STILLSON BUZZ
April 2024 Newsletter
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Families,
We have officially made it to spring! We have a busy few months ahead of us! This month, we continue to focus on unity and our school community. Students have been learning that “we are all in this together” as well as the importance of showing care and compassion towards others. At the end of this week, we are looking forward to meeting in our “Happy Hives” to complete a whole-school project. Please ask your student(s) about their Happy Hives and what we’ve been up to!
During the month of April, students in grades 3-5 will take the Wisconsin Forward exam. Parents should have received a testing schedule and brochure in March, but please reach out to your classroom teacher if you need a new copy. Attendance will be even more important during the testing window. Please be sure students eat a healthy breakfast as well as get plenty of sleep so they are able to do their very best.
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.
A few notes:
*Please continue to send boots, hats, mittens, and snowpants (as needed) as our playground can remain muddy for a few days after snow/rain.
*PTO will be hosting its Flower Sale in time for Mother’s Day again this year. The baskets make great gifts and help support opportunities, such as field trips and guest speakers!
*We will be hosting our Color Run again on May 17. More information will be sent out towards the end of April!
As always, thank you for your partnership and support!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Sarauer
Stillson Elementary Principal
HAPPENING THIS MONTH
- April 1 : No School - Work Day
- April 4 : K-2 Music Night (see flyer for times)
- April 5 : Yearbook Orders Due (online and paper forms)
- April 5 : Happy Hives
- April 8 : Solar Eclipse
- April 8 : Bright Smiles - Sealant Week
- April 8 - 12 : Tornado Safety Month - Recognition Week
- April 15 : Stillson Library Week - Hats off to Reading! (wear your favorite hat)
- April 16 : Stillson Library Week - Reading is Super! (superhero shirts)
- April 17 : Stillson Library Week - Read My Shirt Day (wear a shirt with words on it)
- April 18 : Stillson Library Week - Guess Who!? (dress like your favorite book character)
- April 19 : Stillson Library Week - Stillson Stingers are Readers! (wear Stillson apparel or colors)
- April 22 : Earth Day
- April 25 - May 6 : Down to Earth Flower Sale
- April 26 : Arbor Day
UPCOMING EVENTS
- April 25 - May 6 : Down to Earth Flower Sale
- May 9 : Down to Earth Flower Pick Up at Stillson (1:00-5:00p)
- May 13 : PTO Meeting (6:00p)
- May 13 : Kindergarten Open House 24-25 (4:30-6:00p with more information to come)
- May 17 : Stillson Talent Show
- May 17 : Stillson Color Run
- May 21 : Track and Field Day for 5th Grade
- May 23 : Wax Museum
- May 24 : Graduation Day
- May 27 : No School - Memorial Day
- May 29 : Last Day of School for Elementary Students
- May 30 : Last Day of School for Middle and High School Students
PBIS NEWS
We have been working on the power of unity - being kind, caring, and helpful to others. We will have a unity activity during the first week of April with our Happy Hives. Be sure to ask your students what they participated in.
Our winner for the March orange ticket drawing was Harrison. He picked a movie with popcorn party with his classmates.
In April, we will be working on the power of intention - mistakes are opportunities to learn.
SECRETARY OUT OF OFFICE UNTIL MID MAY
Ms. Prince, our administrative assistant/secretary, will be out of the office from Thursday, April 4 until mid May for a short leave.
Mrs. Adams will be filling in for majority of this leave and can be reached at adamskj@chipfalls.org
Mrs. Mathews will fill in from April 15-19 and can be reached at mathewjf@chipfalls.org
- If you have any changes for end of day transportation, please call the Stillson office at (715)726-2412
- If you would like to schedule lunch, please email Mrs. Sarauer at sarauejl@chipfalls.org
CULVER'S NIGHT TOTALS
ARBY'S NIGHT TOTAL
Even with the icy weather, we raised $260 towards Stillson PTO. Funds raised will go towards field trips and other opportunities for our kids.
CHANGE IN LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR K-5
Dear Families,
We wanted to inform you of 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.
START/END TIMES
Drop Off to School Begins : 7:20am
Line Up from Playground/Enter Building/Breakfast Served : 7:35am
End of Day/Dismissal to Bus and Pick Up : 2:35pm
LUNCH VISITORS
If you would like to have lunch with your child(ren), we ask you call 24 hours in advance and schedule. Only two families are being scheduled per lunch session at this time.
If another family member wishes to have lunch with your child(ren), we will need the parent/guardian to call and schedule it with Stillson. At no time is a non-parent/guardian permitted to schedule visits.
If purchasing a lunch from the school on the day of your visit, adult lunch tickets cost $4.00.
Any questions, please feel free to call or email the office.
715-726-2412
STILLSON 23/24 YEARBOOK
Hello Stillson Families,
It is now time to order a Stillson yearbook! The cost for each yearbook is $10.
Paper order forms were handed out mid March. There are additional in the office.
To place an online order go to this Strawbridge Website. (There is an additional $1.99 fee charge for online orders)
Ordering deadline for yearbooks (online and paper form) is this Friday, April 5, 2024.
Thank you!
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
MEDICAL EXCUSES FOR ABSENCES
If you child will be out due to an illness or medical appointment, please ask for a doctor's excuse or note so we can medically excuse your child. Medical excuses do not count towards attendance reports. Here are the approved examples of medical excuses noted on attendance:
- Doctor note excusing for certain dates
- Doctor note excusing for surgery and recovery time
- Doctor note excusing for same day doctor appointment
- Being sent home due to fever of 100.4 (we mark medical)
- Being sent home due to confirmed vomiting or diarrhea (we mark medical)
- Being sent home due to unexplained rash of unknown origin (we mark medical)
- Following our 24 hour rule of no fever/fever reducing meds/vomiting/diarrhea (we mark medical)
Many times parents/guardians are unaware of the total number of days their child has been absent and/or tardy. Wisconsin Law 118.15 requires that students miss no more than 10 days each school year. The absences counted are excused and unexcused.
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
RCU SCHOOL $ENSE
ON-SITE CHIROPRACTOR
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.
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
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you!
Derrick Kunsman
Principal - Chippewa Falls Middle School
750 Tropicana Blvd, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Ph: 715.726.2400 ext. 1144 | #mightycardinals
BUILDING EMPATHY
MENTOR CHIPPEWA
LOVE AND LOGIC WAY
THE LAKE WISSOTA LIONS CLUB RECYCLING PROGRAM
Technology Department Information
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)
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DISTRICT FAMILY LINKS
CFAUSD NOTICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION REFERRAL AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES
CFAUSD Regular Monthly Board Meeting
Monday, Apr 22, 2024, 07:00 PM
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Stillson Elementary
Website: https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/stillson/
Location: 16556 50th Avenue, Chippewa Falls, WI, USA
Phone: 715-726-2412
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StillsonPTO