PAW PRINTS
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - November 25 , 2020
Winfield Elementary School Improvement Goals
All students will demonstrate measurable growth and achievement in reading.
All students will demonstrate measurable growth and achievement in mathematics.
All students will demonstrate growth in their social-emotional learning.
From the Principal, Mrs. Alonzo
Dear Winfield Friends and Family,
Thank you for your continued flexibility, patience, and perseverance as we continue to work through our "RED" status. We will continue distance learning through January 6th. We anticipate students returning to the building on Thursday, January 7th.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to share my appreciation for the effort of so many.
Our students– You bring joy into each day here at Winfield, even when we only see you through your Chromebook screen. YOU are the reason we are an amazing place to learn and grow.
Our parents– Without you, our efforts alone would not be enough. You are truly partners in our mission to provide continuous academic improvement in a safe environment. We need each other more now than ever!
Our teachers– Your dedication to the students of Winfield is a testament to what makes a great teacher. You bring the art and science of teaching to life, even in a digital landscape.
Our secretaries– The knowledge you bring about school operations, and the patience you show with all of our families is unmatched.
Our nurse– My thanks for you are unending with COVID. You take care of all the bumps, bruises, and the icky stuff, too. You help keep our students healthy and safe.
Our custodial staff– Your shared commitment to keeping a neat, clean, and SAFE environment helps teachers focus on what they do best– teaching.
Our kitchen staff– Every day you try to fill the bellies of our students with “good for you” food choices, so they can fill their minds with learning, even when the meals are enjoyed at home.
Our educational support staff– We are closing achievement gaps because of you. Never forget how important you are to the life of one child. Thank you for relearning how to support from afar.
Our CAFE– Overachievers are my kind of people! Your group is always going above and beyond expectations to support our students and teachers. You are vital to our success.
Our community– The time, talent, and treasure you share with Winfield Elementary clearly demonstrates we are “all in this together.”
This Thanksgiving I am thankful for my family, friends, and health. In addition, I am especially thankful that I am privileged to serve the students and families of Winfield Elementary.
Mrs. Jillian Alonzo
Principal
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 663-2287 ext. 19001
WINFIELD STUDENTS GIVE THANKS
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Williams
Thanksgiving, Traditions, and Time with loved ones
For many of us, Thanksgiving is a time when we gather with family and get to spend quality time carrying out traditions, while making new memories! With COVID, this year might look and feel different then years past, as plans may have been changed, or cancelled. Whatever your holiday entails, there are still countless opportunities to make this Thanksgiving a memorable one.
Follow the C’s for a few ways to make the best of your holiday:
1. Celebrate and share things you are thankful for- there are a lot of fun ways to do this. Find a fun template online where you fill in the blank, use a pumpkin and each member writes things on the pumpkin they are thankful for with a sharpie (use a paper pumpkin and put the year on it for a family keepsake option!), give 3 strips of paper to each family member to write down things they are thankful for and put it in a jar. Take turns picking one from the jar and then try to guess who wrote each one.
2. Create a fun Thanksgiving day craft- try making a Turkey out of things from around your home, cover the dining room table with butcher craft paper and design a mural (this is something you can keep), make Turkeys using pinecones, again the options are endless!
3. Consume all your favorite foods- Thanksgiving is full of those comfort foods that fill not only our bellies, but our souls!
4. Connect with loved ones near and far- utilize zoom, Face time, or video call platforms to see faces and hear voices. Play virtual games or eat dessert together!
5. Cherish those who are no longer with us- take time to remember and reflect on the lives of those your family have lost.
6. Comfy Closure- end your day with pajamas, snacks, and a family favorite movie.
I am thankful for each and every Winfield student and family for your continued support. Wishing all of our families a holiday filled with lots of love, and an abundance of beautiful moments.
-Mrs. Williams
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 219-663-2287 ext. 19108
Positive Behavior Coach, Mrs. Adams
Hello, Winfield families!
This week, our Second Step lessons included special activities concerning self-talk. This concept resonated with our students because they understood the connections to being a successful student and learner.
