Meadow View Elementary
October 2021
THE OTTER STORE IS OPEN!
The store will be open through October 10th.
This is the only time the store will be available
until next year...so think Christmas presents!
A Letter From Your Principal
Dear Otters,
Thank you for this amazing first month. As always, I want to take this opportunity to:
Show Gratitude
Celebrate our diversity
Give you an update about School Goals
Invite you to lean in
Show Gratitude: To our classroom teachers
This month, I really want to pause and show gratitude to our classroom teachers. In the last four weeks, they have been doing everything they can to help build strong relationships with students and caregivers, check the understanding of all students, and making sure all our otters are matched to their academic level and interest. In the last month, we have seen our otters grow academically and socially.
Celebrate our diversity: Anti-Bullying Month
During October, we are celebrating Anti-Bullying Month. We will be focusing on kindness, learning skills to work in collaboration with others, how to support all of our students, and those that have been impacted by unkind words or actions.
At our school, we value inclusivity for ALL students. This means that students will make mistakes, require reteaching, and be presented with opportunities to learn and grow from these mistakes. We believe that ALL students should feel loved, safe, and supported at school ALL the time. As educators, it is our responsibility to understand the needs of ALL our students : emotionally, socially, and academically, and plan the next steps to help continue growing their skills.
We encourage caregivers to continue the conversation of the importance of reporting any incidents and following the Otter way (Be Responsible. Be Kind. Be Safe.).
During November, we will be celebrating Native American Month. If your family wants to share their experiences or participate in this coming month’s celebrations, please connect with your classroom teacher or Ms. Kelsey at kjodori@sunprairieschools.org.
School Goals Update
Our goal: We will create an environment where students will experience high levels of engagement and a sense of belonging as part of their daily school experience.
As part of the action steps for this goal, we want to create a strong partnership between home and school. We recognize that school expectations and routines can be challenging for some students. This is the reason why we are committed to being in constant communication with you. This past month, we had a couple perfect examples of caregivers coming to the school to support their children to regulate and go back to the classroom. It was fantastic to see caregivers and teachers working together and supporting our beautiful otters.
Invitation to lean in
There are many opportunities to support our school this year, check this out:
We are hiring a full-time Instructional/ Playground Assistant position. This person will be supporting students in their classroom and also support cafeteria and playground duties. We are looking for a superstar who is fun, firm, caring, and not scared of a great basketball game with kiddos! If that’s you or someone you know, come and join our Otter team!
We are also hiring two Special Education Assistants: one full-time and the other, an afternoon shift. If you are flexible, have a heart of gold, and want to make a difference in the life of a couple of otters, you are the right person for this position.
If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact me at cbell@sunprairieschools.org
As always, please reach out to me if you have any questions.
Un abrazo,
Mrs. Bell
Attendance
- Please be sure to use the Meadow View attendance line at 608.478.5000 or email Kelsey at kjodori@sunprairieschools.org, before 9 am for any morning your child will NOT be in school. If we don’t hear from you, we will contact you at home or work. We want to make sure of your child’s safe arrival.
- When leaving a message, please include the date, student name, teacher, time and reason for the absence, along with a phone number so I can reach you if needed. This line will be checked frequently throughout the day, and we will let students know if they need to leave for an appointment.
- If you email your student's teacher about the absence, please include me in your email so I can get the message in a timely manner and forgo giving you a safety arrival call. Again, we appreciate you letting us know in advance.
Thank you!
Kelsey Odorizzi
Attendance Secretary
School Start / End Times
Friendly reminder:
The first bell rings at 8:10am and students can enter the building at this time. The final bell rings at 8:20am and students should be in their classroom by then, getting ready for the day. When students are late, they miss out on their classroom morning meeting which sets the tone for the rest of the day.
At the end of the day, parents/guardians should be picking their student up promptly at 3:18, every day (except Early Release Thursday, which is at 2:03).
Thursday is EARLY RELEASE for all 4K/Elementary Classes
EVERY THURSDAY is Early Release for all 4K/Elementary classes at 2:03 p.m.!
Please be ready to pick up your child or meet the bus at the earlier time.
School Pictures Update
Empire Photography finished processing all of the images from our picture day on 9/14 and sent out emails with links to order to all of the families that participated. The email was sent to the email address of one guardian. The guardian was selected based on the contact sequence listed in Infinite Campus.
If anyone does not receive an email from them, either a) they don't have your email address, b) the message went into your spam folder or c) you may have received the message but just missed it in your inbox. All of these things do happen occasionally.
