Parkside Family Newsletter
Newsletter 1: September 2023
Welcome to the 23-24 School Year!
It has been a wonderful start to the 23-24 school year! We started our year with a great first day assembly and look forward to more assemblies and celebrations ahead as we focus on our Parkside Promise (to be respectful, responsible and safe).
Newsletters and Communication
Each month we will share a school newsletter that will highlight things happening in the building and important school information.
In addition to monthly newsletters from the office, you can expect a newsletter (at least 1x per month) from your child's classroom teacher. Additional updates and reminders will be shared through notes home, on Class Dojo and through Skyward Family Access.
Please make sure you are connected to your child's class on Dojo and have an updated email address in Family Access so you are receiving all important building level updates and reminders throughout the year. If you need assistance getting connected please contact the office at 608-328-7130. We are happy to help.
We are so glad to have you as a part of our Parkside Family!
Mrs. Trame
Arrival/ Dismissal Safety
- At this time drop off is allowed on 4th Street (Burger King hill), but this area becomes very congested with bus traffic before and after school. We are requesting that as many families as possible use 10th Avenue (K-2 Playground) as the primary drop zone and meeting place for students in all grades. If traffic congestion does not improve on 4th Street (Burger King hill) this may become a no parking/bus traffic only area for everyone's safety.
- Please refrain from using the front driveway parking area and staff parking lot near the garage/younger kids playground as a meeting spot or crossing area before or after school. For safety reasons, we ask that you use the sidewalks or grass area. We have staff that travel between buildings or are coming and going to meetings during arrival and dismissal and want to avoid foot traffic in these areas.
For the safety of students, the driveway in front of the building is available to buses and staff vehicles only 7:30-8:10am. This is even more important on inclement weather days when visibility is low. Please DO NOT enter the driveway to drop off your student. The safest drop off areas is on the sidewalk along the fence on 10th Ave.
When using the front driveway during the school day, please be cautious of your speed and be sure to STOP at the crosswalk by the front door. This is critical for the safety of our students and visitors.
PBIS at Parkside for 23-24
What is PBIS?
Parkside Elementary School Staff believes that all students have the right to learn in a positive environment that is conducive to the learning process. As a district we follow the Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) model to support all students in their social and emotional development.
Monthly Mission - This is the all school focus for the month. Teachers incorporate this teaching into their morning meetings and daily classroom activities.
Rocket Fuel- Students demonstrating the monthly mission, modeling expected behaviors (Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe) or going above and beyond to help others are celebrated with these coupons. These coupons are entered into a weekly classroom drawing.
All School Celebrations- All Rocket Fuel collected are counted and assist us in achieving a school wide goal allowing us to have a celebration. Our current goal is 2,000 Rocket Fuel coupons!
Reminder: New School Start Time!
Parkside Elementary
2023-2024 School Hours
Morning Playground Supervision 7:30- 7:45 a.m.
*SUPERVISION IS NOT AVAILABLE BEFORE 7:30. FOR SAFETY REASONS STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE DROPPED OFF BEFORE SUPERVISION BEGINS.
Breakfast Served in the Cafeteria 7:30- 7:50 a.m.
Arrival Bell 7:45 a.m.
Class Begins (tardy bell) 7:50 a.m.
Monday -Thursday Dismissal 3:05 p.m.
Friday Dismissal 1:05 p.m.
One of the most important things your child can do to achieve success is going to school every day and being on time. As a parent/guardian, it is crucial to convey the importance of regular, on time attendance to your child. As a reminder, Wisconsin State Law authorizes 10 days of excused absences per parent request per year. After 10 excused absences, a doctor’s note must be provided.
For more important information, please review section 2 of the Parkside Student and Family Handbook. The handbook can be found here: https://www.monroeschools.com/schools/parkside/parents/family-student.cfm
Monroe Homecoming Week- Parkside Spirit Days
In support of Homecoming on Friday, September 22nd, we are showing our pride at Parkside with a week of fun dress-up days! We encourage all of our students and staff to show their school spirit and participate by wearing the appropriate clothing each day the week of September 18. All outfits must be school appropriate and they cannot interfere with classroom learning.
Monday, September 18: Missed my alarm Monday- Wear Pajamas!
Tuesday, September 19: Team Tuesday- Wear your favorite sports team gear or colors
Wednesday, September 20: Wacky Wednesday- Crazy or mismatched sock day
Thursday, September 21: Cheesemakers are "headed" for victory- Wear your favorite, fun or crazy hat
Friday, September 22: Monroe Gear Day- Show your school spirit and dress in red & white. Go Cheesemakers!
