Westside Elementary
October 2016
News from the Principal
October 2016
Dear Westside Families,
Wow! We have had a truly amazing first three weeks
of school and it really shows in the smiles that are on
the faces of our students and staff.
We have implemented several new things in this
short time including Mindful Mornings, Family
Groups, a new system to reward our Above the Line
Wildcats and hall passes. I am in awe of how Above
the Line our students have been these first few
weeks and how hard they have all worked to learn
the routines and expectations here at Westside.
On Friday, September 16th, we celebrated the
incredibly positive start to the 2016/17 school year
with a “Drop Everything and Draw Party!” Students
came out of their classrooms to draw on large sheets
of paper that lined our hallway. We drew, laughed,
talked, listened to music and enjoyed each others
company. It was a wonderful way to celebrate our
Westside Community.
I am looking so forward to watching your children grow and learn throughout this
school year!
Warmly,
Ms. Burke
Westside Elementary
October 2016
It’s getting cold out there!
Upcoming Events
Cherrydale Fundraiser Kickoff
Tuesday, October 4
Orders due Tuesday, October 18th
Please make sure your child has cold weather gear including:
Coats and caps
Waterproof gloves and mittens (knit mittens get wet easily)
Waterproof boots (fashion boots are best for indoors)
From the Lunchroom
Daily Meal Prices 2016-2017
No School
Friday, October 7
OPTS Meeting
Tuesday, October 11
6:00 -7:00 p.m.
1st Grade Field Trip
Schuster’s Farm
Thursday, October 13
10:00 a.m.- 1:40 p.m.
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Elementary Breakfast
Reduced Breakfast
Elementary Lunch
Reduced Lunch
Adult breakfast
Adult lunch
Milk
$1.20
$0.30
$2.45
$0.40
$1.60
$3.50
$0.35
NOTE: If you plan to eat hot lunch with your student, please call the
office by 8:45 a.m. to place your order. Adult meals should be paid
during the lunch period that day. Exact change is required.
Like us on Facebook!
Check it out for updates, happenings and celebrations at Westside!
Westside Picture Day
Friday, October 14
Family Fun Night
Friday, October 14
6:00 -7:30 p.m.
Burrachos Share Night
(students must attend with an adult)
Burrachos Share Night
Wednesday, October 19
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Family Fun Night
Friday, November 4
6:00-7:30 p.m.
(students must attend with an adult)
Wednesday, October 19th
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Join us for great Mexican food while helping to raise money for
Westside! Mention that you are from Westside and 25% of the
sales will be donated to our school.
4th Grade Gym is Off to the Pool
All 4th grade classes will be going to the High School for
swimming on the following Tuesdays from 9:45-11:15 a.m.
October 4th
October 18th
October 11th
October 25th
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Westside Elementary
October 2016
New Programs at Westside
PBIS at Westside
PBIS (Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports)
is Westside’s way of teaching expectations at
school. This year we have changed our “Green
PAWS” to reinforce the positive behaviors the staff
see everyday. When your child receives 25 Green
PAWS, they can select from a variety of prizes
which include time with a teacher, wear a hat for the
day, a no homework pass, and many more.
How can you help?
Ask your child/children to
see their Green PAWS, how
many Green PAWS they
have, and praise them for
doing a great job at
following
“The Westside Way”.
Together (Families, students, and staff) we will see
your child learn, have fun, and take pride in being a
Wildcat!!!
Westside Family Groups
There is no denying that the most important people in
children’s lives are their family. At Westside, our
staff knows this and appreciates everything you
do! We thank you for entrusting us with your
children. We are trying something new this year to
build a positive community atmosphere where
students feel respected and safe. To help do this, we
have created School Family Groups that consist of
two or more adults and 2-4 students per grade-level.
We have 28 total School Family Groups! During
September, we met weekly and loved getting to know
students from different grade-levels and different
adults who work at Westside! We will continue to
meet with our School Families throughout the school
year.
Alternative Lunch Recess
What is Makerspace? It is an "opportunity for student to explore their own interests; use tools and materials,
both physical and virtual to develop creative projects."
It will be a two week focused-based project using S.T.E.A, M. (M) Science, Technology, Engineering, Art,
Math, (Motivation)
Who can participate?
Any student grades 1-5
This is totally optional - 2 students per classroom will have an opportunity at a time. After the two week
period, the next 2 students will have an opportunity.
When does the opportunity begin?
