Van Brunt Newsletter
October 2017 Edition
From the Principal
Dear Van Brunt Families,
We had such an exciting beginning of our year! I am so proud of the positive things we are seeing from our students. Kindness is being shown in so many ways. Students are sharing compliments with each other, writing thank you notes to community members and staff, and making great choices every day!
The learning happening at Van Brunt is incredible! Students are learning math in ways we were never taught. They are learning the “why” behind the math procedure. This learning is very helpful as math becomes more complicated. Students are enjoying reading books of their choice and talking about what they are reading. In writing, students are writing about stories in their lives. We are working together and learning from each other every day.
Please encourage your child to read at home. Research shows this is the one thing that really helps move learning forward. Each night, students should have about 10 minutes of homework for each year they are in school. For example, if your child is in 5th grade, about 50 minutes of homework is what can be expected. Reading should be done first. If the time is up, and homework is not done, please jot a note on the homework stating that the homework time was done. This really provides great feedback for the teacher. If the majority of students aren’t able to complete the homework, then we need to adjust what is being assigned. Family time is important and we want to be respectful of that time.
We are looking forward to meeting with you at conferences and are looking forward to the wonderful things yet to come this year! Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts or questions.
Sincerely,
Lisa Sawyer
Van Brunt Principal
Build a Reading Life
Greetings Van Brunt Families,
I hope your school year is off to a fabulous start and your child(ren) is/are adjusting to their new routines. I hope that those routines are including some time at home to “Build a Reading Life.” Students are learning exactly what “Building a Reading Life” means and they are learning the importance of reading outside of our regular school day. From what I can see, they are super excited to keep reading after the school day ends. I LOVE IT!!
Lately, I have been asked what are some good books / series that can be suggested for children to read? Well….look no further, I have included a list of the top Children’s Choices for 2017 for grades PreK-6. I hope you will find this useful and be able to help your child find a good book to enjoy! Happy Book Hunting!! Now…. go BUILD A READING LIFE! HORICON STRONG!
Mrs. Boehmer
Van Brunt Fun Run: Bookin’ it for Books
The first Van Brunt Fun Run was a success! Thank you to our students, staff and families that contributed to the awesome event! We had a dedicated fun run committee that worked very hard behind the scenes to organize the fun run! A special thank you to Nicole Berggren, Jenny Muche, Jenni Vorlob, Kim Weggeland, Erica Buechel, Rebecca Bland, Meredith Strieff, Angie Gibbs, Dawn Stortz, Kristin Twardokus and Tara Boehmer for all of their expertise and assistance!
A special thank you to our awesome community sponsors: Horicon Bank, Horicon PTO, International Association of Machinist Local Lodge 873, Rock River Tap and Grill, Innovative Technologies, Horicon Rod and Gun Club, Horicon Hardware Hank, Curt’s Service, Anytime Fitness of Horicon, Modern Woodmen, American Legion Post 157, Plier Law Office, Horicon Family Chiropractic, Vic's Auto Body, American Family Insurance Michelle Wanie Agency Inc. and Leroy Meats.
A special thank you to the families that helped our students collect pledges! We are very excited to find out what the final total will be in the next coming week! An award ceremony will be taking place later this month where we will be announcing our raffle winners, top fundraiser for the school as well as having students receive their personal prize items. It is going to be an exciting month!
Team of the Month
This year, Van Brunt is focusing on Horicon Strong: One Team. We will be celebrating a grade level along with a support area of our school to recognize as the "Team of the Month". For the month of October we are recognizing the 6th grade team and our secretaries. This team consists of Lisa Schultz, Sharon Voit, Sandy Hinzman, Dawn Stortz, Cassidy Schultz, Melissa Magnussen and Angie Gibbs. We will be showering these staff members with kindness this month and wanted to pass along an invitation for you to do the same! It can be a simple card, a treat, a note of appreciation or anything you choose! Sign up at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044aa9a929a3fc1-6thgradesecretari
Snapshot of our Team of the Month:
Lisa Schutz:
This is my 20th year at Van Brunt! I have taught Special Education and 6th grade. My favorite thing about working here is seeing the students everyday! I also love the friendships I have made with my colleagues. The students teach me things all the time! This year I have seen so many acts of kindness. When I am at home, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family.
Sharon Voit:
This is my 26th year working at Van Brunt. I love working with all the kids. I like how they all have their unique personalities. Seeing their self-esteem and responsibility grow along with what they are learning is very rewarding. Outside of school, I love spending time with my 3 kids and my pets. I also enjoy walking and reading.
Dawn Stortz:
I’ve just started my 21st year at Van Brunt. I love that every day is different from the next. I love coming to work and seeing the smiling faces of the students and having a super helpful staff to work with. When I’m not at work, I enjoy camping, crafting and spending time with my family and first grandson!
Angie Gibbs:
I have worked at Van Brunt for 5 years. I worked as a substitute aid the first two years. This will be my third year as a secretary. I love working with the students at Van Brunt. It's always great to hear their stories! I also have AMAZING co-workers who are very supportive. On my personal time, I enjoy hiking with my family and dog and watching my kids play different sports.
Sandy Hinzman:
This is my first year working at Van Brunt. I have been an active PTO member for two years. I love coming to work each day and seeing the students grow and their minds develop. When I am not at work, I enjoy crafts, reading ,sewing and spending time with my family.
Melissa Magnussen:
I have worked at Van Brunt for 10 years. I love getting to know all of the students when I see them in the cafeteria each day, and building a bond with them. I also enjoy the relationships I have with my co-workers. On my personal time I enjoy fishing, the out doors and spending time with my family and grand kids.
Spirit Week
Spirit week was a blast! Van Brunt had an awesome time at the Pep Rally for Fall Sports. Students wrote the athletes encouraging notes and were able to deliver them to their designated athlete. They also enjoyed dressing up for spirit week and a parade led by the Pep Band. Horicon pride is abundant at Van Brunt!
Important Dates in October
October 9 Kindergarten To the Safety Building/Waldvogel's 9:00-2:45
October 13 Fun Run Assembly In the VB Gym 2:15
October 16 CAC Meeting 6:00
October 18 K-12 Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00-7:30
October 20 NO SCHOOL
October 23 Board Meeting 7:00
October 24 K-12 Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00-7:30
October 25 4K am class to Waldvogel's 8:15-10:30
October 25 4K pm class to Waldvogel's 12:30-2:45
October27 POPS Grade 6 In the PLC 2:00
October 27 PTO Halloween Dance 5:30-8:00