Washington Elementary October Post
October 3, 2016
Pride Time Offers Student Opportunities for Leadership!
Students were organized into cross grade level groups (Grades K/2/4 and Grades 1/3/5) to build community, build relationships, and offer opportunities for mentorship, leadership and personal growth. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People will be the focus of Pride Time, with one habit being introduced each month. The first meeting was a follow up to a mentor/mentee lesson all student were taught by their classroom teacher. Students jotted down words and picture that best describes their interests. Each student cut their dot in half and shared with a person in their Pride Time Group. See the link to the Dot Story used to teach students about mentorship here. The dot song is a bit catchy. You'll be singing it all day! The pictures below illustrate the collaboration and dot collage each Pride team developed. This is building-wide and includes all students and staff, with a group ratio of about 2:20 (staff:students). Pride Time has been developed to connect people; adults opportunities to connect and mentor students, and students opportunities to connect with and mentor peers.
Desired Outcomes for Culture of Leadership and Excellence
A safe and supportive environment focused on developing leadership capacity in all students.
A student centered culture with a laser like focus on our primary purpose of student learning
An environment where differences are embraced and celebrated
Healthy relationships where every student has at least one adult advocate and peer friendship.
Develop the skills and mindsets that allow students to lead their own lives, to be able to work effectively with others and make a meaning contribution wherever they go in life. (Stephen and Sean Covey, Leader in Me)
Student benefits
Sense of leadership
Can offer a challenge
Provides/ builds intrinsic motivation for students
Provide lifelong skills
Students feel like they are part of a larger community
Builds relationships: student-to-student, teacher-student
Dear Students and Families,
It has been an super start to a new school year. It has been a joy to see the new and familiar faces at our school. Beginning year two as your principal has been amazing! The PTO welcomed us back with a family picnic, teachers, staff and students celebrated our return with the first Wildcat Rally and, most recently, our school took part in the first of monthly Pride Time leadership sessions. Washington staff and students are engaged in learning work at it relates to developing a culture of leadership and excellence. We are determined to support the leadership development in every child in our school. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey will serve as leadership language. We are taking intentional approaches to create the best conditions for our students to grow into leaders in our school, community and world. I am certain you will hear more about this from me and classroom teachers in the days, week, and months ahead. Read more about this later in the post. Washington Elementary staff
In the classrooms, students and teachers are getting to know one another and establishing routines for learning. Teachers and staff are leveling readers, developing hopes and dreams, reviewing the PAWS expectations and much more. The reading bags have begun to go home with the expectation for students to read, read and read! It is fun to observe classrooms and see the relationships develop among the new group of students and teacher. We know that relationships matter!
We are excited about your involvement in your child's learning. Here are several ways I am sure will help this to happen. First, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s teacher regarding specific classroom needs or contact me about other general school experience topics. Our school office phone number is 345-3059.
Teachers and I would be happy to meet with you to discuss ways in which we can better meet the needs of your child. You can also access our website at http://www.we.isd77.org/. Just click on one of the four tabs at the top of the page to access important information. The tabs (Office, Classroom, Media and Parent Information) provide you access to a weekly blog, monthly newsletters, teacher email addresses, Wildcat Reading information and much, much more. For example, go to the “Office” tab and click on “Mr. Baier” to read my weekly blog.
Secondly, I hope that you will take the time to come to school and be a part of your child’s education. We are focused on providing students with well-rounded experiences, including a focus on reading, math, writing skills, and much, much more. With your help at home, and support from the entire Washington Wildcat Team, your child will experience positive gains in reading, math, writing, the arts, social development, leadership and health and fitness. There are opportunities to volunteer in classrooms and other special school events throughout the year. Contact your child’s teacher or the office for more information.
Thirdly, we invite you to participate in the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) at Washington Elementary. We had our first meeting on Monday, September 19th. Our next meeting is Monday, October 10 at 6:30 p.m. I look forward to working with each of you this year.
Shane Baier
Principal
Drop off and Pick up!
When dropping off or picking up your children please be sure to avoid parking in the bus loading and unloading zone along McConnell Street.
Mankato Area Public Schools Elementary School Counselors support the success of ALL students!
Elementary school counselors provide comprehensive counseling services that promote academic, personal/social, and career development through classroom lessons, small groups, and individual counseling. ISD 77 school counselors are a part of the Response to Intervention (RtI) multi-tiered support system to ensure all students are provided the support they need to be successful in school.
During the school year children who need additional support may be provided services such as individual counseling or small groups to work on a variety of topics, such as friendship skills, social skills, positive school behaviors, self-confidence, anger or worry management, family change/divorce, study skills, and grief/loss. You will be notified when your child participates in a small group.
If you have any questions or would like to visit about your child, please contact the main office and ask to speak with the school counselor.
Thank you,
Shanna Hood, School Counselor
Attendance...
As parents, you are the best role model. The habits your child develops in elementary school will bring a life of benefits.
- Being on time
- Dependability
- Responsibility
- Honest
Information Dates for October!
PTO Meeting: October 10, 2016, 6:30pm
Two hour late Start: Tuesday October 11, 2016
MEA Break: October 20 & 21, 2016
Physical Education News!
Dear Parents,
As this new school year begins, we would like to remind you about the importance of your child’s Physical Education class. “BE STRONG- STAY STRONG” will be the focus for all Physical Education classes.
Washington Elementary welcomes Ms. Amanda Murphy! Ms. Murphy will teach a second grade, third & forth grade Physical Education class. We are excited to have her join our awesome teaching staff.
This year we would like to invite you to visit our physical education classes. You will see children participating in developmentally appropriate activities that will help increase their physical competence, self esteem and joy of being physically active.
