2013 DECEMBER NEWS AND VIEWS
FROM THE DESK OF THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL…
We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving with family and friends. As we move into the final month of the year, staff and students are gearing up for the holiday season.
Upcoming events to mark on your calendar:
Thursday, December 5th - Early Childhood/4 K Winter Program - 6:00PM
The Early Childhood and 4-Year-Old Kindergarten classes will participate in an EC/4K Holiday Program. The students will sing a variety of holiday songs for family and friends. Following the program, attendants will enjoy an array of treats provided by the families. Join us for a night of singing, munching and mingling!
Thursday, December 5th Market Day
Week of December 9-13th Jefferson County Christmas Neighbor’s Food Drive
Tuesday, December 10th Elementary Music Concert- Please note times
6:30 - 7:00PM Grades K-2
7:00 - 7:30PM Break - Parents pick up K-3 students to leave
7:30 - 8:00PM Grades 3-5
Thursday, December 19th 2 PM- Kiss an Animal for the Food Drive assembly at HS gym
Friday, December 20th Last day of classes
All School Sing-Along – 1:30 PM
Thursday, January 2nd Classes resume
I would like to commend all of the Johnson Creek Elementary students for demonstrating GREAT behavior these first few months of school. At the end of the first quarter, students voted for classmates who they thought were leaders in demonstrating our school rules of safety, respect, kindness and responsibility. Kudos to those selected students. Each week teachers award a student from their class who exemplifies these character traits. We are so lucky to have great students! Thank you parents for teaching and modeling these characteristics at home. We truly believe in the Power of Positive Students (POPS)!
BLUE JAY BUDDIES
This year, Johnson Creek Elementary, is again implementing a program to develop positive social and behavior skills across the whole building. We’re calling it BLUE JAY BUDDIES. Staff who are leading this, have divided the whole school population into teams which are headed by staff. Each team consists of students from different grades and classes. These teams will meet monthly to do community building activities as a component of our POPS program.
After years of “fix-it” programs focused on reducing student violence, conflict, drug and alcohol use, absenteeism, poor achievement, etc., educators and parents now agree, creating a positive school or classroom environment is the most effective way to improve behavior and learning. Our staff feels this process is the way to do it.
Students achieve because they:
- feel included and appreciated by peers and teachers
- are respected for their different abilities, cultures, gender, interests and dreams
- are actively involved in their own learning
- have positive expectations from others that they will succeed.
The clear purpose of the BLUE JAY BUDDIES is to assure the healthy development of every child so that each one has the knowledge, skills and resiliency to be successful in a rapidly changing world.
Students learn a set of collaborative skills so they can work well together in long-term groups. The focus is on how to:
- help each other work on tasks
- set goals and solve problems
- monitor and assess progress
- celebrate achievements.
We are very excited about this activity. We will keep you informed about upcoming activities that teams are doing. Last month, we got to know all the members of our teams and created a team poster to display in the school.
FRIENDS OF OUR SCHOOL
Parents of the Johnson Creek Elementary School students – YOU ARE “Friends Of Our School”. Together we can provide opportunities and “extras” for students in Early Childhood through 5th grade. To name a few things the Friends sponsor: Many field trips (paying part of the admission), purchase outdoor jump ropes, balls, and sand toys for each classroom, the Fall Festival for all elementary students, purchase and maintain the POP’s cart which comes around each quarter, and special assemblies for your children. We encourage you to help sponsor the Friends Of Our School. One of our fundraisers is the ongoing Kwik Trip gift cards you can purchase from us. They can be used for anything in the store or at the pump (excluding money orders) at any Kwik Trip in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. This is an easy way for you to contribute to Friends Of Our School. REMEMBER – For example: you buy a gift card from us for $10.00. You get a gift card worth $10.00. The school gets $1.00 for the program. You get the exact amount you purchase. For more information or any questions, please call Michelle Kieckbusch in the Elementary Library at 699-7342.
SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT
Every year, the Principal’s Advisory Committee and Elementary Student Council join forces to do an all-school fundraising project during the Holiday Season. This year, the students decided to raise money for the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison. This center deals with many childhood illnesses and diseases, including cancer.
Our goal is $1000.00.
Our drive began on Monday, November 18th, and runs through Tuesday, November 26th. Classes will compete for prize for 1st through 5th place. Please check the website and Facebook page for results.
Please join us in supporting this cause. The Children’s Hospital will be sending a representative to accept our funds at our Sing-A-Long Celebration on Friday, December 20th, at 1:30 PM in our gym. We hope you will join us!
WINTER WEATHER
As the weather is colder and we send children outside, please dress your child in appropriate clothing. We will only remain inside for recess if it is raining, icy or the temperature with the wind-chill is under 0 degrees. If your child is to remain in for any reason, we ask that you send in a note. We encourage all children to go outside and refresh their brains and bodies. All children remaining inside must stay in a room designated by their teacher or come to the office area with work.
