Wilder Elementary School
Family Newsletter - March 2024
Greetings from Wilder!
Dear Families,
First, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each of you who took the time to attend the conferences in February. The teachers enjoyed the opportunity to connect with families and discuss the progress and achievements of our students. These conversations are invaluable and embody the spirit of community and partnership we cherish at Wilder.
One of our shared aspirations at Wilder has been to enhance the overall educational experience for our children. A key component of this mission is ensuring consistent attendance. Unfortunately, we have observed a trend that requires our collective attention. Currently, Wilder is experiencing a 19% rate of chronic absenteeism. While we had set a goal to decrease chronic absenteeism by 5% during the 2023-2024 school year, and were on track to achieve this, recent months have seen an uptick in unexcused absences. We kindly request and greatly appreciate your support in reinforcing the importance of attendance with your child(ren).
Regular attendance is crucial for the continuous learning and development of our students. Each day missed is an opportunity lost to engage, learn, and grow. We understand that there can be various reasons for absences, and we are here to support our families in addressing any challenges that may arise. Whether it's health concerns, transportation issues, or any other barriers, our doors are always open for discussion on how we can assist. Mrs. Naughton, our school Social Worker, is available for assistance at 701-746-2320 and has already helped numerous families this year. Let's end the year strong and increase our attendance rate!
Despite the warmer weather, it's important for students to continue bringing all their winter gear to protect their clothing from getting wet. Students must wear regular shoes while in school. Please remember to send them with appropriate footwear daily.
Let's enjoy the sunshine this week! Once again, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our families for their ongoing partnership in their child's education. Your support means the world to us! Wilder has the BEST!
Warm regards,
Leslie Bjelde
Principal
Upcoming Dates:
Please take note of these important upcoming dates!
March
Friday, March 1st - End of 2nd Trimester
Tuesday, March 5th - 5th Grade Band Festival (South Middle School)
Monday, March 11th - 15th - No School Spring Break
Wednesday, March 20th - Early out at 1:30pm
Thursday, March 21st, Family Engagement Night- Join us!! 5:15-6:45 (more information to come)
Friday, March 22nd, Report cards emailed home
Friday, March 22nd - RED Event at 2:30pm
Wednesday, March 27th - Safe Kids Childhood Injury Prevention
Friday, March 29th - No School - Good Friday
April
Monday, April 1st - No School - Easter Monday
Tuesday, April 9th - PTO Meeting
Wednesday, April 10th - Early out at 1:30pm
Wednesday, April 24th - Early out at 1:30pm
Friday, April 26th - RED Event at 2:30pm
NDSA Information Letter for Families of Students in Grades 3-5
Please read the attached letter regarding North Dakota State Assessment taking place during the month of April for students in grades 3-5.
Wilder is Blue Zone Approved
The Blue Zone Project is a well being initiative that has partnered with Wilder Elementary to further enhance the health and longevity of all students and their families. We encourage students to wear blue shirts on Wellness Wednesdays in support of Blue Zones. If your student would like a Blue Zone T-shirt to wear for Wellness Wednesdays, they can get one by completing a Blue Zones bingo sheet which is attached below for printing or pick up a hard copy in the office. There is no timeline in submitting the bingo card.
PTO Update
PTO Members
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
Our next meeting will be on April 9th! We will be planning our family outdoor event for May! We hope to see you there!
**Like us on Facebook: Wilder PTO
School Cancellation and Postponement Procedures
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
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
VISITORS
Early Release Days
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.
RED Event Additions!
SAFE KIDS March NEWSLETTER
Please see the March Safe Kids newsletter attached below to learn more about Poison Prevention.
March 27th ND Childhood Injury Prevention : Virtual Workshop
8:30am - 4:30pm
Click on the Spring Newletter link to read great information from SafeKids!
Wilder Elementary School
Email: jhouser060@mygfschools.org
Website: https://www.gfschools.org/Domain/1087
Location: 1009 North 3rd Street
Phone: (701) 746-2320