Rusch April 2018
A GREAT PLACE TO BE: EVERY STUDENT, EVERY CHANCE, EVERY DAY
NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I cannot believe it is April already. As I sit down to write this, I am reminded that we are expecting snow with two months left of school; say it isn't so!
Thank you to those of you who were able to make it to conferences and Pride Day. We love being able to share with you how well your child/children are doing. You can tell the kids love it to, with their smiles ear to ear.
As I mentioned in the March newsletter, we began our testing this week! We kicked off our test taking with a rally that included our K-2 encouragers making a tunnel for and cheering on our 3-5 test takers. It is those moments of collaboration and support that make Rusch a great place to be!
Just a reminder that our primary grades' schedules may change throughout the morning to help provide the best test taking environment for our students. As a family you can help support your test taker by making sure that they get to bed on time and get a good nights sleep. It is also important for them to have a nutritious breakfast in the morning. Reminding the students to take their time, do their best, and use their strategies when taking the test are also ways you can support them.
We have had a change in our testing schedule, due to the school going to see Cinderella at PHS on Wed, April 18. Please see the schedule below:
Test Dates:
April 3-5, 10-11 for 3rd-5th Grade 8:30-11:30 AM.
April 12, 17, 19, 20 for 4th Grade 8:30-11:30 AM.
In the upcoming weeks you will be getting a lot of information regarding end of the year events. You will also get a letter sent home asking for important information regarding class placement for next year. It is a questionnaire that I send out every Spring to get your feedback, as you know your child best. Your opinion is valued when making decisions for your student.
Here's to a not too snowy April,
Mrs. Schoenborn
DATES TO REMEMBER
April 3-5, 10-11 ~ Forward Exam 8:30-11:30 Grades 3-5
April 12, 17,19, & 20 ~ Forward Exam 8:30-11:30 Grade 4
April 16 ~ No School; Staff Inservice
April 18 ~ Rusch School Field Trip ~ Cinderella Musical PHS
April 23 ~ Pizza Ranch Fundraiser 4-8 PM
May 9 ~ Spring Music Program, 1:30 PM in the Gymnasium
Office News
- Rusch Outside doors do not open until 7:30 AM. Please take into consideration, there is no outside supervision at Rusch until 7:30 AM.
- Please remember to fill out an Advanced Request for Planned Absence form if your child will be absent for more than one day. i.e. vacation
Cafeteria
Reminder about lunch accounts:
Please maintain a positive balance.
Pre-payment is needed for breakfast, lunch, and a la carte (milk only) items.
Please ask the office for Free and Reduced applications at any time during the school year.
Here is the link to the April Menu! http://www.portage.k12.wi.us/district/lunch.cfm?memberid=15&month=4&year=2018&view=cal_view&categoryid=306&submit_button=View+Menu#d268378
Physical Education
Art Club
Students were working on making woodblocks into Spring bunnies and warm fuzzies out of pom poms.
Art Class
Students have been working on learning about artists and then creating artwork in that style. For example, first graders learned about Chinese dishes painted 1000 years ago in cobalt blue paint. They then created their own dishes with a Chinese dragon. Kindergarteners learned about the artist Matisse and his collage artwork of a snail. Students then showed movement by creating their own cut paper art snakes using bright colored shapes like Matisse. Second grade learned about Alexander Calder's mobile sculptures. Students were excited to create their own monkey sculpture. Third grade learned about the Artist Landseer, who a breed of dogs is named after. Students were able to create texture when they painted their very own dogs. Fourth graders drew, painted and then scratched designs on their colorful peacocks. Fifth grade has been continuing to weave a reed basket.
Stitch Club
Second graders all made it to Goal Gala! They worked hard to increase their fact fluency in either addition, subtraction or multiplication.
Some others learned new vocabulary words! One student learned 90 new words in the quarter. WOW! They all have been working hard to get ready for 3rd grade!