Students sign up in the library. After lunch, the student will go to Room 110 and work on their project.
The 1st session will be Sept 19-30, 2016.
Any questions – please contact Mrs. Reindl at [email protected] or 608-834-7504 .
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Westside Elementary
October 2016
School Updates
Literacy Corner
When children read books that are a "just right" fit they gain confidence in their abilities and are more likely
to stay focused on their reading and interest in their book. But how do you know if your child is reading a
"just right" book? There are a few simple things that you can do at home to support your child. First, have
your child read the front and back cover as well as the first page of the book. If three to five words are
mispronounced or misunderstood, the book may be too difficult. Assist your child in finding a book that is a
better fit. Finding the "just right" fit will help your reader feel successful.
Kelly Brunker, Reading Resource Teacher
Phone: 608-834-7517
Email: [email protected]
Finding Neverland Lending
Library
Would You Like to Make a Difference?
VOLUNTEER WITH
SCHOOLS OF HOPE!
Schools of Hope is an AmeriCorps Project that helps
promote literacy in schools.
Volunteer 30 minutes to 1 hour of your time per week to
read with a student in a one-on-one setting.
Your time can make all the difference!
What is it? A free library for students and
families!
WHERE: Outside the main library at
Westside/BVCS
HOW: Stop by and grab a book! Keep it,
share it or return it. You decide! Donations
are welcome too. Just place in the basket.
Questions? Contact Nichole Schick
at [email protected] or (608)225-6834
Contact Nichole Schick at [email protected]
or [email protected] for more info!
Westside Wish List
Our staff has put together a list of items that would be greatly appreciated. All donations are welcome! You
can drop them off in the office. Thank you for your support!
Athletic pants (sz 5-8)
New girls underwear (sz 4)
Packs of markers
Yellow highlighters
Clear Packing Tape
Gift cards in small amounts for prizes
White construction paper
Black dry erase markers (fine and regular point)
Rulers
Scissors
AA Batteries
Our staff lounge is in need of a new microwave and toaster oven
Any type of art supplies or tech materials would be useful for our MakerSpace program
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Westside Elementary
October 2016
School Updates
A Math Message from Mrs. Monday, Reading and Math Resource
Now that we are settled into our school routine you’re likely seeing Math homework and may have more
questions than answers about what your student is bringing home. First of all, let me assure you that although
Math may look different from how you learned it in elementary school, 2+2 still equals 4 and the square root
of 9 is still 3! Wisconsin is among the 42 states that adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The
Everyday Math program is the tool that our teachers use to teach the Math standards.
Many parents may feel overwhelmed with how to help their student(s) with Math
homework since it appears so different than how they were taught. You may wonder
if it is even worth trying to explain “the old way” to your young mathematician. I’d
like to offer a couple of ideas to try at home when this comes up.
1. Take turns being the teacher. Your child is used to you being the teacher, or the leader, in your house.
Switch roles and ask him/her to teach you how to solve the Math problem. As your child begins to explain the
steps or reasons behind their answers, he/she will gain a deeper understanding of the concepts being taught.
Then you take a turn being the teacher, showing off how you learned how to solve the same problem! This
will also provide your child with an opportunity to think flexibly about Math.
2. Become a Math Mind Reader. Choose two or three problems to try to “read” your child’s mind by
guessing the steps he/she took to solve them. For example, when solving a problem involving adding two
dimes, a quarter, and a nickel, you might say, “Let me guess! You know that two dimes and the nickel were
the same as one quarter, and you know that two quarters equals 50 cents, so that meant the answer was 50
cents!” If your child says that yes, you read his/her mind, congratulate yourself and say, “Well, my next
guess was going to be…” If your child says no, guess another way until you get it right. Either way, you are
enforcing the idea that there is more than one way to solve a problem, which is a big part of Common Core!
As different (and at times, intimidating!) Math may seem, be assured that you will continue to be an
important source of help for your child when working on Math at home. If you have any questions or would
like additional ideas about how to tackle Math homework, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me!
Mrs. Monday
Phone: 608-834-7511
Email: [email protected]
Elementary School Science Program Upgraded!
The Sun Prairie Area School District updated our elementary science curriculum over the summer. The Next
Generation Science Standards will be implemented using National Geographic texts and digital resources,
including pictures in two-page lesson spreads and "leveled" reading books aligned with units. Our Westside
student scientists will not only be reading about scientists around the world, but will also be conducting science
experiments to learn about the world around them.
