Jim Falls Elementary
April 2024
Dear Jim Falls Families,
As we bid farewell to winter's chill, our journey into the warmer embrace of spring begins. With each passing day, our students eagerly anticipate the adventure that awaits them, whether it be at recess or within the pages of their textbooks.
As the sun graces us with its presence for longer stretches, please remember that the mornings may still be quite cold. Please double check that your child is dressed in appropriate clothing for the fluctuating temperatures. While sweatshirts may suffice on milder days, but dressing in layers with a warm jackets works the best this time of year.
As April dawns upon us, our students in grades 3-5 will be starting the Forward Exam. Refer to the WI Forward Exam section below for our schedule. Encourage your child to rest well and eat a healthy breakfast to ensure that they can perform their very best on the test.
Moreover, April is tornado safety month. During the week of April 8th, we will practice our tornado drill procedures, prioritizing the safety of every member of our school community. The Chippewa Falls School District remains steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding our students. Fire drills, severe weather drills, all school lockdowns and intruder drills are practiced at various times through the school year. It is always helpful when parents talk to their children about these safety routines. Please assure your child that if he/she takes these practices seriously, we can maintain the safety of each and every person in the building.
As always, I thank you for your continued support and partnership in educating your child.
Proud to be a Jim Falls Soaring Eagle,
Mrs. Janet Goodman
If you missed our most recent weekly updates please check them out here:
WI Forward
Families of 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Students:
Wisconsin students in Grades 3-5 will be participating in the Forward Exam assessment during the spring testing window. The Forward Exam assesses students in the areas of English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.
Please click HERE to see your child's testing schedule.
One or more subjects and subtests may be administered daily during the identified testing dates listed in the linked document above. It is very important that your son or daughter be in school during this time. Students not in school on the scheduled testing days will be scheduled for a make-up test prior to close of the testing window.
Attached is an Informational Brochure for Families which gives more information about the assessment including its purpose, what scores will be provided, and how the scores will be used.
If you have any questions, please contact me at goodmaje@chipfalls.org
Parent/Caregiver Survey
Our district is working each day to provide a great place for students to learn, teachers to teach, employees to work, and parents to send their children for an excellent education. We are committed to listening and responding to your experiences as a parent in our district. Our partners at Huron/Studer Education are providing an opportunity for you to provide feedback anonymously, at the link below.
Please take a few minutes to complete the Parent/Caregiver Engagement Survey at this link: Here is the Parent / Caregiver Experience Survey link.
The survey is scheduled to open March 18th and remain open through April 12th.
Your input is valuable. Your feedback will be utilized appropriately to create action plans that allow for continued success and to address those areas where attention is required for improvement.
Thank you for your commitment to our district’s success.
Schedule & Important Dates
Elementary schedule for 2023-2024:
Start of Day:
- Student Drop Off Begins: 7:20 am
- Student Day Begins: 7:43 am
- Breakfast Served: 7:30 - 7:43 am
- Students arriving after 7:43 am will be marked tardy
End of Day:
- Bus Dismissal - 2:35 pm
- Students getting picked up will be dismissed after busses have left school grounds
Important Dates
April
1st - No School (staff work day)
3rd - Cook Chiro
8th - PTO Meeting JF Library 6-7pm
10th - Cook Chiro
17th - Cook Chiro
22nd - Earth Day
22nd - Regular Board of Education Meeting 7pm @ Board Office
24th - CCF Bank Day
May
1st - Cook Chiro
2nd - 5th Grade Music Concert 8:15-8:45am
6th - PTO Meeting JF Library 6-7pm
8th - Walk/Bike to School Day
8th - Cook Chiro
14th & 16th Incoming 24-25 Kindergarten Students Orientation 5-6 pm
15th - Cook Chiro
16th - KG Spring Sing-A-Long 9-9:30am
19th - PTO Color Blast Run 1-3pm
22nd - Cook Chiro
27th - No School
28th - Anson Park Day
29th - Yearbook Signing Day & Last Day of School
There has been a change in the last day of school for elementary students. The new last day will be on May 29, 2024, instead of the previously scheduled May 30, 2024. Please note that this change is only for our K-5 students. 4K, MS, and HS students will still have school on May 30th.
