Bridges Elementary
April 2018 Newsletter
District Website: www.saukprairieschools.org
Facebook: Bridges Elementary Facebook Page
24-Hour Attendance Line: (608) 643-1847
Fax: (608) 643-1849
Bridges' Office Staff
Chanda Kulow, Principal
(608) 643-1845 chanda.kulow@saukprairieschools.org
Stephanie Tarnutzer, Secretary
(608) 643-1844 stephanie.tarnutzer@saukprairieschools.org
Jody Kapp, Secretary
(608) 643-1843 jody.kapp@saukprairieschools.org
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Dear Bridges Families and Guardians,
It is that time of year already! The time of year when we begin to prepare for next school year. Please go to the following link to give your feedback from the school year to help us prepare for next year.
Click here for the survey.
This is also the time of year in which we plan classrooms for next year. Fourteen of our kindergarten through grade two classrooms having teaming options. This means two teachers have the option of working together during lessons. Some teachers have a relationship where they co-teach every lesson and some teachers have a relationship where they co-teach some lessons. Bridges school supports a team and collaboration model. This model supports two very important skills that need to be secure upon our children’s graduation, communication and collaboration.
Another model used is looping:
Looping classrooms: We have four classrooms that will be looping to the next grade next year. A looping classroom is a class where the teacher and students from one school year remain together for a second consecutive school year. Looping classrooms have been a positive teaching practice for many years in our school district. If your child's teacher is asked to loop for the following year, parents always have the option to request a different classroom placement for year two of the loop. It is not mandatory that all students remain in the looping classroom for the second year. For the 2018-19 school year, the looping option is available only in Mrs. Brings and Mrs. N. Larson’s classrooms, going from kindergarten to grade one.
Lastly, I would like to share the teachers who will be at each grade level. I have noted when a teacher has a teaming option with the next door classroom. Again this information is only for communication. Requests for teachers/placements will not be taken.
Kindergarten Teachers:
Kim Considine
Shannon Krigbaum who teams with Leslie Tukiendorf
Tara Frey who teams with Jessica VandeHey
Grade One Teachers:
Ryan Berahn
Sarah Brings who teams with Nyree Larson
Lisa Ducke
Amanda McFarlane
Nicole Volp
Grade Two Teachers:
Mary Holler
Jennifer Diaz-Tegen
Teanna Dosch who teams with Carla Peterson
Laura Moher
Janea Sailing
Darcy Wirebaugh
I am hoping that you are feeling informed with all of this information being passed along. If you would like to discuss anything on your mind, feel free to contact me further.
Sincerely,
Chanda Kulow
Principal of Bridges Elementary
CALENDAR
School Board Meetings
Monday, April 9
7 PM
Community Center
Monday, April 23
7 PM
District Office
Summer School Online Registration
Opens Wednesday, April 4, 6 PM
Closes Monday, May 14, 10 PM
Classes close as they are filled.
http://www.saukprairieschools.org/community/summer-school.cfm
Nurtured Heart Approach
Six Week Parent Education Course
Mondays, April 16 to May 21
6:00 to 8:00pm
Bridges Elementary
Questions?/RSVP to Stephanie (608) 643-1844.
Early Dismissal
Wednesday, April 18
Elementary 1:30 PM
MS & HS 1:50 PM
**NO K4 AM or PM Early Childhood**
Last Day of 4K ONLY
Friday, June 1st
All-Aboard 4K
Classroom Observations
Incoming 2018/2019 4K Students
Tuesday, June 5th
Wednesday, June 6th
Watch for postcard mailer from Cathy Stowers, district office
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Calendar Correction
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Six Week Parent Education Course
Hello from Heather Reader, your friendly Bridges Behavior Coach!
I'd like to share with you some of my favorite philosophies regarding kids and behavior, and websites where you can learn more.
Dr. Ross Greene answers the question, "Why are challenging kids challenging?"
