PAW PRINTS
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - January 11, 2019
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
The start of a new year is a great time to review our safety procedures. Please take a look at Winfield's Top Ten list for arriving and exiting school safely. All are very important!
- Students ENTER the building through the CAR RIDER LINE. If you pull up after 9:03, you will need to park and walk your child in. Children must be in their classroom ready to go at 9:05 am. If they are pulling up to the building at 9:02 am, there is little chance they will make it to their classroom on time. Please get here early! Students are marked tardy at 9:05.
- Students EXIT the building through the CAR RIDER LINE. Parents do not come into the office to pick children up unless there is a scheduled appointment. This should be a once-in-a-while occurrence, not every day.
- The CAR RIDER LINE is a DOUBLE LINE. Cars do not merge until the final light pole.
- Cars ENTER THE LOT from the SOUTH entrance during arrival/dismissal time. This prevents cars from blocking the BUS entrance (the NORTH entrance).
- All cars have NAMES DISPLAYED IN FRONT WINDOWS. If you need a new sign for your car, please stop in the office!
- Baby it's cold outside! Make sure your student has a HAT, GLOVES, and COAT each day. It's cold entering and exiting the building. Boots (and shoes to change into) are great as well! Children must have SNOW boots and pants to play in the snow at recess.
- Practice PATIENCE in the line. Be courteous to others when merging. We move as quickly as we can while promoting safety for all.
- Please refrain from using CELL PHONES while the line is in motion. When all drivers are alert and focused, we can move through arrival/dismissal quickly and safely.
- CAR RIDER CHANGES are called into the office by 3pm. Don't assume that an email to a teacher during the day will make it's way to the office. The best way to ensure your child's name is televised at the end of the day is to call the office!
- KEEP OUR AIR SAFE FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF! Idling cars (even in this COLD weather!) are prohibited near school buildings. If your car is not in motion, it must remain turned off. Smoking is also prohibited on school property. This includes inside of vehicles on our premises. If someone other than you picks your child up, please pass along these safety points and procedures.
Thank you for making our 2019 a safe one for our school!
Contact Information:
Jillian Alonzo, Principal
663-2287 ext. 19001
Home-School Connections
Negativity can affect your child’s brain in unhealthy ways. We all have an inner voice or private conversations with ourselves. Neuroscientists have discovered that these voices are generally more negative than positive. Children’s voices are particularly negative, and this usually stems from doubt, fear, and/or shame. Children hear the word “no” on a regular basis, and many experience negativity in their daily interactions with others. Exposure to negativity can be compared to the effects of second hand smoke over a prolonged period of time.
According to neuroscientists, negativitiy produces stress chemicals in the brain. In addition, when we speak our negative thoughts, additional stress chemicals are released. This changes the brain function of the child as well as those listening, causing anxiety and irritability. Over time, negativity causes emotional harm to relationships within families, in school, and in social situations. Further, environmental negativity, combined with a child’s negative inner voice, can lead to poor mental health.
In contrast, positive thoughts and interactions affect our brains and relationships in healthy ways. Parents, guardians and caregivers can help change the balance of negative and positive thoughts by increasing the number of positive. We can help our children to become positive thinkers by paying attention to the way we communicate with our children. Psychologist Barbara Fredrickson teaches overcoming negativity by using a 3:1 ratio of positive to negative thoughts. Basically, for every negative thought we have, we need 3 positive thoughts to replace it. Nurturing this type of balance in our own thoughts as well as the thoughts of our children encourages resilience, a skill necessary in life for overcoming obstacles. In the next newsletter, we will look at specific ways to help kids achieve a balance between negativity and positivity in thoughts, words and actions.
Contact Information:
Kelly Mucha, Home-School Facilitator
663-2287 ext. 19108
Brandy Sims, PBIS Coach
663-2287 ext. 19602
Help us celebrate our GREAT TEACHERS...
It takes moments to recognize a teacher!
Students, parents, and fellow colleagues can access The Times Teacher Appreciation Form at www.nwitimes.com/forms/teachers_appreciation/ and nominate a teacher who excels in the classroom. Nominators are kept confidential…their information is not printed in the paper.
From the Nurse
Flu season is upon us! Please visit the site below for tips on preventing flu. It’s not too late to get a flu shot! https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/diseases/child/flu-basics-color.pdf
Contact Information:
Lori Taylor, Nurse
663-2287 ext. 19081
School Attendance
If your child will be absent from school, please notify the office before 9 am. You may also email: winfieldattendance@cps.k12.in.us. Please include your child's name, date of absence, and reason for absence. Please limit voluntary absences.
ATTENDANCE GOAL: 97% ATTENDANCE THIS WEEK: 95%
Kindergarten: 96% First Grade: 95% Second Grade: 95%
School Hours 9:05 am-3:44 pm
*ALL TRANSPORTATION CHANGES MUST BE CALLED INTO THE OFFICE BEFORE 3 PM.
All children are dismissed through the car rider line. Parents do not come inside the building during dismissal. Please review the Arrival/Dismissal Map here: Traffic Map. Traffic flow has gone very well the past few days! Please remember to remain in your vehicle to speed up the flow of traffic. If your child need your assistance fastening a seatbelt/car seat, kindly pull into a parking space before your exit your car.