If you haven't received an email or if you have any questions, please email Empire Photography directly at customerservice@empirephotos.com or call 608-257-2941 between 8:30 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday.
*Make Up Picture Day is Wednesday, October 20 for all students that did not get their picture taken on September 14th.*
SKATING IN GYM - From Mr. Fechtner
Hello MV Families,
We started our inline skating unit for all grades K-5! Just a few reminders: there is no need to bring in your own skates as we have plenty of skates that range in size to fit all of our students. We also have a lot of helmets as well for our students but you are welcome to have your child bring in their own helmet if they choose to.
Last thing -- the most important is that students must have socks.
Please make sure that your child has socks for the next October 4th - 11th. Any days that your child forgets to wear socks, unfortunately, they will not be allowed to skate. I'm looking forward to this always awesome skating unit here in Sun Prairie!
Thanks,
Mr. Fechtner
Notes from the Social Worker, Mrs. Eyers
Hello everyone!!! It has been a busy year so far, but I wanted to be sure that parents and students had the most up to date information! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or would like to discuss any resources needed. You can reach me at kjeyers@sunprairieschools.org or 608-478-5020 or text via 608-909-1454
Building Bridges
This is a wrap around program that is 90 days and designed to help students from 4K through 8th grade that are in need of mental health services. The program works to help students be successful and provides proactive responses, and helps connect schools and families with the resources to help them understand mental health. If you are interested in having your child participate, please contact me before October 15.
Box of Balloons
This year we have the opportunity to partner with Box of Balloons. This is a nonprofit organization that is now nationwide, but started at Westside Elementary in Sun Prairie! The goal of this program is to help provide a birthday box to students that may not otherwise have a birthday party. The boxes will be themed, include items for 6 children for a party, include a gift for the child, as well as decorations. It is a party in a box! Please let me know if you think your child would benefit from this program. Please let me know and I will take care of meeting with the student and coordinating the birthday box.
Social Emotional Learning news from Mrs. Leon, School Counselor
October is Bullying Prevention Month. Attached here is the Sun Prairie District Bullying, Cyber bullying, and Hazing Policy.
During the month of October, I will be teaching bully prevention to all Meadow View students using the Second Step Bullying Prevention Curriculum.
Bullying is an ongoing misuse of power. Bullying is when an individual is harming another physically, verbally, socially, or through the use of social media or on a device. Situations are considered bullying when it is repeated and continues when asked to stop.
Students will learn how to:
Recognize when bullying is happening
Report bullying to a caring adult
Refuse to let bullying to themselves and others
Be a Bystander who stands up and is part of the solution to bullying
Students will be bringing home a Home Link after each lesson. These Home Links will give you the opportunity to have family conversations on the topic of bullying.
Thank You!
Babette Leon
Meadow View School Counselor
Advanced Learner Program Update
Math 24 Club
Starting October 19th, Math 24 club at Meadow View will be offered to 4th, and 5th grade students. We will be meeting on Tuesdays during lunch recess in the4th/5th ecosystem. Students that are interested should report to Mrs. Burgess in the 4th/5th ecosystem after they have finished eating. If students choose to come to Math 24 they will need to remain there for all of recess. Students in 4th and 5th grade may have the opportunity to compete at our local Math 24 meet and the Dane County Regional Math 24 tournament in the Spring. More information will follow.
Yahara River Writers
This is an opportunity for 5th grade students to enter a writing competition! Students can select from short stories, poetry, editorials or editorial cartooning. There are also opportunities for students to submit artwork for the cover and divider pages. I will be introducing this to students in early October. Students that are interested will be asked to complete a form with their intent. A rough draft will need to be submitted by December 3. I will work with students to edit and finalize their pieces and prepare them for submission. In early January, all of the Sun Prairie pieces will be judged and the top 10 pieces per grade level, per category will be selected to continue on to the regional competition.
Mark Your Calendars!
Thursday October 7: Parent/Teacher Conferences 4 - 8pm
Friday October 8: NO SCHOOL
Parent/Teacher Conferences 7:30am - 11:30am
Tuesday October 19: SCO Meeting 6:00pm via zoom
Wednesday October 20: Picture Retakes
Friday October 22: NO SCHOOL
Wednesday October 27: End of 1st Quarter
Friday October 29: Fall Festival 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Do you like to volunteer? Do you want to get involved in your child’s school?
What is the SCO (School Community Organization)?
