December Family Newsletter
Newsletter 4: December 2023
PBIS Reward- Parkside T-Shirts for ALL students!
T-shirts were sent home with students and can be worn whenever they want, but will be asked to wear during field trips or certain school events.
Parkside K-Kids Hat Day Fundraiser
Parkside students and staff are encouraged to bring $1 to wear a hat on Friday, December 15. All proceeds will go to the Monroe Christmas Stocking Fund. This nonprofit organization serves children, families and the elderly in our community.
This event is hosted by Parkside K-Kids. K-Kids is the elementary school chapter of Monroe Kiwanis Club.
Lost & Found
PTO Clothing Orders Arrival
Inclement Weather Days
- The first and second inclement weather days will not be made up (no work for students to complete).
- The third and subsequent days will be asynchronous learning days and students will be responsible for at-home learning.
The at-home learning will be a digital choice board as well as a paper snow packet. Paper snow packets will be sent home at a later date. Chromebooks will not be sent home as a part of the plan. If you do not have a device/internet at home, just completing some or all of the paper packet is fine.
The asynchronous learning plan includes students spending time (parent/guardians should determine an appropriate length of time based on child’s age and developmental level) completing some or all of the packet and/or selecting a couple of items from the choice board to complete during the day while at home/daycare. On the day of inclement weather a Skyward Message and a Dojo Post will be made with information regarding the digital links and reminding students to complete their snow packet.
Please note that these tasks only need to be completed if the district makes the call for an inclement weather day. After the inclement weather day, students should turn in all completed work to the teacher.
Music Room News
There is so much to be excited about in the music room! The Kindergarten students have finally been able to play the xylophones and are loving learning about high and low sounds.
The first graders have learned their first rhythms and are beginning to label the houses on solfege street.
The 2nd and 3rd graders are preparing for their concert called, “The Unity Tree” where dogs and cats try to decide if they can coexist or not. The concert will take place on Monday, December 18th at 6:30pm at the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center.
The 4th grade students have learned several new notes on the recorder and the 3rd graders are anxious to begin learning how to play them in January.
Finally, the 5th grade chorus is in full swing and is loving the experience of creating harmony through singing. Please mark your calendars for their all district 5th grade concert on Thursday, March 21st at 7pm at the high school.
~Mrs. Leuzinger
Music Teacher
Parkside Caring Closet
If your Parkside student or family are in need of non-perishable food items, school supplies, winter gear, children's clothing, toiletry items please feel free to contact the school office or school counselor to access the Caring Closet. The Caring Closet is available to students or families during school hours or at school events. Items available change frequently based on donations.
Parkside Donation Wishlist
New/unused school supplies- most needed include headphones, expo markers, washable markers.
- New/unused winter gear- gloves, hats
- New/unused personal items for accidents- underwear, socks
- Recess Toys- chalk, bubbles, sand toys, trucks/cars, large plastic animals for imaginative sandbox play, frisbees, balls, snow molds, child size snow shovels
- New/unused items for the Parkside Caring Closet- non-perishable food and personal care and household items (tooth brush, tooth paste, shampoo, paper towel, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc).
- Monetary donations- funds donated directly to PTO support support student field trips, school celebrations and classroom needs
Watch for specific needs and sign ups throughout the year in our newsletters!
Contact the school office or the PTO if you have interest in supporting our school through donations.
PTO Book Swap
Too many books piling up on your shelves and no space for new ones?
Have you outgrown your easy readers and ready to tackle chapter books?
Starting December 4 through December 15th, please bring in books to donate! Accepting clean, gently used and appropriate books for level 1 readers to young adult. ALL SWAPS ARE FREE!
Students will have the opportunity to "shop" for themselves or a gift for someone else on December 19th.
Volunteer help will be needed with shopping on December 19th! Watch for a sign-up link on Dojo.
Parkside Mileage Club
Starting December 6th, Mileage Club will begin in the mornings from 7:30am to 7:45. Those who want breakfast will leave 5 minutes early at 7:40. Mondays and Tuesdays are for grades K-2 and Wednesdays and Thursdays are for grades 3-5. Students should come in through the breakfast doors like last year.
In PE class, all students will be working on their hand dribbling skills with various games and activities. If you want to know specifically what your student should be able to do by the end of the year when it comes to hand dribbling, email me and I will be happy to let you know ericjustiniano@monroe.k12.wi.us.
~Mr. J
Parkside Physical Education Teacher
Parkside School Store
What is the school store?
The school store is a small store that teachers and students set up at Parkside. It will have small knick-knacks and some fun school supplies for sale at a very low, reasonable price for students to purchase. Here are just some of the items that will be at the school store: notebooks, folders, pencils, erasers, pencil grips, pens, pencil sharpeners, earbuds, and other various items.
When is the school store open?
During lunch recess (11:00-12:30) on the following dates:
Friday, December 15, 2023
Friday, January 19, 2024
Friday, February 16, 2024
Friday, March 15, 2024
Friday, April 19, 2024
How much will school store items cost?
Items will vary from 25 cents to $3. All items will be in $0.25 increments.
-Mrs. Meier
Title I Math
PTO Teacher Treat/Snack Day
Community Day
Mindful Moment
As we enter into the busyness of December, it is important to bring attention to the little things and how we can enjoy those little things. Here are a few ideas to bring mindfulness and connect with each other and those that may not be near but are close to your hearts. I hope you enjoy these activities.
