United South Central Elementary

❤️ February: I Love to Read Month ❤️

Dear Parents and Guardians,

February is I Love to Read Month, a time to celebrate the power of reading and the critical role it plays in every child’s academic journey. At USC, reading is the foundation for all learning, and developing strong readers remains one of our highest priorities.

In kindergarten through second grade, students are learning to read. Through our new CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) curriculum, students receive explicit, systematic instruction that builds essential skills in phonics, vocabulary, language comprehension, and fluency. These foundational years are critical, as each lesson builds upon the next, creating a strong and lasting literacy foundation. By third grade, students reach an important milestone as they transition from learning to read to reading to learn. At this stage, reading becomes the primary way students access content across all subject areas, including science, social studies, and mathematics. A strong reading foundation allows students to confidently engage with increasingly complex texts, think critically, and deepen their understanding, skills essential for long-term academic success.

Because reading instruction is sequential and cumulative, regular school attendance is more important than ever. When students miss a day of instruction, particularly within a structured curriculum like CKLA, they miss essential learning that directly supports future lessons. Even brief absences can create gaps that make it more challenging for students to stay on track, especially in the early grades when foundational skills are developing rapidly.

As parents and guardians, you play a crucial role in nurturing a love for reading at home. To support your child’s literacy development, engage in meaningful conversations, introduce new vocabulary, and encourage exploration of a wide range of reading materials, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, newspapers, and even recipes. Reading aloud together and discussing stories strengthens comprehension and enriches your child’s overall learning experience.

Your support in fostering a love for reading both at school and at home is invaluable, and we sincerely appreciate your collaboration. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting consistent attendance, strong literacy instruction, and a culture that values daily reading. Together, we are building confident, capable readers who are prepared to tackle increasingly complex texts and succeed in school and in life. Happy Reading!

Regards,
Jennifer Taylor
Principal, USC Elementary
It’s a Great Day to be a Rebel!

Capture the memories of an incredible school year with the 2025–2026 Elementary Yearbook! More than just a collection of photos, the yearbook is a keepsake that celebrates friendships, achievements, and all the moments that made this school year special. Your child will be able to look back on it for years to come, reliving favorite memories and milestones.

Order forms were sent home in January, and all orders are due by March 27, 2026. For added convenience, you can also order your yearbook online! Extra forms are available in the office. Don’t miss this opportunity to give your student a tangible reminder of their school journey.

Secure your copy today and preserve the memories that matter most!

*February 24-27 – Scholastic Book Fair

*February 27 - Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.
*March 10 - K-12 Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences - This is a new date!

• 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Walk-in Conferences

• 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. Scheduled Conference

*March 12 - Kindergarten Round-Up (No School for Kindergarten)
*March 13-16 - No School (Spring Break)

*March 17 - School Board Meeting at 5:30 PM
*March 19 - Grades 5-12 Band Concert
*March 25 - End of the Third Quarter
*March 26 - Start of the Fourth Quarter

Morning supervision at USC begins at 8:00 a.m. Please remind your student to arrive as close to this time as possible, whether they are dropped off, walking, or biking to school. Breakfast is served starting at 7:50 a.m. Before 8:00 a.m., staff members are engaged in meetings and other duties, so supervision is not available. Once students finish eating breakfast, they must go outside. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

An increase in various illnesses is typical for this time of year. Here are some important reminders about when to keep your children home from school. Your cooperation is crucial in maintaining a healthy environment for all students.

Please keep your child at home if they:

• Have had a fever of 100.0°F or higher within the past 24 hours.

• Have experienced vomiting or persistent diarrhea in the last 24 hours.

• Are diagnosed with strep throat (they can return after 12 hours on antibiotics and no fever for 24 hours).

• Have influenza or COVID-19 (they can return after being fever-free for 24 hours and once the cough has subsided).

• Exhibit a severe, frequent cough that would impede concentration and disturb others.

• Have a draining wound.
  
  

Your adherence to these guidelines helps us in our collective effort to keep our students healthy.

*When the nurse's office contacts you to pick up your sick child, please aim to do so as promptly as possible.

Elementary School Hours

Classes begin at 8:20 a.m. and are dismissed at 3:03 p.m. Students who are not in class by 8:20 a.m. will be marked tardy. If students arrive after 8:40 a.m., they will be marked absent.

Drop off and pick up at USC Elementary

• Students will enter the school by the main door by the elementary office

• Students can enter the building at 8:10 A.M. after they are lined up outside. Please be mindful of dropping your students off as close to 8:10 A.M. as possible to minimize the wait before the start of the school day.

• Students who have breakfast can access the school building at 7:50 A.M. Upon arrival, they should proceed directly to the Commons Area. After breakfast, students will return outside and enter the elementary building at 8:10 A.M., when the official school day begins. It is important to note that students are not permitted to enter the elementary building until 8:10 A.M.

• Students will be dismissed from the main doors by the office.

-Parking Notice: Ensure you are parked legally when dropping off and picking up students before and after school. Parking and driving are off-limits in front of the school, where buses load and unload students. Do not park in any handicap-designated spaces unless you have the proper permit or placard. Parking on the grass is strictly prohibited.

