Forever Endeavor
Endeavor Elementary Newsletter - April 2018
Ms. Thistle's Thoughts
Greetings!
I hope that your spring is off to a great start. All of us at Endeavor Elementary School are extremely happy to be cleaning up our hallways, as all our snow gear is being sent home until next winter. It’s springtime and there are at times puddles on the playground, so please be sure that your child has a spare set of clothes/socks in their backpack or school bin.
Throughout April we will begin our Forward Exam testing. We recently sent information regarding specific dates and times that your child will be taking the test. Please join us in encouraging your son or daughter to try the best that they can. The results of this test do matter and can be used to make determinations regarding future support. Making sure that kids get a good night’s rest and healthy breakfast before exam days always helps students. We are aware that this is just a snapshot of your child’s academics and does not determine who they are or what they are capable of in the future.
On April 18th, Endeavor Elementary students (K-5th grade) have been invited to watch the High School performance of Cinderella. We are very grateful to the HS Music Teacher, Holly Atkinson for inviting us to this special performance. Portage High School students will be performing in the musical April 19th-21st at 7:30 pm and April 22nd at 2:00 pm if you would like to bring the whole family.
Please save the date: April 20th is our Family Fun Night and Raffle Drawing from 5:30-7:30. This is always such a fun event!
I hope you and your family have a great month!
Salina Thistle
Woodridge/Endeavor Principal
608.742.3494 ext. 3002
Mark Your Calendars
April 2-19: State Forward Testing grades 3-5
April 6: End of 3rd quarter (No report cards)
April 11: Preschool/4K lunch in the gym 11:00 a.m.
April 11: PTO at 4:30
April 16: District in-service for staff. NO SCHOOL for students.
April 18: K-5 to see “Cinderella” at PHS in the afternoon. (See flyer below)
April 20: Family Fun Night - PTO RAFFLE DRAWING; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
April 25: Sharing Supper; 5-6:30 p.m.
April 30-May 6: Screen Free Week (See flyers below)
FORWARD TESTING April 2nd-19th
Please help us prepare your child for this exam. Here are some ways that you can help and encourage your child.
--make sure your child gets a good night's sleep (check out this month's Counselor's Corner)
--make sure your child has a healthy breakfast EVERY morning
--make sure your child is prepared
--remain calm and upbeat about the test
There is an ONLINE TOOLS TRAINING available for students at http://dpi.wi.gov/assessment/forward/sample-items
If you have any questions, please contact the school.
Art with Ms. Martens
Recently Mr. Hammer's class was able to learn about technology and art with the sphero ball and paint. Students worked together to drive the ball through primary colored paint and create a piece of artwork similar to the artist Jackson Pollock. They had fun taking turns creating lines with paint. Be sure to check out their murals hanging in the school!
Email: martensj@portage.k12.wi.us
Counselor's Corner with Ms. Brown
Getting a good night sleep is crucial for children. Sleep impacts learning, focus, behavior, and overall health. Our Endeavor students should be getting 10 to 12 hours of sleep every night.
Below are some great suggestions for creating healthy sleep habits for our children!
All children thrive on a regular bedtime routine. Regular sleep deprivation often leads to some pretty difficult behaviors and health problems—irritability, difficulty concentrating, hypertension, obesity, headaches, and depression. Children who get enough sleep have a healthier immune system, and better school performance, behavior, memory, and mental health.
Healthy Sleep Habits
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports the AASM guidelines and encourages parents to make sure their children develop good sleep habits right from the start.
Make sufficient sleep a family priority. Understand the importance of getting enough sleep and how sleep affects the overall health of you and your children. Remember that you are a role model to your child; set a good example. Staying up all night with your teen to edit his or her paper or pulling an all-nighter for work yourself isn't really sending the right message. Making sleep a priority for yourself shows your children that it's part of living a healthy lifestyle—like eating right and exercising regularly.
Keep to a regular daily routine. The same waking time, meal times, nap time, and play times will help your child feel secure and comfortable, and help with a smooth bedtime. For young children, it helps to start early with a bedtime routine such as brush, book, bed. Make sure the sleep routines you use can be used anywhere, so you can help your child get to sleep wherever you may be.
Be active during the day. Make sure your kids have interesting and varied activities during the day, including physical activity and fresh air.
Monitor screen time. The AAP recommends keeping all screens—TVs, computers, laptops, tablets, and phones out of children's bedrooms, especially at night. To prevent sleep disruption, turn off all screens at least 60 minutes/1 hour before bedtime.
Create a sleep-supportive and safe bedroom and home environment. Dim the lights prior to bedtime and control the temperature in the home. Don't fill up your child's bed with toys. Keep your child's bed a place to sleep, rather than a place to play. One or two things—a favorite doll or bear, a security blanket—are okay and can help ease separation anxiety.
Avoid overscheduling. In addition to homework, many children today have scheduled evening activities (i.e., sports games, lessons, appointments, etc.) that pose challenges to getting a good night's sleep. Take time to wind down and give your children the downtime that they need.
Learn to recognize sleep problems. The most common sleep problems in children include difficulty falling asleep, nighttime awakenings, snoring, stalling and resisting going to bed, sleep apnea, and loud or heavy breathing while sleeping.
Talk to your child's teacher or child care provider about your child's alertness during the day. Sleep problems may manifest in the daytime, too. A child with not enough, or poor quality sleep may have difficulty paying attention or "zoning out" in school. Let your child's teacher know that you want to be made aware of any reports of your child falling asleep in school, as well as any learning or behavior problems.
Talk to your child's pediatrician about sleep. Discuss your child's sleep habits and problems with your pediatrician, as most sleep problems are easily treated. He or she may ask you to keep a sleep log or have additional suggestions to improving your child's sleep habits.
~HealthyChildren.org
Email: brownd@portage.k12.wi.us
Library Media Center
Team members include Kaden H., Natalie B., Isaac M., and Haddie P.
Positively PTO
We have had so many great donations for the silent auction and raffle items as well. There is something for everyone.
Mark your calendars for April 20th and help support Endeavor Elementary!
MINI COURSE day is coming up at the end of May. Would you like to teach a course, or help that day? Please contact a PTO member or your child's teacher.