Rusch March 2018
A GREAT PLACE TO BE: EVERY STUDENT, EVERY CHANCE, EVERY DAY
NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear parents and guardians,
Hopefully spring is on its way as we have had some awesome days of sun and birds chirping. The kids are ready for warmer weather and more time on the playground.
In a few weeks we have conferences. We hope to see you there. We will have a table set up asking parents to take a climate survey, as well as, a table for signing up for summer school. As always, the book fair will also be open during this time.
When we return from spring break, we will begin our Forward Exam testing. Our students in grades three through five have already begun the prep for this by going over example questions and good test taking strategies. We will continue to do this until we begin the testing.
As a school we will also be supporting our test takers by making signs for their lockers, cheering them on, and helping to create a quiet test taking environment. Our primary grades' schedules may change throughout the day to help provide this test taking environment.
As a family you can help support your test taker by making sure that they get to bed on time and get a good nights sleep. It is also important for them to have a nutritious breakfast in the morning. Reminding the students to take their time, do their best, and use their strategies when taking the test are also ways you can support them.
Test Dates:
April 3-5, 10-11 for 3rd-5th Grade 8:30-11:30 AM.
April 12, 17-19 for 4th Grade 8:30-11:30 AM.
We are excited to share with you the growth that your child made at conferences. Our students have been working really hard this year and we are very proud of them.
Look for those conference times to be coming home soon.
DATES TO REMEMBER
March 2nd~ Safety Patrol Soup Fundraiser Pick up 1:00-3:30 PM Rusch
March 9th-16th ~ Scholastic Book Fair
March 13th & 15th ~ Parent Teacher Conferences 4-7 PM
March 16th~Goal Gala
March 19th- 23rd ~ Spring Break: No School
March 29th ~ Buddy Families/Family Lunch/ Talent Show
March 30th ~ No School
April 3-5, 10-11 ~ Forward Exam 8:30-11:30 Grades 3-5
April 12, 17-19 ~ Forward Exam 8:30-11:30 Grade 4
Office News
- After School Program at John Muir is closed Monday, March 5th and Friday, March 9th.
- Rusch Outside doors do not open until 7:30 AM. Please take into consideration, there is no outside supervision at Rusch until 7:30 AM.
Cafeteria
Reminder about lunch accounts:
Please maintain a positive balance.
Pre-payment is needed for breakfast, lunch, and a la carte (milk only) items.
Please ask the office for Free and Reduced applications at any time during the school year.
Here is the link to the March Menu! http://www.portage.k12.wi.us/district/lunch.cfm?memberid=15&month=3&year=2018&view=cal_view&categoryid=306&submit_button=View+Menu#d268378
Physical Education
Art Club
Art Club: Session #2 of Art Club began on January 30. Students created their own Art Club T-shirts using freezer paper stencils.
Art Class
I would like to congratulate the artists Micah Rosales, 1st grader and Emerald Pease, 5th grader at Rusch Elementary for having their artwork chosen to be displayed at the Regional Wisconsin art show in Madison. Emerald's art was also chosen to represent Portage at the State Capital!
Don't forget to mark your calendars for the Portage Center for the Arts K-8 Art Show. The reception for artists and their families will be Friday, March 2nd 4-6pm. Anyone is welcome to come and celebrate Youth Art Month with us on this date! See the flyer under upcoming events below.
Stitch Club
Music
February has been fun in the music room. 3rd and 4th grade are learning to play the recorder right now, K-2nd have been using some percussion instruments and the 5th graders are working on an all-instrument piece for the spring concert. Speaking of the concert, here is another reminder of the date: Wednesday, May 2nd, at 1:30 pm in the Rusch gymnasium!
In math the fifth graders are finishing up a Topic/Unit on adding, subtracting, and multiplying fractions. They have really been working hard on them. In reading they are currently working on comparing and contrasting main characters in a story. They have been working very hard on their behavior as well and they earned a W.O.W. party this month. They wanted it to be called "Reading Under the Lights!" They wore their pajamas and slippers and brought a flashlight along with their favorite blanket! The students really enjoyed it!
Nursing
Keeping our Children Lead-Safe
Was your home built before 1978? If so, your children could be exposed to lead in the dust from lead-based paint. Just a small amount of lead dust can cause learning disabilities, developmental delays, and other behavior and health problems for your child. Fortunately, you can prevent exposure to lead by making sure your home is lead-safe.
Get your young children tested for lead.
Get more information about how to protect your children and prevent lead poisoning.
