Bird School News
September 2021
A Note from Principal Toepfer...
Hello CH Bird Families and Caregivers,
Can you believe we have almost three weeks of school behind us already? We have spent that time connecting, building classroom communities, learning routines and procedures, sharing our hopes and dreams for the school year and using them to create classroom expectations and so much more! It is really great to be back to a 5 day school week where we can really get into the groove of learning!
Here are a couple of important reminders:
Masks!
At home, daily reinforce the importance of wearing masks at all times indoors unless actively eating or drinking
Please make sure your students are coming with masks that fit well and cover their mouth and nose without falling down.
Drop Off
Reminder, the drop off window is from 8:10-8:20. There is no supervision for students before 8:10 in the morning.
Remember, students should enter their grade level entrance door each morning. Siblings are welcome to drop off younger siblings at the correct door and then proceed to their own grade level door.
More reminders below about things like school picture day and more!
Sending love and strength to our Bird families!
Sincerely,
Nicole Toepfer
CH Bird - Principal
608-834-7301
Student Services Message
Social Emotional Learning Spotlight: All about SEL
Social emotional learning (SEL) is all about growing the skills kids and adults need to care for each other, take care of our own feelings and needs, solve problems peacefully and become lifelong learners. As one part of our SEL plan for Bird, teachers will be using Second Step, a research- and evidenced-based curriculum to teach these skills. Throughout the school year, students will learn about growth mindset, goal setting, emotion management, empathy, kindness and problem solving. In our first unit, Growth Mindset and Goal Setting, students will learn how to pay attention, manage distractions, develop a growth mindset and practice goal-setting strategies. We will also be learning about our school-wide expectations of Be Safe, Be Responsible and Be Respectful and practicing these expectations throughout the school and in our classrooms during the first month of school.
Nurse's Notes: September 2021
Here are a few reminders from the nurse's office:
- Please remember to send your student to school with a face mask (and a spare or two). Per district policy, masks should be two layers. Gaiters, bandanas and neoprene masks typically have one layer. SPASD mask policy linked here.
- Please continue to use the Covid-19 Symptom Screener. This form should be checked daily, before your student(s) attends in person learning.
- Please note that if your student stays home from school, you may ben contacted by someone in the Health Services Department to discuss symptoms and/or a return date (if applicable).
Health Assistant: Nurse Lin 608-834-7306
We want to see your children at Bird!
Right now we are spending time during the day getting to know each other during morning meeting (first 30 minutes) and closing circle (final 15 minutes). This community time is so important for students to feel connected with their teachers and their classmates! When students come to school on time and stay through the end of the day they get the benefit of this community connection.
When students miss days of school, especially at the beginning of the year, they are missing academic time and missing out on learning how their classroom works. Teachers and students model how to use the areas of their classroom and how to use materials and students learn the daily routine. Thank you for sending your student to school every day they are well enough to attend.
Two missed days a month means a student misses 10% of their school year!
Reminder
CH Best News!
9/14 CH Bird Caregiver Information Meeting - 6:30 pm - virtual meeting.
A Zoom link will be sent out to all families closer to the meeting date and the link will also be on our Facebook Page. We will be hearing from Principal Toepfer and Assoc. Principal Witzling about the start of the school year. One topic of discussion will be Student Safety at drop-offs and pick-ups. We also will be discussing upcoming family engagement events. We encourage all parents/caregivers to join and stay informed on happenings at the school! All are welcome and you can join for all or part of the meeting - whatever works with your schedule. Hope to see you 9/14!
DIRECTORY INFORMATION- Each year the CH Best board creates an optional directory for caregivers to share contact information with each other. We will be sending out the directory forms in the next few days by email. On this form there will also be some additional questions about what activities our CH Bird families would like to see happen at CH Bird. Please share your thoughts so we can help plan activities and family engagement that your crew would want to partake in!
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
Have you wondered what CH Best is and how you can help get involved to support our children’s educational experience at CH Bird? CH Best is always looking for other caregivers who want to help give back to our wonderful school! We focus on family engagement, supporting our staff, educational enrichment for our children and caregiver advocacy. Join our virtual 9/14 Caregiver Info Meeting or email Chbestgroup@gmail.com for more info on how to get involved.
Service Dog
We want to inform you that this year at school there will be a Service Dog in our school assisting one of our students.
This Service Dog is a highly trained companion for our student and is able to assist in many of the routine activities which may pose some challenges for this student. Service Dogs are comparable to Guide Service Dogs and are included in every aspect of the student’s life. The child’s right to have a Service Dog is protected under Human Rights legislation.
Students will be engaged in informational sessions at the school to integrate the Service Dog into our daily routines and all our students will be instructed as to the proper procedure regarding the Service Dog. They will be informed that the Service Dog is a working Service Dog and not a pet while at school.
Already, the Service Dog has been a benefit to the student, and we look forward to a lot of growth and learning together.
Thank you for your understanding, support, and interest. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
Advanced Learner Program
Consider coming to work at Bird as a full time or halftime SEA!
We have .5 Special Education Assistant position open here at Bird. Consider joining our team! Check out the posting and application here for halftime and here for full time.
#Proud2BABlueJ
STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
No student may be unlawfully discriminated against in any school programs, activities or in facilities usage because of the student’s sex (gender identity, gender expressions, and non-conformity to gender role stereotypes), color, religion, profession, or demonstration of belief or non-belief, race, national origin (including limited English proficiency), ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, homelessness status, sexual orientation, age, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Harassment is a form of discrimination and shall not be tolerated in the District. It is the responsibility of administrators, staff members and all students to ensure that student discrimination or harassment does not occur.
(SPASD District Policy JB)
If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Spanish, please contact us at 608-834-6620. Si un estudiante, padre ó guardian prefiere tener esta información traducida en Español, por favor contactenos en el 608-834-6620.
If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Hmong, please contact us at 608-834-6630. Yog tus me nyuam lub xiv los yog niam thiab txiv/tus neeg muaj cai saib xyuas tus me nyuam xav tau qhov ntawv ntawm no ua lus Hmoob, thov hais rau peb paub rau ntawm 608-834-6630.
NEW NOTICE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICIES ON SEX DISCRIMINATION, THE DISTRICT’S TITLE IX COORDINATOR, AND PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING OR FILING A COMPLAINT OF SEX DISCRIMINATION
The Sun Prairie Area School District (“District”) does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that the District operates. Title IX’s requirement not to discriminate in any education program or activity extends to cover, but is not limited to, District students, certain admissions processes, and District employment. To access the relevant policy and procedures you can go to the District’s website. For inquiries regarding how Title IX and the federal Title IX regulations apply to the District please contact the District’s Title IX Coordinator, (the Director of Student Policy & School Operations, 501 S. Bird Street, Sun Prairie, WI 53590, 608-834-6624 or by email at titleixcoordinator@sunprairieschools.org.)
About us
Website: www.sunprairieschools.org/ch-bird
Location: 1170 North Bird Street, Sun Prairie, WI, USA
Phone: (608) 834-7300
Facebook: facebook.com/chbirdelementaryschool