Terrapin News
December 2023
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Hello Terrapin Families,
In December, we focus our efforts on teaching and learning around the power of having a growth mindset, which is one of our named Terrapin Values. A growth mindset is when you focus your energy and efforts on a task and stick with it until it is finished – no matter how long it takes. You keep going even when things are difficult, and you don’t give up. You make decisions and follow through on them. As individuals, we often toggle between the two ends of the fixed to growth mindset spectrum. Despite where we may fall on the spectrum, one thing we have the power and control over is our ability to move into a growth mindset zone. Students who have a growth mindset believe that they can develop their intelligence, talents and abilities through practice and effort. This belief can spark a student's desire to grow, which subsequently drives motivation and produces results. A student's belief about their ability to change and willingness to do so is the key to strengthening their growth mindset muscle, a muscle we need to continue to strengthen even, and sometimes especially, as adults!
Take a look at the following resources for way to support having a growth mindset at home:
On behalf of all of the adults in our building, have a happy and safe winter holiday season!
Michael Marincic, Principal
608-478-5101
SCOTS Family Movie Night
Friday, December 1
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
No School
Monday, December 11
SCOTS Holiday Social
Wednesday, December 13th at 6:30 p.m.
Buck and Honey's, Sun Prairie location
Winter Break
Monday, December 25 thru Monday, January 1
School Resumes Tuesday, January 2
Helpful Links
- Please visit the Token Springs website for 2023-2024 Recess & Lunch Schedules
- For further details about days off this school year, please visit the School Year Calendar At a Glance 2023-2024
- SPASD Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Stay Connected with the SPASD App
This app allows students, staff and caregivers to access information quickly and easily. It provides access to school blackboard connect notifications, school menus, calendar, District news, Peachjar flyers and more. Students and caregivers can also access Infinite Campus via the app, which provides information regarding attendance, grades and more. To download the app, visit either the iPhone App Store or the Google Play Store.
Time to Order Yearbooks!
Please visit the Empire Photography Yearbook Ordering website to place your 2023-2024 Token Springs Yearbook(s). Soft cover yearbooks are $16.00 and Hard cover yearbooks are $29.00. Yearbooks will be distributed the last week of school. The deadline to order your yearbook is Friday, March 22nd.
Winter is On the Way!
With colder weather soon to come, please make sure your student(s) are dressed appropriately for outside recess!
- Hats
- Gloves or Mittens
- Fall/Winter Coat
- Boots (don't forget a change of shoes for afterwards)
**We get A LOT of lost and found items! Please make sure your student's name is on any clothing or items that may get misplaced**
SPASD Winter Guidelines for Recess
Students will stay indoors during inclement weather or when the air or wind chill temperature is at or below 0°F. The school principal will check local weather websites for temperature and wind chill factors.
Token Springs Reminders
Door Buzzer
When visiting the school, please continue to use our door buzzer system (located at the far right of the main entrance with a red sign). This is a district-wide protocol that will continue to help ensure the right people are in our building for the right reasons. Thank you for helping to keep our students safe!
Wellness Policy
Baked goods that are served or provided in the classrooms must be purchased, not homemade, and be in a wrapper which contains nutrition information and expiration date. For more information on the Sun Prairie Area School District's wellness policy, please click on the following links: Policy JHK, JHK-R
Planning on Chaperoning or Volunteering?
Are you planning on chaperoning field trips or volunteering at Token Springs this year? Criminal background checks are now completed online. If you have not had a criminal background check completed in the last 3 years, please take a moment to fill out the online criminal background check.
It can take up to two weeks for your background check to be approved. If you are planning on chaperoning any upcoming field trips or volunteering in the school, please take a moment to fill out the online criminal background check so that you are ready to go when these events occur.
Volunteer Terrapin Program
We are excited to bring back our highly successful Volunteer Terrapin program for the 2023-24 school year! Our educators will continue to populate opportunities as they settle into the school year, in the meantime, take a look at our sign-up and check out our current volunteering opportunities starting Monday, September 11th. You must have an approved criminal background check on file prior to being a volunteer terrapin.
