Myers-Wilkins Wolf Tracks
December 2017 - Issue 5
The holiday season is in full swing. We have had several snowfalls and constant cold weather since early November. Winter arrived early! Just a reminder to send your student(s) with a labeled coat, hat, mitten/gloves. If you need support with this please contact Stephan Witherspoon at ext. 2501. Also remember to check the lost in found if your child has lost a piece of clothing. To be able to find items more easily if they are lost please label your child(ren) clothing.
We had a great family night in November. It was our Tellebration Family Night. We were able to hear lots of great stories from guests and our students. What a fantastic night full of smiles and laughter for all who attended.
We are excited to see our Holiday Program on December 15th. All are welcome to come and enjoy it. Performance times are at 9:00 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Our students are working hard to provide you the best performance ever!
Last but not least I wanted to introduce to you some of our new staff. We have a new Media Specialist Teacher, Mr Tom Spehar. A new SPED Teacher, Ms. Abby Berven, a Kindergarten Teacher who had to leave us due to personal reasons was replaced by Mrs. Mary Irvine. We are excited to have them here and part of our wolf pack.
Our playground is up and running. The work is complete and it is in full use. The students are so happy!
I am so proud of our students. They are working hard and have been doing lots of learning. Everywhere I look I see all their hard work proudly displayed.
Tis' the season for acts of kindness. We are teaching our students what kindness looks like, sounds like and feels like during morning meeting this month. It can be a smile, thank you, giving or being helpful in any way. Continue to work with your child on this and how they can spread kindness to others.
Happy Holidays!
Go Wolves! Paw Pride!
Elisa Maldonado
December Student Events
Winter Door Decorating Contest
We are doing our 1st annual Winter Door Decorating Contest. This will begin after the Holiday Break and end on December 15th the day of our Holiday Program. We will be judging doors and announce a winner for all the classroom that decide to participate.School Spirit Dress Up Days
Dec. 1st - Wear Red/Green to kick off the holiday season
Dec 8th - Wear Plaid
Dec 15th - Wear your holiday accessories, festive earrings, antlers, light bulb necklace...whatever you have. You can showcase it at the holiday show.
Dec 22nd - Ugly holiday sweater day
Holiday Program
Our annual Holiday Program will be on Friday, Dec. 15th. The theme this year is "Joyful Sounds of the Holiday Season." Performances will be at 9:00am & 12:45pm. Parents have the option to coming to the one that fits their schedule best. We look forward to seeing you there and showcasing what our students have been practicing for you.
Holiday Break
December 23-January 2 there is no school.
Students return to school on Wednesday January 3rd
Student Council and Pennies for Patients
We just wrapped up our all school fundraiser run by our student council. Our students raised money for "Pennies for Patient." The "Pennies for Patients" program helps raise money to fund research for therapies that save the lives of blood cancer patients. After a week long fundraiser our students raised a total of ... $1,357.00. We are so proud of the staff, students, families, and the community businesses who participated in this fundraiser. Every single classroom raised funds. Way to go Wolves!!! Paw Pride!!!
When is my child considered tardy?
This is a reminder to the Myers-Wilkins students and families that your child is considered tardy if they arrive after 7:45. Please ensure to arrive before that time. If your child arrives after this time they need to stop by the office and get a tardy slip.
What happens if my child is sick?
- has a fever of 100 degrees or more (if this is the case your child should stay at home 24 hours after the fever is gone without the use of medicine)
- has vomited/has diarrhea (if this is the case your child should remain at home 24 hours after it has stopped)
- has a persistent cough
- has any rash
- has open or draining skin sores
- has eyes or ears that have pus drainage
If you child is ill, please call the attendance line to report the illness ext. 2487. If your child has influenza-like illness you need to report it to the nurse's office.
Tips for your family to stay healthy:
- cough or sneeze into your sleeve
- wash hands frequently
- Avoid sharing personal items, drinks, food or eating utensils
- Flu Shot
- Get sleep
What happens if my child has a bus issue?
A couple of our bus routes are having some behavior issues. Most of our busses do not have any other adult on the bus besides the driver and none of our busses have cameras. If a child gets a referral from the driver, the first will be a warning and a copy of the referral sent home. The second referral will result in a 3 to 5 day suspension off the bus, the third referral will be 5 or more day suspension off the bus and the 4th could mean suspension off the bus for the rest of the year depending on the severity of the referral. If your child rides the bus, please talk to them about bus behavior and the importance of reporting problems to the bus driver. If there are concerns about the bus, please call Transportation (336-8970) or Voyageur Bus (724-1707).