The SCO is similar to other schools’ PTO or PTA. Those on the SCO work directly with administration and teachers to enhance a child’s experience at Meadow View. All parents who attend SCO meetings have the opportunity to vote on school matters and help make decisions and/or provide feedback. We are always looking for parent volunteers at various school events, help plan events, provide food or other supplies, and of course have fun!
At SCO, we are striving to bring the whole Meadow View community together and provide safe events for everyone. Please consider joining the Meadow View SCO, as we have two positions open: Vice President and Secretary! It is an amazing way to contribute to the school community and get to know your administration and staff. Not to mention all the big smiles you will help create!
If you are interested in either of these positions or becoming a volunteer, please contact our SCO President, Tess Weinheimer: president@meadowviewsco.org.
K/1
Kindergarten
Recess 10:45 – 11:15
Lunch 11:15 – 11:45
1ST Grade
Recess 11:00 – 11:30
Lunch 11:30 – 12:00
2/3
2ND Grade
Recess 12:00 – 12:30
Lunch 12:30 – 1:00
3RD Grade
Recess 11:45 – 12:15
Lunch 12:15 – 12:45
4/5
4TH Grade
Recess 11:30 – 12:00
Lunch 12:00 – 12:30
5TH Grade
Recess 12:15 – 12:45
Lunch 12:45 – 1:15
Lost and Found
COVID UPDATE: From Superintendent Dr. Saron
Hello SPASD Caregivers and Students -
The safety of our students, families, and staff have been and will continue to be our top priority as we embrace our vision of Every Child, Every Day, even in this pandemic. Our goal is to work collaboratively with our parents and caregivers to mitigate COVID spread so that we can maintain full-time, in-person instructional opportunities.
To promote the safety of our students, staff, and families, we have developed infection mitigation plans in line with recommendations from leading public health authorities. A layered approach to infection mitigation continues to be recommended by public health agencies. It is important to talk to your child about the need to follow COVID-related guidelines while at school. It is equally important to commit to risk-reducing practices outside the school setting. Each of us needs to do our part to mitigate infection in the community.
Mitigation measures include:
Symptom Screening - All families must monitor their children daily for symptoms and exposure according to the SPASD Student COVID 19 Symptom Screening Checklist (Spanish). If you are feeling ill or if you may have been exposed to someone that has tested positive for COVID-19, visit the Public Health Madison & Dane County testing webpage to learn the different ways you can get tested.
Face Coverings - The district expects all students attending in person to wear a face-covering in accordance with county and district rules. If you have questions about masking requirements, please review the SPASD Face Covering Information for Families. Once you review that information, please contact your child’s principal with any additional concerns.
Vaccination - After a thorough evaluation of the safety and effectiveness data, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) formally approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 16 years of age and older. This is an important step in the fight against the pandemic. Other vaccines remain available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age. Information on how to access vaccines locally can be found on the Public Health Madison & Dane County vaccine webpage.
Gov. Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced Wisconsin residents who get their first dose of any COVID-19 vaccine between August 20th through September 6th can receive a $100 Visa Gift Card. All Wisconsin residents ages 12 and over are eligible for the reward. You can learn more by visiting the DHS COVID-19 Vaccine Reward webpage or by calling 844-684-1064 (language assistance is available).
Action Plans - The district has a comprehensive infection response action plan, including separation of any symptomatic or diagnosed individuals, disinfection, notification, and contact tracing. If your child meets close contact criteria with someone who tested positive, you would be directly contacted. Since it is important to respond quickly in these cases, there may be very little notice given to families for the need to quarantine. Quarantine could be up to 10 days. Please ensure your emergency contacts are updated in Infinite Campus to enable us to contact you or another caregiver to pick up your child during the day if your child is not feeling well. Please also ensure you have a backup plan for childcare in the event your child is placed in quarantine.
With your help implementing these minimally invasive mitigation measures, we believe we can provide a safe and consistent in-person learning experience for students throughout the 2021-22 school year. For more updates and additional resources, please visit our COVID-19 webpage. As always, when you have questions, your building principal and all of us are available to help.
All our best,
Brad Saron, Superintendent
Stephanie Leonard-Witte, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Equity
Janet Rosseter, Assistant Superintendent of Operations
Nick Reichhoff, Director of Student Policy and School Operations
Meadow View Elementary School
Website: sunprairieschools.org/meadow-view-elementary
Location: 200 North Grand Avenue, Sun Prairie, WI, USA
Phone: 608-478-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/MeadowViewElementarySPASD