Yours in Fitness,
Mrs.Sheldon ksheld1@isd77.k12.mn.us
Ms. Murphy amurph1@isd77.k12.mn.us
FALL UNITS: Team Building, Flag Football, Soccer & Fitness Testing
TENNIS SHOES Your student will need his/her own tennis shoes & socks for Physical Education class. Please help your student to come to class with dry, clean socks & tennis shoes.
*Please help your student practice tying their shoes. This keeps students safe!
JACKETS/SWEATSHIRTS We will be outdoors as much as possible. Please have your student wear appropriate clothes on Physical Education days.
WATER BOTTLES Students are encouraged to bring water bottles so they can keep their muscles hydrated during Physical Education.Calling All Families! School Wide Title One Meeting!
When: Thursday, October 6th, 2016 (Same evening as Open House)
Time: 6:30-6:45 pm
Where: Washington Elementary Media Center
A presentation will be shared about our School Wide Title One Program! Please attend a short program and enjoy the Open House in your child’s classroom and their will also be a book fair! We are looking forward to sharing Washington goals and celebrations with families! See you there!
Teaching Internet Safety!
In Media we have been talking about Internet Safety.
Here are some key points students need to remember:
*Don’t share personal information with anyone online.
*Tell a trusted adult if anything online makes you feel
uncomfortable.
*Be respectful to people online(don’t be a cyberbully)
*Don’t meet with someone offline.
*Use only approved websites from the Washington
Media Page.
Washington PTO Meeting Minutes September 19, 2016
Attendees: Laura Bemel, Chelsey Brielmaier, Diane Winegar, Jennifer Brunz, Tracy Opie, Mandi Sonnenfeld, Marni Moule, Alison Carlson, Shanna Hood, Sarah Peterson, Sarah Lieske, Casey Neitzel, Ayleen Leonhardt, Eileen Campbell, Heather Olson, Amy Cain
Welcome/Introductions
Principal Report: Amy Cain gave a report on behalf of Mr. Baier.
1) Quick thank you to the PTO leadership! The welcome back picnic was an tremendous success and speaks volumes to our commitment to community.
2) Culture of Leadership and Excellence Update:
a. link to info flyer about Culture of Leadership and Excellence: You can certainly share the focus creating leadership opportunities for students, PRIDE Time w/ cross grade level groups and instruction on the 7 habits.
b. Click here to see agenda for next mtg.
-Share that we are in the process of applying for a Professional Development grant to cover the cost of training for all staff to take place in June and August.
Parent Representation on the Leadership and Excellence Vision Team: 2 reps: #1)Interim parent rep.: Marni will she continue or do we have another interested parent? #2 The other parent rep. filled by Pam Harbarth.
3) We are off to a great start! The staff celebrated REWARD school status as defined by the MN Dept. of Education. We are of the top 15% of all Title I schools in the state of MN. Thank you to parents and the PTO for their role in make our school great!
Teachers Report: The teachers thanked the PTO for the treats provided on their first day of reporting back to school.
Teachers have signed up to attend PTO meetings and there should be 2-3 teachers at each meeting.
Amy Cain took photos of the Welcome Back Picnic and will post them online in the near future.
Treasurer’s Report: Laura provided an overview of the Treasurer’s Report. See attached documents. Also we are looking for a parent that may have some accounting skills that would be willing to volunteer to provide a bit of consultation on accounting needs. It would not be a large time commitment, but just provide some feedback and guidance.
Requests for funding:
Last year Sarah Peterson created a Google.doc for teachers requesting funding from the PTO.The PTO would like to have the request submitted prior to the PTO meeting and would also like to have the teacher making the request be present at the meeting (if the request is over $100) to answer any questions.
Shanna Hood requested money for Peacemaker training. Approved.
Shanna Hood wanted feedback regarding a “Connections” newsletter that could be sent home with families every month that provide helpful tips to parents. It was discussed and parents would rather see tibits of information regarding the “7 Habits” added to the school newsletter than another piece of paper.
Sarah Lieske requested funding of $2/4th grade student to pay the difference in cost to attend the Friday of History Fest. Motion approved.
Sarah Lieske requested funding for 4th grade students to attend a Children’s Theater Last Firefly performance. Motion approved.
Mandi Sonnenfeld requested funding for bussing to the Gustavus Arboretum which should cost around $175. Motion approved.
Mandi Sonnenfeld requested funding for Writer’s Conference held at Bethany College in the spring. Cost is around $17/student. It was agreed that the PTO would support this event, but going to wait to see if they are approved for a grant from Educare. Some of the funds may come from other line items designated for the 5th grade if they do not receive the Educare grant.
The PTO will once again provide a free Wildcat T-shirt for every student and staff this year. PTO will be receiving a percentage of the merchandise sold at entrance conferences. Around $2000 of Wildcat gear was sold during those dates.
Committee Reports
Welcome Back Picnic was Friday September 16. Event went well.
Walk-a-Thon Planning Marni would like to start planning soon. Keep eyes open for meeting dates.
Fundraising (Box tops, Milk Moola, etc.). Bins are in the hallway between the gym and the cafeteria for placing these items. Target has done away with their program. We need to start advertising AMAZON SMILE program.
Sarah Peterson and Stephanie Wolff will be taking over the yearbook this year. They plan to explore other companies for the printing of the yearbooks to do cost comparisons.
Book Fair: the first Book Fair will be on October 6 during the Washington Open House. We have over $600 is scholastic dollars for the school to be able to buy books and classroom accessories.
The PTO will be holding a drawing for 2 Target gift cards at each meeting for those that have attended the meeting! Bring a friend!
Future meetings: October 10, November 7, December 12, January 9, February 13, March 13, April 10 and May 8