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Westside Elementary
October 2016
School Updates: Advanced Learner Program Update
The Advanced Learner Program (ALP) is excited to be back and involved in the education of our students. I
want to take this opportunity to update you on work that was done this summer and plans we have for the
school year.
My name is Mrs. Tobie Langhans and I am the ALP Specialist at both Creekside and Westside. This is my
second year in this role at both schools. This year, those of us travelling between two elementary schools will
be trying a new schedule rotation. We will be spending roughly a week at a time at each school before
switching elementary schools. This should allow us to dig a little deeper with learners and collaborate more
with classroom teachers. We are also trying a new communication tool that will hopefully allow us to update
families on ALP servicing on a consistent basis. For this 2016-17 school year, I most look forward to spending
more time with students and classrooms as we worked very hard to implement the new identification process
last year. Please browse through the Advanced Learner webpage on the district website and email me if you
have any questions. I hope all of the Coyote and Wildcat families have a fantastic school year!
Our staff met throughout the summer to develop wonderful, challenging and exciting tasks for our students
who are up for the challenge. Teachers as well as ALP staff will give students opportunities to extend their
learning by taking their ideas to a deeper level. We want our students to inquire, question and go outside their
comfort zone to develop their thinking, writing and reading to a much higher level. This can be challenging as
well as frustrating for students but the goal is to have our students become lifelong learners.
Last spring our Advanced Learner Parent Advisory group met for the first time. This group is made up of a
representative from each school and will meet three times a year with myself and ALP staff. The purpose of
the Advisory Group is to:
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identify common needs and goals among the parents of students enrolled in the Advanced Learners
Program in the Sun Prairie School District and facilitate strategies to increase the efficiency and
effectiveness of their school’s Advanced Learners Program.
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provide the coordinator with feedback and insight from the parent’s perspective on school process, policies
and initiatives to ensure that the needs of parents and their families are included as decisions are made in
the district.
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bring to the coordinator’s attention existing and emerging issues expressed by parents at the school they
represent.
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serve as an advisory, not a decision-making body, that makes recommendations, encourages brainstorming
and provides opportunities for parent involvement on
committees and task forces.
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facilitate communication between and among the parents
from different district schools and serve as a forum for
sharing innovations and best practices from around the
district.
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Westside Elementary
October 2016
Advanced Learner Program Update (continued)
The representative for your school is listed below. If you have things you would like us to discuss or have a
questions, please contact them so they can bring your thoughts to our meetings. We still have one seat
available for Westside, CH Bird, and PPA. Please email me if you are interested:
[email protected]
School
Parent
Email
CH Bird
OPEN
Creekside
Ardi Sabapathy
[email protected]
Eastside
Jessica or Mike Rausch
[email protected]
Horizon
Marcie Johnson
[email protected]
Northside
Jennifer Diallo
[email protected]
Royal Oaks
Amy Martens
[email protected]
Westside
OPEN
Patrick Marsh
Nick Ortner
Penny Clark
[email protected]
[email protected]
Prairie View
Molly Breyer
[email protected]
Cardinal Heights
Connie Kostelac
[email protected]
Sun Prairie High School
Julie Thorstad-White
[email protected]
PPA
OPEN
I would like to extend to you an invitation to the following Parent Learning Sessions that we will be offering
the last Wednesday of each month (except December) at District Office in the training warehouse - room 100
at 6:00 pm. These are free events for parents of higher level learners. Please email
klensta@sunprairieschools by the Friday prior to the session to sign up so we can plan appropriately. These
ideas were brought forward from our Parent Advisory group.
Parent Learning Sessions 2016-2017 School Year (last Wednesday of the month)
District Office Room 100 6:00-7:00 pm *schedule subject to change
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September 28 - Meet and Greet other parents of ALP
October 26 - What is AVID? Overview of AVID Strategies
November 30 - Reading: How to find books for your students grade level
December - none
January 25- Math
February 22 - Personalized Learning
March 29 - How to help your child being an advocate for themselves
April 26 - Executive Functioning
May 31 - Summer Opportunities
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Westside Elementary
October 2016
Advanced Learner Program Update (continued)
Finally, we are offering a SENG Model Parent Groups in Sun Prairie this year. SENG stands for Supporting
Emotional Needs of Gifted children. In 1981, SENG established guidelines for SENG-Model Parent Support
Groups. SENG Model Parent Groups are structured to bring together 10 to 20 interested parents of gifted and
talented children to discuss such topics as motivation, discipline, stress management, and peer relationships.
