PAW PRINTS
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - September 14, 2018
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.
This Week In Pictures
Generous Donation
Farmyard Kids
New Student Lunch
Great Kids, Great Community
We are searching for new ideas and fresh faces for our new Community Advocates For Education volunteer organization. Please RSVP via phone or email if you are able to attend the call out meeting next Thursday, September 20th at 6 p.m. We will be serving pizza and providing childcare for school-aged children.
Here is what you can expect if you attend this meeting:
- Learn about different volunteer opportunities at our schools
- Feel welcome and treated like a valuable member of our school family
- Meet new people like you who want to help make our schools better for our children
- Learn about the vision and mission of CAFE and discern if you are able to use your time, treasure or talents to help in big ways or small
Here is what not to expect if you attend this meeting:
- You will not be asked to commit to anything you do not want to do.
- You will not feel like an outsider if you have not previously volunteered or served on the former PTO.
- You will not be made to feel bad if you are not able to chair an activity or commit a lot of time.
There is room for everyone in CAFE, whether you attend one meeting or chair a large event. Like in theater, there are no small parts, just small actors.
We look forward to a great year partnering with you to make our schools great for kids!
From the Principal, Mrs. Alonzo
One of my goals when communicating with families is to share helpful articles, tips, and resources to assist when working with students, especially in the area of Reading. We know that a strong partnership between families and school increases student success exponentially. One resource I've grown to particularly enjoy is called Reading Connection. This monthly publication is chock-full of practical ways to promote your children's reading, writing, and language skills. Inside you will find book suggestions, fun ways to work with kids at home, and great tips for parents. Archives of editions will be available on our website.
A great tip in this month's edition concerns fine motor development. In the short article Stand Up and Write!, we learn that "writing on a vertical surface strengthens your child’s arm and wrist muscles and improves the coordination she needs for handwriting." Read all about it on page 2. Please access it here: September 2018
Contact Information:
Jillian Alonzo, Principal
663-2287 ext. 19001
GoGuardian Internet and Application Filter
To help protect students when using their school-owned Chromebooks at school and at home, Crown Point Schools will begin using software designed specifically to help ensure students' safety by providing comprehensive filtering and analytics of student Chromebook usage. The software is called GoGuardian.
Use of GoGuardian in elementary classrooms will develop throughout the school year as teachers receive training and as students and parents learn about the application and its uses. In order for this to occur, the software is deployed to elementary school-owned Chromebooks.
The GoGuardian frequently asked questions describes features of the software.
If you have questions or comments, please email GoGuardian@cps.k12.in.us.
Frequently Asked Questions: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eABc3rir1k03AzGcl4D2IwJbNfkBreJh/view?usp=sharing
Home-School Connections
You may hear your child talking about their invisible bucket. No, they are not pulling your leg. They really do have an invisible bucket…and so do you! In Carol McCloud’s book Have You Filled a Bucket Today? she teaches us that everyone has an invisible bucket. This bucket holds all of our good thoughts and feelings we have about ourselves. When people say or do kind things to us, it fills our bucket. In contrast when others say or do mean things, it dips into our buckets and takes out some good thoughts and good feelings.
Each year I have had the privilege of sharing this story and philosophy with every student at Winfield Elementary. Your children will become familiar with the phrase, “You filled my bucket” or “Please don’t dip into my bucket,” as we say these quite often at school. Using these phrases at home can help our children understand that there is a connection between home and school, and we are all on the same team. In the past, families have shared with me that this philosophy has even helped with sibling relationships at home. Testimonies like that fill my bucket!
Contact Information:
Kelly Mucha, Home-School Facilitator
663-2287 ext. 19108
Brandy Sims, PBIS Coach
663-2287 ext. 19602
From the Art Room, Mrs. Vassil
The following Art students have artwork on display at The Crown Point Community School Corporation's Central Offices at 200 E. North Street. The projects will be on display for the month of September. From Mrs. Lachowicz's class, watercolor line designs are featured from Olivia, Anne, Brendan, Brani, Tatum, David, and Mollie. From Mrs. Wheatley's class, artwork from Noah, Dylan, Chloe, Valerie, and Elisabetta is showcased. Great job young artists!
From the School Nurse, Mrs. Taylor
Attention all Kindergarten parents: All shot records and physical/dental forms are PAST DUE. Forms and immunization records can be dropped off in the Winfield main office.
Permission for Medication Forms
All parents: If your child will require any medications during the school day a written doctor's order and parent consent is required to administer medications at school. Required forms can be printed from the school corporation website. No medications will be accepted unless the completed forms are submitted with the medications. This applies to any prescription or over-the-counter medications that may be needed during the school day.
Contact Information:
Lori Taylor, Nurse
663-2287 ext. 19081
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.
School Attendance
Regular school attendance is critical to a child's success. We recognize that being at school on time, all day, every day is the responsibility of the entire family. We are excited to announce that we will be honoring one FAMILY each week that demonstrates perfect attendance. Each full week, on Friday afternoon, we will draw a family name to win a Family Fun Night! Included in this fun pack will be a gift card for dinner from Pizza Hut and a movie from Redbox!
This Week's Winner is the Arreola Family! Congratulations, Gavin!
ATTENDANCE GOAL: 97% ACTUAL: 96.8%
Kindergarten: 95.7% First Grade: 96.5% Second Grade: 98%
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.
