Northside Elementary Newsletter

This newsletter can be translated into multiple languages! On a cell phone, please click the white circle with a person symbol (found in the lower right hand corner), translate, then select language. On a computer, please click "Accessibility", translate, then select language.

At our school, we believe in the message, “Attendance Matters: Every Day Counts!”. Aiming for no more than 5 absences or a 97% attendance rate, we’re working to create an environment where every child can thrive. Consistent attendance is crucial for your child’s academic growth, social development, and future success.

The Impact of Regular Attendance:
Regular attendance helps students build strong foundations in reading, math, and social skills. When a child is absent, they miss out on key lessons, class discussions, and collaborative projects, which can lead to gaps in learning that are difficult to fill later. Beyond academics, daily presence encourages routines, friendships, and a sense of responsibility.

Planning Vacations Thoughtfully:
We understand that vacations are a valuable time for family bonding and rest. However, it’s important to plan them around school breaks whenever possible. Extended or frequent absences can result in missed instructional time that’s hard to catch up on, potentially affecting grades and overall progress.

Making Attendance a Priority:
We encourage families to plan vacations during scheduled school breaks and to be mindful of any absences. If your child needs to miss school, let us know in advance, so we can help them stay on track with their learning.

A Shared Goal:
When families, teachers, and students work together, we can achieve our goal of 97% attendance and ensure that every child reaches their full potential. Your partnership is key to helping your child succeed in school and beyond.

Thank you for making every day count!

Ella, our Northside Student of the Month, exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding student! She consistently shows compassion and empathy toward her peers, making everyone feel included and valued. Her laser-like focus on her goals and the drive she displays to achieve them is truly inspiring. Ella's attentiveness in class, active participation, and unwavering respect for both her classmates and teachers set a positive example for everyone. We are incredibly proud to recognize Ella for her remarkable qualities and achievements.

In the event of inclement weather such as rain, below freezing temperatures etc, students will remain indoors for recess. Should there be inclement weather before school, all students should enter through the front office doors and will go to the large 2nd/3rd grade multi-purpose area until the bell rings.

Although we have had beautiful fall weather, we want to remind families that cooler temperatures will be here before we know it. Please keep in mind the importance of warm winter outerwear. We try to go outside for recess when possible. Please make sure your child has coats, hats and mittens as we transition into the winter months.

10. You read Northside newsletters 😉

9. You are expert bakers 🍪

8. You get your forms in on time 📝

7. You go to PTO meetings 🧑🏾‍💻

6. You attend our concerts 🎭

5. You keep your children home when they are sick 😷

4. You are responsive to your teacher's classroom needs 📚

3. You are so quick to volunteer 🙋🏻‍♂️

2. You get your children to school on time & ready to learn 🙌

1. You support your children to be the best they can be 😍

Parent Teacher Conferences are November 14th & 19th from 3:30-7:00. Parents will sign up online using Family Access beginning October 30th at 8:00am. See instructions below.

We were thrilled to have many of you participate and help with our Family Reading Night! Families enjoyed playing book character games, a dinner theater, and cozying up in tents to read together. Thank you to the following volunteers who made this event a success:

For help with clean-up:

Claire Leeds, Katie Abraham, Claire Rindahl, Krystyn Fredericks

For help during the event:

Krystyn Fredericks and Hannah Cook

For donating items:

Hannah Cook, Krystyn Fredericks, Dana Kundert, Felicia Lean, and Shawn Bechtolt

For lending us tents:

Liz Leck, Jillynn Niemeier, Tiffany Crotty, and Katie Abraham

We had awesome support from our Junior Optimist and Builders Club students from Monroe Middle School. Thank you to:

Cindy, Atziri, Sophia, Miranda, Dezy, Meyling, Sabyn, Elixa, Kaia, Thalia, Samara, Carter, Julia, and Shay.

Thank you to the following MHS students for volunteering:

Kendall, Clayton, Izzy, and Bentley

Thank you to the following members of the MHS Forensics Team:

Marques, Bella, Patricia, Lexi, and Marina

Upcoming events:

December 18th, Staff December Luncheon: be on the lookout for a sign-up genius to contribute.

Amazon WishList

Please consider donating to our PTO WishList. This is a great way to support our school. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/5COL7HHBGO1B?ref_=wl_share

Next Meeting:

Monday, November 18th at 6pm in the Northside Library

Interested in joining PTO? Reach out via email: northsidemonroepto@gmail.com. We’d love to have you!

Calendar of Upcoming Events

*Please note that all events are subject to change at any time. Additional events may be added throughout the year.

