RUSCHIES ROCK REVIEW
April 2022 - Vol IV
Calendar of Upcoming Events
April 8
April 22
April 29
GOOD FRIDAY - NO SCHOOL April 15
A Message From the Principal
Time flies and it is hard to believe it is already April! It is spring but the weather still feels like winter.
Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will be taking the Forward Exam April 5-20. The Forward Exam is a summative assessment that gauges your child’s achievement in the content areas tested compared to other students in the state. Along with local measures such as report cards, school-wide assessments, and other information about your child’s progress in school, the results from the Forward Exam provide insight into how well your child is doing on a broad measure of achievement. The test is not timed, so we encourage students to take their time and do their very best.
We ask parents to help their child by making sure they stick to a regular sleep schedule and get plenty to eat for breakfast each morning. During testing we provide snacks, mints, and gums to students to help them keep alert. They should keep bringing water bottles daily and drink plenty of water as well.
Mrs. Gulrud
Email: gulruda@portage.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.portage.k12.wi.us/schools/rusch/
Location: 117 West Franklin Street, Portage, WI, USA
Phone: (608) 742-7376
A Message from your Dean of Students
It's difficult to believe that it's already April! Spring is officially here and students have been so excited to enjoy the warmer weather they've been experiencing at recess. If the temperature falls below 50 degrees with the wind factor, we do expect students to wear jackets when outside for recess, so please remind them to bring a jacket to school with them each day. The month of April brings varying weather and temperatures, so coming to school with the right attire and dressing in layers will help ensure your student stays comfortable while they are at school.
Students are also continuing to learn new, essential skills and concepts every day and it's imperative that they continue to demonstrate regular, punctual attendance to have the greatest chance for academic success. If you are aware of any upcoming days in which your student(s) will be absent, please submit an advance absence form to the office as soon as possible. Extra copies of the advanced absence form are available in the office. If circumstances render advance notification impossible, please contact the office by 8:15 a.m. on the day of the absence to inform school officials of a detailed reason for the absence.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
Ms. VanderSchaaf
Celebrating Dean of Students Week - April 4 - 8
Thank you, Dean VanderSchaaf for all you do for students, families, and staff. We appreciate you!
APPOINTMENTS
NURSING NOTES
Time spent in front of screens can impact digital eye strain. The 20-20-20 rule is an easy way to support your vision to avoid eye strain. Another way to care for your eyes is to seek out routine eye exams by an eye doctor, also known as an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Routine exams offer a way to examine the wellness of the eyeball, identify treatable conditions, and treat acuity issues. If your child displays any of these warning signs, an eye exam by an eye doctor is the next best step. Medicaid and BadgerCare covers eye exams and glasses annually. Other insurances may cover exams on an every one or two year rotation. If you do not have insurance coverage for eye exams or glasses, contact your school nurse for resources. A listing of local eye doctors is located here.
Portage Eye Doctor Offices
3/23/2022
Students entering Kindergarten-An eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is recommended by December 31 of the year a child is in kindergarten.
Referrals-If the school nurse refers a child for an eye exam, parents should state this when making the appointment. Also, parents should take the screening referral sent by the school nurse along to the appointment.
SSM Health Davis Duehr Dean
Accept MA/BadgerCare with Dean HMO or no HMO assigned (Have your card ready when making an appointment.)
608/742-5522
Optometrists and ophthalmologists
Located in the lower level of the Portage SSM Clinic-park behind the building.
2825 Hunters Trail, Portage
Elliott and Webb
Accepts MA/BadgerCare that is not Dean HMO, UHC HMO, or Unity HMO (Have your card ready when making an appointment.)
608/742-7133
Optometrists
Located across the street from Weaver’s Auto Parts store, near Seubert Family Dental office.
304 W. Cook Street, Portage
Goldthorpe Family Eyecare
Accept insurances where this clinic is part of the network. Does not accept MA/Badgercare.
608/742-7050
Optometrists
Located just up from Summit Credit Union.
130 Henry Drive, Portage
Walmart Vision Center
Limited MA/BadgerCare coverage for glasses may exist, but not for the eye exam.
608/745-6877
Dr. Bound, Optometrist, is an independent practitioner.
Located within the Wal-Mart Supercenter.
2950 New Pinery Road, Portage
Friendly Reminder
Message from Rusch School Counselor
Hello Families!
Happy Spring! I hope you all enjoyed your spring break. I know I am looking forward to warm and sunny days ahead! As we move toward spring and the last quarter, we have plenty to celebrate. Even with the excitement of the days ahead, we have lots of learning left to do. Here’s what we’ve been up to in our classroom counseling lessons.
In most classes, we have moved into our safety lessons. In K-2, we cover general safety tips, knowing your personal information, body safety, being careful of strangers and “kind of knows” and always checking first with parents and safe adults before we go anywhere with anyone.
In 2-4, we also cover protective behaviors including the difference between secrets and surprises, unsafe touch, and talking to trusted adults when feeling hurt, safe, or uncomfortable.
In 3-5 grade, we reviewed internet safety. As students begin using technology more independently, please monitor use carefully. Even applications meant for children can contain unexpected content, ads, and chat features. Please discuss the importance of keeping accounts private, not sharing personal information, and never arranging to meet people you meet online. For more technology resources for parents, check out the link below.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles
As always, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns!
Thank you,
Angie Kenas
School Counselor
Rusch and Lewiston
NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK
Please join us in celebrating National Library Week as part of School Library Month! We are celebrating the connections libraries foster - whether it is literacy, technology, or social connections (and sometimes all 3 at once!)
Libraries are amazing places because they welcome everyone - so celebrate with us by connecting to our libraries!
FIELD TRIP FUN!
The also toured the Wisconsin State Capitol on Monday, March 28th. Students were amazed by the building, and so excited to be back on a field trip!
2nd GRADE CLASSROOM FUN
Mini Course Day - Offer your time and talents
We are hoping to have a Mini Course Day on Thurs., May 12 (rain date May 19) from
8:30-2:30 pm. Students rotate through stations and might for example do art projects, outdoor games, karate, flower arranging, theater games, learn about therapy dogs, etc.
If you have any skills or contacts and would like to lead a session or have an individual we could reach out to and contact to provide a session, we would appreciate your help. Adult volunteers have to pass a background check and then would mask and social distance while presenting.
Please email Mrs. Gulrud if you are interested in helping or know of a resource.
Thank you for your support,
Angie Gulrud
Below is the link for families to donate items that we are needing for our mini course day! We ask that families drop off the items by April 29th.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FAEAD29A7FCCE9-donations