Paw Prints
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - April 24, 2020
Winfield Elementary School Improvement Goals
All students will demonstrate measurable growth and achievement in reading.
All students will demonstrate measurable growth and achievement in mathematics.
All students will demonstrate growth in their social-emotional learning.
From the Principal, Mrs. Alonzo
Dear Winfield Friends and Family,
Is it getting a little easier? Are you finding your groove? Balancing your home, work responsibilities, and e-learning is not an easy task, especially when you have more than one child at home! Please be sure to reach out to your teachers if you are struggling with something. If you need additional resources or material--let us know that too!
This is new for ALL OF US. We are happy to hear your feedback on what it going well and what might be done differently or better. Being "all in this together" means that we are learning and working collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for our students.
PLEASE, reach out at any time with concerns or questions. We (all staff members) are most easily reached via email at this time. You can reach me at jalonzo@cps.k12.in.us.
Much love,
Mrs. Jillian Alonzo
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 663-2287 ext. 19001
Winfield Elementary Family Check-In
You can access this week's check-in here: Winfield Family Check-In 4.25.20
Is Your Child Returning in 2020-2021?
Current Kindergarten and First Grade Students
Please complete one form for each child.
Wildcat News Network 4.24.20
Counselor's Corner, with Mrs. Williams
Even though students have been out of school a little over a month, they just completed their 11th day of eLearning. This means….it’s still very new not only for them, but for parents as well.
It is okay if:
- you don’t have a strict schedule you follow each day
- you are breaking the work up and doing some on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s
- the weather is nice and you spend most of the day outside
- you have some really rough, trying days with your kids
- you don’t have all the answers
During this time, it is expected to see behavioral changes with our kids with all of these changes. Our kids still don’t understand how they are supposed to feel, and the WHY behind all of this. They might be having a really difficult time regulating their emotions. Their window of tolerance for learning is significantly smaller right now and is taking a back seat to emotions, changes, and stress.
The biggest part of these changes is environment. What do I mean by that? For both kids and adults respectively, many of us are used to having access to different environments, a change in scenery if you will. Kids went to school (work, learn, play, listen, etc.), and then was able to leave school and return home. They were able to leave school at school, and now there are one in the same!
How do we overcome this?? Doing what parents do best- through love, support, and connecting with our children.
If it was a challenging day, take the time to reconnect before everyone goes to bed. This can be done by talking about the good, bad, and ugly of the day, reading a book together, extra cuddles, saying affirmations, dancing to a family favorite song, and simply smiling and laughing. One thing I like to do with my son is together we write out the things we didn’t like about our day, we talk about each one, and then we throw them away. This gives us the visual of ending the day with a clean slate.
Reconnecting allows everyone to reset, clear the mind to enable a good’s night sleep, and leaving the events of the day behind.
Wishing all of our families’ joy, health, and peaceful minds. Have a relaxing weekend!
-Connect with me via email at: jwilliams@cps.k12.in.us
Positive Behavior Coach, Mrs. Adams
Hello, Winfield families!
Even though we are apart, our Kindergarteners, First Graders, and Second Graders are continuing their social-emotional growth in our weekly Second Step lessons. As you have noticed in the videos I have recorded for our students, our final unit focuses on problem solving, concentrating on peer conflict resolution, playing fairly, and taking responsibility.
Our Kindergarteners and First Graders are learning that they need to use their calming down strategies before they can solve a problem. They are also learning the four problem-solving steps: SAY the problem, THINK of solutions, EXPLORE consequences, and PICK the best solutions. Problem solving is a complicated cognitive process, but skilled problem-solvers get along better with peers and have fewer conflicts and problems with aggression. These problem-solving steps and strategies will help your child gain the knowledge to respond appropriately in tough situations.
Want to practice at home?
When problems come up at home, such as missing toys or conflicts with siblings, help your child use words to describe the problem. Then together, think of some solutions. For example:
Your child can't find a favorite toy. Say: You seem very upset. First calm down, and then we can solve this problem together. Belly breathe with your child (they can teach you!). What is the problem? Help your child describe the problem, and then repeat it. You can't find your toy. Now let's think of some solutions. Help your child think of solutions, such as to search each room or play with another toy. Which solution do you want to try? Have your child pick a solution and try it.