How do I contact the school if I need to pick-up my child early?
We ask that your child(ren) stick to their regular schedule every day. If your child takes the bus home after school, we ask that they take the bus home every day. Only in an emergency situation should a change be made to your child’s after school routine. Students are only allowed to ride the bus they are assigned to. If alternative arrangements need to be made for after school pick-up a parent must contact the teacher in writing otherwise your child will go home their usual way. If a student will be picked up by someone other than the parent, a note must be sent to the teacher in advance. If you need to call the teacher to get a message to your child about a change, please call before 11:00.
What do I do if my child is absent?
.Parents are required to call the attendance line or main office when your child is sick or will not be in school. By not doing so, the absence will be “unexcused”. Every minute counts in you child's education! Attendance line is 218.336.8860 - Option 1
Leaders of the Pack Award for October
This year we are having all school monthly morning meetings and recognition assemblies. We have created the "Leaders of the Pack Award." Each month one student from every class is nominated that is demonstrating our core values of being respectful, responsible and safe. The students parents are called and asked to come to the assembly but their child does not find out till the day of the assembly. We are proud to highlight our October "Leaders of the Pack:"
Joseph Fairbanks, Journey Aubol, Leona Luokkala-Schmidt, Sully Sawinski, Amya Davis, Martell Barnes, Xavier Rojas, Shyla Copeland, Irene Miller-Tanner, George Kenyon, Cinayah Dunn, Vincent Stratton, Shaun Neadeau, Bayley McCauley, Kiara Hotchkiss, Jacinto Campante, Mylan Jackson, Johnathan Holmes, Tyrone St. Germaine, and MarAnda Neadeau.
Congratulations to our leaders! We can't wait to see who is nominated for the month of November.
Annual School Spelling Bee Winners
What is our school social emotional focus for December?
December’s focus will be all about showing kindness to others and part of that is giving. Staff will be working on short lessons with students and leading discussions that will help students learn what it is to be kind. We will kick off our month of kindness with an all-school assembly on Friday, December 1st. We will also be awarding our November Leaders of the Pack. We look forward to spending December with students and showing them how to be kind towards each other.
Family Dinner Night with our Parent Student Advisory Council
Myers-Wilkins has a very active and inclusive parent group. We get together the second Tuesday of each month. This year we are changing things up a bit and will be meeting throughout the community and having family dinner nights. Mark your calendars for our next family dinner night!!! It will be on Tuesday December 12th. We would like as many parents as possible to be a part of this night. We will have a dinner and informal conversation about happenings in the school, community and important topics to our parents. There is child care and if you need a ride here you can contact Jen Eddy from our Collaborative office @ ext 2459. Family Dinner Night will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!
Coffee with the Principal
Myers-Wilkins Collaborative December Update
The first session of after-school programming (except Key Zone and World Beat Drumming), is coming to an end!
Important Dates to Remember:
- Last Day of Terrific Tuesdays: 12/12
- Last Day of Girl Power!: 12/13
- Last Day of Thurzday Thrillz and Compass: 12/14 (No bussing or walk groups)
- End a Semesta Fiesta: 12/14 at 5p.m.
Join us to celebrate our fall session of program at End a Semesta Fiesta! All of our instructors will be showcasing to families and the Myers-Wilkins Community the wonderful things we’ve been working on! The event goes from 5:00-6:45 and a meal will be served.
Spring session of our after-school programming will be starting up again on January 29th. Spring registration packets will be sent out in January.
Pow Wow Family Night is 1/25/17 - We are looking for parents to be a part of our planning committee. Contact Jen Eddy at jeddy@duluthcsc.org or 336-8860 x8 if your interested.
Myers-Wilkins Elementary School
Email: elisa.maldonado@isd709.org
Website: http://myers-wilkins-elementary.isd709.org/
Location: Myers-Wilkins Elementary School, North 8th Avenue East, Duluth, MN, United States
Phone: (218)336-8860
Facebook: facebook.com/Myers-Wilkins-671277219666034/