The Pine Bough

Dear Pine River Families,

As November arrives and the first quarter of the 2024-2025 school year comes to a close, it is a wonderful time to pause and reflect on the many things for which we are grateful. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks for the incredible community we share.

I am deeply thankful for our students, whose bright smiles, curiosity, and eagerness to learn fill our school with joy and purpose. Their energy and excitement remind us daily of the importance of the work we do together.

I am equally grateful for our Pine River parents, whose unwavering support and partnership provide the strong foundation that helps our students thrive. Your commitment to their education, both at home and in school, is invaluable, and we couldn’t do this without you.

I want to extend my gratitude to our amazing team of teachers, secretaries, paraprofessionals, Latchkey caregivers, lunchroom aides, custodians, school social worker, nurse, special education teacher consultant, academic interventionist, therapists, and district administrators. Each of these dedicated individuals works with care, passion, and heart to ensure the success and well-being of every child in our school.

A special thank you also goes to our PTO, a group of parents and teachers who consistently go above and beyond to enrich the Pine River experience. Your time, creativity, and enthusiasm make a lasting difference for our students and community.

We are truly a Pine River Family, surrounded by people who go the extra mile to support our students, ensuring they are safe, loved, and inspired to learn and grow every day.

To our wonderful families, thank you for sharing your extraordinary children with us and for your continued partnership. Wishing each of you a happy, healthy, and peaceful Thanksgiving filled with love and gratitude.

Sincerely,

Rachel Card, Principal

We are excited for Parent Teacher Conferences! In order to schedule these conferences, we will be using the conference scheduling feature that can be found on Skyward Family Access. You must schedule conferences on a computer, not the Skyward app, and scheduling will be open on Friday, November 13th, at 4:00 p.m. and close on Wednesday, November 20th, at 8:00 a.m. Our goal is to connect with all of our parents and guardians about their children's progress during Parent Teacher Conferences.

Conference Dates

Monday, November 25: Conferences: 5:15-8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 26: Conferences: 1:00-4:00 p.m. & 5:15-8:00 p.m.

Here is how to schedule a conference:

1. Log on to Skyward Family Access. (If you have forgotten your Skyward password, you can request to have your information emailed to you by clicking the “Forgot Password” link below the login.)

2. Choose your student.

3. Click the Conferences link on the left hand side. Click All Conferences to see all teachers for which you may schedule conferences.

4. To view the available times, choose Select a Time next to each teacher with which you wish to schedule a conference.

5. From the available times listed choose the date/time you want by clicking Select.

6. Confirm your time choice by reviewing the information and clicking Save.

7. Once you choose times, the space marked Status will begin to fill in with your choices. Repeat steps 2 through 5 to schedule conference times for additional students.

8. When you have finished making your appointments, click Print All Scheduled Conferences to keep a copy for your records.

If you make a mistake or your plans change, you can remove a time from the schedule. At any time prior to the reservation deadline, you can log back in:

● Click Teacher Conferences and click Unschedule in the View Scheduled Times window. It will ask you to confirm

● Click Save if you are sure you want to unschedule that time. (If you’re not seeing “Unschedule”, click the View Scheduled Times link next to the student’s name).

● This will return the time slot back to the queue and allow you to select another time for that teacher.

In alignment with Board Policy #5301, we want to inform you of our practice regarding student attendance. Regular school attendance is essential to student success, and we are committed to supporting our students’ consistent presence in class.

When a student reaches 10 absences during any term or semester, the building principal will send a written notice to the parent/guardian. This letter will encourage regular daily attendance and provide important information about the truancy process. Additionally, a second notice will be sent if a student reaches 15 absences.

We appreciate your partnership in ensuring that your child is present and engaged in their learning every day.

We are excited to announce plans for our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair. This event is an opportunity for students to build their home libraries and further their love of reading. As always, all purchases benefit our school. Here is what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place on November 20-26.

Our Book Fair offers a cash-free payment option called eWallet. It’s a convenient digital account that your child can use for shopping at our Fair. Grandparents, friends, and others can contribute, too!

Families have the option to shop online at our school’s Virtual Book Fair. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school.

Classes will browse on November 20. Then, students will have the opportunity to shop with their classes during their regular library times on either November 21 or 22. The Book Fair will also be open on November 25 and 26 during school hours and during Parent Teacher Conference hours for anyone who still needs to shop.

