Washington Learning Center News
"Learning for fun, learning for growth, learning for life"
January 2024 Message from Principal Brown
Happy New Year!
Welcome back to WLC. We hope you had a wonderful winter break and enjoyed spending time together as a family. We look forward to reconnecting with the children and strengthening our relationships with them. Adult relationships with young children are extremely important. It's those relationships where children build trust with adults which help them feel safe and loved. Please watch this 7 minute Ted Talk given by a 7 year old!
Connect with your child's teacher to see how they are doing transitioning back to school. Let the teachers know if your child's routines at home are back on track; this helps them understand how your child behaves at school.
Kindergartners Will Begin Winter Assessments
In mid January we will begin our winter math and reading assessments using FAST (Formative Assessment System for Teachers). This will allow teachers to see how your children are doing and adjust their instruction to meet the needs of the children.
Does your child talk about the Superkids? We have really enjoyed implementing the Superkids reading resources this year and the children really love the Superkids characters. Be sure to ask your child about them and you can even check out the Superkids Facebook page.
Handwriting is also a very important part of the English Language Arts curriculum. Your child is learning how to hold the pencil (or other writing utensil) properly. Holding a pencil correctly requires strong finger and hand muscles and dexterity. A correct pencil grip will enable the writer to move the fingers, controlling the pencil with efficient finger movements. Many kindergarteners come in with an improper grasp. Please check with your teacher to see how your child is doing. We have great visuals to assist you as you help your child with their writing (and coloring) at home. This will be important as your child continues to do more writing throughout the year. This applies to coloring as well.
Kindergarten Curbside Drop Off Times: 7:30 - 7:50 A.M.
All kindergartners should be dropped off no later than 7:50 A.M.
Please remember that the WLC school day begins at 8:00 A.M. The children may arrive at 7:30 if they are going to eat breakfast. If you have children that attend Jefferson and/or the Middle School, their school day begins later at 8:10 A.M. Please be sure to drop off your WLC student prior to Jefferson and/or the Middle School. WLC teachers take daily attendance and need to begin their instructional day at 8:00 A.M.
Children arriving late, past 7:50, will need to be brought into the office through door 1.
Mark your calendar!
-Friday, January 5, 2024 - ECFE Gym Night at WLC, 6pm-7pm
-Monday, January 8, 2024 - ECFE Registration Opens
-Tuesday, January 9, 2024 - Eagles Preschool Registration Opens
-Wednesday, January 10, 2024 - Early Childhood Screening - appointment required, click here to schedule
-Friday, January 12th & Monday, January 15th - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Inservice Days
-Thursday, January 25th - Eagles Preschool Special Person Day - BOOT SKATE at the Civic Center - AM Preschool: 9:40am-10:40am, PM Preschool: 1:40pm-2:40pm
*Kindergarten FAST Testing will be happening in kindergarten classrooms throughout the month (Tuesday, January 16th-Friday, January 26th)*
Please make sure your info is up-to-date☎️📪
Although measurable snowfall has not arrived yet this year it will be here sooner or later! Please make sure that your child's teacher has an up-to-date emergency dismissal plan (if it has changed) and that all of your phone numbers and email addresses are up-to-date with the office so you do not miss important notifications. If changes are needed or you are not sure what information is currently listed please log into your Campus Portal account to check & either make the updates through there or email the WLC office staff (nhubert@newulm.k12.mn.us, abackous@newulm.k12.mn.us) or your child's teacher. In the event of a late start, early dismissal or snow day having up-to-date information is crucial. Thank you for your help with this!
Does your child have a change of clothes?👕🧦🩳
From time to time there may be a spill or a bathroom accident, etc. While our nurse's office does have some clothes that we are able to borrow out they aren't always the best fit, are somewhat limited, and some children prefer a set of their own comfy clothes. Please make sure that your child has a weather appropriate change of clothes to be stored in their locker. (Some may still have the stuff they brought when the weather was nice and warm). If your child has came home in something from the nurse's office please launder it and send it back as soon as you are able (sometimes an email to the teacher is warranted letting them know it is being sent back so they know to take it out of a backpack). Thanks for your help with this!