Music
-Miss Janes
We are finishing up fractions and will be beginning quadrilaterals in math. We will be concluding our U.S. Geography unit by creating a salt dough landform map! We are also preparing for the FORWARD exam that will take place in April.
3rd grade Team!
Nursing
End of School Year Medication Pick Up by Parents
This is a reminder to pick up your child's medication you provided to school by June 4th. Medications may not be sent home with children, so please notify the office if an adult other than a parent will be picking this up.
Medication paperwork needs to be provided to school each school year. Forms are available online for when you are in the clinic seeing a provider over the summer. Forms will also be at registration.
If you have medication to dispose of from your home, the Portage Police Department has a collects box. There is no charge for this disposal.
BackPack Program
Staff at Rusch Elementary are teaming up to provide food to children for the 2017-2018 school year. The Backpack Program is a free program that provides kid-friendly, non-perishable food, for students most in need, to eat over the weekends. It is our hope these resources will support the health, behavior, and achievement of every student that participates.
Items distributed in the program could include: cereal, peanut butter, juice, fruit cups, soup, vegetables, and granola bars to name a few. Bags will be distributed to student participants on the last school day before the weekend or break. Any child who is in need is eligible to receive these weekly bags of food.
Please carefully consider your family’s economic status to determine if food assistance is needed by your child(ren). The goal of the program is to provide food to children who are hungry on a regular basis.
This program has been funded this year through donations, grants, and a private donation. It is staffed by Rusch teachers and volunteers.
If you feel your child(ren) could benefit from this program at any time during the school year, please email Mrs. Schoenborn at schoenbornn@portage.k12.wi.us. We will do our best to ensure that this program is confidential as students will not be identified as participating. Our staff will put a bag filled with food in your child(ren)’s backpack before school is let out for the weekend.
Columbia County Resources
Columbia County Health and Human Services
Food Pantries
2nd Harvest Mobile Food Pantries (open to all Columbia County residents)
2nd Monday of every month at 11:00am at the Columbia Co. Fairgrounds, Wauona Tr/Griffith St. Everyone welcome. No ID’s needed. Bring your own carts/baskets to carry your food.
St Vincent De Paul Food Pantry
Located at 1311 West Wisconsin Street in Portage
Monday–Thursday 9am–5pm, Friday 9am–8pm and Saturday 9am–5pm
*You will need to bring photo ID, proof of residency and your own bags. Applicants are eligible every 30 days.
Park and Recreation
806 Silver Lake Dr, Portage, Wi, 53901 (608) 742-2178
Family Resource Center
2946 Red Fox Run, Portage, WI 53901 (608) 742-8482
Provides a variety of family services, including scheduled playgroups, parenting support and information series, workshops, and family visiting program. Staff are available to answer questions or provide resources to help families. All services are free.
Dental – Free or Low Cost Services - Seal-A-Smile
Susan Lorenz R.N. M.S. Columbia County Health Officer at 608-742-9227 susan.lorenz@co.columbia.wi.us
The Columbia County Seal-A-Smile dental sealant program is available at no charge whether or not your child is covered by dental insurance. The program will bill Medical Assistance or BadgerCare if your child is covered by these programs.
Free Immunization Clinic
2:30pm-5:30pm (10/10, 11/14, 12/12 - 2016) No appointment is necessary – Birth parent or legal guardian signature required. Bring immunization records.
Library Programs
Contact the library in your community to inquire about special programs for children and families, such as story hour or summer reading programs.
Portage Public Library 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage 53901 (608) 742-4959 Hours: Mon-Thurs 9-8:30; Fri 9-6; Sat 10-4 Sat hours between Memorial Day & Labor Day are 10-1 Contact: info@portagelibrary.us Website: http://www.portagelibrary.us/
There are many more resources available to our community, feel free to check out the Columbia County Health and Human Services Website: http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/columbiacounty/Portals/7/Resource%20Guide.pdf
Rusch Elementary School
Website: portage.k12.wi.us/rusch
Location: 117 W Franklin St, Portage, WI, United States
Phone: 608-742-7376