Ruschies Rock! Review
December 5, 2021 - Vol IV
Calendar of Upcoming Events
December 10
December 17
NO SCHOOL HOLIDAY BREAK
December 24, 2021 - Jan 2, 2022
RETURN TO SCHOOL Mon Jan 3, 2022
BOOK FAIR
December 16-22
Parents can shop in the cafeteria from 7:40-8:15 AM on Dec. 16, 17, 20, 21.
and after school from 3:30-4 PM on Dec. 16, 20, 21.
MUSIC PROGRAM RECORDING
December 15 - Remember to dress your student(s) appropriately
A Message From the Principal
I have been so impressed with the phonics work I see from students K-3. At home you will notice students sounding out words as they read and spell/write. Encourage these skills when reading with your child by having them sound out words they don't know with you. When they ask you how to spell a word, have them identify the sounds and then write the letter or letters that make the sounds they hear. The work ethic of our older students has been impressive as well as they continue increasing their reading and math skills.
During December we will do a secure hold drill with students. I will send out a message to students so they know it is only a drill and something we practice to keep them safe much like fire drills. I wanted parents to know in case students talk about the drill with you at home or you have any questions.
I am so thankful for the hard work of all of our staff members and grateful to them for all they do for students. Thank you as well to all our parents, relatives, and community members for all the support they provide our students. I wish all of you the best of health and happiness as we head into 2022!
Mrs. Gulrud
Email: gulruda@portage.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.portage.k12.wi.us/schools/rusch/
Location: 117 West Franklin Street, Portage, WI, USA
Phone: (608) 742-7376
A Message from your Dean of Students
Greetings Rusch Elementary Students and Families,
It's difficult to believe it's December already! Last month, our Ruschies learned a great deal about the character trait of perseverance. Now that the school year is in full swing, students are starting to tackle more rigorous content and they have done a fantastic job of persevering through challenging tasks. I have truly enjoyed witnessing their accomplishments regularly.
This month, students are going to learn about the character trait of empathy. Students demonstrate empathy when they can identify, understand, and sympathize with the emotional state, needs, and feelings of others, then respond in a helpful, supportive, and/or encouraging manner.
A few ways that you can help your student develop this skill at home include:
-Hold conversations that require one person to simply listen rather than talk/respond
-Engage in conversations that focus on recognizing the needs of others
-Learn about the different cultures and backgrounds of other individuals living in the community
-Get to know a neighbor or family member that you don't know very well
I am so proud of all the students at Rusch Elementary! Their hard work and open-minded dispositions are truly inspiring to all the staff at Rusch Elementary. I look forward to working with the students more as the year progresses.
Ms. VanderSchaaf
Winter Weather is Here!
Closings and Delays
District families will be notified via automated phone and/or email messages when there will be a delay or school closing.
Students and parents are encouraged to listen to local radio and television stations for further updates. If school is delayed for 2 hours, keep listening because school may be canceled entirely if the weather does not improve.
It is very important that your child’s school has the most current phone numbers and email addresses in order to receive messages. Call Rusch main office with ANY changes: 608-742-7376.
Message from Administrator Joshua Sween on 12/3
"Remember that if it becomes necessary to close schools due to inclement weather, we will do our best to make that call by noon the day prior to an event. That will give us time to prepare technology and work for virtual or remote learning and allow families to make the necessary arrangements as well. There may be some instances where surprise weather situations come up and it will be necessary to cancel school the morning of the event. If that happens it will be considered a true snow day and there will be no expectations of learning on those days. They will also need to be made up at the end of the year in the second week of June.
THOUGHTS FROM RUSCH MATH INTERVENTIONISTS
How can I help my student with math at home?
Portage School District has put a lot of effort into helping students reach their full potential in both math & reading. As math interventionists, we have been working through an intervention program to help some of our students that are or have been struggling in math. There are things all families can do to help their student(s) in math. Start playing number games with your kids when they are young and keep playing them! It's great to play other fun games with your kids, but be mindful to offer them games with dice that have dots, cards that have numbers on them, money to count (rather than a calculator in games like Monopoly), and spaces to move around and count on an actual board. You can even make up your own games made out of a cereal box here's how Piggy and Elephant writer Mo Willems made his. Offer to play a game with your child and their friend, or consider gifting one of these games to your child or nieces or nephews to help build a strong foundation in math.
Especially for K1st grade, but good for any age:
1. Play card games like War, spoons, Go Fish, or Uno - these games are a great way to connect with your child and give them personal attention while helping them to learn what numbers look like, the relationship between numbers (which are greater than or less than others), and that these are games they can play with friends or siblings that don't require a computer or tablet. As an added bonus, you might also be able to get in a question or two about how their day was.
2. Play board games with them - Monopoly Junior, Sorry, Trouble, even CandyLand (try using a die instead of the color cards and having something special happen if they land on the "special" card spots) are great games for building one to one counting and number recognition. For older children, you might want to try Sums in Space, Shut the Box, and regular Monopoly. If you are afraid it will take too long to play a game, try putting stickers on an extra die you can pick up from the dollar store and writing the number 7-12 in place of the numbers 1-6. Many students in these grades struggle to recognize, say, or sometimes count to 12. Ask your child to count to 20, if they struggle with 13 and 14, put those numbers on instead - customize the game to your child. Changing up the numbers on the die will shorten game time and increase their exposure to these numbers. If you really want to challenge them you could always have them or an older sibling have to count backwards when they play the game.