January Menus
WLC JANUARY 2024 BREAKFAST MENUS
Breakfast is FREE for all students from 7:30am-8:00am. Please remember if your child is needing to eat breakfast at school they need to be here early enough to make it up to their classroom by 8:00 A.M. Kindergarten does officially start at 8:00 A.M. and students will begin to be marked tardy if they are coming up late from breakfast. Thank you for your assistance and effort in helping the students be up to their classrooms to get their days started on time.
Lunch is FREE for all students. If your student brings a lunch from home but purchases milk there will be a charge of $0.55 to their lunch account.
Food Services Director - Teri Jesperson
ECFE - Betty Uehling
It is memory making time! ECFE class registration opens on January 8. We have our regular classes plus plenty of new ones! We are excited to offer new classes that are open to families with children on ANY age...Love and Logic, childbirth classes, Mindful Mama Retreats. Check us out!
Don't forget our Free Family Gym Nights...January 5 (TONIGHT!), February 2 and March 15 from 6:00-7:00 at the WLC.
Visit the New Ulm ECFE Facebook page to view the entire winter brochure.
Upcoming ECFE Events:
ECFE Family Gym Nights
Peaceful Parenting Classes
Daddy Daughter Dance
Mom & Son Superhero Dance
Eagles Preschool - Ms. Melissa
The preschool students enjoy playing outside, even in the winter! This year hasn’t been snowy yet, so the children are still enjoying riding bikes, blowing bubbles, and playing in the sandbox. Once the snow comes we will go sledding, shovel snow, and make snowmen.
Getting ready to go outside in the winter takes a lot of steps. We have been working on the steps at preschool. We use a picture schedule to help the children remember the order of how to put on all of their gear. Check out the visual below! You can encourage your child to be independent and practice at home too.
Don't forget about the Eagles Preschool Fundraiser:
Eagles Preschool Registration opens next week! Click the picture to register:
Mark your calendars for Eagles Preschool Special Person Days!
Don't miss the next Eagles Preschool Special Person Day!
Kindergarten - Mrs. Tiffany Gasow
In December, we had fun learning about our new Superkids: Icky, Tic, Tac, and Toc. Ask your child about our three friends Tic, Tac, and Toc and they might tell you they are Triple Trouble! Good thing they didn’t get into too much trouble (especially during December)! We focused on words that begin with the letter “T” as well as the letter “I” for Icky. Let’s see how many words you can find in our newsletter that begin with “t” or “i”.
We are learning many new heart/memory words. The kids are able to spot these words in books as well as different places around school. They are terrific at doing this! Some of the words we have learned so far include: do, to, the, we, like, a, I, and can.
Math has been so much fun with our winter theme going on this month! We’ve been working hard on learning our teen numbers, counting & writing numbers to 20, adding numbers, and learning our friends of 10.
We had so much fun making gingerbread cookies and also getting to build gingerbread houses (while sneaking some treats in the process) 😉It was so fun to have some parent volunteers come into our classrooms for this! The houses turned out great and the kids had a blast!
Sometimes when we think of December and the holiday season, we think about Christmas carols. We were so honored to host the Oak Street Singers at WLC for all the kids to enjoy the songs they sang while also getting to join in on some of the songs too! They were so talented & it was a highlight for us all!
We hope you enjoyed your break, and we look forward to a new year full of learning & growth!
Mrs. Gasow
Library, Technology & STEM - Mrs. Angela Hoek
During STEM the students learned about sinking and floating. The students experimented to see which Christmas items floated and which would sink. The students first made predictions on whether the item would sink or float, the item was placed in the water tank, and then they recorded the results. Students discussed the material the items were made of, the density of the items, and whether air was trapped inside. The Christmas items placed in the water tank: Christmas rubber ducky (float), candy cane (sink), metal cookie cutters (sink), lego trees (float), plastic ornaments (float), metal bells (sink), pinecones (float), and rubber toys (sink).