November 6: Picture Retake Day

November 13-20: Book Fair (MORE INFORMATION TO COME)

November 14: Fall Conferences 3:30-7:00pm

November 18: PTO Meeting 6pm

November 19: Fall Conferences 3:30-7:00pm

November 27-December 2: No School/ Staff Inservice

December 16: PTO Meeting 6pm

December 18: PTO Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

December 23-January 1: Winter Break No School

January 13: PTO Meeting 6pm

January 14: 1st & 2nd Grade Concert 7:00pm at MHS PAC

January 20: No School

January 31: PTO Sock Hop

February 17: PTO Meeting 6pm

February 28: No School/ Staff Inservice

March 4: 3rd & 4th Grade Concert @ MHS PAC 7:00pm

March 13: Spring Conferences 3:30-7:00pm

March 17: PTO Meeting 6pm

March 18: Spring Conferences 3:30-7:00pm

March 20: 5th Grade District Chorus Concert @ MHS PAC 7:00pm

March 24-28: Spring Break No School

April 10: Kindergarten Circus @ MHS PAC 6:00pm

April 21: PTO Meeting 6pm

April 24: Open House & Basket Raffle

April 29: 5th Grade Concert & African Ensemble @ MHS PAC 7:00pm

May 5-9: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 16: No school current Kindergarteners (incoming K Round up day)

May 19: PTO Meeting 6pm

May 26: No School

June 5: Last Day of School (11:10 Dismissal - No Lunch)

November is a good reminder to be thankful and give back. We are reaching out to ask for your support in a community effort to help those in need. We are collecting nonperishable food items and personal care products for the Green County Food Pantry, and we would love your participation!

Please consider donating items such as:

-Canned goods (vegetables, fruits, soups), Rice and pasta, Boxed meals and Personal care items (soap, toothpaste, shampoo)

Donations can be dropped off at the school office during the month of November. Every little bit helps, and together we can make a big difference for families in our community. Let's brighten up a day for others by donating.

Please remind your children to check the lost and found often. We have quite the collection started.

Did you know that sports drinks are generally not recommended for most kids?

Here's why-
1. High Sugar Content:
Sports drinks often contain a lot of added sugars, which can contribute to tooth decay, weight gain, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The American Heart Association recommends that children consume no more than 25 grams (about 6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day, but many sports drinks contain that much or more in a single serving.

2. Unnecessary Calories:
Most kids do not need the extra calories found in sports drinks, especially if they are not engaging in prolonged or intense physical activity. Regular consumption can contribute to childhood obesity if the calories are not burned off through exercise.

3. Electrolytes Are Not Needed:
Sports drinks are formulated to replace electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium) lost during intense physical activity, which is usually not necessary for most children. For typical playtime or moderate physical activity, water is sufficient to keep kids hydrated.

When Are Sports Drinks Appropriate for Kids?
Sports drinks may be appropriate for older children or teenagers engaging in prolonged, vigorous physical activities (such as running a marathon or playing sports for hours in hot weather), but even in those cases, water is usually the best option for hydration. When choosing a drink, it’s important to consider the child’s age, activity level, and any specific health needs they may have. For most everyday activities, water is usually the best choice.

So if not sports drinks, what should my kids drink?

Healthy Alternatives-
Water: The simplest & most effective way to stay hydrated. For most activities, especially moderate exercise, water is usually sufficient. It’s also free!

Coconut Water: It’s a natural source of electrolytes like potassium & sodium, & contains less sugar than many commercial sports drinks.

Diluted Fruit Juice: Mix a small amount of 100% fruit juice with water (about 1 part juice to 3 parts water) to provide some natural sugars & vitamins without excessive calories.

Infused Water: Add slices of fruit (like lemon, lime, berries) or vegetables (like cucumber) to water for a hint of flavor without added sugars or calories.

Milk: After intense exercise, milk can be a good option as it provides protein, calcium, & electrolytes.

~MSD Wellness

Are you looking for more opportunities to get involved in our schools? Subbing is a great way to support our schools and community. Substitute positions offer flexible scheduling, impactful opportunities and the ability to make connections with students and staff. Coverage often goes unfilled and staff frequently need to fulfill these duties. Please consider joining the team!

As a school, we will be focusing on our Northside P.R.O.U.D. behaviors throughout the 2024-2025 school year which are seen below.

During the month of October, students focused on “Own My Choices” by using the problem solving steps, self-control, and doing what is right. We have been working to earn superstones for an all school reward. We SURPASSED our goal of two huge jar fills for music at recess. Way to go, NORTHSIDE!

Throughout the month of November, students will be focusing on “Problem-Solve” by using the problem solving steps.

S- Say the problem without blame

T- Think of solutions that are safe and respectful

E- Explore consequences… what could happen if…?

P- Pick the best solution and make your plan

We are working toward a three part reward for the whole school. One fill will earn us a PJs day, two fills will earn us board games in the gym, and three fills will earn us popcorn to go along with the first two rewards! Remember that we all need to accept the consequences of our actions in order for us to be our best selves. Sometimes we can have positive consequences such as earning student of the week or a glow wall award; sometimes we can have negative consequences such as an ODR or loss of a privilege.

Glow Wall

Students can earn a Glow Award through any staff member witnessing them completing something difficult for them, going above and beyond to show kindness, exhibiting our P.R.O.U.D. behavior for the month, or any other positive action we see. When students earn a Glow Award, they get to make a positive phone call home from the principal’s office! This is a special treat for many students.

Student of the Week starts this month!!

Please remember that SOW goes to students that are going above and beyond and that all students may not earn this honor.