PAW PRINTS
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - April 6, 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
How many days are left this school year?
We have one quarter left of the 2018-2019 school year. Make sure you are in touch with your child's teacher regarding any concerns. Students are busy learning, and teachers are busy teaching, in every available moment during the remainder of the year. We have 41 solid days of teaching left (give or take some special events). Multiply that times roughly 6 hours a day...and you can easily see we have a GREAT DEAL OF OPPORTUNITY! With your partnership and support, our students can make growth through the last day of school!
Stay tuned, stay connected, stay in the know!
The last 8 weeks of the school year bring a lot of learning, a lot of special events, and a lot of communication. Spend a few minutes everyday checking in with what's happening in our school and in your child's class. You don't want to miss anything! Whether your classroom uses Class DoJo, Remind, Bloomz, Twitter, or tried and true newsletters--please make every effort to check in regularly. In the next 8 weeks you'll see: Book Fair, Creative Arts Fair, Grandparent's Day, Kindy 500, Blast Into Jerry Ross, Kindergarten Graduation, Field Day, Field Trips...you get the idea...we'll be BUSY! I try to be mindful of not sending too much communication from the school office...so when I do, it's usually important!
Planning, planning, planning, and more planning!
While we are firmly rooted in the success of this school year, we are actively planning for next! This includes reviewing class sizes, number of sections at each grade level, and teacher assignments. When our team starts working on student assignments for next year, we look at multiple factors including academic performance & needs and social-emotional health. We then cluster group students within classrooms. This means that we look to group 4-6 students who are performing at a similar level within each classroom. This allows students to have a targeted peer group within their larger classroom setting. Teachers are also able to better differentiate instruction when working with small groups. While there are multiple data points we use, this is certainly not an exact science. Students needs come first, which can sometimes come in the form of qualitative data.
This time of year I often start receiving phone calls or emails requesting specific teachers for their child's class next year. While they are strongly discouraged, I continue to receive a substantial number of teacher requests. I will always listen to our families, especially when sharing a concern. If there is a specific need your child has relating to his/her academic needs or social-emotional health that you need to share, please do. Share those specific needs (minus requesting an individual teacher) and our team will evaluate those needs to determine the best placement. Please support our professional judgement as we build dynamic classes.
Contact Information:
Jillian Alonzo, Principal
663-2287 ext. 19001
Wildcat News Network 4.4.19
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.
Home-School Connections
April is Autism Awareness Month. It can be hard to explain to others what it means when their friends or family have Autism. Sesame Street has a character Julia, and there are some short videos that highlight some of the strengths and challenges that they face. Autism is a spectrum disorder and there are many differences between each individual. Below are two great books that I have read that help explain to children how others with Autism experience the world:
My Friend Has Autism by Amanda Doering Tourville
My Friend Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete
Contact Information:
Kelly Mucha, Home-School Facilitator
663-2287 ext. 19108
Junior Achievement Volunteers!
Have fun while bringing real life experiences to our students this spring! Junior Achievement focuses on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship and provides all the tools you’ll need for a great experience. You’ll just need to commit to about 1 hour per week for 5 weeks. You’ll coordinate a time that works best for you and your assigned teacher. New volunteers will participate in a one hour orientation/training prior to program start.
Please contact your child's teacher ASAP if you are interested in being the volunteer!
Questions or like to attend the training? Contact our JA Representative, Mary Burke mburke@jachicago.org or 219-276-5055. Thank you for making a difference!
PBIS: Positive Behavior Intervention and Support
Let’s spread kindness with empathy! We bring out the best in others when we…
- help them feel special.
- focus mostly on what they do well .
- show that we genuinely like and appreciate them.
- have high expectations and hold them accountable.
- love them for who they are…not who we want them to be.
Fay, J, & Fay, C. (2016). Teaching with Love and Logic: Taking Control of the Classroom. Golden, Colorado. Love and Logic Institute, Inc.
