Stone Bank School
Reaching Out ~ February 8, 2019
From Mrs. Wohlfiel, Interim Principal
Last week Friday my husband and I attended a UW Madison School of Business orientation with my son who is a high school senior and considering UW-Madison. The presentation started with both the associate dean and the assistant dean welcoming us to their school.
What I heard loud and clear was their PRIDE in UW-Madison, and even more, in their School of Business. It was obvious they were proud of their school’s mission and were extremely pleased with what their school accomplishes.
It made me think of our school and our mission. Do we all know and understand our mission?
Our mission was developed over the summer by a group comprised of staff, parents, board members and administrators when creating our new strategic plan. Our District Mission is:
We educate students in thoughtful, purposeful, and meaningful ways grounded in our tradition to foster lifelong growth.
When we make decisions for our school, we use our mission as one part of the decision making process. We strive to make decisions that are thoughtful, purposeful and meaningful for our students without losing site of our traditions to foster growth beyond the walls of our school, and hopefully, for a very long time.
The business school speech also made me think - Are we proud of our Stone Bank school? Do we let others know about our close-knit community, the dedication of our staff, the support of our families and PTO, the opportunities available outside of the classroom, such as athletic teams, Scribbler Club or Tinker Dynamics, and how proud we are to be part of such a thriving learning community? And if we are not proud, do we welcome conversations with those who can explain or make a difference leading to change for the better? As the interim principal I strive to make thoughtful, purposeful and meaningful decisions and support others who foster the growth of all of our students.
Wednesday night Beth Wartzenluft, our curriculum coach, and Danielle Brannan, our librarian, hosted a Family Curriculum Night in our library! The focus of the night was to learn more about our community/school library and to provide families with some practice and resources in how to best support their readers at home. They read and analyzed a short story together, using some of the resources, and then were able to bring these resources home to use when reading and discussing literature with their children. Thank you to the parents who attended and to Beth and Danielle for putting together information to help support our growing readers at home. The response from families that attended was very positive and the next Family Curriculum Night will be in March. Watch for the date and topic in our upcoming Reaching Out.
I understand mornings can be crazy. I remember like it was yesterday - what it was like getting three boys up and ready for the bus. What helped me to survive and helped to get them out on time was a plan. Thank you to those families who have plans in place! I encourage all to put plans in place to ensure your child(ren) arrive at school before the tardy bell that rings at 7:30 a.m.
Also, when you put in place a plan to arrive on time, I would hope you are more likely to drive through our parking lot at a safe speed and follow the expectations associated with drop off. The lane closest to school is the drop-off lane. Please make sure you form a single-file line and that your child(ren) is ready to exit your vehicle when you stop. If you plan to park and walk in your child(ren) to the school door, you should pull into a legal spot in the parking lot and walk your child(ren) across the drop-off lane. Just this morning I saw a handful of families using the parking lot as a drop-off lane. This puts our students at risk. Remember that the handicapped parking spots are for those who require them, not a place to pull in and drop off. If you need any more clarification, please let me know.
Last week we had 38 students who entered artwork, poetry and writing for the 2018-2019 Southern Lakes Advanced Learners Network Anthology Book selection process. Six of our Stone Bank students will have pieces published in the book. Congratulations to the following students: Lucy Werchowski, Sophia Pulvermacher, Paige Taylor, Colin Toennies, Trinity Dahl and Francesca Smith! Thanks to DeeDee Jacobsen, our Gifted and Talented Coordinator, Kym Richardson, art teacher, and Rachel Roberts, fifth grade teacher, who were three of the judges.
As soon as I know the official plan for our snow and cold make up days, if they are needed, I will let our community know. I am in conversations with other consortium administrators and am attending a meeting at Arrowhead next week that includes this topic on the agenda.
Our PTO is hosting a Culver’s Night as a school fundraiser next Tuesday, February 12, 4 to 8 p.m.. The PTO meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. there as well. I hope to see you enjoying a burger or custard to support our PTO and ultimately, our school!
Our 4K and NEW 5K registration is Wednesday, February 13, at 5:30 p.m.. If you know of someone who is ready to attend school, please spread the word. We have an outstanding program that offers small class sizes, a safe learning environment and art, music, and library taught by our art and music teachers and our librarian! We also have wrap-around care and YMCA care on site!