Because they're lacking the skills not to be challenging. If they had the skills, they wouldn't be challenging. That's because – and here is perhaps the key theme of the model -- Kids do well if they can. And because (here's another key theme) Doing well is always preferable to not doing well (but only if a kid has the skills to do well in the first place). This, of course, is a dramatic departure from the view of challenging kids as attention-seeking, manipulative, coercive, limit-testing, and poorly motivated. It's a completely different set of lenses, supported by research in the neurosciences over the past 30-40 years, and it has dramatic implications for how caregivers go about helping such kids.
Learn more about Dr. Ross Greene and his work at:
https://www.livesinthebalance.org/
http://drrossgreene.com/index.htm
Howard Glasser, founder of The Nurtured Heart Approach, believes "Children do not awaken by the fear of punishment, they awaken to their greatness!" To learn more about this methodology and the positive impact it can have on children and adults alike, go to https://childrenssuccessfoundation.com/
Also, consider coming and learning more about it right here at Bridges!
Mondays, 6:00-8:00pm, April 16 - May 21
Bridges Elementary
Presenters: Chanda Kulow Ed.D., Principal and Heather Reader MSW, Behavior Coach
Call Stephanie at (608) 643-1844 to book your spot for this FREE course.
The Nurtured Heart Approach is a relationship-focused methodology founded strategically in "The 3 Stands" for helping children (and adults) build Inner Wealth and use their intensity in successful ways. It has become a powerful way of awakening the inherent greatness in all children while facilitating parenting and classroom success. The essence of NHA is a set of core methodologies originally developed for working with the most difficult children. It has a proven impact on every child, including those who are challenged behaviorally, socially, and academically.
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Notes from The School Counselor
"I hate my life.”
"I wish I'd never been born"
It can be distressing for parents to hear their children say these things, but even young children make these statements sometimes. Here are some steps you can take if you have heard your child make strong statements such as these:
1. Try not to panic. Many children say something like this at some point, it is not uncommon. It does not necessarily mean your child is depressed (they may be, but it's not a definitive sign) nor does it doesn't mean there is something else wrong with them.
2. Don't tell them off or get upset - empathize instead. Don't get mad, don't lecture them about why they should not be sad. Telling children off for talking about how bad they feel can sometimes make them feel more ashamed, and more unhappy. Instead, empathize. Say: "I'm so sorry you feel so bad", "I wish you felt better", "I'm really sorry you are hurting so much" or something similar.
2. Take time to find out thoughts and reasons for their distress. It is important to try to find out details about what the child is upset about. Gently ask a few questions, such as: (1) What is the worst thing about this? (2) What do you think about when you feel upset? Or (3) What do you wish was better? Don't interrogate the child by asking more questions than they seem comfortable asking. Also remember to pick your time to ask questions (you may need to wait until they are calm).
4. Try to help them to express their feelings in other ways. - "I hate my life" thoughts are often about children telling us they feel really distressed - and this is the only way they can fully express their feelings. If children can slowly learn to express this distress with more detail, and in other ways - then we can help them more effectively. Gradually help children learn to use different types of "emotion words" and a reason for these emotions. For example: "It sounds like you are feeling ...........does that sound right?" You could also give them other ways to express their emotions, such as offering to squish some play doh, jump on the trampoline, or draw a picture about how they feel.
6. Check on Safety - Although it is important to know that not every child who says "I hate my life" has mental or emotional health problems - it is also useful to consider getting help as an option if it seems like part of a long-term pattern. Children with strong emotions often benefit from counseling or support from others, as do their parents. Speak to your doctor, a school counselor or your child’s teacher.
Anne Uphoff
Bridges' School Counselor
(608) 643-1842
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Back to School Kits
GSPIE is excited to offer prepackaged school supply kits for sale again this year (with a new company that offers shipping to home as an option). The sale will run April 16 through May 4. Watch for details for the online orders later this month.
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Bridges' Photo Gallery
Dr. Seuss "Read Across America" Week
Youth Art Month Celebrates Creative Expression
Youth Art Month
Blast off to Creativity!
Oobleck Ooze
Old-fashioned Treat
Field Trip Time
Making Tracks
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Cubby Call!
Thank you for making sure your child's cubby always has a change of spare clothes.
