United South Central Elementary

Dear USC Parents/Guardians,

Reflecting on the first few months of the school year, witnessing our elementary students' tremendous progress in such a short time has been incredibly rewarding. Students have embraced the learning process, creating a positive and engaging classroom culture through consistent routines. In addition to their academic growth, students have participated in various exciting events this quarter. They thoroughly enjoyed USC Homecoming festivities, and many classes have gone on enriching field trips to places like the Big Island Rendezvous, History Fest, Farming of Yesteryear, The Hormel Nature Center, SPAM Museum, Pumpkin Patches, and a local farm where they gained firsthand experience with farming operations.

As we wrap up October and conclude our fundraiser, I want to thank you and the USC community for your unwavering support. The funds raised will benefit our students, enabling them to participate in field trips and activities like our roller skating unit in Physical Education. Your generosity makes these enriching experiences possible. Field trips play a vital role in our student’s learning journey by offering real-world experiences that deepen their understanding and connect classroom learning to the broader world. Such exposure nurtures empathy, cultural awareness, and the development of responsible global citizens.

As we enter November, we are excited about our annual Veterans Day celebration, a tradition that truly shines in our community by honoring our most important heroes, our Veterans. Elementary students will perform songs, the kindergarten class will recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and students will create artwork to decorate the gym entrance and walls for this meaningful event. We invite you to join us as we recognize and celebrate our Veterans on this special day.

November is also a perfect month to celebrate and embrace gratitude throughout our school community. This month, we encourage students and staff to reflect on kindness, compassion, and appreciation for one another. Gratitude enriches our school by fostering a positive environment where everyone feels valued and recognized for their contributions. Whether in the classroom, at home, or during our upcoming Veterans Day celebration, expressing thanks strengthens our connections and reminds us of our shared support.

In closing, thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s education. I hope the impending Thanksgiving holiday brings you and your family joy, reflection, and moments filled with gratitude. Have a great month!

Warm Regards,
Jennifer Taylor
Elementary Principal

November 5 - End of the First Quarter
November 6 - Start of the Second Quarter
November 11 - Veterans Day Program at 9:00 a.m. in the High School Gym
November 14 - Band Concert for grades 5-12
November 20 - 27 - Scholastic Book Fair in the Media Center
November 21 - Fall Festival Dinner (turkey dinner with all the fixings served at lunch)
November 21 - Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences from 3:30 - 7:00 p.m.
November 26 - Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30 - 7:00 p.m.
November 27 - Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
November 28-29 - No School - Happy Thanksgiving
December 9 – Christmas Concert for Grades K-2 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the USC Auditorium
December 10 - Christmas concert for grades 3-5 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the USC Auditorium

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 for your generous support of USC Elementary School.

On Friday, November 1, USC staff wore their "Stronger Together" T-shirts to show support for Audie Olson as she continues her courageous fight against cancer. Audie's strength and resilience inspire us all, and our USC community stands by her side.

The USC Drama Department proudly presents The Wizard of Oz on November 8, 9, and 10. Elementary students will attend a special performance on November 8 at 1:00 p.m. in the Auditorium. Please consider supporting this wonderful production, students have worked hard to bring this classic to life!

Parent-teacher conferences are quickly approaching on November 21, 26, and 27. 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. Don't forget to mark your calendars.

We kindly request parents and guardians supervise their elementary-age children during our athletic and activity events. This helps everyone focus on enjoying the game and contributes to a well-managed, safe environment for all attendees. We truly appreciate the energy and enthusiasm of our events and want to ensure a positive experience for all participants. If adequate supervision is not provided, supervisors may need to dismiss individual students from the event to maintain order. This includes running around the Commons and being in areas in the school that are prohibited during games. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Elementary School Hours

Classes begin at 8:20 a.m. and are dismissed at 3:05 p.m. Students who are not in class before 8:20 a.m. will be marked tardy and absent at 8:40 a.m.

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.

Parking Notice: Make sure you are legally parked when dropping off and picking up students before and after school. Parking is off-limits in front of the school, where buses load and unload students. Do not park in any of the HANDICAP DESIGNATED AREAS.

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 want parents and students to use the designated crosswalks exclusively.

Entrance into the Building: For safety reasons, parents will drop off and pick up students outside the main doors. If a parent or guardian needs to access the school building, they must check in at the elementary or high school office, state the reason for their visit, obtain permission to enter, and receive a name badge before proceeding. Ensuring the safety of our students remains our utmost priority, and we appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Visitors: To encourage a smooth and organized school environment, parents are required to make an appointment when meeting with a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Additionally, parents and guardians have access to the front office but are only permitted in the school building during school hours with prior approval. This policy helps maintain a focused and productive atmosphere for all students.

Parent Contact Information: Please notify the elementary office if your email address, mailing address, or telephone number changes. It is imperative that we 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.

Outdoor Recess: When temperatures start to drop, it is essential to remember that your child(ren) will have outdoor recess every day, weather permitting, unless it is below 0 degrees or if it is raining or wet outside. In such cases, recess will be held indoors. Your assistance in ensuring your students come to school adequately prepared for the weather is greatly appreciated. Unless the temperature is 60 degrees or higher, please ensure your child wears a jacket or coat. Additionally, during the winter months, students need to have the appropriate outdoor clothing such as layers, hats, mittens/gloves, scarves, boots, and snow pants when the snow is on the ground or mud on the playground.