Our current Second Step lessons will also help our students understand and practice various problem-solving strategies in an effort to teach conflict resolution and encourage playing fairly. Students are learning that sharing, trading, and taking turns are fair and fun ways to play. Sharing, trading, and taking turns are solutions intended to promote the goals of fairness and mutual enjoyment, so students are less likely to use aggressive solutions.
Want to practice at home?
Remind your child to invite others to play. For example:
I see that your sister is very interested in what you're doing with your blocks. She could help you build your huge tower. Can you invite her to play with you?
Remind your child to use the Fair Ways to Play with playmates: For example:
I see you are having trouble playing together. What would be a Fair Way to Play with that toy? Wait for one or both children to respond. If they can't remember the Fair Ways to Play, remind them. You can play together with the toy (share), you can play with different toys and trade after three minutes (trade), or you can take turns with the toy (take turns).
Our Second Graders are learning that taking responsibility is part of solving problems. They have already learned the four problem-solving steps, so now it is time to have them understand that when they hurt someone's feelings, it's crucial to take responsibility. Taking responsibility means admitting what they did, apologizing, and offering to make amends. Students will further their knowledge of the problem-solving steps by using them to come up with effective solutions to interpersonal problems. This knowledge sets positive norms for how students should handle situations where they have hurt someone's feelings. Students will work on coming up with ways to make amends, so problems are resolved rather than escalated.
Want to practice at home?
Review the four problem-solving steps (SAY the problem - without using blaming words like "always", "never", "you made me", or "because of you", THINK of solutions, EXPLORE consequences, and PICK the best solutions) and use them to solve the problem. For example:
The problem: A mother and son do not agree on which television show to watch next.
1. Stand together in front of something you can step up onto, such as a stair step, stool, box, or crate.
2. Apply each of the problem-solving steps to the problem.
3. Every time you finish a step, step up onto your object and then back down again.
4. Play the game again with a common problem in your home.
I hope these lessons prove beneficial for you and your family! If you have any questions or need additional resources, please feel free to send me an email.
Stay safe and strong,
Mrs. Mandy Adams
Whistles From The Gym
** Update from the Kids Heart Challenge** All thank you gifts will not be sent to Winfield until school resumes. Once school resumes, all thank you gifts will be delivered to school and then distributed during gym class as soon as possible. A yet to be determined plan will be coming for those students who will be at Jerry Ross next year or those who will not be attending Winfield next year. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mr. Hedl at jhedl@cps.k12.in.us
Meal Distribution Update
Crown Point Community Library
The Crown Point Community Library provides vital resources and services to community members each day, and it's our mission is to keep the community connected to library resources while the library buildings are closed to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
APPLY FOR A LIBRARY CARD ONLINE:
Bring the library to your home by utilizing our digital resources with your library card. If you don't have a library card, if your card has expired, or simply don't remember your pin number, don't worry we can help you! You can apply or update your card online. To get started fill out and submit the online application and library staff will assist you.
Click here to Library Card: https://tinyurl.com/getaCPCLcardonline
EVERYDAY - 24/7 ACCESS TO DIGITAL RESOURCES Click Here
Hope for Healthcare Workers
Reading Connection
Learning to read, and learning to LOVE to read is a goal we work towards each day at school. Family partnership in this goal is critical if we wish to build a true community of readers. Each month I will share with you a publication titled Reading Connection. This quick two-page resource is geared towards busy parents, and includes practical ways to promote reading, writing, and language skills. You can check out April's issue below.
Nutrition Nuggets
Students with healthy eating and exercise habits have higher test scores, better attendance, improved concentration, fewer discipline referrals, and greater overall achievement. Nutrition Nuggets shares ideas to improve nutrition and physical fitness at home. Every issue is filled with practical ideas for:
- preparing nutritious meals on a tight schedule and tight budget
- smart snacking
- finding time for exercise—and ways to make it fun
- boosting vegetables and whole grains
- making nutritious foods appealing
- physical activities families can do together
- teaching kids about healthy choices
CAFE News
Amazon Smile
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.
Every item available for purchase on www.amazon.com is also available on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) at the same price. You will see eligible products marked "Eligible for AmazonSmile donation" on their product detail pages. Visit smile.amazon.com and select your charitable group: Winfield Jerry Ross Elementary Schools Parent Teacher Organization
Winfield Elementary
Email: jalonzo@cps.k12.in.us
Website: www.cps.k12.in.us/Domain/843
Location: 13128 Montgomery Street, Crown Point, IN, United States
Phone: 219-663-2287
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/47384622870/
Twitter: @WinfieldElem