Ruschies Rock! Review
October 2021 - Vol II
Calendar of Upcoming Events
PICTURE RETAKE DAY
October 20
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES - teachers will schedule with families
Week of Oct. 11
Week of Oct. 18 (M, Tues)
EARLY RELEASE FRIDAYS - Dismissal is 12:45p
October 15
October 29
November 5
November 19
NO SCHOOL - INSERVICE DAYS
October 4
October 21 & 22
November 8
THANKSGIVING BREAK
November 24-25-26
A Message From the Principal
Strong start so far-
Thanks to all students and all parents for your support in such a strong start to the school year. I appreciate families working with us when Covid issues arise and sending students with masks to wear daily to combat the spread so we can keep students in school.
Our K-3 students are working hard on the new phonics lessons. Reading is so important and helps students in every subject area. Please read with your child at least 20 minutes a night.
Staff members across the elementary district-wide are working hard on those early release afternoons to provide quality education for our students. We value this time to share effective practices with each other and improve our instruction. I hope families get outside and enjoy the fall colors these next few weeks.
Mrs. Gulrud - Rusch Principal
Email: gulruda@portage.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.portage.k12.wi.us/schools/rusch/
Location: 117 West Franklin Street, Portage, WI, USA
Phone: (608) 742-7376
A Message from Your NEW Dean of Students
Greetings Rusch Elementary Students and Families,
It's difficult to believe that we have already completed our first month of the 2021-2022 school year. During September, we spent a lot of time exploring the character trait of respect, what it means, and what respectful behavior looks like inside and outside of school. Rusch students did an outstanding job with demonstrating this lifelong skill in all school settings and we celebrated their success every chance we could with school-wide treats, Warrior Buck rewards, a Warrior of the Week Luncheon, and a month-end drawing for some free mega-merch from the school store.
During October, we will be shifting our focus to the character skill of responsibility. Students can demonstrate responsibility by taking ownership of their lives and acknowledging that they have the power to choose what they think (including their attitudes and mindsets), say and do, and by holding themselves accountable for the outcomes of their choices. You can help your student develop this essential skill at home by checking in with them regularly to discuss how school is going, providing them with encouragement to persevere through any challenges which they are currently facing, and assisting them with establishing evening routines that will support their academic success and overall well-being.
Communication is very important to me, so please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you are in need of any assistance. You can call me directly at (608) 742-7376 ext. 6002 or via email at vanderschaafc@portage.k12.wi.us.
Sincerely,
Cherida VanderSchaaf - Rusch Dean of Students
608-742-7376 x6002
Warriors of the Week
Luncheon with VanderSchaaf
Pizza to celebrate
ABSENCE REPORTING LINE - 608-742-7376
We also need to know if they have a Dr appointment, will be tardy or need to leave early.
If their transportation home changes from what they normally do the office also needs this information prior to 2:30p. We need this to keep students safe and accounted for.
On EARLY RELEASE FRIDAYS it is especially important for you to let us - and your child - know how your child will get home. Please call the office.
MASKS & WATER BOTTLES REQUIRED
Your student(s) need a reusable water bottle at school. The water fountains are not on but students can use the bottle filler. Your student also needs a clean mask with them each day and a backup mask in their backpack if one gets wet, lost, or broken. These items are as essential as shoes and a backpack. We have some backup disposable masks but our supply is limited.
If you are interested in donating masks - either sewing them or buying disposables, we would really appreciate your help.
From the Counselor
Hello Rusch Families,
It’s been so great to see and hear from more of you this year at open house, pick up, and drop off! Please continue to reach out if you are looking for any resources related to your child’s social and emotional wellness or anything else I can do to support your student. This year, I’d like to share more with you about what we are covering in our classroom counseling lessons so you can continue discussions at home and be familiar with the skills and language they are learning.
This month, we began with our introduction lesson, got reacquainted, and reviewed what I do as a school counselor (all grades). We also got to know each other by decorating “The Rainbow Colors of Me'' with colors that reflected things about us such as looks and favorite things. We discussed how important it is to have differences and celebrate diversity (Grades 2-5).
