PAW PRINTS
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - December 14, 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.
All students will demonstrate growth in their social-emotional learning.
Peek at the Week
Flippy Dolphin
Wildcat Wednesday
Wanna Write?
From the Principal
Five Tips to Keep Your Child Learning Over the Holidays
(from the Edmentum Blog)
As we move into the holiday season, the semester is quickly coming to an end and winter break is approaching. How can you ensure your child stays engaged in learning? No need to add to the holiday stress! Lots of holiday-season tasks, like working on writing skills with holiday card duty or practicing budgeting and math skills while shopping and cooking, can keep your child’s mind working over break. Here are five ideas to get started:
1. Explore Opportunities to Learn Online
Connect with your child’s teacher to find out what online learning resources are available for use at home during the break. DreamBox and RAZ-KIDS are two great programs that students can work on at any time! This will help keep open lines of communication with your child’s teacher, and it will give you the opportunity to learn more about tools your child uses every day. As you plan out schedules, set aside daily or weekly times for your child to log in and continue their classroom learning at home.
2. Use the Kitchen as a Learning Tool
The kitchen can offer a great teaching and learning experience. Whether reading recipes, measuring ingredients, or learning about temperatures, giving your child the opportunity to actively participate in creating your family’s delicious holiday treats is an excellent chance to sharpen math and reading skills. Plus, you’ll gain a great new sous chef!
3. Don’t Forget Story Time
Research has found “children who are read to at least three times a week by a family member were almost twice as likely to score in the top 25% in reading compared to children who are read to less than three times a week.” Over the holidays, schedule time to read to your child and model good reading strategies. Give your young learners the opportunity to even more actively participate in the joy of reading by having them read their favorite holiday stories to you. Pick out themed books, ask thoughtful comprehension questions, and have fun getting lost in a story together!
4. Get Out and About
Days off from school and work around the holidays can be a great opportunity to get out and do some activities you may not usually have time for. Check your local paper or community blog for educational opportunities for your whole family. Whether it’s a holiday fair where your young child can practice counting tickets, or a trip to the mall where older children can help budget for gifts, there are lots of ways to get the whole family involved and having fun.
5. Create a Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Before the first semester officially comes to a close, start working on a holiday-themed scavenger hunt for your child. Pick prizes, set goals, and think of festive clues, experiences, and research that your kids can complete over their break. Here’s a good example to get you started:
I’m made of two colors
And I look just like a hook
You’ll give me a lick
But I’m not something you cook
Contact Information:
Jillian Alonzo, Principal
663-2287 ext. 19001
Wildcat News Network 12.13.18
Home-School Connections
Recently, the Indiana legislature adopted new legal requirements that “each Indiana public school, including charter schools and accredited nonpublic schools, shall provide age appropriate and research and evidence-based instruction on child abuse and child sexual abuse to students in kindergarten through grade 12. Note that this expands the previous requirement from providing education in grades 2-5 to grades K-12.” In order to meet the new requirements, Crown Point school counselors and home-school facilitators will be providing age appropriate, research-informed student personal safety sessions in December 2018 and January 2019. At the elementary level, students will learn the Protect Yourself Rules with their counselor or home-school facilitator in a classroom session of 30-40 minutes. Parents can view the Protect Yourself Rules and related materials at the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation website fightchildabuse.org.
Parents are encouraged to contact Jim Hardman, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, or Deb Ciochina, Assistant Director of Curriculum and Instruction, with questions or concerns at 219.663.3371 or jhardman@cps.k12.in.us or dciochina@cps.k12.in.us.
Contact Information:
Kelly Mucha, Home-School Facilitator
663-2287 ext. 19108
Brandy Sims, PBIS Coach
663-2287 ext. 19602
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.
From the Nurse
Students were given a “public service announcement” this week during morning announcements on how to help stop the spread of germs. Instructions were given on how to cough into their sleeve and reminders to use Kleenex when needed instead of their hands or sleeve. Please work with your child at home also to help to establish behaviors that will help reduce the transmission of germs.
Referral letters were sent home last week for any 1st grade students that were recommended by our local eye doctor panel for further evaluation. Please return the referral sheet to me once your child has visited an eye doctor.
Holiday preparations can bring us all a lot of additional stress! Take time to relax and enjoy the spirit of the holidays! Take a short drive to view Christmas lights. Sit by your tree while listening to holiday music. Bake some cookies together as a family. Most importantly, take some time to enjoy the spirit of the holidays!
