Halmstad Hawk Happenings
February 2024
Message from the Principal
February is Here!
Hello Families,
Here we are in February! January was a very full month for us. Students in every grade took Fastbridge tests in math and reading, report cards went home, and we finally got to play in the snow (for at least a few days). Each day the sun sets a little later and I sure appreciate that!
As someone who has been in education for 24 years now, I know that the year is full of peaks and valleys. February can be one of the toughest months of the year. We don't have many days off, it's still very cold, football is over, and spring seems a little too far away. My challenge for you this month is to take an opportunity to point out to your child how important learning is in everyday life. It doesn't have to be about reading and writing. It can be anything you've learned. From something new at your job, cooking a new recipe, trying a new game or puzzle, finding where things are at a new store, really anything at all can be considered learning. Point it out!
Our staff works so hard to make school an enjoyable place for your children. This month we will be looking forward to Valentine's Day (look for a class list from teachers), an all school celebration, a visit from our middle school show choir and jazz band, and maybe a fun dress up day. Let's work together to make February a positive month here at Halmstad. Thank you families!
Meet Mrs. Hallin!
Hi! My name is Michelle! I am from a small town and now reside in Thorp WI with my husband Riley, son Sawyer and our 2 dogs Stella and Ruger. We are expecting our 2nd child come May 2024! Our house is filling up fast!
I have been working with children for 10 years now! I always find myself loving every bit of joy working with children.
In my free time I love to be outside hanging out with my family and friends, camping, playing with my son and exploring new places!
I am so excited to start my journey here at Halmstad Elementary!
Dates to Remember
February 5-6, 4pm-9pm Toppers night for Halmstad- Mention Halmstad when you order
February 21, One School One Read Tie Dye-Day- Wear Tie Dye
February 23, PD Day, No School for Students
March 11-15-Spring Break
One School One Read
One School, One Read!
Continue to enjoy our One School, One Read book The World According To Humphrey. For more information about the event or to listen to chapter recordings visit the website linked here:
Watch for activities coming home in your child’s take home folder. Complete the activities and send back to school to win tickets. Tickets will be put in a drawing for prizes. Prizes will be handed out every few weeks, so be sure to get your activities in!
Dress Up Days!
Help us celebrate our One School, One Read event by participating in Reading Wednesdays! One Wednesday of each month will be a special dress up day.
Our next dress up day is:
Wednesday, February 21st- Tie Dye Day
Check out this letter to find what fun dress up days are to come!
One School, One Read Dress Up Days
Family Engagement Website
Visit our Title 1 Family Engagement website for educational resources, parenting resources, Title 1 information and more. Find the website linked here:
Yearbooks
No worries about sending order forms and money to school with your student: Yearbooks can be ordered online at www.strawbridge.net and use the code YB29467
If you do need a paper order form, please let your child's teacher know.
From the Health Office
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!
Lifelong habits begin at home. Make dental health part of your daily routine and share these reminders with your whole family:
-Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, especially after breakfast and before bedtime. Drinking water after eating also helps to clear your teeth of food particles.
-Floss every day. An adult should help children under the age of eight to floss. Older children should be ready to floss on their own.
-Limit the number of times you eat snacks, especially the sticky ones and long lasting ones.
-Visit a dentist regularly for routine checkups and cleanings.
-Protect your teeth by wearing a mouthguard when playing sports.
-Don’t forget to change your toothbrush regularly, and after an illness. We have toothbrushes available at the schools if you would like them! Please call your health office and we will send them home with your child!
Sweet Snack Facts:
-Eating a lot of snacks with sugar may cause cavities.
-Every time you eat sugar, plaque in your mouth mixes with the sugar to make acid. The acid hurts the teeth and causes decay over time. This can be painful!
The Bright Smiles Dental Program will be visiting the elementary schools throughout the months of February, March, and April applying sealants or fluoride varnish to students that signed up for the program at the beginning of the school year. If you have not signed up your child but would like to, please contact your school’s health office. Bright Smiles at Halmstad on Friday March 1st
Sick Procedure: Keep your student home if any of the following apply: Temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher in the last 24 hours before medication (Tylenol/Ibuprofen) Vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours They have been diagnosed with a contagious illness (e.g.; strep throat) and have been on medication for less than 24 hours if medication is required They have an unexplained rash
Important Information Regarding Drop Off in the Morning
I’d like to take a moment to speak plainly about our drop off situation in the morning. There have been some near accidents and upset drivers. I tried to get the buses to drop off where you currently do and was informed by the bus company and the district that the buses need to use the area in front of the school. We are going to have to continue with our current drop off system. This area is school property and is where all drop offs should take place unless you’re late. Below are some tips to make drop off improve.
