Bridges Elementary Newsletter
November 2016
Bridges Elementary
Attendance Line: 608-643-1847
Fax: 608 643-1849
Email: questions@saukprairieschools.org
Website: saukprairieschools.org
Location: 1200 Broadway St, Prairie du Sac, WI, United States
Phone: 608-643-1800
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Happy November!
I hope this finds you all in good spirits. Bridges School has had a great first two months of school! Students are working hard following the school rules, staying Above the Line, and learning. Schoolwide, we spent extra time teaching and practicing what it looks like, sounds like, and feels like in key areas of the school (hallways, bathrooms, playground, and lunchroom). This year we incorporated video modeling excerpts into our days so that expectations are the same from classroom to classroom and all students are hearing the same message.
The safety and welfare of our students and staff are our highest priorities. We practice safety drills throughout each school year to teach students and staff how to keep themselves safe in an emergency. Emergencies can take a variety of forms (fire, weather, school safety related); therefore, in accordance with Wisconsin State law (Section 118.07), we practice to be prepared for all kinds of situations. So far this school year, we have practiced two fire drills and have had the fire department provide basic awareness to students. In the near future, we will incorporate a tornado drill and various crisis drills. The goals of all emergency drills are to improve our ability to protect students, save lives, and reduce injuries. Drills also allow us to evaluate our emergency operations plan and improve our response skills. The more we practice and think through potential situations, the more we reduce the likelihood that we will be surprised an in actual emergency.
Bus safety is also very important to our school district. The bus driver is responsible for getting our children to and from school and to and from field trips safely. Riding the bus is a “privilege” and there are things that we all can do to make the ride an enjoyable experience. To avoid dangerous situations and accidents, students must follow bus safety rules and procedures. At Bridges, we take time to talk about the rules on the bus. Please take time to discuss these rules with your son or daughter at home too. They are as follows:
Students need to listen to the bus driver, just like they follow directions from their own parents or classroom teacher. Explain to your child that drivers have to focus on the road to keep students safe.
All students must stay in their seat and sit on their bottoms on the bus seat.
No one should be moving around the bus when it is moving.
Use a quiet inside voice and only talk to the person sitting next to you.
Use kind words, hands, and feet at all times.
Follow our basic Above the Line expectations at Bridges Be a kind, safe, and helpful person on the bus.
I know that if we all work hard to ensure that our children are safe on the bus, safe getting on and off the bus, and safe at the bus stops, we will continue to have an enjoyable and safe experience riding the school bus.
Please help us at home reinforce the importance of practicing these drills, bus safety, and having an emergency plan. Thank you for your ongoing support of our students and staff.
Chanda Kulow
Principal of Bridges Elementary School
Sauk Prairie School District Elementary School Counseling Program
Notes from the School Counselor . . . Anne Uphoff
I will be back in classrooms in November. In Kindergarten, I will be focusing on problem solving through an age-appropriate curriculum called “Ask For It.” Look for the children to bring home papers showing 7 problem-solving methods they learn for how to share and talk out disagreements. In First Grade, I will be focusing on showing consideration for others’ feelings, as well as problem solving. We will use “SIMTUT” to help us remember more advanced problem-solving strategies. In Second Grade, we will be learning about the “Zones of Regulation,” which helps students learn skills in the area of self-regulation (self-control or emotional control). Self-Regulation is defined as the best state of alertness of both the body and emotions for the specific situation.
At the end of the month,
Ask your kindergartener: “What’s the right way to ask for things?”
Ask your First Grader: “What is an I Message?”
Ask your Second Grader: “What Zone are you in right now?”
I am still taking names for the holiday assistance programs (food basket, KOPS for KIDS, etc.). Please call or e-mail me if you would like your family to have an opportunity to be included. My phone number is 608-643-1842 and my e-mail is anne.uphoff@saukprairieschools.org.
Notes on Food Over School Breaks and Other Assistance Programs
In other news . . . The holiday season is coming! It may seem early to be thinking about it, but with the holidays comes many extra stressors and expenses. Planning ahead can ease the pressures that this time can bring. With this in mind, I would like to present you with some things to keep in mind.
--We know that strong families mean strong kids, so if you need help connecting with assistance programs in the county at ANY time, you could call Anne Uphoff, Bridges School Counselor at 643-1842 (or e-mail her at anne.uphoff@saukprairieschools.org).
--Local Health, Heating and Nutrition Program information may be seen at www.access.wi.gov. Access is an easy and private way to see if there are health and nutrition programs to help you and your family. You can check eligibility, apply for benefits, check benefits or report changes.
