Washington Elementary
May 1, 2017
Building Students Leaders at Washington Elementary
Our efforts to support the belief that all students are leaders has only begun. In June, all staff will complete two days of training in the 7 Habits. We believe that in order to grow leaders, we must embrace and model the principles of effective leadership. I will be sharing more details in the fall about next steps.
Washington Elementary has a Leadership and Excellence Vision Team that meets monthly to provide direction for our work. Prior to June, look for a quick survey from this group that will provide a baseline of information about our current leadership culture. The vision team will use this information as we meet over the summer in preparation for the fall. Please look for ways to be involved through my communication with you in the coming months.
Important Dates...
Family Math Night: May 4, 2017 at 6-7:30pm
PTO Meeting: May 8, 2017 at 6:30-7:30pm
Two Hour Late Start: May 9, 2017
Bike/Walk to School Day: May 10, 2017
Washington Walkathon: May 19, 2017
School Picnic: May 19, 2017 at 5-8pm
4th Grade Field Trip to Farm America: May 24, 2017
5th Grade Field Trip to Charley's: May 25, 2017
1st Grade Picnic: May 26, 2017
Kindergarten Picnic: May 26, 2017 at 11:30-12:30pm
No School: May 29, 2017
Field Day: May 30, 2017
Last Day of School: June 1, 2017
National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 1-5, 2017
National Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week
Celebrate May 1-5, 2017
School Nutrition Employee Week is held every May, and provides a great opportunity to celebrate the individuals that make your schools program a success!
That's why School Nutrition Association has designated one week a year to remind everyone—directors, managers, parents, teachers and school administrators—that school nutrition employees work hard year round. And, of course, to let these professionals know you're thinking of them.Poetry Cafe
Mrs. Carlson’s first graders will be putting on a Poetry Café on Tuesday, May 16th at 1:00.
Students will read a poem they have written and also recite a poem they have chosen. Come join us for poetry, refreshments, and fun!
Habit #7 - Sharpen the Saw Lesson Shared with Students
I take care of my body by eating right, exercising, and getting sleep. I spend time with family and friends. I learn in lots of ways and lots of places, not just at school. I take time to find meaningful ways to help others. Skills developed by sharpening saw; Self Awareness, Relationship Building, Self-Discipline.
Desired Goals: I take care of myself. I learn in lots of places. I work at becoming a better person.
Students learned about Habit #7 in PRIDE Time recently. Habit #7 is the final habit a series of lesson developed and shared with students over the course of the year. Click here to hear the story shared with students. After reading the story teachers used the following questions to guide student discussion:
Discussion Questions
Why did Sophie fall asleep during class? What did Sammy think the problem was?
What did Sophie’s mom tell Sophie she needed to do to feel better?
- Just as a car has four tires, we, as people, have four parts. To be happy and healthy, all four parts need time and attention. Our four parts are-Mind, Body, Soul and Heart. Why is balancing these important?
Math Night!!
When: Thursday, May 4
Time: 6:00-7:30 pm
Where: Washington Elementary School
Theme: $$ Money $$
Dinner: Pizza will be served from 6-7 pm
in the cafeteria
Please come and share an in evening of math fun with Washington students, families, and staff! We have a wonderful evening of fun planned for the entire family!! There will be interactive math stations for Grades K-2 and Grades 3-5.
We will have presentations from two Washington parents about money, savings, and the importance of finance in everyday life. Junior Achievement will also be sharing as well. We will have money bingo throughout the evening along with door prizes. Pizza will be served in the cafeteria! Please plan to join for this great evening!
Miss Mankato Reads to Washington
Washington Elementary Art Show Was Well Attended
Ms. Wolff and her students created a master piece!
Silly Hat Making Was a Big Hit at the Art Show!
The Art Show Provided an Amazing Display of Student Talent
The Washington Math Masters
Prairie Winds Middle School Bands
- Tuesday, May 9 at 3:30-7:30 P.M. @ PWMS Music Suite
- Wednesday, May 17 3:30-7:30 P.M. @ PWMS Music Suite
For Students currently in grades five and six at Bridges, Eagle Lake, Kennedy, Rosa Parks and Washington Elementary School and Prairie Winds Middle School interested in joining band next fall.
- Students and Parents should attend together.
- You may choose the evening and time that works best with you schedule!
- If you are unable to attend either night please contact Jay Eichhorst at the email address and phone number.
- Events are "open house" style. You can come look at instruments on display, have your child try them out, speak with representatives from the Music Mart, enroll in CER's Beginner Camp, and have a "sign-up conference" with a band director.
- Even if you and your child aren't sure if band is for him or her, give it a try! The trial period for renting an instrument through the Music Mart is very economical. Participation in the musical arts had a proven, positive effect on student learning, development and achievement. This lifelong skill is also a lot of fun!