With school back in session, sports started, and extracurriculars back in full swing, life can get pretty busy. Don’t forget to slow down and take time to be present and encourage kids to do the same. Practicing mindfulness can help lower stress and improve our mood. Check out these ten simple ways you can be more present and practice mindfulness with your family!
HEALTHY CLASSROOMS GRANT RECEIVED!!!
We received a grant from Healthy Classrooms for $1500 to use for classroom snacks this year. This will supplement what The Market program can't cover for snacks for students who aren't able to bring them from home.
We also received a $6,700 grant from The Greater Portage Youth for STEAM activities and SEL. Eileen will be looking for materials to purchase for use during STEAM time and we hope to find kits that can be used district wide. What GREAT news for all elementary kids!
Huge thank you's to both these organizations and please let people in the community know we are appreciative of their support.
NO COST FOOD OPTIONS FOR ALL PORTAGE FAMILIES
As a Rusch Family, you can choose ONE of the following options:
OPTION 1: MONDAY MARKET BOX - you pick up at the High School from 3:15-4:00p beginning October 11th, 2021. No cost.
MARKET BOXES can include:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Bread
- Fresh Fruit
- Fresh Vegetables
- Frozen Meat
- Boxed dry goods
- Some toiletries or diapers
OPTION 2: SHOP THE MARKET - you/your student shops for what you need at the food market at PHS on M, TU, TH, F from 2-4p. *Early Release Fridays - open from 12-2p. No cost.
Market items include:
Perishable and nonperishable
Fruit, vegetables, yogurt, milk, frozen, bread items
Canned items, granola bars, crackers, cereal
Hygiene/household items
OPTION 3: BACKPACK PROGRAM - Your student(s) will receive non-perishable dry goods/snacks on Friday afternoon in a plastic bag they can carry home. No cost.
SIGN UP HERE: https://forms.gle/sdAh92d5hDjC7Ftu8
Questions? Call Rusch Elementary 608-742-7376 and ask for Julia or Krista.
SIGN UP FOR FREE AFTERCARE FOR EARLY RELEASE FRIDAYS
Opening registration again for families who DID NOT sign up in August.
Please only fill out the registration form below if your child(ren) WILL be attending the after school programming on early release Fridays and you have not yet registered them to do so . (Students who previously registered and have been attending the After School Programming should continue to attend the programming and DO NOT need to register again.)
Newly registered students will be able to begin attending the program on NOVEMBER 5, 2021.
The After-care on Early Release Fridays will be available from 1:15p - 3:15p. Shuttle buses pick up elementary school students at their respective schools (except Endeavor students) and bring them to John Muir. A parent/guardian will need to pick up their child(ren) from John Muir at 3:15p on early release Fridays.
This registration form closes on October 25, 2021. IMPORTANT NOTE: We will NOT be able to add additional students to the program after October 25, 2021.
Registration Form for Early Release Friday AfterCare
Questions? Contact Steph Clements (608-742-4879 x 4017) or Nikki Schoenborn (608-742-4879 x 4019).
NURSING UPDATE
IF YOUR CHILD IS SICK
If your child is ill, please keep him or her at home and provide details of their illness to an Administrative Assistant for Rusch by calling 608-742-7376. The Student Exclusion Health Guidelines are in the student handbook. The Student Daily Screener for COVID-19 is found here. Please review these for expectations of the district. (The district medical advisor has participated in the development of the guidelines.)
Students who present to the school office with symptoms during the school day will have these guidelines taken into consideration for the action plan. For example, a student who comes to the office not feeling well will be asked to identify what is not feeling well. Is it a headache, stomachache, fever, cough? Temperature checks are made frequently. Sometimes a few minutes of rest and a drink of water is all that is needed. But we will call you if your child meets a guideline and ask you to take action. Here are testing sites in Columbia County if your student needs a PCR test because they are symptomatic.
MEDICATIONS
Students who need medication during the school day must have the medication delivered to the office by an adult in the original pharmacy labeled container or original package with directions for over the counter meds, and one medication consent/request form per medication shall be completed/submitted to the nurse to review. For the forms: Nursing Services, Medication.
Ask the pharmacist to provide a second bottle for school when ordering the medication from the pharmacy.
Our school nurse Kristal Summerton is available as a resource, please do not hesitate to call her for support/guidance.