Epworth Elementary School
January 2021 Newsletter
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
Happy new year to all of you! While 2020 was an incredibly challenging year, we are so grateful for the family and community support that has been demonstrated in the first four months of the school year. This pandemic has challenged everyone and your support has helped tremendously.
In the next few weeks, our district will be advertising preschool registration for the 2021-2022 school year. If you or someone you know has a student that will be attending preschool next year, we encourage you to register online early, as slots fill rapidly. Due to the pandemic, we will not host a preschool registration night at our school as we have in the past. Instead, a video will be released to explain the preschool program and important information on our various digital platforms on Friday, January 29.
It's hard to believe, but we are about seven weeks away from the second round of parent/teacher conferences. These are scheduled for Monday, March 8 and Wednesday, March 10. As these dates get closer, we will continue to provide specific details regarding scheduling and format. Please stay tuned as more information is provided. Take note that there will be a two hour early dismissal on Wednesday, March 10 and no school on Thursday, March 11 and Friday, March 12. Looking even further ahead, there will be no school on Thursday, April 1, Friday, April 2, Monday, April 5, and Tuesday, April 6, due to spring break.
Our students continue to work hard in developing academic, social, and emotional skills. We are very pleased with all of the progress that has been made. Let's cross our fingers for cooperative weather in the coming months to continue to build on the momentum we have established.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions, concerns, or whenever you feel necessary. We will be most successful this year with open lines of communication. The best way to reach me is dan.butler@wdbqschools.org or 563-876-5514 ext. 7002.
Yours in education,
Dan Butler
Epworth Elementary Principal
Counselor Connection
Greetings Caregivers,
I am excited to share with you what has been happening in guidance at Epworth Elementary. Students have been working hard learning and practicing emotional regulation skills. We have focused on our feelings, warning signs, and triggers through the Zones of Regulation. We are now practicing our coping skills and will be creating our own coping toolboxes to help us stay calm and kind when we have strong, negative emotions.
You can support these lessons by:
Reiterating that all feelings are okay; it is what we do with those feelings that counts. No matter how we feel, we must have a safe body and use kind words.
Encouraging the use of healthy coping skills (deep breaths, lemon squeeze, thinking happy thoughts, coloring, etc.)
If you are need of anything for your family, please reach out at anytime. Here are just a few to share:
Backpack Program (United Methodist Church)
Sends home 1 pack of food each week for families in need
Contact Mrs. Elsinger to get signed up
Operation New View (Dubuque)
Financial help with heat and electric
Phone: (563) 556-5130
Epworth Food Pantry
Free food giveaway on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 4:30-6:00 pm
Phone: June Brandenburg: (563) 876-5562
Open Closet
Clothing for children and adults
Phone: Ruth (563)495-0885
We are a team; together, we can make a difference.
With Kindness,
Mrs. Elsinger
Congratulations to weekly PBIS winners!
Respectful, On Your Honor, Accepting, and Responsible!
Nurse's Notes
Influenza is a contagious, respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent getting the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.
Symptoms of the flu can come on very quickly and include the following:
The time from when a person is exposed and infected with the flu to when symptoms begin is about 2 days, but can range from about 1-4 days.
What should you do if you get the flu?
The flu symptoms and those of COVID 19 are similar. They are both contagious, respiratory illnesses, but are caused by different viruses. COVID 19 seems to spread more easily than flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. The symptoms chart below shows the similarity and differences associated with COVID-19, Colds, Flu and Seasonal Allergies.
Many symptoms of Influenza are similar to COVID 19, the only true way to determine a diagnosis is be to be tested. You can still get the influenza vaccine by contacting your health care provider. It’s never too late! COVID vaccines are becoming available to selected groups.
Stay healthy,
Mrs. Jenni Green
Epworth Elementary School Nurse
February Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Student Teacher: Ms. Lauren Specht
Hello, my name is Lauren Specht, and I am a senior at the University of Northern Iowa. Once I complete my student teaching this spring, I will be graduating with an Elementary and Middle Level Education degree. For the first part of my placement, I am in Mrs. Wagner’s 5th grade class at Epworth Elementary, and my second placement will take place at Drexler Middle School. I am overjoyed to be back in the school district that I grew up in and cannot wait for what the rest of the school year will bring. In my free time I enjoy reading and being outdoors, and I am currently training for my third triathlon.
Winter Clothing
We are unable to provide snow gear to students that forget their items, such as gloves and so forth. Please do all that you can to make sure your child is equipped properly each day. Should you need assistance with winter clothing, do not hesitate to contact our school counselor, Mrs. Elsinger 563-876-5514 ext. 7010 or carrie.elsinger@wdbqschools.org.
Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, March 10: 2 Hour Early Dismissal (End of trimester 2)
- Thursday, March 11: No School (Teacher Professional Development)
- Friday, March 12: No School (Teacher Comp. Day)
- Thursday, April 1: No School (Spring Break)
- Friday, April 2: No School (Spring Break)
- Monday, April 5: No School (Spring Break)
- Tuesday, April 6: No School (Spring Break)
AmazonSmile
If you are making purchases on Amazon, please check out AmazonSmile to benefit our school. The link below will take you directly to smile.amazon.com in support of Epworth Elementary. It’s the easiest way for you as a parent to find and support your school.
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/42-1402444
Thank you,
Epworth Elementary PTO (Parent Teacher Organization)
2020-2021 WDCSD Calendar
Connect with Us!
5th grade: @ees52021
4th grade: @ees4th2021
3rd grade: @ees3rd2021
2nd grade: @ees2nd2021
1st grade: @ees1st2021
Kindergarten: @eesk2021
Preschool: @eesps2021
Email: dan.butler@wdbqschools.org
Website: http://www.wdbqschools.org/epworthelementaryschool_home.aspx
Location: 201 Jacoby Drive East, Epworth, IA, USA
Phone: (563) 876-5514
Facebook: facebook.com/epworthelem
Twitter: @epworthelem