3. See if you can find some dominos. Playing any game where students are required to match different patterns on the dominos requires a lot of counting. If done enough, students will recognize what certain numbers on a die, or in this case a domino, look like automatically without having to count them. The fancy word for this is subitizing and it helps students prepare for the more complex thinking required in 2nd grade and beyond.
Look for more ideas for older students in the next newsletter. Good luck and have fun playing!
Mr. Levendoski and Mrs. Sween
Office Open at 7:30
BOOK FAIR HAPPENING Dec 15-22
Looking for holiday gift ideas?
Books make the perfect presents!
Scholastic Bookfair will be held at Rusch Dec. 16-22nd.Flyers will be coming home with students.
-Parents can shop in the cafeteria from 7:40-8:15 AM on Dec. 16, 17, 20, 21, 22
and after school from 3:30-4 PM on Dec. 16, 20, 21, 22.
-eWallet option if you don't want to send money with your student.
-Students will be able to shop at their lunch on Dec. 16, 17, and 20.
-Gift wrapping will be available.
If you are interested in setting up an eWallet for your student to use at the book fair, follow this link. (Some parents choose to do this so they won't have to send students with cash). You put funds in their eWallet and if they don't spend the funds, the money can be used at future fairs or is returned through a gift card. Family and friends can also deposit money into your student's eWallet if you share the link with them.
FROM ANGIE KENAS, COUNSELOR
Dear Families,
In November, we focused on solving problems at all grade levels. Though asking for help is an important skill, there are many problems, or conflicts, that students can solve themselves. In kindergarten and first grade, we talk about “Big Deals and Little Deals” to determine what problems need to be reported to adults and what can be solved by students. We also learn simple strategies students can use to solve these problems.
In second grade, we review Big Deals and Little Deals as well as introduce Kelso’s Choices. Kelso’s Choices are then taught and reviewed from second through fifth grade. Kelso’s Choices include nine strategies for solving conflicts.
Check out the visuals below to see strategies students are learning. Encourage your child to find ways to solve kid-sized problems on their own. As always, please reach out if there is anything I can do to support your student or family.
Angie Kenas
School Counselor
HOLIDAY MUSIC PROGRAM RECORDED
The winter program is coming soon! We will be recording the Rusch winter music program on Wednesday, December 15th and then sending a video program out to the Rusch families. Please send your student(s) to school on Wednesday, December 15th dressed in nice, concert-appropriate clothes.
If you have any questions about the program, feel free to contact Miss Janes at: janese@portage.k12.wi.us
"Warrior of the Weeks" enjoy lunch.
November Warriors celebrated on Dec 3rd.
Keep being good role models for others.
GEOGRAPHY BEE
Artsonia Artist of the Week
NURSING NOTES
We are expanding our Portage High School located covid-19 testing site days & hours. This is still a non-public testing site, but we will have testers onsite Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on days school is in session. This does include our inservice Mondays as staff will be expected to be in-house. This does not include holiday breaks or if we close due to inclement weather.
Here is a handout how/where to register:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x5ZDwnwoARR0NMJa3TB5ug-DDozQEpHB/view
School Located COVID-19 Testing Location
Portage Community School District is partnering with Accelerated Clinical Laboratories to provide PCR COVID-19 testing for district family and staff households. This service is being provided as a courtesy through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services K-12 Testing Program at no cost to participants and will be located at the Portage High School.
Testing will be available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. beginning Tuesday, December 7, 2021. No service will be provided during school vacations or inclement weather days.
Pre-registration, including parental consent if necessary, is required and can be accessed through COVID Connect system.
This testing site is drive-thru access only at Door 35 of the Portage High School. * To get to Door 35, drive past the high school’s main entrance and turn left into the far driveway on the east side of the building. Pull up to Door 35. Park your car and knock on the door. Be ready to present your registration QR code provided during pre-registration for each person at each visit.
Sitio Para Pruebas De COVID-19
El Distrito Escolar de Portage se ha juntado con Accelerated Clinical Laboratories para hacer pruebas PCR de COVID-19 para las familias y personal dentro del distrito. Este servicio se proporciona como cortesía de parte del programa Wisconsin Department of Health Services K-12 Testing sin costo alguno a los participantes, y se llevará a cabo en Portage High School.
Las pruebas se van a hacer lunes a la viernes desde las 9:00 de la mañana hasta las 3:00 de la tarde empezando el martes, 7 de diciembre. Estos servicios no serán disponibles durante días de vacación o descanso por motivo de mal tiempo.
Se requiere registrarse con anticipación, incluyendo el permiso de un padre si se requiere, por medio del sistema COVID Connect system.
El acceso al sitio es solamente en auto por medio de la Puerta 35 de Portage High School. * Para llegar a la Puerta 35, pase la entrada principal de la high school y doble a mano izquierda en la última entrada del lado este del edificio. Acérquese a la Puerta 35. Estacione su auto y toque en la puerta. Tenga a mano su código QR que recibió durante el proceso de registrarse para cada persona en cada visita.
INTRODUCING RUSCH STUDENT COUNCIL
The students created a video to promote their skills/knowledge for why they would make a good student council member and then an election was held.
The following students were elected into their positions.
Lindsay- President
Davin- Vice President
Ella- Treasurer
Sophia- Secretary
Dominick- Student Representative
Kathryn- Student Representative
Ruby- Student Representative