The co-facilitators of the group, though they are knowledgeable about parenting and about educating gifted/
talented children, do not attempt to give expert advice to families. Instead their facilitation provides a nonjudgmental and nurturing atmosphere. The parents of the high ability children are themselves a rich resource
of information, and they are able to get fresh ideas from other parents and from A Parent’s Guide to Gifted
Children, the book around which the sessions are organized. This group will meet weekly for approximately
8-10 weeks. Watch your school newsletter or Advanced Learner Website for dates and times.
Important Dates for the 2016-2017 School Year
Dates
Event
Time/Where/Grade
September 12, 2016
AP Scholar Night
6:00 pm at the HS
September 21, 2016
ALP Parent Information Night
6:30 - 7:30 CHUMS Auditorium
October 10, 2016
Yahara Projects Begin
Grades 5-8
October 11, 2016
AP/College Night
6:00 at HS in Auditorium
Wed., October 19, 2016
NUMATS Parent Meeting
CHUMS auditorium at 5:30 pm
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Science Fair Declaration of Intent Due
Patrick Marsh, Eastside, Northside,
Bird
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Science Fair
PMMS, Eastside, Northside, and Bird Grades K-7
Friday, January 6,. 2017
Final Edits of Yahara Projects due
Grades 5-8
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Math24 Tournaments (grades 4-8)
Hosted by WCATY at UW Madison
9:00-11:00 am 4th and 5th grade
12:00-2:00 pm 6th, 7th and 8th grade
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Local 7th and 8th grade Math Meet
8-noon @ District Office
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Local 5th and 6th grade Math Meet
8-noon @ District Office
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Regional 5th and 6th Math Meet
Hosted by Sun Prairie at QBE
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Regional 7th and 8th Math Meet
Hosted by Sun Prairie at QBE
If you notice above, we have changed the format of the K-8 Science Fair so that half of the schools will
participate one year, and the other half, the next year. Do not fret if your school is not participating this year,
you can attend as an observer and get great ideas for next year!
If you ever have any questions, please contact the ALP Specialist for your student’s building. I am available at
the District Office at (608)834-6586 or by email [email protected] to help in any way. Have a
wonderful start to the new year.
Kathy Enstad, Advanced Learner Coordinator, AVID District Director
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Westside Elementary
October 2016
For Parents
LOVE AND LOGIC FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN BIRTH TO 6
Early Childhood Parenting Made Fun!
A five-week parenting program designed by the Love and Logic Institute to help parents learn to:
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Show their tots that whining and arguing do not pay
Put an end to misbehavior in public
Smooth out mornings and bedtimes
Calm sibling bickering and battling
Take the battle out of meal times, tooth brushing, bathing, etc.
Make potty training fun
Teach respect, responsibility, and self-discipline
And much, much, more!
Love allows children to grow through their mistakes. Logic allows them to live with the consequences of their
choices.
This 5-week class will be facilitated by Sally Drenoske, Early Childhood Teacher (and parent of one and Early
Childhood Teacher). The class is designed to give you practical skills that can be used immediately. This class
is open to all parents of children between 0 and 6 years old.
We will meet on Tuesday evenings from 4:45 – 7:30 p.m. at Westside School, 1320 Buena Vista Drive, Sun
Prairie, on the following dates:
October 4
October 11
October 18
October 25
November 7
A family meal is provided from 4:45-5:20 in the cafeteria with ten minutes to get your children settled in for
child care. Class starts precisely at 5:30 in the multi-purpose room across the hall.
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Childcare will be provided by SP High School Child Development Students in the cafeteria for children
up to 12 years of age.
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Cost is $10.00 per family for the entire class (includes workbook, supplies, dinner and child
care). Bring your $10 to the first class. Checks can be made out to SPASD.
Please contact Sally Drenoske, Early Childhood Teacher, at 834-6574 or
[email protected] (email is preferred) to register for this class. If you call, please leave a
message with your name, phone number, names and ages of any children you would like childcare for during
the class, and if you plan to eat dinner with us. Register now – space is limited!
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Westside Elementary
October 2016
Buena Vista After - School and Evening Programming Fall 2016
ADULT PROGRAMS
English in the Schools classes taught by the Literacy Network will again be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings
beginning September 26 – November 16. At 5 pm, a light meal will be provided with the classes beginning at 5:30 pm
and ending at 7 pm. Child care will be provided. There is no cost for this program. To register, please call the Literacy
Network at 608-244-3911.
