Forever Endeavor
Endeavor Elementary Newsletter --May 2019
Ms. Thistle's Thoughts
Greetings!
As we are nearing the end of our school year, I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you thank you! We are grateful for all of your help and support making the 2018-2019 school year a memorable one. We appreciate that you chose to partner with us to nurture your child and his/her love of learning.
Throughout our elementary schools we are trying to reduce the overall number of students missing ten days of school. We do have some fun activities and field trips planned for the end of the school and these are still considered instructional days. We thought it may be helpful to once again include breaks that will occur during the 2019-2020 school year calendar to help plan family vacations. Here is a link to next year’s full calendar: 2019-2020 District Calendar.
2019-2020 Summary
September 3rd First Day of School
November 27-29th Thanksgiving Break
December 23-January 1st Winter Break
March 16-20th Spring Break
June 11th Last Day of School
We are all working towards improving “summer slide.” As a parent myself, I understand that we want summer to be relaxing and fun for our kids. However, it can be nice to have a balance of fun while maintaining the skills that they acquired this year. A few suggestions for reducing summer slide:
*Sign your child up for summer school, click here: Summer School Registration
*Sign up to participate in a public library Summer Reading Program or just make the library a weekly visit for fun!
*Encourage your child to read at least 20 minutes each day. Utilizing the public library, going to garage sales or checking local thrift stores can be a great way to get books.
*Practice math facts, here is a resource: Printable math facts flashcards
* Reach out-if there is anything that I can do to support your child’s learning please let me know and I will find you resources. :)
On behalf of everyone at Endeavor Elementary School, we’d like to wish you all a happy and safe end of the school year. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to support you and your family!
Mrs. Thistle
608.742.3494 ext. 3001
Email: thistles@portage.k12.wi.us
Congratulations, Mr. Hammer!!
Congratulations to our very own Mr. Hammer,
for being named NBC15 Madison's 2019 Crystal Apple Awards Honorable Mention.
#ForeverEndeavor
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
MAY 2019
3: 5th grade Safety Patrol Trip
6-10: Endeavor Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week (Sponsored by the Endeavor PTO)
6: School Bus Driver Appreciation
6: Senior Scholarship Night @ PHS
7: Endeavor Oscar Awards @ 12:30 p.m. (Sponsored by the Endeavor PTO)
7: PTO Meeting @ 4:30 p.m.
8: Walk & Bike to School Day (see below)
8: School Nurse Day
14: 5th Gr. BMS visit (afternoon)
16: Food for America - (4th Gr.only 8-11AM) to Krejchik farm in Portage.
16: Mr. Shaver - 5th Grade Band Intro 12:20 p.m.
17: Mini Course Day (Sponsored by Endeavor PTO--see Positively PTO for more info)
23: PreK/K Children’s Museum & Vilas Zoo field trip; 8:15-2:30 p.m.
23: 4th Grade to tour Portage Historic sites
24: St. Joe’s pen pals visit Mrs. Petrulis' homeroom 11-2
27: Memorial Day. No school for staff or students
28: Young Authors Conference
29: Endeavor Sharing Supper
Bike to School Day
On Wednesday, May 8th, 2019, Endeavor Elementary will be participating in Bike to School Day.
The first Bike to School Day started in 2012, in coordination with National Bike Month.
Staff, students, and parents are encouraged to ride their bikes to school on this day. Let's see how many we can get to participate.
Don't forget to wear a helmet!
JUNE 2019
5: End-of-year field trip to Circus World Museum. Bus leave @ 8:15 a.m. ALL DAY Circus World Schedule Here
10: Pre-K graduation @ 10 a.m. in the library. (No older/younger school-age children in the library during this time.)
11: Last day of school:
Family picnic lunch @ 11:30 (picnic sign up form will come home soon)
Awards @ 12:30;
Spring Music program @ 1 p.m.
MAY LUNCH MENU
OFFICE
Just a friendly reminder that we STILL require
parents and visitors
to come to the office and sign in
when entering the building.
It does not matter that you
"will be in and out in just a second,"
it is still district protocol.
We still require anyone that is coming into the school to park legally in a parking stall
or down at the Village Hall.
The curb that is yellow IS A FIRE LANE.
Stay tuned for the new webpage, coming next week!
Email: gohlkek@portage.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.portage.k12.wi.us/end/
Location: 414 South Church Street, Endeavor, WI, USA
Phone: 608-587-2625
MARCH PERFECT ATTENDANCE
MUSIC WITH MS. JANES
Hello Endeavor Families!
Just another reminder about the spring music concert: it will be on June 11th, the last day of school, in the afternoon. The students are all very busy this month getting ready for their concert. Hope to see you there!
-Miss Janes
PHY. ED. WITH MR. SCHUETTE
It is finally warmer weather outside so we will be trying to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.
Our Spring Units include Softball/Kickball, Lacrosse, Golf, Outdoor Yard games, Frisbee Golf, and
Football.
Please wear appropriate shoes for Phy-Ed class to be active.
The Jump Rope for Heart prizes are starting to arrive so I will get those out as soon as possible for those that participated.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER WITH MS. BROWN
Your child’s mental health
School work, making and keeping friends, family changes, moving on to another school. These are only a few of the issues that our children may have to deal with. Our kids have a lot on their plates. We are all concerned with our children’s mental health.
Below are some suggestions to help you grow your relationship with you child so that you will be their “go to” person when life gets stressful.
