Mosinee Elementary News
Volume 19
DECEMBER
MOSINEE ELEMENTARY
Chosen for being great role models
of caring & compassion at our school!
Issue 6
January, 2016
Front: Ely Borth, Ava Jonas, Scarlett
Kahon, Blaze Kasat, Nevaeh Koprowski,
Elliana Lewens and Lexton Pince.
2nd Row: Reese Christian, Aidyn Cronk,
Ulrich Kerwin, Charlie Michalski, Joshua
Selle, Vivian Utecht and LillieAnne
Wessell.
3rd Row: Dakota Duberstein,
Kaden Kolodziej, Mitchell Michlig,
Kyndal Schlei, Treve Stoffel,
Miley Wayerski, Aiden Yirkovsky
and Isabella Steinmann.
Back: Top Banana Colwell, Alanna Ashton,
Gavin Chmiel, Sarah Karcher, Lisa Maurer,
CONGRATULATIONS
TO OUR
“TOP BANANAS”!
Dade Radtke, Unica Ramm and Top Banana
Soderberg.
COLD WEATHER REMINDER!!!!
Please send your child(ren) to
school with the proper clothing for
the weather. i.e. hats, boots, mittens, heavy coats, etc.
Mosinee Elementary School
is now on Facebook!
“Like us”!
“Baby It’s Cold Outside!”
The Mosinee School District shall not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation,
handicap or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law in the educational programs or activities which it operates
or in employment practices.
Save the Date. . .
Mosinee Elementary School would like families to mark their calendars! On Thursday, March 3rd we will be hosting a Family Literacy
Night and Art Show from 6:00-7:30 pm at the Elementary School.
We welcome 4K through 3rd grade families to help us celebrate
Read Across America and Youth Art Month during this evening of
fun!
Mrs. Lang is looking for local “celebrity” readers for this event. If you or
someone you know is willing to share a book with families please contact Mrs.
Lang at [email protected] or call the elementary school.
A Polito’s pizza supper will be offered for purchase in the Mosinee ES
Cafeteria during this event.
More information about this fun family event will be coming in February.
Stay tuned. . .
SCHOOL CLOSING INFORMATION
School Closing due to inclement weather or road conditions will be made as near to 6:00 AM on the following area stations:
WAOW-TV
WSAW-TV
WDEZ
WIFC
WSAU
WSAU
WRIG
WOZZ
101.9 FM
99.5 FM
550 AM
99.9 FM
1390 AM
94.7 FM
Developmental Screening - February 4
The Mosinee School District is hosting "The Other Check-up" a developmental screening on Thursday, February 4, 2016, from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm
at Mosinee Elementary School, 600 12th Street. The event gives parents an
opportunity to have their children, ages two years/nine months to five
years, complete a screening of all areas of their development. Children will
be asked to complete a variety of activities in the areas of motor skills, verbal skills, and cognitive/readiness skills. The screening will provide parents
with information on their child's overall growth and development. Parents
need not have concerns to schedule a screening. District residents may
schedule an appointment by calling Denise at 715-693-2530.
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Volume 19
Mosinee Elementary News
Issue 6
January, 2016
The 100 Challenge!
It’s that time of year again!!
The 100th Day of school is during the week
of February 8-12!
We are challenging each classroom to try and collect any
combination that equals a total of 100 of
Box Tops, Milk Caps, Piggly Wiggly Receipts, Capri Sun
Pouches, Campbell Soup Labels, and Ink Cartridges.
So….ask those Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles, and neighbors to save these for
you and bring them to your classroom.
Each classroom will have a special bag
to
collect your items until Friday,
February 12th.
Every class that collects 100 will have popcorn and juice
the following week to celebrate their accomplishment!
Thank You for your Support!
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Volume 19
Mosinee Elementary News
Issue 6
January, 2016
SCHOOL PARKING LOT UPDATE:
There is now a designated spot marked with a sign in our visitor parking lot
for school nurse parking only. Please leave this space available for our
school nurse in case of emergency.
Please remember to follow the pick-up and drop-off
procedures that are outlined in the Parent Handbook.
Remember also that when dropping your child off for school in the
morning you are more than welcome to drop them off anywhere along
the sidewalk area. You need not wait in the traffic line to drop your
child off at the door.
Counselor’s Connection……
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Volume 19
Mosinee Elementary News
Issue 6
January, 2016
COLLABORATION STATION
Are you running out of things to do when cold weather has you stuck inside? Well, you are in luck! Here
is a special list of indoor “boredom busters” for you and your children. Make sure the activities are
adult supervised to ensure fun for the whole family!