Healthy Cooking and Active Lifestyle classes taught by UW-Extension will be held on Monday evenings beginning
October 3 – November 28. At 5 pm, a light meal will be provided with the classes beginning at 5:30 pm and ending at 7
pm. Child care will be provided. There is no cost for this program. To register, please call Zulema at 608-224-3698 or
via email at [email protected]. Note: This class is designed for Spanish speaking adults.
Computer classes and Pre-GED classes taught by the Latino Academy will be held on Monday evenings (Computer)
and Wednesday evenings (Pre-GED) beginning September 26 – November 16. At 5 pm, a light meal will be provided
with the classes beginning at 5:30 pm and ending at 7 pm. Child care will be provided. There is no cost for this
program. To register, please call the Latino Academy at 608-310-4573. Note: This class is designed for Spanish
speaking adults.
Becoming a Love and Logic Parent classes – America’s most practical and entertaining training for parents of 0 – 6
year olds with classes held every Tuesday evening from October 4 –November 15. There is a one-time fee of $10.00
which covers materials, a family meal before the class and child care. To register, email [email protected]
and indicate the number of adults and children, a phone number, email and ages of children in need of child care.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Kids Moving Forward Days for 4th and 5th graders will be held the third Thursday of each month, beginning October
20. 4th and 5th graders who have signed permission slips are invited to spend these afternoons after early-release at the
Northeast YMCA. There is no cost for this program. Permission slips will be sent home with students mid to late
September.
Bricks4Kidz will be offered on Thursdays after school again this Fall. These are hands-on classes that introduce grades
K – 5th to the concepts of engineering, architecture and mechanics using LEGO bricks. Themes such as Transportation,
Space, Inventions and Machines, Robotics and more will be covered. The cost of the class is $69 for 6 sessions. To
register, visit www.Bricks4kidz.com/west-madison or call 608-852-6206. Classes will begin in late September.
Dynamic Diamond Dames is a dance team that meets every Monday and Wednesday evening from 5 – 7 pm. This team
is for grades K – 5th that uses dance to empower young girls. This is a traveling dance team that competes in several
competitions throughout the area. There is a $20 monthly fee to cover chorography fees along with a one-time fee for a
uniform and bag. If you have any questions or are interested in learning more, please contact Ms. Dominic at
[email protected].
Soccer leagues will be offered on Tuesdays beginning September 20 – October 18 for grades K – 3rd. This will be a noncompetitive, all –inclusive league led by the NE YMCA sports team with the first two weeks spent on learning the game
of soccer and the last three weeks spent playing games.
International Club*** will be offered after school on the third Tuesday of each month beginning in October. This club
will be for grades 1 - 5 and will explore participants’ cultures and other cultures around the world. There is no cost for
this program however enrollment is limited to the first 20 students.
First Friday Family Fun Nights*** Plan to spend the first Friday of each month having a fun time with family and
friends! Event will run from 6 – 7:30 pm. Note: In October, the event will be held on Friday, October 14 due to no
school on Friday, October 7.
For more information on any of the above programs, contact: Stacy Darga at [email protected]
or 608-834-7564. Please note if school is not in session or closed due to bad weather, programs will be cancelled
that night as well.
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Westside Elementary
October 2016
Student Programs
Before School Tech Club
Who: 5th grade students (limit 15 students)
When: 7:40-8:15 am (Tuesdays and Fridays)
October 4th thru December 9th, 2016
Where: Westside Elementary - Intermediate Lab
What: The morning school tech club is an opportunity for 5th grade students to create technology projects.
How: If your child is able to participate in the club it is your responsibility to find transportation for them on
those days.
If your child arrives on a bus/day care van, they can join the club at that time. If you want your child to have
breakfast on those mornings we will offer it to them when the time comes. When they are finished with
breakfast they can come back to the club.
If your child is participating in the club we would ask that they enter at the front door by the office.
Permission Slip
(Please put your child’s name on the blank and sign the form so your child is able to participate)
I give my permission for _____________________________ (Child’s Name)
to participate in the before school tech club.
Parent’s Signature___________________________ Phone #______________________________
*This permission form must be handed in before the student is able to participate in
Before School Tech Club*
Please detach this form and turn it in to Mrs. Reindl
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