Visit our Book Fair homepage linked below to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping.

We are excited to celebrate our love of books together at the Book Fair!

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Amanda Thoel, our wonderful volunteer photographer, for capturing so many special moments at Pine River Elementary. Her time and talent truly enrich our school community, and we are grateful for her dedication.

We are also excited to share that Amanda is offering Pine River families an exclusive 25% discount on her photography services. If you’re looking to capture family memories or special occasions, this is a great opportunity to support a local talent and enjoy beautiful, professional photos.

Thank you, Amanda, for all you do!

The Golden Dustpan Award was created to recognize the class that works the hardest over the course of a month to keep their classroom neat and clean. Each month, Ms. Cece and Ms. Lillian, our custodians, will choose a class and present the award. Students in the class will receive a class certificate, a class pizza party, and the honor of displaying the golden dustpan on their hallway cubbie.

For the month of October, Mrs. Bean's class earned this prestigious honor! Keep up the great work keeping your classrooms clean, Pioneers!

Using a secure Login ID and password, you can log into Skyward Family Access and view your students’ data, such as progress reports, attendance records, report cards, transcripts, lunch information and more. Your one login to Family Access allows you to view data on all your enrolled students in the district, even if there are multiple school sites.

How to log into to Skyward Family Access:

1. Go to the district home web page at www.ecsd.us.
2. Click on the Parents link, then Family Access link.
3. Enter your Login ID and Password on the Skyward Family Access login screen.

Pine River Pioneers are...

Kind,

Courteous,

Respectful,

Responsible,

and always Safe!

All of our students strive to be motivated learners, as well as model citizens. Each month we will honor students from each class who exemplify the following qualities:

Academic

• Student prepares for classroom activities.
  
• Student approaches learning with enthusiasm.
  
• Student has made steady progress in the classroom.
  
• Student has been working to his/her potential.
  
• Student completes all assignments and homework.
  
• Student has a good work ethic and is diligent.

Leadership/ Citizenship/ Character

• Student demonstrates respect of self and others.
  
• Student assists others in need.
  
• Student shows acts of kindness.
  
• Student demonstrates a positive attitude.
  
• Student displays good conduct.
  
• Student is a positive role model by example.
  
• Student participates and puts forth full effort in all areas.
  
• Student follows school rules.

Young Fives/Kindergarten

Mrs. Guzowski's Class: Alexandria Sepienza and Beaux Badaczewski

Mrs. Malburg's Class: Raylee Schneider and Jackson Goodnite

Mrs. Schneider's Class: Colton DeRue and McKinley Schocke

First Grade

Mrs. Bean's Class: Georgia Kolis and Lilly Mattsen

Mrs. Jensen's Class: Eve Mattsen and Joey McKim

Mrs. Trudeau's Class: Aliyah Martin and Heleena Shintoski

Second Grade

Mrs. Gorski's Class: Ava Bosanic and Ethan Varndell

Mrs. Huston's Class: Cameron Lessick and Elyse Heraty

Ms. Minor's Class: Raelynn Heilig and Oliver Bryan

Third Grade

Mrs. Sloat's Class: Greta Franks and Braden Everitt

Mrs. Wahl's Class: Blair Richardson and Greyson Glaeser

Mrs. West's Class: Iris Adams and Ethan Paynter

Fourth Grade

Mrs. Alley's Class: Hazel Snell and Luke Marsh

Mrs. Pousha's Class: Hannah Ball and Frank Romeo

Mrs. Ursitti's Class: Kate Galliker and Sonny Malburg

C.I. Class

Mrs. Kierszykowski's Class: Oliver McDonald

Pioneers of the Month will be honored at our STARS assembly on Friday, November 1, at 2:45 p.m. in the gym. Parents of those students being recognized are welcome to attend. Please check in at the office first.

Parents of our Pioneers of the Month may stop in and pick up a yard sign to display at home during the next month. Just buzz the office at the front doors when you arrive, and we will provide you with a sign. Near the end of the month, please return the sign so we can get it ready for a new honoree.

Mission: The mission of the Pine River school community is to work collaboratively, providing an enriched curriculum that allows for intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and creative growth in a positive and safe environment, empowering all children to become productive lifelong learners.

Vision: Pine River Elementary is dedicated to the belief that all students can learn and achieve through the combined efforts of the staff, parents, students, and community.