John Muir Elementary School
October 2018
It's Breakfast Time!!
Notes from Mrs. Yerke
Medication Reminders from our Nurse
Principal Note
The John Muir Elementary School staff and I would like to express our gratitude for a great start to the 2018-2019 school year. Your children have displayed excellent school manners and a strong work ethic in the classroom. Thank you for raising such wonderful children. I am lucky to see them all day long, and I want you to know how proud you would be of them if you could see them in their educational and social environment too. Great Job Parents!!
Safety
Thank you everyone for being so positive about our new safety changes at John Muir. Just a reminder, all adults will enter the building at the office doors. At the end of the day, you are able to meet your child outside by the office doors. School Road: Parents and adults should not be by the buses before or after school. Parents or Guardians are not able to take children off buses once the students have boarded. Please come to the school office if there is a change of plans, and we will radio our bus supervisors to assist with the change. Thank you.
Community Music Mondays & Volunteers
If you or anyone you know would like to participate in our Community Music Mondays or would like to Volunteer at John Muir Elementary please contact the school office.
This year we are celebrating!!
We will be recognizing student successes in many ways this year at John Muir. Some of these great things are: Academic Students of the Week, Students who display “Courage," Attendance Successes, and Behavior Achievements/Warrior Buddies. We are so proud to celebrate the individual differences that make us the John Muir Community!!
Have a wonderful October and take time to celebrate your family!!
Mrs. Garrigan
Attendance Matters
If your child will be absent or tardy, please contact the John Muir Office before 8:15 that day to inform us. If you are leaving a message, please include the following: your name, your student’s name, grade, and the reason for the absence.
John Muir School Phone Number: 608-742-5531
October Calendar
It's Breakfast Time!!
Breakfast Time!
Did you know that John Muir offers breakfast every day? Look for Pop Tarts, Yogurt, Apple Frudel and cereal on the breakfast line-up. The cost is only $1.60. If you are on a free or reduced meal plan, the cost is adjusted to reflect this. The doors open for breakfast at 7:30; so start your day off with an energy boost and try school breakfast.
Any questions, contact Holly Denman at 742-5531, Ext. 2007
Music Notes
Muir Music Notes
Welcome back everyone,
My name is Ms. Yerke and I am the music teacher here at John Muir. I have been teaching here for 30 years. I love what I do and I look forward to working with your children this year.
Music Department Activities this year include:
A holiday program on December 14 at 1:30 p.m. in our John Muir Gym
John Muir Talent Show on February 22 at 6 p.m. at the Portage High
School. A separate note will be going home to explain this opportunity for students to showcase their talents and the try-out process. Students can pick up a copy in the office.
We have been working hard on learning the routines we use in the music room. Each grade is reviewing and learning new skills.
Second Grade: Students have been reviewing note names and how to play rhythm sticks using that notation.
Third Grade: Students have also been reviewing notes, and have been learning to follow notation with some of our rhythm instruments.
Fourth Grade: Students are learning about the instruments in the symphony orchestra and to which family each belongs.
Fifth Grade: Students are learning to play an ostinato on tone chimes to accompany the class as it sings the song “Are You Sleeping” in English and in French.
Both fourth and fifth graders are part of our combined choir. They will be performing for our holiday program and also for their Growth Mindset Assembly on May 24.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me at yerkeb@portage.k12.wi.us, or call me at 608-742-5531 ext. 2702.
A Special Music Shoutout!
News for Bookworms and Other Readers
The library program has some exciting opportunities in store for your child this year:
Our program will be promoting the very best of children’s literature to your child with activities designed to help students enjoy the stories even more.
We will be doing our very best to get (or keep) your children “hooked on reading” by recommending specific reading materials to each individual.
We will add 100 or more new titles this year of the latest and most exciting new books for young readers, including quality non-fiction to help meet the Common Core requirements.
At each grade level, students will be learning research and computer skills specifically suited to their developmental needs.
We will be working with classroom teachers to help them find materials specifically suited to the individual interests and abilities of your child.
Library lessons will stress good Digital Citizenship, helping your child make safe and ethical decisions when using the Internet.
We have a lot of special events being planned, including a book fair and reading contests.
Ask your child what chapter book they are listening to, and ask them about the sticker poster.
Our staff is ready and excited about this coming year and is committed to making the library your child’s favorite place in the school!
Medication Reminders from our Nurse
What to do if my child needs to take medication at School:
If it is a PRESCRIPTION medication:
Obtain a Medication Request Form from the Office.
The parent needs to fill out the TOP portion.
The physician will fill out the bottom portion (or a prescription can be attached).
If a NON-PRESCRIPTION medication:
Obtain a Medication Request Form from the Office.
The parent needs to fill out the TOP portion.
For ALL MEDICATIONS
Make sure:
Your child’s NAME is on the medication.
The medication name MATCHES the medication order.
The CORRECT dose is on the medication and it MATCHES the Medication order
or the directions on the packaging.
The TIMES to give the medication are correct and MATCH the order.
If this is an AS NEEDED medication, include a reason.
ONLY ADULTS should bring medication to school. While some students, with special permission, may carry their own medications (ie inhalers), an ADULT should bring the medication to school the FIRST time.
Advanced Learner Events
4th Graders participated in an International Stacking Competition
How high can you go?
Stack 'em, then eat 'em! Yum!
Advanced Learner Opportunities
Advanced Learner Events 2018-2019
The advanced Learner Program offers many opportunities throughout the year for students to demonstrate their various talents. Some dates to keep in mind are listed below.
October 4 - Lego Club applications due to office
November 30 - Muir Talent Show Tryouts
December 7 - Creative Arts Festival Grades 3,4
January 4 - Muir spelling bee Grades 4,5
January 11 - Math 24 tournament - Grade 4
January 18 - Math 24 tournament - Grade 5
February 5 - Regional Spelling Bee
February 8 - Writing due for the Young Authors’ Contest
February 22 - Muir Talent Show
February (end) - Math Matters Competition
March 5 - Regional Math 24 Tournament
April 3 - Youth Art Madison
April 25 - Creative Arts Festival Grades 5,6
May 28 - Young Authors Conference
LEGO Club application forms can be picked up by your child in the office. Adults are always needed to facilitate groups of students. Your child is automatically placed in a club (yours!) if you volunteer.
Notes from the Dean of Students
Random Acts of Kindness-
I am encouraging all of our students to exhibit random acts of kindness. Please look for a posting in the school’s entryway each day with suggested kind acts of which to exhibit during the school day.
Mindfulness Room-
The Mindfulness Room has been a big hit with the children who have used it to recover, regroup, and reboot. They can return to class ready to learn and grow. Students are encouraged to visit this calming atmosphere after they have utilized the wonderful classroom Calming Corners. It is so very important that our students stay in class where all of the action and rich instruction is taking place.