December Newsletter 2023

Hello Families,

It is amazing how quickly the school year is going by! We are already beginning December and the holiday season. We have three full weeks of learning ahead of us before our winter break. This time of year is especially exciting for elementary students. We have many fun activities planned for the upcoming weeks. With the excitement of the season, we often have to remind students to stay focused on their learning activities as we lead into break. Please remind your children that these next few weeks are still important learning times.

Winter weather is definitely here! It is so important that you send your child with the proper outdoor gear during the cold winter months. Please make sure they are prepared to go outside for recess every day. We will have outdoor recess unless it is raining or the temperatures with the windchill are below zero. Winter recess is very fun for the kids, but only when they are dressed appropriately for outdoor play. We thank you for your help in making sure they are dressed for the weather!

For December, our school-wide character trait focus is empathy. Classrooms will do activities helping students understand what it means to have empathy and practice showing empathy in different environments and situations. Please look for ways to demonstrate and point out empathy at home and when you are out and about in the community. Finally, the Amy Belle staff wishes you a happy holidays and that you have a relaxing and peaceful winter break spent with family and friends!

Sincerely,

Katie Kohel

If you haven't done so already, please fill out the form below for each of your children regarding an emergency way home, through today 12/1. If you have missed the deadline, please contact the office with any updates/changes. This would be in the event school would close early due to weather or other circumstances (ex: power outage).

When the decision to close school happens before the start of a school day, many factors go into the decision. After collaborating with the Wisconsin Meteorological Society, GO Riteway, and

surrounding school districts, a decision is made to cancel school by 5:30 a.m.

Upon the decision to close school, staff and families will receive an email and recorded phone call regarding the school closure. Local television news outlets (CBS58, FOX6, WISN12, and TMJ4) are then also notified of our closure. When deciding to end the school day early, we work closely with GO Riteway to determine if future weather conditions may impede their ability to transport children safely. If the decision is made to end the school day early, the same messaging process for a snow day, as outlined above, will occur. For cold weather, we watch the wind chill factor closely. If cold temperatures and wind generate a wind chill warning (defined by the National Weather Service as a sustained wind chill of -35 degrees Fahrenheit), we will close for the day or consider a delayed start if the warning is lifted.in the mid-morning hours. We will hold school during a wind chill advisory.

If your student will be missing school, please contact the office at (262) 628-7825 or email aboffice@gsdwi.org. If your child must leave during the school day for any reason, please send a note indicating the time they are to be excused and the reason for the excuse.

We encourage appointments to be scheduled outside of school hours as much as possible. If an appointment is made during school hours, please bring a doctor/dentist excuse to the office. The principal is required to send a formal, written notice upon 5 days of accumulated absences.

Outside groups/activities are being offered for students to have the opportunity to join an after school activity. Please see the following information from the Germantown Recreation Department(link) below.

Amy Belle, will be collecting new, unopened toys from December 1st thru December 7th. Kapco Metal Stamping will pick up our toys and bring along some visitors! They will work with the Salvation Army and News radio 620 WTMJ regarding toy distribution. If you can, please help brighten the holiday for a child who is less fortunate.

Flyers and information have been sent home. Please visit the link below to see more information regarding their festive event you may be interested in, located in in Grafton.

A Kids Night Out, hosted by Boy Scout Troop 165.

Drop off your K-5th Grader for a night out of fun-filled games Including: Football Toss, Human Foosball, Box hockey, Super Jenga and Hot Wheels racing.

Not too late! Event takes place TONIGHT, Friday, December 1st, if you are still interested! See flyer attached with more details.

Amy Belle Destination Imagination will be selling Candy Cane Grams for $1.00 during the lunch/recess hours on December 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd .

This is a fundraising event for the team. We appreciate your support. Candy canes will have cards attached for students to write messages to students and staff.

Watch for details. Questions contact Jill North 414-881-7449 or jnorth@wisconsindi.org

We need your help!

PTA Dinner With the Arts Planning Meeting

Tuesday, December 5th at 6 PM located in the school library.

Please join us start planning for a PTA fundraiser filled with an art showcase and variety show by the students of Amy Belle Elementary.

Enter through the front doors by the office. Everyone is welcome! Help us get ready for a great night with the Amy Belle community.

Please email pta.amybelle@gmail.com with questions.

* Please note there will NOT be a PTA meeting in December as the general PTA meeting scheduled for 12/6 is canceled. The next PTA meeting will be January 3rd. *

- SAVE the DATE for PTA Dinner With the Arts - Thursday, February 15, 2024 -

Winter/Holiday Spirit Days

Thursday, 11/30 - Winter/Holiday Colors

Thursday, 12/7 – Winter/Holiday Accessories

Thursday, 12/14 – Winter/Holiday Sweater/Outfit

Thursday, 12/21 – Winter/Holiday PJ's

PTA Popcorn Friday - Friday, December 1st

Annual “Kids' Night Out” – Friday, December 1st

Kids 2 Kids Christmas – Toy Drive – Friday, December 1st - December 7th

Please donate a new, unwrapped toy. All donations will benefit children who are less fortunate.

PTA Planning Meeting (DWA) - Tuesday, December 5th - 6:00pm - Library

3rd Grade Field Trip to First Stage - Wednesday, December 6th

NO School - Professional Development Day - Friday, December 8th

School Store – Tuesday, December 12th

1st Grade Music Concert - Thursday, December 14th

Board Meeting – Monday, December 18th

DI Candy Cane Sales - December 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd .

No School/Winter Break - Monday, December 25th - Monday, January 1st

First Day of Classes in 2024 – Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Coming Soon...

PTA Dinner with the Arts - February 15th - Planning Meeting December 5th - 6PM

Email sent to families regarding links to classroom basket donations

More information to come...

School Bell Hours - 8:46am - 3:46pm

Office Hours - 7:45am - 4:15pm

Phone #(262) 628-7825

Fax #(262) 628-7292

Email - aboffice@gsdwi.org

Principal

Katie Kohel - kkohel@gsdwi.org

Adminstrative Assistants

Melissa Lietzau - mlietzau@gsdwi.org

Kim Ubert - kubert@gsdwi.org

Health Room Aide

Breyon O'Neal - boneal@gsdwi.org