The Rams Report
The Pulse of Yorkville Elementary School
A Message from the Principal
Dear Yorkville Elementary Families,
As we approach spring and enter the third trimester of the 2016-2017 school year, the promise of sunshine and warmer weather brightens the days. We are all looking forward to the change in seasons and the excitement that comes along with it. In fact, springtime brings the students, staff and families of Yorkville Elementary School many exciting events and opportunities. A few of these activities are described below:
- The Boys’ and Girls’ Volleyball teams will continue in compete in conference matches.
- Junior high students will have the opportunity to participate in the Milwaukee Admirals Education Day on Wednesday, March 8th.
- The Forensics Team will be competing at Union Grove Elementary School on Thursday, March 9th at 5:30. This will provide students with the opportunity to showcase their performances.
- On Wednesday, March 15th choir students will be taking a field trip to The Fireside Theater. This will provide students with an opportunity to see a production of Beauty and the Beast and will provide a glimpse into theater.
- The Solo & Ensemble Festival will take place at Yorkville on Saturday, March 25th. This event begins at 8:00 a.m. and will showcase the talents and efforts of our 6th through 8th grade band and choir students.
March is also the month that students in grades 3 - 8 will begin participating in the Wisconsin Forward assessment. The testing window opens on March 20th and runs through April 7th. Not all students will test each day. Rather, each homeroom will have a few class periods within the window dedicated to the assessment. All students will be tested in the areas of english/language arts and math. In addition, students in 4th and 8th grade will also complete a science and social studies exam. Students who miss a test due to an absence will be scheduled for a make-up session.
You can help your child do his/her best on each test day by:
1. Making sure, if possible, that your child attends school on the days tests are administered.
2. Making sure your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before testing.
3. Ensuring your child eats a healthy breakfast.
4. Reminding your child to ask the teacher questions if he/she does not understand the test directions
5. Letting your child know that you have confidence in his/her ability to do his/her best .
6. Advising your child to not to worry about the test – just do the best he/she can.
We are confident and proud of the work our teachers and students have done up to this point of the school year. This is simply an opportunity for our students to show us what they have learned.
Here's to another great month at Yorkville Elementary School!
Amy Foszpanczyk
The Reading Corner
Do Reading and Writing Go Together?
The answer...Yes! Reading affects writing and writing affects reading. Researchers have found that when children read extensively they become better writers. One of the primary reasons that we read is to learn. While your children are in school, a major portion of what they know comes from texts they read. Since writing is the act of transmitting knowledge in print, we must have information to share before we can write it. Based on this reasoning, reading plays a major role in writing.
On the flip side, practicing writing helps children build their reading skills. This especially targets younger children who are working to develop phonemic awareness (the understanding that words are made up of sounds) and phonics skills. Phonemic awareness develops as children read and write new words. Phonics skills or the ability to link sounds together to construct words are reinforced when children read and write the same words.
In order to help children develop reading and writing skills, parents and teachers need to apply this knowledge when working with them. While adults have an understanding of the process of reading and writing, the connection is not always as apparent to children. As a result, parents and teachers need to work together as a team to teach their children how reading and writing have a strong connection with each other.
“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
-Benjamin Franklin
February Update
February was a busy month filled with lots of celebrations! In addition to celebrating Valentine's Day, students at Yorkville Elementary also celebrated the 100th Day of School! As the saying goes...time flies when you are having fun!
Students in Mrs. Jacobson's first grade class celebrated the 100th Day of School by making a special snack with 100 pieces. They also worked with their fifth grade buddies to create a 100th day project.
Many of our elementary students celebrated the 100th Day of School by dressing up. Students imagined what they might look like when they are 100 and dressed accordingly!
Mrs. Jacobson's class took advantage of the unusually warm February days by taking their learning outside. Students gathered in the outdoor classroom to complete a portion of a science experiment. The first graders are learning about dental health and were working on brushing eggs that had been sitting in soda. To continue their study of dental health, the first graders had the opportunity to meet with a dentist. Dr. Kravig made a visit to first grade to talk about dental hygiene! It was informational and interactive, and the kids all received a goody bag to keep those teeth healthy! Thank you, Dr. Kravig!
