PAW PRINTS
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - November 3, 2017
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.
From the Principal, Mrs. Alonzo
This month we are focusing on the Character Trait of Fairness. At Winfield, we define this as “playing by the rules”. I often find myself talking with my own children about what fairness means and how there are differences between what is fair and what is equal. This is not always easy with a 4 and 7 year old! For me, a perfect time to tackle a discussion like this is at the dinner table when the entire family is together.
Try using one dinner a week as a chance to pose a thought-provoking question such as:
- What does fairness mean?
- Talk about a time you thought something was unfair. Why?
- How do mom and dad show fairness at home?
- How do YOU show fairness at home or with friends?
- How does your teacher show fairness at school?
- How do I show fairness for kids at school that aren’t my good friends?
- What would you do if you saw someone being treated unfairly?
This conversational time is important! It is a time for children to learn how to express themselves. Warning: you might not like all of their answers, or they might have difficulty at first expressing themselves about specific topics regarding values – please, for now, hold back on “correcting” them. Think of this as an exercise in sharing of ideas, an opportunity for you as parents to model for them. This is a terrific opportunity to see how our children think, feel, what they observe, and how we as the adults in their lives are teaching our children important values.
Younger Children Fairness means:
Playing by the rules
Treating others the way you want to be treated
Taking Turns
Sharing
Listening
Telling the truth
Older Children Fairness means:
Treating people fairly
Everyone has the same chance
Considering all of the facts before making a decision
Use the same rules for everyone
Don’t blame others for your mistakes
Think about how your actions will affect others
Listen closely to others and think about how they feel
Children want and need rules, structure and boundaries. It is these components which create a sense of fairness, predictability and safety in a child’s environment. By enforcing these rules and expectations consistently and abiding by these same expectations as the adult – we are on the road to raising kids of character who will treat others with fairness. Source: KidSafe Foundation
One School, One Book- The Chocolate Touch
If you are new to Winfield, this is our third time engaging in this fun, community building event. In 2015, we read The Lemonade Stand. Last year we read Stuart Little. Who can forget that adorable pet mouse who lived in our school office? This year we are dreaming of all things chocolate...with The Chocolate Touch!
On Wednesday, all 514 students received their very own copy of the book. We held a short all-school assembly to create some interest in the text. Students then visited the "candy shop" where they were greeted by workers armed with books for everyone! We do this do each child can feel the excitement of getting a new book, and the ownership of taking care of something. A great reader often makes notes in her text, so individual copies allow the children the ability to mark up or dog-ear their books however they choose!
Families received a reading calendar with chapters delegated 4 nights per week. Each morning when the students come to school, they hear a question from last night's reading on the announcements. They have the opportunity to put their answer ballot into the drawing box for a chance to be selected to win a prize! Out first winner today was Colton G. from Mrs. Royal's class. He picked out a brand new book for himself, and a candy bar for his brother!
Each day there is also a WOD (word of the day). We share this word on the announcements and encouragement the students and teachers to incorporate the word into their daily vocabulary. Our first two words were: devour and absentmindedly.
I encourage all of our families to contribute to our "Community of Readers" by reading nightly with us. Please submit pictures of your families for our "Chocolatey Community of Readers" bulletin board in our main hallway.
Candy Shop Workers
Community of Readers Bulletin Board
Candy Shop
From the Positive Behavior Coach, Mrs. Sims
BYSTANDER
Someone who sees bullying happen is a bystander. A bystander either encourages bullying or helps to make it stop. When we see bullying happen and laugh or even ignore it, we are encouraging the bullying to continue. Our students are taught that they should REPORT bullying to an adult or REFUSE bullying by saying, “STOP IT!” to the bully. We also discussed inviting the child who is being bullied to hang out with you. Sometimes just having a friend can give a person confidence enough to stand up to the bully. The bully may even decide to stop bullying on his/her own when it is evident that the person that was bullied is no longer alone.
From the Home-School Facilitator, Mrs. Mucha
Holiday time is coming up….Yes I said it. This time of year can bring lots of emotions. Excitement, joy, love, sadness, confusion, fatigue are some to name a few. Everyone is entitled to their emotions that the holidays bring. Now is the perfect time to start planning as a family different ways you could help others for the holidays as well. Performing good deeds has a natural uplifting and humbling way of balancing these emotions. It is also a great time to sit as a family to find ways to spread this through the year. Kids come up with some pretty cool ideas outside of the typical food drive or money donations if you give them a chance.
Please let me know if this holiday season may be particularly hard for your student. These emotions start way before the holidays as we are inundated by everything that surrounds us that reminds us of the holidays coming.
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 663-2287 ext 19108
Jerry Ross Elementary- 663-3010 ext 18011
From the Art Room
THE ART ROOM HAS THE YEARLY ART DISPLAY AT CENTRAL OFFICE UP FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER. These students have art work on display:
Mrs. Vassil's Classes:
Carrie Andras, Eve Angelini, Elliott Baldwin, Mia Bardeson, Kennedy Benish, Addison Dull, Karam Erbini, Carter Eriks, Jake Gikas, Teagan Greene, Kendall Holverson, Troy Hruby, Henry Jones, Kylie Killian, Avery Lockhart, Grace Mellis, Annalise Neal, Andrew Nedohon, Ruchi Panchal, Helene Papadakis, Kayla Reardon, Javier Salas, Mason Sendejas, Spencer Shoemaker, Ishkirth Singh, Jacob Vlachos, Nikolas Ward, Madison Wold
Mrs. Hufford's Classes:
from Miss Barta's class, Zane Johnivan, Lindsay Kosiara and Kaylee Leeming; from Mrs. King's class, Reid Andreas, Ellie Jonsson and Aahana Parulekar; and from Mrs. Olenik's class, Anthony Basoski, Emma Calinski and Jackson Kraly.
