PAW PRINTS
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - April 21, 2019
Winfield Elementary School Improvement Goals
All students will demonstrate measurable growth and achievement in reading.
All students will demonstrate measurable growth and achievement in mathematics.
All students will demonstrate growth in their social-emotional learning.
From the Principal
It has been so busy since we returned from Spring Break, and this past week was no exception! We screened almost 100 kindergarten students for the Fall, hosted the AdvancED Accreditation Team during their visits to CPCSC, and put hard work into our Creative Arts and Grandparent's Day projects. This week we have many exciting events planned as well. We hope you will join us for some, or all!
Monday-Friday: Scholastic Book Fair
Thursday: Creative Arts Fair (see invite below!)
Friday: Grandparent’s Day (9:30- Grade 2) (11:30- First Grade) (1:30- Kindergarten)
If you’ve not joined us for the Creative Arts Fair in the past, I encourage to come this year! It’s a fun no-cost event for families! Kids love showing off their talents, and who doesn't love an ice-cream sundae?
We are taking donations of Baked Goods for our Grandparent’s Day refreshments. If you can send something in, please do so on Thursday. You can even drop it off at the Creative Arts Fair! We also still needvolunteers for each session to help serve goodies, manage the parking lot, and direct folks in the hallways. Sign up here: Grandparent's Day
Contact Information:
Jillian Alonzo, Principal
663-2287 ext. 19001
Wildcat News Network 4.18.19
Help us celebrate our GREAT TEACHERS...
It takes moments to recognize a teacher!
Students, parents, and fellow colleagues can access The Times Teacher Appreciation Form at www.nwitimes.com/forms/teachers_appreciation/ and nominate a teacher who excels in the classroom. Nominators are kept confidential…their information is not printed in the paper.
Home-School Connections
Spring is here and with spring comes new sports and activities, thoughts of the next grade or new school. These can increase worry in children especially those with a heightened anxiety level. There is not a clear cause at this point on why there is an increase in childhood anxiety across families. I wanted to share this article as it explains anxiety and some of the signs and difficulties that come about if it is ignored.
Everyone has anxiety/stress at some time or another but it looks different and the duration is unique to each person. Stress/anxiety is essential to growth but it needs to have a up and down pattern. Some of our children never quite release their anxiety and it becomes a way of living. It is important that as parents we advocate for our children and give others that work with them helpful strategies other than “they get nervous”. Make it specific to your child on what you have seen helps and work. Often our nervous or anxious kids will put on a exterior and keep it together in front of others but then lose control when they are at home.
https://childmind.org/article/detecting-childhood-anxiety/
A sample message to a caregiver, coach, or teacher:
My daughter can become very nervous about new changes or new people and often will not verbalize this to anyone. Signs she is nervous are:
1. She will not respond to verbal prompts. She will refuse to talk
2. Her attitude will change to a negative or disrespectful tone.
3. She will not move and appears frozen.
4. If she is crying that means she is scared and her fear has gotten the best of her.
Strategies to help her cope are:
1. Remind her to breathe
2. Let her know you will be there when she is ready to tell you what is wrong.
3. Do not force her to move or talk as this will intensify it.
4. Reminding her that she is ok and check in on her.
5. Don’t take it personally or use punitive measure to try and motivate her as that will cause more distress.
6. Even if the cause of the anxiety does not make sense it is a big deal to her and she is internally trying to regulate herself by freezing, not talking, or crying and she may need some extra compassion.
Contact Information:
Kelly Mucha, Home-School Facilitator
663-2287 ext. 19108
PBIS: Positive Behavior Intervention and Support
Dear Families,
Your child's safety is important in and out of school. That's why I'm sharing this resource from Committee for Children, the organization that makes the Second Step social-emotional learning program.
Research shows that talking to your kids about about various types of abuse can help keep them safe.. This is a scary subject, but talking about it shouldn't be. HotChocolateTalk.org is a free, research-based resource that provides the facts, tips, and talking points that can help you start this critical safety conversation.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Learn how you can help prevent abuse at HotChocolateTalk.org.