Set up a car wash in the kitchen sink (or just use tubs on
the floor on top of towels)
Build a fort/tent
Play hide & seek with flashlights
Lay a painters tape road all over the house and drive cars on it
Host a dance party!
Play "holidays" (pack a bag and go on a trip around the house, each room can
be a different destination)
Make homemade play doh and pull out your favorite tools (we love using
candles, toothpicks, sequins, google eyes, and craft sticks)
Create noodle or cereal necklaces
Jump on bubble wrap (you can lay out bubble wrap pathways all over our house)
Make an indoor obstacle course (use chairs, blankets, etc.)
Do some pillow jumping
Hold a sock throw or laundry toss game (roll up
socks and toss them into a basket)
Set up a bowling game (these are especially fun to make with blocks or
sponges or items from your recycling bin)
Host a balloon tennis match!
Build plastic cup towers
Make cardboard houses or dog houses (or really anything out of cardboard)
Create sticker collages
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Volume 19
Mosinee Elementary News
Issue 6
January, 2016
KINDERGARTEN NEWS:
January has been a very busy month for our Kindergarteners. This month they have
learned about a wide range of topics, from Arctic animals to Martin Luther King Jr.
to snowmen. We have covered it all!
The weather challenged staff and students to become creative with how to spend
the extra time indoors due to the cold. We spent our extra time practicing tumbling
skills in the gym, going on “adventures,” working in activity books and spending extra
free time with friends.
January also brought us to the end of 2nd quarter. This meant the students completed assessments in the main
content areas to monitor their progress. The PALS assessment was given to students to monitor their progress
in literacy skills since the beginning of the school year. 3 rd quarter will bring an increase in guided reading for
all the classes as students become ready and excited with becoming readers.
This month also took our Kindergarteners to the Teddy Bear Clinic where their stuffed animals were seen by
the doctors at Aspirus. Their fluffy friends were all fixed up and sent back home with the students to take
care for the rest of their recovery. This was a great field trip for the students and they really enjoyed seeing
and learning about the Emergency room at the hospital.
February brings more excitement for the Kindergarten classes. Upcoming events include
celebrating the 100th day of school, Someone Special Day, along with Valentine’s Day.
FIRST GRADE NEWS:
The first grade classes leaped into the new year ready to learn and have kept busy learning about lots of
new things. In math students have been learning about place value in the tens and ones places. They
have also been learning to add 1-digit numbers to a 2-digit number. We have continued to practice our
vowel sound patterns in spelling and personal narratives in writing.
We will be heading to the Grand Theater on February 3rd for a performance of Good Night Moon. We are excited
for this opportunity to experience a live performance of a popular children's book!
Thank you to all of the fantastic first grade parents for continuing to read with and to your children. Reading at night does not need to be limited to the leveled guided reading books that come
home, although they are an excellent start! Magazines, comic books, graphic novels, recipe books,
directions for board games and how-to manuals are all great examples of other reading materials
your child could read for practice with and to you.
With Jack Frost finally nipping at our noses, recesses have definitely been chillier than they were in December. Sometimes it may seem too cold to go out in the morning but it often warms up throughout the day and we are
able to get outside for some fresh air and exercise. We want to make sure your child is warm and ready to have
some fun outside. Please make sure that your child is prepared for the day with appropriate winter attire including a hat, gloves, snow pants, boots, and winter jacket. Thank you!
Also remember that first grade classes start our day at 7:55 am and end our day at 3:00 pm.
Please drop your child off by 7:50 am to allow them time to get to their classroom to start their
day ready to learn. Thank you so much for your help and support!
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Mosinee Elementary News
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January, 2016
2ND GRADE NEWS:
We have started off the New Year on a learning adventure. We finished up learning about
folktales, fables, and fairy tales and the central message they want us to learn. We also finished up our mid-year assessments and are ready for new reading and word study groups.
This time of year is such a great time for learning! When it is cold outside it is perfect to snuggle up
with a good fit book and read - remember our January reading goal is 360 minutes! In math most classes are learning about money - so it is always helpful to have your super second grader get out a handful
of change and sort it out and count it up.
2nd Grade Breakfast and Books is coming up the first week of March, so check out the information
sheet that will be in your super second graders report card envelope!
3RD GRADE NEWS:
January is an exciting time in third grade. The students are back from the winter break eager to learn and work.
The Gifted and Talented Reading Extravaganza held an Ancient Egypt Exhibit on January 14th. The third
graders got to take a tour and explore an Egyptian Museum which had interactive and informational displays.