Contact Information:
Lori Taylor, Nurse
663-2287 ext. 19081
School Attendance
If your child will be absent from school, please notify the office before 9 am. You may also email: winfieldattendance@cps.k12.in.us. Please include your child's name, date of absence, and reason for absence. Please limit voluntary absences.
Congratulations to Samantha Estrada and family! You are the weekly Perfect Attendance winner! Your dinner and a movie pack will come home next week!
ATTENDANCE GOAL: 97% ATTENDANCE THIS WEEK: 94%
Kindergarten: 94% First Grade: 97% Second Grade: 92%
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.
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.
Do you enjoy working with kids and love great hours? We are looking for new food service team members. If you are interested in learning more, please call Pam Maloney 662-6480.
Contact Information:
Polly Smith, Cafeteria Manager
663-2287 ext. 19603
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
You can access the latest edition here: Nutrition Nuggets-December
Cafeteria Menu: Week of December 17
MONDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza OR Breakfast Bar/Cereal
Lunch: Cheeseburger Deluxe OR Fruit & Granola Parfait, Baked Beans, Fresh Veggies, Mandarin Oranges
TUESDAY
Breakfast: Pancake Wrap OR French Toast Bites
Lunch: Chicken Tenders, Mac & Cheese, Lean Green Beans, Rocket Red Peppers, Yummy Pears
WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Sandwich OR Confetti Pancakes
Lunch: Corn Dog OR Grilled Cheese, Smiley Fries, Fresh Broccoli Florets, Golden Peaches
THURSDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Burrito OR Whole Grain Donuts
Lunch: Popcorn Chicken & Rice w/wo Oriental Sauce, Tiny Tree Top Broccoli, Crispy Garden Salad, Pineapple Tidbits
FRIDAY
Breakfast: Whole Grain Muffins OR Cereal/PopTart
Lunch: Pizza Crunchers OR Ravioli, Corn, Carrot Sticks
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
December 2018
19-Student of the Month Breakfast
24-31 Winter Break
January 2019
1-4 Winter Break
7- School Resumes
9- mCLASS Middle of Year Testing Begins
17- Half Day; Dismissal 12:14 pm
17- End of 1st Semester
18- Teacher Work Day; No School for Students
21- School IS in Session; MLK Day
2019-2020 Kindergarten Registration in February
Registration for Fall Kindergarten classes will be held Thursday, February 21, 2019, and Tuesday, February 26, 2019. The schedule for each elementary building is shown below. Kindergarten students must be five (5) years of age on or before August 1, 2019 in order to enroll for the 2019-20 school year. It is not mandatory for students to come with their parents to registration, but they are welcome.
The following documents are required at the time of registration:
1. Child’s certified birth certificate (not hospital certificate)
2. Immunization record
3. Child’s Social Security Card
4. Three documents from the following are required to prove residency: utility bills (NIPSCO, Water) deed or mortgage statement, or Lake County Tax Bill. In addition, a driver’s license or state photo ID with the current address is required to prove residency. The school corporation does not accept tuition students.
Registration by School
Lake Street, MacArthur, Timothy Ball: Thursday, 2-21-19 9:30-11:00 AM - 1:00-3:00 PM
Eisenhower, Solon Robinson, Winfield: Tuesday, 2-26-19 9:30-11:00 AM - 1:00-3:00 PM
Please note that kindergarten classes will be held on the day of registration at the individual buildings.
CAFE Corner
WE NEED YOU! Winterfest Planning Meeting
All hands on deck are needed for our next Winterfest Planning meeting on Tuesday, December 18th. We will meet for ONE HOUR at 6pm in the Jerry Ross library!
What is Amazon Smile?
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Winfield/Jerry Ross CAFE every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization.
How do I shop at AmazonSmile?
To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile. Search for Winfield Jerry Ross Parent Teacher Organization as your charitable group.Which products on AmazonSmile are eligible for charitable donations?
Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile?
How do I select a charitable organization to support when shopping on AmazonSmile?
Midwest Gymnastics
Missing your friends on Winter Break? Join us on Saturday, January 5th 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 calendars now for the next McSchool night, Tuesday, January 22nd from 5-8 pm at the Winfield McDonald’s. We earn 15 percent of the sales during that time. Please present your flyer at the event for your purchase to count!
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