PAW PRINTS
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - November 20 , 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.
From the Principal, Mrs. Alonzo
Dear Winfield Friends and Family,
2020 has certainly thrown each of us into a new way of living. From school changes, to masks, to not spending the holidays with loved ones--I am desperately craving some normalcy. Tomorrow my family breaks out of quarantine (finally!) and I am so thankful for being able to do the little things: run to the store, hug/kiss my kids, hang out with a friend (within my bubble, of course). What really got me through quarantine was seeing pictures of everyone in action. Whether the pics were on Facebook or emailed to me, I just loved seeing students learning and teachers teaching.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving next week, I would like to create a "newsletter of thanks". Parents, teachers, and support staff have been working so hard to make this transition to RED a success--and it does not go unnoticed. Let's show our appreciation and tell these wonderful people exactly what we are grateful for!
If you'd like to participate, please EMAIL me a photo of your student holding up a sign of "something they are thankful for". Take a look at the sweet birthday pic I received a few weeks ago from a second grader. A photo like this (student holding paper) would be perfect! I will be including some staff pics too!
All the pics shared with me will be posted in our newsletter. I will NOT include student names. My newsletter will come out on WEDNESDAY next week, so the deadline to email me a picture will be TUESDAY night at midnight!
Have a great weekend, you NAILED this first distance week,
Mrs. Jillian Alonzo
Principal
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 663-2287 ext. 19001
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Williams
You did it, you made it through our first eLearning week! Even if it did not go as gracefully as you would have hoped, take a deep breath, and let go of the negatives from the week. During our Red status, I will be hosting Counselor Connection zooms for all Winfield students. Most days, I will host a morning session, and an afternoon session. The morning sessions will be kept to one student at a time (10 minute increments), other students who join the zoom will be kept in the waiting room until the other student has left. Any student who would like to connect with me, say hello, or talk about something they are struggling with can pop in anytime. The afternoon sessions will be more open where several students may join the zoom together, where we will talk about how their days are going, see peer faces, and maybe do a fun game, or do a book read aloud.
All the info for the Counselor Connection zooms, such as schedule/times/and link are posted in the Counselor’s Corner Buzz page. Please email me if your student would like to attend, and have trouble finding the information in Buzz. This is OPTIONAL, your student does not have to attend these, it is just a way for me to stay connected and support students while we are going through our reset!
As always, if there is anything I can do to support your child please reach out. I am an email and phone call away.
Lastly, with Thanksgiving upon us, I wanted to share a scavenger hunt for kids. This is a fun activity to do that helps us slow down, be present in the moment, and identify the little things to be grateful for.
Make some time to relax and unwind this weekend- you deserve it!
-Mrs. Williams
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 219-663-2287 ext. 19108
Positive Behavior Coach, Mrs. Adams
Hello, Winfield families!
As we have temporarily shifted to the e-learning platform, I understand the value in making our best effort to keep school schedules and curriculum expectations consistent. Therefore, I will be recording our weekly Second Step lessons while we are still on red status. I know our students enjoy the content, Puppy, and Snail, but also, they enjoy the opportunity to learn and practice concepts relating to their daily life. My hope is to provide some fun and encouragement while e-learning!
Many of you, this week, will have noticed your child watching our lesson on focusing attention and following directions. This lesson comes at a beneficial time with the demands of distance learning!
Focusing attention involves using eyes, ears, and the brain, and students are taught that they can focus their attention just by thinking about it, and the more they do it, the better they get at it. Students learned about a concrete metaphor for focusing attention: the "attent-o-scope". Students cup each eye with a hand to form binoculars, which helps them focus on one object. Students first form their attent-o-scopes and focus their eyes on an object, then put their hands down but maintain their focus and avoid looking at and becoming distracted by other things.
When we follow directions, we listen and have to remember what to do, all of which are skills for learning. Practice and repetition are necessary for students to internalize and be able to use the skills taught in the classroom. In this lesson, students use and apply some of the listening and attention skills they have already learned in our previous Second Step lessons. They also increase their motivation to use the skills by focusing on their importance and usefulness.
The first step to following directions is to switch on your attent-o-scope. Then use the four listening skills (eyes watching, ears listening, voice quiet, and body still) in order to really understand the directions. Finally, be sure to repeat the directions to yourself because repeating helps you to remember.
Practice at home:
Ask your child: What can you do to help you remember directions? (Possible answers: Listen. Use the listening rules. Focus attention. Use my attent-o-scope. Repeat the directions to myself.)
