Rasco Review April 22, 2021
Lake Bluff Elementary School Family Newsletter
A Message from Principal Rasco
Happy Earth Day Lake Bluff Families,
...and how are the children?
“I was sad and kind of mad, because it felt like he was stopping his breathing, and it was kind of like hurting him.” said the third-grade student, as she recalled watching George Floyd die. Her cousin, then-17-year-old Darnella Frazier made the choice to film the incident on that fateful day.
The news of this week’s verdict weighs heavily on the hearts of many-especially our children. My own family has been through an emotional roller coaster and re-traumatization as only minutes after the jury returned on Tuesday, another Black child was shot and killed by police. Many of our children will process what they are seeing in different ways. Whatever space your children may be in, it is important that they have the space to process in their own ways. In some classrooms, these discussions may happen with support from specific resources that align with Expeditionary Learning and Integrated Comprehensive Systems for Equity.
To our Anti-Racist Families: Here are some resources to support you with conversations you may have at home:
15 Tips For Talking WIth Children About Violence
Supporting Kids of Color in The Wake of Racialized Violence
Talking About Race With Kids: Conversation Starters (PBS Kids)
To our Black and Brown Families, from my heart to yours: this video is for you!
And so, like the Masai Warriors, I ask: “And how are the children?” The response to this traditional greeting should be “all the children are well.”
Well, my friends, all of the children are not well. As you reflect on this verdict, I implore you to lean into the discomfort of disrupting racism. Then and only then will we be able to proudly respond that “ALL of the children are well!”
Have a peaceful weekend,
Tammy
FORWARD TESTING CONTINUES!
Lake Bluff Students in 3rd-6th grades will be taking the 2021 Forward Exam during the weeks of April 19th and April 26th.
Lake Bluff 2021 Forward Schedule
Testing will take place in the classroom (or alternate space in the school when applicable) and will be administered by the classroom teacher or other appropriate staff member. Students will continue to be socially distanced during the testing sessions.
Questions/concerns please contact Ms. Harrison at charrison@shorewood.k12.wi.us
Cleaning up around the School
Thank you Mrs. Griffin's Class for cleaning up for Earth Day!
Cleaning up the Playground
APRIL LUNCH MENU
UPDATES FROM MS. HARRISON, DEAN OF STUDENTS
Spring Safety Updates
On April 15th, Lake Bluff students and staff completed our annual Tornado Drill. Teachers and students reviewed the procedures together and practiced the “take cover” method of kneeling and protecting necks/heads while safely spaced out within their classrooms.
Next week, we will complete our monthly Fire Drill, as well as practice a Lockdown Drill. During the Lockdown Drill, which will happen on Wednesday, April 28th around 11:50am, all exterior doors to the building will be locked. No one will be allowed to enter or exit the building during that time so please plan accordingly if you need to pick up a student at/around that time. Thank you!
COUNSELOR'S CORNER WITH MS. GAHL-SWEENEY
One of my favorite resources focused on child mental health and wellness released a few articles this week on the topic of the mix of emotions that are occurring during this time: excitement, disappointment and hope. Vaccinations are ramping up, warmer weather is on the way and for many this brings some excitement and hope. This may also bring some feelings of disappointment as perhaps our expectations aren’t quite met. You and your child’s feelings are valid and I’m sharing a few of the articles with you focused on navigating this time. You can find these resources as well as resources on other topics at ChildMind.org.
Encouraging Optimism: Helping Kids Navigate Uncertainty
How to Help Kids Handle Disappointment
Will My Child Bounce Back After the Pandemic?
As always, please feel free to reach out to me or take a look at my website for more resources: Ms. Gahl-Sweeney's Counseling Corner
Updates from the Advanced Learning Department
The Advanced Learning Department offers a variety of opportunities for kids to meet together and engage in fun and challenging enrichment opportunities outside of class time! With the switch to 5 days of in person learning, we are making some adjustments to these offerings. Our staff is continuing to work closely with classroom teachers to provide support and enrichment within the classroom setting. Here are some additional updates, as well.
