PAW PRINTS
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - April 9, 2020
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.
All students will demonstrate growth in their social-emotional learning.
Winfield Elementary Family Check-In
You can access this week's check-in here: Winfield Elementary Check-In 4.10.20
Is Your Child Returning in 2020-2021?
Current Kindergarten and First Grade Students
Please complete one form for each child.
From the Principal, Mrs. Alonzo
Dear Winfield Friends and Family,
We've completed a terrific second week of Distance Learning. I know everyone is feeling spent working through these new schedules, so I hope the extra day off Friday brings you some rest and relaxation.
If you've not yet connected to us on our Winfield/Jerry Ross Facebook page, I encourage you to do so. It's been a source of laughs and support each week seeing and hearing what our families are doing.
PLEASE, reach out at any time with concerns or questions. We (all staff members) are most easily reached via email at this time. You can reach me at jalonzo@cps.k12.in.us.
Boys and Girls, listen to Mrs. Alonzo's latest read alouds!
Harry P. Spader, Personal Space Invader
Much love,
Mrs. Jillian Alonzo
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 663-2287 ext. 19001
Counselor's Corner, with Mrs. Williams
Let’s talk brain breaks!
What are brain breaks?
Brain breaks are mental breaks to help students stay focused and present. Brain breaks typically involve movement to get oxygen and blood to the brain.
What are the benefits of brain breaks?
Brain breaks give students time to process what they have learned, letting all the new knowledge sink in! Brain breaks re-energize the brain, allowing it to focus again! By giving brain breaks, students are given more opportunities for physical movement; which will keep them engaged!
Can brain breaks help with regulating emotions?
Absolutely! The long answer to this gets pretty scientific and complex. So for now, I will give you the short answer! If a student is feeling anxious, overwhelmed, overstimulated the different areas of their brain are not working at capacity- which means they are not receiving and storing information properly. By giving them a brain break, it will assist in bringing a student’s brain state back from overdrive, allowing them to think clearly and focus.
How many minutes should a brain break last and how often should a brain break be given?
Ideally, a brain break should not last more than 5 minutes. Brain breaks are good to do before transitioning to a different topic/subject, or introducing a new concept.
What is a brain break? Here are a few examples:
- Do 20 jumping jacks
- March/Run in place for 1 minute
- Do a crab or bear walk for 1 minute
- Jump Rope for 2 minutes
- Dance to your favorite song
- Hula Hoop for 5 minutes
- Do 10 push ups
- Do a wall push for 20 seconds
- Do a GoNoodle video
- Clap out a pattern
The options are endless! As long as it gets them moving, it will work. I encourage you to make a list with your child, write them all out, and place them in a jar. Each eLearning day, allow them to pull 2-3 of them out of the jar. Don’t forget to give yourself a brain break as well! Do them together for a quick rejuvenation!
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday weekend!
Just a reminder: Please check your spam folders in your email, as my emails may get stuck there! Please connect with me via email: jwilliams@cps.k12.in.us
Positive Behavior Coach, Mrs. Adams
Hello, Winfield families -
Greetings from PBIS land! I hope this email finds you all well and safe.
All three grade levels are now in the final unit of Second Step lessons, and in these lessons, the focus is problem-solving strategies. With the newness of distance learning, I understand some struggles may arise, so I know the strategies students will learn during these lessons should prove beneficial.
Children who feel overwhelmed or hopeless often won't attempt to address a problem, but when you give them a clear formula for solving problems, they'll feel more confident in their ability to try. The steps I have included below are what your child will be learning in their Second Step lessons. These steps provide a great framework for parents to utilize at home and will allow you to practice problem-solving solutions alongside your child.
Step 1: How do you feel? Calm down. Ask your child to identify how they feel. Ask them for suggestions to calm down (things they have learned during Second Step lessons like first naming their feeling and then belly breathing, counting, using positive self talk). Practice various other ways to calm down.
Step 2: What is the problem? Ask your child to describe what the problem is. Help children to reframe the problem so it is defined as their problem, not someone else's problem. For example, "I want to use the red crayon," instead of "they won't share the red crayon."
Step 3: Come up with solutions. Encourage your child to think of as many solutions as possible In the beginning, you may need to help them with solutions. Write down the possible solutions. The focus at this step is just to generate as many solutions as possible, not to evaluate solutions.
Step 4: What would happen? Ask your child to think what would happen next if they chose a solution. Is the solution safe? A safe solution means no one will get hurt. Is the solution fair? How will everyone feel? Have your child go through the solutions they generated and think about what would happen next. Role playing the solutions can help your child understand the possible consequences.
Step 5: Try the solution. Have your child pick a solution to the problem. Will the problem be resolved? The chosen solution can also be role played.