Contact Information:
Brandy Sims, Positive Behavior Coach
663-2287 ext. 19602
Book Fair Week: April 22-26
Our Spring Book Fair is around the corner, we are looking for parent volunteers to help our students with their shopping experience. If you would like to help, please click on the click below and sign up a time that best fits your schedule. We appreciate all that our wonderful parents do for our students and school. Hope to see you at the Book Fair which will be running from April 22- April 26th. Thanks! http://rt2-m.message.scholastic.com/nl/jsp/m.jsp?c=%40xx%2FHIxYrpbWxHGT45yNkVW0%2B%2FkBtzJN7h9jtMP9qNk0%3D
Contact Information:
Paula Poer, Media Specialist
663-2287 ext. 19111
From the Nurse
Weather and temperatures fluctuate greatly in April! Please be sure to have your child dressed appropriately for the weather each day. That may mean a warm coat and gloves one day, and a lighter jacket the next. The sun may be shining on our playground but it is often windy out there. Be prepared for anything!
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. Our Attendance Goal to be an "A" rated, 4 Star School is 97%!
This week's attendance: 96%
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.
HELP WANTED!
Crown Point Schools Transportation Department will start training for school bus drivers and special needs monitors in February. Full training is provided for sub bus drivers and sub special needs monitors who enjoy competitive pay, summer and holidays off and the potential for full time work. Please apply online at https://intranet.cps.k12.in.us/rdsonlineapp/default.asp
Important Dates
April
12- First Grade Music Program
15-17- Winfield Kindergarten Screening
19- Good Friday; No School
25- Creative Arts Fair 5-7 pm
26- Grandparent's Day
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: April.
Cafeteria Menu: Week of April 8
MONDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza OR Breakfast Bar/Cereal
Lunch: Cheesy Pizza, Lean Green Beans, Carrots, Yummy Pears
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: Clucking Chicken Nuggets, Mashed Potatoes/Gravy, Roasted Carrots, Sliced Cucumber, Mandarin Oranges, Corn Bread
FRIDAY
Breakfast: Whole Grain Muffins OR Cereal/Poptart
Lunch: Breakfast for Lunch, Hash Brown Stars, Fresh Broccoli Florets, Fruit Juice
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.
2019-2020 Kindergarten Registration
Registration is now ongoing. Please call the school office schedule an appointment. 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.
CAFE Corner
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who supported Winterfest last month! Our PROFITS were almost $20,000! It was a fun-filled family night for all!
We couldn't have done this without so many wonderful volunteers! Thank you to these folks who took on some lead planning and executing: Mark and Kelly Baer, Jennifer Jongsma, Adrienne Leluga, Carrie Josleyn, Nicole Kadelak, Jodie Paape, Ash Parulekar, Stacy Kowalczyk, Dawn Rowinski, Renee Clayton, Darlene Vassil, Nicole Szypczak, Brandy Sims, Kelly Tillger
We are so excited for next year (and will need MANY volunteers to make it happen) that we've set a date! SAVE THE DATE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020!
Midwest Gymnastics
Join us on Saturday, April 6th 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.
Extracurricular & Community Offerings
Ignite Elite Volleyball (located in Crown Point) will have a 6 session volleyball clinic on Sundays starting April 14th. You can find more information and register at the link provided. https://www.ignite-elite.com/youthprograms
The CPHS Latin Program is offering its 17th annual summer Latin experience to students enrolled in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th grade. This week-long camp will run at CPHS from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. daily during the week of July 8-12. Students will participate in six different sessions each day that will allow them to learn a little Latin as well as extend their knowledge about the ancient Roman civilization and culture (history, mythology, art, etc.). The cost is $55 with a registration deadline of June 3. Additional information is available online here: http://tinyurl.com/LatinSummerFlyer2019. The registration form is available here: http://tinyurl.com/CPLatinSummer.
Special Olympics Fundraiser
Disability Awareness
Yoga For A Cause
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