Specials Class Update
Unfortunately due to the inability to find a qualified teacher the Elementary Spanish Program previously offered in partnership with Colony Brands will not be a part of our specials block this year. We are very grateful for the support of Colony Brands and the 4 years we were able to offer this program to elementary students.
Additionally due to the inability to find a qualified music teacher for Abraham Lincoln elementary school our elementary district librarian, Heather Newton, will be filling this role. Heather has a music background and will be able to ensure equitable music programming for students at Abraham Lincoln. Due to this staffing adjustment Makerspace rotations will not be a part of the elementary library schedule for the upcoming year. Mrs. Keene and classroom teachers will still offer opportunities for students to check out books, hear stories and explore materials in the library.
My child said they have WIN time. What is that?
What is WIN?
WIN stands for What I Need. This is a time for teachers to meet with small groups to provide a personalized learning experience. WIN is an opportunity for children to receive additional targeted instruction focused specifically on a particular skill. This additional instruction takes place for a minimum of 20 minutes per day, 4 days per week.
Who will my child work with during WIN?
Grade level teachers collaborate and share students during this time to best meet the needs of all learners. Your child may work with any teacher at their grade level, a special education teacher, an interventionist, instructional aide, or independently. WIN is very flexible and groups are always changing to continue meeting students' needs. Depending on the grade level or skill your child may change groups daily, weekly, or monthly.
What will my child do in WIN?
ALL students will participate in WIN groups that meet their needs. This could be an instructional level group that is reviewing current material or an enrichment group that is looking deeper into the standard to promote higher level thinking.
Safety Drills for 23-24
Please review the important information outlined below about safety drills that will be conducted at Parkside during the 23-24 school year.
Fire Drills- It is required that a drill is conducted each month. Students may or may not be notified in advance for these drills. The alarm sounds and students evacuate to designated areas on the playground with their class.
Tornado Drills- It is required that two drills are conducted each year. Students will be notified in advance when a tornado drill will be conducted. Students proceed to designated areas during this drill.
Medical Emergency Drill- One medical emergency drill will be conducted during the school year. A medical emergency could be for a classroom injury or medical event pertaining to any student or staff member. In this type of drill classroom instruction continues while trained staff report to the location of the emergency. Classroom staff are instructed to keep students clear of hallways for privacy and safety in the event emergency personnel have been called to the building.
ALICE Drill- It is required that two drills are conducted each year. Over the course of the week of September 18-22nd, your child will participate in this important safety drill. This drill will be conducted again in the spring.
ALICE is a proactive approach to responding to a dangerous event. ALICE stands for: Alert, Lockdown (hide/barricade), Inform (staff announce information about what they see/hear), Counter (make noise/movements/distractions), and Evacuate (run).
An age appropriate lesson about ALICE will take place in each classroom. Teachers will walk through different scenarios, read a children’s book or share a presentation with the class based on the grade level. The children’s book is titled, “Im Prepared Not Scared” and is available on YouTube if you wish to watch it.
For our fall drills, a classroom level practice with students evacuating the building as a homeroom and proceeding to a designated location off school grounds will also take place. In the spring a full school evacuation will be done.
We understand that safety drills can cause anxiety or fear for students. We encourage you to have conversations at home about these very important topics. We strive to keep all of these drills as routine as possible to ensure students feel comfortable with these procedures in hopes we never need to execute them during school.
Please feel free to contact me at anytime throughout the year if you have questions about our safety procedures or drills.
Thank you,
Mrs. Trame
Visits from Maximus the Therapy Dog
Maximus is a calm and patient listener. He enjoys spending time with our students and even participates in dress up days!
Please let us know if your student has a fear of or allergy to dogs.
Kindergarten & 1st Grade Student Clothes
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
Please Call The Office When...
- Your student is absent or has an appointment.
- You are picking up your student early.
- There is a change to your child's regular pick up routine. We never take the word of a student on their changed plans, we must hear from a parent/guardian.
- You have questions about sick guidelines and need assistance determining if your child should come to school.
- You are wondering if your child has an item in the lost and found.
- You have any other questions- we will do our best to help!
(608) 328-7130 - voicemail messages may be left 24/7
When Should I Keep My Child Home From School?
- Fever over 100.0 degrees
- Vomiting in the past 24 hours.
- Diarrhea- runny, watery or bloody stools.
- Sore throat with fever.
- Rash with fever.
- Eye discharge- "goopy" thick discharge, matted eyelids and pink eyes.
- Cold symptoms that cause sinus or chest pain.
- Coughing up mucus.
