Wilson Family Newsletter

Dear Parents, Families and Caregivers,

As many of you may know, October is National Bullying Awareness Month. This month serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering a safe and supportive environment for all students. At Wilson Elementary, we have been implementing various lessons and activities aimed at promoting kindness, respect, and understanding among our students. Classroom discussions have centered around empathy and the impact of our actions on others, while our teachers have engaged students in exercises to help them navigate challenging social situations.

To further support our efforts in combating bullying, we invite you to partner with us from home. Here are some ways you can help:

1. Open Communication: Encourage your child to talk openly about their day. Ask them about their interactions with classmates and listen to their feelings and experiences.

2. Teach Empathy: Share stories or examples of kindness and compassion, and discuss how they can apply these values in their own lives.

3. Model Positive Behavior: Demonstrate respectful and kind interactions in your own relationships. Children often learn by observing their parents and guardians.

4. Be Informed: Familiarize yourself with the signs of bullying, so you can recognize if your child is affected or if they witness bullying behavior.

5. Encourage Reporting: Let your child know that it's important to speak up if they or someone else is being bullied. Ensure they feel safe reporting incidents to a teacher or trusted adult.

We believe that with your continued support, we can create a nurturing environment where every child feels valued and secure. Thank you for being an essential part of the Wilson Elementary community. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of our students.

Warm regards,

Cassie Mitchell

Principal

cmitchell@isd761.org

507-444-8401

As a reminder, there is no school from Oct 17-21.

October 17-18 is MEA break and October 21 is a teacher work day.

Students will return to school on Tuesday, October 22.

Congratulations to the following students who have demonstrated success with the Wilson skills through "Positive Referrals" the past 2 weeks! These students received a certificate celebrating their achievements, along with an Applebee's gift card as a token of our appreciation.

5th Graders:

Mela J, Liam L, Anthony G, Mila F, Corbyn G, Korra A, Izabella R, and Ethan R

2nd Graders:

Henry H, Clara O, Harper K

1st Grader:

Arjay A.

5th Graders:

Marlo M, Korra A, Kingston S

4th Graders:

Elijah W, Alexis P, Breelyn C

3rd Graders:

Wyatt K, David J, Archer A

2nd Graders:

Miles S, Nora W, Tatum W, Lucas O

1st Graders:

Paige A, Abraham T. M

We are excited to announce the return of "Pizza with the Principal" this year! This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to enjoy a delicious slice of pizza while chatting with Mrs. Mitchell in a relaxed and friendly setting. Every other week, two students from each grade level will be selected to join her for lunch, with the goal of ensuring that every student has the chance to share a meal and engage in conversation with Mrs. Mitchell before they graduate from Wilson in 5th grade. We believe this initiative will foster stronger connections within our school community, and we can't wait to see the joy it brings to our students! Keep an eye out for more details, and thank you for your continued support!

Thank you to Ashraf, Quinn, Elliot, Braelyn, Wesley, Harper, Ezequiel and Aliyanna for joining me for our first Pizza with the Principal on Friday Oct. 11!

I have taught fifth grade in Owatonna for 20 years and was transferred to Wilson six years ago. I knew that Wilson was a special place (my two boys were students here), with the most amazing, caring teachers, but truly didn't get comprehend how exceptional the culture and climate of our building was until I experienced it for myself. Our staff is top notch (from our custodians to our educational assistants and everyone in between) with years of experience in schools. I love that we all work for the common good of all of our students and support each other both professionally and personally. It's pretty unique that each year I get to know 25+ students, but throughout the year, we establish a bond that lasts beyond the year we spend together, they truly become my kids and a part of my heart. I love cooking, listening to audiobooks, teaching yoga at a local studio, and spending time cheering our boys on at all of their sports and activities. Oh, and you may have heard, I'm a HUGE Green Bay Packer and Wisconsin Badger fan.

This is my third year teaching 5th grade at Wilson Elementary. I completed my student teaching with Mrs. Dinse, 3rd grade teacher, spring and fall of 2021. I absolutely loved every minute at this school with the wonderful students and staff. It has been a dream come true working at Wilson! What I enjoy most about our school community is that everyone works so hard every single day to create a positive and safe learning environment for all students to be successful. Wilson is an amazing family that I am blessed to be a part of! I have the privilege of learning new languages and cultures from my students. I have been able to use that with teaching to English language learners so that I can support them in their home language within the classroom. I get to continuously learn new things everyday with my students which is why I love teaching so much! Outside of work, I love to do crafts such as painting and scrapbooking and recently crocheting! I also love to read, be active, play games with family/ friends and spend time with my amazing husband.

This is my third year at Wilson Elementary. I was thrilled to join a school with such a diverse population of learners, as I believe that every child brings unique strengths and perspectives to our community. I am passionate about the "teach to heal" process, which emphasizes the importance of emotional well-being in education. I am fortunate to be part of such a supportive and welcoming environment, where learning can often be loud, messy, and full of laughter. I strive to create a space where all of these elements can coexist in harmony. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy camping, ice fishing, and gardening, activities that remind me of the importance of connection—both with nature and with each other.

Every student is entitled to learn in a safe and welcoming school environment. School policies, expectations, and potential consequences for violating said policies and expectations are included in the student handbook. These policies and expectations apply to all students within the school, while on school property (and in some cases – off school property).

Please take a moment to review the student handbook, which can be found on the school website or by clicking this link.

IMPORTANT: If you have not already, after reviewing the handbook PLEASE fill out this form: Handbook Verification Link

Our upcoming meetings will be a great opportunity for you to meet fellow parents, staff members, collaborate and ask any questions you may have regarding the PTO's objectives and initiatives.

Please mark your calendars for these upcoming PTO dates: November 19, December 17, January 21, February 18, March 18, April 15 and May 20. Meetings are at 5:00 pm.

We hope to see you there!

• Oct. 17-21- NO SCHOOL (MEA and E-Learning Day)

• Oct. 28-30- Let’s Smile Dental Clinic

• Nov. 1- End of Quarter 1 Celebration (Bowling!)

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