Stoner Prairie News
12th Edition, December 18th, 2023
Principal Connection
Reflections of 2023
Welcome to the final edition of our school newsletter for the calendar year of 2023! A reminder that scholars will not be attending in school on Friday, 12/22 (asynchronous is available) and next week is winter break. We will welcome everyone back on January 2, 2024 and our next newsletter will come to you on January 8, 2024 - our first Monday in the new calendar year.
This time of year gives us reason to pause and consider all that took place over the calendar year of 2023. There is much to be grateful for. Personally, 2023 was a year of change and celebration! For myself (joining Stoner Prairie as your Principal) as well as for my family (my daughter Cleo graduated from UW-Madison on Sunday). Change is a part of moving forward and I want to thank everyone in our Stoner Prairie community for helping me celebrate the transition to Principal this year - there are great things coming up in 2024!
Please enjoy a safe, healthy, restful winter break.
Teacher Newsletters: Click here to see your child's newsletter
Attendance reminders:
Call us when your scholar is unable to be at school. To report an absence, you may:
- Call 608-845-4203 (English attendance line) or 608-845-4200 (main line with Spanish option) or
- Email sp-attendance@verona.k12.wi.us (English and Spanish) with all attendance changes.
Contacting the attendance office directly is important!
Stoner Prairie Elementary PTO News
Thank you Jersey Mike’s and to everyone who donated to Stoner Prairie! We raised $424 and they rounded it up to $450!!
Looking for a last minute teacher gift? Check out the staff wishlists! https://spes.verona.k12.wi.us/about/staff-wish-list (Please do not give homemade treats due to allergens.)
Did you know you can donate 5% of your purchase at Office Depot to Stoner Prairie? Next time you need school or office supplies use our ID: 70108759.
Mark your calendars! The next PTO meeting is 1/9 from 6-7 pm in the Stoner Prairie Library. All are welcome! Reach out to stonerprairiepto@gmail.com with any questions, concerns, or suggestions or to be added to our email list. Keep up to date with events on our website: https://stonerprairiepto.wixsite.com/website/
Important Updates & Upcoming Dates
Helping Hands A Success!
In addition to filling the barrel, our FFA and VASD Social Workers ran our 34th Annual Holiday Gift Drive, Helping Hands. This year our social worker, Ms. Confer, had two carloads FULL of toys for families requesting gifts across our district. Well over 400 families were served by your generosity. Thank you to those who contributed to the drive.
December - a season of giving: Part 2
Thank you to everyone who helped us collect for families in need this month. Both our Badger Needs Network and Helping Hands donation drives have yielded many items for those in need within our community.
Last Wednesday we rose to the challenge of filling the barrel! High School students came to collect items from our school later that day. Thank you to all who donated, your gratitude will serve our community well.
Safety Patrols Help with Lost and Found
Last week our incredible Safety Patrols worked to organize lost and found. Items with names were returned to their owners, items unlabelled are on display in the step room. Classroom teachers are taking scholars to the lost and found to collect items that belong to them this week. If you feel that your scholar is missing something, please stop by before end of day on Thursday to claim. Items will be donated to our Stoner Prairie lending closet at the end of the week.
Friday Staff vs. Fifth Grader Basketball Game
Friday afternoon our staff took on the challenge of playing five-on-five basketball versus some amazingly talented Stoner Prairie fifth graders. There was no shortage of competitive spirit across both teams! Staff pulled out a victory but fifth graders are hoping for revenge at the next game - stay tuned.
Best wishes to Ms. Messina
Our school is sending well wishes to Ms. Messina. As a Special Education Assistant, Ms. Messina has worked with scholars across our school. She has accepted a position in a private organization to support her own family at this time. We wish her the very best and will miss her at Stoner Prairie.
Welcome Mr. Abendroth!
When we return from winter break, we will welcome a new Special Education Assistant, Mr. Abendroth. Here is a little more about our newest staff member in his words:
I'm originally from WI, heralding from a small, rural town called Markesan. I'm coming from Orlando Florida with my wife and 3.5 year old son, where I coached competitive club soccer having done so for over 15 years. I am obsessed with soccer, my beautiful family, geography, and culture (not necessarily in that order). I'm excited to begin my formal education career at Stoner Prairie and continue my own educational pursuit of a teaching license.
Welcome Ms. Anderson!
In addition to welcoming Mr. Abendroth after break, we will also welcome another Special Education Assistant, Ms. Anderson. Here is a little more about her in her own words:
I am originally from Milwaukee, wi and moved her about 10 years ago. I have been in child care for the last 8 years and look forward to this transition into a school environment.
Lost Keys!
These keys were found in the staff parking lot and no one has claimed them. Please stop by the office if they are yours. Also a reminder that staff only are permitted in the parking lot from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Please do not use this area for dropping off or picking up your scholar. Thank you!
THANK YOU!
Today I received an positive bus report from First Student. Specifically the note stated that Milo F. from Ms. Roetker's class demonstrated repeated acts of kindness stating, "Milo started to sit with a new rider both AM and PM and it has made her feel welcome to the cheetah bus! Thank you Milo!" Indeed Milo deserves a shout out - there is no better way to end a newsletter than on a positive note!