SASD 4K Family Newsletter
Grow. Play. Learn.
February 1st, 2022
The 2022-2023 4K enrollment process is almost here!! Please help spread the word about the SASD 4K program. The SASD partner with local organizations to provide our 4 year-old kindergarten program at 6 convenient locations in Stoughton.
LaPetite Academy, 635 Lincoln Avenue
www.lapetite.com (608) 873-5039GingerBread House, 900 West Wilson Street
www.thegingerbreadhouses.com (608) 873-8073Pumpkin Patch Preschool, 1940 Jackson Street
www.mypumpkinpatch.org (608) 873-3380Reach Dane-Head Start, 315 Mandt Parkway
www.reachdane.org (608) 444-6199St. Ann School, 324 North Harrison Street
www.stanns-school.org (608) 873-3343Weebleworld, 1640 East Main Street (New location for 2022-23)
www.weebleworld.com (608) 877-2690
This year we ask new families to take a virtual tour of the sites when selecting an option for the 2022-2023 school year. Check out each website for more information. Some sites will set up in person and Zoom tours by appointment only. Please contact the directors for more information.
With gratitude,
Erin Conrad, SASD 4K Principal
Sara Jane Lee, SASD Inclusion Support Teacher
Mindy Holverson, SASD 4K Educational Assistant
4K 2022-23 Enrollment
Online enrollment for 4K opens February 14th in Infinite Campus.
In person "drive-thru" 4K site selection is Tuesday, March 8th, at Kegonsa Elementary School, 1400 Vernon Avenue Stoughton. Check out the 4K website for more information.
Go to Sign Up Genius for more information on how to sign up for our drive-thru enrollment event.
4K Temporary At-Home Virtual Resources
Thank you for your understanding about the news of your child’s quarantine. We understand how challenging this situation is. We share your concerns.
In order to ensure that our students in quarantine continue to make academic progress, we have put together a number of resources to support your child academically and social-emotionally during this time. We know that while we can not fully replicate your child’s 4K in-person experience, we do think that these resources can be helpful.
We know that every family will navigate quarantine differently. These resources are available for you to support your child. While it would be helpful to complete as many of the activities as possible, they are not required. Your child’s attendance will be administratively/medically approved. Click on the link to view: 4K Virtual Schedule
Thank you again for your understanding. We look forward to seeing your child upon their return. Please reach out to us with any and all questions.
Erin Conrad, 4K Principal
Sara Jane Lee, 4K Coordinator
Welcome Ginger Bread House
Ginger Bread House is based on a desire to offer children and parents home-like quality childcare services. It is our goal to facilitate a child’s transition from the family circle to the larger social circle, and to provide an enjoyable introduction into the educational learning process. We base our program on the premise that a child grows and develops at his/her own rate, but by providing the proper stimulating environment that growth and development will be enhanced. We strive to provide a program to challenge a child’s physical and intellectual abilities, to stimulate curiosity, and to promote self-expression. In these ways, we feel that we are encouraging a child to become a productive person.
Casey Reed and Anita Symons will be continuing their leadership roles in the 4K classrooms. The SASD look forward to this new partnership!
For more information go to their website which will be updated soon: www.thegingerbreadhouses.com
4K Calendar
New 4K Report Cards sent home Thursday, February 3rd.
4K Parent Teacher Conferences: February 17th and 18thSee the calendar below for more information.
SASD INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES FOR 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR
Each year, it is not uncommon for snow, ice, or cold to lead to a district-wide school closure.
While last year we had the procedures and technology equipment in place to consider turning snow days into virtual days, this year we will use traditional “snow day” inclement weather procedures.
If the need for snow days this year becomes excessive, then the district will consider other options, as it has in previous years, to ensure we meet the Department of Public Instruction’s required minutes for instruction.
In the event of inclement weather, we will communicate to families and staff in the following ways by 6 a.m.:
Phone call, text message, and email
Local radio or TV station in the school closing information
District website
District social media channels
We will use these communication methods if there is a two-hour delay or any other impacts to the school day.
How to Receive Texts from SASD
If you’d like to receive texts from SASD, use your mobile device to text “Y” or “Yes” to our district’s short code number, 67587. If this is unsuccessful, most likely your phone number is not accurate in Infinite Campus. Send us an email at info@stoughton.k12.wi.us, and we'll help you out.
Thank you for your commitment to the education of our children and for your flexibility amid Wisconsin’s winter weather.
Dr. Tim Onsager, District Administrator
February is Black History Month
What's the Difference? Equity and Equality
Equality is the measure of sameness; being treated in the same way. Equity is a measure of fair treatment, opportunities and outcomes across race, gender, class and other dynamics. Justice means we've addressed the cause(s) of the inequity and the systemic barrier has been removed.
The distinction is important. We are told that to be fair we must treat everyone the same (equal). However, when we recognize the legacy of institutionalized and structural racism we understand that differing people and communities need different resources (justice, equity). In order to be equitable we provide specific, unique resources that will support people and communities getting their basic needs met and reaching their full potential. Sameness is not always fairness if the oppressed group remains disadvantaged.
OWL Curriculum
January 31-3: Unit 5: From Jungle to Desert; Week 2: Jungle Animals
February 7-11: Unit 5: From Jungle to Desert; Week 3: Desert Trip
February 14-15: Unit 5: From Jungle to Desert: Week 4: Desert Animals
February 16 and 17: Parent Teacher Conferences
February 21-24: Unit 6: Earth and Sky; Week 1: Daytime and Nighttime
Opening the World of Learning: Pearson Research Overview
Beyond the Basics of the Science of Reading
Working Memory
Reading scientists have recently included working memory as an important component of how students learn to read. Working memory is different from simple memorization. When children memorize sight words, as well as the sounds for letters and letter combinations, they use one of the most primitive and, from an evolutionary perspective, oldest parts of the brain: the hippocampus. The hippocampus stores memories and acts like a file clerk accessing different brain regions to retrieve them.
