PAW PRINTS
News from Winfield Elementary: August 13, 2022
From Mrs. Alonzo, Principal
Dear Winfield Families,
Thank you for support in a successful first three days of school! As we get into our routine, I will share information with you regarding general school procedures. You will find information about arrival, dismissal, and absences in today's newsletter. Additionally, Mrs. Williams, our school counselor, has shared a great informational piece about her role in our school community.
Each week's newsletter won't always be this "meaty", but we want to ensure we are communicating important information with all our families. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We have 177 great days ahead of us!
Enjoy your weekend,
Mrs. Jillian Alonzo
Picture Day is Tuesday, August 16th
Picture Day is 8/16/22, mark your calendar! Order before Picture Day to receive free shipping to the school. Ordering online is easy, visit https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/70202EF.
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
Arrival
School hours are 9:05 am to 3:44 pm. Students are expected to be seated and ready when the bell rings. Doors open at 8:45 am. We open the door twenty minutes early to give students time to arrive, unpack, and purchase breakfast (if needed). This means that students should not feel rushed by entering the doors at 9:03 or 9:04. Please set your child up for success by arriving with plenty of time to get unpacked and settled. Every minute of our learning counts!
Students enter the building via the car rider line. Please follow the flow of traffic, and maintain a double line as long a possible.
If your child arrives at 9:05 or later, you will do the following:
- Park in front of the main office (dashed yellow spots) and turn off vehicle.
- Walk your child to the door and buzz the doorbell for entrance.
- Bring your child into the main office, and sign him/her in.
Dismissal
Cars begin dismissing around 3:35pm, with busses beginning to load as they arrive.
All students have a tag for their backpack noting their bus number or car rider status (for permanent car riders only). Please check your child's tag and confirm it is correct. If not, please contact the school office.
Students are dismissed through the car rider line. All parents in the car rider line MUST have a car rider sign visible in the passenger side of the dashboard. If you need a new sign, please inquire in the office. Placing these signs on the passenger side of your dashboard/visor GREATLY expedites our processing of the line!
Changes to a student's dismissal must be CALLED IN THE THE OFFICE prior to 3 pm.
Attendance Procedures
Student Absences
In an event of a student absence, please call the school office prior to 9:00 am with the following:
- Student Name
- Teacher Name & Grade
- Name and phone number of person who is calling the child off from school
- Reason for child's absence.
- If the child is sick, please provide enough details so we may determine the appropriate return to school. If your child has a fever, he/she must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medicine before he/she returns. Nurse Becky may call to inquire additional information if needed.
You may also email winfieldattendance@cps.k12.in.us with this information.
Students Leaving Early
If your student needs to leave early for an appointment, please do the following:
- Call the office (the morning of)
- Provide the name of the student, teacher/grade, and time student will be leaving
- Identify who the individual will be picking up the student
Counselor' Corner with Mrs. Williams
Hello Winfield families! We are off to a great start to our school year, and it feels great to be back with students filling our hallways! I have enjoyed seeing our returning students, as well as welcoming our Kindergarteners and getting to know our new students.
I thought it would be helpful to share some specific information about my role as the school counselor here at Winfield Elementary. Here are a few common questions that I get asked from families:
1. What does an elementary school counselor do?
Many people ask, “What does a school counselor do?” A school counselor assists administrators, teachers, and other school staff in promoting appropriate and healthy child development, learning strategies, self-management, and social skills. School counselors do not work alone, but rather play an integrative role within the total educational program at their respective school.
School counselors work with students on such topics as: feelings, friendships, goal setting, grief/loss, stress, coping skills, career exploration, and many more!
2. How do students get referred to the school counselor?
Students can get referred to me by parents, teachers, or other staff members. If you would like to refer your student for support, simply send me an email or give me a call at the contact information below!
3. How will I know if my child has seen the school counselor?
Anytime I meet with a student one on one I will reach out to parents either via a phone call or note sent home depending on the severity and concern of the reason why the student was seen.
4. Do I give consent for my child to see the school counselor on a regular basis?
Yes, your consent is always important. If I meet with a student who would benefit from having me check in with them for an ongoing concern, I will send a consent form home with your student.
5. Does a school counselor only meet with students one on one?
No, I see students in multiple different ways. I will complete some classroom lessons this year to address more global topics. I also offer small group counseling during lunches to address more specific needs for a group of students.
6. Can a school counselor provide long-term mental health therapy?
School counselors use brief solution-focused counseling when working one on one with students. Should the concerns continue, school counselors will work with families to refer for additional outside resources that will can provide long-term intervention and support. School counseling services should never replace long-term outside counseling.
7. Does a school counselor assist families with available community resources outside of the school?
Absolutely, from time to time I will provide students and their families with resources within the community for additional assistance and information when appropriate.
As always please feel free to contact me at any time if your student could use some support or if you have any questions! I can be reached by phone at (219) 663-2287 ext. 19008 or by email at jwilliams@cps.k12.in.us.
Have a great weekend,
Mrs. Jamie Williams
Important Dates
August
8/15- NWEA Fall Testing window opens
8/16- Fall Picture Day
September
9/5- Labor Day; No School
9/21- Distance Learning Day
October
10/17-10/21- Fall Break; No School
The A-Z Guide to Winfield Elementary
Got Questions? We've got answers!
Check out the document below to view the A-Z Guide to Winfield Elementary!
Food Services
2022-2023 Meal Prices
Breakfast- $1.50; Lunch- $2.45
Other Notes and News
Redistricting - Later this year, CPCSC will begin a process to balance our schools’ enrollment numbers. The redistricting process has not started yet, but more information will be available at www.cps.k12.in.us/redistrict23.
Coffee and Conversation - Superintendent Dr. Terrill will be hosting community coffee talks at the Crown Point Library once a month through November. More information can be found at www.cps.k12.in.us/coffee.
Proudly serving students in Preschool through Grade Two!
Address: 13128 Montgomery Street, Crown Point, Indiana 46307
Phone: 219-663-2287
Fax: 219-663-1138
Principal: Jillian Alonzo, 19001
Assistant Principal: Patti Hall, 19003
School Counselor: Jamie Williams, 19008
Treasurer: Anita Griffith, 19002
Secretary: Lisa Kosiara, 19000
Nurse: Becky Charon, 19081
Childcare: Carolyn Lawson, 19018
Cafeteria: Polly Smith, 19603