--St. Vincent de Paul Caring Tree: If a family is struggling financially, Christmas gifts (from the parents for their children) can be difficult to afford. The Caring Tree may be able to help in such a situation. Parents can start signing up in later October - the deadline is early November. You would go in person to the St. Vincent de Paul Community Resource Center, 1906 North Street, Prairie du Sac. Click on the link for an application:
http://stvdpsaukprairie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Caring_Tree_Application.pdf
--KOPS FOR KIDS or ”Christmas Elf” are local programs that helps certain families needing assistance to provide Christmas gifts for their children. If you would like to be considered for participation in either of these programs, please see the box below.
--Meals over school breaks: Local individuals with big hearts sometimes have donated money for meals for families needing assistance during school break times, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. (This is separate from the snack backpacks provided by the G.S.P.I.E. – it is more like main dish items in a grocery bag. The G.S.P.I.E. snack backpacks are a separate letter.) If you would like to be considered for this, see the box below:
If you would like to be considered to receive this bag of food for your family or be in the KOPS FOR KIDS or “Christmas Elf” Program, please call Anne Uphoff at 643-1842, send me an e-mail at anne.uphoff@saukprairieschools.org or fill out and return the portion below:
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The family of (student’s name) _________________________________________________
would like to be considered for KOPS FOR KIDS, “Christmas Elf” or a bag of food during Thanksgiving or Christmas break. **( I realize that this isn’t a guarantee of receiving assistance, as the district doesn’t know exactly what will be available. )
Parent/Guardian Name ______________________________Phone # ______________________
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KEEP PARENTING FUN
Join Paul Gasser as he presents how to use Love and Logic to enhance children’s
self control, emotional regulation, motivation and work ethic, and how to keep
parenting fun!
Paul is a Marriage and Family Therapist at St. Joseph’s in Hillsboro, Wisconsin
and an instructor for the University of Wisconsin – Platteville. His experience with
children and their families comes as a result of working for over thirty years as a
therapist and educator in the United States, North Vietnam and Russia. He currently
teaches a variety of courses for the Love and Logic Institute and the University of
Wisconsin – Platteville Continuing Education Department on the topic of child
behavioral issues. You may register through the SP community center website, or
paper registration forms are available at any SPSD school or community center.
Dates: Thursdays, November 3, 10 & 17
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Location: District Office Board Room
Fee: FREE Program #: 2932
Free childcare is available for children ages 3 and up. Pre-registration is required.
Due to space and safety concerns, childcare is limited.
Dates: Thursday, November 3 Program #: 2939
Thursday, November 10 Program #: 2940
Thursday, November 17 Program #: 2941
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
NO SCHOOL - End of Quarter 1
Monday, November 7
School Board Meetings
Monday, November 14, 7:00pm
Location: Bridges Elementary School
Monday, November 28, 7:00pm
Location: Sauk Prairie High School
NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, November 23
Thursday, November 24
Friday, November 25
Please go to http://www.saukprairieschools.org/district/HR/2016-17%20calendar%20final.pdf to see all important dates such as early release dates, school start and dismissal times, etc.
New Staff at Bridges
Hello everyone, my name is Sarah Schartner. You may recognize me from subbing, volunteering, and student teaching in the Sauk Prairie School District over the last two years. This year I am working with our Early Childhood friends as a Special Education teacher. It has been a wonderful year so far supporting Head Start and 4K students at Bridges Elementary!
In my time outside of school, I enjoy being with family, friends, and my adopted cat Murphy. This time of year is one of my favorites to spend time outside enjoying the crisp weather and fall colors. You can regularly find me with family and friends going for hikes, exploring corn mazes, relaxing around a campfire, or sitting around the kitchen table playing a game of cards. For me, it is the simple things in life that matter the most.
Having grown up on a dairy farm not far from Sauk Prairie, I developed a love of nature and the outdoors from a young age. This makes me very excited about the new outdoor learning environment being implemented at Bridges. What a great way to get students outside and exploring our natural world!
Bee Lunches for September and October
Fire Prevention Week
Math Night
Physical Education Night
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Important Phone Numbers
*PLEASE NOTE: THE ATTENDANCE LINE PHONE NUMBER IS 608-643-1847*
Bridges' Photo Gallery
District Transportation/Dismissal Procedure
Please go to http://www.saukprairieschools.org/family/transportation.cfm for all general information regarding transportation to and from school. At Bridges Elementary, it is vital that we have your child's dismissal plan in Skyward and if there are any changes that it is updated there and we are made aware of it at Bridges. We follow the dismissal plan that is in Skyward. Students will have tags on their backpacks showing their dismissal plan so the aides can easily check if there is any question. This year, the district is requiring a form that parents need to complete if there are any changes in a student's dismissal plan. This is to eliminate hand written notes and call in changes. Here are some examples of when a form is required:
If Jane is invited to a birthday party on Wednesday and she needs to ride a different bus than what she usually does, a form needs to be sent in to the office.
