Bridges Elementary
March 2018 Newsletter
District Website: www.saukprairieschools.org
Facebook: Bridges Elementary Facebook Page
24-Hour Attendance Line: 608-643-1847
Fax: 608-643-1849
Bridges' Office Staff
Chanda Kulow, Principal
608-643-1845 chanda.kulow@saukprairieschools.org
Stephanie Tarnutzer, Secretary
608-643-1844 stephanie.tarnutzer@saukprairieschools.org
Jody Kapp, Secretary
608-643-1843 jody.kapp@saukprairieschools.org
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Dear Bridges Families and Guardians,
Spring is upon us!
Our second trimester ends on March 9th. Your child’s second report card will be in his/her March 16th Take Home Folder and we will end this month being on Spring Break. March will go fast!
Spring means longer days and better weather! Boys and girls will also want more time to play outside. Some children may need extra help keeping up with their reading, practicing math skills and other projects that come up while enjoying the spring opportunities. Your help is very much appreciated in helping your child keep that focus. As always, we want to help as well! Please know that we will continue to encourage your child to do their best, to stay engaged, and to have fun in the learning process. Contact your child’s teacher for any questions or concerns, especially after viewing the report card. Some tips when contacting your child’s teacher are:
1. Schedule an Appointment. Staff members are busy working with students and many times will not have time to meet with you if you just drop in during the school day. Scheduling an appointment assures that you will have their full attention.
2. Before and after school works best!
3. Speak with the classroom teacher first: Classroom teachers should be the first person notified of student issues. Please encourage your child to talk to the classroom teacher first.
4. No calls into classrooms during instruction—at Bridges we want to do all that we can to not interrupt classroom instruction. Please know that non-emergency phone calls into the classroom will be placed directly into the teacher’s voice mail.
5. Dropping off items for students: Please leave any items for students with the office staff and they will ensure your child gets it in a timely manner.
Lastly, we will be presenting an hour and half Nurtured Heart Approach for Parents session on March 5th. Call the office (643-1844) to sign up for this FREE presentation. Childcare will be provided.
Happy Spring!
Chanda Kulow
Principal, Bridges Elementary School
643-1485
CALENDAR
READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK
Celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday by participating in special literacy activities and planning silly dress up days. We like having fun here and there. We like fun everywhere!
Thursday, March 1:
Cat in the Hat Day--wear your favorite hat
Friday, March 2:
Celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday
Dress like your favorite Dr. Seuss character
NURTURED HEART APPROACH FOR PARENTS PRESENTATION
Guiding our children to GREATNESS!
Monday March 5
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Bridges Elementary Blue Wing
Presenters: Chanda Kulow, Bridges Elementary Principal
Heather Reader, Bridges Behavior Program Coordinator
Childcare available.
Materials will be provided in both English and Spanish.
A translator will be present.
RSVP to Stephanie by email or call 643-1844
NO SCHOOL
WORK DAY/END OF TRIMESTER 2
Friday, March 9
GSPIE MEETING
Monday, March 12
6:15 PM at Bridges Elementary
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Monday, March 12, 6:15 PM
Location: District Office
1st GRADE MUSIC INFORMANCE
Tuesday, March 13
Bridges' Gymnasium
5:15pm to 6:15pm Frey/Vande Hey/Ducke's classes
6:15pm to 6:45pm Berahn/Moseman/Volp's classes
SPRING BREAK
Monday, March 26, through Friday, March 30
Back to school on Monday, April 2
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Nurtured Heart for Parents Presentation
The Children’s Success Foundation
And Bridges Elementary invites you to
The Nurtured Heart Approach for Parents
Guiding our children to GREATNESS!
March 5, 2018
6:00-7:30pm
Bridges Elementary School, Blue Wing
NHA Certified Trainers and Presenters:
Chanda Kulow , Principal, Bridges Elementary
Heather Reader, Behavior Program Coordinator, Bridges
*Childcare will be provided
RSVP to: Stephanie Tarnutzer at
Stephanie.tarnutzer@saukprairieschools.org
or 608-643-1844
For more information on the Nurtured Heart Approach go to: https://childrenssuccessfoundation.com/
Y la Escuela Primaria Bridges lo invitan a Ud.
El Enfoque para Educar con el Corazón para los Padres
¡Guiando a nuestros niños hacia la GRANDEZA!
6 de Marzo, 2018
6:00-7:30pm
La Escuela Primaria Bridges
Prairie du Sac, WI 53578
Entrenador certificado de NHA y los Presentadores:
Chanda Kulow, Director, Primaria de Bridges
Heather Reader, Coordinador del programa de la Conducta, Bridges
*Los Materiales serán proporcionados en ambos ingles y español
*Un intérprete estará presente
*Cuidado de niños será proporcionado durante la presentación por la tarde.