This optional graphic may also be used.
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p01887a.pdf
Student Council
Book Fair March 9-15
BackPack Program
Staff at Rusch Elementary are teaming up to provide food to children for the 2017-2018 school year. The Backpack Program is a free program that provides kid-friendly, non-perishable food, for students most in need, to eat over the weekends. It is our hope these resources will support the health, behavior, and achievement of every student that participates.
Items distributed in the program could include: cereal, peanut butter, juice, fruit cups, soup, vegetables, and granola bars to name a few. Bags will be distributed to student participants on the last school day before the weekend or break. Any child who is in need is eligible to receive these weekly bags of food.
Please carefully consider your family’s economic status to determine if food assistance is needed by your child(ren). The goal of the program is to provide food to children who are hungry on a regular basis.
This program has been funded this year through donations, grants, and a private donation. It is staffed by Rusch teachers and volunteers.
If you feel your child(ren) could benefit from this program at any time during the school year, please email Mrs. Schoenborn at schoenbornn@portage.k12.wi.us. We will do our best to ensure that this program is confidential as students will not be identified as participating. Our staff will put a bag filled with food in your child(ren)’s backpack before school is let out for the weekend.
Dr. Seuss Week February 26th- March 2nd
Monday, Feb. 26th- Meet Dr. Seuss (Dress up as your favorite Dr. Seuss character or wear red, black and white)
Tuesday, Feb. 27th- Top Hat Tuesday (Wear your favorite hat to school.)
Wednesday, Feb. 28th- Wacky Wednesday (Wear mixed up clothing ~shirts on backwards, inside out, clothes that don’t match, etc.)
Thursday, Mar. 1st- Fox in Socks Day! (Wear your crazy socks or slippers today)
Friday, Mar. 2nd- Read Across America (Dress up in your favorite pajamas or comfy reading clothes and bring your favorite Dr. Seuss book. We will Read Across Rusch today!
Columbia County Resources
Columbia County Health and Human Services
Food Pantries
2nd Harvest Mobile Food Pantries (open to all Columbia County residents)
2nd Monday of every month at 11:00am at the Columbia Co. Fairgrounds, Wauona Tr/Griffith St. Everyone welcome. No ID’s needed. Bring your own carts/baskets to carry your food.
St Vincent De Paul Food Pantry
Located at 1311 West Wisconsin Street in Portage
Monday–Thursday 9am–5pm, Friday 9am–8pm and Saturday 9am–5pm
*You will need to bring photo ID, proof of residency and your own bags. Applicants are eligible every 30 days.
Park and Recreation
806 Silver Lake Dr, Portage, Wi, 53901 (608) 742-2178
Family Resource Center
2946 Red Fox Run, Portage, WI 53901 (608) 742-8482
Provides a variety of family services, including scheduled playgroups, parenting support and information series, workshops, and family visiting program. Staff are available to answer questions or provide resources to help families. All services are free.
Dental – Free or Low Cost Services - Seal-A-Smile
Susan Lorenz R.N. M.S. Columbia County Health Officer at 608-742-9227 susan.lorenz@co.columbia.wi.us
The Columbia County Seal-A-Smile dental sealant program is available at no charge whether or not your child is covered by dental insurance. The program will bill Medical Assistance or BadgerCare if your child is covered by these programs.
Free Immunization Clinic
2:30pm-5:30pm (10/10, 11/14, 12/12 - 2016) No appointment is necessary – Birth parent or legal guardian signature required. Bring immunization records.
Library Programs
Contact the library in your community to inquire about special programs for children and families, such as story hour or summer reading programs.
Portage Public Library 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage 53901 (608) 742-4959 Hours: Mon-Thurs 9-8:30; Fri 9-6; Sat 10-4 Sat hours between Memorial Day & Labor Day are 10-1 Contact: info@portagelibrary.us Website: http://www.portagelibrary.us/
There are many more resources available to our community, feel free to check out the Columbia County Health and Human Services Website: http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/columbiacounty/Portals/7/Resource%20Guide.pdf
Counting Pop Tabs
Counting Pop Tabs!
Date: Saturday, March 24th, 2018
Location: Portage High School
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Please consider offering some of your time to help count.
You can contact the Portage Police Department at 742-2174 to sign up.
Any amount of time is helpful and appreciated!
Mercedes has an estimated over 9M tabs.
Rusch Elementary School
Website: portage.k12.wi.us/rusch
Location: 117 W Franklin St, Portage, WI, United States
Phone: 608-742-7376