Thank you for being a part of our Stone Bank School community! Please feel free to contact me with any concern through email l.wohlfiel@stonebank.k12.wi.us or by phone (262) 966-2900.
Parent Information Night for 4K and New 5K Families
Honor Roll
February Conferences
Project Linus
Hey everyone do you remember how fun Project Linus was last year? Come and join us again on Wednesday, February 20th right after school in the Library. All students are welcome. Do you have extra fleece? Why not give some fabric to the Project Linus program?! If you do not have fleece, you can purchase some from Joann Fabrics or Ben Franklin. They have great prices. Each blanket is made with 2 - 1 and 1/2 yard sections of fleece. If you want to go above and beyond you could donate more. Be sure to tell friends and family about the Project Linus program! Blankets will be donated to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. With your help, lets warm the hearts of those children.
P.S Don't forget we wear pajamas that day.
Open Enrollment 2019
Summer School
"So, What Do You Do?"
By Lauren Bolinski, Middle School Writing Teacher
Whenever I meet people, and they ask me what I do, I have come to expect a fairly standard reaction. As soon as the words “I’m a middle school writing teacher” spill from my mouth, I am likely to get one of the following two responses:
“Oh,” paired with an oddly contorted grimace. “I don’t know how you can do it. I wouldn’t be able to stand kids at that age.”
or
“Wow,” coupled with a look of surprise, eyebrows rising practically into outer space. “You must be a saint to have patience for that.”
In a way, I harbor empathy for these responses because I remember what life was like for me as a middle schooler, and it was tough. This was before the days of social media, and we didn’t have that expensive luxury called dial-up internet. I was a scrawny and unfashionable redhead, I didn’t wear make-up, I felt misunderstood, I didn’t share the same interests as my classmates which caused me to be teased more often than not, and I was trying to figure out how to navigate this thing called “life as a teenager.” It wasn’t pretty. In this way, it makes sense to me when I hear the way people respond to my chosen profession.
However, when I receive those reactions, I feel like I have to go “to bat” for my kids, to explain, justify, and defend how wonderful they truly are. I could create a neat bulleted list for you about everything I love about them, but instead, I want to share with you my most recent conversation with someone who learned I was a middle school writing teacher.
A few weeks ago, George, a classmate of mine, asked me what I do. I told him, and he looked at me with a sincere, unwavering smile.
“What do you love most about teaching middle school kids?” he asked.
Wait a minute… this was quite the unconventional response, free from judgment and assumptions. I froze.
“George, I’m going to need a second,” I replied. “That’s a very difficult question.”
It’s not that I was drawing a blank, rather the opposite. But since I was only allowed to choose one, I wanted it to be accurate to my genuine feelings. I sat next to George and gazed off to the distance for several moments, sifting through my thoughts for the best answer. As I grasped the idea that I knew was truest to who I am in my profession, I smiled, turned to him, and said:
“The relationships I build with my kids. We grow together for three years, and it is amazing how as much as I get to be there for them, to support and encourage them through school and life, they do the same thing for me.”
I paused.
“George,” I continued, clearly welling up. “I’m getting emotional! Do you see these tears in my eyes?”
He nodded, and we both laughed.
Amidst the laughter and tears, I added, “Look at what they do to me,” with the utmost gratitude and joy.
And with that, a class that George and I are both enrolled in was ready to begin, and the conversation was over. For the rest of the night, I felt appreciative of George’s genuine interest in what drives my passion for teaching middle school kids.
The modest classroom sizes and three year structure of our middle school facilitates a beautiful opportunity for collective growth, support, and joy. As a teacher, but more importantly as a human being, I sincerely value the journey I am on together with your kids. It is with mutual respect and compassion that we grow together as a family over the years we share together.
In a recent interview I had with three of our current eighth grade girls for a podcast they are producing for my class, I shared this story of the conversation I had with George, nearly tearing up again, and I told them:
“I end up crying at every graduation. Just watch; it’s inevitable.”
Each year ends with ushering a part of my found family, my students, onto the next adventure of their lives. Each fall brings fresh faces and the start of a new journey. Teaching is more than content; it’s a lifestyle that is deeply rooted in my heart, and one that I am so grateful to have chosen.