Advanced Learner Program Updates
Click here to see upcoming events for ALPS including:
- Greater Dane Anthrology Project
- Math 24
Please feel free to reach out with any questions!
Emily Miller, Advanced Learner Teacher
Phone: 608-478-5167
Virtual Art Fair
Each month we will be showcasing some artwork by some of our students.
Check out our 3rd graders!
Donations Request
Thank you to for all of the donations for our students! We are desperately seeking new, boys size small (sizes 6/8) underwear. Thank you for your continued support and generosity!
Barb deVenecia, School Nurse
Bullying Prevention
As part of the Sun Prairie School District Bullying Prevention Initiative, it is our goal to educate all caretakers around bullying prevention. Below you will find several resources including a brief presentation focused on bullying prevention, the Sun Prairie Area School District Bullying Report Form and the Electronic Safety Tip Line. Please take a few minutes to review these resources and educate yourself around the policies and procedures utilized in Sun Prairie to help keep ALL students feeling safe and valued in our community.
- Bullying Prevention Presentation for ALL caretakers
- Bullying Presentation Google Slides
- Bullying Report Form
- Electronic Safety Tip Line
Please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Mrs. Zweifel, School Counselor
What is SCOTS?
SCOTS or the School Community Organization of Token Springs is the Parent Group here at Token Springs. PTA... PTO... SCO... Same thing. Parents coming together to build a sense of community around our school. We organize events for afterschool, help show our appreciation to our dedicated staff, and can help facilitate things the school can't (like connecting parents via a voluntary directory).
We are a 501(3)(c) non profit. We are run by volunteers. We have a 5 member board this year (most in Sun Prairie, woot woot!), we have amazing volunteers that run Book Fairs, design Spirit Wear, create haunted houses, organize a Terrapin Trot, put together the Yearbook and so much more.
So if you have an event idea, email us at tokenspringssco@gmail.com and we will help make it happen. A Ga Ga Ball Tournament? A sidewalk chalk contest? A snowball fight? Bring the idea and we'll bring the resources and manpower to make the event happen. Our meetings happen the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 at Token Springs AND via zoom. You can also check out our SCOTS linktree for upcoming events and links.
2023-2024 Officers
President - Amy Knock
Vice President - Kayla Degnan
Treasurer - Corine Friday
Secretary - Christy Tubbs
Parent Liaison - Tiffany Black
NO SCOTS Meeting in December
Next Meeting:
Tuesday, January 9 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
This meeting will be held in person in the LGI as well virtually via Token Springs/Zoom
Join us for a Special SCOTS Social!
Calling all caregivers! Join us for a festive holiday celebration!
Share the spirit and connect with fellow caregivers at Buck & Honeys Sun Prairie for this casual gathering in place of our monthly Zoom meeting.
Date: Wednesday December 13th at 6:30 PM
Buck & Honeys in Sun Prairie
SCOTS Family Movie Night - December 1st
Join us on Friday, December 1st from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. for a showing of Disney's Elemental. This is a great opportunity to connect with the whole family and have fun outside of school hours! Refreshments will be available for purchase. Bring blankets, dinner, or your own snacks and drinks. The movie will be shown in the gym and cafeteria. We hope you can make it, and enjoy the night out with us.
Token Springs FUNdraiser
By participating in this fundraiser, you eliminate the need for multiple fundraising efforts throughout the year and the associated donation requests. We're streamlining our fundraising efforts to make it more convenient for our families.
Fundraising Goal
Our goal this year is to raise $10,000 in funding for Token Springs. If we surpass this amount, we would be delighted to extend this support to our larger community. Building on the experience and feedback from last year's fundraiser, we are confident that with your support, we can achieve and possibly exceed this goal. This will enable us to continue providing fantastic events for our whole community.
