Terrapin News
January 2023
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Hello Terrapins!
As a building, we will focus our attention around goal setting and perseverance during the month of January. Goal setting has shown to be one of the traits that is most closely associated with being successful as a person, and isn’t just a focus for adults. Goal setting not only enhances children's motivation and focus, but it also supports growth in self-discipline and self-esteem. Students will be learning that a goal is something we are trying to do, reach or accomplish. Good goals are specific and challenging but doable. We will also be working towards a common goal as a building and monitor our progress along the way. Our building goal is to read a total of 2,565 hours or 153,900 minutes. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on our building goal and consider what their individual goals would look like to help achieve the overall building goal. For more information please check out the communication that was developed by our Monthly Learning Committee. We also thought it might be fun to challenge you all to also work on goal setting and persevere as a family by working on a common family goal.
Here are some simple steps you can take as a family:
Identify a goal–discuss and write down family dreams and aspirations. Reread the list and select one or two to focus on together. Be sure the goals you chose as a family are clear and realistic.
Establish a timeframe–identify when you hope the goal will be reached along with short-term benchmarks to monitor progress.
Talk through steps to success–write down tasks or plans on a sticky note that must be completed or achieved in order to reach the family goal. Place those steps in order and when a step is achieved, be sure to mark that off on the list.
Track goal progress and celebrate successes–place a visual of the family goals in a frequently visited space so all members of the family can be reminded of their intentions and help increase motivation.
Here are a few ideas of family goals to try together:
Implement family reading time each night
Get active–incorporate some type of movement into each day
Focus on your social/emotional wellbeing by practicing mindfulness
Focus on uninterrupted families dinners
Participate in a 5K run as a family
Choose a volunteer service project
Create a family garden
Check out these other resources around goal setting and perseverance:
Happy New Year!
Michael Marincic, Principal
608-478-5101
No School - Winter Break
Monday, January 2
School resumes Tuesday, January 3
Yearbook Cover Designs Due
Friday, January 6
Crossing Guard Recognition Week
Monday, January 9- Friday, January 13
SCOTS Meeting
Tuesday, January 10
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
https://linktr.ee/TokenSprings
No School
Monday, January 16
MOD PIzza Share Day Event
Monday, January 16
4th Grade Field trip - State Capitol
Wednesday, January 18
10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
SCOTS Movie Night
Friday, January 20
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
End of 2nd Quarter
Tuesday, January 24
No School
Friday, January 27
Helpful Links
- Please visit the Token Springs website for 2022-2023 Recess & Lunch schedules
- For further details about days off this school year, please visit our 2022-2023 school year calendar
Token Springs Reminders
Door Buzzer
When visiting the school, please continue to use our door buzzer system (located at the far right of the main entrance with a red sign). This is a district-wide protocol that will continue to help ensure the right people are in our building for the right reasons. Thank you for helping to keep our students safe!
Wellness Policy
Baked goods that are served or provided in the classrooms must be purchased, not homemade, and be in a wrapper which contains nutrition information and expiration date. For more information on the Sun Prairie Area School District's wellness policy, please click on the following links: Policy JHK, JHK-R
Planning on Chaperoning or Volunteering?
Are you planning on chaperoning field trips or volunteering at Token Springs this year? Criminal background checks are now completed online. If you have not had a criminal background check completed in the last 3 years, please take a moment to fill out the online criminal background check.
Did you know?
It can take up to two weeks for your background check to be approved. If you are planning on chaperoning any upcoming field trips or volunteering in the school, please take a moment to fill out the online criminal background check so that you are ready to go when these events occur.
Stay Informed!
With winter on it's way, we want to make sure you are informed of school closures due to inclement weather. Please email our front office of any changes to your address or phone numbers listed in Infinite Campus.
For more information on school delays and closings, please visit the SPASD School Delays & Closings website page.
Winter is Here!
With colder weather soon to come, please make sure your student(s) are dressed appropriately for outside recess! Please make sure to put your student's name on anything that could be taken off at school.
- Hats
- Gloves or Mittens
- Fall/Winter Coat
- Boots (don't forget a change of shoes for afterwards
SPASD Winter Guidelines for Recess
Students will stay indoors during inclement weather or when the air or wind chill temperature is at or below 0°F. The school principal will check local weather websites for temperature and wind chill factors.
Yearbook Cover Design - Due Date Extended!
Volunteer Terrapins Program
The Volunteer Terrapin Program is in full swing. We love seeing all the families come in to help out!
