Greetings Winn Families!

Happy Easter! I hope this letter finds you all celebrating with your friends and family. We are looking forward to the Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival this week. We truly are the "sweetest little town in Michigan!"

This week, we are continuing our Capturing Kids Hearts focus, Perseverance. The big idea this week is "Putting it Into Practice." Here is what each grade level will be focusing on in relation to our big idea:

• Kindergarten: It Takes GRIT
• 1st grade: Persevere and EXCEL
• 2nd grade: Reach Higher
• 3rd grade: Do Not Give Up
• 4th grade: Putting it to Practice
• 5th grade: Finish Strong

Watch the video below to get some ideas about how you can support these ideas at home.

Highlights this week:

• Tuesday: School Bus Appreciation Day
• Wednesday: Administrative Professional Day (Secretary's Day!)
• Thursday 1/2 day - dismissal at 11:00
• Friday: No School - Happy Maple Syrup Festival!! Have fun garage sale shopping too!

With Gratitude,

Laurie Richards

Winn Elementary Principal

Please read this special memo about your child's "Buddy Night" coupon for Maple Syrup weekend!

It was our turn to visit Mr. Wolf! We loaded up the bus this week and headed into town to visit Shepherd Middle School. The kids were able to tour the building and learn a little bit about the different things they can take next year. They had their first bit of freedom when they walked in the hallways. No more lines! The kids thought that was pretty cool that they could just walk by their friends and get to where they were going. Mr. Wolf made a point to tell me how well behaved all the students were and how much he looked forward to working with this group of 5th graders from both buildings. I have to say I got a little sad thinking about them leaving. This group was the first group of kids I had as a principal. I know they will do great things as they get older. I can't wait to see all the amazing things they will do!

For more information about what Mr. Wolf talked about, check out the presentation below!

Take a minute to read the Winn Parents' Club newsletter for April. The WPC is looking for parent volunteers to help at Field Day. There is a link on the newsletter to sign up to help. Click the newsletter below to open up the links to "click"

• April 24th 1/2 day (Maple Syrup Festival)
• April 25th - No School (Maple Syrup Festival)

Here is our Winn Elementary Parent and Student Handbook for 24-25. It is filled with lots of useful information about our school.

At the end of our lessons, each teacher does something called a "launch." It launches us into the next part of the day by giving us something to think about. It is a practice that Capturing Kids Hearts trained us to do last summer. Today, I offer you this launch. Talk to your child about how you have used perseverance in your life. Some of the best lessons we can offer our kids is just sitting down and talking to them! Enjoy your time together :)

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