Before giving directions for daily activities, remind your child to listen and focus. Then ask your child to repeat back the directions before starting. For example - You need to listen and focus on these directions. Wait for your child to focus. Please take your plate from the table and put it on the counter next to the sink. Now repeat out loud what I asked you to do.
Activity:
Give your child basic directions for how to draw a smiley face. Before giving the directions, remind your child to listen, focus, and repeat the directions before starting to draw. Give the directions one at a time. Sample directions:
1. Draw a big circle for the face.
2. Draw two small circles for the eyes.
3. Draw one circle for the nose.
4. Draw a half circle for the mouth.
In completing this activity, your child will have practiced skills pertaining to listening, focusing attention, and following directions.
Please reach out if you need any assistance while e-learning, and please give your child a big high-five and hug from Mrs. Adams. I miss them all so very much.
Stay well,
Mrs. Adams
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 219-663-2287 ext. 19602
CPHS Theatre
The CPHS Theatre is pleased to announce a livestreaming option of our Friday, November 20th & Saturday, November 21st performances of The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge. In these difficult times we are pleased to offer this opportunity for friends and family unable to attend our performance in person. We hope this livestream event is also able to help offset the production costs of this show. For those interested in the livestream, we ask that you do not share the access link with anyone outside your household.
Reading Connection
Book Fair
From the School Nurse, Mrs. Taylor
As the holiday season approaches programs for families needing assistance may be available. If your family would benefit during these financially trying times from the following programs please contact me:
- Shoes For Kids program (provides voucher for a free pair of shoes or boots for your child)
- Clothing Our Children program (provides a gift card to be used for a child’s winter coat)
- Holiday Food Basket Programs (provides a food basket for your family at Thanksgiving)
- Angel Tree Holiday gift programs (provides Holiday gifts for the children in your family)
All programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Participation is not guaranteed. Any requests will be kept strictly confidential. Please email me at ltaylor@cps.k12.in.us if your family would benefit in participating in one or more of these programs.
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 663-2287 ext. 19081
Textbook Rental Reminder
Chromebook Repair and Support
Chromebook Repair and Support
The Chromebook is the property of the school within the Crown Point Community School Corporation. Therefore, the device must be repaired by Crown Point Technology staff.
1. If a student is attending classes in person, please see your School Librarian for Chromebook repair.
2. If a student is an at-home learner and the Chromebook is broken or fails to work or your charger needs repair please fill out this form Chromebook Repair Form. Your School Media Specialist will contact you.
3. For help with the RDS Log-in or the Buzz Button inside RDS complete the CPCSC Support Form.
4. If you are having issues with one of your courses on Buzz, please contact the teacher by email.
Technology Support- BUZZ and RDS
How does my student get on BUZZ?
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYjYobm143
How does my student navigate BUZZ?
RED STATUS- Latch Key Child Care
Red Status Latch Key Child Care Applications
Fee-based child care opportunities are available for children in grades K-5 while the corporation is in “red” status.
Applications are at the links below.
HELP WANTED: Substitute Teachers
ESS is looking for Substitute Teachers for all Crown Point schools!
Important Dates
November 2020
26-27- Thanksgiving Break
December 2020
3- Planned Return to GREEN Status
9- E-Learning Day
16- E-Learning Day
21-31- Winter Break
January 2020
1- Winter Break
4- School Resumes
Birth To School Program
Do you have a pre-kindergarten aged child who will attend kindergarten at Winfield Elementary in 2021-2022? Enroll in the CP Birth to School Kindergarten Readiness program to receive FREE monthly Learning Kits! Please visit the CP Birth to School Kindergarten Readiness website for more information https://tinyurl.com/cpkindergartenreadiness, or contact CP Birth to School Coordinator, Jamie Kalk, at jkalk@cps.k12.in.us.
CAFE News
PIE SALE FUNDRAISER
Dessert Day Pies are set to be delivered on Monday, November 23rd at Jerry Ross Elementary.
We need lots of helpers to set up, sort, distribute and clean up. If you have a High Schooler that needs volunteer hours, please let us know. You can sign up to volunteer here: PIE PICK UP.APPLES FOR THE STUDENTS
Keep collecting those Strack & Van Til receipts to turn into both Winfield and Jerry Ross! Each dollar spent earns our schools points to redeem for school supplies. Any questions? Contact Amy Schaafsma at 219-306-3654 or aschaafs@gmail.com
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