- If Jane is being picked up on Thursday instead of riding the bus like her dismissal plan states, the form needs to be sent in to the office.
- If Aunt Kathy is picking Jane up on Friday instead of her normal dismissal plan a form needs to be sent in to the office.
- If Jane's normal dismissal plan is that she rides the Grasshopper Bus home, but today she is riding Cherry Bus to Grand Ave, the form needs to be completed and sent to the office.
- Jack's normal dismissal plan is that he rides the Snail Bus to his home. Today he is to ride the Snail Bus to his Aunt's house down the road. Jack would need a form completed and sent in to the office.
- If your child is scheduled to be a Pick Up and someone other than you is going to be picking them up, the form needs to be sent with your child ONLY If that person IS NOT listed as an emergency contact. Please update your emergency contacts in Skyward to eliminate any confusion.
The form is accessible on the link above or below as well as in the office at Bridges. The bus driver will collect the form and will not allow transportation without one. If it is a last minute change at the end of the day you can certainly call the office and we can fill out the form for you. If you have a rotating schedule please let the office know in advance what the plan is for your child. For instance, if every month or week is different, please send in a calendar with the correct dismissal plan. Remember to mark your calendars for early dismissal dates as well. The dismissal plan for those days in addition to emergency release days, can be marked in Skyward.
Parent Opportunities
“Earn Some Cash: Saving for Christmas or a Rainy Day”
Offered the first 3 Mondays in October, November and December from 6:30 - 7:30 PM at Sauk Prairie Community Bank (608 Phillips Blvd., Sauk City). The classes are FREE and if you attend all 3 classes, they will pay you $70!! You can pick up a registration form in the Bridges office, sign up online at www.makingservicepersonal.org/learningforlife/l4lclasssignup or contacting Anne Uphoff at 643-1842. Space is limited, so register soon!
Preparing For Winter
Lost and Found
Thank you!
Volunteering and Applications
Skyward Updates
If your child has two households or even if you would like multiple people in your own household to receive general email notifications from the school, such as the monthly newsletter and lunch menu, please log in to Skyward and click on the Skylert link on the left hand side. On that page, you can now add other phone numbers, emails or text message numbers for those who would like to receive emergency messages. If you have additional questions about how to manage your Skylert notifications or need to change your log in and password, please contact Stephanie Tarnutzer at 643-1844 or stephanie.tarnutzer@saukprairieschools.org .
Each guardian has their own Family Access Skylert account. Skylert is used for:
- Emergency: bomb scares, gas leaks, etc.
- General: School schedule changes such as late start, closing early, snow day, etc.
- Low Balance: Food Service account balance is $15 or below
- Negative Balance: Food Service account balance is below $0
How do you edit your Skylert contacts?
1. Log in to www.saukprairieschools.org
2. Click on For Parents/Students
3. Click on Skyward Student/Family Access Link
4. Enter your guardian login and password
5. Click on Skylert
6. Make the appropriate changes
7. Click on Save
8. Click on Exit
Note: Each guardian will need to change their Skylert .If you need assistance, contact Jane Wood at 643-5984 or at jane.wood@saukprairieschools.org
Family/Personal Information Changes
Family Moves - To Outside the Sauk Prairie School District
When a family moves from within the Sauk Prairie School District to outside the district, students may continue to attend the school where they are currently enrolled if they qualify for a Tuition Waiver (obtain from District Office). Students who qualify for a Tuition Waiver (remainder of Current School year, Additional year, Current Year/Additional Year, or Current Year Permissive) are entitled to continue their enrollment through the waiver period. However, they are required to apply for open enrollment at the next possible time (February-April application period) that the application process is available to remain in the District for the present school year and beyond. See our website at www.saukprairieschools.org for more information or call Jane Wood, (608) 643-5984 or jane.wood@saukprairieschools.org. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
Family Moves - Within Sauk Prairie School District
When a family move occurs within the Sauk Prairie School District please notify your school office or contact Jane Wood, Student Records secretary at (608) 643-5984 or jane.wood@saukprairieschools.org with your new address. Parents may request that their elementary child attend a school other than the one in their attendance area in writing to the District Administrator. When families relocate from one attendance area to another within the District during the school year, the children affected may continue their education at their original school if approval is granted by the District Administrator. Transportation can be provided through existing bus routes or parents will provide transportation to/from school.
Medications at School
According to the Sauk Prairie School board, certain criteria must be met in order for any medication to be dispensed at school. Before any medication can be dispensed, an Authorization for Medication Administration (AMA) must be completed and returned to the school office. This form is necessary for both over-the-counter and prescription medications and requires both a parent and physician signature.