Lactaid Now Available
Students with lactose intolerance are now considered eligible for disability accommodations. School Food Authorities must have either the medical statement signed by a health care provider with prescriptive authority or a written request from the parent/guardian to identify the student’s medical or other special dietary need that precludes the consumption of cow’s milk. Please notify me if you would like your child to get this milk with their lunch. It will also be available ala carte for $1.00. The product will be Lactaid and will come in a 8 oz. serving size.
Contact Information:
Polly Smith, Cafeteria Manager
663-2287 ext. 19603
Cafeteria Menu: Week of September 17
MONDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza OR Breakfast Bar/Cereal
Lunch: Pretzel & Cheese Sauce OR Fruit/Granola Yogurt Parfait, Green Beans, Applesauce
TUESDAY
Breakfast: Pancake Wrap OR French Toast Bites
Lunch: Soft Shell Taco OR Cheesy Nachos, Spanish Rice, Refried Beans, Peaches
WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Sandwich OR Confetti Pancakes
Lunch: Breaded Chicken Sandwich OR Pizza, Corn, Cucumbers, Mandarin Oranges
THURSDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Burrito OR Whole Grain Donuts
Lunch: Cheeseburger Deluxe OR Hot Dog, Smiley Fries, Garden Salad, Pineapple
FRIDAY
Breakfast: Whole Grain Muffins OR Cereal / Poptart
Lunch: Bosco Sticks & Marinara, Roasted Carrots, Fresh Broccoli, Pears
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.
Important Dates
September 2018
20- PTO Meeting @ Jerry Ross- 6pm
24- Midterm Progress Check
25- McSchool Night
26- The Hero Inside Assembly
26- Half Day Dismissal @ 12:14 pm
October 2018
6- Midwest Gymnastics Open Gym 7-9 pm ($10 per student)
12/15- Fall Break; No School
23- Fall Picture Retakes
23- McSchool Night
26- End of Grading Period 1
31- Half Day Dismissal @ 12:14 pm (Parent Teacher Conferences)
November 2018
1- Half Day Dismissal @ 12:14 pm (Parent Teacher Conferences)
3- Midwest Gymnastics Open Gym 7-9 pm ($10 per student)
22/23- Thanksgiving Break; No School
30- Midterm Progress Check
Safety & Security
- Students arrive and dismiss through the CAR RIDER LINE only. Any special circumstance must be approved through the office. This allows our staff to match each student to each adult/vehicle and move students in and out of the building as efficiently and safely as possible.
- Drivers of all public and private vehicles are to turn off the engine if the vehicle is to be stopped for more than five (5) minutes in locations where the vehicle exhaust may be drawn into the building or while on school grounds. This means that cars lining the building (approximately first 10 cars) during arrival and dismissal must ensure the engine remains off. Please plan accordingly as extreme temperatures do not alter these guidelines.
- Vehicles must always use designated parking spaces. If you are entering the building, to drop off a late student or bring something to the office, you must park in a parking space and use the crosswalk to enter the building. Please do not park in our fire lanes in front of the building. This is an emergency route which may not be blocked.
- Winfield Staff assist with arrival and dismissal. We open door for students in the morning and assist children entering their vehicles whenever possible. If your child needs assistance buckling up, kindly pull aside into a parking space to assist. Parents should never exit their vehicle while in the Car Rider Line.
- Cell phone usage should be avoided when vehicles are in motion. I am often walking in between car rider lines to promote efficiency and safety. Please be hands-free and minds-on to ensure the safety of adults and children crossing the parking lot.
CAFE Corner
World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraiser
The Fall Fundraiser has been a great success! Top sellers will be announced next week! Thank you all for your participation. ALL MONEY IS NOW DUE!
By MONDAY, September 17th: UNOPENED BOXES MUST BE RETURNED and $60 must be sent in for each opened/sold boxes. If you’ve chosen not to participate by selling candy, you may consider making a donation. Each box sold earns $30 in profit! Please direct any questions regarding the sale to Carrie Josleyn at carriejosleyn@yahoo.com.
CAFE...Community Advocates For Education
We need everyone’s help to make CAFE a successful support group for our schools. Our first meeting will take place on Thursday, September 20th at 6:00 p.m. in the Jerry Ross Elementary School cafeteria.
McSchool Night
Mark your calendar’s now for the first McSchool night of the 2018/2019 school year, Tuesday, September 25th from 5-8pm at the Winfield McDonald’s. We earn 15 percent of the sales during that time. Fliers will be sent home closer to that date. We are still looking for a volunteer to help run McSchool night each month. Please contact either principal if you are interested.
SPIRIT WEAR
Fall Spirit Wear is underway! You can check out the link to order, and pics in color here: FALL SPIRIT WEAR
COMMITTEE PERSONS SOUGHT
We are in need of committee chairpersons. Here is a list of our immediate needs.
- Dining for Dollars (McSchool Night and other dining opportunities)
- Playground
- Publicity (Newsletter, social media)
- Student of the Month (One for each school)
- Critical Position: Treasurer- We are actively searching for one treasurer from each school. This is a year-round volunteer position unlike some of the committee chairs.
If you are interested, please contact me or Ms. Linsley for more information.
Extracurricular & Community News
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