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Tell them you found it on www.saukprairieschools.org
1) BRIDGES' LUNCH MENU
No need to email! The lunch menu for each grade level is posted every month on the district's website.
Path: District > Business Operations > Food Service
Link: http://www.saukprairieschools.org/district/food-service.cfm
2) MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION FORM
Need the school to dispense a medication to your child, but don't have a form for your doctor to fill out? It's on the school's website! You can print it out from home, take it to your appointment, and bring it to the school, or fill it out at your Dr's office and have them fax it to us at (608) 643-1849.
Path: Families > Health/Nursing > Medication & Procedure Consent Form
Link: http://www.saukprairieschools.org/families/health-nursing.cfm
3) DISMISSAL CHANGE/BUS FORM
Is your child going home a different way than their normal dismissal plan? Please print out a dismissal change form and send it to school with them, making certain they know to give the form to the front office before 2:00 PM on the date of dismissal change.
Path: Families > Transportation > Dismissal Change Or Bus Request (far right column)
Link: http://www.saukprairieschools.org/families/transportation.cfm
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GUIDELINES FOR RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER ILLNESS
- Fever Temperature should be less than 100 degrees for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication) before returning to school.
- Vomiting/diarrhea Please keep your child home if he/she has vomited or had diarrhea within the last 24 hours.
- Strep throat Student should be on prescribed medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
- Pink eye If your child has red eye(s) and has discharge, he/she will be sent home and asked to be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Student should not return to school for 24 hours or after having used three sets of prescribed eye drops.
- Head lice We monitor students for itching of the scalp and will check for them if we are concerned. Please notify your child’s school office if you have discovered lice and treated your child.
- Pertussis (whooping cough) Student will be isolated from school for 5 days if confirmed case while on prescribed antibiotics.
**These are general guidelines to help promote the health and safety of our students. Please follow the recommendations of your child’s healthcare provider.
District nurses are on call for health concerns. We routinely visit each school and will visit as needed for consult. If you have concerns regarding your child’s health or changes in their health, please contact Laura Cody 643-5509 or Martha Allan 643-5628.
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Stay in Touch
Attendance
1) Please call the Bridges Elementary Attendance Line
643-1847 by 8:00 AM any time your child will be absent or late to school. This is a 24-hour message line.
2) Or send an email. Please include both office secretaries (jody.kapp@saukprairieschools.org and stephanie.tarnutzer@saukprairieschools.org) when emailing your child’s teacher about absences, health concerns, or any issue that needs immediate attention. There are times when a teacher may be absent / unable to receive your message, and it will not be received in a timely manner unless both office staff are included as well.
3) In keeping with our safe arrival policy, the school will contact you if your child is absent and we have not received a call or note from you concerning your child’s absence.
Dismissal/Early Pick-up
Please phone the school or send a note with your child if you will be picking them up early. If your child will be leaving before dismissal, it is necessary for you to come to the office to sign your child in/out for the day.
Excused Absence
If your student is absent due to a professional appointment, the absence can be excused so that it does not count against your child's attendance. To excuse these absences, please provide the school with an appointment card or note from your appointment. Professional appointments include doctor, dental, counseling or other similar appointments. See pages 22 and 23 of the Sauk Prairie School District handbook for more detailed information about what constitutes an excused absence.
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Daily Schedule
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The school day begins at 8:00 AM. Please arrive on time.
*Anyone arriving after 8:10 AM will be considered tardy.*
Please arrive through the main office as all other doors will automatically lock at 8:10.
