Dear Winn Elementary Families,

Welcome to the new school year at Winn Elementary! We are thrilled to have your family as part of our school community and are excited to partner with you in your child’s educational journey. Thank you for sharing your child with us; it is a privilege to watch them grow and learn each day.

At Winn Elementary, we are committed to fostering a nurturing and supportive environment where every child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. To support this, we are proud to continue implementing the Second Step program, a comprehensive social-emotional learning curriculum. This program is designed to help students develop important life skills such as empathy, self-regulation, and problem-solving, which are essential for their success both in and out of the classroom.

We are delighted to share that this year, Winn Elementary is also implementing the Capturing Kids' Hearts program, a nationally recognized initiative that focuses on building positive relationships and fostering a caring school environment. This program aligns with our commitment to nurturing the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally.

What is Capturing Kids' Hearts? (CKH)

Capturing Kids' Hearts is designed to create strong connections between students, teachers, and staff by promoting trust, respect, and understanding. Through this program, our educators will be equipped with strategies to transform the classroom experience, encouraging students to take ownership of their learning and behavior.

What Can You Expect?

• Positive Relationships: Students will engage in daily practices that promote respect, kindness, and effective communication, helping to create a supportive classroom community.
• Leadership Development: The program encourages students to develop leadership skills and to contribute positively to their school environment.
• Increased Engagement: By fostering a safe and loving atmosphere, students are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and successful in their academic endeavors.

We are excited about the positive impact this program will have on our school community and look forward to seeing the growth in our students as they learn to build meaningful relationships and develop essential life skills.

As always, our doors are open to you. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have. We look forward to a wonderful year of growth, learning, and partnership.

Once again, thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. Let’s make this school year one of the best yet!

Warm regards,

Laurie Richards
Principal, Winn Elementary

We want to welcome you back to the 24-25 school year here at Winn Elementary. We are so excited about this new year! Here are some reminders to help you navigate the school year:

1. Social Emotional Concerns: If you have a concern about your child, please reach out to your classroom teacher. You can contact them via Remind, email, or phone. Talk to your teacher about what you are seeing and let us know how we can help.
2. Blue Notes: We have cool "Note to School" pads (Blue Notes) that we give our families to help make note writing quicker. It is important for you to send a note with your child if there is a change of plans or you need to let us know something. These note pads are all set up to help you! Let us know if you would like one.
3. No Morning WAAC: We have no morning WACC this year. If you are dropping your child off in the morning, please wait until a Winn staff member is outside. Students can enter the building at 7:30.
4. Free Breakfast: A warm breakfast is served for FREE each day from 7:30-7:45 am.
5. Winn Birthday Cakes: All students at Winn get a real birthday cake from us! Birthdays are celebrated at 7:45 am each day. You are welcome to join your child in the cafeteria for their birthday! School begins at 8:00 am.
6. Dropping off Stuff: If you are dropping off paperwork, need to speak to the office, or drop something to the classroom, please park in the parking lot and come into the building.
7. Afterschool WAAC: After school WAAC begins at 2:50 pm and runs until 5:30pm each day
8. Green Car Tags for Pick Up: You will receive your "green car tag" at Open House. In order to pick up your child at the end of the day, you must have your "green car tags" sign in your car to help us call for your child and for safety. We do "curb to curb" service so you stay in your car and we do the rest! If you need extra "green car tags," please let the office know (989)866-2250 OR stop by at open house to request them.

• 7:30 Doors Open
• 7:30-7:45 Breakfast Served
• 7:45 Celebrate Birthdays!
• 7:50 Students Return to Classrooms
• 8:00 School Begins (Morning Opening)
• 10:00 Lower El Recess
• 11:30 K-2 Lunch
• 12:00 3-5 Lunch
• 2:25 Upper El Recess
• 2:50 Load Buses & Start Pick Up Line Dismissal

1. Pull into the park lot traveling towards the front of the building. Please stay in your car. Do not park in the parking lot.

2. All of the "color" spots are labeled in front of the school.

3. Pull up as far as you can.

4. At 7:30 am, we will come out of the building to welcome you! Please do not let your child out of the car until 7:30 am

5. Help your kids get out of the car and give them a big hug!

6. We will help them into the building!

1. Get into line for pick up. We begin the line in the Flex Tech parking lot. Please make TWO lines. Someone will be out in the lot helping for the first couple of weeks.

2. At 2:50 PM, we will open our lot. Cars will pull forward and fill in the pick up loop.

3. Take your GREEN car tag out and put it in the DRIVER's SIDE DASH BOARD. (changed from last year)

4. Pull up to the STOP. A staff member will look at your tag and call your child's name. They will tell you what color spot you should move forward to.

5. A staff member will help your child into the car. You do not need to get out of your car. We will help them get in and get set to go home.

6. Once your child is in the car, pull slowly through the rest of the lot. Be cautious! Drive slowly and look around for other people and cars.

Penny had a great summer at home playing with her sister, Ruth, the Airedale! She is looking forward to visiting with you all this school year. Penny had a fun summer trip up to Copper Harbor. We practiced meeting new people and greeting kids. She can't wait to come back to Winn this Fall.

All year, I have a chance to read to your families! I do a LIVE Facebook read to students each Tuesday at 7:30. It is a great chance to spend time together and listen to a great book. It will also help you get to know me. If you haven't joined our "Winn Elementary Facebook" page yet you will want to join it so your family can come to listen to the book.

We are so happy to welcome you to the 2024-2025 school year! Thank you for sharing your child with our family here at Winn. If your family needs help in any way please reach out. My door is always open for our families.

Email: LRichards@shepherdschools.net
Website: https://www.shepherdschools.net/o/winn-elementary-school
Location: 418 W. Blanchard Rd, Shepherd, Mi 48883
Phone: (989)866-2250
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winnelementary
Twitter: @WinnElementary