EC-5 Elementary Express
November 2019
November Dates At-A-Glance
November 1 - 3rd Grade Swim Unit Concludes
November 3 - Daylight Saving Time - Set your clocks back!
November 4 - 8 - Conference week at WIS
November 4 - 7 and 19 - 4th Grade Swim Unit
November 7 - Related Arts Conference Night at WIS - 3:30PM - 8:00PM
November 7 - K-5 Online Safety Presentation with Officer John Miller - WIS Commons - 6:00 -6:45PM
November 8 - NO SCHOOL - Professional Development
November 11 - Veterans Day Assembly at WIS
November 11 - 15 - CEPS Conference Week and Scholastic Book Fair
November 11 - Thanksgiving Food Pantry Drive Ends (all schools)
November 11, 13-15, and 18 - 5th Grade Swim Unit
November 12 - 5th Grade Field Trip to UW-Whitewater - Dr. Kaboom
November 20 - 1st Grade Field Trip - IMAX Theater - 8:30 - 10:30AM
November 20 - Playtime Productions Play at MHS Black Box Theater - Ali Baba and a Few Thieves
November 21 - 2nd Grade Field Trip - Overture Center - 11:15AM - 2:30PM
November 25 - Bowls for Hunger at MHS - 5:00 - 7:00PM
November 27 - Jersey/Sports Day at CEPS
November 28 - 29 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Upcoming Dates in December:
December 2 - December 19 - WIS Student Council Food Drive
December 3 - 4th Grade Field Trip to Capitol, Historical Museum, and MMoMA
December 5 - 4K Winter Craft Night at CEPS - 6:00 - 7:00PM
December 6 - Science Night at WIS - 5:30PM
December 6 - 5th Grade Kindness Retreat
December 17 - 4th Grade Field Trip to Capitol, Historical Museum, and MMoMA
December 20 - CEPS and WIS School Assemblies
December 23 - January 1 - NO SCHOOL - WINTER BREAK
January 2 - School Resumes
We offer a great breakfast program at CEPS and WIS! A different breakfast entrée is offered daily, beginning at 7:20 at CEPS and 7:15 at WIS. We have additional options as well, including muffins, cereals, quick bread slices and more. All breakfasts include a main entrée, juice, fruit and milk - all for only $1.75! If your family qualifies for free or reduced lunches, you also qualify for free or reduced breakfasts.
All breakfast menus are posted online at https://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/district/Dept-SchoolNutrition-Menus.cfm
Let us help make your morning easier!
Cold Weather Gear
Both CEPS and Waubesa use Channel 3000 Weather to monitor the temperature.
Emergency Contacts
Families can update their contact information via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
Holiday Assistance
If your family is in need of assistance this holiday season, please contact Lily Hlavacek by phone at (608) 838-4610. You can also email her at hlavacl@mcfsd.org.
If you are interested in helping McFarland families in need this Holiday season please visit: hostafamily.org, mcfarlandfoodpantry.org, http://www.goodmancenter.org/events/thanksgiving-baskets
Free Classes for Parents!
There will be a Parenting with Love and Logic class offered from 6:00-7:15pm on Tuesday evenings from November 12th through December 17th at Waubesa Intermediate School. This session will be facilitated by high school counselors Jackie Guenther and Beth Canfield. Jackie has three children- Aiden, 8, Landen, 6, and Alayna, 4. Beth has a son Jack, 4. The class is open to all families with students in 4k-5 in the McFarland School District.
Love and Logic is a philosophy of raising and teaching children which allows adults to be happier, empowered, and more skilled in the interactions with children. Love allows children to grow through their mistakes. Logic allows children to live with the consequences of their choices. Love and Logic is a way of working with children that puts parents and teachers back in control, teaches children to be responsible, and prepares young people to live in the real world, with its many choices and consequences.
Sign up using the link below! We plan to provide childcare for ages 2-11. You will be able to indicate how many children you require care for during sign up.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4eada829a1f94-elementary
Online Safety
UPDATES FROM YOUR PTO
The year is off to a great start with the McFarland EC-8 PTO. We had our first at large PTO meeting on October 16, 2019, held at CEPS. Parents from the school district had the opportunity to learn about PBIS and math curriculums (Bridges and CPM) from educators within all three schools.
