RUSCHIES ROCK REVIEW
March 2022 - Vol IV
Calendar of Upcoming Events
March 4
March 11
March 25
SPRING BREAK - No School
March 14-18
A Message From the Principal
With only two weeks to spring break, students are working hard toward their goals. Ruschies enjoyed the Goal Gala on Feb. 25th and there will be another Goal Gala on Fri., March 11. Ask your student(s) what goals he/she/they are working toward(s). Remind your student that to participate on March 11, they can have no behavior referrals from Feb. 28-March 11.
Celebrating Dr. Seuss Read Across America this week! Reminder to have your students read at least 20 minutes nightly which results in improved academic success. Masks will be optional as long as Columbia County stays in the low to medium risk levels. Please reinforce with your children that masks are optional at this point and to be respectful of others' choices to wear them or not wear them.
Thank you for your generosity in giving to the Rusch Family Pride Organization for Teacher Appreciation/fundraising. We appreciate your support. I hope you and your family are able to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather as we head into spring.
Mrs. Gulrud
Email: gulruda@portage.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.portage.k12.wi.us/schools/rusch/
Location: 117 West Franklin Street, Portage, WI, USA
Phone: (608) 742-7376
A Message from your Dean of Students
Hello Ruschies!
Your students have been doing phenomenal things here at Rusch Elementary. During the month of February, we worked with students on finding opportunities to create and strengthen new and existing friendships. We will continue reinforcing our lessons on empathy, compassion, and friendship throughout the month of March. With the warmer weather ahead, students will be provided with even more opportunities to get out and interact with their peers in various activities and settings here at Rusch.
On another note, I wanted to quickly review our school's attendance policy. Regular, punctual attendance is one of the most critical habits students can develop. Please support your student in achieving the maximum benefits of school by ensuring they are regularly in attendance. If you are aware of any upcoming days in which your student(s) will be absent, please contact the office to obtain an advance absence form and return the completed form to the office as soon as possible. If circumstances render advance notification impossible, please contact the office by 8:15 a.m. on the day of the absence to inform school officials of a detailed reason for the absence.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
Ms. VanderSchaaf
APPOINTMENTS
March 1, 2022 New CDC Updates and District Updates
NURSING NOTES
Join us for COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics at Endeavor Elementary School, 1:15 p.m. until done, on Fridays, March 4, 2022 and March 25, 2022. Anyone in student and staff families may attend.
Vaccine for students aged 5 years and older and anyone over age 18 years will be available. Come get the series or a booster. Boosters are due 5 months after your final dose of the initial series.
No cost. Schedule your appointment(s) here:
This is the link to the March 4th Clinic https://endeavor-clinic-1.timetap.com
This is the link to the March 25th Clinic https://endeavor-clinic-2.timetap.com
General childhood vaccines may also be available-complete this Childhood Vaccine Interest Survey to assist MCHD in determining if there is a need.
Children and Sleep: Routines are Important
Sleep hygiene is a term used to describe a routine practice of going to bed daily about the same time each day and rising about the same time each day. The routine is supported by winding down before going to bed. The brain needs to time to unwind. Try these steps to build your child’s sleep hygiene routine:
· Turn off all screens in the bedroom about 30 minutes before getting into bed for the night
· Have a healthy snack and drink of water
· Brush your teeth for two minutes
· Set out clothes, boots/shoes and load the backpack for the next day
· Read a story or listen to the highlights of child’s day
· Set your alarm for morning
This routine will become useful in helping your child’s body adjust to the ‘spring ahead’ time change on March 13. Although we will be on spring break, a routine will help keep the kids in shape for when we return to classes on Monday, March 21, 2022!
More information may be found here.
