Northside Elementary Newsletter
December 2023
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Message from Mrs. Timmerman
It is hard to believe that we have finished three months of school and are gearing up for the holiday season. Thank you, families, for your support since school started. Our school community is truly exceptional and I am grateful to be a part of it.
5-Star Report Card Rating!
I am excited to share that we have received a stellar "Significantly Exceeds Expectations" which is a 5/5 star rating on the Wisconsin State Report Card! This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work that happens in and out of school. Our staff is top-notch and we are so lucky to have a team that creates a positive learning experience for all students. Our kindergarten through fifth-grade work and systems are impressive right now; we have amazing instruction, curriculum, systems of support, and the highest caliber of staff working together. This work is not easy and takes an incredible amount of dedication, teamwork, collaboration, willingness to never stop learning, having high expectations, and building strong relationships with all students. We are very proud of this accomplishment and hope you are as well!
Giving Back
Community service is a continuous project for our students throughout the school year because we know it is important to instill at an early age the importance of giving back to our community. Helping those in need, being a good citizen, and learning that when individuals come together for a common purpose, good things happen are values that we hope our young learners take with them when they leave elementary. This past month, our students have led a food drive for the local food pantry, raked ten of our Northside neighbors’ lawns, made cards to veterans, wrote letters for residents at nursing homes, and picked up litter and sticks around the building.
Other Highlights and Celebrations
The Monroe Excellence in Education recently awarded Northside with a grant of $14,000 for virtual reality headsets. Many grade levels just recently had their first experience with this incredible technology and were ecstatic about the reality of their adventure! We owe Lisa DeMuth, 1st-grade teacher, a huge appreciation for the idea and bringing it to our students.
Students were recently recognized for their time and effort put into reading and math over the summer. We realize that it takes a real commitment from both students and their families to accomplish their goals.
Students earned the first all-school reward which was a s’more treat with their classroom buddies. They earned this by showing thousands of actions that are associated with our behavior “look-for’s” this year such as showing self-control.
We are constantly celebrating our awesome students. These are just a few of the ways that students have received positive recognition since the beginning of the school year.
Students of the Week (this is a weekly opportunity for students to make great choices)
Happy Camper Award (this award is given to students by any staff member when they notice an “above and beyond” behavior)
Specials Awards (the awesome specials teachers hand these recognitions out at the monthly assembly)
Support Team DeMuth
Lisa DeMuth is a first grade teacher at Northside. Her husband, Dan DeMuth, was recently diagnosed with kidney cancer. The DeMuths have been an integral part of our Northside community for many years. They share three children, Maddie (freshman at MHS) Jacob and Michael (5th graders at Northside). One way you can support the DeMuth family is by purchasing a “Team DeMuth” shirt, where 60% of the sales of the shirts will go directly to the family. You can bring your order form directly to Heartland Graphics or submit your order digitally online. (See link below!)
Thank you for supporting the DeMuth family at this time.
🗓 Coming Up!
Calendar of Upcoming Events
*Please note that all events are subject to change at any time. Additional events may be added throughout the year.
December 14: PTO Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
December 18: Dress up Week Begins! Wear Velvet or Plaid
December 19: Wear Red & White
December 20: Wear Winter Wonderland White, Silver or Sparkles
December 21: Movie Day - Wear Pajamas
December 22: Holiday Sing-a-long - Wear your Favorite Holiday Gear
December 25-January 1: Winter Break No School
January 12: PTO Sock Hop 6-8pm
January 15: No School
February 19: PTO Meeting 6pm
February 23: No School
March 5: 1st & 2nd Grade Concert @ MHS PAC 7:00pm
March 18: PTO Meeting 6pm
March 21: 5th Grade District Chorus Concert @ MHS PAC 7:00pm
March 25-29: Spring Break No School
April 11: Kindergarten Circus @ MHS PAC 6:00pm
April 15: PTO Meeting 6pm
April 16: 3rd & 4th Grade Concert @ MHS PAC 7:00pm
April 25: Open House & Basket Raffle
May 6-10: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7: 5th Grade Concert & African Ensemble @ MHS PAC 7:00pm
May 17: No school current Kindergarteners (incoming K Round up day)
May 20: PTO Meeting 6pm
May 27: No School
May 31: Last Day of School (11:10 Dismissal - No Lunch)
Congratulations to Northside Campers of the Week
Why Attendance Matters:
Part of the state-issued report card includes a score for chronic absences. This is an area that has not been an area of concern over the years, but it has become an increasing trend that I hope we can work together to resolve.
While attendance may seem like a routine topic, its significance cannot be overstated. A strong foundation for your child's academic success begins with consistent attendance and punctuality.