Your child should stay home until free from a fever, vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours without medication to control the symptoms. Children often come back too early and have to be sent home again when symptoms return.
Full sick day guidelines are linked below.
Dana Kundert, RN, BSN
District Nurse
Over-the-Counter Medications
If there is not a form signed, per state law and school policy we are not allowed to administer any form of over the counter medication to your student. We can no longer take verbal consent from a parent/guardian to give a medication.
Due to these changes, all current forms on file have been discarded and all students will need a new form on file for 2023-2024 school year. The new signed form will be good through the remainder of their school career in Monroe.
Inclement Weather at Drop Off
When it is raining or there is a negative "feels like" temperature:
- Students arriving on the East side of the building will enter through the K/1 recess doors (door #5).
- Students arriving on the West side of the building will enter through the 3rd grade recess doors (door #10).
- Students will sit in the hallway outside their classrooms to wait for the morning bell to ring, breakfast will be available in the cafeteria like usual.
- Please remember that the front DRIVEWAY IS FOR BUS DROP OFF ONLY.
School Picture Day
Dress your best on Monday, October 16, 2023
NEW PHOTO COMPANY this year!
Order forms will be sent home sometime BEFORE picture day. Watch for more information on how to order. Orders placed prior to picture day are free shipping to school.
Picture re-take day is Friday, November 17, 2023
NO spring picture day
PTO Welcome
In previous years, our PTO has assisted with bus transportation for field trips, purchased a book vending machine and books, educational assemblies, purchased technology, new playground equipment, student PBIS rewards as well as hosting family events at Parkside throughout the year.
PTO meetings are the first Wednesday of each month at 6:00 in the Parkside LMC. The next meeting is October 4th. If you have any questions about Parkside PTO, please email parksideelementarypto@gmail.com.
PTO Officers:
Amanda Hirsch, President
Allison Donovan, Co-Vice President
Samantha Lucas, Co-Vice President
Erin Cassidy, Secretary
Hailey Laws, Treasurer
Download the App and Collect Boxtops for Parkside!
Cold Lunch Milk
Milk for cold lunches are available for purchase for 50 cents. Students can bring cash or they can charge their lunch accounts. There is a parental control option that can be put on the student's account to prohibit lunch charges. If interested, please contact the office. All students have access to water in the lunchroom for free.
Snack milk is covered under the USDA program and is free only to those that qualify. If your family needs a food service application to qualify for financial assistance, please contact the office.
Mindful Moment
Hello all and welcome to the new school year. It seems like once school starts we get caught up in the busyness of school, activities and life. Each month in the newsletter we are going to provide a Mindful Moments corner for parents/caregivers with activities to do with your children. It will also provide information about mindfulness and its benefits.
Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we are doing. When children spend mindful moments fully connecting with their parents/caregivers, they feel less anxiety and have a greater sense of self-value and self-awareness.
Our first tip is simple and easy to implement. Take 5-10 minutes (or more) to spend with your child(ren) sometime in the morning or in the evening, without other distractions (putting the phone aside, turning off the tv,...) and just talk and share about your day. Maybe even asking simple questions like "What is your favorite ice cream? What is your favorite color? etc.
~Mrs. Houston
PTO Clothing Order
Calendar of Upcoming Events
*all events are subject to change at any time
Week of September 18: Homecoming dress-up days
September 22: Homecoming Parade 2pm (no bus transportation), Homecoming game 7pm
September 20: 5th grade field trip
September 26: 4th grade field trip
October 4: 5th grade field trip, PTO Meeting 6-7pm Parkside LMC
October 6: No School
October 16: School Picture Day
October 18: Unity Day
October 26: PTO Fall Fun Day (during school)
October 27: No School
October 30/31: PTO Bullets Pizza Fundraiser
November 8-16: PTO Fall Book Fair Parkside LMC (times TBD)
November 9: Fall Conferences 4-7pm
November 16: Fall Conferences 4-7pm
November 17: Picture re-take day
November 21: PTO Bowling Fundraiser Day (during school)
November 22-27: No School
December 18: Parkside 2nd/3rd Grade Concert @ MHS PAC 6:30
December 25-January 1: Winter Break No School
January 10: 3rd Grade field trip
January 12: End of Semester 1
January 15: No School
February 22: PTO family movie night
February 23: No School
March 4: Parkside Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Concert @ MHS PAC 6:30
March 14: Spring Conferences (by invite only)
March 21: Combined Elementary Chorus Concert 5th Grade @ MHS PAC 7pm
March 25-29: Spring Break No School
April 8-12: PTO spring book fair Parkside LMC (times TBD)
April 11: Parkside Open House 4:30-6:30
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)