Contact Information:
Brandy Sims, Positive Behavior Coach
663-2287 ext. 19602
Book Fair Week: April 22-26
Our Spring Book Fair is right around the corner. The Book Fair will run Monday, April 22nd thru Friday, April 26th. With a special evening shopping event scheduled on Thursday, April 25th from 5:00-7:00 pm with our Creative Arts Fair. Please stop by and check out the great selection of books at our Scholastic Book Fair. We hope to see all of you there!
Contact Information:
Paula Poer, Media Specialist
663-2287 ext. 19111
Junior Achievement Volunteers!
Have fun while bringing real life experiences to our students this spring! Junior Achievement focuses on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship and provides all the tools you’ll need for a great experience. You’ll just need to commit to about 1 hour per week for 5 weeks. You’ll coordinate a time that works best for you and your assigned teacher. New volunteers will participate in a one hour orientation/training prior to program start.
VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL NEEDED IN THE FOLLOWING CLASSES:
Kindergarten: Barta, Eastling, Murzyn, Sassman
First Grade: Mains, Miller
Second Grade: Bartochowski, King, Morey, Wheatley
Questions or like to attend the training? Contact our JA Representative, Mary Burke mburke@jachicago.org or 219-276-5055. Thank you for making a difference!
From the Nurse
State mandated hearing screenings will take place on April 24th and 25th for all 1st grade students. Screening will be done at school, during class time by me. Any student not passing the screening will be referred for further evaluation. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding these screenings.
Contact Information:
Lori Taylor, Nurse
663-2287 ext. 19081
School Attendance
If your child will be absent from school, please notify the office before 9 am. You may also email: winfieldattendance@cps.k12.in.us. Please include your child's name, date of absence, and reason for absence. Please limit voluntary absences. Our Attendance Goal to be an "A" rated, 4 Star School is 97%!
School Hours 9:05 am-3:44 pm
*ALL TRANSPORTATION CHANGES MUST BE CALLED INTO THE OFFICE BEFORE 3 PM.
All children are dismissed through the car rider line. Parents do not come inside the building during dismissal. Please review the Arrival/Dismissal Map here: Traffic Map. Traffic flow has gone very well the past few days! Please remember to remain in your vehicle to speed up the flow of traffic. If your child need your assistance fastening a seatbelt/car seat, kindly pull into a parking space before your exit your car.
Note: If you are a car rider, we will provide your with a nameplate for your dashboard. Please ensure this nameplate is present every day at pickup to expedite the line.
The school office is open daily from 7:30 am-4:30 pm. If you have Transportation questions after hours, please call 219-663-1465.
HELP WANTED!
Crown Point Schools Transportation Department will start training for school bus drivers and special needs monitors in February. Full training is provided for sub bus drivers and sub special needs monitors who enjoy competitive pay, summer and holidays off and the potential for full time work. Please apply online at https://intranet.cps.k12.in.us/rdsonlineapp/default.asp
Important Dates
April
22-26- Book Fair
25- Creative Arts Fair 5-7 pm
26- Grandparent's Day
29- mCLASS Testing Begins
From the Cafeteria
Understanding the Lunch Line: A Parent's Guide
Meal Prices
Student Breakfast: $1.50 Student Lunch: $2.25 Milk Only: $0.40
Funding Cafeteria Accounts
- Send cash or check payable to Winfield Elementary Cafeteria in a sealed envelope with your child' name, teacher, $ amount, and "Cafeteria" clearly written on the front.
- Payments may also be made online by visiting www.mymealtime.com. The required passcode is the same as the child's Student ID in RDS.
Do you enjoy working with kids and love great hours? We are looking for new food service team members. If you are interested in learning more, please call Pam Maloney 662-6480.
Contact Information:
Polly Smith, Cafeteria Manager
663-2287 ext. 19603
Nutrition Nuggets
Students with healthy eating and exercise habits have higher test scores, better attendance, improved concentration, fewer discipline referrals, and greater overall achievement. Nutrition Nuggets shares ideas to improve nutrition and physical fitness at home. Every issue is filled with practical ideas for:
- preparing nutritious meals on a tight schedule and tight budget
- smart snacking
- finding time for exercise—and ways to make it fun
- boosting vegetables and whole grains
- making nutritious foods appealing
- physical activities families can do together
- teaching kids about healthy choices
You can access the latest edition here: Nutrition Nuggets: April.
