PAW PRINTS
Winfield Elementary Newsletter - February 1, 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
Next week is National School Counseling Week. We are privileged to work with a wonderful school counselor, Mrs. Jamie Williams, who works hard to meet the needs of our almost 500 students daily. If you see her in the car rider line next week, please take a quick moment to express your thanks!
WINTERFEST, the biggest CAFE fundraiser of the year, is only a few days away! This single event sustains a third of the CAFE’s yearly operating budget! Please mark your calendars for Friday, February 7th from 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. for food and fun!
We still need MANY volunteers to make this event work! Can you give 75 minutes of your time? PLEASE SIGN UP HERE: WINTERFEST 2020
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 663-2287 ext. 19001
Kindergarten Registration 2020-2021
Teacher & Employee Of The Year Nominations
Outstanding Teacher of the Year & Employee of the Year
Recognition Program
The Crown Point Community School Corporation is accepting nominations for the “Teacher of the Year” and “Employee of the Year” who will serve during the 2020-2021 school year.
The CPCSC will select a “Teacher of the Year” recipient for each of the following:
· Elementary Teacher Grades PK-5
· Secondary Teacher Grades 6-12
The CPCSC will also select an “Employee of the Year” recipient for the classified staff.
Students, former students, parents, colleagues, administrators, or members of the general public may nominate a CPCSC teacher and/or classified employee. There is no limit to the number of teachers or classified employees a person may nominate. Please complete a separate nomination form for each teacher and/or classified employee you wish to nominate.
A selection committee made up of CPCSC administration and community members will narrow the nominations. The selection committee will interview and evaluate the final nominees and select a winner for each category. Winners will be announced at a School Board meeting in May.
Complete nomination forms online...
Nomination forms must be received no later than Monday, March 2, 2020, to be considered.
Any additional question, please contact:
Diana Green
Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent
219-663-3371 ext. 10223
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Williams
February 3rd-7th is National School Counseling week! School Counselors contribute in many ways to support our students, families, and staff. Below are some insights about the School Counseling profession and what we do:
- School Counselors have a Master’s degree or Educational Specialist Degree.
- We focus on 3 major areas: Personal/Social, Career, and Academics.
- We are trained in crisis counseling which includes issues such as grief, threat of suicide, and abuse.
- We often refer students/families to mental health and other community resources.
- We maintain student confidentiality unless the student is in danger: being hurt by someone, or going to hurt someone else.
- We provide short-term counseling, often solution-focused therapy.
- We maintain a non-judgmental approach.
- We are no longer called “Guidance Counselors”.
- We support students through individual, small group, and classroom counseling lessons.
- We collaborate with teachers, administration, parents, community resources and agencies.
- School Counselors follow ethical guidelines in all the work we do.
- School Counselors have national standards through the American School Counselor Association.
Fact: Over half of all U.S. states do not require counselors in schools for grades K–12. However, more and more states are beginning to understand how essential counseling can be and how it can positively impact students' lives. At this time, 23 states require schools with students in grades K–8 and 9–12 to have counselors. (Source: Bradley University)
I am so thrilled to be a part of a school district that has made it a priority and embraces having school counselors in EVERY building to support our students!!
Why I love being a school counselor: Every day is a new opportunity to support our students and their families. Every day I get to make a positive impact and advocate for students. It doesn’t get any cooler than that!!
Thank you Winfield families for supporting the work I do!
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 663-2287 ext. 19108
From Mrs. Adams, Positive Behavior Coach
Hello, Winfield families!
Over in PBIS land, we are all about the emotions. Emotion management plays a vital role in both a child's academic and personal life, and recognizing one's feelings helps to keep emotions in check. As adults, we understand that it is difficult to think straight and make good decisions when emotions are intense, but children need the skills and tools necessary to maintain a sense of calm. Strong feelings of anger can lead to aggressive behavior, and children may also struggle to make good choices when they experience other intense feelings. Recognizing and labeling feelings in oneself and others facilitates problem solving, self-management, and social-emotional competence. Focusing on bodily signs of strong emotions (hot face, racing heart, sweaty palms, sick stomach, wobbly legs) helps children recognize distressing emotions that might require managing.