Por favor reserve con Stephanie Tarnutzer a
Stephanie.tarnutzer@saukprairieschools.org
o 608-643-1844
Para más información sobre el Enfoque para Educar con el Corazón vaya a: https://childrenssuccessfoundation.com/
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First Grade Music Night
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Bridges Elementary School Gymnasium
5:15 - 6:15 Frey/Vande Hey/Ducke's classes
6:15 - 6:45 Berahn/Moseman/Volp's classes
PLEASE RETURN THE RSVP SHEET if you have not already done so.
We are excited to invite your family to a music “informance” night with your 1st Grader. This will be a 30-minute opportunity for you to experience what your child is learning weekly in music education class. Everyone is welcome! We are eager to share with you our love of music and look forward to seeing you there!
Musically Yours,
Jane Spillane
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GSPIE Events in March
Grade School Partners In Education (GSPIE) has
exciting things going on in March! Please take a peek!!
- Family Fun Night – Dance is Friday, March 2nd, from 6pm to 8pm at Grand Avenue with a fun new costume theme! However, we are very much in need of volunteers to help supervise the bounce houses, the movie room and provide baked goods. If we do not have enough volunteers we will have to cancel the event as we need to make sure it is well supervised for our young costumed students! To sign up to help please follow this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b44a8ad2ca5ff2-costume
- Watch your children’s backpacks around Friday, March 2nd. Square 1 Art order forms will be coming home. This is our exciting spring fundraiser customized with your children’s artwork! We just sent the artwork off to get processed and it looks superb!
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Freezer Meal Cooking 101
Join together with others to cook 10 meals that you can take home and put in your freezer to serve at a later time.
Date: Saturday, March 17, 8am to Noon
Childcare provided for first 20 children registered.
Location: 6:8 Building
821 Industry Rd. Sauk City, WI 53583
Cost: $25 (Scholarships available)
ALL food & supplies for meals provided
- Register online: MakingServicePersonal.org/learningforlife
- Or by contacting Anne Uphoff, Bridges school counselor,
643-1842 or anne.uphoff@saukprairieschools.org
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Notes From the School Counselor . . . . . . . Anne Uphoff
Dear Bridges Parents and Guardians,
Beginning in early March, I will be starting Personal Safety in 5K-2nd grade classrooms. The TWO THEMES that will be stressed are:
1. We all have the right to feel safe all of the time.
2. We can talk to an adult we trust about anything.
The following concepts are introduced and developed as appropriate for each grade level:
1. Understanding the meaning of feeling safe.
(This includes keeping our body and “private parts” safe.)
2. Identifying people with whom they feel safe and whom they trust.
3. Identifying where they feel safe and places they could go for help.
4. Learning how to act safely and with respect toward others.This will reinforce the points we discussed in “Above The Line” about making good choices, as well as safe touch/not safe touch/confusing touch. We also reinforce how to calm down if they are worried.
5. Learning TWO SAFETY RULES:
- Parents/adults must know where their child/ren are located.
- Parents/adults must know who is with their child/ren.
6. Learning about the THREE SAFE ACTIONS:
- Say, “No!” or “Stop it!” in a big voice.
- Go away to a safe place.
- Tell a grown up you trust, who can help you.
I have written some Personal Safety suggestions that you can go over with your child/ren. If you have questions about this unit, or would like to preview the videos, please contact me to make arrangements. As always, if you have any questions regarding this unit, please contact me at 643-1842, e-mail me at anne.uphoff@saukprairieschools.org, stop by my office or send me a note. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Anne Uphoff
School Counselor
More information about child safety may be obtained from:
Sauk County Human Services (608) 355-4200
Dane County Human Services (608) 242-6200
Columbia County Human Services (608) 742-9227
PERSONAL SAFETY SUGGESTIONS
Teach your child:
- They should always tell you where they are, who they are with and when they will be home.
- Their full name, address and phone number, including area code.
- How to make a long-distance call, both by dialing directly to you and by dialing 911. (Make sure they know to push the green button for “send” on cell phones.)
- That they must not talk to or listen to strangers. (Discuss going to trusted people or the police for help, etc.).
- That they should tell you if they are uncomfortable or confused by something someone does, even if it is a relative or family friend.
- To tell you when any adult asks them to keep a secret.
- To never admit to anyone over the phone, on the computer, or at the door, that they are home alone.
As a parent, you should:
- Not put your child’s name on articles where it is in “plain view,” such as written large on a backpack. Children are more likely to go with someone if they call them by their name.
