Bird School News
November 2021
A Note from Principal Toepfer...
Hello Bird Families,
What a great turn out for our Fall Festival Trunk or Treat event! We had such great weather, the kids had a blast and the trunks were amazing! I would like to give a huge shout out to CH Best and to all of you who helped make this a special event for our kids. Thank you! Every time we can do special events with our students, it feels really good--especially after all of the restrictions due to the pandemic.
November is always a fast month. Here is a reminder that we do not have school on Friday, Nov. 5. The district is working in conjunction with SSM/Dean Health plan to again offer COVID-19 vaccination opportunities to all district staff members. Based on survey results, at least 700 staff members are interested in receiving a booster vaccine dose.
This week, your student(s) will be bringing home a Sun Prairie Spirit Pennant for our SP Spirit Campaign with the district. The pennant features our district slogan for the year, “We see you. We love you. We support you.” Consider taking pictures of your students with their pennants and tagging CH Bird Elementary School if you post on social media.
Sending love to our families!
Warmly,
Nicole Toepfer, Principal
Student Services Message
Social Emotional Learning Spotlight: Emotion Management
Last month we finished up our first unit of Second Step that was focused on Growth Mindset and Goal Setting. Check out the Helpful Thoughts some of our 2nd graders wrote so they can build growth mindset! Next we will focus on Emotion Management -- noticing feelings in ourselves and others and using coping strategies to help get calm.
This month our teachers also completed a training about bullying prevention and our counselor will begin teaching bullying prevention lessons this month. Sun Prairie school district defines bullying as “deliberate or intentional behavior using words or actions, intended to cause fear, intimidation, or harm. Bullying may be repeated behavior and involves an imbalance of power.” Students will learn to recognize bullying (versus rudeness, mean moments and conflict), report it to adults and refuse it by engaging in upstander behaviors and being assertive.
PE News
Look for the Cash for Cups sale starting in early November! Cash for Cups is an opportunity for families to purchase the same Speedstacks and Timers used in our K-5 PE classes during the sport stacking unit. Sales provide 15% cash back to the CH Bird PE program.
Just a reminder that it is very important for students to have gym shoes for PE to participate in the activities and remain safe. Check out when your student has PE below!
Important!
Advanced Learner Program Update
Math 24 Club has started! Math 24 is an opportunity for all 4th and 5th graders. We meet on Tuesdays/Thursdays during the lunch recess time. Mathematicians may participate for fun, and/or they have an opportunity to train for the Math 24 Dane County Math Meet! Mathematicians can meet Mrs. Payne near her office in the library during their lunch/recess time. All 4th and 5th graders are welcome.
5th graders have an incredible opportunity to become published authors through our Yahara River Writing project! 5th graders can choose to write poetry, a short story, an editorial, or express themselves through a cartoon. There are specific guidelines to follow, so they will need to ask Mrs. Payne. Mrs. Payne will be hosting a 5th grade Writing Club on Tuesdays at 7:40. Writers should meet Mrs. Payne at the 5th grade door between 7:40-7:45. It will be difficult to accommodate late arrivals since our writing space is not near the 5th grade doors, so please try to arrive between 7:40-7:45.
The ALP (Advanced Learner Program) model has shifted from previous years. The ALP specialist works with the classroom teacher in the classroom. We believe the most impactful learning happens in the classroom when a group of knowledgeable adults work together around a set of learning intentions, planning for the strengths and needs of all learners. We co-plan, collaborate, co-teach, and co-serve within the classroom. Mrs. Payne splits her time between Bird and Northside Schools.
"Who does Mrs. Payne work with?" is a common question.
The ALP Specialists work with students that are exceeding expectations as measured in classroom assessments, STAR scores, running record levels, and classroom observations. Please note, though, that writing and math club are opportunities for all 4th and 5th grade students.
Please contact Mrs. Payne if you have questions:
CH Best News!
NOVEMBER CAREGIVER INFORMATION MEETING:
November 9, 2021 6:30p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (On Zoom)
The Zoom link will be emailed out closer to the date and shared on our Facebook page.
We will hear updates from Principal Toepfer and Associate Principal Witzling, discuss our winter events and finalize our budget for the remainder of the year.
DINE OUT NIGHT for CH Best!
November 15 from 4pm-9pm
Rocky Rococo’s
Flyers with vouchers will be going home with students in upcoming days! The vouchers must be presented at time of purchase.
Reminder: Students need to wear a mask on the bus
#Proud2BABlueJ
STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
No student may be unlawfully discriminated against in any school programs, activities or in facilities usage because of the student’s sex (gender identity, gender expressions, and non-conformity to gender role stereotypes), color, religion, profession, or demonstration of belief or non-belief, race, national origin (including limited English proficiency), ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, homelessness status, sexual orientation, age, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Harassment is a form of discrimination and shall not be tolerated in the District. It is the responsibility of administrators, staff members and all students to ensure that student discrimination or harassment does not occur.
(SPASD District Policy JB)
If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Spanish, please contact us at 608-834-6620. Si un estudiante, padre ó guardian prefiere tener esta información traducida en Español, por favor contactenos en el 608-834-6620.
If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Hmong, please contact us at 608-834-6630. Yog tus me nyuam lub xiv los yog niam thiab txiv/tus neeg muaj cai saib xyuas tus me nyuam xav tau qhov ntawv ntawm no ua lus Hmoob, thov hais rau peb paub rau ntawm 608-834-6630.
NEW NOTICE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICIES ON SEX DISCRIMINATION, THE DISTRICT’S TITLE IX COORDINATOR, AND PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING OR FILING A COMPLAINT OF SEX DISCRIMINATION
The Sun Prairie Area School District (“District”) does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that the District operates. Title IX’s requirement not to discriminate in any education program or activity extends to cover, but is not limited to, District students, certain admissions processes, and District employment. To access the relevant policy and procedures you can go to the District’s website. For inquiries regarding how Title IX and the federal Title IX regulations apply to the District please contact the District’s Title IX Coordinator, (the Director of Student Policy & School Operations, 501 S. Bird Street, Sun Prairie, WI 53590, 608-834-6624 or by email at titleixcoordinator@sunprairieschools.org.)
About us
Website: www.sunprairieschools.org/ch-bird
Location: 1170 North Bird Street, Sun Prairie, WI, USA
Phone: (608) 834-7300
Facebook: facebook.com/chbirdelementaryschool