We also elected at large members to the PTO. Please welcome Debbie Hodges, Liz Vosberg, Suzy Murphy, Taylor Dagenais, Laura Klocke and Darcy Gilberston. The school principals also provided us with many positive updates.
The PTO held its first Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 26, 2019 following the McFarland Halloween Parade. Thank you to the McFarland High School Girls' basketball team, Monona Grove/McFarland High School Wrestling team, Spartan Day Camp, Madison Coffee & Vending, and others that decorated their trunks or donated treats.
The PTO has been busy planning more fun activities and fundraisers. Please watch for additional information for a Winter Carnival to be held at CEPS and WIS’s annual Sock Hop.
The PTO has been able to provide staff meals for all three schools for parent teacher conferences. If you are interested in volunteering, please email the PTO at one of the below emails.
UPCOMING DATES:
Advisory Committee Meeting November 7, 2019, 7pm, at the McFarland House Café
Watch for more details regarding Play Time Productions Performance of “Ali Baba and a Few Thieves” at McFarland High School in the Black Box Theatre.
At Large PTO Meetings:
- February 19, 2020 WIS 6:30pm
- May 20, 2020 IMMS 6:30pm
Thank you for your continued support!
PTO President-Michaela Voeck mcfarlandptoprez@gmail.com
PTO Secretary-Jessica Liston mcfarlandptosec@gmail.com
PTO Treasurer-Angela Freedman mcfarlandptotreasurer@gmail.com
The Latest Buzz...
Transportation Waiver
Please let us know if you have any questions!
Thank you to the PTO and all of our volunteers who give of their own time to help our students and our schools! We appreciate you!
Conrad Elvehjem Primary School Information
School Principal:
Greg Nelson
Associate Principal:
Brooke Hauser
CEPS Building Administrative Assistant:
Emily Broome - (608) 838-3146
Administrative Assistant:
Sheryl Leemon - (608) 838-3146
Email: nelsong@mcfsd.org
Website: http://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/schools/elementary/
Phone: 608-838-3146
A Note From Our Principal...
Dear Conrad Elvehjem Primary School Families,
In November, we encourage our students to give thanks for things big and small, people near and far, and for activities from the past, present, and future. I want to take this opportunity to share a feeling of thankfulness of my own: thank you to all of the students, staff members, and family and community members for all you do to make CEPS feel like my home away from home. I am truly honored to get to know, work with, and learn from all of you. I look forward to this continued partnership because I know we share the common goal of making your child’s year here a year of learning, growing, and of course, lots of fun!
Part of this partnership is communicating your child’s progress throughout the year. In addition to the ongoing communication you and your child’s teacher have, there are four formal opportunities for all K-2 students. We hold parent-teacher conferences in the first quarter, send a report card at the end of the second quarter, hold conferences again in the spring for third quarter, and then a final report card is sent home at the end of the year. Thank you for planning to participate in our fall conferences which are taking place this month. This is a great time for teachers and families to come together to share the strengths our students have shown thus far, while also collaborating around goals to work towards this year. Please feel free to check out our Book Fair in the library, which runs during conferences from November 11-15th. Finally, be sure to stop by our Lost and Found outside of the main office. The items that remain after November 15th will be donated to a local charity organization.
I want to take this opportunity to share an update with you about field trips. If you plan to attend or chaperone and choose to drive your child in your personal vehicle to or from the trip, you must inform your child’s teacher ahead of time as there is a waiver that parents/guardians must read and sign before we can excuse your child to be transported separately from the planned transportation. This is similar to situations in older students where a parent/guardian might transport their child to/from an athletic event instead of on the bus.
Finally, with the fall days turning shorter and cooler, we appreciate your assistance and support with ensuring that our students are properly dressed for the weather. It is a good idea to make sure that jackets and hats/gloves are labeled with your child’s name, and are sent on those chillier days. Once the snow begins to fly, then plan on sending your child to school wearing their boots and snow pants, as they do go outside before the school day starts. As a reminder, we hold recess outside during the day as long as the combined temperature and wind chill is above zero degrees Fahrenheit. Outdoor playtime and an opportunity to get fresh air is an important part of our learning day and we want to make sure your child has dressed appropriately so he/she can enjoy these activities.