Mindful Hot Chocolate
Take some time to snuggle up on the couch together with a hot chocolate and watch a movie together while the tree lights twinkle in the background. It’s often in those little moments of togetherness that you will find the most joy in.
Mindful Gift Wrapping
The time spent wrapping gifts at holidays or special moments in our lives is actually a great opportunity to think about the people we love and why they’re important to us. First, pick up your present – who is it for? Imagine they are standing in front of you now. Think about why you chose this gift for them and how you’d like them to feel when they open it. Think about why it’s important to you that this person feels good. Why is this person important to you? Think about a special memory you share with this person, and how you felt in that moment. Just remember that happy feeling now and think about how grateful you are to have this person in your life.
Now imagine sending those kind, loving feelings and thoughts to your special person. What do you wish for them? Say it to yourself as you wrap the gift. You might say, “I wish you love and happiness”. And as you wrap your gift, imagine that you are putting those kind, loving wishes inside. Imagine their face when they unwrap their gift from you. Imagine all that love and kindness you wrapped up inside their gift washing over them so they feel loved and happy.
Mindful Scavenger Hunt
To do this activity, all you need is your 5 senses – sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing and a basket or bag to collect your treasures in!
The kids are going to collect 5 items. They’ll need: 1 thing that looks like the holidays or is part of a special moment, 1 that sounds like the holidays or reminds them of a special moment, 1 that tastes like the holidays or reminds them of a special moment, 1 that smells like the holidays or special moment, and 1 that feels like the holidays or special moment..
Once they have their 5 items, everyone comes together to share their items and talk about why they are meaningful for them. You might like to ask your children why these items are important, whether they have happy memories associated with them, or how the items make them feel. This is a great way to think about what brings us joy and makes it meaningful for each of us.
~Mrs. Houston
PTO Fundraising Update
Book Fair Profit:
$1,000 PLUS the purchase of 200 books for the book vending machine and 50+ books for classroom teachers and the library!
Bowling Total Raised - $5,979. Our goal was met! We will be purchasing new outdoor soccer goals for K-2 playground as well as other items for recess!
Parkside Recess/ Snow Rules
SNOW RECESS INFORMATION
Students will have 2 recesses per day (lunch and morning/afternoon).
Students must be dressed appropriately.
All students will be expected to go outside unless we have a doctor’s signed excuse stating that they should not go outside.
TEMPERATURE GUIDELINES
The wind-chill factor has to be 1 degree or above for outside recess.
If the wind-chill factor is below 0 degrees, recess will be indoors.
Additional recess and snow rules are attached below.
Snow Gear Expectations
Snow pants, snow boots, and gloves must be worn to play in the snow. Students without boots are limited to the dry areas of the blacktop/near the side of the building when all areas are covered in snow.
Please remember to label coats, hats, gloves, ect.
Please see attached poster for more information.
Recess is outside unless it is raining or there is a negative "feels like" temperature.
(Please label sweatshirts, coat, gloves, hat, etc.)
Kindergarten Parents/ Guardians:
Please put an extra set of clothes in your child's backpack in case of accidents or spills. The nurse's office only has extra underwear, if needed.
~Mrs. Wilson
Parkside Nurse
Student Fee Statements
Breakfast & Lunch Menus
Parkside Music Concert Dates
Monday, December 18 - Parkside 2nd & 3rd Grade 6:30pm @ MHS PAC
Monday, March 4 - Parkside Kindergarten & 1st Grade 6:30pm @ MHS PAC
Thursday, March 21 - 5th Grade Combined Elementary Chorus Concert 7pm @ MHS PAC
Monday, May 20 - Parkside 4th & 5th Grade 7pm @ MHS PAC
Calendar of Upcoming Events
*all events are subject to change at any time
December 4-15: PTO Book Swap Donations Accepted
December 4: Bridging Brighter Smiles at Parkside
December 6: Mileage Club starts 7:30am (M & T= K-2, W & TH= grades 3-5)
December 15: School Store (during school) & K-Kids Hat Day Fundraiser & Bridging Brighter Smiles at Parkside
December 18: Parkside 2nd/3rd Grade Concert @ MHS PAC 6:30
December 19: PTO Book Swap & PTO Teacher/ Staff Snack Day
December 25-January 1: Winter Break No School
January 3: PTO Meeting 6-7pm Parkside LMC
January 10: 3rd Grade field trip & District Spelling Bee
January 12: End of Semester 1
January 15: No School
January 19: School Store (during school)
February 1: Semester 1 Report Cards go home
February 7: PTO Meeting 6-7pm Parkside LMC
February 16: School Store (during school)
February 22: PTO family movie night
February 23: No School
March 4: Parkside Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Concert @ MHS PAC 6:30
March 6: PTO Meeting 6-7pm Parkside LMC
March 14: Spring Conferences (by invite only)
March 15: School Store (during school)
March 21: Combined Elementary Chorus Concert 5th Grade @ MHS PAC 7pm
March 25-29: Spring Break No School
April 3: PTO Meeting 6-7pm Parkside LMC
April 8-12: PTO spring book fair Parkside LMC (times TBD)
April 11: Parkside Open House 4:30-6:30
April 19: Last School Store (during school)
May 1: PTO Meeting 6-7pm Parkside LMC
May 17: No school current Kindergarteners (incoming K Round up day)
May 20: Parkside 4th/5th Grade Concert @ MHS PAC 7pm
May 23: PTO Family Fun Night 4:30-6:30
May 27: No School
May 31: Last Day of School (half day, no lunch)