This adjustment is necessary to provide teachers with dedicated time to begin training as mandated by the state under Act 20 for all public schools. Act 20 initiates a statewide adherence to science-based early literacy instruction to address low reading proficiency across the state.
Your partnership and support in allowing this time for our educators to focus on enhancing their skills in the area of literacy are highly appreciated. We know that the benefits of this training will contribute positively to the learning experience of our students.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.
Dress Up Days
CFMS Incoming 6th Grade Orientation
Hello!
We are excited to hold two orientation nights in April for families of incoming 6th grade students to come to CFMS. On these evenings we will give a general overview of the school and provide time for a self-guided tour. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a great learning environment, and we want you to have a chance to explore it!
These orientation evenings are optional and are scheduled for April 22 & 23 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM at the Chippewa Falls Middle School. Please enter through door 2 or 3 and head to the auditorium. There will be a 20 minute presentation in the auditorium at 6:00 PM.
In order to accommodate the number of families joining us on these evenings, we ask families to consider the following schedule. However, we understand if the night that aligns with your elementary school does not work and you need to attend the other night instead.
Monday, April 22 - Parkview, Halmstad, Jim Falls
Tuesday, April 23 - Southview, Hillcrest, Stillson
Open House - August 28, 2024
In August, the middle school will host an Open House on Wednesday, August 28, from 1:00 - 7:00 PM.
The first day (Tuesday, September 3, 2024) of school will be WEB Day! WEB Day is a specially designed day just for incoming 6th graders and their 8th grade mentors.
Ms. Arendt, 6th grade Assistant Principal, and I will also be meeting (or have already met) all 5th graders at their schools, sharing a little bit about CFMS, and answering questions that they have prior to the April Family Orientation nights. We are SO EXCITED about our new crew of 6th graders who will join us next year!
Derrick Kunsman
Principal - Chippewa Falls Middle School
750 Tropicana Blvd, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Ph: 715.726.2400 ext. 1144 | #mightycardinals
PTO Flower Fundraiser March 29th - April 18th
Click above to learn more about the PTO Color Blast
Reminders
Notes from the Office
If your child is going to be absent or tardy for any reason, please call the office by 8:00 am Instructional time starts at 7:43 am. Any student who arrives after 7:43 am is considered tardy.
If you need to change your child's transportation for the end of the day, please send a note to your child's teacher. Phone calls are discouraged but if a change needs to be called in, PLEASE call the office by 1:30 pm to insure that the message gets delivered to the classroom.
If you need to pick your child up early, please check in at the office. Parents will need to sign their child(ren) out and then we will call your child down to the office. Students will not be waiting in the office so make sure to give yourself enough time prior to appointments.
BUS TRANSPORTATION CHANGES
All student rerouting requests will originate at Chippewa Yellow Bus Company. Student rerouting requests require a 24 hour notice and approval by the bus company. This includes one time and/or occasional rerouting requests. Please call 715-726-2454 if you have any questions or concerns. Please click here for more information regarding rerouting requests.
If a student's afternoon transportation plans vary week to week, please provide the teacher, the office, and the bus company a monthly calendar to insure that your child gets to their intended location.
Handle with Care
As always we are a TEAM and we want to help your child thrive in our Jim Falls family.
Weekends Kids Meals
The Jim Falls Community Food Pantry has been providing food assistance to the families of the Jim Falls school for over 15 years. One of the services we provide is "Weekend Kids Meals." Each Friday, we make available an assortment of non-perishable healthy food products geared toward the children to send home with them for the weekend. If this is something you would like to participate in, please enter your information here.
Medical Absences
Food Service Payments and Menus
Payments can be made on the Infinite Campus portal under the food service tab. The free and reduced lunch application is also located on your Infinite Campus parent portal by selecting "more" then "meal benefits". Here is a list of the CFAUSD Meal Prices.
Classroom Treats
The health office requests that any treats brought in to school for birthdays, parties, or any other special occasions should be store bought with a clear nutrition label.
