The Weekly aWESome
January 5th, 2024
Celebrations
PBIS
New and Noteworthy
One Book, One School
This week we are starting our One Book One School celebration. Every teacher will read aloud the book Astrid & Apollo Ice Fishing in the classroom and do activities along with the story. Every student is reading the book at the same time so encourage your students to tell you about the book and talk with other students/teachers about it. Each Friday there will be a celebration activity of the week.
This week students will be listening to chapter 1 and discussing how it feels to try something new.
At the end of the read aloud we are going to have a week long school-wide celebration.
Windsor Loves to Read Week: End of One Book, One School Celebration Use what you have at home, no need to buy anything new for this - Creativity is preferred! Monday - Under water day - Dress Up ideas: anything blue, fishing, or underwater plants & animals. Tuesday - Winter Wonderland - Dress up: anything white, clothes they wear to bundle up Wednesday - time you were brave or tried something new -Dress Up: anything to represent something you’ve tried (sports, etc.), or even an object that helps you be brave (example: superhero cape) Thursday - Twinning Day - Dress Up: Match a friend or teacher!
We are so excited to celebrate Windsor's love of reading!
Sledding in Phy Ed
Hello W.E.S. Families!
It is that time of year that we are hoping, fingers crossed, to get some snow for our sledding unit in Physical Education! We are asking that any time we get snow, you send your student prepared for sledding. To be prepared and able to participate your student needs, at the minimum, the following; boots, snow pants, coat, any type of gloves. We are asking for you to send them whenever we get snow because due to our inconsistent Wisconsin weather, we never really know when sledding will happen! And we want to be prepared and take advantage of days when we do have any snow. If you or your student needs help in obtaining snow gear for sledding, please reach out to us or someone in the office and we will work to get those items for them. Thank you as always for your continued support and please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Byrnes, Mr. Rogness and Mr. Gengler of The Phy. Ed Dept.
Morning Drop-Off
Do not drop students off in the parking lot by pulling up to the median and letting them out. This is not safe and has potential to cause huge traffic problems. Students can be dropped off by parking and walking to the crosswalk or going through the drop off line.
After School Supervision
School dismissal is at 2:40 with the expectation that your student will either take the bus home or will be picked up. We do not have supervision if you are running late. Staff may have meetings or prepping for the next day, as well as want to get home to their own families. We ask that if you are running late you make other arrangements for your student.
Social-Emotional Learning
Life Skills Class
We are talking about safety using 2nd Step lessons "8 Never Nevers" and "3 Ways to Stay Safe." In the next weeks we will be talking about setting healthy boundaries and body safety including appropriate and inappropriate touching.
Skills for Learning
This month, our schoolwide theme is skills for learning: listening, focusing attention, using
self-talk to stay on-task, and being assertive when asking for help with a learning task. In
our morning announcements and school assembly, we’ll be reminding students of these
skills, which help students be successful learners.
Second Step lessons teach skills for learning. The following Home Links describe why
these skills are important and including fun activities to do with your child to practice them.
We hope you enjoy them!
Please tell your child’s teacher if you’d like more suggestions about supporting skills for
learning at home or have questions.
Character Trait of the Month
PTO
The Windsor Parent Teacher Organization (WPTO) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to partner with the teachers and staff at Windsor Elementary School to strengthen our school community, encourage parents to actively participate in their children’s educational experience, and inspire students to achieve their full potential to learn, socialize, and grow. You can find more information about how to get involved here.
The next WPTO meeting: Thursday, January 11th, 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Join us in person at Windsor Elementary or virtually.
Please help us spread thanks to all the generous 2023 Sponsors for their support! Enjoy Local!
A special thank you to WISCO Real Estate Services, the Signature Sponsor of the WE Run! Learn more about WISCO Real Estate Services here.
Worth Repeating
No Left Turn
We are removing the no left turn sign out of our drive onto Windsor Road. This decision was made by school and district leadership in consult with Dane County Sherriff's Department.
No Dropoff in Bus Lane
It has come to our attention that there has been several cars that are dropping off students in the bus lane (south parking lot). This lot is reserved for buses only. For safety, please drop off your students at the front of the building (where the flag pole is located).
School Directory through Skyward Family Access
Please click here for directions on how to access the School Directory through Skyward Family Access, as well as how to opt your student(s) into the directory.
Life Skills Classes
We are working on Kelso's Choices
DeForest Area School District- There's an app for that!
You can now keep up with the who, what, when, and where through the DeForest Area School District app on all mobile devices!
Scan the QR code or download the DeForest Area School District app from your app store. With our new app, you can:
- Keep up with all of our latest news, information and announcements
- Subscribe and receive push notifications right on your phone to announcements, calendars, and news
- Contact teachers, staff, and administration
- Access school menus, Skyward, and more
- Receive daily and weekly updates and reminders
- Help promote school safety through the SpeakUp-SpeakOut TipLine
Extra Clothes and Weather Appropriate Outerwear Reminder
Students of all grades may need to change into extra clothes/shoes for a variety of reasons during the school day (lunch/milk spill, accidents, mud or snow on the playground depending on the season). If you could keep a change of extra clothes in your child's cubby or backpack, that would be great, as we have a limited supply of extra clothes in the health office.
Also, it's already getting to be that time of year when the temperature drops in the mornings but warms up throughout the day. Please send weather appropriate outerwear (jackets, hats, gloves, etc) to keep your child warm for outdoor recess. We go outside unless it's raining or the wind chill is below zero. Thank you!
Reporting Attendance
To report attendance, please use one of these options: Text (608) 501-2485, Call (608) 842-6313, or email wesattendance@deforestschools.org. All attendance lines are available 24 hours a day. Please text, call, or email before the start of the school day if your child will not be attending school, will be late, will be picked up early, or will have a change in transportation home. Please indicate the reason why your student will be absent or late. Thank you!
Contacting Kobussen
If you need to contact the bus company, it's generally best to call during non-route times which are from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Raptor
Raptor is our school safety software that enables schools to screen visitors and volunteers. You will need to bring in your driver's license the first time you come into the school, and the office will scan your license. They will print out a visitor badge that you will wear while in school. Once the office scans your driver's license the first time, the next time you come in, the office just needs your name to print off your badge. Thank you!
Volunteers
District policy requires that a criminal background check be completed prior to volunteering. This includes parents who plan to attend field trips with their child. The background check is good for 3 years. The volunteer background check can be completed by filling out the following form: Background Check.
Substitutes Needed!
DeForest Area School District is excited to partner with Edustaff to provide substitute staffing for the district’s schools and we are looking forward to a great school year!
Edustaff will provide substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, recess aides, nurses, and secretaries to DeForest schools. We are looking for passionate subs who enjoy working with youth and want to give back to their community. Anyone interested in becoming a substitute in DeForest Area School District can apply online at Edustaff.org.
For more information regarding becoming a substitute with Edustaff, please email Riley Huebsch at rhuebsch@edustaff.org, visit www.edustaff.org, or give us a call at 877-974-6338.
DATES
LINKS
Por favor, contáctame si tiene alguna pregunta sobre esta información. Puede comunicarse en español al tel 1-833-611-1664.
Thov hu rau kuv yog koj muaj lus nug. Hu 1-833-611-1664 tuaj tiv tauj kuv rau lwm hom lus.
Please contact me if you have any questions. Call 1-833-611-1664 to contact me in another language.