Thank you for all you do to support your child and our learning community! As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I wish you and your family a wonderful celebration of togetherness and gratitude.
Working together to grow and empower responsible, kind and curious thinkers, learners, dreamers and doers,
Greg Nelson
CEPS Principal
Hi CEPS Families,
We just wanted to say how wonderful it was to see so many families join us at Open House on October 22nd. Open House is a very busy and exciting time and we know some families may not have had an opportunity to take a quick reading and math survey. This survey is designed to provide us more information about how we as a CEPS staff could help provide information and support to families in the areas of reading and math. If you did not have an opportunity to take our brief survey at Open House we would like to invite you to take it now. Please click on the link below and you will be taken to the survey about reading and math.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcbGII8KAlzrKlONJ0Z8LlS2mUqsvaGwi61q4wSV3sr6sT6Q/viewform
If you could complete the survey by Friday, November 15th, we would greatly appreciate it.
If you have any questions, please contact Lori Lovell at lovelll@mcfsd.org or Jenny Jefferson at jefferj@mcfsd.org.
Thank you for your support and feedback!
Jenny Jefferson, Interventionist and K-2 Math Curriculum Coordinator
Lori Lovell, 4K-5 Literacy Coordinator
Mary Jo Froden, 1st grade teacher and K-2 Math Committee Team
Pickup Confirmation
If your child requires a change in after-school arrangements, including transportation, CEPS can only comply with the change IF the school has received either written confirmation from a parent or guardian OR there has been telephone contact with the school requesting the change.
CEPS Thanksgiving Food Drive
Fall Book Fair at CEPS!
Our fall book fair will be held November 11-15 at CEPS! All families are welcome to attend!
- Monday, November 11th: 7:30 am - 12:30 pm; 2:45 pm - 6:00 pm
- Tuesday, November 12th: 7:30 am - 12:30 pm; 2:45 pm - 6:00 pm
- Wednesday, November 13th: 7:30 am - 12:30 pm; 2:45 pm - 6:00 pm
- Thursday, November 14th: 7:30 am - 12:30 pm; 2:45 pm - 6:00 pm
- Friday, November 15th: 7:30 am - 12:30 pm
Volunteer to help with our Book Fair and Save 10% off any purchase! Sign Up Link HERE
Waubesa Intermediate School Information
School Principal:
Corey Shefchik
Associate Principal:
Al Northouse
Building Administrative Assistant:
Arlene Bast (608) 838-7667
Email: shefchc@mcfsd.org
Website: http://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/schools/intermediate/
Phone: 608-838-7667
A Note From Our Principals...
Dear Waubesa Families,
The fall season seems to be going by quickly. We are about to begin our fall student/parent/teacher conferences and want to use these connections to set goals for all children this school year. These goals may be academic, behavioral, or both. Teachers want to work in partnership with parents and students to plan for success throughout the year. We strive to have 100% attendance at conferences and can make accommodations in a variety of ways to make this possible. Please call, email, or stop by the office to make an alternative plan. There’s a designated time to see Related Arts teachers on Thursday, November 7 from 3:30-8:00 p.m.
November is also a time for reflecting on what we are grateful for in our lives. As your building principals, we feel very fortunate to be working here at Waubesa. Thank you for having your son or daughter ready to learn each day and for participating in their education.The support that families give the school is incredible. This was on display last month for our Third Grade Open House event, and will continue in the upcoming months during our Food Drives that support the McFarland Food Pantry. For this we are grateful.
Don’t forget to connect with our school via the Waubesa School Facebook page. Our staff attempts to include information about upcoming events and fairly regularly adds pictures of students working. You can also access our weekly news program written, produced, and starring our 5th Grade students on this page. It’s a fantastic way to learn about the happenings at our school.
As always, please feel free to call or email with questions and, as we say at WIS, “Show your POWER, Waubesa!”
Student Dropoff and Pickup Reminders
Thank you for helping us to keep students safe!
