PAW PRINTS
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - March 8, 2019
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.
Peek At The Week: Reading/Writing
From the Principal
It is said that, “March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb.” This means that the month usually begins a little tough (crummy weather, dreams of spring break). While I saw a glimpse of hope in today's weather forecast, I also see positive changes daily in our school. Your children are working very hard!
March typically begins a period of local and state assessments that measure the growth and learning of our students (the “lion” of the spring semester). At Winfield, teachers are reflecting on their mid-year assessments and ensuring students are on track to make progress. The third quarter comes to a close in just 2 weeks! At our sister school, Jerry Ross, students will be taking the IREAD-3 assessment in the coming weeks. Testing at any grade level can cause anxiety for students, parents, teachers, and even principals. It is important to remember that the assessments are used to help benchmark where are students are, as well as plan where we must go. With that said, tests (even regular classroom ones) can be made a little more bearable by following these tips:
1. Check Your Own Anxiety– As a parent, it is natural to have the desire for your child to succeed. Remember that kids feed off their parent’s vibe. If you are panic-stricken, they will be too. Model cool and calm behavior.
2. Put It In Perspective– Ask your child how they are feeling about the upcoming test. If they are feeling fine, move on. If there are nerves, remind them that this test score is just a small piece of who they are.
3. Tweak Bedtime– If your child is not getting a full night of sound sleep, now is the time to reinforce good sleeping habits. This may mean adjusting family schedules in the evening to accommodate homework, dinner, family time, then bedtime.
4. Pump Up The Energy– Add fun physical activities. Not only will they help your child snooze better, they will produce feel-good endorphins that can release stress and boost positive energy.
-From Scholastic Parent & Child
Though progress monitoring season is upon us, these four hints are helpful at all times of the year. The state of Indiana evaluates school performance, in part, based on student achievement. It is critical that our students are prepared and perform well. Equally important, however, is that they perform to the best of “their ability”. March will certainly go out like a lamb as we culminate the month with Spring Break. After a month of working hard, we will all be ready for some play time.
Contact Information:
Jillian Alonzo, Principal
663-2287 ext. 19001
Wildcat News Network 3.7.19
Help us celebrate our GREAT TEACHERS...
It takes moments to recognize a teacher!
Students, parents, and fellow colleagues can access The Times Teacher Appreciation Form at www.nwitimes.com/forms/teachers_appreciation/ and nominate a teacher who excels in the classroom. Nominators are kept confidential…their information is not printed in the paper.
Best In Region Voting is Open!
Let’s make it ten years in a row!!! Voting for the Times Best in the Region 2019 has started. Time to vote for “Best Place to Live” Crown Point as the vote that represents Crown Point Community School Corporation. Let us make Crown Point the 2019 winner. We won 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Let’s show pride in our community and its schools for the 10th time in a row! A powerful marketing statement is a click away.
Go to http://nwitimes.secondstreetapp.com/l/Times-of-Northwest-Indianas-Best-Of-The-Region-2019 register/login, click on the “Living” category, and cast your vote. Votes are limited to one vote per award category per user, and you can vote for just this one category without completing the whole ballot.
PBIS: Positive Behavior Intervention and Support
Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Relationship Skills
The ability to form and maintain healthy relationships within diverse groups of people is an important component to a student’s social emotional learning. Students with good relationship skills are active listeners and can communicate clearly. They also can resolve their conflicts appropriately while still understanding when it is time to ask for help from an outside party. When students have strong relationship skills, they can use their conscience to veer away from unhealthy or unsafe peer pressure.
Contact Information:
Brandy Sims, Positive Behavior Coach
663-2287 ext. 19602
Book Fair Week: April 22-26
I'm gathering a team of enthusiastic, creative, and talented volunteers to help out at our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair, and I would like to invite you to help out.
Please take a moment to view our sign-up sheet to see what roles interest you. Spread the word to your friends and invite them to help us have the best Book Fair ever!
https://volunteer.scholastic.com/#/experience/login/WeJ889pLE
If you need to contact me, please use the email address below. Thank you!
Paula Poer
ppoer@cps.k12.in.us
Whistles From the Gym
Thank you to all families who helped raise money for the American Heart Association during our Kids Heart Challenge event. As of Thursday morning we have raised a little over $10,481!! Great job Wildcats. Thank you gifts for those who made donations should arrive in 3-4 weeks and will be distributed during PE class as soon as they arrive. Any questions please contact Mr. Hedl at jhedl@cps.k12.in.us or 663--2287.
Lost & Found
From the Nurse
Fighting the winter blues? Colds or flu?
Here are a few tips to improve wellness in the winter months:
- Wash your hands! Frequent handwashing is a great start to fighting the transmission of germs. Coughing into your sleeve instead of your hands is helpful also.
- Get plenty of sleep! Lack of sleep keeps our immune system from working efficiently. Adequate sleep keeps our immune system strong.
- Get plenty of vitamin C! Citrus fruits, bell peppers, strawberries, kale and broccoli are a few fruits and veggies high in vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential is keeping your immune system strong. Try to add some of these foods into your family’s daily meals.
- Stay active! An active body leads to an active immune system! Spend time some indoor time jumping rope or doing some jumping jacks instead of being snuggled up on the couch. An active, healthy body leads to a healthy immune system.
Contact Information:
Lori Taylor, Nurse
663-2287 ext. 19081
School Attendance
If your child will be absent from school, please notify the office before 9 am. You may also email: winfieldattendance@cps.k12.in.us. Please include your child's name, date of absence, and reason for absence. Please limit voluntary absences.
