The Rams Report
The Pulse of Yorkville Elementary School
A Message From the Principal
Believe it or not...May has arrived and we are approaching the last six weeks of the school year. We are now in the home stretch. In addition to our daily routines and learning experiences, the remaining weeks will be filled with field trips, concerts, musicals, and celebrations. It is sure to be a busy time!
May is also the month that students in kindergarten through eighth grade will take the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Assessment. This assessment will help us to measure the growth and progress made throughout the year. The testing window opens on May 14th and runs through May 22nd. Not all students will test each day. Rather, each homeroom will have a couple class periods within the window dedicated to the assessment. All students will be tested in the areas of reading and math. Students who miss a test due to an absence will be scheduled for a make-up session. You can help your child do his/her best on each test day by:
- Making sure, if possible, that your child attends school on the days tests are administered.
- Making sure your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before testing.
- Ensuring your child eats a healthy breakfast.
- Reminding your child to ask the teacher questions if he/she does not understand the test directions
- Letting your child know that you have confidence in his/her ability to do his/her best.
- Advising your child to not to worry about the test – just do the best he/she can.
May will hopefully bring us sunny days and warmer temperatures. As students begin to dress for warmer weather, we feel it is important to remind families of the dress code that is outlined in the student handbook. Student dress can have a significant effect on learning and behavior. Therefore, Yorkville Elementary School has implemented a dress code that is designed to allow for personal expression and style while maintaining a positive atmosphere. The dress code allows all members of our community of learners to feel comfortable and to focus on their learning. As a reminder, students and families are asked to follow the guidelines below:
- Shorts are allowed, but must be mid-thigh length.
- Sleeveless shirts and tops are allowed, but straps must be at least two-fingers wide. This ensures that undergarments do not show.
- Shirts and tops must always cover the midsection - front and back.
Students who do not follow the dress code will be asked to change into their gym clothes. If that is not possible, students will be asked to call home.
Again, thank you for your support and involvement!
Mrs. Amy Foszpanczyk
Summer Bridge
Highlights
Yorkville students have had many opportunities for active learning and have extended themselves beyond the classroom.
First graders learned all about the three states of matter and ended the unit of study with root beer floats to see all forms in one yummy combination! First graders also loved learning about magnets! One of the favorite experiments was trying to make a paperclip dance without actually touching it to the magnet! The first grade students also welcomed the arrival of spring by making delicious bird’s nest cookies.
The students in the primary department enjoyed a visit from the Kohl’s Wild Theater group. The theater group performed skits about Detective Appletree, an invasive animal species in Wisconsin. The students learned that even earthworms are considered to be an invasive species if they end up in the woods!
Second grade students thoroughly enjoyed their field trip to Betty Brinn Children's Museum.
The third grade students have been very busy. Students had the opportunity to use iPads to create stop motion animation videos. In science, the third graders have been learning about the human body. Students loved completing the body project! This month the third graders showed off their reading skills by presenting their favorite books to the class. They enjoyed sharing their paper bag book reports which included items that pertained to the book that they read. In addition to practicing their public speaking skills, the students had the opportunity to learn about a variety of books! The students also learned about the layers of the earth and used play-doh to create models. Students are enjoying the chapter book, Charlotte’s Web! All the students have been preparing for the Wisconsin Forward Exam. To conclude the preparations, the students enjoyed playing the game, “Are you Smarter Than Your Teacher?” The students also found some time to let their creative side show and participated in Yorkville’s Artist-in-Residence Program led by Brenda Thomas. The students had so much fun learning about and creating mosaics!
Fourth graders reviewed important math concepts as they raced to be the first team to escape Emoji Island!
Sixth graders practiced calculating mean, median, mode and range. They applied these concepts in authentic, real-world situations. The students also took part in a field trip to Camp Timberlee. While there, students interacted with the Animal Encounters exhibit, climbed towers and went zip-lining.
On Saturday, March 24th, sixth through eighth grade band and choir students performed at the Solo and Ensemble Festival at Yorkville School. Eighty-five out of eighty-seven performances received gold medal ratings from the judges. Special thanks to the many students and parents who helped with set-up, clean-up, room monitoring, and the concession stand.
The students in our 5th Grade, 6th Grade, and Advanced Bands joined students from Kansasville, Raymond, Union Grove Elementary, and Union Grove High School to perform at the Mass Band Concert on Tuesday, March 27th. The band students earned $300 thanks to everyone who supported the Culver's Fundraiser.
Students in choir had the opportunity to attend a production of Disney's Newsies at the Fireside Theater.
Yorkville students participated in Relay Recess to support the American Cancer Society. Together, the school community raised $5,890. Several students and teachers further supported the cause by donating their hair. The event was a huge success!
PTO Update
Congratulations to the new PTO Officers:
Kate Johnsen - Vice-President
Shelly Petrick - Treasurer
Amy Malate - Secretary
Staff Appreciation Week will take place from May 7th through May 11th. For more information about the events that have been planned, please check out the Staff Appreciation link.
The next PTO meeting will be held on Thursday, May 17th at 6:30 in the library. All are welcome. Hope to see you there.
PTO is planning a Subway Night for May 18th. Enjoy dinner with your family and support the Yorkville PTO at the same time. More details will be coming soon!
The Spring Book Fair will be held in Room 112 from May 21st - 24th. More information including daily schedules will be coming soon.
Upcoming Events
Eastern Divisional Track Meet - May 2nd at 3:00 (@Westosha High School)
Musical/Choir Tech Week - May 7th - 10th (@ UGHS)
Staff Appreciation Week - May 7th - 11th
3rd Grade Field Trip (Slim Goodbody) - May 8th
4th/5th Grade Field Trip to Golden Rondelle - May 10th
Junior High Musical, Wizard of Oz - May 11th and May 12th at 7:00 (@ UGHS)
Westosha Conference Track Meet - May 15th at 2:30 (@ Westosha High School)
5th Grade Reading Fair - May 15th at 5:00 (Small Gym)
PTO Meeting - May 17th at 6:30 (Library)
4th Grade Field Trip (State Capitol) - May 18th
Subway Night - May 18th from 4:00 - 7:00
Spring Book Fair - May 21st - 24th
Spring Band Concert (5th - 8th Grade) - May 22nd at 9:45 and 7:00 (Large Gym)
Anthology Reception - May 23rd (@ UW-Whitewater)
Junior High Field Day - May 24th at 9:00
3rd - 5th Grade Field Day - May 24th at 12:30
No School - May 25th
No School - May 28th
Band Trip to Six Flags - May 29th
Awards Day - May 30th
8th Grade Trip to Helium & Stonefire Pizza - May 31st
Primary Field Trip to Milwaukee County Zoo - June 1st
Field Day (K -2) - June 4th
8th Grade Graduation - June 4th at 7:00