Cafeteria Menu: Week of April 22
MONDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza OR Breakfast Bar/Cereal
Lunch: Cheeseburger Deluxe OR Fruit & Granola Parfait, Baked Beans, Fresh Peppers, Mandarin Oranges
TUESDAY
Breakfast: Pancake Wrap OR French Toast Bites
Lunch: Chicken Tenders, Mac & Cheese, Lean Green Beans, Rocket Red Peppers, Yummy Pears
WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Sandwich OR Confetti Pancakes
Lunch: Corn Dog OR Grilled Cheese, Smiley Fries, Fresh Broccoli Florets, Golden Peaches
THURSDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Burrito OR Whole Grain Donuts
Lunch: Popcorn Chicken, Rice, Oriental Sauce Optiona,l Tiny Tree Top Broccoli, Crispy Garden Salad, Pineapple Tidbits
FRIDAY
Breakfast: Whole Grain Muffins OR Cereal/Poptart
Lunch: Pizza OR Ravioli,Corn, Carrot Sticks, Applesauce, Roll
Birthday Celebrations
As a school we believe it is important to recognize students on their birthdays. To protect instructional time in the classroom and manage student health needs, we do not allow edible birthday treats in the classroom (this includes CANDY in treat bags). Your child's birthday will be announced on the morning announcements and he/she is invited to the office for a small birthday treat.
If you choose, non-food items may be substituted your child may commemorate their special day by bringing a small treat for their classmates (pencil, bookmark, sticker, etc.) or dedicating a book to the classroom (and placing a special birthday bookplate inside).
OPTIONAL: Families wishing to celebrate their child's birthdays at lunch may purchase Ice Cream Tickets for each child in the class. Tickets are $0.75 each. Please complete an order form in the office 1 week prior to birthday.
2019-2020 Kindergarten Registration
Registration is now ongoing. Please call the school office schedule an appointment. Kindergarten students must be five (5) years of age on or before August 1, 2019 in order to enroll for the 2019-20 school year. It is not mandatory for students to come with their parents to registration, but they are welcome.
The following documents are required at the time of registration:
1. Child’s certified birth certificate (not hospital certificate)
2. Immunization record
3. Child’s Social Security Card
4. Three documents from the following are required to prove residency: utility bills (NIPSCO, Water) deed or mortgage statement, or Lake County Tax Bill.
In addition, a driver’s license or state photo ID with the current address is required to prove residency.
CAFE Corner
2019-2010 CAFE Volunteer Callout
CAFE Parent Meeting Thursday, May 2nd! We will be having a parent volunteer call out meeting for the 2019-2020 school year for our volunteer organization: Community Advocates For Education. We will meet at 6 p.m. in the Jerry Ross cafeteria. The purpose of the meeting is to match volunteers with their desired activities and committees for the upcoming school year. More information will be shared next week. Please join us! Save the Date! May 2nd at 6 p.m. in the Jerry Ross cafeteria.
McSchool Night is April 23rd!
Join us at the Winfield McDonald's on Tuesday the 23rd from 5-8 pm for our monthly McSchool Night. 15% of the proceeds from the evening are donated back to the Winfield/Jerry Ross Cafe! Also this month...the CLASSROOM with the highest student participation at McSchool Night will win a Happy Meal Lunch for the students! Please contact Mrs. Amanda King with any questions at aking@cps.k12.in.us.
Midwest Gymnastics
LAST ONE OF THE YEAR? Join us on Saturday, May 4th at Midwest Gymnastics on Summit Street for a fun drop-off event. Students may be dropped off from 7-9pm for $10 and enjoy trampolines, foam pit, tumbling tracks and more! Supervision is provided by volunteers from the CAFE. Please direct any questions to Kim Neff at kimneff31@yahoo.com.
Extracurricular & Community Offerings
Winfield Elementary
Email: jalonzo@cps.k12.in.us
Website: www.cps.k12.in.us/Domain/843
Location: 13128 Montgomery Street, Crown Point, IN, United States
Phone: 219-663-2287
Twitter: @WinfieldElem