East Elementary

Dear East Families,

Wow… it’s March! 🌷 The days are getting longer, and we are looking forward to a busy and exciting month at East Elementary. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our school community.

📅 Important March Dates

⏰ Sunday, March 8 - Daylight Saving Time Begins

Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward one hour.

🏫 Tuesday, March 10 - Community Referendum Presentation at East
We invite families to attend a community presentation regarding the upcoming referendum on Tuesday, March 10, from 5:00–6:00 p.m. at East Elementary School. This will be an opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and stay informed.

🗓 Tuesday, March 24 - Family Conferences – Asynchronous Learning Day
Family Conferences will be held on Tuesday, March 24. This will be an asynchronous learning day for students, meaning students will not attend school in person. Teachers will provide information regarding learning expectations for the day and conference sign-ups. We look forward to connecting with you to celebrate growth and discuss next steps for your child. Follow this link to sign up for a conference with your student's teacher.

Butter Braid Pick Up

Tuesday, March 24th 3:30pm-5:30pm in the staff parking lot.

🌼 March 30 - April 3 - Spring Break

Spring Break will run from March 30th - April 3rd. We hope your family enjoys a restful and refreshing break! Students will return to school on Monday, April 6.

As always, thank you for your partnership and involvement. March is a wonderful time of growth — both academically and personally — and we are grateful to work alongside you to support your children each day.

Warmly,

Jori Ruff
East Elementary Principal

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 - Referendum Presentation with Steve Considine at East 5pm-6pm

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 - Asynchronous Day for Students- Parent/Teacher Conferences

March 30 - April 3, 2026 - No School - Spring Break

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 - No School - Staff Professional Development Day

Monday, May 25, 2026 - No School - Memorial Day

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - Full Day of School

Friday, June 5, 2026 - Last day of School for 4K students

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 - Last Day of School Kindergarten - 5th Grade

A HUGE thank you to our East School Parent Group for sponsoring this program for our students!

For more information about their program and for fun physics home learning, visit https://wonders.physics.wisc.edu/

This year, Summer School will run from June 15 - July 9 for elementary and middle school students. Summer School is a great opportunity to continue keeping students engaged socially and academically! Click here for more information on how to register.

You can purchase yearbooks online by April 13th! Yearbooks will be delivered directly to students during the last week of the school year. Click Here to order today.

5th Grade Students will receive a yearbook as a graduation gift.

Interested in learning more about the upcoming referendum? We are hosting community presentations to share information and answer your questions.

Don’t see a time that works for you? Reach out to us, and we will gladly schedule an additional presentation.

Community Canvassing Event: Saturday, March 7th 10:00am-12:00pm. Meet at the Baraboo High School

Community Presentation Schedule:

East Elementary School

Tuesday, March 10

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Al Behrman Elementary School

Wednesday, March 18

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

3rd Grade Spelling Bee Winner: Quinn D from Mrs. Boettcher's class.

4th Grade Spelling Bee Winners:

-1st: Hailey M

-2nd: Franco MV

-3rd: William B

Alternate: James B

5th Grade Winners:

-1st: Jensen M

-2nd: Bellamy L

-3rd: Asher R

Alternate: Lillian O

We have so many talented writers at East! Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry to the Young Authors Contest. These students were selected by a group of judges to have their writing published in the Baraboo Young Author anthology:

Grade 3:

-Hawkins S (poetry)

Grade 4:

-Emma C (poetry)

-Dillon K (creative writing)

-Miriam M (argumentative)

Grade 5:

-Posey C (poetry)

-Mackenzie S (creative writing)

What is ESPG? The East School Parent Group is a community of parents and family members dedicated to enhancing our children’s education. By getting involved, you help improve student performance, provide vital resources for our teachers, and fund the "extra" fun—like field trips and school programs—that makes East School so special.

🌸 We Need Your Voice this Spring!

As we look toward the end of the year, our April and May meetings are the most important ones yet. We are shifting our focus to two major celebrations:

• Teacher Appreciation Week: Help us brainstorm ways to show our amazing staff how much we value them.

• 5th Grade Graduation: We want to send our oldest students off in style!

🎓 Calling All 5th Grade Parents

We are looking for fresh ideas and extra sets of hands to make graduation unforgettable. Even if you have never attended an ESPG meeting before, we invite you to join us specifically for this planning process. Your unique perspective is exactly what we need to make this milestone special for your graduates.

🗓️ Mark Your Calendars

• When: First Monday of the month at 6:00 PM

• Where: East School Library

• Who: Everyone is welcome!

Please remember that it is important to report an absence or if your student will be late to school or leave early.

Andrea Schroeder, Administrative Assistant

Email: aschroeder@barabooschools.net

Text: (608) 621-2248

Voicemail: (608) 355-3920

✈️ Planned Absences & Family Vacations

We understand that family time is important. If you plan an extended absence for a family vacation or other reason:

• Action Required: For absences of three or more days, such as a family vacation, please notify the office a week in advance.

Thank you!

🤒 When to Keep Your Child Home (Too Sick for School)

Please keep your child home if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms. They should remain home until they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

• Fever: A temperature of 100.4°F or higher.

• Vomiting or Diarrhea: Keep your child home if they have had two or more episodes in the previous 24 hours.

🤧 When They Can Still Come (Mild Symptoms)

A simple runny nose, mild congestion, or an occasional cough are usually fine for school, provided your child is fever-free, without medication. We ask that you teach them good hygiene habits like coughing into their elbow and regular handwashing to prevent the spread of germs.

If you have questions regarding current illness guidelines or have a positive test to report, please email or call the East Health Office.

rchristensen@barabooschools.net

bhelton@barabooschools.net

Direct Line to the East Health Office: (608) 893-6262

Nurse Fax: (608) 355-3975

Enrollment for the Summer Kid Stop program begins on Monday, February 2, 2026. Information and

registration forms are available on the District website or paper copies are available at all elementary school offices and the East, GLW and West Kid Stop sites. Completed enrollment forms may be submitted by scanning to the Kid Stop Coordinator’s email address at pgavin@barabooschools.net or dropping your form off at the Gordon L. Willson Elementary School office during business or Kid Stop hours. Please know that there is no online registration option for the Kid Stop program. Any questions, please contact Pat Gavin at the above email address.

EAST Kid Stop

• During the school day: 355-3920 ext. 4132
• After School: 608-393-6924

GLW Kid Stop

• During the school day: 355-3925 ext. 7150 or cell 608-393-6872
• After School: 608-393-6872

Kid Stop Coordinator

Pat Gavin - pgavin@barabooschools.net (Best way to communicate via email)

GLW Kid Stop Cell - 608-393-6872

Kid Stop Director

Jori Ruff, Kid Stop Director and East School Principal - jlruff@barabooschools.net

Phone - 608-355-3920, ext. 4010

Students should have their bus pass everyday. The Boys and Girls Club shuttle bus students must have their pass or they will not be able to ride.

If they need a replacement pass, a new one can be purchased for $5.00 through the school store located in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you need assistance ordering a replacement or getting logged in, please contact our Tech Department at (608)355-3940 Option #3.

Download the MyRide K12 bus app to see your student's location once they have scanned onto the bus.