It is my sincere hope you have had a positive and successful start to the school year. It has been enjoyable to have the school and classrooms filled, once again, with the buzz of laughter and learning. Watching the interactions and collaboration between the students and teachers has been phenomenal. So many students have been eager to share fun things about their classrooms, teachers, and what they are learning when I see them in the hallways and at lunchtime.

As we start this year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their communication this year. I have thoroughly enjoyed our conversations, meetings, and phone calls. I want to emphasize communication is perhaps the most important part of the education process for students, teachers, and administrators. When parents and teachers work together, children will understand that expectations are the same. Please feel free to connect with school personnel in the spirit of partnership at any time. At USC we continually strive to make sure we are doing everything we can for each and every one of our students. Working as a team will not only make us better but stronger.

This year as we work towards high levels of learning for all students while creating an intentional culture conducive to optimal learning, students will be challenged to think critically and creatively through our comprehensive curriculums. In order to align students' needs with our district focus, I am excited to share that we will have Math Masters and Rebel Readers built into our master schedule this year. This will be a time when teachers will personalize instruction to further meet the unique needs of each learner in their classrooms. It is a time of reinforcement, support, and enrichment. Students will have the opportunity to work with classroom teachers, Title I, ELL, and Special Education in the specific areas they need additional support. I am excited about this opportunity for our students.

Additionally, through the Mitch Perizo Leaders are Readers Grant we were able to purchase two-year licenses for the learning platforms Core5© and Power Up© to use during Rebel Readers. These programs are designed to mitigate the gap through equitable learning opportunities for all students based on differentiated literacy instruction. Both Core5© and Power Up© support our current reading curriculum HMH Into Reading and have a heavy focus on phonological awareness, phonics, structural literacy, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Preschool through fifth grade will be using Core5© and the sixth graders will be using Power Up©.

The staff at USC are working hard every day to provide students with a top-of-the-line education. We are continually refining our processes and seeking ways to better reach and teach each student. We are excited about all of the possibilities this year holds. Truly the sky's the limit.

In closing, I want to express my gratitude to the entire school community as we start this year. We would not be the incredible school we are without the help and support of all of you. Thank you for partnering with USC in your student’s success.

It’s a Great Day to be a Rebel!
Jennifer Taylor, Elementary Principal

October 11 - Two Hour Later Start

On Tuesday, October 11th, school will start 2 hours late. Busses will also be 2-hours late and breakfast will not be served that morning at USC. Students may start to arrive at school at 9:45 AM. Staff will be participating in staff development activities that morning.

October 20-21 - MEA Break - No School

October 24 - Staff Development Day - No School

November 1 - Picture Retake Day *This is an updated date due to a conflict

Drop off and pick up at USC Elementary

• Students will enter the school by the main door by the elementary office

• Students can enter the building at 8:10 AM after they are lined up outside. Please be mindful to drop your students off as close to 8:10 A.M. as possible to alleviate a long wait prior to the start of the school day.

• Students who eat breakfast can enter the building at 7:50 A.M. Students must go directly to the Commons and remain in the Commons until 8:10 A.M. when they can walk to their respective classrooms

• Students will be dismissed from the main doors by the office.
  
  

Entrance into the Building
Parents are encouraged to drop off and pick up students outside the main doors. If a parent/guardian needs to enter the school building for any reason including dropping students off, picking students up, and eating breakfast, they must check in at the elementary or high school office and get a name badge prior to entering the building. Student safety is our number one priority and we appreciate your help.

Parking Notice:
When picking up students before and after school make sure you are legally parked to avoid potential pitfalls. We need to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and visitors.

Outdoor Recess

As fall sets in and the temperatures start to drop, please remember that your children will be playing outside every day, weather permitting. We need your help to ensure your students come to school properly dressed for the weather. Jackets/coats must be worn unless the temperature is 60 degrees or above. Moreover, as the snow flies students need to have additional outdoor gear which includes layers, hats, mittens/gloves, scarves, boots, and snow pants. ​

Thank you in advance for your help in ensuring your child feels comfortable outside at recess. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call the Elementary Office at (507) 553-5810.

Extra Clothing
Please send an extra set of clothing with your student to keep in their locker in case of any type of accident (i.e. milk spill, mud, wet clothing, etc.).

Lost and Found

Please check out the tables of items waiting to be reunited with their owners in the Commons near the vending machine. Stop in and take a look in the event your child is missing something. In order to avoid having your child's possessions wind up in Lost and Found, please make sure all clothing is properly labeled.

Covid 19

Students and staff who test positive for Covid-19 must be isolated for at least 5 days from the date of the positive test or the onset of symptoms. Those who have tested positive may return to school after 5 days if they are symptom-free for 24 hours. Masks are encouraged but not required for days 6-10.

For three days 15 USC educators and 2 administrators embarked on downtown Minneapolis for the Solution Tree Professional Learning Communities at Work Seminar.

This dynamic group rolled up their sleeves to learn, grow, collaborate, and engage with one another and over 1, 500 colleagues from around the nation. They attended keynote speakers and powerful breakout sessions on ways to collaborate, create high levels of learning for all students, and maximize best practices.

Congratulations to the elementary orientation prize winners

Front (R to L): Nora Theede, Madelyn French, Christian Fernandez, Allora Hayes, Elyse Bird, Jameson Ammerman, Clara Schrader

Back (R to L): Noah Christians, Jacob Nowack, Octavio Hernandez, Sayra Paz, Jaycee Willette, Taya Anderson

Two weeks ago, students attended Rebel Rights training in the cafeteria with Mr. Gordon-Kamm and Mrs. Obermeyer to practice good behavior. Students practiced entering the cafeteria in a safe manner, appropriate voice level, keeping hands and feet to themselves, as well as basic respect for one another In addition, Mr. Ehlert took time to meet with students to talk about Rebel Rights in the bathroom. This last week students attended bus safety training with Mr. Whiteside; he spoke about how to be respectful, responsible, and safe on the bus. In conjunction with the school staff, I would like to encourage you as parents/guardians to talk about Rebel Rights and how these rights can be used at home and in the school environment. Keep up the great work!

The High School FFA department led by Dan Dylla set up Farm Safety Day on September 28, 2022. All elementary students participated in this event and learned how to be safe around various machines found on farms and in town. There were simulations involving combines, lawnmowers, and tractors designed to illustrate the dangers that can occur around big equipment. Students were taught safety protocols to avoid accidents and were encouraged to let an adult know they are around when big machinery is in use. The Wells Fire Department and ambulance service were also on hand to discuss first aid and when to call for help in the event of an accident. Be sure to ask your students about this event.

The 6th-grade students went to the Big Island Rendezvous in Albert Lea on September 29th. The students got to move through a variety of stations throughout the day. A few of the stations were building a tipi, making a wax candle, learning about the fur trade, axe throwing, along with many other fun ones. The students learned many things about what life was like back in the day. They also got to play games like tug of war and jump rope. Before leaving the Rendezvous, students enjoyed looking through the little shops and getting some unique souvenirs.