Creekside Elementary
January 2020------------------------------HOME OF THE COYOTE
Letter from the Principal
Dear Creekside Families,
It’s 2020… how did that happen? I remember dreaming about what the world would look like in 2020 when I was an elementary school student. I think I was picturing something more like the Jetson’s, but the changes (especially with technology) I’ve seen in my lifetime really are nothing short of amazing. I’m still looking forward to flying cars though… maybe in 2030 :-)
I’ve shared this in the past, but in case you are looking to spice up your New Year’s celebration, try out the Block family’s tradition. We started doing this back in 2007 when we moved to Medellin, Colombia for a few years and it’s stuck to our family even though it’s been almost a decade since we moved back to the US. Our kids now initiate making sure we are ready to ring in the new year by…
Putting money in our pockets so that wealth and prosperity will come our way in the new year (we use Colombian Pesos just for fun)
Eating 12 grapes at midnight and making a wish on each one
Writing down our worries/fears on a piece of paper and then burning them (if you see a large bonfire coming from the north end of Sun Prairie, you can assume it's this mama of three kids... hehe)
Wearing yellow underpants for good fortune (yes, we color our kids’ diapers with yellow highlighter. We’d hate for them to miss out on good fortune just because their diapers are white)
Running around the block (or to the mailbox and back since it's a lot colder in Wisconsin than it was in Colombia) to ensure traveling in the new year
Finally, making sure the first step we take after the clock strikes 12 is made with the right foot for positivity and right decisions in the coming year
I hope everyone is/was able to spend the two week winter break with people you love doing activities that fill your soul. With each new year, you have the opportunity to renew your passions and commit to a better version of yourself. May 2020 bring you peace, happiness… and kids who follow your directions the first time you say them!
Warmest Regards,
Mrs. Jillian Block, Principal
Mrs. Jacquie Gouldthorp, Associate Principal
January Digital Citizenship Resources
“Soon after kids start reading and writing, they often begin interacting with others online. Whether they're chatting within games or texting family members, kids need the skills to interact respectfully. These skills will help kids -- and the people they're communicating with -- have positive experiences online.” This tip sheet can help you make sure your doing your parental checks & balances on who your child is interacting with online.
Relationships and Communication Family Tip Sheet
3rd-5th grade Family Activity - Relationships and CommunicationStudent drop off reminder
No student should be dropped off any earlier than 7:45am unless enrolled in the YMCA before school program. There is no adult supervision before this time and the YMCA/Cafeteria is only for those who are enrolled in their program.
If a student comes before 7:45am they will not be able to enter the school at door 10 (Cafeteria/back parking lot area) and will be asked to walk around to the front entrance where they will have to wait unsupervised in the vestibule until the doors automatically unlock at 7:45am.
What's Happening on the Playground
Mother Nature surprised us with early snow but December was pretty much snow free. Hopefully we will see some more snow soon so the kiddos can make amazing snow art. forts, snowmen, rolling ginormous snow balls and making snow angels. These are some of the creations that the kids do and are great team building activities. The Playground teachers may have a few fun snow activity surprises too!!
Please be sure that your scholars have the right gear for the winter weather; snow pants, boots, mittens, hats, scarves along with extra clothes and socks. Marking the items, with the kiddos names, would be a huge bonus. We are getting quite the collection in our lost and found.
See you on the Playground.
Support the 5th Grade Read-A-Thon!
The 5th graders are participating in a grade-wide Read-A-Thon at Creekside Elementary School from January 6th - January 31st. The Read-A-Thon encourages students to enjoy reading and improve reading skills while raising money for Water for South Sudan. 100% of the money raised will be donated to Water for South Sudan whose mission is to improve individual and community health, give more children the opportunity to attend school, and increase local stability and economic development. Please consider sponsoring a 5th grade student by making a pledge. You can make a flat rate donation or pledge an amount per minute/page I read. Thank you for your support!
Here's how to sponsor one of our 5th graders. Make a check payable to "Water For South Sudan" and send in with your student to school by January 31st.
Here's the pledge form for your 5th grade student if needed.
pledge form
Thank you!
Visiting Our Schools & Keeping Everyone Safe
Visiting the School
We have a NEW System as of the end of the year last year for visitors
visting our schools.…
Please remember to bring a photo ID (Drivers license or Passport) every time you visit/volunteer in the school. Our responsibility is to keep our students and staff as safe as possible. Knowing who is visiting our schools will help us do that.
Background Checks
If you plan on volunteering at Creekside, in the district or going on a school field trip, you will need to have an updated background check on file.
Here is the link for your convenience: Background Form
Volunteering at School or Fieldtrips…
Background Check Needed Every 3 Years The Sun Prairie Area School District recognizes that volunteers make valuable contributions to the district’s schools and welcomes volunteers into the schools or attend student field trips. District policy requires that a criminal background check be completed prior to volunteering. Prior to attending a child's field trip, becoming a Watchdog or working in a classroom, please make sure you have a criminal background check completed and on file. Students safety is our #1 priority. If you are unsure if you have one on file or have any questions, please contact the school at 608-834-7702 for assistance.
Kobussen Transportation News
Crossing Guard Recognition Week
January 13-17, 2020 is Adult Crossing Guard Recognition Week in Wisconsin. Please take a moment or two to thank the hard-working men and women who show up every day in our unpredictable Wisconsin weather to make sure your kids arrive to school and home safely.
Lost and Found
Kobussen has a lost and found for all items left on the bus. The driver will keep the lost item on the bus for a few days, then turn it in at the terminal. If your child has a lost item don’t forget to check with Kobussen. Feel free to stop by the terminal at 1500 Forward Drive, Sun Prairie to check the lost and found.