Please see our Advanced Learning Virtual Classroom for additional resources and details about each club/activity listed below.
Battle of the Books
Congratulations to the 58 students who stuck with Battle of the Books all year and competed in our recent school battles! We are proud of all of you and we hope you enjoyed reading a wide variety of books. Stay tuned for an end-of-year celebration!
If you are interested in participating in Battle of the Books next year (and will be in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade), stay tuned for next year’s book list coming out in May.
Math Club
We hope to hold at least one more optional Math Club session on an upcoming Wednesday. Stay tuned! Check out our virtual classroom page to find the Zoom link and to see some fun resources and opportunities to practice what we’ve discussed in Math Club so far this year.
Newspaper Club
Our “editing team” consists of 4th-6th graders, but anyone can contribute stories, poems, drawings, etc. to The Beagle Times! Please contact Mr. Peterka (kpeterka@shorewood.k12.wi.us) or Mrs. Cosgrove (jcosgrove@shorewood.k12.wi.us) if you have questions or would like to submit something for the next month’s edition. Check out the most recent edition of the school newspaper here!
WordMasters
Check out our virtual classroom for more information and practice ideas. Though we are not able to meet as frequently, we have posted LOTS of great ways to practice the 3rd and final word list on this virtual classroom page. Check out the Quizlets, crossword puzzles, and more. NOTE: The 3rd quiz will take place the week of April 21st and students have the option of joining our Zoom link at 1:00 (on the 21st) to do this. The test will be available asynchronously until FRIDAY, APRIL 23rd.
Questions? Please contact Jennifer Cosgrove (jcosgrove@shorewood.k12.wi.us) or Jennifer Damm (jdamm@shorewood.k12.wi.us), Advanced Learning Department teachers.
Staff Appreciation Week (SAW) begins May 3rd! Given the year our teachers have had and the amazing lengths that they have gone to for our students, we are trying to make this year's staff appreciation week extra special.
How can your family help spread the love?
Purchase food and/or drinks for our individually wrapped items Snack Buffet through our sign-up genius.
Would you prefer to donate funds and have the PTO pick-up items? We are also accepting cash donations too. Your donation will fund the Snack Bar, Goody Gourmet Popcorn gift bags, and a blooming mini-plant for all staff.
Draw and write notes of appreciation in chalk around the front entryway and sidewalk of Lake Bluff on May 1st and 2nd.
Donate a gift card or other item to our staff giveaway or share a connection to a local business with the PTO. Please email us.
Have your student bring fan mail to their teacher and other staff on Thursday, May 6th, Use our printables or create your own. Virtual families can use this editable slide.
Together, let’s make sure the Lake Bluff staff knows how much we appreciate their dedication, compassion, and flexibility this challenging year!
Don't forget we have two new fundraisers happening now. On April 30, you can order a meal from the Real Good Life Meal Delivery service to be delivered to your home on May 5 or May 9 (Mother’s Day). We will share their menu early next week when it's available. Orders must be placed on The Real Good Life website only on 4/30 to participate.
Do you need annuals? Are you planning on adding mulch and new plants to your yard? Will you be purchasing hanging baskets or flowers for yourself or Mom this spring? If you said ‘yes’ to any of these questions, please consider purchasing gift cards to use at Bayside Garden Center. You can purchase gift cards that can be used for anything they sell including annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, trees, shrubs, flower arrangements and so more. This is a perfect Mother’s Day gift.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the first week’s reading response contest! Remember responses are due on Wednesdays. The All-School Read website for Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya has details about the schedule, weekly contest, author details and links to teacher videos. Virtual families, please remember to pick up your copy of the book in the front office.
Have you visited our website lately? Visit www.lakebluffbeagle.com to view the school’s daily announcements, the Thursday folder, the lunch menu and so much more right from the home screen! Please feel free to contact PTO President Sarah Keefe with any questions, comments or suggestions. Read our complete newsletter here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gW9aFJH4IBb-InQ0UE9KP4fRm_hu95UzqsqnFoJg59w/edit?usp=sharing.