Learning is Continuous: A school is a place where valuable knowledge and skills are acquired every day. Each class builds upon the previous one, so regular attendance ensures that your child doesn't miss essential information. This is especially true for our reading and math curriculum. Missing classroom instruction cannot be replaced. Concepts and knowledge are built upon one another each day and most often cannot be replicated.
Social and Emotional Growth: Consistent school attendance fosters social development, allowing your child to build friendships and develop essential social skills.
Good Habits for Life: Developing a habit of punctuality and regular attendance in school instills discipline, responsibility, and a strong work ethic that will benefit your child throughout their life.
Times to Know
7:50 a.m.--1st Bell (5-minute warning bell) with student entry into the building to be ready by the time the official bell rings
7:55 a.m.--Official start to the school day
Students who arrive after 7:55 will be marked tardy
**If your child will be absent or late, please call the Northside at 608-328-7134**
'Tis the Season for Holiday Dress up! ❄️❄️
In November We Have Learned To:
~Problem - solve at recess, in class and when working independently
~Problem - solve by deciding what's right and what's wrong
~Problem - solve by thinking of different ways to solve problems
The Northside Way 🏕️
The Northside Way Committee focuses on using positive behavioral strategies to help students learn and exhibit expected behaviors at school, home, and within the community. Each month the committee meets to evaluate behavior data, determine focus areas, and plan ways to reteach, reinforce, and celebrate.
Last month's behavior data indicated an increase in inappropriate language used at school. While this always includes profanity, it may also include words or phrases that may be perceived as mean or "naughty." Parents, you can help support our efforts by having a conversation with your child about language to use at school versus what may be acceptable language in your home. If you have questions about this or would like further guidance, feel free to reach out to the school counselor or school psychologist.
For the month of December, students will be focusing on the "O" in Northside P.R.O.U.D. which stands for OWN MY CHOICES. In SELF class, students learn to use a problem-solving strategy to help them own their choices:
I can Say the problem.
I can Think of solutions.
I can Evaluate consequences.
I can Pick the best solution
I can work to avoid the problem next time.
This month, students will earn superstones when they exhibit the "I CAN" statements listed above. When a student earns a superstone, they can use it to vote for the movie they'd like to see during the all-school movie on December 21st!October Camper of the Month - Katelyn Schmitz
Katelyn is one of the kindest and most caring young women. Katelyn’s smile can brighten anyone's day and she embodies positivity and enthusiasm for life. She is a genuinely compassionate person who cares about others. She is a wonderful friend to many and it's easy to see why.
Katelyn truly values her education and works extremely hard in school. She is a motivated learner and an inquisitive person who pushes herself to excel in every area. She is quiet but a strong leader in the classroom. She demonstrates leadership skills like organization and responsibility. She takes on any challenge and is determined to be successful.
Katelyn, we celebrate you for the extraordinary person you are. Thank you for being an inspiration to us all and for making our lives brighter. We look forward to witnessing your continued growth and achievements.
Mrs. Buss ~ 5th Grade Teacher
Inclement Weather Learning Plan for Students
There will be no requirements for the first and second days of inclement weather days this school year.
Beginning on the third day of inclement weather, at-home learning will be a “snow packet” that each teacher will send home. (Chromebooks will not be sent home.)
Students should spend 30-60 minutes (parent/guardians should determine an appropriate length of time based on the child’s developmental level) completing some or all of the “snow” packet.
The tasks included in the packets are a combination of practicing essential grade-level skills and practicing skills that teachers feel there is not enough time for every week.
Reading can also always be supplemented with learning tasks. Students should turn in all completed work to the teacher upon return to school.
Winter Gear Rules
December through March often bring inconsistent temperatures, where it is very cold in the mornings and then warmer temps will arrive in the afternoons. We strongly recommend that all students are prepared and have the following winter gear ready for snow and cold temperatures:
Boots
Winter coat
Hats that cover ears
Gloves or mittens that handle wet snow
Socks
Please label all of your student's winter gear
*If you need assistance with getting winter clothing for your child, please contact Amy via email or Class Dojo. amytimmerman@monroe.k12.us
Playground Winter Guidelines
Students must be wearing boots and snow pants to go into snowy areas, such as the playground equipment and fields
Students wearing boots but no snow pants must stay on the blacktop area (no blue/green playground area or fields)
Students wearing shoes (not boots) will be restricted to a smaller area on the blacktop/sidewalk area near the 4th/5th grade entrance doors. This allows for some activity and socialization.
**If conditions are dry on the blacktop with snow remaining in certain areas, students with only shoes may be permitted to play on the blacktop area. This decision will be announced by the office and is subject to change without advance notice.**
*sneakers are available when students forget to bring their shoes to school.
Click on the School Handbook for more information!!