One way to manage these emotions is with a "mindful minute". The goal of a mindful minute is to focus (for just a minute...or two, or three) on being aware of what you are sensing and feeling in the moment. Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind to help reduce stress and control emotions that are taking over a child's body. GoZen! (www.gozen.com) provides various online mindfulness programs, activities, and blogs for children. These programs promote confidence, courage, and resilience...all of which go hand in hand with managing strong emotions.
The YouTube channel, Fablefy - The Whole Child, provides many mindfulness videos, and the following is a mindful minute that I have used in classrooms to help students get to a state of calm so they can determine what they are feeling and manage those emotions appropriately: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTrl2yxO79g. After participating in the quick, one minute exercise, students reported that they enjoyed the stillness and quiet, and also, they actually felt calm afterward. A big win for just a minute of our time!
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 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.
Junior Achievement Is Coming To Winfield!
Reading Connection
This month features decoding strategies, writing, silent reading and more!
From the School Nurse, Mrs. Taylor
Children must be fever free for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medication) before returning to school. If your child visits the doctor and is absent from school, please provide documentation upon your return so we may record his/her attendance appropriately.
Practice frequent hand-washing, covering sneezes and coughs, and maintain a healthy diet to combat colds and flu this winter.
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 663-2287 ext. 19081
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
Note: If you are a car rider, we will provide your with a nameplate for your window. 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.
School Attendance
Regular school attendance is critical to a child's success. We recognize that being at school on time, all day, every day is the responsibility of the entire family. We are excited to implement some new incentives this year.
ATTENDANCE GOAL: 96%
ATTENDANCE ACTUAL: 94%
From the Cafeteria
Understanding the Lunch Line: A Parent's Guide
Meal Prices
Student Breakfast: $1.50 Student Lunch: $2.35 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.
Contact Information:
Winfield Elementary- 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 1.2020
Cafeteria Menu: Week of February 3
MONDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza OR Breakfast Bar/Cereal
Lunch: Clucking Chicken Nuggets, Mashed Potatoes/Gravy, Crunchy Carrots, Crazy Applesauce, Roll
TUESDAY
Breakfast: Whole Grain Muffins OR Cereal, Poptart
Lunch: Pretzel & Cheese, Garden Salad, Golden Peaches
WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Sandwich OR Confetti Pancakes
Lunch: NO LUNCH SERVED- Half Day
THURSDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Burrito OR Whole Grain Donuts
Lunch: Cheeseburger Deluxe OR Hot Diggity Dog, Smiley Fries, Garden Salad,
Pineapple Tidbits
FRIDAY
Breakfast: Pancake Wrap OR Cereal / Poptart
Lunch: Bosco Sticks & Sauce, Roasted Carrots, Fresh Broccoli Florets, Juice Rush
Guest Lunch
Student Last Names A-K: February 7, April 3
Student Last Names L-Z: March 6, May 1
The following guidelines apply:
- ONE guest per student
- No younger siblings permitted
- No Fast Food (i.e. McDonald's)
- Pre-register by calling the office at least ONE DAY in advance
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
February 2020
5- Half Day Dismissal @ 12:14 pm
7- Winterfest 5-9 pm
17- No School
25- Kindergarten Registration for 2020-2021 School Year
CAFE News
Midwest Gymnastics
Our next Open Gym night of the year will be held on Saturday, February 1st! Join us 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, and Mrs. Alonzo always joins in! Please direct any questions to Kim Neff at kimneff31@yahoo.com.
Apples for the Students
Do you shop at Strack and Van Til? If so, please send your receipts in to the Winfield School office. We are collecting receipts dated September 1, 2019 through March 2nd, 2020. Ask your friends and relatives to save their receipts and send in to school! We will count the value of the register tapes and redeem them for great items that benefit our students and classrooms! Please contact Amy Schaafsma at aschaafs@gmail.com with any questions.
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
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