4-Year-Old Kindergarten:
Morning: 8:00 to 10:50 AM
Afternoon: 12:15 to 3:05 PM
K-2 Lunch:
Kindergarten
Lunch: 11:10 AM to 11:40 AM
Recess: 11:40 AM to 12:00 PM
First Grade
Lunch: 11:45 AM to 12:10 PM
Recess: 12:10 PM to 12:30 PM
Second Grade
Lunch: 12:15 PM to 12:40 PM
Recess: 12:40 PM to 1:00 PM
K-2 Daily Recess:
Kindergarten: 10:00 AM to 10:20 AM
1st Grade: 1:25 PM to 1:45 PM
2nd Grade: 1:50 PM to 2:10 PM
Dismissal:
3:05 PM for walkers/pick-ups and pink bus bell
3:08 PM for After School Club students and blue bus bell
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DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION/DISMISSAL PROCEDURE
Please go to http://www.saukprairieschools.org/families/transportation.cfm for all general information regarding transportation to and from school. At Bridges Elementary, it is vital that we have your child's dismissal plan in Skyward and if there are any changes that it is updated there and we are made aware of it at Bridges. We follow the dismissal plan that is in Skyward. Students will have tags on their backpacks showing their dismissal plan so the aides can easily check if there is any question. This year, the district is requiring a form that parents need to complete if there are any changes in a student's dismissal plan. This is to eliminate hand written notes and call in changes. Here are some examples of when a form is required:
If Jane is invited to a birthday party on Wednesday and she needs to ride a different bus than what she usually does, a form needs to be sent in to the office.
- If Jane is being picked up on Thursday instead of riding the bus like her dismissal plan states, the form needs to be sent in to the office.
- If Aunt Kathy is picking Jane up on Friday instead of her normal dismissal plan a form needs to be sent in to the office.
- If Jane's normal dismissal plan is that she rides the Grasshopper Bus home, but today she is riding Cherry Bus to Grand Ave, the form needs to be completed and sent to the office.
- Jack's normal dismissal plan is that he rides the Snail Bus to his home. Today he is to ride the Snail Bus to his Aunt's house down the road. Jack would need a form completed and sent in to the office.
- If your child is scheduled to be a Pick Up and someone other than you is going to be picking them up, the form needs to be sent with your child ONLY If that person IS NOT listed as an emergency contact. Please update your emergency contacts in Skyward to eliminate any confusion.
The form is accessible on the link above or below as well as in the office at Bridges. The bus driver will collect the form and will not allow transportation without one. If it is a last minute change at the end of the day you can certainly call the office and we can fill out the form for you. If you have a rotating schedule please let the office know in advance what the plan is for your child. For instance, if every month or week is different, please send in a calendar with the correct dismissal plan. Remember to mark your calendars for early dismissal dates as well. The dismissal plan for those days in addition to emergency release days, can be marked in Skyward.
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MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL
According to the Sauk Prairie School board, certain criteria must be met in order for any medication to be dispensed at school. Before any medication can be dispensed, an Authorization for Medication Administration (AMA) must be completed and returned to the school office. This form is necessary for both over-the-counter and prescription medications and requires both a parent and physician signature.
For example, if your child suffers from migraine headaches, we will NOT be able to
distribute medication to him/her without an AMA on file. Many parents picked up the AMA form at district registration. Additional forms are available at the Grand Avenue
office or online.
In order for medication to be distributed, pills must be in a prescription bottle with proper labeling. Students may carry inhalers with them, however, an AMA form must be on file in the office.
If you have any questions regarding medication distribution, please contact Laura Cody, District Nurse, 643-5509.
VOLUNTEERING AND APPLICATIONS
SKYWARD UPDATES
If your child has two households or even if you would like multiple people in your own household to receive general email notifications from the school, such as the monthly newsletter and lunch menu, please log in to Skyward and click on the Skylert link on the left hand side. On that page, you can now add other phone numbers, emails or text message numbers for those who would like to receive emergency messages. If you have additional questions about how to manage your Skylert notifications or need to change your log in and password, please contact Stephanie Tarnutzer at 643-1844 or stephanie.tarnutzer@saukprairieschools.org .
Each guardian has their own Family Access Skylert account. Skylert is used for:
- Emergency: bomb scares, gas leaks, etc.
- General: School schedule changes such as late start, closing early, snow day, etc.
- Low Balance: Food Service account balance is $15 or below
- Negative Balance: Food Service account balance is below $0
How do you edit your Skylert contacts?