Please feel free to sign up for multiple timeslots! Preview the available slots on our SignUpGenius and navigate the tabs on top to find the different opportunities available throughout the week. Once you find a slot(s), click on the button to sign up.
A reminder that all Volunteer Terrapins must complete the District Volunteer Application prior to volunteering at Token Springs. Please keep in mind that applications may take up to 2 weeks to process and you can reach out to the Token Springs main office to check the status of your volunteer application. Be sure to have your ID with you and sign in at the main office on your volunteer day and also make sure to check out in the office at the end of your volunteer time. This helps us keep track of who is in the building at any given time.
Virtual Art Fair
Each month we will be showcasing some artwork by some of our students.
Check out our talented Kindergartners!
What is SCOTS?
SCOTS or the School Community Organization of Token Springs is the Parent Group here at Token Springs. PTA... PTO... SCO... Same thing. Parents coming together to build a sense of community around our school. We organize events for afterschool, help show our appreciation to our dedicated staff, and can help facilitate things the school can't (like connecting parents via a voluntary directory).
We are a 501(3)(c) non profit. We are run by volunteers. We have a 5 member board this year (most in Sun Prairie, woot woot!), we have amazing volunteers that run Book Fairs, design Spirit Wear, create haunted houses, organize a Terrapin Trot, put together the Yearbook and so much more.
So if you have an event idea, email us at tokenspringssco@gmail.com and we will help make it happen. A Ga Ga Ball Tournament? A sidewalk chalk contest? A snowball fight? Bring the idea and we'll bring the resources and manpower to make the event happen. Our meetings happen the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 at Token Springs AND via zoom.
2022-2023 Officers
President - Amy Knock
Vice President - Kim Waetjen
Treasurer - Corine Friday
Secretary - Christy Tubbs
Parent Liaison - Brent Hyden
SCOTS Meeting
Tuesday, January 10 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
This meeting will be held in person in the LGI as well virtually via Token Springs/Zoom
Family Movie Night
Crossing Guard Recognition Week
January 9-13, 2023 is Adult Crossing Guard Recognition Week in Wisconsin. Please take a moment to thank the hard-working men and women who help ensure the safe passage of our youngest, most vulnerable children walking between home and school every day.
Bus Delays and Emergencies
Please remember that buses may be slightly delayed when we are experiencing snow and icy conditions. Anything within 5 minutes of the scheduled arrival time is considered “on time.” If your child’s bus is delayed and/or evacuated for any reason (bus breakdown, emergency, etc.) students must stay with the driver and wait for further instructions. If another bus is dispatched, students are to ride that bus and only get off at their assigned stop.
Token Springs Elementary School
Website: https://www.sunprairieschools.org/token-springs-home
Location: 1435 North Thompson Road, Sun Prairie, WI, USA
Phone: (608) 478-5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TokenSpringsElementary/
STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
No student may be unlawfully discriminated against in any school programs, activities or in facilities usage because of the student’s sex (gender identity, gender expressions, and non-conformity to gender role stereotypes), color, religion, profession, or demonstration of belief or non-belief, race, national origin (including limited English proficiency), ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, homelessness status, sexual orientation, age, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Harassment is a form of discrimination and shall not be tolerated in the District. It is the responsibility of administrators, staff members and all students to ensure that student discrimination or harassment does not occur.
(SPASD District Policy JB
If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Spanish, please contact us at 608-834-6620. Si un estudiante, padre ó guardian prefiere tener esta información traducida en Español, por favor contactenos en el 608-834-6620.
If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Hmong, please contact us at 608-834-6630. Yog tus me nyuam lub xiv los yog niam thiab txiv/tus neeg muaj cai saib xyuas tus me nyuam xav tau qhov ntawv ntawm no ua lus Hmoob, thov hais rau peb paub rau ntawm 608-834-6630.
NEW NOTICE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICIES ON SEX DISCRIMINATION, THE DISTRICT’S TITLE IX COORDINATOR, AND PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING OR FILING A COMPLAINT OF SEX DISCRIMINATION
The Sun Prairie Area School District (“District”) does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that the District operates. Title IX’s requirement not to discriminate in any education program or activity extends to cover, but is not limited to, District students, certain admissions processes, and District employment. To access the relevant policy and procedures you can go to the District’s website. For inquiries regarding how Title IX and the federal Title IX regulations apply to the District please contact the District’s Title IX Coordinator, (the Director of Student Policy & School Operations, 501 S. Bird Street, Sun Prairie, WI 53590, 608-834-6624 or by email at titleixcoordinator@sunprairieschools.org.)