Jay Eichhorst, Director. 1200 Prairie Winds Drive Mankato, Minnesota 56001. Email: jeichh1@isd77.k12.mn.us Phone: 507.207.6031 Website: http://goo.gl/Pe3xka
Washington PTO Meeting Minutes 4-10-17
Members present: Laura Bemel, Jennifer Brunz, Shane Baier, Diane Winegar, Marni Moule, Heidi Burns, Carolina Koopmans, Chelsey Breilmaier, Stephanie Wolff, Alison Carlson, Sarah Peterson, Kyle Vanselow, Casey Neitzel, Eileen Campbell, Tracy Opie, Stacie Smith
Minutes: Minutes from March 2017 approved Carolina (1), Heidi (2)
Treasurer’s Report: Report January 2017-present (added to the end of PTO minutes)
Adjusting the Walk-a-Thon budget to include incentives for returning envelopes)
Last year about 30% students participated in walk-a-thon donations
Field trips:
Kindergarten Field Trip:
$72.00: Busing to BEC Historical Society
$67: Entry to BEC Historical Society (Marni -1, Eileen-2)
First Grade Field Trip to Children’s Museum
$227.50 – Half ticket for students and chaperones costs: “Dale Busch, the Regional Representative of the MN Corn Growers Association, has given us permission to go ahead and take part in the program and has promised to pay for the bussing and half of the admission.” (Heidi 1- Laura 2)
Second Grade Field Trip: Hubbard House tour
$72.00 Busing to Hubbard House
$66.00: tickets at $1/student (Jennifer -1 , Marni -2)
Third Grade Field Trip to Children’s Museum was funded by ISD 77
Fifth Grade: Young Writer’s Conference
$833.00: Fifth grade teachers chose to combine the following funds to pay for the fifth graders to attend the conference: $300 classroom supplies; $500 graduation T-shirts
Fifth Grade: Civil War Event Busing: $72.00
Teacher’s Report:
Casey N. helped get a donation of gum and mints for testing!
Teachers thanked the PTO for the conference meals.
Math Night Thursday, May 4 theme is Money
Guest speakers talking about personal finance, etc.
PTO needs to schedule event dates for next school year.
2nd grade-planetarium need busing costs (Heidi-1, Jennifer-2)
Second Grade is also looking to purchase new materials to coincide with revamped math standards-having guided math time daily $300 different materials to buy for next year)
Kindergarten Roundup-April 20
Principal Report
Still continuing 7 Habits in 7 minutes.
Teachers and staff will attend trainings in June and August on the habits.
Keep focused around student voice.
Students requesting tetherball and lunch room jobs-jobs in place for students
Have had requests for additional playground equipment-possibly earmarking funds over time.
Wanting to get feedback from students on what kind of Family Fun Nights they want. We need to start planning for the next school year. We need to get them on the calendar. Mrs. Sonnenfeld helped students create survey questions.
PTO Elections:
Looking for parents to fill open positions for executive board
President-
President Elect (VP?)-
Secretary-
Treasurer (co-treasurer)-
May 8 next PTO Meeting-May 1 would like to have nominations. Nominations sent to PTO e-mail
PTO Executive Board will review the By Laws
Committee Updates:
Fundraising:
Jennifer— Milk Moola check should be coming $462 should be coming
Maybe try to do a contest next fall to try to get more Box Tops ($352) and other items from students
Conference Meals: Done for the year
Book fair:
May 19 – buy one get one free
Book Fair rep is not responsive
Checking to see if we need to have a minimum number of book fairs per school year
Tracy would like to have a second person to help with book fair. Casey and Eileen may be interested in helping with book fair.
We need to schedule dates for next school year
Kindergarten Roundup:
April 20- 4:30 & 6:30 Carolina is in charge of this event.
Has goldfish bags for kiddos
Heidi will do the talking to the parents
Walk a Thon:
Carolina and Marni are going to work on donations for the Walk a Thon
Finalize walk times:
Mentor/Mentee grades
Times 1:45-2
Incentives – grade levels and whole school
5 whole school incentives
Each grade goal is $2000
Dress up days during the week of the walk
Student council will make signs to advertise outside and for the walls inside the school-Carlson Craft donated the cardstock posterboard
Carolina and Marni have been trying to contact businesses to obtain donations; some corporate donations have already been donated
K-2 will have student council to come to the classrooms to talk about the Walk-a-Thon
Yearbook:
Sarah Peterson doing sales
Stephanie Wolff is doing the artistic-layout, etc.
Needs to be submitted to printer by April 21
April 20 is the due date for the families to return forms and money.
Educare Basket:
Picnic Basket/BBQ theme - May 12 event
Carolina K. has assembled the basket
Family Fun Nights:
April 28- Art show
May 4-Math Night
May 19 End of the Year Picnic
Other Events and Appreciation:
Teacher/Staff Appreciation week in May-Carolina has a plan but didn’t share it because teachers were present.
May 30 is Field Day
Meeting adjourned
Next Meeting: May 8, 2017; 6:30 p.m. in the Washington Media Center/Library