Hawk Happenings
November 2023
What a Great Start!
Hello Halmstad Families,
Before we jump into November I want to take a moment to recognize some of the great things that happened in October!
We had our first student council meeting.
Mrs. Dahlke got our flag raisers trained and ready.
Our PTO made it possible for every student to take home a pumpkin!
Thanks to Mrs. Kelley, Art Club has started!
Students enjoyed Halloween celebrations!
Culver’s night was a success!
Most importantly our students and teachers got one month wiser!
It is hard to believe we are already entering into November! November is an exciting time of year with parent-teacher conferences, Thanksgiving Break, and maybe deer hunting or Black Friday shopping. I look forward to seeing what events we’ll recognize at the end of this month.
Some of you might have loved school when you were younger. Others of you might not have enjoyed it. To be honest, going through middle school wasn’t anything I want to remember anytime soon! Regardless of how our schooling experiences were, I want you to know that we hope to make your child's time here at Halmstad the best it can be. It is our vision for the school that students leave here performing at grade level. Your child’s teacher will share some ways that you can help your child be at the top of their game at conferences. Please look through the slideshow below if you are curious as to how to prepare for conferences as a parent or guardian.
Morning Drop Off
Our drop off area gets a little congested in the morning. We have unlocked the gate at the far end of the family drop off area so that students can walk right onto the soccer field instead of having to walk all the way down.
A Message about Bicycle Safety From Officer Downey
As the autumn season sets in and the mornings grow darker, it becomes crucial for our students to stay safe while biking to school. Ensuring that your child's bike is equipped with proper lighting can make a world of difference in their safety and visibility.
Bike lights help illuminate the path ahead, making it easier for your young cyclist to navigate in the darkness and avoid hazards.
Well-lit bikes also significantly reduce the risk of accidents and mishaps by making it easier for everyone to spot your young cyclist and take necessary precautions.
It's crucial for drivers and pedestrians to see your child cycling to school so by investing in reliable bike lights, you can contribute to your child's safety on the road.
Meet Ms. Hubbard!
Hello families! My name is Madison Hubbard but feel free to call me Maddy. I am teaching 4th grade here at Halmstad. A little bit about myself: my fiancé (Mike) and I live in Hallie, we got engaged last March and plan to get married in June so we’ve been busy wedding planning! We have a black lab named Callie, who is very spoiled! I love to spend time outdoors, especially on a sunny day. My fiancé and I love to spend time with friends and family! We also love live music, especially country music. Thank you for welcoming me to Halmstad!
Important Dates
November 3, Staff Work Day-No Students
November 6, Picture Retake in the morning during school
November 6, Parent/Teacher ConferencesNovember 9, Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 20, Professional Development-No Students
November 21, Professional Development-No Students
November 22, No School Thanksgiving Break
November 23, No School Thanksgiving Break
November 24, No School Thanksgiving Break
December 25, No School Holiday Break
December 26, No School Holiday Break
December 27, No School Holiday Break
December 28, No School Holiday Break
December 29, No School Holiday Break
January 1, No School Holiday Break
January 2, No School Holiday Break
Awesome Hawk Award
Latex Allergy
End of the Day Pick-Up
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.
Cardinal Learning Center
Start and End Times
The recess bell will ring at 7:30.
Students will enter at 7:35.
Morning meeting and breakfast will begin as soon as students settle in to class.
Our school day ends at 2:35.
Student Council
Student Council members have been chosen for the 2023-2024 school year. Members will assist with various fundraising opportunities to help our community or school.
Our first fundraising event will be for the "Spirit of Christmas." Mark your calendars; We will be having a penny war November 13-17th.
Contact Address of Students / Parents / Guardians
This will prove extremely important should an emergency arise.
Please keep phone number(s) and email address(es) current. Parents and/or guardians are able to do this via the Parent Portal.
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
Breakfast and Lunch
You can find the menus by going to the link included here. Be sure to choose the level that the child is in to see the correct menu.
Breakfast cost: 0.35
Lunch cost: $2.25
To see if you qualify for free/reduced breakfast/lunch, go to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal and look for "Applications/Forms" or call the office and we can send the appropriate form home in your child's folder.
From Nurse Caitlin
WINTER HEALTH TIPS
Exposure to cold can lead to injury or serious illness such as frostbite or hypothermia.
Follow these tips to keep your children safe in cold weather:
Dress your children appropriately before coming to school. The air temperature does not have to be below freezing for your child to experience cold emergencies such as hypothermia or frostbite. Wind speed can create dangerously cold conditions even when the temperature is not that low.
Dress your child in layers so they can adjust to changing conditions from indoors to outdoors.
Most of your child’s body heat is lost through their head, so they should wear a hat, preferably one that covers their ears.
Mittens provide more warmth to a child’s hands than gloves.
Your child should wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping their feet warm and dry and to maintain their footing in ice and snow.
Tips on preventing and controlling the spread of Head Lice:
Avoid head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact during play and other activities at home, school, and elsewhere (sports activities, playground, slumber parties, camp).
Do not share clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, hair ribbons, or barrettes.
Do not share combs, brushes, or towels. Disinfect combs and brushes used by an affected person by soaking them in hot water for 5–10 minutes.
Do not lie on beds, couches, pillows, carpets, or stuffed animals that have recently been in contact with an affected person.
Machine wash and dry clothing, bed linens, and other items that an affected person wore or used during the 2 days before treatment using the hot water laundry cycle and the high heat drying cycle. Clothing and items that are not washable can be dry-cleaned OR sealed in a plastic bag and stored for 2 weeks.
Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the affected person sat or lay. However, spending much time and money on house cleaning activities is not necessary to avoid reinfestation by lice or nits that may have fallen off the head or crawled onto furniture or clothing.
**You should examine your child’s head, especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, for crawling lice and nits if your child exhibits symptoms of a head lice infestation. If crawling lice or nits are found, all household members should be examined for crawling lice and nits every 2–3 days. Persons with live (crawling) lice or nits within ¼ inch or less of the scalp should be treated.***
Head Lice: What Parents Need to Know
Head Lice Treatment: Myth and Realities
Sick Procedure:
Keep your student home if any of the following apply:
Temperature over 100.4 degrees 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, pink eye) and have been on medication for less than 24 hours if medication is required
Have an unexplained rash of unknown origin
Caitlin Maranell BSN, RN, PHN
Chippewa Falls Area Unified School DistrictDistrict Wide School Nurse
715-738-2660 ext. 3543
Bus Information
Realiving
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
PTO Meetings take place in the Library at Halmstad. Everyone is welcome to attend.
November 9th at 6pm
December 14th at 6pm
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