Forever Endeavor
Endeavor Elementary Newsletter -- January 2019
Mrs. Thistle's Thoughts
Greetings!
I hope that you all had a relaxing and enjoyable winter break! As we move into the second half of the school year, I wanted to take a minute to say, “Thank you!” We appreciate all of your help supporting our students and are looking forward to a happy, healthy 2019!
We have a very engaged PTO at Endeavor. Thank you to Lindsay Schehr, Brenda Schehr, Debbie Thome, Gina McReath, Jayme Roller, Cheri Gibeaut, Linda Krueger, Becky Pfile, and Sharon Christopherson. These parents and grandparents have helped to financially support activities, special events, field trips and various other great opportunities for students. They also provide treats and meals for staff during parent-teacher conferences. Upcoming PTO meetings are scheduled in our library at 4:30 on January 8th, March 5th, April 2nd and May 7th, if you are interested in attending.
Thank you to members of our community and parents who volunteer at our school working with students. Thank you to Vietta Kampen, Jeanne Cummings, Jayme Roller, Debbie Paske, Jane Engelland, and Becky Pfile. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Endeavor office.
Thank you for giving us amazing students to work with. Happy New Year!
Salina Thistle
Woodridge/Endeavor Principal
608.742.3494
Email: thistles@portage.k12.wi.us
Thank you to Silent Night Evergreens and the Chapman families for donating the beautiful Christmas trees to our school.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
January 2019
2: Return to school
8: PTO Meeting @ 4:30 p.m.
11: Math 24 tournament-AM only - Grade 4
18: Math 24 tournament -AM only - Grade 5
21: Staff Inservice Day. No school for students
30: Endeavor Sharing Supper
February 2019
5: Regional Spelling Bee
20: PTO Muffins in the Morning (more info to come)
27: Endeavor Sharing Supper
Notes from the Office
PREPARE FOR WINTER WEATHER DELAYS AND CLOSINGS
If a decision is made to delay or cancel school because of winter weather, you can be notified the following ways:
- Follow @PortageCSD on Twitter
- LIKE our Portage Schools Facebook Page and this also posts on our District Homepage (www.portage.k12.wi.us)
- Infinite Campus message is sent out according to your Priority Message preferences. (Be sure to check your Infinite Campus portal settings to be sure they are up to date)
- Television Stations: WKOW 27, WISC-TV 3, and NBC 15 are notified.
- Radio Stations: WBKY/WDDC/WPDR and WOLX are notified.
Click the link below for additional information on school closings.
Art with Ms. Martens
Email: martensj@portage.k12.wi.us
Music with Ms. Janes
Hello Endeavor Parents and Families!
I was so pleased with the holiday program, every grade level did such a nice job! The students really enjoyed all of the songs with motions and instruments, like "Down the Hill" and "Mountain of the Ice Dragon".
Now that the program is over we can get back to regular music activities in January. The biggest news from the music room is that the 3rd/4th grade class will be learning how to play the recorder soon, which is always a fun time! Thanks again to those who came out to the program in support of our fabulous Endeavor students.
-Miss Janes
Counselor's Corner with Ms. Brown
Welcome to 2019!! I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing winter break!
Our Zones of Regulation classroom lessons continue to go great! We are now focusing on deep breathing. It is fun to watch the younger students learn to deep breathe, where the belly (not the chest) gets big when we inhale and then flattens when we exhale. By doing this 5-10 consecutive times we are calming our bodies and our brains.
“Not only does deep breathing increase focus and attention, it improves pro-social behavior, enhances daily happiness, and increases levels of calm while decreasing stress and anxiety. From a neurological or physiological perspective, deep belly breathing slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and sharpens the minds ability to focus and learn by slowing down the amygdala and supporting the higher brain function taking place in the frontal lobes.” ~The MIndful Classroom
One of the deep breathing methods the students are practicing is the “smell the flower (inhale), and blow out the candle (slow exhale)” method of deep breathing.
Just like any skill, we must practice to improve! The students thought that when they go to bed, and before they get out of bed in the morning, would be good times to practice.
Email: brownde@portage.k12.wi.us
Nursing Notes with Nurse Hon
Handwashing
Germs are commonly spread through direct contact or by sprays from coughs or sneezes. Washing our hands at key times throughout the day is very important to stop the spread of germs. Please work with your child to practice good handwashing skills that includes the use of soap. Be sure you focus on both the fronts and backs of hands, between the fingers and fingertips. Keep nails trimmed and clean. Fingernails longer than ¼ inch are known to harbor more dirt and bacteria, so a nail brush may be needed.
Key times students are encouraged to wash hands at school include:
after using the restroom
before eating lunch or snack
when dirty, such as after recess or art
after coughing, sneezing or blowing the nose
any time a child wants to
before preparing food
Handwashing helps to keep our fellow students healthy. Many students have chronic health concerns causing a lowered immune system. These students are no different than others, but are challenged with staying healthy on a daily basis. Let’s all step up the hand washing, for ourselves and others!
Email: honv@portage.k12.wi.us
Library Media Center
Mrs. Steinhaus' Class --We are reading Stanley's Christmas Adventure. More adventures of Flat Stanley. Please bring your Flat Stanley Adventures back to school this month.
Mrs. Petrulis' Class --continuing Hank Zipzer
Mr. Hammer's Class --continuing Joey Pigza
November's Perfect Attendance
Positively PTO
The PTO Winter Wonderland was a big hit. Thank you to everyone who helped with making the day a huge success.
The next PTO meeting will be on Tuesday, January 8th,
at 4:30 PM in the LMC.
Backpack Program
Portage Community Schools District Goals
District Curriculum Goal: Each student will make at least one year of growth in each curriculum area.
District Behavior Goal: As a school community, we will increase behaviors that promote learning and respectful interactions.
District Professional Development Goal: We will provide Professional Development for staff that increases learning for all students.