- Listen when your child tells you he/she does not want to be with someone; find out why he/she wants to avoid that person.
- Encourage open communication. Never belittle any fear your child may have.
- Have your child’s fingerprints taken; keep them in a safe place. Take a photo of your child every year.
- Have a set plan with your child outlining what he/she should do if he/she becomes separated from you away from home.
- Notice when someone shows your child a great deal of attention; find out why.
- Repeat simple safety guidelines often, “In our family, we don’t keep secrets about touching.” “You can talk to me about anything.” “We don’t keep secrets that hurt ourselves or others.”
- Be involved in your child’s activities.
- If you ever have any questions or suspicions, talk to a professional—a school counselor or psychologist, principal, nurse/doctor or county social services. Your concerns will be handled in a caring, confidential manner.
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A lot of Heart
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Bridges' Photo Gallery
Mrs. Diaz-Tegan's Class shares a Fort-tastic Day!
Bee tickets are given to students at Bridges for exercising greatness qualities, including perseverance, helpfulness, kindness, patience, and self-control. In music, for example, students are given tickets to highlight their hard work and participation. In the hallways, they can "bee" featured sharing an act of kindness, exhibiting the correct way to move through the building, or showing respect to peers and staff.
We look forward to all the great things you will do and inspire next!
100 Days!
Opening Doors...
Like Butter
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Bridges' Top Three
1) BRIDGES' LUNCH MENU
No need to email! The lunch menu for each grade level is posted every month on the district's website.
Path: District > Business Operations > Food Service
Link: http://www.saukprairieschools.org/district/food-service.cfm
2) MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION FORM
Need the school to dispense a medication to your child, but don't have a form for your doctor to fill out? It's on the school's website! You can print it out from home, take it to your appointment, and bring it to the school, or fill it out at your Dr's office and have them fax it to us at (608) 643-1849.
Path: Families > Health/Nursing > Medication & Procedure Consent Form
Link: http://www.saukprairieschools.org/families/health-nursing.cfm
3) DISMISSAL CHANGE OR BUS REQUEST
Is your child going home a different way than their normal dismissal plan? Please print out a dismissal change form and send it to school with them, making certain they know to give the form to the front office before 2:00 PM on the date of dismissal change.
Path: Families > Transportation > Dismissal Change Or Bus Request (far right column)
Link: http://www.saukprairieschools.org/families/transportation.cfm
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In like a lion...out like a PUDDLE?
Please continue to send warm clothing with your child, making sure they have extra clothing (pants, socks, shirt, and underwear) in their cubby in case a change of dry clothes are needed for outdoor play or accident.
Stay funk-free by checking backpacks for plastic bags of sent-home wet items, laundering items regularly, and hanging damp gloves and bits to dry at the end of every day.
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GUIDELINES FOR RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER ILLNESS
- Fever- Temperature should be less than 100 degrees for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication) before returning to school.
- Vomiting/diarrhea- Please keep your child home if he/she has vomited or had diarrhea within the last 24 hours.
- Strep throat- Student should be on prescribed medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
- Pink eye- If your child has red eye(s) and has discharge, he/she will be sent home and asked to be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Student should not return to school for 24 hours or after having used three sets of prescribed eye drops.
- Head lice- We monitor students for itching of the scalp and will check for them if we are concerned. Please notify your child’s school office if you have discovered lice and treated your child.
- Pertussis (whooping cough)- Student will be isolated from school for 5 days if confirmed case while on prescribed antibiotics.
**These are general guidelines to help promote the health and safety of our students. Please follow the recommendations of your child’s healthcare provider.
District nurses are on call for health concerns. We routinely visit each school and will visit as needed for consult. If you have concerns regarding your child’s health or changes in their health, please contact Laura Cody 643-5509 or Martha Allan 643-5628.
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Stay in Touch
Attendance
1) Please call the Bridges Elementary Attendance Line
643-1847 by 8:00 AM any time your child will be absent or late to school. This is a 24-hour message line.
2) Or send an email. Please include both office secretaries (jody.kapp@saukprairieschools.org and stephanie.tarnutzer@saukprairieschools.org) when emailing your child’s teacher about absences, health concerns, or any issue that needs immediate attention. There are times when a teacher may be absent / unable to receive your message, and it will not be received in a timely manner unless both office staff are included as well.
3) In keeping with our safe arrival policy, the school will contact you if your child is absent and we have not received a call or note from you concerning your child’s absence.
Dismissal/Early Pick-up
Please phone the school or send a note with your child if you will be picking them up early. If your child will be leaving before dismissal, it is necessary for you to come to the office to sign your child in/out for the day.