Stopping for Flashing Red Lights
Please remember, drivers must stop on the street or highway 20 feet or more from any school bus that has stopped and is flashing red warning lights.
This applies both to vehicles approaching from the rear and from the opposing lanes.
All lanes of traffic must stop for the school bus, except in opposing lanes if the highway is divided with a center median.
No vehicle may proceed until the bus resumes motion and has turned off the red warning lights.
The stop arm on the bus is an added communication to other drivers, but the lack of an extended stop arm is not a reason to pass a bus whose red lights are flashing.
For more school bus and student transportation safety tips, click here.
Bus Delays and Emergencies
Please remember that buses may be slightly delayed when we are experiencing snow and icy conditions. Anything within 5 minutes of the scheduled arrival time is considered “on time.”
If your child’s bus is delayed and/or evacuated for any reason (bus breakdown, emergency, etc) students are not allowed to leave the scene. Students must stay with the driver and wait for further instructions. If another bus is dispatched, students are to ride that bus and only get off at their assigned stop.
News from the Advanced Learner Program
Happy New Year! Hard to believe it is already 2020 and we are almost halfway through the school year.
Math24: January is the deciding month for 4th and 5th graders who want to compete in the Math 24 competition. This year we will be having a local competition to decide which 15 4th graders and 15 5th graders will represent Sun Prairie at the regional Math 24 Competition. The local competition will be held on Feb 6th. Any student who would like to compete will be given the opportunity to attend the local competition at Meadow View. If you would like to order cards, they make wonderful gifts for students. They are called Math 24 card game. 4th grade is double digits and 5th grade is variables.
Yahara: Local Judging will take place on January 13th. All 5th graders who wish to participate, must submit final copies of writing and/or artwork by January 10th. The top 10 pieces from each category: poetry, short stories, cartoons, and editorials, and art covers and divider pages will be selected to move onto regional judging on January 13th.
Haiku: This year 4th graders will be invited to write Haiku poems to submit for a regional Haiku competition. Information will be presented to classrooms the first week of January. Students will be allowed to submit up to 3 Haikus on one page. Final submissions will be turned in the first week of February.
Warmest Wishes,
Bree VanDerKamp
Creekside and Horizon Advanced Learner Program Specialist
(608) 834-7750 - Creekside
January PBIS
See more info in the links below
Arrow Parent Handout
Is-That-A-Good-Choice
I-Make-A-Difference
Small-Steps-Big-Goals
Library (and lab) News
Classes have largely finished up library lessons, so we are moving on to other activities/themes. Kindergarten and 1st grade will still do weekly story time and show-and-tell.
For computer lab, keyboarding will wind down (grades 2-5), and we'll be transitioning into math and coding. More pics (from K-1) are posted on our digital gallery at: https://sites.google.com/a/sunprairieschools.org/creekside_gallery/home
A couple of special events/projects coming up include: a (speed) chess tournament shortly after break and a construction/building project (with 5th grade) to make some bookshelves for our series collection(courtesy of a grant from the Sun Prairie Educational Foundation).
Stay tuned for individual emails about books out/overdue. As always, feel free to drop a line if you have questions or comments. Have a great winter break (whether or not there's snow).
Cheers,
Dan Stuntebeck
K-5 Librarian
Creekside Elementary
608-834-7722
Upcoming CAFE Events and Information
January 14, 2020, CAFE meeting from 6:30-7:30. Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. 2nd and 3rd grade teachers will present information on academic targets, success, growth, SEL issues, and more. CAFE will be voting on submitted funding requests during this meeting.
If you are interested in being on the funding request evaluation committee (you would be helping to determine where CAFE’s money is allocated, and what requests are funded), please reach out to: treasurer.cafespwisc@gmail.com.
January 20, 2020, Mooyah share night. 4:00-9:00 p.m. 695 S. Grand Ave, Sun Prairie
March 19, 2020, This year's Coyote Dash. Watch for the initial parent information packet coming home shortly after our return from winter break.
Are you interested in helping purchase smaller ticket items that staff and teachers want or need for their classrooms and/or the school? Check out the Creekside Amazon Wishlist here:
Student Services
In need of winter hats or gloves for your student?
Please contact Ms. Kia Simms
Social Worker at (608) 834-7707 or kxsims@sunprairieschools.org
C.A.R.D.S. CLOSET
If you are in need of seasonal wear for your family C.A.R.D.S. Closet can help. It is a free clothing resource for Sun Prairie Area School Families. New or gently used items donations are accepted as well and can be dropped off at 1632 W Main St, Sun Prairie, WI 53590 .
BOX OF BALLOONS-FREE BIRTHDAY PROGRAM
Receive all the fun supplies you need for a birthday party! Each birthday box includes decorations, balloons, a party game, party favors, cupcakes (12), plates, and napkins for 6 special guests, and a special gift for the birthday child. A two weeks’ notice is required to put the birthday box together.
If you have any questions or are interested in the above programs please contact Kia Sims, Social Worker at (608) 834-7707 or kxsims@sunprairieschools.org
Creekside Calendar
January 14- CAFE Meeting, 6:30pm
January 17- 2nd Grade Pioneer Day
January 20- No School
January 20- Creekside Night, MOOYA Restaurant! 5-8pm
January 24- No School
January 28- 4th Grade Kindness Retreat
January 29- WatchDog Pizza Night, 5:30-6:30pm
Future Events
Sun Prairie Cascade Ski Days
February 5th- 5th Grade Ski Trip TBD
February 11- 3rd Grade Cross Country Ski Trip to Elver Park "NEW"
February 12- 4th Grade Ski Trip TBD