PAW PRINTS
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - November 13 , 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,
We are ready to embark on a journey of E-Learning that will be very different from the spring. Teachers and students have been busy getting ready for the transition over the last few days. Please take a few moments to review the information below, which will clarify how the E-Learning status will be conducted. Our school office will remain open to take your phone calls and emails. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if we can be of assistance.
Thank you to Mrs. King and her students for organizing a Thanksgiving Food Drive. The Winfield Township Food Pantry will have more to offer this holiday season thanks to the generosity of our school families! We appreciate your participation!
Take care,
Mrs. Jillian Alonzo
Principal
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You can find detailed information in the updated Continuous Learning Plan.
- Elementary students should log in to Buzz at the start of the school day (9:05) and follow the daily agenda posted by their teacher. Agendas are required to be posted daily by 9:05.
- Elementary classes will have at least two live instruction sessions during the day – once in the morning, and once in the afternoon. Additional instruction may take place at scheduled times and would be noted in the daily agenda.
- Live instruction will be balanced with independent work. The time/amount of this balance will vary by teacher depending on each day’s learning goals.
- Wednesdays will be used for independent learning and as virtual “office hours” for individual or small group help.
- Exceptional learners who have IEPs will continue to receive services. Parents will receive more information directly from the Department of Exceptional Education.
- RtI and Exceptional Education schedules of service will continue on the same schedule.
- Art, Music, and PE classes will follow their schedule and students will access the links on their BUZZ courses.
- Classroom teachers will share necessary links from Mrs. Adams (Second Steps Lessons), Mrs. Daniels (Library), and Mrs. Alonzo (Announcements).
Student Attendance in Red Status
- Students are expected to follow the agenda outlined by their teachers in Buzz.
- On distance learning days, the student is counted absent if there is no evidence by the start of the next school day of the following: course progress, participation in virtual class meetings, participation on assigned instruction, system activity and login times, and completion of daily work and/or long-term projects.
Food Service during Red Status
- Meal pick up days will begin on Monday, November 16, 2020. If you would like to receive meals for your students, please email pmaloney@cps.k12.in.us with all student names, the school they attend, and location from which you would like to pick up from by Friday November 13.
- Meal pick up locations: Crown Point High School, Jerry Ross Elementary, Timothy Ball Elementary, and MacArthur Elementary
- Meals will be distributed from 9-10am on Monday, November 16th (5 meals); Monday, November 23rd (3 meals); and Monday, November 30th (3 meals)
Technology during Red Status
- Should you encounter technology issues during distance learning, please see the section about technology on the COVID webpage at www.cps.k12.in.us/covid.
- Buzz, Zoom, and GoGuardian are digital platforms that may be used in distance learning.
- To protect the privacy of our students and teachers, parents and students are prohibited from conducting their own recording of instructional lessons and are further prohibited from reposting or transmitting in whole or in part any instructional lessons for any reason. Instructional lessons delivered online are protected by copyright owned by Crown Point Community School Corporation. Any unauthorized recording or re-transmission of some or all of a lesson is prohibited and a violation of U.S. Copyright law. Access to instructional lessons and all class activities delivered though CPCSC digital platforms constitutes your acceptance of these terms.
Our goal is to return to in-person instruction. Please keep in mind that external factors could change this plan. We will continue to monitor data and make changes if necessary.
- High school and middle school students will return to school December 3rd in yellow (hybrid) status. They will continue distance learning on Wednesdays at home.
- Elementary students will return to school on December 3rd in green status. However, Wednesdays will now be used for distance learning, similar to the secondary schools. This is a change from the previous green status.
As noted in the Continuous Learning Plan, students will remain in the learning mode (in-person or distance) chosen at the end of September when we originally returned to “green” status. However, we will work with any families who encounter unexpected circumstances that might warrant a change.
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 663-2287 ext. 19001
Mrs. King's students loading up the pantry donations.
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Williams
The battle with COVID continues, as we embark on yet another transition. Each of us are adapting and attempting to cope with the evolving changes. Transitions are HARD, and become a much bigger obstacle when they are not planned for, or out of our control. Adults and children alike are feeling, and dealing with an enormous amount of stress. Taking time for mental health and well-being is critical right now, giving us the ability to navigate the days and weeks ahead.
Children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events. Adults have a paramount opportunity to model problem-solving, flexibility, patience, and compassion for our children. You may notice some new, or escalated behaviors with your children as a result of these changes compounded with stress. Take note, and address behavior changes with your children with open and honest communication.