Excused Absence
If your student is absent due to a professional appointment, the absence can be excused so that it does not count against your child's attendance. To excuse these absences, please provide the school with an appointment card or note from your appointment. Professional appointments include doctor, dental, counseling or other similar appointments. See pages 22 and 23 of the Sauk Prairie School District handbook for more detailed information about what constitutes an excused absence.
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Daily Schedule
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The school day begins at 8:00 AM. Please arrive on time.
*Anyone arriving after 8:10 AM will be considered tardy.*
Please arrive through the main office as all other doors will automatically lock at 8:10.
4-Year-Old Kindergarten:
Morning: 8:00 to 10:50 AM
Afternoon: 12:15 to 3:05 PM
K-2 Lunch:
Kindergarten
Lunch: 11:10 AM to 11:40 AM
Recess: 11:40 AM to 12:00 PM
First Grade
Lunch: 11:45 AM to 12:10 PM
Recess: 12:10 PM to 12:30 PM
Second Grade
Lunch: 12:15 PM to 12:40 PM
Recess: 12:40 PM to 1:00 PM
K-2 Daily Recess:
Kindergarten: 10:00 AM to 10:20 AM
1st Grade: 1:25 PM to 1:45 PM
2nd Grade: 1:50 PM to 2:10 PM
Dismissal:
3:05 PM for walkers/pick-ups and pink bus bell
3:08 PM for After School Club students and blue bus bell
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Be Prepared with Extra Clothing
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DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION/DISMISSAL PROCEDURE
Please go to http://www.saukprairieschools.org/families/transportation.cfm for all general information regarding transportation to and from school. At Bridges Elementary, it is vital that we have your child's dismissal plan in Skyward and if there are any changes that it is updated there and we are made aware of it at Bridges. We follow the dismissal plan that is in Skyward. Students will have tags on their backpacks showing their dismissal plan so the aides can easily check if there is any question. This year, the district is requiring a form that parents need to complete if there are any changes in a student's dismissal plan. This is to eliminate hand written notes and call in changes. Here are some examples of when a form is required:
If Jane is invited to a birthday party on Wednesday and she needs to ride a different bus than what she usually does, a form needs to be sent in to the office.
- If Jane is being picked up on Thursday instead of riding the bus like her dismissal plan states, the form needs to be sent in to the office.
- If Aunt Kathy is picking Jane up on Friday instead of her normal dismissal plan a form needs to be sent in to the office.
- If Jane's normal dismissal plan is that she rides the Grasshopper Bus home, but today she is riding Cherry Bus to Grand Ave, the form needs to be completed and sent to the office.
- Jack's normal dismissal plan is that he rides the Snail Bus to his home. Today he is to ride the Snail Bus to his Aunt's house down the road. Jack would need a form completed and sent in to the office.
- If your child is scheduled to be a Pick Up and someone other than you is going to be picking them up, the form needs to be sent with your child ONLY If that person IS NOT listed as an emergency contact. Please update your emergency contacts in Skyward to eliminate any confusion.
The form is accessible on the link above or below as well as in the office at Bridges. The bus driver will collect the form and will not allow transportation without one. If it is a last minute change at the end of the day you can certainly call the office and we can fill out the form for you. If you have a rotating schedule please let the office know in advance what the plan is for your child. For instance, if every month or week is different, please send in a calendar with the correct dismissal plan. Remember to mark your calendars for early dismissal dates as well. The dismissal plan for those days in addition to emergency release days, can be marked in Skyward.
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MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL
According to the Sauk Prairie School board, certain criteria must be met in order for any medication to be dispensed at school. Before any medication can be dispensed, an Authorization for Medication Administration (AMA) must be completed and returned to the school office. This form is necessary for both over-the-counter and prescription medications and requires both a parent and physician signature.
For example, if your child suffers from migraine headaches, we will NOT be able to
distribute medication to him/her without an AMA on file. Many parents picked up the AMA form at district registration. Additional forms are available at the Grand Avenue
office or online.
In order for medication to be distributed, pills must be in a prescription bottle with proper labeling. Students may carry inhalers with them, however, an AMA form must be on file in the office.
If you have any questions regarding medication distribution, please contact Laura Cody, District Nurse, 643-5509.
VOLUNTEERING AND APPLICATIONS
SKYWARD UPDATES
If your child has two households or even if you would like multiple people in your own household to receive general email notifications from the school, such as the monthly newsletter and lunch menu, please log in to Skyward and click on the Skylert link on the left hand side. On that page, you can now add other phone numbers, emails or text message numbers for those who would like to receive emergency messages. If you have additional questions about how to manage your Skylert notifications or need to change your log in and password, please contact Stephanie Tarnutzer at 643-1844 or stephanie.tarnutzer@saukprairieschools.org .