Physical Education - Ms. Mikayla Lindell
STRIKE!! Looking for a fun family activity that is indoors to avoid the cold, how about bowling? The kindergarteners will start off the new year with the bowling unit, and soon be ready to hit the lanes! They will learn how to hold the ball, which foot to step forward with, and how to get down low so the ball is rolled instead of thrown. After bowling we are going to warm up our dancing shoes and learn all sorts of fun dances. Once our dancing shoes are warmed up, we will break out the buckets and drum sticks for drum fitness.Then we will kick off the soccer unit focusing on dribbling, trapping, not using our hands, and kicking at a target to score a GOAL!!! Students will also be learning about the importance of physical activity to keep their bodies healthy, and how faster movement corresponds to faster heartbeat and breathing.
In November and December the kindergartens got to practice some tumbling and yoga to learn all sorts of different ways to move and balance their bodies. They also finally got to try out the brand new rock wall and ROCKED IT. Students then got to experience the pure joy of scooters while learning different ways to move on them. Lastly, before heading into winter break students got to play some winter games while practicing their balance skill and using teamwork.
REMINDER: Students need their tennis shoes EVERYDAY for physical education!
Special Education - Jaci Krueger
With the winter months among us, it is important to keep kids busy. Screen time is an easy “go-to” for an activity; however, it is not always the best activity choice for brain development and growth. An article on the American Speech and Language Association website gave these 5 activities to engage kids in activities that will continue to improve their language development. Source: asha.org
Books. Reading with your child is a great way to target language. Go to the library and spend time reading there or checking books out to read later. Or revisit old favorites by making up a new story without using the words on the page. Stop as you read and ask questions about what comes next or relate it to an experience in your own lives
Car games. Going on a road trip? Just stuck in traffic? Turn it in to a language activity. If your kids are working on sounds, play “I Spy” with their target sound or expand language by looking for different objects. You can also create a group story. One person starts with once upon a time and everyone takes a turn adding one sentence to the story.
Send postcards. Even if you aren’t going away for the summer, postcards provide a natural, accessible way to work on writing, grammar, and storytelling. The best part is, if you don’t want to send them, you can address them to their classroom teacher and let your kids share the postcards.
Make a collage. Everyone loves taking pictures. Sit with your child and go through your phone photos. Print out a bunch, and put them into categories—outdoors, friends, animals, and more. Then paste them onto a photo board.This is great for recalling events and expanding vocabulary.
Baking/cooking. Involve your kids in baking/cooking a dish for supper or pack lunches for school. Review directions at the beginning and talk about how it’s important to follow the steps so the final result turns out right. Decorating at the end offers fun ways to work on patterns and descriptions.
Take a winter roadtrip!
Cook & bake together!
Make a collage!
Licensed School Nurse - Tara Fausch
Keep Your Kids Safe & Avoid Cabin Fever: Cold Weather Safety Reminders for the Family
Keeping your young child busy can be challenging even when the weather is perfect, but when cold weather (and ridiculous amounts of snow!) arrive and force us indoors, that challenge can be even greater. However, getting those kids outside to burn some energy is possible most days as long as you keep a few safety precautions in mind.
Keep an Eye on the Thermometer
There is no hard and fast rule on how cold is too cold to let the kids out to play, but consider both the air temperature AND the wind chill when using your judgment about outdoor playtime during cold weather. The chart below shows how quickly frostbite can set in based on various temperatures and wind speeds and can serve as a handy reference when deciding how much outdoor playtime to allow this winter.
Image credit: https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold-wind-chill-chart
Layers, layers, layers!
