Meadow View Monthly Newsletter
March 2022
A Message from Mrs. Bell
Dear Otters,
Can you believe it's March already?
Today was a very special day - we had many students and families who were choosing to wear masks, and others were celebrating not having to wear masks anymore. All of our Otters were respectful and kind to each other’s family decisions. You will also see that our teachers and staff are making decisions about wearing or not wearing masks in the classroom.
Regardless of your decision, we are so happy with the idea of moving away from COVID and joining the post-pandemic times.
Here are some resources we used with students today to explain the new Mask Updates.
And now that the sun is shining more frequently, we can spend more time together! Our SCO is planning a Gymnastics Family Fun Night on Thursday March 31st. All students and families are welcome to join! And what helps make an event like this successful are our volunteers! With that being said, I encourage you to join our SCO meeting on March 15th at 6 pm at MV Elementary.
Finally, I want to share with you that we will be celebrating Women’s History Month.
Thank you so much for your support and partnership.
Un abrazo,
Mrs. Bell
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Mark Your Calendars!
Friday March 11 - No School
Sunday March 13 - Daylight Savings: Don't forget to "spring" ahead your clock!
Tuesday March 15 - SCO Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
March 21 - 25 | Spring Break
Thursday March 31 - Gymnastics Family Fun Night - more information to come.
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Masking Update
Dear Staff, Students, Parents, and Caregivers:
We previously announced that the use of face coverings will be recommended, but not required, at secondary schools beginning tomorrow and at elementary schools beginning April 4. We are writing today to announce a revision to this timeline. The use of face coverings will be recommended, but not required, by individuals inside all schools (Early Childhood / 4K - 12) beginning March 1. Masks will also be recommended, but no longer be required, on buses or by spectators at athletic events or performances.
Why the Timeline Changed:
The conditions that were the foundation of our original decisions have dramatically shifted. Since we sent our survey, the CDC has released new guidance that redefines case activity levels throughout the nation. Under those new metrics released on Friday, Dane County is considered to have low levels of COVID-19 activity. As such, public health authorities are now united in not requiring universal masking in Sun Prairie. The new CDC guidance also removes the federal mandate requiring masks on buses. This comes at the same time we have seen significant decreases in case activity. When the masking survey went out on February 15, Dane County added 256 new cases, but on February 24, there were 76 new cases.
When Masks Remain Required:
- When required by a hosting school for a competition or activity
- In the health office when displaying symptoms consistent with COVID-19 before being sent home
- When returning early (Days 6-10) from isolation after testing positive for COVID-19
Respect for Individual Decisions:
The decision to mask will be up to each individual moving forward. Please note that district staff members cannot enforce individual family masking decisions. Parents and caregivers should make their expectations clear to their students. It is critically important we respect the choices of others since each person is making their decision based on a variety of factors. Rude comments or teasing related to anyone’s choice about masks will not be tolerated and should be reported to an adult at school.
We Still Need Your Help:
- Please keep sick kids at home! Use the SPASD Student COVID-19 Symptom Screening Checklist daily!
- Utilize the district’s testing site if you are symptomatic. Please visit the SPASD COVID-19 Health & Safety Webpage for information and other resources, including the district’s COVID-19 data dashboard..
- Please review PHMDC Vaccination information and consider getting yourself and/or your child vaccinated if you have not already done so, and schedule your booster as soon as eligible.
This change represents another shift in pandemic mitigation strategy. We are relying more on the isolation of people with symptoms and vaccination as core mitigation measures, and we have decreased reliance on masking, contact tracing, and quarantine. We remain committed to other high-confidence measures to increase safety during the pandemic including testing access, handwashing, and ventilation.
We remain very appreciative of the support from our community.
Stay Well,
Brad Saron, Superintendent
Stephanie Leonard-Witte, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning & Equity
Janet Rosseter, Assistant Superintendent for Operations
Nick Reichhhoff, Director of Student Policy & School Operations
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- SCO In Need of Volunteers -
Exciting events coming soon!
We are currently discussing the possibility of in-person meetings so please be on the look out for more information.
Thank you!
MV SCO
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Student Services Update
Food Pantry
ALL Sun Prairie School families are welcome to utilize the Sun Prairie Food Pantry. They provide a FREE TAXI SERVICE to and from the pantry for families that need assistance with transportation. The pantry can be contacted at 608-478-0510. Hours of the pantry are:
Monday: 12pm - 3pm
Tuesday: 5pm - 7pm
Wednesday: 12pm - 3:30pm
Thursday: 5pm - 7pm
Friday: 12pm - 3:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 11am
Box of Balloons
This year we have the opportunity to partner with Box of Balloons. This is a nonprofit organization that is now nationwide, but started at Westside Elementary in Sun Prairie! The goal of this program is to help provide a birthday box to students that may not otherwise have a birthday party. The boxes will be themed, include items for 6 children for a party, include a gift for the child, as well as decorations. It is a party in a box! Please let me know if you think your child would benefit from this program and I will take care of coordinating the birthday box.
Attendance
I continue to work with our secretaries on attendance. With it being an unusual school year, please know that our number on priority is ensuring your student's success. Research indicates that regular attendance greatly impacts academic success starting as early as preschool and continuing through high school years. Please be sure to call the attendance li ne if your student is unable to attend learning for the day. The attendance line is 608-478-5000 and press #1. If you need to talk with me regarding a specific situation, please contact me via text, phone or email with my information that's listed below.
Resources
If you are in need of any support, such as food, clothing, or outside help, please contact me and I am happy to help in any way possible.
Kelsey Eyers
Social Worker
608.478.5020 (phone)
608.909.1454 (text)
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4K Enrollment for the 2022 - 2023 School Year
Do you have 4 year old or soon-to-be-4 year old and you want them to have a jumpstart at school? Any child who is age 4 by September 1, 2022 can register for the 22-23 school year.
1. Registration online begins February 1, 2022. Fill out this Google form on the SP4K website
2. After you complete the Google form, you will be directed to finish the enrollment process on Infinite Campus.
* Please note: Step 2 must be completed on a computer. If you complete Step 1 on a mobile device, you can find the link to Step 2 on the SP4K Enrollment page above. *
SP4K Office Contact Information
608.834.6672 | csschmi@sunprairieschools.org
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Go to www.sunprairieschools.org
- Then 'BEGIN THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS' for information on how to enroll a new student
* This enrollment is only for a child(ren) that does not currently attend a Sun Prairie 4K site *
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Moving?
Thank you!
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K/1
Kindergarten
Recess 10:45 – 11:15
Lunch 11:15 – 11:45
1ST Grade
Recess 11:00 – 11:30
Lunch 11:30 – 12:00
2/3
2ND Grade
Recess 12:00 – 12:30
Lunch 12:30 – 1:00
3RD Grade
Recess 11:45 – 12:15
Lunch 12:15 – 12:45
4/5
4TH Grade
Recess 11:30 – 12:00
Lunch 12:00 – 12:30
5TH Grade
Recess 12:15 – 12:45
Lunch 12:45 – 1:15
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Meadow View Elementary School
Website: sunprairieschools.org/meadow-view-elementary
Location: 200 North Grand Avenue, Sun Prairie, WI, USA
Phone: 608-478-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/MeadowViewElementarySPASD