1. Log in to www.saukprairieschools.org
2. Click on For Parents/Students
3. Click on Skyward Student/Family Access Link
4. Enter your guardian login and password
5. Click on Skylert
6. Make the appropriate changes
7. Click on Save
8. Click on Exit
Note: Each guardian will need to change their Skylert .If you need assistance, contact Jane Wood at 643-5984 or at susan.oneil@saukprairieschools.org
FAMILY/PERSONAL INFORMATION CHANGES
FAMILY MOVES - TO OUTSIDE THE SAUK PRAIRIE SCHOOL DISTRICT
When a family moves from within the Sauk Prairie School District to outside the district, students may continue to attend the school where they are currently enrolled if they qualify for a Tuition Waiver (obtain from District Office). Students who qualify for a Tuition Waiver (remainder of Current School year, Additional year, Current Year/Additional Year, or Current Year Permissive) are entitled to continue their enrollment through the waiver period. However, they are required to apply for open enrollment at the next possible time (February-April application period) that the application process is available to remain in the District for the present school year and beyond. See our website at www.saukprairieschools.org for more information or call Susan O'Neil, (608) 643-5984 or susan.oneil@saukprairieschools.org. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
FAMILY MOVES - WITHIN SAUK PRAIRIE SCHOOL DISTRICT
When a family move occurs within the Sauk Prairie School District please notify your school office or contact Susan O'Neil, Student Records Secretary at (608) 643-5984 or susan.oneil@saukprairieschools.org with your new address. Parents may request that their elementary child attend a school other than the one in their attendance area in writing to the District Administrator. When families relocate from one attendance area to another within the District during the school year, the children affected may continue their education at their original school if approval is granted by the District Administrator. Transportation can be provided through existing bus routes or parents will provide transportation to/from school.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS/EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
School closings will be announced as early as possible via Skylert to families and staff members, posted on the District’s webpage, and on local television and radio stations. Information will also be available by calling the school closing line at 643-5990 #2 for a recorded announcement.
WISC Channel 3
WKOW Channel 27
WMTV Channel 15
- 1400 AM; 104.9 FM; 102.9 FM
The local police department and bus contractor may be involved in the decision to close. Principals will also be involved in decisions to dismiss school early for emergency reasons. In the absence of the Superintendent, the decision to close school will be made by the Superintendent’s designee.
HEAD LICE
Lice are small insects about the size of a sesame seed. They are usually light brown but can vary in color. They move quickly and shy away from light, making them difficult to see. It helps to use a magnifying glass and natural light when looking for lice. Nits (eggs) are tiny, yellowish-white oval droplets attached to hair shafts; they do not come off easily and have to be combed out with a special comb or manually removed. Nits can be found throughout the hair, but are most often located at the nape of the neck, behind the ears, and frequently on the top of the head.
The CDC states, “Head lice can be a nuisance but they have not been shown to spread disease. Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice.” Additionally, lice are not likely to be spread in a classroom setting as usually they are spread by direct head-to-head contact. Regular screenings at home can help prevent the spread of head lice. Please check your child weekly for head lice. When lice are discovered, please contact your child’s physician or a pharmacist regarding treatment. Following a treatment, it is important to comb through the hair for 7-10 days. During this time, lice can be removed manually or with a special comb. A second treatment may be necessary if nits or live lice are still found.
Please contact Laura Cody, District Nurse, at 643-5509 if you have any questions regarding head lice.
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Current nondiscrimination language (Policy 2260):
Sauk Prairie School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, sex, (including transgender status, gender expression, gender identity, and gender nonconformity), or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability ("Protected Classes") in any of its student program and activities.
Lenguaje Actual sobre la No Discriminación (Política 2260):
El Distrito Escolar de Sauk Prairie no discrimina en base a la raza, al color, la religión, la nacionalidad de origen, los ancestros, el credo, el embarazo, el estado marital, el estado de los padres, la orientación sexual, el sexo (incluyendo el estado transgénero, la expresión del género, y el género de no conformidad), o por una discapacidad física, mental, emocional o de aprendizaje (“Las Clases Protegidas”) en cualquiera de las actividades y programas del estudiante.