McFarland EC-5 Elementary Express
January 2016
Grades EC-5 January 2016 At-A-Glance
DECEMBER 23 - NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
January 3 - NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
January 4 - Classes Resume
January 7 - Hat Day at CEELC/Primary Schools
January 11-15 - Adult Crossing Guard Appreciation Week
January 12 - Orchestra Concert at HS Auditorium @ 7:00pm, Grade 5
January 18 - NO SCHOOL, Teacher work day, End of 1st Semester
January 19 - PTO Meeting 6:30pm Located at Waubesa Intermediate School.
January 19 - Second semester begins
January 25 - Geology Museum: Olson and Mandli / Froden and Brezenski
January 25 - SuperStars awarded at WIS
January 26 - Geology Museum: Knapp and Rotunno / Juszczyk and Schimanski
January 29 - CEELC/Primary and WIS Report Cards available on Infinite Campus
January 18, 2016 PreK-8 Work Release Day / End of 2nd Quarter
January 18 is the end of 2nd quarter. This is conference release day and teachers will complete student report cards for the lst semester; complete progress reports for students with special needs; and meet with special service teachers with a focus on students who have exceptional learning needs due to having a second language, a unique gift or talent, or whose health status may impact ones’ learning.
A Message from Health Services
WINTER Clothing Expectations for Recess
It is important for children to wear a warm coat/jacket, hat, mittens, boots and snow pants.
WHEN there is snow on the ground, please review the following expectations that will impact your child’s opportunities during recess in the winter months:
* Boots and snow pants—students will have access to the entire playground areas including the play fields and climbing structures.
* Boots only without snow pants—students will have access to the blacktop area only.
* No Boots—students will remain near the building during the recess.
Reminder:
Children go out for recess unless the combined temperature + wind chill factor is –0 degrees or lower.
DISTRICT/BUILDING INFORMATION
Principal Sarah Boatman
For the latest information about our schools, including upcoming important dates, simply go into the district web page at http://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.uw/ and link into the Elementary Campus site.
Email: BoatmaS@mcfsd.org
Website: http://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/schools/elementary/
Phone: 608-838-3115
FROM THE DESK OF PRINCIPAL SARAH BOATMAN...
Dear EC, 4K, K, 1, 2 Families,
Our staff wishes you a fabulous 2016! We hope you have a wonderful time with your family over Winter Break.
We are very much looking forward to January and moving into second semester. It has been AMAZING to celebrate your child's growth! Thank you for reading with them and taking time to look through their hard work that they bring home in their folders.
Thank you for sending your child to school with warm winter gear. They very much enjoy time outdoors with their friends. If any of you have any extra coats, boots, snow pants, or waterproof mittens/gloves, please consider bringing them to school, so we can have extras on hand. Thank you!
Warmly,
Sarah Boatman, Principal
Adult Crossing Guard Recognition Week / January 11-15, 2016
Periodically parents ask us what they can do to show their appreciation for school helpers. The week of January 11-15 has been proclaimed “Adult Crossing Guard Recognition Week” in the state of Wisconsin. These individuals help provide safe passage across busy streets for our young students. If your child is supported by an adult crossing guard as he/she comes to school, there are several things families might consider doing to show their appreciation to an adult crossing guard. Some ideas are making a thank you card, drawing a picture, providing a cup of hot chocolate or coffee, or simply saying “thank you” with a smile.
1st and 2nd Grade Music Program Dates and Times...
Mark your calendars for the 1st and 2nd grade music program!
2nd Grade:
February 23, 2016
5:30pm - Bailey, HuberDrake, Garvoille, Jefferson
6:30pm - Schmidt, Adams, Paley, Wisniewski
1st Grade:
February 25, 2016
5:30pm - Rotunno, Knapp, Mandli, Juszczyk
6:30pm - Froden, Brezenski, Schimanski, Olson
**Due to the young age of our children, we realize all our children require support from their parents to make sure they arrive to and depart from school on time. It is much appreciated when the following timelines are respected on a daily basis:
7:55 AM All children in EC, 5K, 1st & 2nd grade are expected to enter the building.
8:00 AM All children are expected to be seated in their classroom.
2:42 PM All children in 5K, 1st & 2nd grade are expected to be picked up.
Notes:
· Call school if you would like assistance on how to get your child to school on time by 7:55 daily.
· Students who are frequently tardy or absent can expect a home visit by school staff.
