The Raptor Report
December 2023
From the Principal
Dear Rolling Hills’ Families,
During this Holiday Season, it seems most appropriate to reflect on that which makes our lives bright--spending time with our families and friends, sharing a meal with those we love, and giving thanks for the freedoms we enjoy. There is not a more exciting place to learn and work than Rolling Hills Elementary School---Home of the Raptors! It gives us great joy to come to work every day to see the anticipation in the children’s eyes, hear their ideas, and watch them make connections both socially and emotionally to each other and the faculty. We have so many things to be thankful for and proud of this holiday season. Students at Rolling Hills have become both collaborative and complex thinkers as well as independent learners at times. Students have developed a sense of belonging and care for their classmates, and the ever changing world around them. We are also very thankful for our PTO and parents. Parents are crucial to student success.
As the weather continues to get colder, consider reconnecting with your child through a good book. At Rolling Hills, improving reading, comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking are a top priority. To be successful at nearly any job, critical thinking skills, a broad vocabulary, and the ability to communicate effectively are immensely important. In the 21st century, we have access to more written content than ever before without having to go to a library to get it.
There are 3 stages to reading: Read about it; Talk about it; and Think about it. Find ways for your child to build understanding, the ultimate goal of reading. Try a new tip each week to see what works for your child.
1. Don’t leave home without it. Always have a book or magazine along, especially when your child has to wait. (Doctor’s office, check-out lines…)
2. Once is not enough. Encourage your children to re-read favorite books and poems. Re-reading helps kids read more quickly and accurately.
3. Dig deeper into the story. Ask your child questions about the story they just read. Children should be able to give a quick summary. What is the story about? Who are the characters? What happened so far? Can they make connections? Do I have anything in common with the characters? Is their world similar or different compared to mine? What is the setting? Can they identify if it is fiction or nonfiction? Is this similar to another book I have read?
4. Take control of the electronics. It’s difficult for reading to compete with the TV and video games.
5. Pick books at the correct level. Check with your child’s teacher or the library specialist to identify the best books for your child.
6. I read to you, you read to me. Take turns reading aloud at bedtime. Your kids will love this special time together.
7. Write, write, and write! Ask your child to help write out the grocery list, write thank you notes, or keep a journal of all the special things that happen at home. When writing, encourage your children to sound out the words and use the letter and sound combinations they are using in school.
I and the staff of Rolling Hills are very proud of how the school, parents, and students are working together to make RHES a great place to learn. Please know that we will continue to work hard, examine our current practice and strive for excellence. To all the families, I wish you a happy, healthy, and memorable holiday season!
Dr. Ron Schlicht, Principal
Way to Go Students and Staff
Rolling Hills has been recognized as Significantly Exceeding Expectations on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction report card once again. Rolling Hills finished with an overall score of 93.3 to earn five stars and the highest score in the Mukwonago Area School District for the 22-23 school year. There are four priority area scores that make up our overall score. Rolling Hills finished with a 91.4 in Achievement, 85.9 in Growth, 97.1 in Target Group Outcomes and 95.5 in the On-track To Graduation categories. Please click here to view the completed Rolling Hills Report Card.
Way to go students and staff!
Thank You
A big shout out to Mr. Johnson and the Turkey Trot planning committee for a great Turkey Trot Event. Students got plenty of exercise during the warm ups in the gym, followed by a long trot to Lauren Park and back.
Winter Weather is Here
Please be sure to send your student to school with appropriate clothing for recess. Wisconsin weather is so unpredictable, therefore it would be helpful to send outerwear for all weather conditions. Be sure your student has a warm coat, snow pants, boots, a hat and two pairs of cold weather gloves or mittens. Gloves and mittens get wet during the first recess and students are coming to the health room looking for a dry pair. Unfortunately, the health room does not have the ability to provide the above items for all students that forget. Students that are not dressed appropriately for the weather will be sent inside and a parent/guardian will be notified as to what outdoor clothing was forgotten. If your student does borrow any clothing items from the health room, please return them as soon as possible. Thank you!
Important Dates in December
1 - PTO Family Movie Night - Super Mario Bros. - 6:30 p.m.
8 - Rolling HIlls Ski/Snowboard Club Begins (see flyer below)
11 - Report Cards Posted - 3:30 p.m.
13 - PTO Meeting - 6:00 p.m.
13 - Crazy Sweater Day - Wear Holiday Wear
15 - Spelling Bee - 9:00 a.m.
16 - Cookies with Santa
18 - 5th & 6th Music, Band, Orchestra & Choir - 2:00 p.m. @ RHES
19 - 5th & 6th Music, Band, Orchestra & Choir - 6:30 p.m. @ PAC
22- MHS Santa Workshop K-1st Grade
22 - All School Sing-a-Long
22 - Holiday Day - Wear Red, Green and Gold/Holiday Clothing
25-1/1 -Winter Break 🎅(School Resumes 1/2/24)
PTO Movie Night - 6:30 p.m.