Because children’s bodies are smaller than adults, they lose heat more quickly, so are at higher risk when out in the cold. Dress your child warmly and in layers when heading out into the cold. Wool is often warmer than cotton, so consider a wool layer. Cotton also soaks up water easily and doesn’t hold much warmth. Waterproof outer layers, including snow pants and coats, will help your child stay dry. Don’t forget gloves or mittens, socks, warm boots, and a hat. Mittens allow fingers to touch and maintain their warmth better than gloves and a good hat helps prevent body heat loss, much of which occurs through the head. Fingers, toes, ears, noses, and cheeks are the areas most prone to frostbite, so make sure all of these areas are as well covered as possible. Adding a scarf can keep the cold away from the neck, chin, and cheeks, while also protecting your child’s lungs from the cold air.
Check in frequently to enforce “warm up breaks”, have children swap out wet clothes, and ALWAYS supervise higher risk activities, such as sledding, snow tubing, snowboarding, and ice skating. Stay away from streets and snow plows as snow plows cannot slow down or turn quickly and cars may slide when trying to stop or turn. The snow, salt, and ice thrown by plows is also dirty and can cause injury. Do not allow children to dig deep into snow banks or build forts with a “roof” as these may collapse and cause injury or suffocation.
When getting out to sled, make sure all equipment is in good condition and look for a hill that is not too steep, has a level run off for stopping safely, is free of bare spots, holes, fences, rocks, trees, or poles, and does not end near a street or body of water. Always sled feet first or sitting up. It is also recommended that your child wear a helmet while sledding.
Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia and what to do if they occur.
-Frostbite: skin turns white or yellowish gray and can blister, your child may say that the skin hurts or feels like it is burning, or the skin may be numb. If you suspect frostbite, bring your child indoors immediately to begin warming up. Do not rub the affected area or pop any blisters. Soak the affected area in warm, not hot, water for 20 minutes or apply a warm washcloth if soaking is not possible. Then dry, cover child with blankets, and give something warm to drink. If symptoms persist, have your child seen by a healthcare provider.
-Hypothermia: shivering followed by sluggishness, being clumsy, slurring words, unconsciousness. This is a medical emergency. Call 911. While waiting for help to arrive, bring your child inside, remove wet clothing, wrap in blankets or warm clothes, and give something warm to drink.
So get out and enjoy this snow crazy winter while keeping your family safe and taking breaks to keep warm!
School Social Worker - Karla Fahey
Community Education - Crystal Fleck
The Winter Brochure was in The Journal on Saturday, December 23rd, and The Shopper on Tuesday, December 26th. Registration began on Wednesday, January 3rd.
Cookie Decorating Class for Adults!
Instructor: Sam Whittington, Sammy’s Sweets
Washington Learning Center (door #1) Cafeteria
Tuesday, January 30th OR Tuesday, February 13th 6:00pm-7:30pm
Fee: $25.00 (Min 10/ Max 15)
Local cookier Sammy’s Sweets will teach participants how to use a variety of royal icing techniques to make cookie masterpieces!
Cookie Decorating Class for Kids!
Instructor: Sam Whittington, Sammy’s Sweets
Washington Learning Center (door #1) Cafeteria
Saturday, February 10th 10:00am-11:30am OR Thursday, February 28th 6:00pm-7:30pm
Fee: $25.00 (Min 10/ Max 15)
Local cookier Sammy’s Sweets will teach participants
how to use a variety of royal icing techniques to make cookie masterpieces!
Babysitter Training - Boys and girls ages 10 and up
Instructor: Kiersten Dean
Washington Learning Center (door #1) Room #104
Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 9:30am to 1:00pm
Fee: $57.25
Babysitting, often the first job for a young person, is a chance to earn money and develop a sense of responsibility. This course will cover appropriate games and activities, telephone common sense, basic first aid, good decision-making skills, and much more. There will be take-home materials for all in class as well as some items for their babysitter bags. **Each student will need to bring a sack lunch and a doll to class.
