PAW PRINTS
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - October 12, 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.
This Week In Pictures
Wildcat Wednesday
Meeting New Friends
Measuring Growth
From the Principal
This past week we held our first Wildcat Wednesday of the school year! If you are wondering what this special event is all about, here is an overview:
WHO: All students at Winfield Elementary participate. In addition, 36 staff members serve at group leaders.
WHAT: Wildcat Wednesday is a long-term partnership between students and adult advocates. Each student is grouped into a WCW group of 13-15 students led by one adult. These groupings remain consistent throughout a child's career at Winfield Elementary. The group focuses on developing the social-emotional strength of students.
WHEN: On average, one Wednesday afternoon per month
WHERE: In the leader's classroom, gym, or other gathering space within the school
WHY: Building relationships is a cornerstone of what we do at Winfield. Teachers and staff members come in contact with hundreds of students each day. Classroom teachers foster relationships with their own students. These WCW groups allow staff members to become advocates and partners with a smaller group of students and to follow them through their Winfield career. Students also foster connections with different children from different classes within the school.
During our WCW meetings, students hear and discuss a story about the trait or characteristic we are focusing on. After the story, students participate in activities that promote socialization and friendship. This year our theme is #beresilient and we are discovering how to become more resilient individuals. Wildcat Wednesday is an important 45 minutes in our month as we are always working towards growth of the whole child.
Contact Information:
Jillian Alonzo, Principal
663-2287 ext. 19001
Halloween Celebrations
Please look for specific information from your child's teacher regarding their plans for a classroom Halloween celebration. Here are some important general guidelines for school:
COSTUMES
- Costumes are optional; however, most students elect to bring a costume.
- Students’ school costumes MUST NOT INCLUDE blood and guts, weapons, inappropriate messages, or skimpy/revealing attire.
- Weapons, even pretend weapons, are not allowed at school. Students will be required to change or modify their costume if they make inappropriate choices.
- All costumes should be age appropriate. All children in our school are between 5-8 years old.
- No scary movie characters (i.e. Chucky, Ghostface, Michael Meyers) are permitted.
PARTIES
- You must have a background check on file if volunteering.
- Only parents signed up for the party may attend due to space constraints.
- Volunteers will help children in/out of costumes if needed.
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.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher relationships are most effective when participants have frequent and open communication with each other and demonstrate mutual respect for each other’s role in a child’s life. When families are positively involved in their child’s education, the child will flourish. Winfield Teachers will conduct Parent-Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, October 31st and Thursday, November 1st and additional select times through November 10th.
In order to accomplish meeting with all parents, these two days of school will be half-days with a 12:14 dismissal time. Please mark your calendars! We aim to conference with 100% of our families.
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
Mrs. Mucha has started classroom lessons for character education. At Winfield Elementary we strive to excel academically as well as socially. We want our students to learn how to be good, kind community members. Along with the Second Steps lessons presented by Mrs. Sims, Mrs. Mucha has been going class to class to teach about friendship and what it means to be a good friend this week and next. Students are identifying what qualities they feel they are really good at as a friend, and what other qualities they could learn more about. All the students will contribute a leaf that they personalized for the friendship tree that will be constructed once all leaves are collected. Our students are feeling more connected to more adults in the building and those relationships are growing. Our roots are strong here at Winfield!
Contact Information:
Kelly Mucha, Home-School Facilitator
663-2287 ext. 19108
Brandy Sims, PBIS Coach
663-2287 ext. 19602
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
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.
ATTENDANCE GOAL: 97%
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 15
MONDAY
Breakfast: NO SCHOOL
Lunch: NO SCHOOL
TUESDAY
Breakfast: Pancake Wrap OR French Toast Bites
Lunch: Chicken Tenders, Mac & Cheese, Green Beans, Red Peppers, Pears
WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Sandwich OR Confetti Pancakes
Lunch: Corn Dog OR Grilled Cheese, Smiley Fries, Broccoli, Peaches
THURSDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Burrito OR Whole Grain Donuts
Lunch: Popcorn Chicken w/wo Oriental Sauce, Rice, Broccoli, Garden Salad, Pineapple
FRIDAY
Breakfast: Whole Grain Muffins OR Cereal / Poptart
Lunch: Pizza 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
October 2018
Bully Prevention Month
22- Blue Monday, Wear Blue
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
CAFE Corner
Dessert Days Pie Sale
Our annual Pie Sale will begin this week. Flyers will come home with students. Stay tuned for more information!
Midwest Gymnastics
Our first Open Gym night of the year was a success with 86 children in attendance! The next event will be held on Saturday, November 3rd! 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
Blood Drive at Jerry Ross Elementary
National Honor Society is hosting a Blood Drive at Jerry Ross Tuesday, October 30 from 12:30-6:00. Did you know... 1 out of 10 people admitted to the hospital will need blood? Adults please mark your calendar to donate on this day! It feels good, to do good. To sign up, visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code: jrosselem
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