Waubesa Weekly
January 12th 2025
Hello Waubesa Families,
Our January theme/focus at Waubesa is Growth Mindset. By now you’ve noticed that we post our monthly theme/focus on our school sign in front of our school as a daily reminder. Additionally, our students get to hear weekly reminders in the Waubesa Word, a fifth grade student led video announcement program.
As we continue into our second full week of January, it’s a great time for all of us to use this Growth Mindset. We promote with students the importance of having a growth mindset by encouraging effort and recognizing that when a student doesn't know something right away, “that’s okay. You don’t know it, YET!” That’s what learning is all about! By having a Growth Mindset and embracing the power of “Yet,” students are able to better manage their emotions through the productive struggle of learning. As we know, not everything comes quick and easy, but with a Growth Mindset, effort, and perseverance anything is possible. We ask that you please reinforce this same message as students can be very hard on themselves when they’re not successful the first time. We remind students that all of us, including adults, experience the discomfort of not knowing something but working through that discomfort is part of the learning process. Please take a moment to view this short “Growth Mindset Animation.”
As always, if you have any questions or suggestions throughout the school year, we encourage you to use this form. We appreciate hearing directly from families when they have questions or concerns; thank you.
Thank you for your continued support. Soaring Higher Together!
Corey Shefchik: Principal
Brooke Hauser: K-5 Associate Principal
School Avoidance: If your student is having a hard with the transition back to school, please do not hesitate to reach out to Student Services. We are here to help support both you and your student! You can reach out to Emily Gierl at gierle@mcfsd.org for this as well.
Triple P Online is a fully self- guided online parent education and support program. It is research based, accessible 24/7, flexible and easy to tailor, engaging, and free for all families living in the state of Wisconsin. Each program goes through modules with tips and strategies for parents to prevent challenging behavior, promote positive behavior, and build stronger relationships with their child.
Parents and caregivers can choose from four options to fit the needs of their family:
0-12: For parents with children ages 2-12
Teen: For parents with teens ages 12-16
Fear- Less: For parents with children showing symptoms of anxiety
Baby: For parents-to-be and parents with babies 0-12 months
REGISTER HERE– Triple P Online link - https://www.triplep-parenting.com/wi-en/triple-p/
Waubesa Student Services Team (website)
Casey Popowski: School Counselor, 3rd and 4th grade Lifeskills Teacher
Casey Ruhland: School Counselor, 5th grade Lifeskills Teacher
Kayla Gauwitz: School Psychologist
Emily Gierl: School Social Worker
As a reminder please make sure your students have proper gear for outside. This would include but not limited to a coat, boots, mittens, hat, etc. It is suggested to have a back up pair of socks and/or shoes in their cubby if needed. The office can not provide gear for students who occasionally forget the essential items. If you are in need of gear for winter please email Emily Gierl our School Social Worker at gierle@mcfsd.org.
MSEC is a collaborative group that meets monthly to provide feedback to the district with the goal of enhancing positive experiences for all students and families. If you’re interested in advocating for improvements to our school community or learning about important district topics, we invite you to join our upcoming meeting on January 15th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at WIS in the Multi-Purpose Room. Everyone is welcome!
Representatives from each buildings student services team will be joining us to provide share how they support our students.
To receive more detailed information about MSEC, join our mailing list by completing this form.
For upcoming meetings, check out our calendar of events for the year.
School Immunizations & Vaccine Clinics
Your student’s school health assistant will be sending out email notifications shortly for students who are still in process or not compliant with WI School Immunization Requirements, in preparation for the 2025-24 school year. Please follow up with your Primary Care Provider to ensure that your child becomes up-to-date with vaccinations for their age/grade for next school year, WI Student Immunization Law by Age/Grade Requirements. If you have updated immunization information or would like access to a waiver (for personal, religious or health reasons - see step 4) please submit a student immunization record (English, Spanish) to your students school health office.
Vaccine Clinics: Public Health Madison & Dane County is partnering with Madison Metropolitan School District and SSM Health to offer more school vaccine clinics to get students up to date on their school vaccines. These clinics will take place at the below dates and times in Madison.
Saturday, February 8th – 10am-2pm – at Holtzman Learning Center
Saturday May 17th – 10am-2pm – at Holtzman Learning Center
To find out more information and to schedule an appointment, see the attached flyer, or visit publichealthmdc.com/schoolclinics.