Attendance Goal: 97% Actual: 94.6%
Kindergarten: 93% First Grade: 95% Second Grade: 96%
School Hours 9:05 am-3:44 pm
*ALL TRANSPORTATION CHANGES MUST BE CALLED INTO THE OFFICE BEFORE 3 PM.
All children are dismissed through the car rider line. Parents do not come inside the building during dismissal. Please review the Arrival/Dismissal Map here: Traffic Map. Traffic flow has gone very well the past few days! Please remember to remain in your vehicle to speed up the flow of traffic. If your child need your assistance fastening a seatbelt/car seat, kindly pull into a parking space before your exit your car.
Note: If you are a car rider, we will provide your with a nameplate for your dashboard. Please ensure this nameplate is present every day at pickup to expedite the line.
The school office is open daily from 7:30 am-4:30 pm. If you have Transportation questions after hours, please call 219-663-1465.
HELP WANTED!
Crown Point Schools Transportation Department will start training for school bus drivers and special needs monitors in February. Full training is provided for sub bus drivers and sub special needs monitors who enjoy competitive pay, summer and holidays off and the potential for full time work. Please apply online at https://intranet.cps.k12.in.us/rdsonlineapp/default.asp
Important Dates
March
19- Spring Picture Day
22- End of Third Grading Period
25-29- Spring Break; No School
April
12- First Grade Music Program
15-17- Winfield Kindergarten Screening
19- Good Friday; No School
25- Creative Arts Fair 5-7 pm
26- Grandparent's Day
From the Cafeteria
Understanding the Lunch Line: A Parent's Guide
Meal Prices
Student Breakfast: $1.50 Student Lunch: $2.25 Milk Only: $0.40
Funding Cafeteria Accounts
- Send cash or check payable to Winfield Elementary Cafeteria in a sealed envelope with your child' name, teacher, $ amount, and "Cafeteria" clearly written on the front.
- Payments may also be made online by visiting www.mymealtime.com. The required passcode is the same as the child's Student ID in RDS.
Do you enjoy working with kids and love great hours? We are looking for new food service team members. If you are interested in learning more, please call Pam Maloney 662-6480.
Contact Information:
Polly Smith, Cafeteria Manager
663-2287 ext. 19603
Nutrition Nuggets
Students with healthy eating and exercise habits have higher test scores, better attendance, improved concentration, fewer discipline referrals, and greater overall achievement. Nutrition Nuggets shares ideas to improve nutrition and physical fitness at home. Every issue is filled with practical ideas for:
- preparing nutritious meals on a tight schedule and tight budget
- smart snacking
- finding time for exercise—and ways to make it fun
- boosting vegetables and whole grains
- making nutritious foods appealing
- physical activities families can do together
- teaching kids about healthy choices
You can access the latest edition here: Nutrition Nuggets-February
Cafeteria Menu: Week of March 11
MONDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza OR Breakfast Bar/Cereal
Lunch: Cheeseburger Deluxe OR Fruit & Granola Parfait, Baked Beans, Fresh Peppers, Mandarin Oranges
TUESDAY
Breakfast: Pancake Wrap OR French Toast Bites
Lunch: Chicken Tenders, Mac & Cheese, Lean Green Beans, Rocket Red Peppers,
Yummy Pears
WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Sandwich OR Confetti Pancakes
Lunch: Corn Dog OR Grilled Cheese, Smiley Fries, Fresh Broccoli Florets, Golden Peaches
THURSDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Burrito OR Whole Grain Donuts
Lunch: Popcorn Chicken, Rice, Oriental Sauce Optional, Tiny Tree Top Broccoli,
Crispy Garden Salad, Pineapple Tidbits
FRIDAY
Breakfast: Whole Grain Muffins OR Cereal/Poptart
Lunch: Pizza OR Ravioli, Corn, Carrot Sticks ,Applesauce, Roll
Birthday Celebrations
As a school we believe it is important to recognize students on their birthdays. To protect instructional time in the classroom and manage student health needs, we do not allow edible birthday treats in the classroom (this includes CANDY in treat bags). Your child's birthday will be announced on the morning announcements and he/she is invited to the office for a small birthday treat.
If you choose, non-food items may be substituted your child may commemorate their special day by bringing a small treat for their classmates (pencil, bookmark, sticker, etc.) or dedicating a book to the classroom (and placing a special birthday bookplate inside).
OPTIONAL: Families wishing to celebrate their child's birthdays at lunch may purchase Ice Cream Tickets for each child in the class. Tickets are $0.75 each. Please complete an order form in the office 1 week prior to birthday.
2019-2020 Kindergarten Registration
Registration is now ongoing. Please call the school office schedule an appointment. Kindergarten students must be five (5) years of age on or before August 1, 2019 in order to enroll for the 2019-20 school year. It is not mandatory for students to come with their parents to registration, but they are welcome.
The following documents are required at the time of registration:
1. Child’s certified birth certificate (not hospital certificate)
2. Immunization record
3. Child’s Social Security Card
4. Three documents from the following are required to prove residency: utility bills (NIPSCO, Water) deed or mortgage statement, or Lake County Tax Bill.
In addition, a driver’s license or state photo ID with the current address is required to prove residency.
CAFE Corner
Midwest Gymnastics
Join us on Saturday, April 6th at Midwest Gymnastics on Summit Street for a fun drop-off event. Students may be dropped off from 7-9pm for $10 and enjoy trampolines, foam pit, tumbling tracks and more! Supervision is provided by volunteers from the CAFE. Please direct any questions to Kim Neff at kimneff31@yahoo.com.
Extracurricular & Community News
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