Message from Rusch School Counselor
Dear Families,
The last month has been filled with fun and excitement! I am so happy for all the students who celebrated the Goal Gala and other celebrations within their classrooms. It has been a busy month! Here’s what we’ve been doing in each grade in our classroom counseling lessons:
In kindergarten and first grade, we continue to learn about the Zones of Regulation. We discussed the Yellow Zone, which is when we start to lose a little control. This could be a positive feeling like excited or silly, or an uncomfortable feeling like frustrated or worried. Next we will learn about when we lose control, or the Red Zone, and how to regulate those big feelings. In second and third grade, we finished up our problem solving lessons. Students have learned many strategies to solve small problems, and are encouraged to seek an adult when they have a big problem. We also learned about our “Power to Choose” in second grade and will dive into the Zones next. In third through fifth grade, we discussed what a social filter means and learned what types of thoughts we should share, and what we should keep to ourselves.
In all classes, we discussed kindness and ways to spread kindness and show empathy. Students worked on a Kindness Challenge Checklist. Check out the attached Family Kindness Challenge for ideas for spreading kindness at home!
After Spring Break, we will move into our safety lessons. These are very important and include a variety of topics including personal safety, protective behaviors, stranger awareness, and internet safety. Keep an eye out for a letter about what topics will be covered in your student’s grade level.
Take Care!
Angie Kenas
School Counselor
CONGRATULATIONS Kathryn!
The Young Authors Contest is an opportunity for students in grades 3-6 to enter a contest with multiple winners. Entries are accepted in the following categories: poetry, personal narrative, argumentative essay, and creative writing based on a photo. Students may enter each category once.
Although each participating district uses its own method to select the students that they send to the conference, many use the 6+1 writing rubric which places importance on ideas, voice, fluency, organization, word choice and conventions.
If a student's writing is chosen, they attend a day-long conference at UW Platteville-Sauk County (Baraboo Campus). Speakers and seminars are designed especially for the young authors to enhance their understanding and skills. At the conference, students receive an anthology containing all of the manuscripts which were selected as winners.
5TH GRADE SPEED STACKING FUN!
THANK YOU
FUN UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE PORTAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
*Family Perler Beads, Monday, February 21, 2022 at 9: 15a.m. No registration needed.
*Crochet Club 3rd-5th grade, Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 3:30 p.m. (registration required)
*Adult/Child Painting with Robin Kvalo, K-5th grade Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (registration required)
*Storybook Art, Monday, March 7, 2022 at 3:45 p.m. K-2nd grade (registration required)
(A reminder that the Winter Reading Challenge 2022 ends on Tuesday, March 1st at 6:00 p.m.)
Closings and Delays
District families will be notified via automated phone and/or email messages when there will be a delay or school closing.
Students and parents are encouraged to listen to local radio and television stations for further updates. If school is delayed for 2 hours, keep listening because school may be canceled entirely if the weather does not improve.
It is very important that your child’s school has the most current phone numbers and email addresses in order to receive messages. Call Rusch main office with ANY changes: 608-742-7376.
Message from Administrator Joshua Sween
"Remember that if it becomes necessary to close schools due to inclement weather, we will do our best to make that call by noon the day prior to an event. That will give us time to prepare technology and work for virtual or remote learning and allow families to make the necessary arrangements as well. There may be some instances where surprise weather situations come up and it will be necessary to cancel school the morning of the event. If that happens it will be considered a true snow day and there will be no expectations of learning on those days. They will also need to be made up at the end of the year in the second week of June.
Mini Course Day - Offer your time and talents
We are hoping to have a Mini Course Day on Thurs., May 12 (rain date May 19) from
8:30-2:30 pm. Students rotate through stations and might for example do art projects, outdoor games, karate, flower arranging, theater games, learn about therapy dogs, etc.
If you have any skills or contacts and would like to lead a session or have an individual we could reach out to and contact to provide a session, we would appreciate your help. Adult volunteers have to pass a background check and then would mask and social distance while presenting.
Please email Mrs. Gulrud if you are interested in helping or know of a resource.
Thank you for your support,
Angie Gulrud