RED OAK TRAIL LOT:
PICKUP & DROPOFF ONLY
When dropping off or picking up children at Waubesa, PLEASE USE THE DRIVE-THRU PARKING LOT OFF OF RED OAK TRAIL. Simply pull over near the front of the yellow zone, let your child safely exit on the passenger side, and leave. There’s no need to wait for the car ahead.
LEANNE LANE LOT:
BUSES AND DAY CARE VANS ONLY
Please do not use the Leanne Lane parking lot for drive-thru drop off or pick up of students. This parking lot is for buses, daycare vans, and all those who need to park and enter the school with their student(s). WHEN DROPPING OFF OR PICKING UP CHILDREN AT WAUBESA, PLEASE USE THE DRIVE-THRU PARKING LOT OFF OF RED OAK TRAIL.
WIS Tardiness Policy Reminder
As the second quarter begins on November 11, please remember that the tardiness policy now affects third graders! Please see below and contact us with any questions.
Students are allowed 2 tardies a quarter free of consequence. If a student is tardy for a 3rd time in that quarter they will serve a 15-minute lunch detention as a consequence for that tardy and any subsequent tardies that quarter. For third grade students, the consequence will not be imposed in the first quarter of the school year.
At any time, if chronic tardies or truancy are issues that you would like assistance from school staff to address, please do not hesitate to contact Lily Hlavacek, School Social Worker K-5 (608)-838-4610, Al Northouse, Associate Principal at Waubesa Intermediate School 608-838-4609, or Brooke Hauser Associate Principal at Conrad Elvehjem Primary School 608-838-4595.
Forgot Your Shoes...?
WIS Book Swap!
During the week of November 18 - 22, we are asking students to bring two to four gently used books to school that they know someone in 3rd to 5th grade would really like. Students will then have the opportunity to choose two donated books to take home!
Thanks for helping to spread the love of reading!
WIS Swim Information
Movie Donations Needed!
Do you have extra movies you no longer watch? The Waubesa Library is in need of G-rated movies. If you have any extra you're willing to donate we would GREATLY appreciate them! Thank you for taking a moment to look around. You can drop these off in the office or you can send them in with your child and they can bring them to the library.
Thank you!
Family Science Night at WIS December 6!
Waubesa Intermediate School is hosting a science night with the UW-Madison Biocore Ambassadors! Experience science in a fun and interactive way!
Who: K-8 Students and their Families
Where: Waubesa Intermediate School
When: Friday, December 6 from 5:30 - 7:30PM
You may come and go at any time during this block!
WIS Student Council Food Drive
PLAYSICAL SESSION 2 KICKS OFF TUES., NOV. 12!
All Welcome on Thursday, November 7 as the PLAYSICAL PLAYERS present “TWEET”
Members of The Playsical Players’ first session of the year will transform into feathered friends (plus a few furry squirrels as well) on Thursday, November 7 to perform the “playsical” (half play-half musical) “TWEET”. The hilarious, fast-moving show tells the tale of baby birds who are afraid to leave their mama, learn to fly and go “out there” (wherever “there” is).
,As they imagine what they might find - if they can even fly that long - a variety of other birds (and squirrels) come to describe what they’ll discover and in turn entertain them, scare the feathers off of them (those darn crows!), enchant them and, finally, bolster their courage enough so they’re ready to soar. The performance will take place in Waubesa Intermediate School’s multipurpose room at 4:45 pm and lasts about 40 minutes. Admission is free. No foods or beverages are allowed in the room. Please enter at door K (next to the gym).
The Playsical Players is an after-school theatre program offered four times per year. Classes are held Tues. & Thurs. (with an occasional Wed.) from immediately after school until 4:30 pm and include a snack. An average 13 classes (with three instructors) are in each session (20+ hours of instruction); a performance is given on the last day of each session. Session 2 begins on Tues,, Nov. 12-Thurs., Dec. 19. Tuition is $340 (approx. $28/class or $17/hr). Should the tuition present a financial hardship partial scholarships are available. To sign up your child, visit Playsical.com or text or call Playsical founder Kristin Erickson at (608) 444-0654 or email kerickson@ericksonpublishing.com. Fun and laughter are guaranteed!