During these unprecedented times, please consider the following tips to help keep some calm within your four walls:
1. Routine, Routine, Routine! As we shift to learning from home, create a routine that works best for your family. This helps establish expectations for your children on what their days of eLearning will look like.
2. Focus on the Controllables! With so many decisions being made for us, help children identify things they still have control over to help ease worries.
3. Make Self-care a priority and non-negotiable! Take the time, even if it’s five minutes to take care of yourself and your family.
4. Stay Connected! Provide touchpoints throughout the day, and come together as a family to connect before closing out each day. During these weeks of eLearning, my role will still be in place. I will be available to help support students and families. I am an email, zoom, or phone call away!
5. Provide reassurance! Children need to hear that they are safe and secure during hectic and challenging times. Discuss and share ways your family is promoting safe habits like hand washing, eating healthy, and allowing your bodies to rest with adequate sleep.
Parents/Guardians, please reach out if I can be of any assistance to your children during these next weeks. Sending thoughts of positivity, grace, and strength to all!
-Mrs. Williams, Winfield Elementary School Counselor
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 219-663-2287 ext. 19108
Positive Behavior Coach, Mrs. Adams
Hello, Winfield families!
Have you ever wondered exactly what PBIS is? Or, maybe you have had questions about how to incorporate strategies into your family's daily life. I am here to help! At Winfield Elementary, a PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) school, staff members teach children academics along with how to act/react in different settings. Rather than expecting kids to arrive at a school knowing how to behave, schools teach correct behaviors and implement social-emotional learning.
PBIS schools focus on teaching what TO DO by giving clear directions, being calm and patient, modeling expected behaviors, setting a good example, using positive recognition and reinforcement, and setting consistent and reasonable limits. PBIS school staffs know that adults get more of what they focus on. If adults place all the focus on kids fighting instead of cooperating, that’s what they’ll see more of. If adults focus on teaching and reinforcing cooperation, they’ll end up seeing more of those types of behaviors. While this shift in focus doesn’t remove the necessity of responding to and taking action when kids behave inappropriately, it does substantially reduce many misbehaviors.
Are you looking to try out some PBIS strategies at home? If so, these are some ideas to help facilitate PBIS work:
- Give clear, short, and specific directions.
- Have patience…It takes younger children at least 5 seconds to mentally process directions.
- Be consistent. It helps a child learn and feel confident in what you want.
- Calm & use a calm voice.
- Focus on logical consequences when a problem arises.
- Reward positive effort – this sets the stage for success.
- Set and enforce reasonable limits.
- Try to give five positive responses for every 1 negative response.
- Set the example – actions speak louder than words.
- Try to anticipate where your child might have trouble and prepare them for the situation by coaching them on the behavior you want to see.
With the school year in full swing, I thought it would be appropriate to share some of what we focus on in PBIS land, and also, invite you to extend these concepts to your home life. The attached infographic depicts what social-emotional learning is comprised of, which provides a clear understanding of why it is a crucial component of the PBIS structure.
If you would like additional ideas, or you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at mladams@cps.k12.in.us
Stay well,
Mrs. Adams
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 219-663-2287 ext. 19602
Reading Connection
Book Fair
From the School Nurse, Mrs. Taylor
As the holiday season approaches programs for families needing assistance may be available. If your family would benefit during these financially trying times from the following programs please contact me:
- Shoes For Kids program (provides voucher for a free pair of shoes or boots for your child)
- Clothing Our Children program (provides a gift card to be used for a child’s winter coat)
- Holiday Food Basket Programs (provides a food basket for your family at Thanksgiving)
- Angel Tree Holiday gift programs (provides Holiday gifts for the children in your family)
All programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Participation is not guaranteed. Any requests will be kept strictly confidential. Please email me at ltaylor@cps.k12.in.us if your family would benefit in participating in one or more of these programs.
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.
HELP WANTED: Substitute Teachers
ESS is looking for Substitute Teachers for all Crown Point schools!
Important Dates
November 2020
16- Beginning of RED Status
26-27- Thanksgiving Break
December 2020
3- Planned Return to GREEN Status
9- E-Learning Day
16- E-Learning Day
21-31- Winter Break
January 2020
1- Winter Break
4- School Resumes
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
PIE SALE FUNDRAISER
Dessert Day Pies are set to be delivered on Monday, November 23rd at Jerry Ross Elementary.
We need lots of helpers to set up, sort, distribute and clean up. If you have a High Schooler that needs volunteer hours, please let us know. You can sign up to volunteer here: PIE PICK UP.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