Parents must stay. No drop offs allowed.
Ski Club Starts 11/8/23
Music, Band, Orchestra & Choir Concert
5th & 6th Music, Band, Orchestra & Choir Concert
* * * PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THE DIFFERENT DAYS AND TIMES AND VENUES* * *
The DAYTIME concert will be held at Rolling Hills on Monday, December 18th at 2:00 p.m. Please fill out this Visitor Google Form if you plan to attend the daytime performance on December 18th at Rolling Hills.
The EVENING concert is the following day, Tuesday, December 19th at 6:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center (MHS). This concert includes all 5th and 6th grade students. Students will sing songs they have learned in music class. The band, orchestra, and choir students will perform as well!
Early Entrance to Kindergarten
The Mukwonago Area School District is accepting applications for early entrance to
Kindergarten through March 1, 2024. Early entrance evaluations will be conducted for children
who are not 5 years old by September 1, 2024, but will be 5 years old by October 1, 2024. The
child must meet criteria set by the district in the areas of social, emotional, academic, and
intellectual levels. More information can be found on the district website (Board Policy 5112).
Parents must request an application stating the child’s name, date of birth, parent name,
address, phone number and email address BY MARCH 1, 2024 to: The Mukwonago Area School
District-Student Services Department at 385 E Veterans Way, Mukwonago WI 53149, or via
email to berkagi@masd.k12.wi.us.
Weather-Related Closure Information
Winter weather has returned! Click here to learn more about the district's procedures for closing school due to extreme cold or unsafe roads.
Winter Clothing Policy
We want to review our school policy regarding clothing requirements for outdoor recess during the winter season.
- Jackets, hats and mittens are needed in cold weather.
- All students are required to wear snow/ski pants and changeable boots if they go off the blacktop and play or walk in the snow. If they do not have boots or snow pants they must stay on the blacktop
- Please make sure your child leaves the house with all his/her winter gear in the morning so that parents are not dropping off during the day and disturbing class.
- Please mark all outerwear with your child’s name.
- If the temperature is 0 or above the students will be going outside, so plan accordingly.
We appreciate your help in making sure your child is appropriately dressed.
School Counselor Note
Dear Families,
As a School Counselor, I strive to keep our students feeling safe and welcome at school, and so many of my Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons during the month of November and December focused on bullying prevention. Specifically, our 6th graders (only) learn through a program called Ignition. I share this information with everyone, so parents can make educated decisions with their child’s use of technology.
Ignition focuses on digital citizenship and wellbeing which refers to the information, behaviors and skills that help us safely use the Internet and other digital tools. This includes the actions that we take to protect ourselves, such as using privacy settings to protect personal information. It also includes making healthy decisions and interacting with other people online.
The three content areas we discuss in 6th grade are:
1. Connections and Community - Students explore what it means to have a digital identity and how the permanence of online posts can impact them. They’ll also differentiate between positive and negative online actions, including cyber-bullying and harassment, and learn how to take steps to avoid digital drama.
2. Safety and Privacy - At age twelve, students self-report the beginnings of high-risk Internet behavior. In this lesson, students will explore how their online actions and decisions can have both short- and long-term impacts on their safety and privacy. They’ll learn what it means to have a digital footprint and ways to protect their personal information and data online. They’ll also explore how apps and programs can track their location and why and how to keep that private. Finally, they’ll receive guidance on how to ask for help.
3. Screen Time vs. Offline Time - Research shows that many teens who own a smartphone wish they could disconnect more. But in a world that is increasingly connected online, they aren’t sure how to do it. In this lesson, students will learn the benefits of being part of an online community, as well as the need to balance their screen time with offline time. It will explore what happens in the brain when doing
different types of online activities, and help students evaluate and address their own digital dependency
Digital citizenship and wellbeing skills are important and necessary for our children’s futures. I look forward to working with your child as they learn how to navigate the Internet safely and responsibly and thrive in the digital world.
Thank you for your support as we explore this new topic. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Mrs. Kari Falbo
Rolling Hills Elementary School Counselor
Student Council
THANK YOU to everyone who donated to our successful community based “Adopt-A-Family” project that will support families through the Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County. Our collection took place November 14th – November 16th and we were able to raise an unbelievable $3,527.22 AND we will get to see Dr. Schlicht dye his hair at our all school assembly on December 22! We are grateful for the generosity of Rolling Hills’ students, staff, and families. Our annual shopping trek to Target on Sunset in Waukesha is set for Saturday, December 2nd to purchase gifts. Target generously gives us 10% off of our total purchase price. Please know that your support for this worthwhile project, through your generous donations, truly makes a difference in the lives of others.