BUS CONCERNS
Parents, this is a reminder……. In order for us to ensure accurate communication with teachers, students and transportation staff, please call the Elementary Office no later than 1:30PM for any bus changes.
HEALTHY START
As you are aware, we have begun our day with a Healthy Start of movement in our efforts to teach healthy lifestyles. Under the direction of Trent Probst, our physical education teacher, students are doing a combination of walking, aerobic exercises and dancing before we begin academics. So far, the combined miles from students has us walking equivalent miles to San Francisco and New York City for Johnson Creek! We have seen an increase in attentiveness and productivity in our students. Way to go JC Elementary! Let’s keep up the good work!
As we move into the winter months, our activities will also move into the school.
As a reminder, our school day begins at 7:45AM. Wisconsin law states that truancy is missing any or all of 10 or more school days. Parents, please get your students to school on time!
Thanks for your attention to this!
SPECIAL BREAKFAST DAY
Our Food Service is planning a Hot Holiday Breakfast the Friday before Christmas Break.
Menu
Choice of Assorted Cereal Packs and Milk
or
Hot Egg and Cheese Muffin
Fruit cup or juice
Milk
Price is as printed on the menu:
Students $1.25
Milk $0.35
Adult/Parent $1.80
Reduced $0.30
KISS A _________ FOR THE CHRISTMAS FOOD PROGRAM
The Johnson Creek School District will be sponsoring a Food Drive the week of December 9th. Both the High School and Elementary hope to raise over 2000 items to donate to the Food Pantry. To inspire students to help in this worthy cause, Dr. Garvey has challenged students to raise 2000 items. If they do, he will Kiss a ?????! Also, the losing principal will also have to Kiss a ?????. So………Elementary, Help me out here!
To add some fun to this, the Principal’s Advisory Committee is also going to keep track of donations. For each item brought in, a student can vote for a teacher to kiss our furry friend!
I also, will be in this contest. Voting containers will be located near the office.
Our assembly will be on December 19th at 2 PM in the High School gym. We hope you will come and enjoy the kissing action!
ANNUAL ALL SCHOOL SING-ALONG
The annual All-School Sing-Along will be Friday, December 20th, starting at 1:30PM.
We will have some student talent performed, as well as the presentation to the Children’s Hospital and songs. Please mark your calendars to join us in our annual event!
Beware Winter's Hidden Perils
In the winter months, some safety hazards are more obvious than others. Be on the lookout for these dangerous conditions:
- Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can often be mistaken for the flu--achiness, headaches, and nausea. The gas is odorless and colorless and can affect children before it affects adults. Check your furnace and other gas-, coal-, oil-, or wood-burning appliances to make sure they aren't threatening your safety.
Wear bright or reflective clothing when outside, and be careful when walking near snow piles and drifts that may obscure your view or the view of a vehicle. Sliding and skidding vehicles may not be able to avoid hitting someone.
- Frostbite can strike in a very short time, especially with children. That's because they lose body heat quickly. Dress kids warmly, but don't over bundle. That can cause sweating, which speeds the loss of body heat. Also, discourage kids from eating snow, because it lowers body temperature--which can decrease resistance to frostbite.
Give your Family the Gift of 18 minutes a day
(Gregory Ramey, Milwaukee Journal, Nov.20, 2011)
What’s the most important 18 minutes of the day for families?
For reasons that are not entirely clear, eating 4-6 family meals per week is related to lots of good outcomes with kids.
Children growing up in that environment get better grades in school, have fewer behavior problems, get along better with their parents, and are less likely to abuse drugs or become obese.
The typical family meal only lasts around 18 minutes. What happens during that short time that has such a profound impact on kids and parents? Eating together under the right circumstances connects us to our children.
Family dinners can send a message of caring and support when everyone rearranges their schedules to make family a higher priority over so many other competing expectations.
Only 50% of families eat together, fewer as kids grow older.
Here’s how successful families make it work…
1. Power down. This means no television, texting or cell phones. Don’t answer the phone during dinner.
2. Establish and enforce rules of etiquette. Beginning when kids are toddlers, make certain that you clearly communicate and consistently enforce expectations for good behavior. This means no name calling or put-downs among siblings. Meals start when everyone is seated and everyone stays together until the meal is finished.
3. Don‘t use mealtimes as a disciplinary session.
4. Be open. Allow your kids to get to know the real you. Share stories about your day, including your dreams and frustrations.
5. Never, ever say “But I’m just so busy”. Give your family about 18 minutes a day, and in return you are more likely to raise happy, healthy, well-adjusted kids.
On behalf of all the staff working at Johnson Creek Elementary School, we would like to wish you and your family a Happy Holiday Season.
Kris Blakeley
Elementary Principal/Director of Pupil Services
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