Self-talk means talking to yourself out loud in a quiet voice or inside your head, and self-talk helps you focus and maintain attention. Self-talk is a developmentally appropriate strategy that children can use to help themselves listen, follow directions, and stay on task. Over time, self-talk typically becomes internalized and is no longer spoken out loud. However, whether out loud or silent, self-talk can be a powerful tool to help students remember directions and focus and guide their efforts. Practicing and using self-talk in some form is likely to be helpful for all children.
Practice self-talk at home:
When you see your child becoming distracted while doing daily tasks, remind him or her to use one or more of these self-talk words: focus, pay attention, concentrate, breathe, calm down, ignore distractions, or listen. The gentle reminder will help your student hone in on the task at hand.
Having our students understand and practice self-talk strategies opens the door for us to introduce and reinforce positive self-talk. Positive self-talk is when we talk to ourselves in a reassuring, kind, and more optimistic way. It's the difference from saying to yourself: "I'm dumb. I can't believe I faith this math test." vs. "I'm disappointed in how I did on the math test but I'm going to talk to the teacher and study more next time."
Positive self-talk can have a big impact on how we think and feel. Over time, engaging in more positive self-talk can help reduce stress, improve self-esteem, increase motivation, inspire productivity, and improve overall mental and physical health. Educators, counselors, and parents can have a huge role in helping kids and young adults develop a greater voice for positive self-talk. It is my goal to help guide our students toward a culture of positive self-talk in order to not only encourage academic success, but also, social-emotional development.
Attached is an infographic that explains the difference between negative self-talk and positive self-talk. I hope this helps to encourage your child to think and speak positively to themselves.
Have a very happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the much-needed break!
Mrs. Adams
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 219-663-2287 ext. 19602
Reading Connection
Book Fair
From the School Nurse, Mrs. Taylor
If you child or family is impacted by COVID during our "RED" status, please continue to contact the school office so we may accurately report and monitor our school community.
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 663-2287 ext. 19081
Textbook Rental Reminder
Chromebook Repair and Support
Chromebook Repair and Support
The Chromebook is the property of the school within the Crown Point Community School Corporation. Therefore, the device must be repaired by Crown Point Technology staff.
1. If a student is attending classes in person, please see your School Librarian for Chromebook repair.
2. If a student is an at-home learner and the Chromebook is broken or fails to work or your charger needs repair please fill out this form Chromebook Repair Form. Your School Media Specialist will contact you.
3. For help with the RDS Log-in or the Buzz Button inside RDS complete the CPCSC Support Form.
4. If you are having issues with one of your courses on Buzz, please contact the teacher by email.
Technology Support- BUZZ and RDS
How does my student get on BUZZ?
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYjYobm143
How does my student navigate BUZZ?
RED STATUS- Latch Key Child Care
Red Status Latch Key Child Care Applications
Fee-based child care opportunities are available for children in grades K-5 while the corporation is in “red” status. Applications are at the links below.
Crown Point Community School Corporation
HELP WANTED: Substitute Teachers
ESS is looking for Substitute Teachers for all Crown Point schools!
Important Dates
November 2020
26-27- Thanksgiving Break
30- Distance Learning
December 2020
1-20- Distance Learning
21-31- Winter Break
January 2020
1- Winter Break
4, 5, 6- Distance Learning
7- Students return to building
Birth To School Program
Do you have a pre-kindergarten aged child who will attend kindergarten at Winfield Elementary in 2021-2022? Enroll in the CP Birth to School Kindergarten Readiness program to receive FREE monthly Learning Kits! Please visit the CP Birth to School Kindergarten Readiness website for more information https://tinyurl.com/cpkindergartenreadiness, or contact CP Birth to School Coordinator, Jamie Kalk, at jkalk@cps.k12.in.us.
CAFE News
APPLES FOR THE STUDENTS
Keep collecting those Strack & Van Til receipts to turn into both Winfield and Jerry Ross! Each dollar spent earns our schools points to redeem for school supplies. Any questions? Contact Amy Schaafsma at 219-306-3654 or aschaafs@gmail.com
Winfield Elementary
Email: jalonzo@cps.k12.in.us
Website: www.cps.k12.in.us/Domain/843
Location: 13128 Montgomery Street, Crown Point, IN, United States
Phone: 219-663-2287
Twitter: @WinfieldElem