Additionally, the Student Council will coordinate two December Spirit Days. The first, will take place on Wednesday, December 13th, centering on the theme, “Crazy Sweater Day” with the hopes of filling our school with lively holiday tops. The second spirit day, “Holiday Day,” will take place on Friday, December 22nd, and will spotlight seasonal clothing choices with holiday colors. We are truly thankful for your continued support of our Student Council!
May your holidays be merry and bright!
The Raptor Way
One of the most important Raptor Way announcements Dr.Schilicht made this month was about gratitude. Students were encouraged to take time to think about all the people and things they are thankful for. How can they show someone else they are thankful? They can do a thank you note, do a free favor for someone, and just be thankful for life. We are celebrating our trimester 1 Raptor Way assembly on December 1st. Students will be split and mixed up with different students and teachers to do an activity. Make sure you ask your child what they did! It is wonderful to see all those who showed the Raptor Way for the last three months gathered together to celebrate themselves. Students continue to earn ROAR cards for respectful, responsible, and safe behaviors and are enjoying all the fun things the ROAR store has to offer. 5th and 6th graders used their ROAR cards for a class reward. Classes that earned 350 ROAR cards in November earned a challenge hour! How fun! We always look for donations for the ROAR store. You may send donations to school or contact Ms. Napierala. Thank you!
Congratulations to this month’s Golden Award Winners:
Golden Shoe: 5th Grade Mrs. Lang’s Class and Kindergarten Mrs. Hughes’s Class
Golden Book: 5th Grade Mrs. Edward’s Class and 1st Grade Mrs. Linse’s Class
Golden Pallett: 4th Grade Mrs. Arnold’s Class and 2nd Grade Mrs. Sweet’s Class
Golden Note: 6th Grade Mrs. MacFarland’s Class and 1st Grade Ms. Taylor’s Class
PTO News
* * * NEXT MEETING Wednesday, November 8 - 6:00 p.m. * * * *
(Rolling Hills Library)
Hello Families,
With the holidays in full swing, Rolling Hills Elementary PTO has many events to help you come together as a family!
Are you in need of a great gift idea? Consider tickets to our MAIN FUNDRAISER for the year... The World Famous Harlem Wizards will face the Muktown Magic,our local team made up of teachers, staff, and community members from Mukwonago. We will host two games on Saturday, January 6th, 2024 at 1:00pm and 5:30pm. This action packed night is sure to please even the hardest on your list!
Here are the links to purchase tickets:
Marcus Holiday Sale is another great gift option this holiday season! Order forms are due back by Monday, December 11th and orders will be delivered before the holiday break. NO LATE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Join us for Family Movie Night on Friday, December 1st featuring "Super Mario Bros"! The cost is $5 for the whole family to attend (no student drop offs please). Pizza, snacks and drinks will be available for cash purchase, while supplies last. RSVP is recommended for food planning purposes and greatly appreciated (walk-ins the day of are always welcome):
RSVP here: https://forms.gle/pSAUUhhsfRd5BKHA7
And, just in time for the holiday, Santa is making a stop at Rolling Hills Elementary! Join us for Cookies with Santa on Saturday December 16th from 9-11am. Crafts, Cookies, Holiday Games, and SANTA will be available to help get you in the holiday mood.
As the season of giving is here, please consider volunteering your time at one of our upcoming events. Without the generosity of our volunteers, these events are not possible. Thank you for your gift of time!
Harlem Wizards vs Muktown Magic Volunteers
Please join us for our next PTO meeting on December 13th at 6pm in the Rolling Hills Library.
We wish you all a wonderful break with your families and hope to see you at our upcoming events!
Music/Band/Orchestra/Choir Concert Dates
Tuesday, December 5, 2023: MASD Band Extravaganza - 7:00 p.m. - 5th & 6th Grade Band Students @ MHS
Monday, December 18, 2023: 5th & 6th Music, Band, Orchestra & Choir - 2:00 p.m. @ RHES
Tuesday, December 19, 2023: 5th & 6th Music, Band, Orchestra & Choir - 6:30 p.m. @ PAC
Saturday, March 9, 2024: MASD Choir Fest - 2:00 p.m. @ Park View Middle School
Thursday, March 21, 2024: 3rd & 4th Grade Music Concert - 6:30 p.m. @ Rolling Hills
Thursday, April 11, 2024: 1st & 2nd Grade Music Concert - 6:30 p.m. @ Rolling Hills
Tuesday, May 7, 2024: Band/Orchestra/Choir Concert - 6:30 p.m. @ Rolling Hills
Tuesday, May 21, 2024: Kindergarten Concert - 2:30 p.m. @ Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills Elementary - 262-363-6318
W322S9230 Beulah Road
Mukwonago, Wi 53149
262-363-6318
Principal Dr. Ron Schlicht - schliro@masd.k12.wi.us