Online Pledge Platform
To make your contribution and support these valuable initiatives, please click here: http://fundly.com/token-springs-fundraiser to access the online pledge platform.
From the Bus Company
Crossing Guard Recognition Week
January 8-12, 2024 is Adult Crossing Guard Recognition Week in Wisconsin. Please take a moment to thank the hard-working men and women who help ensure the safe passage of our youngest, most vulnerable children walking between home and school every day.
Bus Delays and Emergencies
Please remember that buses may be slightly delayed when we are experiencing snow and icy
conditions. Anything within 5 minutes of the scheduled arrival time is considered “on time.” If your child’s bus is delayed and/or evacuated for any reason (bus breakdown, emergency, etc.) students must stay with the driver and wait for further instructions. If another bus is dispatched, students are to ride that bus and only get off at their assigned stop.
Cafeteria Connection - December 2023
Click here for the December Cafeteria Connection which includes information on the Sun Prairie School Breakfast Program.
If you have any questions regarding your students food service account please contact us at nutritiondepartment@sunprairieschools.org.
Holiday Resources
Click here to visit the Sunshine Place website for more information regarding the Spirit of Giving.
Additional community resource:
Wisconsin Wayfinder: Essential Children's Resources
A newly developed, statewide, user-friendly website and toll-free number, 877-WiscWay (877-947-2929), provides families with convenient, direct access to compassionate and knowledgeable children’s resource guides. Click here to access the Wisconsin Wayfinder webpage.
Sun Prairie Neighborhood Navigators
The Sun Prairie Neighborhood Navigators program serves as a connector in the community, ensuring that all members of the Sun Prairie Community have a support system, have a voice for change and have access to resources. Click here to learn more!
Child Find Notifications
The Sun Prairie Area School District is required by state and federal law to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services. This process is known as child find. The Sun Prairie Area School District is also required to provide annual notice of its child find activities. Please click on the documents below for more information.
Token Springs Elementary School
Website: https://www.sunprairieschools.org/token-springs-home
Location: 1435 North Thompson Road, Sun Prairie, WI, USA
Phone: (608) 478-5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TokenSpringsElementary/
STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
No student may be unlawfully discriminated against in any school programs, activities or in facilities usage because of the student’s sex (gender identity, gender expressions, and non-conformity to gender role stereotypes), color, religion, profession, or demonstration of belief or non-belief, race, national origin (including limited English proficiency), ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, homelessness status, sexual orientation, age, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Harassment is a form of discrimination and shall not be tolerated in the District. It is the responsibility of administrators, staff members and all students to ensure that student discrimination or harassment does not occur.
(SPASD District Policy JB
If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Spanish, please contact us at 608-834-6620. Si un estudiante, padre ó guardian prefiere tener esta información traducida en Español, por favor contactenos en el 608-834-6620.
If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Hmong, please contact us at 608-834-6630. Yog tus me nyuam lub xiv los yog niam thiab txiv/tus neeg muaj cai saib xyuas tus me nyuam xav tau qhov ntawv ntawm no ua lus Hmoob, thov hais rau peb paub rau ntawm 608-834-6630.
NEW NOTICE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICIES ON SEX DISCRIMINATION, THE DISTRICT’S TITLE IX COORDINATOR, AND PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING OR FILING A COMPLAINT OF SEX DISCRIMINATION
The Sun Prairie Area School District (“District”) does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that the District operates. Title IX’s requirement not to discriminate in any education program or activity extends to cover, but is not limited to, District students, certain admissions processes, and District employment. To access the relevant policy and procedures you can go to the District’s website. For inquiries regarding how Title IX and the federal Title IX regulations apply to the District please contact the District’s Title IX Coordinator, (the Director of Student Policy & School Operations, 501 S. Bird Street, Sun Prairie, WI 53590, 608-834-6624 or by email at titleixcoordinator@sunprairieschools.org.)