Throughout the remainder of the month the first graders worked hard on becoming authors by writing their very own Tacky the Penguin stories! They started by brainstorming ideas, writing a rough draft, receiving edits, writing a final draft, and lastly, illustrating it! They loved sharing the final product with the class as well as their fifth grade friends!
The first through third graders shared their love of rollerskating on Valentine's Day. Fun was had by all!
Third grade students have had many opportunities to extend their learning. Students had the opportunity to work with Mrs. Abbott and learn about Stop Motion Studio. The students worked together to create their own stop motion animation videos. Third graders have also been taking part in a unit of study focused on Washington D.C. As part of this unit, students learned about the duties of the FBI and had the opportunity to classify thumbprints. In science, the students participated in centers to learn more about the heart and the circulatory system.
The entire student body was visited by a local hero, Frank Lamping. Frank addressed students and discussed the importance of hard work and kindness. He also encouraged students to follow their dreams. Students gathered around Frank to congratulate him and to get their Packer gear signed!
The Yorkville Elementary Spelling Bee was held in February. Myles Carpenter won the competition and advanced to the regional bee. Ryan Petrovic was the runner up. Congratulations!
Four Yorkville students had their work selected to be published in the Southern Lakes Anthology. The students will be honored at a reception in May. Congratulations to Olivia Voge, Mia Wilks, Camryn Smith and Lexi Johnsen!
Upcoming Events
Volleyball - March 7th at 4:00 @ Yorkville
Junior High Field Trip (Milwaukee Admirals Education Day) - March 8th
Volleyball - March 9th at 4:00 @ Yorkville
Family PE Night - March 13th at 6:00 (Large Gym)
Volleyball - March 14th at 4:00 @ Bristol
Choir Field Trip to The Fireside - March 15th
Volleyball - March 16th at 4:00 @ Salem
PTO Meeting - March 16th at 6:30 (Library)
Math Meet (5th - 8th grade) - March 22nd
School Board Meeting - March 22nd at 7:00 (Room 112)
Referendum Information Session - March 23rd @ 6:00 (Cafeteria)
Solo & Ensemble Festival (6th - 8th Grade Band & Choir) - March 25th from 8:00 - 1:00
Third Grade Field Trip (Discovery World) - March 30th
The Board Bulletin
We would like to thank the community again for participating in or viewing the latest information session for the Yorkville operational referendum. We were fortunate enough to have the Union Grove media group record the last session, and it is posted on our school website. I encourage all to take the time to watch the recording to ensure you are informed on the current status of the school budget and revenue concerns.
With the volleyball season and spring musical approaching, the board is looking forward to watching our students perform their best. The next school board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 22nd at 7pm. School Board meetings are held at school in Room 112. The next information session will be on March 23rd in the school cafeteria.
Best Regards,
Yorkville School Board
PTO Update
The PTO is taking part in the Home Team Advantage Program sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings. Visit Buffalo Wild Wings before April 2nd and show your teammate card. Buffalo Wild Wings will then donate 10% of your total bill to Yorkville Elementary. Get your teammate card by clicking here.
The next PTO meeting will be held on Thursday, March 16th at 6:30 in the school library. All are welcome. Hope to see you there!
PTO is planning April's Family Fun Night. The event will be held on Friday, April 7th . More information will be coming soon.
Keep saving Box Tops and turning them in to your child's classroom. We will be collecting Box Tops until May 1st.
A BIG Thank You!
Greetings Yorkville Rams! My name is Marissa Polzin, and I am an 8th Grade student. As you read in the February newsletter, I am striving to earn my Silver Award. I organized the "Donate Food and Spread the Love" campaign. As a result of your generous donations, we were able to collect a total of 245 items and put together 50 bags. Each bag includes one full recipe and instructions, a $10 gift card, as well as assorted measuring cups and spoons. All of the donations are going to be used in some way, and all of the items will be donated to someone in need. The bags will go to victims of domestic violence who are staying at Bethany Apartments in Racine. Thank you so much to everyone who donated to my project and made an impact in the community around you!