Since the administration building hours are from 7-4 daily, a good time to view your art in the show might be before school.
THE ART ROOM FUNDRAISER WENT HOME THIS WEEK. BE SURE TO ASK YOUR CHILD FOR THE FORM!
Don’t forget to order cool gifts for that special family member or hard-to-buy-for person. With over 40 unique and useful keepsakes ready to purchase during the Square 1 Art fundraiser, your child's artwork is the perfect gift for any occasion or celebration. Nothing says “you’re loved” like “I made this art keepsake just for you!”
It’s the final days of the fundraiser, so don’t delay. The school benefits with every order!
From Our School Nurse, Mrs. Taylor
We would appreciate donations of gently used girls sweat pants/leggings and underwear (new in package). We keep these on hand when our little ones make a mess. Thank you!
We go outside for recess any day it is above 20 degrees and dry. It can get quite windy outside on our playground. Please be sure your child is dressed for the weather and outside recess. Keeping hats and gloves (labeled of course!) in their backpack can help them be prepared.
Please review attached information regarding common issues that are more prevalent in the fall and winter seasons.
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/parents.html
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2017-2018.htm
Important Reminder for Textbook Fees
The second installment was due by OCTOBER 20th.
You can pay online with a credit card by logging on to your RDS Parent Access Account. Payment by cash or check is accepted by visiting the school office. If paying by cash, please bring exact payment. Checks should be made payable to Winfield Elementary.
Please call Mrs. Griffith at 663-2287 with any questions.
School Hours 9:05 a.m. - 3:44 p.m.
*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
Note: If you are a car rider, please prominently display your child's full name in your dashboard each time you pick them up.
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.
Attendance
School Attendance: 96.8%
KDG: 96.6% First Grade: 97% Second Grade: 96.9%
Important Dates
November 2017
5th- Daylight Savings
6th- Picture Retakes
10th- Family Fun Night- Spy Camp @ Winfield Elementary
23rd-24th- Thanksgiving Break
29th- Student of the Month Breakfast
From The Cafeteria
Meal Prices
Student Breakfast: $1.50 Student Lunch: $2.25
Adult Lunch: $3.25 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.
Next guest lunch day: Friday, January 5th.
Only one guest per student is permitted. No siblings. No fast food. Thank you!
All visitors must have ID and be checked in through SafeVisitor.
*Please note- NO GUEST LUNCH IN DECEMBER due to Holiday Program.
Cafeteria Menu- Week of November 6-10
Monday
Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza OR Breakfast Bar/Cereal
Lunch: Chicken & Waffles, Baked Beans, Fresh Vegetables, Mandarin Oranges, Fresh Fruit
Tuesday
Breakfast: Pancake Wrap OR Chocolate Chip French Toast
Lunch: Chicken Tenders, Mac & Cheese, Lean Green Beans, Rocket Red Peppers, Yummy Pears, Fresh Fruit
Wednesday
Breakfast: Egg & Cheese Sandwich OR Breakfast Bar/Cereal
Lunch: Mini Corn Dogs OR Cheeseburger Deluxe, Smiley Fries, Fresh Broccoli Florets, Golden Peaches, Fresh Fruit
Thursday
Breakfast: Egg and Cheese Burrito OR Whole Grain Donuts
Lunch: Chicken Nuggets, Rice, Tiny Tree Top Broccoli, Crispy Garden Salad, Pineapple. Fresh Fruit
Friday
Breakfast: Whole Grain Muffins OR Yogurt/Poptart
Lunch: Pizza OR Ravioli, Corn, Carrot Sticks, Crazy Applesauce, Roll, Fresh Fruit
Daily Lunch Option: Sliced Turkey on Fresh Baked Sub Bun OR Chef Salad
Student Birthdays
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.), dedicating a book to the classroom (and placing a special birthday bookplate inside), or you may purchase birthday ice cream tickets for the class to be served in the cafeteria.
We do invite all students to visit the office on their special day for a treat from the staff!
Winfield/Jerry Ross PTO News
PARENTS NIGHT OUT!
Join us on Saturday, November 4th from 7-9 pm for the next night out at Midwest Gymnastics. The cost is $10 per child, with half of that going right to the Winfield/Jerry Ross playground fund.
SPY CAMP COMING TO WINFIELD!
The PTO will be hosting a Family Fun event on Friday, November 10th called SPY CAMP! Join us from 5:30-7:30 at Winfield for an evening of fun. Tickets will be available at the door for $3 per child (adults and children under 3-FREE). Food will be available for purchase, including hot dogs, nachos, chips, popcorn, and drinks.
DESSERT DAYS!
Thank you for your support! We sold over 800 pies! Delivery is anticipated the week of November 20th. Please look for a finalized pickup date later this month.
If you have any questions please contact : Myra Mora 773-715-7835
Extracurricular & Community News
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