There are certain students and staff members with health conditions that may require certain dietary accommodations and it's important that they are able to review a food's nutrition label before choosing to omit or consume certain foods.
Please also be mindful about choosing treats that may contain tree nuts and/or peanuts for your student's classroom. There may be other students in your child's classroom who may have a severe nut allergy. If you are wondering whether your child is in a nut free classroom, please inquire with your student's classroom teacher or the school's health office.
HIGH SCHOOL GAME ATTENDANCE RULE
The Chippewa Falls High School would like to remind you of our game attendance rule.
In order to enter any high school game/event, all middle school and elementary students must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
Thank you for helping all of our fans stay safe at our home sporting events!
Chiropractic Care at school
Hello & Happy Spring from On-Site Chiropractic!
One of the students we see at school said that Wednesday is her favorite day of the week. When asked why she said, “Because that’s the day I go to the chiropractor!”
What does chiropractic care do? Chiropractic helps the brain and body have a strong signal with each other so the body can function just as it was intended to. Each chiropractic adjustment helps the nervous system by removing any interferences the nervous system may have. An adjustment optimizes the communication between the brain and every cell in the body!
A teacher told us that “as a teacher she has seen great results from the chiropractic care provided by Dr. Amanda. In the past two years my two students that have received this care have benefited greatly. The true results were in their change of attitude and behavior upon returning to the classroom.”
If you’re interested in at school chiropractic care for your child, contact us at onsitechiroinfo@gmail.com. We accept Forward Health/Medicaid insurance and would be happy to check into coverage for any other insurance you may have.
March Attendance Winners!
In order to encourage healthy and well students to attend school each day, Jim Falls Elementary will have a monthly drawing for a $20 Kwik Trip gift card or a Free Culver's Kids Meal. All students who have no unexcused tardies or unexcused absences will be entered into the monthly drawing.
March Winners: Sebastian, Avery, Lillian, Maddex, Zella, & Garrett
SEB (Social/Emotional Behavior Focus)
Our adventure continues at Jim Falls! This month we are focusing on how we view the world around us. At our end of February assembly, we watched the story "Milo Imagines the World". It reminds us to be open minded and to not judge a book by its cover. Not everything is what it looks like, so we must always remember to find out more information before we judge.We continue to have high behavior expectations that our students are meeting in amazing fashion!
March SOARing Eagles
The students below showed exemplary leadership in the areas of safety, offering kindness, acting responsibility, and respecting others! They truly SOAR!
Jim Falls SOARing Eagles are honored with a special lunch in the SOARing with Kindess Cafe, their pictures are displayed on the hallway bulletin board and on the hallway TV, and they also receive a Jim Falls SOARing Eagles pin and certificate. Thank you for being great role models!
Aiden, Lillian, & Hadley
Bailey & Clara
Carmina, Mollie & Colton
News from Nurse Caitlin
Wisconsin Immunization Requirements for the 2024-2025 School Year
FOR INCOMING KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS:
Wisconsin state law requires all students to show that they have received the following required immunizations or have a signed waiver within 30 days from the start of school:
4 doses of DTaP, DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis/whooping cough) or DT(diphtheria, tetanus) vaccine. A dose may be needed for children entering kindergarten if one of the DTaP doses was not given after the fourth birthday.
4 doses polio vaccine
3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine - at least one dose must be after 6 months old
2 doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
2 doses of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
FOR INCOMING 7TH GRADERS:
The Wisconsin Student Immunization law requires a Tdap, the adolescent combination vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough), within 30 days from the start of the 7th grade school year.
If your child still needs any of these vaccines, we encourage you to have your child immunized well before school starts to avoid the late summer rush at the Health Department or at your doctor’s office. Please bring your updated immunization records with you at registration. Please contact your school nurse with any questions.
CFAUSD 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
Sincerely,
Caitlin Maranell BSN, RN
Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District
District Wide Registered Nurse
715-738-2660 ext. 3543
Jim Falls PTO
Information from the Technology Dept
Empowering Digital Citizens: Essential Tips for Kids' Online Safety
In today's digital age, the internet is a vital part of a child's life, whether they're at school, home, or anywhere else. While internet-connected devices can enhance learning and social interactions, they also pose risks that concern both parents and educators.