Use your turn signal to enter the dropoff area. This lets the vehicles that are already parked know that you’re entering.
Whenever possible have your child sit on the passenger side of the vehicle. That way your child never has to walk behind or on the side of your vehicle where traffic is moving.
Use your turn signal to exit the dropoff area. It lets the vehicles behind you know you need the space to leave and lets them know more space is opening.
Have your child’s clothing and backpack ready. Coats, hats, mittens, even shoes can be on and ready to make the line faster and keep the traffic moving.
Pull down further. If your child isn’t ready or you plan on walking your child to the playground, we ask that you pull down toward the end of the drop off area. This allows more cars to pull in and is only a few more steps for you.
If you do pull down further, have your child use the second gate door by the two orange cones. Again it is a little farther away from the school, but still opens directly to the playground. There is less traffic there, making it easier for you to leave. I will make sure the gate is open for you.
Set your alarm for five minutes earlier. When we are in a rush we make mistakes or get more irritable. This can lead to accidents.
If you're going to be late, you can drop off at the front door after 7:40. This way Heidi can see your child and make sure they are checked in properly.
End of the Day Pick-Up
PLEASE remember to call ahead (by 2:00 p.m.) if you have a transportation change for the day. For the safety of your child, unless it's an emergency, we ask that you do not make changes after 2: p.m.
Remember to contact Chippewa Yellow Bus more than 24 hours in advance at 715-726-2454 if you have any bus changes or requests. The school can't authorize bus changes.
ALL changes need to be called in to the Main Office and not to the teacher in case there is a sub in the room that day. That number is 715-726-2415.
Recess Dress Protocol
Temperatures 50 degrees or higher
- No jacket required
If the temperatures are close, send your students outside with their long sleeves and pants; if the temperature rises to 50 degrees, the students can put their items in the classroom line just like they do with their backpacks in the mornings.
Temps 32 - 50 degrees
- Outerwear required (Outerwear is defined aS a hoodie, sweatshirt, 1/4 zip, fleece, windbreaker, jacket, etc) Just cannot be the student's base layer. Students should also be wearing pants.
Students may wear shorts in the building during the colder months. They should put pants on when they go to recess if temperatures are below 50 degrees
Temps below 32 degrees
- Winter jacket required
If snow is on the ground students are to wear snow pants and boots at all times in order to play in areas other than the blacktop. If students do not wear snow pants and boots with snow on the ground they will be required to stay on the blacktop.
Temps below -6 degrees
- Indoor recess
Amazing Hawk Award
The Amazing Hawk Awards are given to students who are safe, respectful and responsible! Each week staff nominates students to receive the award. Let's keep encouraging the great effort and behavior our students are showing here each week!
Latex Allergy
We have a latex allergy at Halmstad. Please do not send latex balloons to school for birthdays, etc. Thank you for your consideration.
Cardinal Learning Center
To find out what activities are available for your child, please visit our Cardinal Community Learning Center website by going to the link included here. If you are connected to an organization not listed, please contact Ann Zenner at zennerak@chipfalls.org to get information included.
On Site Chiropractic Care
Hello! Here is the content for the February parent newsletter
February - the month of LOVE. For the month of LOVE here are the top eight reasons that people LOVE chiropractic:
*It’s a holistic approach to your health
*Does not involve medication
*It provides great pain relief
*Reduces stress and improved concentration (ADD & ADHD)
*Better sleep
*Improved sports/exercise performance
*Soothes headaches
*Boosts immune system/fewer illnesses
If you’d LOVE to learn more about chiropractic care for your child and the convenience of having them see the chiropractor right at school, contact us at onsitechiroinfo@gmail.com.
PTO Update
Your participation in the organization is welcome and encouraged! There are opportunities for everyone - small roles and bigger roles. PTO members and its officers meet every third Thursday each month during the school year.
PTO President - Casey Levrich halmstadptopresident@gmail.com
PTO Vice President - Alicia Bowe halmstadptovicepres@gmail.com
PTO Secretary - Liz Tice halmstadptosecretary@gmail.com
PTO Co-Treasurer - Kyrah Klika and Jerrica Richel halmstadptotreasurer@gmail.com
Social Media Coordinator - Jerrica Richel
Fundraising Coordinator - Amber Vetch
Events Coordinator - Jamie Chavez
Halmstad Elementary
Email: lowerj@chipfalls.org
Website: https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/halmstad/
Location: 565 East South Avenue, Chippewa Falls, WI, USA
Phone: (715)726-2415
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chippewafallsschool/
Twitter: @ChippewaFallsSD