United South Central Elementary

October/November - Rebel Review - Rebel Preview

Principal's Corner

Dear USC Parents/Guardians,

Reflecting on the first couple of months of the school year, it is truly rewarding to witness the incredible progress of our elementary students in such a short time. They have fully embraced the learning process, and a positive classroom culture has been established through consistent routines. In addition to their academic growth, our students have had the opportunity to participate in exciting events this quarter. They thoroughly enjoyed the USC Homecoming festivities, and numerous classes have embarked on enriching field trips to a variety of locations, including the Big Island Rendezvous, Farming of Yesteryear, The Hormel Nature Center, Pumpkin Patches, and a local farm where they gained firsthand knowledge about farming operations.

Field trips offer our USC students real-world experiences that extend far beyond the classroom, giving them a valuable opportunity to put their knowledge into practice. These hands-on experiences help our students bridge the gap between theory and real-life situations, reinforcing their understanding of essential concepts. Additionally, field trips, which expose our students to diverse environments, play a crucial role in nurturing them as responsible global citizens, fostering qualities such as empathy, cultural awareness, and a broader perspective on the world.

As we wrap up the month of October and our fundraiser, I want to express my gratitude to you and the larger USC community for your unwavering support of USC Elementary. The funds we raised directly benefit our students, making it possible for them to participate in field trips and enjoy our roller skating unit in Physical Education. Your support makes these opportunities a reality, and I am constantly inspired by the tremendous support we receive from this community.

As we enter the month of November, I am genuinely thankful to each of you for partnering with us to provide the highest quality education for your students. May this month serve as a reminder for us to cultivate kindness, compassion, and gratitude, especially as we celebrate Thanksgiving. Enjoy November.

With Gratitude
Jennifer Taylor, Elementary Principal

Important Dates to Remember

November 8 - End of the First Quarter
November 9 - Start of the Second Quarter
November 10 - Veterans Day Program at 9:00 a.m. in the High School Gym (Students wear red, white, and blue)
November 14 - 22 - Scholastic Book Fair
November 15 - Two-Hour Early Out (1:00 p.m.)
November 16 - Fall Festival Dinner (turkey dinner with all the fixings served at lunch)
November 16 - K-6 Parent/Teacher Conferences from 3:15 - 7:00 p.m.
November 21 - K-6 Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:15 - 7:00 p.m.
November 21 - School Board Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Education Room
November 21 - Club’s Choice Fundraiser Delivery from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Pick up all items in the Commons
November 22 - Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences from 8:00 - 3:00 p.m. (No School PreK-6)
November 23 - 24 - No School - Thanksgiving Break

Winter Activities Supervision

As athletic and activity events get rolling this winter, we kindly ask that parents consider supervision for their elementary-age children (4th grade and under) attending events at USC. We are so glad to see the energy and enthusiasm toward events and activities here, and we want to ensure everyone is safe throughout the course of the busy fall/winter season.

Elementary Fundraiser

The USC Elementary fundraiser has achieved tremendous success! We appreciate your dedicated efforts and generous support of our school. This year's fundraising efforts were directed toward field trips and roller skating, and we are delighted to announce that we have successfully met our fundraising goal. Thank you.

American Education Week - November 13 - 17

Every year, American Education Week is celebrated the week before Thanksgiving. This is a week set aside to honor those who work in our nation's public schools. Please take an opportunity to express your gratitude to the USC staff throughout this week. This year, we will have some dress-up days along with some activities to express gratitude to those who work at USC. See dress-up days below↴

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences are quickly approaching on November 16, 21, and 22. We encourage your participation in this event. Conferences are vital as they provide an invaluable opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss a student’s progress, address concerns, and work together to ensure the child's educational success. When parents and teachers collaborate, it sends a powerful message to our children that expectations are consistent and support is unwavering. We hope to see you at conferences to connect in the spirit of partnership.

Elementary School Vitals

Entrance into the Building
We kindly request that parents drop off and pick up students outside the main doors for safety reasons. If a parent/guardian needs to access the school building for any reason, they are required to check in at the elementary or high school office and get a name badge prior to entering the building. Ensuring the safety of our students remains our utmost concern, and we appreciate your cooperation in the matter.