It was amazing!
The third graders are learning about units of measurements. They took advantage of the perfect weather conditions and made a snowman. They used yards, inches or feet to measure their final product. The
tallest snowman measured one yard and 15 inches. Excellent job using math practice standards 5 (use
appropriate tools) and 6 (being precise).
The following students celebrated their January birthdays AND half birthdays with a birthday
lunch. Happy Birthday goes to Dade R., Adam B., Madison D., Hailey H., Lillie W., Dakota F., Lexi
J., Mason F., Austin T., Jayden B., Teagan K., Kody W, Tyler N., Chris S., Brady L., Cassidy M.,
Brandon R., Ellison S., Daisy S., Ethan O., and Jace P.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION NEWS FROM MR. MIELKE
Tumbling Around!
Since returning from winter break all grade levels have been “Rollin” thru a tumbling unit! Students have learned the importance of stretching and the names of numerous muscles in their
body. Some of the skills that students have learned and demonstrated are: egg roll, log roll, forward and backward rolls,
tripod, headstand, cartwheel, seal walk, army crawl, cricket and wicket walks. The students have been working extremely
hard to improve their tumbling skills. After the tumbling skills have been completed the students will be climbing the rope
and the cargo net. Students that show a great amount of strength and courage by safely climbing to the top AND safely
climbing back down the rope will earn a Monkey Club Certificate!
If you are looking for some winter exercise for the whole family, consider a trip to the 9 Mile recreation area just minutes
from Mosinee! They have snowshoe and cross-country trails for all ages and levels of experience! They even have crosscountry ski equipment to rent. Follow this web address for prices, times, and directions to this family fun destination or call
at 715-261-1550 for more details: http://www.co.marathon.wi.us/Departments/ParksRecreationForestry/
RecreationOpportunities/CrossCountrySkiingSnowshoeing.aspx
Another great family fun winter activity is located at the Sylvan Hill recreation area on Wausau’s Northeast side. Follow the
web link for hours of operation, pricing, restrictions and other details for a great fun tubing, snow shoe or cross-country
experience or call the Park Office at 715.261.1550 or Sylvan Chalet at 715.573.2424:
http://ci.wausau.wi.us/Departments/Parks/WinterRecreation/SylvanTubingHill.aspx
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Mosinee Elementary News
Issue 6
January, 2016
ART NEWS FROM MRS. COLDEN AND MRS GELLING:
Mark Your Calendar! Literacy Night and K-3 Art Show – March 3rd
We invite you to join us for a fun night of appreciation of literacy and art at the Mosinee Elementary School on
March 3rd from 6:00-7:30pm. We welcome all students and their families to the Mosinee Elementary School to
help us celebrate Read Across America and Youth Art Month. During this special evening, you will be able to
listen to stories that are read aloud and the hallways and cafeteria will be filled with artworks made by each
K-3 student! More information about this fun family event will be coming home in February.
Mrs. Colden and Mrs. Gelling are looking for volunteers to help prepare and display artwork for the Art
Show. If you would like to help mount artworks during the school day the week of February 15 th or display artworks during the school day the week of February 22nd, please contact Mrs. Colden at [email protected], Mrs. Gelling at [email protected] or call the elementary school at 715-6932810.
Mrs. Lang is looking for local “celebrity” readers for this event. If you or someone you know is willing to share a
book with families please contact Mrs. Lang at [email protected] or call the elementary school at 715693-2810.
Kindergartener working on a Snowman Collage
Third grade Cropped Snowman artwork
Third grade Cropped Snowman artwork
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Volume 19
Mosinee Elementary News
Issue 6
January, 2016
LIBRARY NEWS FROM MRS. AGEMA…
Warm Up With A Good Book!
Here at the library, we have many fun winter stories to share. These books are perfect for reading together
while snuggled in a warm blanket in a cozy chair!
Sleep Big Bear Sleep by Maureen Wright. This is a funny story about a bear who thinks he hears
Old Man Winter telling him to do chores that stop him from sleeping.
First Snow, by Emily Arnold McCully. A shy little mouse
learns how to sled after the first snow of winter.
Making a Friend by Alison McGhee. A boy makes a snowman who becomes his
friend until the seasons change.
Stranger in the Woods by Carl R. Sams. A beautifully photographed book
telling the story of how animals in the woods react to a snowman who suddenly appears in their
woods after a winter storm.
Tacky and the Winter Games by Helen Lester. One of the many books we
have about Tacky the Penguin. In this book he and his friends are training for the Winter Games,
but Tacky can’t seem to stay focused on his training.
