Wilder Elementary School

Dear Families,

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you who attended your child(ren)'s conferences in October. It was wonderful to have so many of our families attend. Please continue your efforts at home to support your child in achieving the goals discussed during these conferences.

Before our October RED event, our Literacy Specialist held an informative session focused on vocabulary enrichment. We wanted to highlight the connection between vocabulary knowledge and a child's reading proficiency and overall academic success. Research indicates that a child with a vocabulary deficit typically learns 1.6 new words a day, while a child without such a deficit can acquire 2.6 new words daily. At Wilder, we are committed to narrowing the vocabulary gap for our students. Ask your child about the "Wilder Wonder Word" of the week. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that they can share with you the word introduced this week. If not, ask your child if they have ever seen or heard something scurry across the floor.

We invite you to join us before each RED event at 2:15 p.m. for additional information sessions on effective strategies to support your child's academic achievement. It was truly heartening to have so many of you join us for our first session, and we look forward to your continued engagement in these valuable sessions.

Once again, we appreciate your partnership in your child(ren)'s education and encourage you to stay informed by regularly checking and reading all communications through email or SeeSaw.

Leslie Bjelde

Principal

We appreciate all of you for making a solid effort to follow our drop-off and pick-up guidelines. The guidelines are in place to keep ALL students safe:

• Students enter the vehicle from the curbside only. Do not walk out onto the street to enter a vehicle. We will not allow students to load vehicles that are double parked on the street. Please wait until you can pull over to the curb.
• Adults and students use the crosswalk areas when crossing the street (following city ordinance)
• If you arrive before 7:40 a.m. for breakfast, please wait in your car on the street to allow the staff access to parking. When the weather worsens (rain or below-zero temperatures), please keep your child in the car until the doors open at 7:40 a.m.
• Do not pass vehicles in the parking lot. Students exit the car from both sides. The parking lot is one-lane only.
• The parking lot is "drop and go" only. No parking. Your child should be able to exit the vehicle independently. Following this helps traffic move quickly and allows others to get to work on time.

Please take note of these important upcoming dates!

NOVEMBER

Wednesday, November 1 - Early Dismissal - SCHOOL OUT at 1:30 pm

Tuesday, November 7 - PTO Meeting 6:00-7:00 pm in the Wilder Library

Friday, November 10 - Veteran's Day - NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, November 15 - Early Dismissal - SCHOOL OUT at 1:30 pm

Thursday, November 16 - Turkey Bingo at Central High School (Commons) - 5:30-7:00

Friday, November 17 - RED Event - 2:30 pm (Vocabulary Topic Info at 2:15)

Thursday, November 23 - Thanksgiving Holiday - NO SCHOOL

Friday, November 24 - Thanksgiving Holiday - NO SCHOOL

DECEMBER

Wednesday, December 6 - Early Dismissal - SCHOOL OUT at 1:30 pm

Friday, December 8 - First Trimester Report Cards Emailed

Monday, December 11 - Band, Orchestra, Choir Concert (Gym) - 6:00-7:00

Friday, December 15 - RED Event - 2:30 pm (Vocabulary Topic Info at 2:15)

Wednesday, December 20 - Early Dismissal - SCHOOL OUT at 1:30 pm

Monday, December 25 through Monday, January 1 - Holiday Break - NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, January 2 - School Resumes

Children's books contain many wonderful words that help build our little learner's reading brain. Research shows we need 10,000 words in our vocabulary banks to be successful readers. Take the time to talk about new words when you come across them in the books that you read. What do they mean? Can you connect with them in some way? Check out Reading Rockets Vocabulary Activities for more word fun!

There are many things around us that are changing and preparing for winter. Take the time to notice and discuss things like changing colors, falling leaves, squirrels hiding acorns, mushrooms popping up, crisper temps. How do you and your family enjoy the fall season and how do you prepare for colder times? Check out Fantastic Fun and Learning for fall snacks to make together!

Please join us at our November meeting on Tuesday, November 7th from 6:00pm – 7:00pm. We will meet in the Library at Wilder with free pizza and childcare provided!

We look forward to seeing you there!!

President: Whitney Miller (Keagen – Grade 3)

Vice President: Amanda Vingelen (Sophia – Grade 4)

Secretary: Sonja Brandt (Julia – Grade 2)

Treasurer: Tim Prescott (Emily – Grade 4)

Wilder Social Media: Cindy Prescott (Emily – Grade 4)

PTO Members: All parents/guardians, teachers, and staff of Wilder Elementary

Contact: wilderelementarypto@gmail.com or Wilder PTO on Facebook

**Like us on Facebook: Wilder PTO

Calling all Wilder Families!!

Join us for Turkey Bingo on November 16th From 5:30 to 7:00 PM

Free Pizza and Book Swap!

Central High School

(Enter through Door 1 or Door 14)

Cost: $5 for Bing Cards and 50/50 Raffle Tickets

Please help your student remember to return any unsold coupon books to school -- along with any dollars received for sold coupon books.

We are trying to finalize this project and get prizes distributed, and need those items turn in.

