Ruschies Rock Review
January 4, 2021
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Count Day! Students in attendance will receive a treat.
Wear your Rusch shirt or orange and black for school pride!
January 22
End of First Semester
January 25
No School - Inservice
February 22
No School - Inservice
March 15 - 19
No School - Spring Break
A Message From the Principal
The month of January is going to be a busy month for students! They will be busy with mid-year reading and math assessments. These assessments will give us and you an idea of your child's progress and growth at this point in the year. If you have any questions about which assessments your child will be taking, please reach out to your child's teacher.
Each teacher is also working with me to encourage reading outside of school. Be looking for information from them about the class reading goal for your child. Thank you for all that you do at home to support your child's education by reading with them and helping at times with homework.
Looking forward to 2021!
Mrs. Gulrud
Email: gulruda@portage.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.portage.k12.wi.us/schools/rusch/
Location: 117 West Franklin Street, Portage, WI, USA
Phone: (608) 742-7376
A Message from Mrs. Mann
Dear Ruschies,
Wishing everyone a safe and happy 2021. Please remember if your child is going to be out of school for any reason please contact the office and fill out an advanced absence form. If you are in need of energy assistance, please contact Renewal.
Also, Winter has arrived! Please make sure your child is prepared for outdoor recess and if you need any assistance with winter gear for your child let me know.
Love,
Dean Mann
608-742-7376 x6002
Winter Weather is Here!
Cars pick up in the car line at end of day, not on Franklin St.
We need your help with pick up at the end of the day. There are a number of vehicles still pulling up on Franklin St. and we are very worried about student safety. Young students see parent vehicles and run across the street or run to the cars without adults and not looking for oncoming traffic. Students who walk home leave from the Franklin St. entrance and also are walking right along the road on the sidewalk in front of the building and crossing the street, so we don't want additional traffic in this space.
I am asking all parents picking up students in vehicles to use the car line which enters from MacFarlane Rd. onto the recess playground and cars pull out onto DeWitt St. There is a line as parents arrive early, but the students have all been picked up by 3:05 or earlier on most days. We keep it moving so parents aren't waiting long. Thank you for your help with keeping our students safe.
The Great Kindness Challenge - January 17 - 29
Wed., Jan. 13 -Pajama Day (drop everything and read about kindness)
Wed., Jan. 20 -Hat Day (hats off to kindness)
Wed., Jan. 27 -Mismatch/Clash Day (crazy about kindness)
Guidance Counselor Mrs. Kenas will have kindness lessons for students during guidance time and there will be kindness checklists and other activities. Kindness: it costs nothing but means everything.
Closings and Delays
District families will be notified via automated phone and/or email message when there will be a delay or school closing.
Students and parents are encouraged to listen to local radio and television stations for further updates. If school is delayed for 2 hours, keep listening because school may be canceled entirely if the weather does not improve.
It is very important that your child’s school has the most current phone numbers and email addresses in order to receive messages. Call Rusch main office with changes: 608-742-7376. The first 2 snow days will be regular and if there are more, the plan is for virtual learning so we don't have to add days in June.
Thank you to the Rusch Family Pride Organization
Influenza and COVID-19
Influenza and COVID-19
Winter health may be complicated this year by the addition of COVID-19 alongside influenza. Here are a few of the similarities and differences between the two.
Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, each is caused by a different virus. COVID-19 is caused by a corona virus, SARS-CoV-2. Influenza is caused by various strains of influenza virus.
COVID-19 is thought to spread more easily than influenza. The illness is often more serious with COVID-19 than with influenza. The time it takes for symptoms to develop and how long you are contagious are longer too.
Although the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine are being provided to frontline healthcare workers and individuals in long-term care facilities, vaccine for the general population is not expected to be widely available until spring/summer 2021. Influenza vaccine is readily available now. Consider influenza vaccine to help minimize your risk and severity of disease.
Continue your diligent efforts to stop the spread of disease by wearing your mask correctly, cleaning your hands frequently, keeping at least 6 feet of space between you and the others around you at all times, avoiding gatherings, and cleaning the environment in which you live and work. If you begin to feel even mild symptoms, stay home and notify the school.
Locations where you may obtain an influenza vaccination include: your healthcare provider’s office/clinic, a pharmacy, or the local health department, in some cases.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020. Influenza. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm
Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 2020. Influenza. Retrieved from: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/influenza/index.htm