Protecting children from online dangers such as inappropriate content and contact is crucial. But when should we start teaching them about security awareness?
Ideally, children should be introduced to these concepts as soon as they begin using the internet, even under supervision. With children spending an average of four to six hours daily on screens by the age of eight, and more than half of teenagers dedicating at least four hours a day to social media, the need for early education on online safety is evident.
Who takes on the responsibility of educating children about online security? Initially, parents or guardians play a significant role, followed by educators once children enter school. However, not all adults are proficient in security awareness, making it essential to know where to begin.
Keatron Evans from Infosec suggests tailoring security education based on age groups:
For grade school children: Establishing good habits like not sharing personal information and being cautious with links and downloads.
For middle school children: Teaching them to separate school and personal accounts, and educating them about email safety and phishing attempts.
For teenagers: Focusing on privacy settings, using unique login credentials, and implementing multi-factor authentication.
Parents play a crucial role in fostering security awareness in their children. Numerous resources, such as cybersecurity-themed books and educational videos, are available to aid parents in this endeavor. Additionally, parental control features in apps can be effective for younger children, although older ones may find ways to bypass them.
Modeling good security behavior is essential, as children often mimic the actions of those around them. Ultimately, both parents and educators must work together to equip children with the skills and knowledge to navigate the digital world safely.
By instilling security awareness in kids, we empower them to take control of their online privacy and security. For additional resources, visit Infosec’s Security Awareness and Training Resource Center or Common Sense Media’s Parenting, Media, and Everything in Between website.
Information taken from "Security Awareness for Kids: Tips for Safe Internet Use" (Video)
Kindergarten Registration
The public elementary schools in Chippewa Falls are beginning to plan for kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year.
Students who presently attend one of the Chippewa Falls School District’s 4-year-old Kindergarten programs do not need to re-enroll. Students are automatically enrolled in Kindergarten. More information will be provided from your child’s elementary school about Kindergarten registration and how to update information into Infinite Campus.
Children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2024, and who will be entering Kindergarten in the Chippewa Falls School District for the 2024-2025 school year, and are not enrolled in the Chippewa Falls 4-year old Kindergarten program, need to enroll. Those students who attended a 4K program in the 2022-23 school year, but were not in school this past year will need to enroll as well.
To enroll your child, please visit the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District website. If you do not have internet access, please contact Tami at (715) 720-1850 or visit the Administration Office located at 1130 Miles Street, Chippewa Falls, WI. You may also visit your child’s elementary school for assistance in registering.
Mentor Chippewa is a local non-profit, founded right here in Chippewa Falls, 35 years ago! We work closely with local school systems to bring our school-based mentoring programs to their students and offer the opportunity for adults to connect with youth in a safe setting.
We value all kids, right where they are, while recognizing that school can be tough, and mentors can help tough days go better! Everyone can benefit from having a caring adult in their lives to help them realize that when days go better, years go better.
If your student could benefit from a mentoring relationship, please contact us and we will make the connection between the student, the school, and one of our amazing volunteer mentors.
Thank you!
Jennifer Shakal
Program Coordinator | Mentor Chippewa
she/her/hers
715.225.8036 jennifer@mentorchippewa.org
705 Bay St., Suite 2A, Chippewa Falls WI 54729
CFAUSD Summer Programming Guides
Useful Links
Elementary Student/Parent Handbook
Strengthening Families Program
The Cardinal Feeder Newsletter
Winter/Spring Community Education Brochure
Cardinal Community Learning Center
Facilities Calendar & Information
Community Education Jan-May 2024
Annual Notice of Special education Referral and Evaluation Procedures
District Mission Statement
“Together with students, families, and our community; we inspire, support, and learn.”
District Notice
Upon request to the building administrator, submitted twenty-four (24) hours in advance, the District shall make reasonable accommodation including the provision of informational material in an alternative format as necessary for a disabled person to be able to participate select activities
Jim Falls Elementary
Email: wilsonsm@chipfalls.org
Website: https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/jimfalls/
Location: 13643 198th Street, Jim Falls, WI, USA
Phone: 715-720-3260