Note: If you are a car rider, we will provide your with a nameplate for your dashboard. Please ensure this nameplate is present every day at pickup to expedite the line.
The school office is open daily from 7:30 am-4:30 pm. If you have Transportation questions after hours, please call 219-663-1465.
From the Cafeteria
Understanding the Lunch Line: A Parent's Guide
Meal Prices
Student Breakfast: $1.50 Student Lunch: $2.25 Milk Only: $0.40
Funding Cafeteria Accounts
- Send cash or check payable to Winfield Elementary Cafeteria in a sealed envelope with your child' name, teacher, $ amount, and "Cafeteria" clearly written on the front.
- Payments may also be made online by visiting www.mymealtime.com. The required passcode is the same as the child's Student ID in RDS.
Do you enjoy working with kids and love great hours? We are looking for new food service team members. If you are interested in learning more, please call Pam Maloney 662-6480.
Contact Information:
Polly Smith, Cafeteria Manager
663-2287 ext. 19603
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
You can access the latest edition here: Nutrition Nuggets-January
Cafeteria Menu: Week of January 14
MONDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza OR Breakfast Bar/Cereal
Lunch: Cheesy Pizza, Lean Green Beans, Yummy Pears, Carrots
TUESDAY
Breakfast: Pancake Wrap OR French Toast Bites
Lunch: Cheeseburger Deluxe OR Breaded Chicken Sandwich, Baked Beans, Cherry Tomatoes, Pineapple Tidbits
WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Sandwich OR Confetti Pancakes
Lunch: Pasta & Meat Sauce OR Fruit & Granola Parfait, Popping Peas, Crispy Garden Salad, Crazy Applesauce, Twisted Bread Stick
THURSDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Burrito OR Whole Grain Donuts
Lunch: NO LUNCH SERVED
FRIDAY
NO SCHOOL
Birthday Celebrations
As a school we believe it is important to recognize students on their birthdays. To protect instructional time in the classroom and manage student health needs, we do not allow edible birthday treats in the classroom (this includes CANDY in treat bags). Your child's birthday will be announced on the morning announcements and he/she is invited to the office for a small birthday treat.
If you choose, non-food items may be substituted your child may commemorate their special day by bringing a small treat for their classmates (pencil, bookmark, sticker, etc.) or dedicating a book to the classroom (and placing a special birthday bookplate inside).
OPTIONAL: Families wishing to celebrate their child's birthdays at lunch may purchase Ice Cream Tickets for each child in the class. Tickets are $0.75 each. Please complete an order form in the office 1 week prior to birthday.
Important Dates
January
15- Winterfest Planning Meeting @ 5:00 pm @ Jerry Ross
17- Half Day; Dismissal 12:14 pm
17- End of 1st Semester
18- Teacher Work Day; No School for Students
21- School IS in Session; MLK Day
February
2- Midwest Gymnastics Open Gym 7-9 pm
8- Winterfest 5-9 pm @ Jerry Ross
18- No School; Possible Make-up Day
26- Kindergarten Roundup @ Winfield Elementary
2019-2020 Kindergarten Registration in February
Registration for Fall Kindergarten classes will be held Thursday, February 21, 2019, and Tuesday, February 26, 2019. The schedule for each elementary building is shown below. Kindergarten students must be five (5) years of age on or before August 1, 2019 in order to enroll for the 2019-20 school year. It is not mandatory for students to come with their parents to registration, but they are welcome.
The following documents are required at the time of registration:
1. Child’s certified birth certificate (not hospital certificate)
2. Immunization record
3. Child’s Social Security Card
4. Three documents from the following are required to prove residency: utility bills (NIPSCO, Water) deed or mortgage statement, or Lake County Tax Bill. In addition, a driver’s license or state photo ID with the current address is required to prove residency. The school corporation does not accept tuition students.
Registration by School
Lake Street, MacArthur, Timothy Ball: Thursday, 2-21-19 9:30-11:00 AM - 1:00-3:00 PM
Eisenhower, Solon Robinson, Winfield: Tuesday, 2-26-19 9:30-11:00 AM - 1:00-3:00 PM
Please note that kindergarten classes will be held on the day of registration at the individual buildings.
CAFE Corner
WE NEED YOU! Winterfest Planning Meeting
All hands on deck are needed for our next Winterfest Planning meeting on Tuesday, January 15th. We will meet for ONE HOUR at 6pm in the Jerry Ross library!
Midwest Gymnastics
Join us on Saturday, Februry 2nd at Midwest Gymnastics on Summit Street for a fun drop-off event. Students may be dropped off from 7-9pm for $10 and enjoy trampolines, foam pit, tumbling tracks and more! Supervision is provided by volunteers from the CAFE. Please direct any questions to Kim Neff at kimneff31@yahoo.com.
McSchool Night
Mark your calendars now for the next McSchool night, Tuesday, January 22nd from 5-8 pm at the Winfield McDonald’s. We earn 15 percent of the sales during that time. Please present your flyer at the event for your purchase to count!
Extracurricular & Community News
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
Twitter: @WinfieldElem