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

Lost and Found: Lost and Found tables are located in the Commons area, near the vending machine. To prevent your child's items from ending up in Lost and Found, please ensure all clothing is labeled correctly with their name.

During October, USC celebrated Bullying Prevention Month, led by our school counselor, Michah Wimmer, with a poster contest encouraging students to promote kindness and respect. Students demonstrated remarkable creativity and dedication; several were awarded for their inspiring designs. Research confirms that student involvement in activities like this fosters a more positive school culture, amplifying the message of inclusion and empathy. Congratulations to our poster winners—your powerful messages are paving the way to a safer, more welcoming school for everyone!

Fire Prevention Week is observed annually during the week of October 7. Students in PreK - 2 took a field trip to the Wells Fire Station to learn essential fire safety skills as part of this vital initiative. The firefighters taught students how to prevent fires, safely exit a burning home, and establish a family meeting point after an emergency. In an exciting twist, second-grade students witnessed a “real” fire call as they left, watching the firefighters gear up and drive off to respond to a fire. We thank our local firefighters for dedicating their time to teaching these vital, life-saving lessons.

Throughout the school day, the second grade class can earn points together to work toward a class reward. Points are awarded for demonstrating their "Rebel Rights" being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe as well as showing kindness, putting in their best effort, and receiving compliments from other staff members (worth three points each). On Monday, October 28, 2024, Mrs. Hennings class reached their goal and earned a special reward: students were invited to bring their favorite stuffed animals to school. They enjoyed having their stuffed friends with them throughout the day, adding a fun and cozy touch to their learning!

Students in Mrs. Stenzel's class engaged in a UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) lesson, where they tapped out syllables in words and practiced letter-sound correspondence. They listened carefully to sounds and wrote words based on what they heard, strengthening both their phonemic awareness and spelling skills.

Students from Ms. Norman's, Mr. Stencel's, and Mrs. Landsteiner's classrooms recently took a field trip to History Fest at the McGowan Farm in Mankato, Minnesota. This immersive experience gave students a glimpse into life in different historical periods, offering hands-on learning opportunities. They could interact with people beyond their community, expanding their understanding of history and the world around them. The event featured various activities and entertainment, including historical interpreters from 17th-century Scotland and the Old West, belly dancers, catapult launching, cider making, cannon firing, and much more!

Students in Mrs. Soost’s third-grade class practiced visualizing as a reading strategy to help them better understand the text. They read a book about pen pals, exploring how each letter included rhyming words along with thoughtful greetings and closing statements. Through this activity, students learned to picture the story in their minds, enhancing their comprehension and enjoyment of reading.

Kindergarten students enjoyed a fun field trip to Center Creek Orchard in October. They explored a variety of activities, including the super slide, crawling tunnels, jump pad, and corn piles. Students were split into small groups and took hayrides around the orchard. They also enjoyed fresh apples, and each student brought home a pumpkin to celebrate the fall season. It was a day full of excitement and fall fun for everyone!

Second-grade students enjoyed an exciting field trip to Austin, MN, exploring the SPAM Museum and the Hormel Nature Center. At the SPAM Museum, they discovered the story of SPAM, from its creation on July 5, 1937, to its vital role during World War II and its evolution in packaging. Students saw the vibrant "SPAM Around the World" exhibit, highlighting SPAM’s global culinary and cultural impact and engaging interactive displays. At the Hormel Nature Center, they learned about its history, local wildlife, and ecology while exploring hands-on exhibits, live animals, puzzles, and games.

Students in Ms. Marks’ class engaged in a small-group UFLI lesson, designed as an intervention time to help them receive targeted support at their individual ability levels. This "second scoop" of instruction offers students extra practice and guidance, reinforcing key skills and strategies in reading. Small group sessions like these create an encouraging environment where students can gain confidence and make progress in their learning.

Fifth-grade students visited the Freeborn County Historical Museum for Discover History Day, where they explored the county's rich past through interactive exhibits, hands-on demonstrations, and role-playing activities. The experience highlighted pioneer life and introduced students to notable local figures like Marion Ross from Happy Days and musician Eddie Cochran.

Students at USC enjoyed a lively and festive Halloween celebration, embracing the holiday spirit with great enthusiasm. From Matilda, Miss Honey, and Miss Trunchbull to Fern from Charlotte’s Web, Bob Ross, and a variety of other characters, there was no shortage of creativity and fun. Despite the rain and occasional snow flurries, the excitement wasn’t dampened, and both students and staff brought energy and joy to the day. Classrooms buzzed with seasonal activities, and the hallways and lunchroom were filled with vibrant costumes. It was a day of laughter, creativity, and community spirit, making Halloween at USC a memorable experience for everyone

Students in Mrs. Stenzel's Class could not resist checking out the Halloween "Blizzard" of 2024!

Email: jtaylor@unitedsouthcentral.org
Location: 600 11th Street Southwest, Wells, MN, USA
Phone: 507-553-5810