Each guardian has their own Family Access Skylert account. Skylert is used for:
- Emergency: bomb scares, gas leaks, etc.
- General: School schedule changes such as late start, closing early, snow day, etc.
- Low Balance: Food Service account balance is $15 or below
- Negative Balance: Food Service account balance is below $0
How do you edit your Skylert contacts?
1. Log in to www.saukprairieschools.org
2. Click on For Parents/Students
3. Click on Skyward Student/Family Access Link
4. Enter your guardian login and password
5. Click on Skylert
6. Make the appropriate changes
7. Click on Save
8. Click on Exit
Note: Each guardian will need to change their Skylert .If you need assistance, contact Jane Wood at 643-5984 or at susan.oneil@saukprairieschools.org
FAMILY/PERSONAL INFORMATION CHANGES
FAMILY MOVES - TO OUTSIDE THE SAUK PRAIRIE SCHOOL DISTRICT
When a family moves from within the Sauk Prairie School District to outside the district, students may continue to attend the school where they are currently enrolled if they qualify for a Tuition Waiver (obtain from District Office). Students who qualify for a Tuition Waiver (remainder of Current School year, Additional year, Current Year/Additional Year, or Current Year Permissive) are entitled to continue their enrollment through the waiver period. However, they are required to apply for open enrollment at the next possible time (February-April application period) that the application process is available to remain in the District for the present school year and beyond. See our website at www.saukprairieschools.org for more information or call Susan O'Neil, (608) 643-5984 or susan.oneil@saukprairieschools.org. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
FAMILY MOVES - WITHIN SAUK PRAIRIE SCHOOL DISTRICT
When a family move occurs within the Sauk Prairie School District please notify your school office or contact Susan O'Neil, Student Records Secretary at (608) 643-5984 or susan.oneil@saukprairieschools.org with your new address. Parents may request that their elementary child attend a school other than the one in their attendance area in writing to the District Administrator. When families relocate from one attendance area to another within the District during the school year, the children affected may continue their education at their original school if approval is granted by the District Administrator. Transportation can be provided through existing bus routes or parents will provide transportation to/from school.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS/EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
School closings will be announced as early as possible via Skylert to families and staff members, posted on the District’s webpage, and on local television and radio stations. Information will also be available by calling the school closing line at 643-5990 #2 for a recorded announcement.
WISC Channel 3
WKOW Channel 27
WMTV Channel 15
- 1400 AM; 104.9 FM; 102.9 FM
The local police department and bus contractor may be involved in the decision to close. Principals will also be involved in decisions to dismiss school early for emergency reasons. In the absence of the Superintendent, the decision to close school will be made by the Superintendent’s designee.
HEAD LICE
Lice are small insects about the size of a sesame seed. They are usually light brown but can vary in color. They move quickly and shy away from light, making them difficult to see. It helps to use a magnifying glass and natural light when looking for lice. Nits (eggs) are tiny, yellowish-white oval droplets attached to hair shafts; they do not come off easily and have to be combed out with a special comb or manually removed. Nits can be found throughout the hair, but are most often located at the nape of the neck, behind the ears, and frequently on the top of the head.
The CDC states, “Head lice can be a nuisance but they have not been shown to spread disease. Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice.” Additionally, lice are not likely to be spread in a classroom setting as usually they are spread by direct head-to-head contact. Regular screenings at home can help prevent the spread of head lice. Please check your child weekly for head lice. When lice are discovered, please contact your child’s physician or a pharmacist regarding treatment. Following a treatment, it is important to comb through the hair for 7-10 days. During this time, lice can be removed manually or with a special comb. A second treatment may be necessary if nits or live lice are still found.
Please contact Laura Cody, District Nurse, at 643-5509 if you have any questions regarding head lice.
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Current nondiscrimination language (Policy 2260):
Sauk Prairie School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, sex, (including transgender status, gender expression, gender identity, and gender nonconformity), or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability ("Protected Classes") in any of its student program and activities.
Lenguaje Actual sobre la No Discriminación (Política 2260):
El Distrito Escolar de Sauk Prairie no discrimina en base a la raza, al color, la religión, la nacionalidad de origen, los ancestros, el credo, el embarazo, el estado marital, el estado de los padres, la orientación sexual, el sexo (incluyendo el estado transgénero, la expresión del género, y el género de no conformidad), o por una discapacidad física, mental, emocional o de aprendizaje (“Las Clases Protegidas”) en cualquiera de las actividades y programas del estudiante.