Winona Elementary

Dear Winona Families,

As the fall season begins, our school is filled with excitement and energy! Students are settling into routines, classrooms are buzzing with learning, and we are looking forward to a wonderful season ahead.

This month we are especially excited to celebrate Grandparents Day. Our Wildcats love sharing their school experience with family, and it’s a special reminder of how important it is for children to feel surrounded by love and support both at home and at school.

We are also looking forward to our upcoming Family Bingo Night! This is always a fun tradition that brings our community together. We can’t wait to see families enjoying time together and making special memories.

With the cooler weather arriving, I want to gently remind families to help students come prepared each day with appropriate clothing for the season. Layers are especially helpful as mornings are cool but afternoons can still feel warm. Ensuring that jackets, sweaters, and hats are labeled with your child’s name is also a great way to prevent lost items.

Finally, I’d like to highlight our Wildcat Expectations that we call PAWS. We are proud that our Wildcat community encourages students to do their Personal Best, strive to Achieve, make Wise Choices, and be Safe every day. You’ll hear your child talking about these expectations at school—they are the foundation of our positive, supportive learning environment.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our Wildcats. Together, we are building a strong, caring school community where every child feels safe, loved, and ready to learn.

Educationally yours,

Michaela Bradshaw

WES Principal

Hello Winona Families,

My name is Mrs. Crossland, and I’m so excited to serve as your School Counselor this year! My role is to support the social, emotional, and academic success of every student in our K–5 community. I also serve as Winona’s 504 Coordinator.

Meet Kibou, Therapy Dog
You may also see me with my therapy dog, Kibou. His name means hope in Japanese, and he loves greeting students, napping in classrooms, and bringing calm energy to our school.

Research shows therapy dogs can reduce stress, improve confidence, and support emotional regulation—which is why he’s such a special addition to our community.

*** If your child has allergies, fears, or an aversion to dogs, please contact the office so we can make sure your student’s needs are respected.

How I Support Students

• Tier 1 (All Students): Classroom lessons on topics like respect, problem-solving, friendship, and emotional regulation.

• Tier 2 (Some Students): Small groups to practice social skills, build confidence, or work through changes and challenges.

• Tier 3 (Few Students): Short-term, individual support for students who need extra help navigating school or personal concerns.

Partnering with Families
I also collaborate with teachers and families to make sure every child feels a strong sense of belonging here at Winona.

Contact Me Anytime

• Phone: (303) 994-2785

• Email: ashley.crossland@tsd.org

I look forward to connecting with you and supporting your students this year!

1st- No school Labor Day

2nd- No school Staff Work Day

9th- Grandparent's Breakfast 7:30-8:15am

16th- Picture Day!

29th- Bingo Night 5:30-7pm

30th- Freddy's Fundraiser Night 5-9pm

Character Strong TRAIT: Respect

This month, Winona students are learning about the Character Strong trait of Respect—treating people, places, and things with care. In classrooms, we are practicing how respect shows up in our words, actions, and choices. Respect helps build stronger friendships, creates a positive school community, and helps us take care of ourselves and our world.

To celebrate what we’re learning, we’re kicking off Winona Respect Spirit Week!

Winona Respect Spirit Week

September 22nd – September 26th
Let’s celebrate respect all week long! Join us each day by dressing up and learning how to show respect in different ways.

• Monday 9/22 – “Respect Yourself”
  Theme: “Hats Off to Respect!” – Wear your favorite hat.
  Message: Taking care of yourself through healthy choices and positive self-talk.

• Tuesday 9/23 “Respect Others”
  Theme: “Team Up for Respect!” – Wear your favorite team shirt/jersey.
  Message: Treating classmates, teachers, and friends kindly.

• Wednesday 9/24– “Respect Our School”
  Theme: “Backpack Buddy Day” – Bring a stuffed animal or wear Winona school colors.
  Message: Respecting rules, teachers, and our shared space.

• Thursday 9/25 - “Respect Differences”
  Theme: “Rock Your Socks!” – Wear mismatched or crazy socks.
  Message: Celebrating diversity and uniqueness.

• Friday 9/26– “Respect Our World”
  Theme: “Go Green!” – Wear green or earth colors.
  Message: Caring for the environment and being responsible citizens.

Let’s show our Winona Pride by respecting ourselves, others, and the world around us!

Friday Fun Club with Mrs. Sponheim. Look for information in this week's Friday Folder.

Winona is receiving a limited amount of new student coats.

If you are in need of this resource please complete this form by 09/10/25. Please sure you enter the correct size or larger as there are no exchanges. If you need help with sizing please reach out.

If you have any questions please reach out to Ashley Crossland Winona School Counsler (Ashley.crossland@tsd.org) or Angela Dykstra our Winona Family Liaison (Angela.dykstra@tsd.org)

Here is the link to fill out the request form.

https://forms.gle/HenQZTkDtYH4jsgp6

Your child’s device will serve as their digital learning tool throughout their time in the Thompson School District. Each year the device will transition with them to the next grade level and will be replaced when they move to middle or high school.

Students and families are responsible for the care and safety of their district device. Please see our Technology Agreement Form which includes a link to the JS - Responsible Use Policy for TSD. Instructions to accept the Tech Agreement Form are included in this How To Guide.

Students are expected to bring their device with them to class, charged and ready to use. All students will receive documentation on maintaining their device, keeping it safe, practicing digital citizenship and meeting any school specific requirements for digital learning. To protect against potential damage, we offer an optional insurance plan.

Tech4All is not just a program; it's a commitment to bridging the digital divide and empowering our students to thrive in the digital age. We Trust You to take care of your device and use it to open up possibilities in your educational journey. Together, we will embark on a transformative educational experience that prepares our students for a future filled with innovation and opportunity.

For more details, including expectations, frequently asked questions and support for home use, please visit our website.

https://linqconnect.com/public/menu/E7D8Y7?buildingId=0e4bdcf4-65f3-ee11-a85d-b045456d7b44

Get your Winona Spirit Wear at 25% OFF sitewide! Order TODAY for home delivery and to start the school year with Winona pride! https://1stplace.sale/16964