Charlie’s Snow Day by Ree Drummond. Our good buddy, Charlie the Ranch Dog
spends the day sliding down a huge hill with his family. How will he manage to get back
up the hill after getting all tired out?
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson. In the middle of a raging snowstorm, several
smaller forest animals take shelter in Bear’s den while he is hibernating. What will he
do when he wakes up and finds them in his house?
We also have a wide variety of non-fiction books about penguins, polar bears, blizzards, and winter sports.
There is plenty here to read and share while keeping warm during the cold days of winter.
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Volume 19
Mosinee Elementary News
Issue 6
January, 2016
NEWS FROM OUR SCHOOL NURSE—SUE POHLKAMP, R.N.
A Good Night’s Sleep – Essential for A Good Day at School
adapted from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Newsletter
So many parents struggle with bedtime — whether it’s fears, suddenly being hungry
or thirsty, or a case of the “just one more.” Most American children aren’t getting the
required amount of sleep that they need on a regular basis. Approximately 64 percent of children ages 6 to 12 go to bed later than 9 p.m. Lack of sleep can have significant impacts on your child’s behavior throughout the day— and not just extra
yawning or whining at breakfast. Healthy sleep is an essential component of your
child’s behavior all day long and of his/her academic success.
How much sleep does your child need?
Children ages 5 to 10 require 10 to 11 hours of sleep every night
Children ages 10 to 17 require 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep every night
Studies demonstrate that more sleep every night helps children improve their ability to regulate their emotions,
including decreasing reckless behaviors in school. Adding an average of just 27 minutes to your child’s nightly
bedtime will help him/her better control emotions and impulsivity during the day. Reducing the amount of sleep
each night has the opposite effect, with children being less able to control unwanted behaviors.
How can you help your child get to bed earlier?
It’s all about planning. To target an 8 p.m. bedtime, start working backwards:

By 7 p.m., all homework should be completed.

By 7 p.m., turn off all screens because television, video games and computer time
before bed can stimulate the brain and make it harder for your child to go to sleep. You
should also keep televisions, computers, e-readers and cell phones out of your child’s room at night.

Keep bedtimes and wake times consistent for every school night.

Make the hour before bedtime a quiet time in your home. Music, reading stories,
relaxing crafts or a warm bath are all good choices for winding down.

Don’t serve sodas or caffeinated beverages at dinnertime.
Be firm about bedtime! If your child gets out of bed, gently remind him/her that it is
bedtime and help him/her back to the bedroom.
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Volume 19
Mosinee Elementary News
Issue 6
January, 2016
Warm Greetings from the Music Room
WARM greetings from the music room! Even though the temperature outside has been frigid- the sounds coming
from the music room are full of warmth. The students have been playing, dancing, playing instruments and singing
songs to help keep warm.
This month our composer of the month is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The students learned about Mozart and his
music, including the melody he made famous that is used for the song ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’. I encourage
you to talk to your child about what other facts they remember about Mozart and to find more of his music to
enjoy together.
The 3rd grade students have begun working on the songs for their upcoming concert which will take place on Friday,
MARCH 4TH AT 1:30 p.m. in the Creske Center Auditorium. This year the concert is titled Americans All. The concert includes songs from different countries that celebrate America’s multicultural heritage. Students will be
working on a family heritage project in art class in the next couple of weeks that will be displayed at the concert.
A questionnaire will go home about that project and I encourage you to please help your child answer the questions
about their family history. The students should wear Red, White and Blue to the concert to show our patriotism.
The students are also encouraged to bring in a blank CD prior to the concert so that I can record the concert
songs for them to practice at home. If you send a CD with your child- please be sure to label it with their name.
Please mark your calendar for the concert and we hope to see as many of you there as possible to support the 3 rd
grade students.
One other project the 3rd grade students will be working on before their concert is making homemade instruments
that will be displayed at their concert. The instruments should be made at home and brought to school by Friday,
February 5th. A letter went home with your child about this project last week. Please contact me if you have any
questions or concerns.
Wishing all of you warmth and health during these cold winter days and nights!
Mrs. Jessie Westfall
Mosinee Elementary Music Teacher
Concert Dates
All concerts held at the Creske Center Auditorium
Friday, March 4th, 2016- 3rd grade Concert- 1:30 p.m.
Friday, May 6th, 2015- Kindergarten Concert- 1:30 p.m.
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Mosinee Elementary News
Issue 6
January, 2016