Children learn best from the everyday experience solving problems that are meaningful to them. It is helpful to observe those moments when children have problems and help them think about ways to solve their own problems, and I hope you and your children enjoy the lessons to come!
To our amazing, brave, and hard-working students: I miss you all so very much, and I am incredibly proud of the work you are doing at home. Keep staying safe. Much love to you all!
Mrs. Mandy Adams
Wildcat News Network 4.9.20
Message from Dr. Lux, 4/9
Crown Point Parents and Students,
With two weeks of extended distance learning now completed, students (and their parents) are to be congratulated for their academic effort and accomplishments. Teachers are also to be commended for their diligent work in providing a quality learning experience for students.
It is disappointing for everyone, especially the senior class of 2020, not to have in-school classes. Listed below is updated information regarding the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. Unfortunately, there are still several matters that are still to be determined.
Wishing everyone an enjoyable Easter weekend.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tony Lux
Interim Superintendent
COMPLETION OF 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR
All Distance Learning for the remainder of the school year will continue with Monday-Wednesday-Friday procedures currently in place
May 20 - Final class assignments for grade level or course completion will be given to all students in grades K-12
May 29 - The last day for all student academic assignments to be completed and returned
May 29 - The last official day of school
SENIOR GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND CREDITS
· All seniors are considered “On Track for Graduating” if they have both passed all necessary credit classes prior to end of 3rd Quarter PLUS complete all high school credit classes that they are taking as of March 19, 2020
· CPHS Counselors will be contacting seniors as to their status for achieving their graduation and specific diploma requirements
· Distance Learning Summer School credit classes and credit recovery classes will be available for those seniors still needing additional credits for graduation
GRADUATION CEREMONY; PROM; CAPS AND GOWNS; DIPLOMA DISTRIBUTION; COLLECTION OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS LEFT IN SCHOOL
Final decisions on these matters will be made May 1 following the end of the current Governor Stay At Home order and will be based on the Governor’s next stay at home/social distancing order.
SUMMER SCHOOL
Some form of Summer schools classes are expected to be offered this summer. Details are yet to be determined.
Quarter 3 Report Cards
Grade 1-5 Report cards have been uploaded to RDS for parents to view in ‘parent access.’
The link to the report card is VIEW GRADE CARD on the right end under fees.
There will be no 3rd quarter report card for kindergarten students.
Crown Point Community Library
The Crown Point Community Library provides vital resources and services to community members each day, and it's our mission is to keep the community connected to library resources while the library buildings are closed to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
APPLY FOR A LIBRARY CARD ONLINE:
Bring the library to your home by utilizing our digital resources with your library card. If you don't have a library card, if your card has expired, or simply don't remember your pin number, don't worry we can help you! You can apply or update your card online. To get started fill out and submit the online application and library staff will assist you.
Click here to Library Card: https://tinyurl.com/getaCPCLcardonline
EVERYDAY - 24/7 ACCESS TO DIGITAL RESOURCES Click Here
Help Us Celebrate Our Great Teachers!
It takes moments to recognize a teacher!
Students, parents, and fellow colleagues can access The Times Teacher Appreciation Form at www.nwitimes.com/forms/teachers_appreciation/ and nominate a teacher who excels in the classroom. Nominators are kept confidential…their information is not printed in the paper.
Reading Connection
Learning to read, and learning to LOVE to read is a goal we work towards each day at school. Family partnership in this goal is critical if we wish to build a true community of readers. Each month I will share with you a publication titled Reading Connection. This quick two-page resource is geared towards busy parents, and includes practical ways to promote reading, writing, and language skills. You can check out April's issue below.
Nutrition Nuggets
Students with healthy eating and exercise habits have higher test scores, better attendance, improved concentration, fewer discipline referrals, and greater overall achievement. Nutrition Nuggets shares ideas to improve nutrition and physical fitness at home. Every issue is filled with practical ideas for:
- preparing nutritious meals on a tight schedule and tight budget
- smart snacking
- finding time for exercise—and ways to make it fun
- boosting vegetables and whole grains
- making nutritious foods appealing
- physical activities families can do together
- teaching kids about healthy choices
CAFE News
Amazon Smile
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.
Every item available for purchase on www.amazon.com is also available on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) at the same price. You will see eligible products marked "Eligible for AmazonSmile donation" on their product detail pages. Visit smile.amazon.com and select your charitable group: Winfield Jerry Ross Elementary Schools Parent Teacher Organization
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
Free & Reduced Lunch Assistance
During school closures, the following sites will have meals available for students who are receiving assistance. Please visit between 10 am- 12 pm to pick up one breakfast/one lunch each weekday.
MacArthur Elementary
Jerry Ross Elementary
Timothy Ball Elementary
Crown Point High School.