Van Brunt Newsletter
January 2018 Edition
Happy 2018!
Dear Van Brunt Families,
Welcome back! We are off to a great start in 2018! Students and staff returned from break renewed and ready for a strong second half of the year. I continue to be grateful for the wonderful students, families, and staff we are fortunate to have at Van Brunt.
January is a time many people use to reflect on their lives, goals, and future plans. At Van Brunt, we also use this time to to reflect on teaching and learning. Students will be participating in mid-year assessments. Based on the assessment results and reflections, teachers will be making adjustments to instruction. Students will also set individual goals which will help each learner continue to move forward in his/her education. We are looking forward to a very successful second half of the year.
You can look forward to receiving our new standards based report cards near the end of the month. This is a new format and has really helped us focus on how each learner is progressing and where we can provide additional support or enrichment.
As always, please don't hesitate to contact me or your child's teachers if you every have questions or things you would like to discuss. This open communication will help us better meet the needs of all learners.
Sincerely,
Lisa Sawyer
Van Brunt Principal
Attendance Matters!
For the month of December, Van Brunt ran another attendance challenge! We celebrated the classes that had the highest rate of attendance for the month. Our first place winners were Mrs. Curry's class. Mrs. Sawyer and Mrs. Borgstrom made breakfast in the classroom for the students.There is another attendance challenge happening this month! Please help your child’s class win by having them to school each day and on time! Attendance matters and we need your help to ensure everyone has an on-time, positive start to the day!
Attendance Challenge Winners
Attendance Challenge WInners
Winter Weather Reminder
The weather is getting colder! Please make sure your child comes to school with appropriate winter clothing. In case of inclement weather, and school is delayed or closed, you will receive a message from School Messenger. You can also listen to local radio stations (WBEV-AM 1430 WXRO-FM 95.3 WBKV-AM 1470 WBWI-FM 92.5 WMDC-FM 98.7) or TV stations ( WTMJ-TV (NBC 4) WITI-TV (FOX 6)WISN-TV (ABC 12) WDJT-TV (CBS 58) MADISON WMTV-TV (NBC 15) ).
VAN BRUNT IS A BLUE ZONES APPROVED SCHOOL!
Also, we are having a wellness fair in the spring. If you or someone you know would like to have a booth at the fair please contact Mrs. Borgstrom at 485-4423.
PTO News
Grade 3 POPS
Team of the Month
Getting to know the team of the month
Pat O’Connell
I have been at Van Brunt for 20 years. I have taught at the middle school and the 4/5th grade level during those years. I enjoy coming to work every day because of our great students and families in this community and being able to work with such an outstanding staff. On my personal time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, coaching my kids in baseball, basketball and softball.
Morgan Fuhrer
I have been in education for 2 years and at Van Brunt for 2 years. I love making an impact on students and getting them excited to learn. In my free time I like to spend time with my husband and my family.
Dennise Berthold:
I am the library aide, and this is my 5th year at Van Brunt. I love that I get to share my days with all the kids from 4k-6th grade since they all come to the library. The kids love to pick out new books, so it's fun to see that excitement! My favorite part of the job is when they can't wait to tell me about the book they just read and why they liked it.
Jeff McKean:
This is my 12th year at Van Brunt and 20th year in education, overall! Wow; that's hard to believe! What I love most about my job is realizing that what I do makes a positive difference in this world and especially in kids' lives. During my free time, I enjoy reading, farming, and spending time with my family (wife, Lori, and two sons, Benn, and Adam) Many times, these days, that means supporting my two sons at all of their sporting events. Life is good!
Marie Cookson
This is my 14th year in education. I have taught 5-8th grade language arts, library skills - including technology skills classes K-8, 7th & 8th grade Writing Technology, and Internet Safety/Social Media classes to 7th & 8th graders. I have also worked as an editorial assistant. I earned my BS at UW-Whitewater (Elementary 1-8) in 2000 and received my MLIS (Master's of Library & Information Studies) degree in August of 2017.
I love being a Library Media Specialist because I get to work with students Pre-K through 12th grade. I love reading! (What a surprise!), papercrafting, and learning new things all the time, and helping teach students and staff.
The staff and students in the Horicon School District are amazing and I've learned so much already in my short time here! Proud to be a Marshwoman! Thank you everyone for your help and support!
Tower Building Challenge
2nd Place: Kinley Leone & Khloe Lindert
3rd Place: Aubry Cundy & Caleb Butler
Polar Express
Polar Express
IMPORTANT DATES IN JANUARY
Tuesday, January 2: School Resumes
Thursday, January 4: 6:30 PTO Meeting In the Community Room
Tuesday, January 9: 6:00 Special Board Meeting in the PLC Room
Saturday, January 13: 12:00 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest in the VB Gym
Monday, January 15: 7:00 Board Meeting In the PLC Room
Wednesday, January 17: End of First Semester
Thursday, January 18: No School
Wednesday, January 31: 2:15 POPS Grade 4 In the PLC Room