For example, if your child suffers from migraine headaches, we will NOT be able to
distribute medication to him/her without an AMA on file. Many parents picked up the AMA form at district registration. Additional forms are available at the Grand Avenue
office or online.
In order for medication to be distributed, pills must be in a prescription bottle with proper labeling. Students may carry inhalers with them, however, an AMA form must be on file in the office.
If you have any questions regarding medication distribution, please contact Pam Frey, RN for the district at 643-5509.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are becoming a more frequent health concern in our classrooms. As a result, parents notify teachers of their child’s allergies, and the teachers use that information to provide a safe snack list to be followed for the year in their classroom. We ask parents who received a safe snack list at the beginning of the year to monitor the shared snacks they are sending to their child’s classroom. If you are unsure, please contact your child’s teacher.
We also realize that many times children may want to share lunches and snacks in places other than just the classroom. For this reason, we are asking parents to talk with their children about the safety of this “sharing”. Please let your child know that some children could get very ill if they eat food that they are allergic to, and they may not even be aware that a certain ingredient that they are allergic to is in food accepted from a friend or acquaintance.
This same message may also be good to repeat when you are supervising a field trip as a chaperone. Remember, it takes a community to raise a child. Thank you for your help in this matter!
If you need access to a safe snack list, or have other questions, please contact me: Pam Frey, School Nurse pam.frey@saukprairieschools.org (608) 643-5509.
Thank you!
Pam Frey, RN School Nurse
Guidelines for Return to School After Illness
- Fever- Temperature should be less than 100 degrees for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication) before returning to school.
- Vomiting/diarrhea- Please keep your child home if he/she has vomited or had diarrhea within the last 24 hours.
- Strep throat- Student should be on prescribed medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
- Pink eye- If your child has red eye(s) and has discharge, he/she will be sent home and asked to be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Student should not return to school for 24 hours or after having used three sets of prescribed eye drops.
- Head lice- We monitor students for itching of the scalp and will check for them if we are concerned. Please notify your child’s school office if you have discovered lice and treated your child.
- Pertussis (whooping cough)- Student will be isolated from school for 5 days if confirmed case while on prescribed antibiotics.
**These are general guidelines to help promote the health and safety of our students. Please follow the recommendations of your child’s healthcare provider.
District nurses are on call for health concerns. We routinely visit each school and will visit as needed for consult. If you have concerns regarding your child’s health or changes in their health, please contact Pam Frey 643-5509 or Martha Allan 643-5628.
Head Lice
Lice are small insects about the size of a sesame seed. They are usually light brown but can vary in color. They move quickly and shy away from light, making them difficult to see. It helps to use a magnifying glass and natural light when looking for lice. Nits (eggs) are tiny, yellowish-white oval droplets attached to hair shafts; they do not come off easily and have to be combed out with a special comb or manually removed. Nits can be found throughout the hair, but are most often located at the nape of the neck, behind the ears, and frequently on the top of the head.
When lice are discovered, a head lice treatment is needed before returning to school. It is important to comb through the hair for 7-10 days following a lice treatment. During this time lice can be removed manually or with a special comb. A second treatment may be necessary if nits or live lice are still found. If you have any questions about treatment please contact your child's physician or pharmacist.
Regular screenings at home can help control the spread of head lice. Please check your child weekly throughout the entire school year. It is also important to talk with your child about not sharing items such as combs/brushes, hats, and hair accessories. Please contact Pam Frey, district nurse at 643-5509 if you have any questions regarding head lice.
School Closing/Emergency Procedures
School closings will be announced as early as possible via Skylert to families and staff members, posted on the District’s webpage, and on local television and radio stations. Information will also be available by calling the school closing line at 643-5990 #2 for a recorded announcement.
WISC Channel 3
WKOW Channel 27
WMTV Channel 15
1070 AM; 104.1 FM; 1310 AM; 101.5 FM; 96.3 FM
1400 AM; 104.9 FM; 102.9 FM
94.9 FM; 105.5 FM; 105.1 FM
98.1 FM; 94.1 FM; 106 FM; 93.1 FM; 1670 AM; 1550 AM
The local police department and bus contractor may be involved in the decision to close. Principals will also be involved in decisions to dismiss school early for emergency reasons. In the absence of the Superintendent, the decision to close school will be made by the Superintendent’s designee.
GSPIE Updates
Click here - (GSPIE) for the link to the GSPIE website. See a list of exciting events that are coming and how you can volunteer! The meeting dates for 2016-2017 are as follows:
Monday January 16 at Grand Ave.
Monday March 13 at Bridges Elementary
Monday May 15 at Grand Ave.
When: Saturday, November 5, 2016 - 7pm - 10pm
Where: Dorf Haus, Roxbury
Click here for all of the exciting details!