The Pine Bough

Dear Pine River Families,

Happy New Year! We are excited to welcome all of the students back to learning on January 6th!

As we begin 2025 and near the halfway point of the school year, I thought it might be helpful to share my thoughts on how we can continue to forge a positive relationship, focused on the success of your student. In that spirit, I offer the following statements:

Count on me...

• To exhibit a caring attitude and positive regard for all of our students.
• To visibly demonstrate my belief that every student can learn and grow.
• To maintain high expectations for academics, behavior, and citizenship.
• To listen carefully and investigate any concerns fully.
• To ensure that discipline is a teaching and learning experience.
• To return your phone call or email within 12 hours.
• To be available for any appointment scheduled through Mrs. Williamson.
• To constantly research and develop strategies to improve educational practices and remove barriers to opportunities for our students.

I'll Count on you...

• To realize my focus as the building leader is to make decisions that are in the best interest of all my students.
• To support my daily priority of observing and supporting teaching and learning in classrooms, understanding that means I may not be immediately available in the office when you stop in.
• To be an integral member of our team in supporting our students and collaborating with our staff.
• To understand I will be unable to disclose information about other students to you.
• To contact the adult closest to your concern first--a teacher or bus driver before coming immediately to the administrator.
• To continue to support our staff as they work tirelessly to develop, educate, and care for our Pioneers.

In highly effective teams, members have expectations and roles that are clear for them and readily understood. This helps the team function at the highest level. As you and I work as a team to support your student's experience for the rest of this school year, I invite your questions or comments about the above guiding principles.

I look forward to continuing a successful year together!

Your Principal,

Rachel Card

In alignment with Board Policy #5301, we want to inform you of our practice regarding student attendance. Regular school attendance is essential to student success, and we are committed to supporting our students’ consistent presence in class.

When a student reaches 10 absences during the school year, the building principal will send a written notice to the parent/guardian. This letter will encourage regular daily attendance and provide important information about the truancy process. Additionally, a second notice will be sent if a student reaches 15 absences.

We appreciate your partnership in ensuring that your child is present and engaged in their learning every day.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Amanda Thoel, our wonderful volunteer photographer, for capturing so many special moments at Pine River Elementary. Her time and talent truly enrich our school community, and we are grateful for her dedication.

We are also excited to share that Amanda is offering Pine River families an exclusive 25% discount on her photography services. If you’re looking to capture family memories or special occasions, this is a great opportunity to support a local talent and enjoy beautiful, professional photos.

Thank you, Amanda, for all you do!

The Golden Dustpan Award was created to recognize the class that works the hardest over the course of a month to keep their classroom neat and clean. Each month, Ms. Cece and Ms. Lillian, our custodians, will choose a class and present the award. Students in the class will receive a class certificate, a class pizza party, and the honor of displaying the golden dustpan on their hallway cubbie.

For the month of December, Mrs. West's class earned this prestigious honor! Keep up the great work keeping your classrooms clean, Pioneers!

Using a secure Login ID and password, you can log into Skyward Family Access and view your students’ data, such as progress reports, attendance records, report cards, transcripts, lunch information and more. Your one login to Family Access allows you to view data on all your enrolled students in the district, even if there are multiple school sites.

How to log into to Skyward Family Access:

1. Go to the district home web page at www.ecsd.us.
2. Click on the Parents link, then Family Access link.
3. Enter your Login ID and Password on the Skyward Family Access login screen.

Pine River Pioneers are...

Kind,

Courteous,

Respectful,

Responsible,

and always Safe!

All of our students strive to be motivated learners, as well as model citizens. Each month we will honor students from each class who exemplify the following qualities:

Academic

• Student prepares for classroom activities.
  
• Student approaches learning with enthusiasm.
  
• Student has made steady progress in the classroom.
  
• Student has been working to his/her potential.
  
• Student completes all assignments and homework.
  
• Student has a good work ethic and is diligent.

Leadership/ Citizenship/ Character

• Student demonstrates respect of self and others.
  
• Student assists others in need.
  
• Student shows acts of kindness.
  
• Student demonstrates a positive attitude.
  
• Student displays good conduct.
  
• Student is a positive role model by example.
  
• Student participates and puts forth full effort in all areas.
  
• Student follows school rules.

Young Fives/Kindergarten

Mrs. Guzowski's Class: Nora Siewert and Joseph Ventimigilia

Mrs. Malburg's Class: Nora Gibson and Wyatt Cline

Ms. McCloskey's Class: Beckett Molesworth and Joanna Schmerheim

Mrs. Schneider's Class: Cassian Liniarski and Ruby Treadaway

First Grade

Mrs. Bean's Class: Carson Schroeder and Everly Lessick

Mrs. Jensen's Class: Josie Lucas and Michael MacPherson

Mrs. Trudeau's Class: Evelyn Tope and Gracelynn Oliver

Second Grade

Mrs. Gorski's Class: Madilyn Muldermans and Quinn Avila

Mrs. Huston's Class: Gavin Hohendorf and Hailey Nickels

Ms. Minor's Class: Julia Vernier and Emma Muldermans

Third Grade

Mrs. Sloat's Class: William Heythaler and Tatum Shaw

Mrs. Wahl's Class: Callan Robbins and Chloe Wall

Mrs. West's Class: Maci Roberts and Tucker Daggett

Fourth Grade

Mrs. Alley's Class: Kori Zegelien and Connor Kelly

Mrs. Pousha's Class: Sophia Groce and Riley Brozik

Mrs. Ursitti's Class: Willa Laurinec and Tyler Langmesser

C.I. Class

Mrs. Kierszykowski's Class: Merida Payette

Pioneers of the Month will be honored at our STARS assembly on Tuesday, December 17th, at 9:30 a.m. in the gym. Parents of those students being recognized are welcome to attend. Please check in at the office first.

Parents of our Pioneers of the Month may stop in and pick up a yard sign to display at home during the next month. Just buzz the office at the front doors when you arrive, and we will provide you with a sign. Near the end of the month, please return the sign so we can get it ready for a new honoree.

Mission: The mission of the Pine River school community is to work collaboratively, providing an enriched curriculum that allows for intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and creative growth in a positive and safe environment, empowering all children to become productive lifelong learners.

Vision: Pine River Elementary is dedicated to the belief that all students can learn and achieve through the combined efforts of the staff, parents, students, and community.