Wildcat News

Happy November and happy Thursday! A few things so you can stay in the know:

~ Picture Retakes: Picture retakes are TOMORROW, Friday, November 8. If you wish to have your child's picture retaken, please return the package of pictures you received.

~ No School on Monday, November 11. This is a professional development day for teacher and a chance for teachers to prepare for conferences. Linked below are the 2024-25 MAPS Calendars for your reference.

~ November Early Release: The next early release is next Wednesday, November 13. Attached is the link to the Google Form that lets us know what each child's plan is. We ask that you fill this form out each month. If you have more than one child at Washington, you will need to fill out the form for each child. Thank you for your cooperation. It helps us track the nearly 400 students in our building.

~ PTO Volunteers Needed: Here is the link to the sign up Genius for Conference Meals, and here is the link to sign up to help with the Scholastic Book Fair. We are still in need of many items for conference meals and a few volunteers to help support the book fair. Please take a moment to help support the PTO requests.

~ Washington Clothing Order: See the information below regarding ordering Washington clothing apparel. A paper copy of the order form came home already, but if you need another form, please have your child grab one from the Washington office. Deadline: Friday, November 8th.

~ Fall Conferences: Here is the link to sign up for your child's conference. As a reminder, MAPS elementary schools will be changing the timing of Progress Reports to increase the frequency of scheduled communication with families about student achievement. Starting in the fall of 2024, Progress Reports will occur at different times than Parent Teacher Conferences. Parent Teacher Conferences will continue to be held in November and March, and Progress Reports will be completed in January and June. This change will provide an opportunity for families to receive communication four times during the school year, and families will have an understanding of their child’s progress at the end of the school year.

~ Boy Scouts/PTO Partnership: Washington Elementary and the PTO are proud charters of the local Boy Scouts (soon to be Scouting America) Pack 91! We are looking to grow our partnership and create opportunities for more collaboration as we continue to support each other's missions. We are currently looking for a parent volunteer to serve in the role of Chartered Organization Representative (COR), which is a liaison role between Scouting and the PTO! No scouting experience necessary and you are not required to have a child in scouting to volunteer! If interested in learning more about this AMAZING opportunity please reach out to PTO President Katie Dease (katie.kendhammer@gmail.com).

Thank you for being such a great Washington community!

Ann Haggerty

Washington Principal

ahagge1@isd77.org

During the month of November, our entire school will focus on Habit #1: Be Proactive. As parents/guardians, your understanding and support of our leadership work in this habit is very appreciated! I have found this language and learning to benefit ALL, not just students!

Habit 1: Be Proactive is about taking responsibility for our lives. This is the first habit because every other habit depends on our ability to act proactively rather than reactively—to make things happen rather than waiting for them to happen.

One of the key ideas in this habit is that we have the freedom to choose our response. When things happen to us, we get to decide whether to focus on what we can change or to get stuck waiting, complaining, and worrying.

One of the most important indicators of whether we’re responding proactively or reactively is the language we use. When we use proactive language we say things like “I can” or “I get to.” When we use reactive language we say things like “I can’t” or “I have to.”

When we use consistent, proactive language it affirms our capacity to choose and reflects and reinforces a proactive approach to life.

Dear Families,

Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to connect

with your child over the thrill of bringing home new books to dive into again and again. Studies show that kids read more when they choose books for themselves. And fostering a love of independent reading leads to a wide variety of benefits—including academic success and improved mental health. Here’s everything you need to know about the Book Fair:

Dates: November 14, 18 & 19 from 3:00pm - 7:30pm

Location: Washington Media Center

While you’re there, set up a Book Fair eWallet, the digital payment account that allows your child to

shop for books at the Fair without cash. Then share your eWallet link so friends and extended family can add funds. When you fund an eWallet, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a giving initiative called Share the FairTM. Your contributions directly support our students who need help buying books from the Fair.

Many of us still remember the rush of finding the perfect book at a Scholastic Book Fair. I hope you’ll join your child at our school’s Fair and share a reading experience they’ll remember forever.

Happy reading,

Ann Haggerty

Washington Elementary Principal

PS: Need one more reason to visit the Book Fair? Every purchase at the Fair benefits our school!

Mankato Area Public Schools (MAPS) is committed to working together equitably, with families and communities, so that each learner has the knowledge and skills to be a successful and contributing citizen in a diverse global society.

Email: ahagge1@isd77.org
Website: https://we.isd77.org/
Location: 1100 Anderson Drive
Phone: 507-345-3059