Drop off and pick up at USC Elementary

Students will enter the school by the main door by the elementary office
Students can enter the building at 8:10 A.M. after they are lined up outside. Please be mindful to drop your students off as close to 8:10 A.M. as possible to alleviate a long wait before the start of the school day.
Students who have breakfast can access the school building at 7:50 A.M. Upon arrival, they should proceed directly to the Commons Area. After breakfast, students will return outside and enter the elementary building at 8:10 A.M., when the official school day begins. It is important to note that students are not permitted to enter the elementary building until 8:10 A.M.
Students will be dismissed from the main doors by the office.

Crosswalks: To prioritize students' safety, we request that everyone consistently use the designated crosswalks when dropping off or picking up students. We emphasize that our top priority is ensuring the safety of our students, and we discourage any attempts to walk between school buses, as it poses a significant safety risk. We would like for both parents and students to use the designated crosswalks exclusively.

Parking Advisory: To ensure the safety of our students, staff, and visitors, please make sure you are parked legally when dropping off or picking up your children before and after school. You can avoid potential issues by following parking regulations.

Parent Contact Information: Please make sure to notify the elementary office if your email address or telephone number changes. It is imperative that we are able to contact you in case of a school-wide emergency or your child becomes ill. Also, keeping your contact information current will make sure you receive notices and announcements from the school.

Extra Clothing: Please send an extra set of clothing with your child. It is important we have an extra set of clothing in the event of spills, mud, accidents, and wet clothing from recess. Thank you.

Outdoor Recess: With the arrival of fall and decreasing temperatures, it's essential to keep in mind that your children will be having outdoor recess every day, weather permitting. Your assistance is greatly appreciated in making sure your students come to school adequately prepared for the weather. Unless the temperature is 60 degrees or higher, please ensure your child wears a jacket or coat. Additionally, as winter approaches, it's crucial for students to have the appropriate outdoor attire, such as layers, hats, mittens/gloves, scarves, boots, and snow pants when the snow is on the ground.

Thank you in advance for your help in making sure your child feels comfortable outside at recess. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call the Elementary Office at (507) 553-5810.

Lost and Found: We kindly request that you visit the collection of items located on tables in the Commons area, near the vending machine, in the event that your child has misplaced anything. Please take a moment to check this area for any lost belongings. To prevent your child's items from ending up in Lost and Found, Please make sure all clothing is correctly labeled with their name.

Flashlight Reading

Throughout this month, students have engaged in flashlight reading in the Media Center. During this activity, students select their favorite book, dim the lights, and read using flashlights. This enjoyable event has been a hit with our students and has successfully encouraged them to read.

Fall Into Reading Night

On October 26, the USC Title I department hosted a Family Fall Into Reading Night. It was a delightful evening dedicated to celebrating the joy of reading, enjoying pizza, and unleashing creativity. Every student who joined us received a copy of Kate DiCamillo's book "Mercy Watson Goes for a Drive." To make the experience even more special, students had the opportunity to savor warm, buttered toast, just like Mercy Watson's favorite snack.

STEM

Grades K-4 participated in International Dot Day, which is based on Peter H. Reynold's book "The Dot." For this activity, students could choose one color from the rainbow and draw whatever they wanted. "The Dot" taught students they can be creative even with something as simple as a dot.

Spotlight

Spotlight on Kindergarten

In Ms. Hanson's class, students engaged in a Halloween experiment. They conducted this by dropping candy pumpkins into clear glasses, each containing different substances. Among these glasses, one served as the control group, holding only the pumpkin without any liquid. The other cups contained a variety of liquids, including Diet Coke, Palmolive, corn syrup, hand gel, rubbing alcohol, water, and vinegar. Students were asked to make predictions about the expected outcomes for the pumpkins. Throughout the day, the students enthusiastically shared their predictions and the results, making the experiment a fun and engaging learning experience.

Spotlight on Third Grade

It has been said that a reliable dictionary can enhance students' comprehension of their subjects, refine their communication skills, and boost their academic performance by ensuring the correct usage of words. We extend our gratitude to the Lions Club in Wells, MN, for their ongoing commitment to our students' education, consistently providing a dictionary to every USC third-grade student year after year. Your support greatly benefits our students, and we appreciate it wholeheartedly.

Spotlight on Kindergarten

Kindergarten students took a field trip to Center Creek Orchard in October. Students got to go on a super slide, crawling tunnels, jump pad, and corn piles among other things. Students separated into small groups and got to go on hayrides. There were apples to eat and each student got to bring home a pumpkin to celebrate fall. Fun was had by all.