Kindergarten Family Engagement Night
An Evening of Learning about Social-Emotional Development and Behavior Management Strategies
Who: Kindergarten Families
What: An opportunity to gather as a kindergarten community to learn about the social-emotional needs of kindergarten students and behavior management strategies to use at home, along with time to participate in a parent-child activity
When: Thursday, January 21st from 6:30-7:30
Where: Conrad Elvehjem Library
Why: To learn about why kindergarteners do what they do and act the way they act. As well as an opportunity to learn/develop strategies to help manage your child’s social-emotional needs and behaviors at home.
**Childcare will be provided
**Please watch your email following Winter Break for a registration form to participate in this event!
Thank you to our volunteers who assisted with special projects in preparation for the upcoming holidays.
Thank you to families, who have donated extra clothing of mittens, hats, snow pants, and boots. We have many children who appreciate and use this clothing.
DISTRICT/BUILDING INFORMATION
Principal Sue Murphy
For the latest information about our schools, including upcoming important dates, simply go into the district web page at http://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/schools/intermediate/ and link into the Waubesa site.
Email: MurphyS@mcfsd.org
Website: http://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/schools/intermediate/
Phone: 608-838-7667
FROM THE DESK OF PRINCIPAL SUE MURPHY...
Dear Waubesa Families,
The entire Waubesa School family wishes you the very best for 2016. The New Year is a perfect time to reflect on the past year and set goals and make plans for the future. As a school staff we continue to work on our school goals of high academic achievement and creating a positive school climate where all students feel safe and accepted.
During the year your son or daughter may mention their “buddy” class. Several times during the year students from different grade levels meet and participate in activities with another class. Our hope is that students develop strong bonds that will improve student relationships in the hallways, on the bus, and on the playground. These activities, combined with our positive behavior initiatives, have helped create an even better school climate at Waubesa.
Additionally, we hope that students are working to achieve the goals they set at conference time. Now may be a perfect time to check-in with your child on the progress being made on those goals. Your follow-up at home by checking on homework completion, practicing math facts, and reading with your child is much appreciated. The collaboration between home and school ensures success for each child.
If you have questions, comments, and/or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.
Enjoy the winter break!
Sue Murphy
Principal
Waubesa Intermediate School
Waubesa Word
Waubesa Art and Music Program
Daily Student Promptness
There has been an increase in the number of children who arrive to school tardy. It is important that children arrive at school by 7:45 so they are ready, along with the rest of their class, to start the school day. Class starts at 7:55. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
7:47am FIRST BELL
7:55am TARDY BELL - Class Begins
School Closings Due to Weather
During times of severe inclement weather, at which time our schools are closed for the day, the school district contacts the Madison area radio and television stations to publicize that information to our families by 6:00 AM. Likewise, if children are already at school and severe inclement weather arrives in McFarland, please listen to Madison area radio and television stations for announcements of any early closings of school.
Book Donations
Are you looking for a place to donate the books your children have outgrown? Well, look no further! We appreciate donations of gently loved books for a variety of summer reading programs. Please drop them off or send them to my attention at the McFarland Primary School.
Thank you for all you do to support McFarland readers!
Sandra Taylor-Marshall
PK-5 Literacy Coordinator
Thank you to all the volunteers who supported our staff and children this first
semester. Your time and efforts truly make a positive contribution to school.
Thank you to fifth grade Safety Patrol members, Ronelle Jordan and Bernie Friedman, coordinators of Safety Patrol. Your diligent work is being noticed, and your safety message is being heard. Way to go!
A big thank you to all of the McFarland Families who joined us on our annual Science Night. This event is sponsored by the UW BioCore Outreach Ambassadors.
Contact Us
PTO Board Members
Stefanie Feralin - PTO President/ mcfarlandptoprez@gmail.com
Brooke Ecker - PTO Secretary/ mcfarlandptosec@gmail.com
Amy McCullough - PTO Treasuere/ mcfarlandptotreasuerer@gmail.com
Carrie Templeton - Member-at-large/ carrietempleton@charter.net
Debbie Hodge - Member-at-large/ debbiehodge72@gmail.com
Liz Vosberg - Member-at-large/ vosberg@frontier.com
Sheila Blum - Member-at-large/ sheilablum13@gmail.con
Website: http://www.mcfarlandpto.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/McFarland-PTO-EC-5/108664502524090