Encourage conversation. The conversation doesn’t have to be about mental health, it just needs to be about making your child feel comfortable talking to you. This way if something does upset them or worry them, they know who to turn to. Try not to insert too many of your opinions. You want them to be free to tell you how they feel, instead of telling you what they think you want to hear.
Be patient. It’s difficult for us to think that our children could be suffering. Feelings like this can turn into frustration and feelings of helplessness. Yet, it is truly important for you to remain calm until your child is ready to share. Patience is hard when you want to jump in and help, but it is important to persevere and remain calm.
If you need to talk to someone, share your thoughts in confidence with a close partner or family member who can offer support.
Be present. Our days quickly fill up with day to day living, when this happens we often miss out on quality time with our children. It is difficult to be as present as we’d like to be for our kids. Balancing work and parenthood is tough. However, it is important that you find time to be one-on-one with your child every day, even if it is 10 minutes to simply talk, take a walk or do something fun. Silence your phone, ignore the dirty dishes and just focus on quality time. If you start this with your toddler and grow it through the years, you may be surprised at how your child treasures this time.
Don’t overreact. Parenting is a tough job. There will be times when your child goes through
stages that drive you crazy! Tune into what might be happening in your child’s life when they are struggling with their emotions. Is it a new change in their life, like a group of new friends,
or a family change of some kind. With the right support from family, children’s behaviors can be guided so the stress doesn’t become overwhelming.
Look after yourself. Remember that you are the ultimate role model for your children. This includes leading by example when it comes to mental health and general wellbeing. How are you showing your own emotions of anger and stress in front of your kids, as they likely take a lot of behavioral cues from you.
Seek help. If you have concerns about your child, do something about it. Talk to your child’s teachers or school counselor, visit your family physician. There are several counseling agencies in our area that you can connect with to help you through these times.
~Information gathered from Net Doctor~ 6 Easy Ways to Support Your Child’s Mental Health by Jenny Cook
Have a safe and wonderful summer!
Email: brownde@portage.k12.wi.us
NURSING NOTES WITH NURSE HON
Wrapping Up and Planning Ahead
At the end of each school year, parents/guardians are asked to pick up any unused medications from the school office. Please make arrangements now for the last days of school for picking up your child’s medication. Medications not picked up by June 11, 2019 will be disposed of properly through the Portage Police Department’s Medication Disposal bin.
The beginning of each school year is really busy for families, clinics, and schools alike. Children entering kindergarten and 6th grade in the fall of 2019 will need to have immunizations. Kindergarten students should also have an eye exam by an eye doctor prior to December 31, 2019. Scheduling appointments for medication renewals, sports physicals and well child exams should take place now for the most flexibility. Remember that Portage has the St. Vincent de Paul Free Medical Clinic on Wednesday mornings if you do not have health insurance. Be sure to include eye examinations and dental check ups while you have your calendar out.
Health plans and medication forms for the fall will be mailed to families in July. The blank medication form is always available on the website under Nursing Services, Medication.
http://www.portage.k12.wi.us/district/medication.cfm
Contact your school nurse for assistance with clinic locations, phone numbers, assistance programs, community resources for care or questions you have. The main school office staff can connect you with the correct school nurse. Stay well!
Email: honv@portage.k12.wi.us
LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
In Mrs. Steinhaus' library class we have started reading the Magic Treehouse books. They are the perfect reading level for most 1st and 2nd graders.
In Mrs. Petrulis' library class we are continuing with Hank Zipzer.
In Mr. Hammer's library class we are finishing up our March Madness Tournament of the Books.
POSITIVELY PTO
Thank you to everyone who helped make our Spring Raffle Fundraiser such an amazing event.
We are so excited as we prepare for Mini Course Day
on May 17th!
If you are interested in bringing an item for our volunteer luncheon please sign up below:
MINI COURSE DAY LUNCHEON SIGN UP
PTO will be serving brats and BBQ's for our volunteers.
We are in need of some supplies that you may have lying around your house.
12-16 ounce soda bottles with caps--cleaned and dried out
buttons
beads
dice
lego pieces
little trinkets that would fit in soda bottles
Fun Fact: Endeavor Elementary School is the only school in the Portage School District that continues to have Mini Course Day. Thank you for your support in making our Mini Course Day a success! We could not do it without you! #ForeverEndeavor
Endeavor Public Library
The reading program will take place on Tuesdays July 9 - Aug 6, from 12:30 - 1:30, after summer school.
Tentative schedule:
July 9 - Galaxy Snow Globes (made from recycled pop bottles)
July 16 - Outer space Sun-catchers
July 23 - Build a Rocket and watch it soar!
July 30 - Create your own Space Suit (and Space Jam performance at the Senior Meal site on July 31st for all who are able to attend)
Aug 6 - Galaxy games (Join us at the Endeavor Park for an end of program celebration)
Each week there will be story time with an astronaut, reading from outer space, and an intergalactic treat to enjoy as well.
Website: https://www.endeavorlibrary.org/
Phone: 608-597-2902
ENDEAVOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Location: 414 South Church Street, Endeavor, WI, USA
Phone: 608-587-2625
PORTAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GOALS 2018-2019
District Curriculum Goal: Each student will make at least one year of growth in each curriculum area.
District Behavior Goal: As a school community, we will increase behaviors that promote learning and respectful interactions.
District Professional Development Goal: We will provide Professional Development for staff that increases learning for all students.