Again, thanks for all of your support in this Wilder PTO Fundraiser!!

School postponement and cancellation alternatives will be as follows:

o Hold school as normal.

o Open school but delay sending buses.

o Delay the start time in all schools by two (2) hours based on each school’s start time

- Elementary School: Start time is 8:25, so school starts at 10:25. Doors will open at 10:15 a.m.

- Middle School: Start time is 8:40, so school starts at 10:40. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. No Zero Hour Classes.

- High School: Start time is 8:00, so school starts at 10:00. Doors will open at 9:50 a.m.

- Head Start: Start time is 8:00, so school starts at 10:00. Doors will open at 9:50 a.m.

- When school starts late, there will be no morning Early Childhood Special Education

classes. Afternoon Early Childhood Special Education classes will be held.

- Breakfast will not be served at any sites.

- No before-school activities/athletics.

- Students will not be marked tardy due to a late start.

o No school in Grand Forks Public Schools (GFPS) all-day

o No school for the Grand Forks Air Force Base School District students all-day

- Decisions about the weather-related delayed opening or closing of air base schools

may not always be consistent with those made for in-town schools. On those days

when severe weather makes travel conditions so hazardous as to threaten the safety

of staff members, opening delays or the closing of base schools will be given special

consideration.

o Hold remote learning.

Once school is in session, it will not be terminated until the regular closing time except in

very severe situations. However, school buses may leave early. The decision to close or

delay school will be made as early as possible. Announcements will be made on the GFPS

webpage (www.gfschools.org), and GFPS social media

(www.facebook.com/GrandForksPublicSchools; www.twitter.com/GFSchools).

Announcements will also be made on local radio and TV stations.

GFPS will be using our automated calling system to call staff and families if school is delayed or canceled due to severe weather conditions. Typically, this automated call will occur to staff between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., and families between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Parents/Guardians may always exercise their right to keep students home or pick them up early during stormy conditions.

GFPS has two days (approx. 12 hours of instruction) built into the school calendar for storm-related delays/cancellations. If a full-day cancellation leads to a third storm day during this school year, GFPS will transition to remote learning. More information will be provided by GFPS and your student's school at that time.

If an emergency should develop during the time school is in session, students will be cared for in school until the storm has subsided.

· If buses are sent home early, all buses will be sent.

· We will communicate the departure time.

· The lead time needed for the procedure is approximately one (1) hour.

· If conditions are dangerous, bus drivers must use common sense in discharging students that must walk a considerable distance. If possible, use the radio and contact the base station. Have parents/guardians meet the bus or be on the lookout for their students. If the driver cannot contact parents/guardians and conditions are dangerous, do not let students off the bus but return to school and notify the principal. Schools that have bus students must have a written procedure for caring for students in the event they must be kept overnight at school.

Updated 9/30/2019; 9/2022

Families can register with the Santa Claus Girls if interested to receive Christmas gifts free of charge through this charity. Please access the link below to register!

Santa Clause Girls Registration

Brooke Naughton, LCSW (she/her)

Social Worker

Wilder Elementary School

You are always welcome at Wilder! As we continue to pursue our safety and security efforts, if you come into the school, please use Door #1 and use the sign in/out in the office. Adults are asked to wait in the entryway or office when picking up their student(s) or will be escorted by a staff member to their desired location. Please do NOT walk down to classrooms without a school employee escort.

Vision screenings will take place at Wilder on November 9 starting at 1:00 pm. Grades that will be screened include Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th.

If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to Nurse Kelsey at 701-317-2254.

Kelsey Byron, BSN, RN

School Nurse

Wilder Elementary School

The ND Department of Health & Human Service's SEAL!ND program will be coming to Wilder on Tuesday, November 21 this year to help keep our student's teeth healthy! Please check out the attached flyer for more information and watch for the Consent Form that will be sent home with your student.

Grand Forks Public Schools has determined a number of early release days to allow for teacher collaboration time. Wilder Elementary School is committed to providing the instruction and support needed for all students to achieve high levels of academic success. This collaboration schedule and what we do during this valuable time is vital to that commitment.

On early release Wednesdays, students who are walking home or being picked up will dismiss from Door #4 promptly at 1:30 pm. Please plan accordingly.

Students enrolled in ENCORE's Early Out Club will report to their designated attendance location at Wilder at 1:30 pm.

Early Out Club will dismiss at 3:00 pm. Parents (of children not also enrolled in Encore) are to come to Door #1 (parking lot door) and sign their child out.

We are excited to announce that for 10 minutes before each RED event, Wilder's Literacy Specialist will provide a quick vocabulary information session. Check out the files below for some great vocabulary tips from the first session!

Safe Kids is geared to help keep kids safe at HOME, at SCHOOL, at PLAY, and ON the WAY. Please see the November Safe Kids newsletter attached below for some great information about winter pedestrian safety.

Email: afiala210@mygfschools.org
Website: https://www.gfschools.org/Domain/1087
Location: 1009 North 3rd Street
Phone: (701) 746-2320