PAW PRINTS
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - September 28, 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
Bird Beak Investigations
Matt Wilhelm
Math Station Creations
From the Principal
Sniffles and sneezes and coughs, OH MY! It is hard for a parent to decide when to keep a child home. Are they contagious? Are they simply tired? Is it the flu? Regular school attendance is vitally important, but we understand that at times children (and teachers) need to stay home to fully heal and prevent transmitting germs to others.
Did you know that student attendance in early parts of the year is a predictor for future
attendance patterns? In a study completed by the Baltimore Education Research Consortium,
absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance patterns throughout the year, providing an early warning sign for parents and educators to intervene and put students back on track. The research found that: students who missed fewer than 2 days in September typically had good attendance rates for the entire year; half the students who missed 2-4 days in September went on to miss a month or more of school; and nearly 9 out of 10 students who missed more than 4 days in September were chronically absent that year.
It is critical that students (who are healthy!) are in school every day, and ON TIME every
day. If your child’s excessive absences or tardies are due to an extenuating circumstance,
please make sure that you are communicating with the child’s teacher and principal. We do record the reason for all absences/tardies, so please turn in appointment documentation
when applicable. Please limit voluntary absences.
Our student attendance rates are figured into our accountability results. Students must maintain a 96% attendance rate for the year, or demonstrate a 3% improvement in attendance versus the prior year. Please help us stay an "A" school!
Contact Information:
Jillian Alonzo, Principal
663-2287 ext. 19001
From the Treasurer
The first payment for Textbook Fees was due on September 26, 2018. 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.
BULLY PREVENTION MONTH
October is Bully Prevention Awareness Month.
Here are our theme days to kick off the month!
Monday– “Blue Monday”: Wear Blue
Tuesday– "Everyone Counts": Wear Jersey/Shirts with numbers
Wednesday– "Put name calling to bed": Pajama Day
Thursday– "Put a lid on Bullying": Hat day
Friday– "School Pride": Wear School Spirit
Every Monday in October will be “Blue Monday.”
Students and Staff stand united against bullying by wearing blue on Mondays.
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
You may be hearing and reading different things in your child's classroom about Social Emotional Learning. Here is a quick video to explain Social Emotional Learning and why it is so important to be a part of their day. https://youtu.be/ikehX9o1JbI
Also shared is a video for helping your children fall asleep faster. It is a free sleep story from the CALM app. I use this at home periodically when my kids can’t seem to settle and stop moving their bodies long enough to fall asleep. It helps them refocus their mind by imagining the story being told with their eyes closed. It is meant to be listened to and not visually watched. You will also see them using the belly breathing lessons they have learned at school to help regulate their emotions. https://youtu.be/OvP-Bkp9btQ
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 Williams Family! Congratulations, Lily !
ATTENDANCE GOAL: 97% ACTUAL: 97.6 %
Kindergarten: 97.6% First Grade: 97.1% Second Grade: 98%
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 1
MONDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza OR Breakfast Bar/Cereal
Lunch: Cheese Pizza, Green Beans, Fresh Veggies, Pears
TUESDAY
Breakfast: Pancake Wrap OR French Toast Bites
Lunch: Cheeseburger Deluxe OR Breaded Chicken Sandwich, Baked Beans, Cherry Tomatoes, Pineapple
WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Sandwich OR Confetti Pancakes
Lunch: Pasta & Meat Sauce OR Fruit/Granola Yogurt Parfait, Breadstick, Peas, Garden Salad, Applesauce
THURSDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Burrito OR Whole Grain Donuts
Lunch: Chicken Nuggets, Mashed Potatoes/Gracy, Roasted Carrots, Cucumber, Mandarin Oranges, Corn Bread
FRIDAY
Breakfast: Whole Grain Muffins OR Cereal / Poptart
Lunch: Breakfast For Lunch, Juice, Hash Brown Triangles, Fresh Broccoli Florets
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
1-“Blue Monday”/Wear Blue
2- "Everyone Counts"/Wear Jersey or shirts with numbers
3- "Put name calling to bed"/ Pajama Day
4- "Put a lid on Bullying"/Hat day
5- "School Pride"/ Wear School Spirit
6- Midwest Gymnastics Open Gym 7-9 pm ($10 per student)
12/15- Fall Break; No School
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
Safety & Security
School Bus Safety: The Danger Zone
What is the "danger zone"? It is the area surrounding the bus where children are hard to see. We want your children to be safe when they travel to and from school. Please help us by:
- If your student misses the bus at their regular stop, do not follow the bus to the next stop and let your child walk/run beside the bus to get on. The driver cannot see the student in the danger zone, especially if it is dark and could possibly hit them as they pull away from the stop. Take your student to school.
- Make children stay at least 10 feet away from the bus until they begin to enter. Children will be able to see the driver and the driver can see them.
- If children must cross the street to the bus they should cross the street 10 feet (five giant steps) in front of the bus where they can see the driver and the driver can see them.
- Warn the children that, if they drop something, they should never pick it up. Instead, they should tell the driver and follow the driver's instructions. If they bend over to pick up a dropped object, they might not be seen by the driver and could be hurt if the driver pulls away from the stop.
- Remind children to look to the right before they step off the bus. Car drivers in a hurry sometimes try to sneak by the bus on the right hand side.
- Teach your child to secure loose drawstrings and other objects that may get caught in the handrail or door of the bus as they are exiting.
- If you meet your child at the bus stop after school, wait on the side where the child will be dropped off, not across the street. Children can be so excited at seeing you after school that they may dash across the street and forget the safety rules.
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