or guardian OR there has been telephone contact with the school requesting the change.
FOR KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ONLY….If your child typically rides the school bus after school and you change their after-school arrangement to have yourself or someone else pick up your child, remember to contact school ahead of time and notify the bus company. You may pick up your child from his/her teacher in the pick-up line outside.
Waubesa Building Information
P: 608-838-7667
F: 608-838-4616
Email: CoadyBA@mcfsd.org
Email: MurphyS@mcfsd.org
Website: http://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/schools/intermediate/
Phone: 608-838-7667
A Note From Principal Murphy...
Dear Waubesa Families,
As we start to see the beautiful fall colors, we are busy planning for our fall conferences. At Waubesa, those conferences are a time to meet with you and your son or daughter to see how things are going and to set goals for the year ahead. We are looking forward to meeting with you. Our related arts staff will be available for drop-in meetings on Thursday, Nov. 2 between 3:30 and 7:30. They love having visitors!
One of the things we are all working on with Waubesa students is the growth mindset, or the ability to show grit and persevere through challenges. It is important for our students to have productive struggle - that optimal level where they might not understand something right away but the task is in the range for them to persevere and work through successfully.
Sometimes we hear students say, “I’m just not good at math.” We are trying to eliminate this phrase and have all students believing that they can be a mathematician if they take the time and work hard at the problems presented to them. We want them to know there isn’t just one way to attack a problem.
Additionally, we are hoping for your support in taking time each day to have your son or daughter reading. The research on school success and the amount of time students read is clear. If your child is reluctant, read with them and talk about their reading.
Thanks for all of the support you give to our school. I always feel lucky to be working in this community.
Sue Murphy
Principal
7:52am - First Bell
8:00am - Tardy Bell
2:55pm - Dismissal
Our school day begins at 7:52 am with a bell tone. A second tardy bell rings at
8:00 am. Students arriving after this bell will be marked tardy that day. Please have your student(s) to school by 7:52am so they are able to be on time to their classroom.
Adult supervision is available on our playground starting at 7:30 am. If it is raining when they arrive, students may enter the building and either play in the gym or watch a video in the commons until the 7:52am bell rings.
Will your child be absent?
Please contact Arlene Bast at 838-7667 prior to 8:00am if your child will not be in attendance on any given day.
After School
Students should leave school grounds immediately after school, unless they are attending an after-school club, are working as a safety patrol member or are meeting with a teacher. Supervision outside ends at 3:10pm.
WIS Swim Schedules 3rd/4th/5th Grade
THANK YOU to the WIS Parents who volunteer for field trips and in the classroom.
We appreciate your support!