Home Alone
Instructor: Kiersten Dean
Washington Learning Center (door #1) Rm #104
Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 1:30pm-3:00pm
Fee: $25 For 3rd Grade and older.
This class will cover the basics of staying home alone and coming and going from home safely. Topics include appliance safety, responsibilities, house rules, first aid, and more are discussed. There will be time allowed for questions and answers from the attendees. You will feel confident and educated to stay home after attending this class. There will be take-home materials for all in class. This class is for completed 3rd graders and older.
Registrations can be received by:
• Online with a credit card at http://newulm.ce.eleyo.com
• Phone: 507-233-8307 (registration is complete only after payment has been received)
• Mail: Community Education, 910 14th St. North, New Ulm, MN 56073
• Stop in at our office at the Washington Learning Center, 910 14th St. North (door #1)
Kindergarten School Day Begins at 8:00 A.M.
- If your child is planning on eating breakfast, please drop them off at 7:30 A.M.
We would like to see all kindergartners here no later than 7:50 so they have time to go to their lockers and be ready for the 8:00 A.M. start.
Some children arrive on the bus and we know they do not have control about the time they arrive at school. We do ensure that those children receive breakfast if they want it.
End of the day dismissal is 3:00 P.M. If you are waiting for your child at curbside, you will see them start to exit the building just after 3:00 P.M. We will dismiss students as soon as they come down according to the cars lined up at the cones.
Curbside pick up has been getting better everyday! Thank you for your assistance and support!
Drop Off / Pick Up Reminders
Preschool Pickup
Kindergarten Pickup
Parking and Entering the Building
We want to keep Franklin Street free of parked cars during drop off and pick up so parents waiting in cars can line up there and not block the street.
Thank you for your efforts in following these plan to keep everyone safe.
Please see the maps and contact the office with any questions. (507) 233-8300
Franklin Street
Preschool parent cars will be lining up along Franklin, the length of the parking lot, as they wait to turn right onto 14th N Street.
Kindergarten parents will continue to line up along the WEST side of Franklin just north of the parking lot entrance.
Thank you for your efforts in following these plan to keep everyone safe.
Please review the 2 maps below for preschool and kindergarten traffic plans.
U Turns on Franklin
We ask that all drivers enter the curbside drop off from the North (coming from 16th Street) and either get in line along Franklin Street curb and wait your turn to enter the curbside area so as not to block the driveway leading to the loading dock. We need to leave that open for delivery trucks, and our custodial and maintenance vehicles. Franklin is a very busy street in the morning and is not the place for U turns. If you haven't been following the procedures, please plan your morning routine to do so. If everyone is following the procedures, then everyone is assured to have a safe and positive experience.
The curbside drop off and pick up procedures will be shared with parents all throughout the year and will have a permanent posting on our newsletter. It is so important that ALL drivers follow the developed procedures. The procedures are in place in order to keep ALL people safe.
Washington Learning Center Quick Contacts
- Principal: Mrs. Dawn Brown, dbrown@newulm.k12.mn.us
- Office Secretaries: Nicole Hubert, nhubert@newulm.k12.mn.us & Amber Backous, abackous@newulm.k12.mn.us
- District Nurse: Tara Fausch, tfausch@newulm.k12.mn.us
- Health Assistant: Marya Helget., mhelget@newulm.k12.mn.us
- Community Education: Crystal Fleck, cfleck@newulm.k12.mn.us
- Early Childhood Family Education & Eagles Preschool: Betty Uehling, buehling@newulm.k12.mn.us
- School Social Worker: Karla Fahey, kfahey@newulm.k12.mn.us
Contact the WLC Office
Email: nhubert@newulm.k12.mn.us or abackous@newulm.k12.mn.us
Website: http://www.newulm.k12.mn.us/washington-learning-center/
Location: 910 14th North Street, New Ulm, MN, United States
Phone: (507) 233-8300
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NUPSwlc
Twitter: @NUPSwlc