And with that, I would like to leave you with this final thought. The relationships we build with others are living, breathing, entities. Nurture them, value them, and embrace them because the significance of life surrounds them. Never forget that.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Challenge
Student Council has voted to help Stone Bank School participate in the 16th Annual Feeding America Peanut Butter & Jelly Challenge. Only plastic jars of peanut butter and jelly will be accepted. The school that donates the greatest weight per student will win tickets to a Bucks game in March or April. We will be putting a box in each homeroom and one in the office for staff members. Each grade level will compete against the others for a prize. The grade level with the most jars collected per person will win. Well, really Feeding America recipients will win! Please help us in this endeavor by bringing in a plastic jar of peanut butter or jelly. We will start collecting right away and will be taking the jars to Feeding America at the end of February.
Here is the link to the PB&J Challenge webpage. Click here
JA Biztown Volunteers Needed
4th & 6th Grade April 8th, 2019
Dear Parents,
I am in need of 17 volunteers for Biztown on April 8, 2019. Thank You for those of you already who have committed to the day. I need 11 more volunteers to make our trip possible. JA Biztown is a magical, mini city designed to help our students feel what it feels like to enter the workforce and enter into a global economy. It really is incredible! Check it out for yourself, JA Biztown.
How do I volunteer:
Print or email the volunteer sign up/check list information & make sure your background check is up to date in the Stone Bank School office
April 8, Arrive at 8-1:30. Junior Achievement Kohl’s Education Center, 1111 W. Liberty Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53224. On-site training is scheduled from 8-9:30 prior to the kids’ arrival.
Finally, to save you time, Biztown designed a volunteer video (You can watch from home!) to prepare you prior to Biztown, TRAINING VIDEO
DeeDee Jacobsen
Gifted and Talented Coordinator
Stone Bank School
262-966-2900 ext. 2013
PTO Fundraiser Contest
SBS PTO has partnered with the following local businesses to utilize their community give back programs. For each receipt or other item (as noted below) collected, these generous organizations will give our school a percentage of your total dollar spent. Please continue reading as a new contest is being introduced to help raise awareness towards fundraising.
Contest for grades 4K - 8th
The top grade that collects the most of any of the bellow items will win a choice of:
- Movie and Popcorn Party OR
- Ice Cream Float/ Sundae Party
Box tops for Education (NOT EXPIRED)
Albrecht’s Sentry in Delafield store receipts
Piggy Wiggly Store receipts
Kwik Trip 5cent Milk/OJ Caps from Nature’s Touch products
Kwik Trip 5cent Milk/OJ bag Tops from Nature’s Touch products
Kwik Trip price circle from glazer doughnuts
Start collecting the above items and have your child bring them to your teacher. The class with the most items will be the winner. The contest runs from now through May 31st. Each teacher has a bag for the items to be collected in.
Look for the race track tracker located in the commons to see which grade is in the lead.
SCRIP is a program that earns money for Stone Bank School just by purchasing gift cards. You can purchase gift cards online at shopwithscrip.com - The Stone Bank enrollment code is BD81633A61558
Arrowhead Area Math Night
SAVE THE DATE... Arrowhead Community Math Night
Thursday, April 11, 2019
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Arrowhead High School South Campus Library
All K4-12th grade math learners and their families are invited to spend an evening doing exciting math activities together with area math teachers.
Brought to you by the Arrowhead Area Schools
North Lake Recreation Club
Weekly Planner
Monday, February 11
Tuesday, February 12
· 5K & 1st grade field trip to AHS, 12:30pm-2:15pm
· Futura Spanish 2:30pm-3:30pm, Stem Lab
· PTO Culver’s Night ~ Hartland, 4:00pm-8:00pm, Meeting will be held at Culver’s starting at 6:30pm
Wednesday, February 13
· Building and Finance Meeting 2:30pm
· Student Council 2:30pm
· 4K/New 5K Open House 6:00pm
Thursday, February 14
· Wear red or pink day
Friday, February 15
· No School
Monday, February 18
· No School
Tuesday, February 19
· Futura Spanish 2:30pm-3:30pm, Stem Lab
· Vaping Presentation, 6:30pm-7:30pm ~ Stone Bank School Library
Wednesday, February 20
· PJ Day – wear your favorite pajamas
· Reaching Out articles due 12:00pm
· Project Linus 2:30pm-4:00pm ~ Library
Thursday, February 21
· Bagels with Buds, 7:00am, $1.00 for a bagel with topping; $.50 for juice or hot chocolate
· Parent Teacher Conferences 3:00pm-7:30pm
Friday, February 22
· Tinker Dynamics 2:30pm