The Winn Word 8.24.25

At Winn Elementary, we believe that learning goes beyond reading, writing, and math—it’s also about helping students understand themselves and how they interact with the world around them. One of the most powerful tools we can give children is an understanding of how their brain works.

When children learn how their brain helps them think, learn, and manage emotions, they begin to see that they have the power to make choices that positively shape their lives. For example, knowing that the “thinking part” of their brain (the prefrontal cortex) helps them solve problems, while the “emotional part” (the amygdala) sometimes takes over when they’re upset, allows them to pause, breathe, and make thoughtful decisions.

This understanding directly supports our work with Capturing Kids’ Hearts. At the heart of this program is the belief that strong relationships, empathy, and self-management create safe, connected, and successful classrooms. When students know how their brain functions:

• They can better manage big emotions and stay engaged in learning.

• They become more empathetic, realizing that their classmates also have brains and feelings that influence behavior.

• They learn that mistakes are opportunities for growth, not reasons to give up.

By blending brain science with Capturing Kids’ Hearts, we’re teaching students not only how to succeed in school, but also how to thrive in life—academically, socially, and emotionally.

We encourage you to talk with your child about their brain at home. Ask them:

• “What helps you calm down when you’re upset?”

• “What part of your brain helps you make good choices?”

• “How does understanding your brain help you in school or with friends?”

Together, we can nurture confident, compassionate learners who understand both their hearts and their minds.

Highlights this week:

• Monday: Play on the new big toy begins!
• Thursday: Kindergarten Sorting Picnic- 11:30-12:30 - Come celebrate with your child as they find out who their Kindergarten teacher will be for 2025-2026
• Friday - No School

Birthday's this week:

• Monday: Andrew B 4th, Easton L 3rd, Ryker G -K, Sadie P-4th, Sawyer W -4th, Teddy K-3rd
• Wednesday: Avarie P-5th
• Thursday: Eden C-1st, Elizabeth B-5th

I am looking forward to a great week ahead! The kids are doing a wonderful job getting to know their new classmates and teachers.

Warm regards,

Laurie Richards
Principal, Winn Elementary

We are so excited to welcome your child to Winn Elementary! This year, we are trying something new to help us create the best possible learning environment for all of our Kindergarteners.

For the first few days of school, all of our Kindergarten students will be working and learning together. Students will not be assigned to a specific teacher right away. Instead, this will give our Kindergarten teachers, time to get to know each child, observe how students work together, and complete some 1:1 assessments, including NWEA. With this information, we’ll be able to create well-balanced classrooms where every child can thrive.

To celebrate this process, we will be hosting a Kindergarten Sorting Picnic on Thursday, August 28th. All Kindergarten families are invited to join us for a pizza lunch from 11:30-12:30pm with your student. During the picnic, students will take part in a special “sorting activity,” where they will discover which teacher they will have for the school year.

Remember in order to attend the event, you must have completed an ICHAT and be approved to have lunch with your child at school. If you haven't filled out an ICHAT, you will need to do one ASAP.

We hope this special event not only makes the classroom placements exciting for students but also provides a wonderful opportunity for families to connect as we begin the year together.

School Picture Day – What You Need to Know

Guys & Dolls Photography

There is no form to fill out or money exchanged on picture day. You will get to see your

student’s picture online with background choices before you order.

Approx.1-2 weeks AFTER picture day you will receive an email from orderschoolpix.com

with a link to your student’s picture *Please note ordering works best on a desktop or

laptop computer*

If you do not receive an email:

1. check your spam and your promotions tab within your email

2. If it is not there go to www.guysanddollsphotography.com

a) Select School/Sports/Events

b) Select your school or organization

c) Enter your student’s unique passcode for the password (This passcode will be in the

email we send to you. If you do not receive an email, you must contact your school, and

they can give you the information).

d) Enter your email address to order pictures, select BUY PRINTS. Please note there are

separate tabs at the top of the screen for packages, single prints and photo products. All

portrait packages ordered prior to the deadlines will be delivered to the school, unless you

choose to have them mailed to your home. In which case a shipping fee will be applied to

your order.

To avoid price increases you must place your order during the first or second batch sale.

Once the second batch deadline arrives, you will still be able to order pictures. However,

there will be a price increase on prints. All pictures that are ordered after the deadline will

also incur a shipping fee and they will be mailed to the home address you provide when you

place your order.

Please note: Portrait packages ordered after deadlines cannot be picked up at our studio

or delivered to the school.

Any other questions contact Guys and Dolls Photography of Mt. Pleasant

989-772-2167

guysdollsphotography@gmail.com

1. Pull into the parking lot traveling towards the front of the building. Please stay in your car. Do not park in the parking lot.
2. SPEED LIMIT IS 5 MPH
3. Please pull into the drive as far as you can. Please pull right behind the person in front of you. Do not stop in front of the door if you keep driving forward. This keeps our line moving :) Thanks!
4. Each spot has a number sign on it. You must be at a number sign to let your child out of the car.
5. At 7:30 am, we will come out of the building to welcome you! Please do not let your child out of the car until 7:30 am
6. Say goodbye to your kiddo and drive SLOW as you exit the drop off area.

1. Get into line for pick up. We begin the line in the Flex Tech parking lot. Please make TWO lines. Someone will be out in the lot helping for the first couple of weeks.
2. At 2:50 PM, we will direct cars to the front of the school. Cars will pull forward and fill in the pick up loop.
3. Take your YELLOW car tag out and put it on the DRIVER's SIDE DASH BOARD.
4. Pull up to the STOP. A staff member will look at your tag and call your child's name. They will tell you what NUMBER spot you should move forward to.
5. A staff member will help your child into the car. You do not need to get out of your car. We will help them get in and get set to go home.
6. Once your child is in the car, pull slowly (5 MPH) through the rest of the lot. Be cautious! Drive slowly and look around for other people and cars.
7. If your child needs to get buckled into their car seat, please pull forward and into a spot in the parking lot. This will help keep our line moving.

This week at school, we are going to be focusing on creating our social contracts for each classroom.

You can do this at home too! As a family, have each member think about the answers to these questions:

• How do you want to be treated by the adults in the home?
• How do you want to be treated by each other?
• How do you think the adults want to be treated by you?
• How do we want to treat each other when there is a conflict?

When your contract is ready, the whole family signs the contract. Hang it in the kitchen and go over it often to discuss how everyone is doing and hold each other accountable. If conflict arises, refer to the contract and ask, “How did we say we were going to treat each other?”

Help your children focus on appropriate behavior and make connections between school and home. If they are breaking your social contract you can ask the four questions:

• What are you doing?
• What are you supposed to be doing?
• Are you doing it? (the answer to this one is always “No”)
• What are you going to do about it?

If you have more questions about how to use a social contract at your house, reach out to your classroom teacher, Mrs. Sellers (our school counselor), or Mrs. Richards.

• 8/28 Kindergarten Sorting Picnic - All Kindergarten families invited to our pizza picnic from 11:30-12:30!
• 8/29 No School (Staff/Students)
• 9/1 No School (Staff/Students)
• 9/12 Picture Day

Here is our Winn Elementary Parent and Student Handbook for 2025-2026. It is filled with lots of useful information about our school. Please make sure to read it all so you are aware of all of our school processes.

Thank you for sharing your child with our family here at Winn. Our motto at Winn is "Everything a Kid Needs." We focus on both academic excellence and creating good humans! I am here to serve you. If you have questions/concerns or need help in any way, please feel free to reach out to me.

Email: lrichards@shepherdschools.net
Location: 418 West Blanchard Road, Shepherd, MI, USA
Phone: (989) 866-2250
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winnelementary