Auditory Processing
Phonics is based on the ability to distinguish the internal details of words, to be able to figure out the letters that go along with the phonemes (sounds) heard. For some children, this task is especially difficult when they struggle with auditory processing. Students who cannot decipher small changes in sound will inevitably struggle to learn phonics.
For more information go to: The Science of Reading: The Basics and Beyond
Mat Man
For additional activities and online games, visit Mat Man World! Enjoy the Mat Man Song!
Reminder: Masks Required at SASD for Foreseeable Future
MATH Corner
Math skills are so important and finding playful and engaging ways to teach those skills to preschoolers is crucial. Whether you teach math to a classroom full of preschoolers or are teaching your children at home, it’s important to use hands-on math experiences.
1. Roll and Dot the Number is a quick preschool math game that will teach kids to identify numbers and count while learning one to one correspondence! It is one of our favorite preschool math activities!
2. This Build and Measure Block Center is such a neat way for kids to explore measurement!
3. These Counting Bears Number Strips are a hands-on way for toddlers and preschoolers to learn numbers, counting and even colors.
4. These Tree Play Dough Numbers Mats are a great way to work on a number of math skills including counting to 10!
5. Work on color recognition and sorting with these Button Sorting Cups.
6. This Simple Fine Motor Counting Math Tray is super easy to set up and provides excellent fine motor practice too.
7. Grab your craft sticks and make these Colors and Patterns craft sticks for your math center!
8. Teaching Symmetry to Preschoolers with LEGO DUPLO is perfect for teaching symmetry to preschoolers and young kids.
For more information and many more activities go to Preschool Math Activities that are Fun and Engaging!
The Pyramid Model
Children love to listen to stories. Not only are stories used to entertain children, they can also be used as tools to teach new skills and expectations. Many parents read books to teach their children the alphabet or numbers, but stories can also be used to:
- Teach social skills, such as how to take turns.
- Teach clear behavior expectations for a time of day (e.g., quiet time) or event (e.g., road trip).
- Reinforce routines, such as getting ready for bed.
- Prepare for new experiences, such as the first day of school.
- Address a challenging behavior, such as hitting.
Click on the link for more ideas and some scripted stories!
Tucker the Turtle
Tucker Turtle is a terrific turtle. He likes to play with his friends school. But sometimes things happen that can make Tucker really mad. When Tucker got mad, he used to hit, kick, or yell at his friends. His friends would get mad or upset when he hit, kicked, or yelled at them. This month our 4K friends learn to work together even when they get really mad or upset.
Tucker the Turtle shows self-control at home and school!
Tucker the Turtle is imaginative at home and school!
Tucker the Turtle works on being a good learner at home and school!
FROM THE DESK OF NURTURED HEART
The Nurtured Heart Approach Vocabulary for the Kids:
Organized
"I show my greatness by putting my school things where they belong."
Self-Control
"I show my greatness by walking in line, staying in my own space and keeping my hands to myself."
Learner
" I show my greatness by looking with my eyes and listening with my ears."
Imaginative
"I show my greatness by dreaming of becoming a builder, a parent, at teacher or a superhero."
NHA message
I’m not so much a fan of driving in the snow, digging out from the snow, or cleaning my floors from the melted snow, but I can definitely appreciate a tranquil snowfall that allows me to linger and capture snowflakes on my mittens. That’s the pinnacle of nature’s beauty. A single snowflake with its one-of-a-kind uniqueness. How similar to the humans in our lives. They have endless potential for beauty but can drive us crazy when conditions are right.
Nurtured Heart creates an environment where children can thrive and exceed any expectations we have for them. By noticing and acknowledging the greatness in children, awe-inspiring things happen! And like anything worthwhile, this. takes. time.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was a child’s behavior. Be patient. Lift up the good you see people doing and let the rest go and suddenly one day it all just clicks.
So take some time every day to see and say out loud in exquisite detail the amazing things (or small steps to a bigger goal) you see the humans in your life doing and you just might find you have less shoveling to do.
To your GREATNESS, Humanity, & Significance
Amy, Karla & Sara Jane
Stoughton Food Pantry
520 S. 4th Street, Stoughton
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 4 to 6 p.m.
Closed Fridays
First Saturday of the month 9 to 11 a.m.
*Call for an appointment: 608-873-8103
Attendance Matters
Too often, attendance in the early years is an afterthought. Instructors don’t always believe they can or should do anything about absences because preschool, and in most states, kindergarten are not mandatory. Likewise, too few parents understand the value of regular attendance in preschool or kindergarten for laying a foundation for their children’s future success. But a growing body of research and practitioner experience shows that paying attention to attendance for our youngest children is essential.
Click on the link above Attendance Works for more information regarding attendance in the early years!
Need Assistance?
The Department of Children and Families
Resources to help essential workers, providers, and families navigate the child care landscape during the COVID-19 crisis- link
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Provides the latest information, data, and resources- link
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Considerations and guidance for schools and child care- link
Click here for a list of family resources including lists of food pantries, community meals, personal essentials, showers & laundry, mental health and crisis intervention.
Contact us!
Kate Ahlgren, Director of Curriculum and Instruction kate.ahlgren@stoughton.k12.wi.us
Sara Jane Lee, 4K Inclusion SupportTeacher sarajane.lee@stoughton.k12.wi.us
Mindy Holverson, 4K Educational Assistant mindy.holverson@stoughton.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.stoughton.k12.wi.us/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stoughtonschools/