PAW PRINTS
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - October 5, 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
Apple Orchard
Bully Prevention Week
Charlotte Paintings
From the Principal
This month we are focusing on the Character Trait of Fairness. At Winfield, we define this as “playing by the rules”. I often find myself talking with my own children about what fairness means and how there are differences between what is fair and what is equal. This is not always easy with a 5 and 8 year old! For me, a perfect time to tackle a discussion like this is at the dinner table when the entire family is together. Try using one dinner a week as a chance to pose a thought-provoking question such as:
- What does fairness mean?
- Talk about a time you thought something was unfair. Why?
- How do mom and dad show fairness at home?
- How do YOU show fairness at home or with friends?
- How does your teacher show fairness at school?
- How do I show fairness for kids at school that aren’t my good friends?
- What would you do if you saw someone being treated unfairly?
This conversational time is important! It is a time for children to learn how to express themselves. Warning: you might not like all of their answers, or they might have difficulty at first expressing themselves about specific topics regarding values – please, for now, hold back on “correcting” them. Think of this as an exercise in sharing of ideas, an opportunity for you as parents to model for them. This is a terrific opportunity to see how our children think, feel, what they observe, and how we as the adults in their lives are teaching our children important values.
Younger Children Fairness means:
Playing by the rules
Treating others the way you want to be treated
Taking Turns
Sharing
Listening
Telling the truth
Older Children Fairness means:
Treating people fairly
Everyone has the same chance
Considering all of the facts before making a decision
Use the same rules for everyone
Don’t blame others for your mistakes
Think about how your actions will affect others
Listen closely to others and think about how they feel
Children want and need rules, structure and boundaries. It is these components which create a sense of fairness, predictability and safety in a child’s environment. By enforcing these rules and expectations consistently and abiding by these same expectations as the adult – we are on the road to raising kids of character who will treat others with fairness.
Source: KidSafe Foundation
Contact Information:
Jillian Alonzo, Principal
663-2287 ext. 19001
From the Treasurer
The first payment for Textbook Fees is PAST DUE. If you have been keeping up with your Book Rental Payment Agreement, please continue to do so. If you have not filled out a Payment Agreement form or made arrangements in the office, please do so immediately. Accounts not having an agreement form filled out or making scheduled payments, according to your agreement, may be referred to collections.
If you believe you may be eligible for Textbook Assistance (income dependent), please contact Mrs. Griffith about completing a Textbook Assistance application. If you have any questions please call Mrs. Griffith at 219-663-2287 ext. 19000.
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
Help Stop Bullying
Recognize ∙ Report ∙ Refuse
We have been teaching our students the three “R’s” to help stop bullying. Before we can prevent bullying, we must first RECOGNIZE what bullying is. The State of Indiana defines bullying as unwanted, aggressive behavior that is:
1. REPEATED – happens more than once.
2. INTENTIONAL - happens on purpose.
3. HAS AN IMBALANCE OF POWER – makes the target feel afraid.
Once bullying is recognized our students must REPORT it. Find a trusted adult and use a strong, respectful voice to inform and ask for help. Our staff is expected to take reports of bullying seriously and help make it stop.
The adult may help the student practice what to say to the person who is bullying him or her. Using a strong and respectful voice, the student should REFUSE the bullying by saying, “Stop it! That’s bullying.”
Bullying can come in different forms; physical, verbal, social, electronic, or written. Regardless of the approach, bullying is NOT and will NOT be accepted. We, as adults, must understand the difference between bullying and peer conflicts or friend issues. While mean acts are extremely unfortunate, not all are acts of bullying. Sometimes our students just make poor choices. Please know that anytime your child is having a problem at school, regardless of the reason, we always do our best to find a solution and deal the problem. We look forward to continue working with our students and families to keep our school bully free and ensure everyone feels safe while they are here.
Contact Information:
Kelly Mucha, Home-School Facilitator
663-2287 ext. 19108
Brandy Sims, PBIS Coach
663-2287 ext. 19602
From the Art Room
From the Nurse
Now is the time for flu shots! Recent studies have shown that getting a flu shot can reduce the risk of getting the flu by 40-60%. Please read the link from the CDC for more information about the flu vaccine: FLU FACTS
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
DID YOU KNOW? 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 Leluga Family! Congratulations, Dylan !
ATTENDANCE GOAL: 97% ACTUAL: 96.6%
Kindergarten: 95.3% First Grade: 97.8% Second Grade: 96.9%
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 October 8
MONDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza OR Breakfast Bar/Cereal
Lunch: Pretzel & Cheese Sauce OR Fruit & Yogurt Parfait, Green Beans, Fresh Vegetables, 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 Sauce, 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
October 2018
Bully Prevention Month
6- Midwest Gymnastics Open Gym 7-9 pm ($10 per student)
8- Blue Monday, Wear Blue
12/15- Fall Break; No School
22- Blue Monday, Wear Blue
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
CAFE Corner
Midwest Gymnastics
Our first Open Gym night of the year will be held on Saturday, October 6th! Join us at Midwest Gymnastics on Summit Street for a fun drop-off event. Students may be dropped off from 7-9pm for $10 and enjoy trampolines, foam pit, tumbling tracks and more! Supervision is provided by volunteers from the CAFE, and Mrs. Alonzo always joins in! Please direct any questions to Kim Neff at kimneff31@yahoo.com.
McSchool Night
Mark your calendar’s now for the first McSchool night of the 2018/2019 school year, Tuesday, October 23rd 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.
COMMITTEE PERSONS SOUGHT
- 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