Wolf Branch Elementary
November 2023
Dear Wolf Branch Families,
As we enter November, the month of Thanksgiving, it is time to reflect upon everything for which we are thankful and grateful. We are thankful for our Social Emotional curriculum in which our students have learned strategies to regulate their emotions. In addition, our Character Education curriculum has taught what it means to be respectful towards others.
In today's society, students are exposed to social and news media, video games, YouTube, Tik Tok, and other outlets that portray violence, disrespect, and acts of hate. Unfortunately, we have seen an increase of inappropriate student behavior reflecting hateful or threats towards others. Threats such as, "I want to kill you," or "I am going to shoot or stab you" are spoken by students without thinking through the repercussions.
Anytime a threat is spoken it is investigated thoroughly and action may be taken. Across the nation, schools are faced with this task. It is our priority to keep our students safe. Dr. Pellegrino, our school counselor, and Officer Kurt, our security officer, will be talking with the students this week about what a threat is, and that threats will not be tolerated at school.
The partnership between home and school is key. By having conversations with your child, together we can reinforce appropriate social behaviors and language. The following are some things you can do at home to help. .
Monitor and limit the amount of those negative outlets that your children are exposed to.
Talk to your children about โhome playโ vs. โschool playโ and differentiating between what may be acceptable at home vs. school. At home, we realize children may rough house with siblings, make finger-gun gestures towards them, or threaten to hurt them during play. At school, those types of behaviors are not acceptable.
Encourage them to talk to you or another trusted adult if something or someone is bothering them.
We are truly blessed with the best families and community possible at Wolf Branch.Thank you for sharing your children with us, and trusting us to join forces with each of you to help create well-rounded students. We continue to be proud and grateful to be part of the Wolf Branch community.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you want to talk further, or have questions regarding anything.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Poirot
Veterans Day Assembly
The following message was sent regarding the Wolf Branch School District annual Veterans Day Assembly by Mrs. Sommerfield last month:
The Students of Wolf Branch would like to honor our military veterans at the annual assembly on Thursday, November 9th at 9:00am. If you are currently serving or have a family member or friend who has served in any branch of the armed forces, we would like to extend an invitation to him/her to join us for the assembly. Please fill out the following form if you have a family member.
*Also, we would like to invite you to attach a photo of the veteran to be included in a slide show that is being created. Please attach the photo to this form* If you have submitted photos in the past, we should have that on file.
Please contact Ms. Guilford with any questions. (zguilford@wbsd113.org)
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Stacey Sommerfield, Middle School Principal
Wolf Branch CCSD 113
Swansea, IL 62226
phone: 618-277-2100
email: ssommerfield@wbsd113.org
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Coming Soon!
The upper elementary playground project has begun! Equipment demolition and existing playground structure removal began Monday, October 30th. Thank you PTC for making this dream a reality!
Halloween Art Contest Winners
Congratulations to Wolf Branch Elementary students Kendall and Stephanie. Both girls entered the Halloween art contest sponsored by the Swansea Park Board for the Dracula Spectacula event. Kendall and Stephanie were two of over eighty contestants representing Wolf Branch School District.
Congratulations to both girls, and thank you Wolf Branch artists for representing! We are proud of all of you!
Fall Festival Fun
JUST A REMINDER THERE WILL BE NO SCHOOL ON NOVEMBER 7, 2023!
Halloween Fun
1:45 DISMISSAL WILL BE HELD THURSDAY, NOV. 9TH FOR PARENT/TEACHERCONFERENCES
Great Character Awards
On November 2, we kicked off our monthly character assembly with help from Fredbird. Students were introduced to the new word of the month-cooperation. Not only did Fredbird participate in a game requiring cooperation, but he also helped handed out certificates to our October responsibility winners!
๐๐ Dates to Note๐๐
Nov. 6 Elementary Book Fair Begins
Nov. 7 No school, Parent Teacher Conferences, 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Nov. 7-9 Joe's Dine to Donate
Nov. 9 1:45 Dismissal, Parent Teacher Conferences, 2:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Veterans Day Assembly, 9:00 a.m.
Nov. 10 No School in observance of Veterans Day
Nov. 13 Last Day of Elementary Book Fair
Nov. 21 Kindergarten/First Grade Thanksgiving Feast
Nov. 22-24 No school, Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 2 Santa Breakfast