-Crosswalks: To prioritize students' safety, we request that everyone consistently use the designated crosswalks exclusively when dropping off or picking up students. We emphasize that our top priority is student safety and discourage any attempts to walk between school buses, as this poses a significant safety risk.

-Entrance into the Building: For safety reasons, parents will drop off and pick up students outside the main doors. To encourage a smooth and organized school environment, parents are required to make an appointment when meeting with a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Additionally, parents and guardians have access to the front office but are not permitted in the school building during school hours without prior approval. *Students are not permitted to bring visitors to school, and visitors are not allowed during breakfast or lunch. This policy helps maintain a focused and productive atmosphere for all students, and we appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

-Parent Contact Information: Please notify the elementary office if your email address, mailing address, or telephone number changes. We need to be able to reach you in case of a school-wide emergency or if your child becomes ill. Also, keeping your contact information up to date makes sure you receive timely notices and announcements from the school.

-Outdoor Recess: We are still in the winter months, and students continue to need appropriate winter gear. Please remember that students will have outdoor recess each day, weather permitting, unless the temperature falls below 0 degrees or conditions are rainy or excessively wet. In such cases, recess will be held indoors. Students must arrive at school dressed appropriately for outdoor weather conditions. Unless the temperature is 60 degrees or higher, students are required to wear a jacket or coat. During the winter months, appropriate outdoor attire includes layers, hats, mittens or gloves, scarves, boots, and snow pants when there is snow on the ground or when playground conditions are muddy.

-Extra Clothing: Please send an extra set of clothing with your child. It is vital to have an additional set in case of spills, mud, accidents, and wet clothing from recess. Thank you.

-Lost and Found: The Lost and Found tables are located in the Commons area, near the vending machines. To prevent your child's items from ending up in Lost and Found, please ensure all clothing is labeled with your child's name.

On February 4, 2026, we held our second Rebel Pride celebration, marking the end of the quarter and recognizing students who consistently demonstrate Respectful, Responsible, and Safe behaviors. Teachers nominate three outstanding students from each grade level for the Respectful, Responsible, and Safe award, based on their positive contributions in classrooms, hallways, and at school events.

During the Rebel Pride ceremony, honorees are celebrated with a formal announcement of their names, a framed certificate, and a medal. Each quarter, the entire school community also enjoys a special reward. This quarter’s celebration featured a holiday movie outing at the Flame or Kee Theatre. These celebrations not only acknowledge student achievements but also reinforce the values that strengthen our school community.

This award is given to students who go above and beyond, demonstrating respect for staff, students, and property throughout the quarter.

Pictured (L to R): Grayson Dulas, Eva Swenson, Otto Bushlack, Mia Hinsch, and Aden Harms (pictured below)

This award is given to students who arrive on time, are dedicated to completing their work, and help others throughout the quarter.

Pictured (L to R): Breelan Herman, Henry Garvick, Arianna Netral, Oliver Bruegger, and Waylon Foty

This award is given to students who make safe choices, keep their hands and feet to themselves, and follow safety protocols in the classroom and throughout the building.

(L to R): Ella Ammerman, Rutledge Kimpton, Nash Redig, Amelia Goemann, and Juliette Hicks

Fifth-grade students in Mrs. Bauman’s classroom learned about figurative language, specifically similes and metaphors. Similes use words such as like or as to make comparisons, whereas metaphors describe one thing as something else, even though it is not meant literally. Learning to recognize and use similes and metaphors helps students better understand what they read, express their ideas more creatively, and add depth and meaning to their writing.

In Mr. Stencel's fourth-grade class, students learned how to use number lines to add and subtract fractions with the same whole. They practiced moving along the line to see how fractions combine and separate, strengthening their understanding of fractional math.

Students in Mrs. Rajtar’s classroom read There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow by Lucille Colandro and explored the chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar through a hands-on experiment. There was visible delight as students observed the fizzy reaction, made predictions, and connected the story to their science learning, bringing both literacy and inquiry to life.

Second grade students in Mrs. Stevermer’s STEM class learned how to change fonts in Google Docs to customize their work. These tech skills will support students as they prepare projects and presentations. The learning will come in handy for their upcoming Animal Fair this spring!

Preschool students learned all about the letter P, with activities throughout the week focused on building letter recognition and engagement. On Friday, students enjoyed pancakes, drew pictures of their favorite pizza, and took a field trip to Jake’s Pizza, where they had the opportunity to make their very own pizzas. Students had an absolute blast, making learning both fun and memorable!

During reading in Mrs. Feist’s classroom, students explored elements of poetry, including tone and alliteration, while demonstrating their understanding of key vocabulary words, such as stir, through a close reading of “Resolute” by Amanda Gorman. Students examined how the poem presents two distinct tones, discussing the contrast between them and how Gorman’s word choice and poetic devices shape meaning and emotion throughout the piece.

Learning was in full swing in Mrs. Olson’s class as students decoded one-syllable words and explored final -e and vowel teams during a UFLI phonics lesson, building confidence and strong reading skills!

A close second to Christmas excitement is the roller skating unit in physical education class at USC Elementary! Students in grades K–4 recently laced up their skates and hit the gym floor to begin practicing their roller skating skills. Physical education teachers Tammy Bullerman, Sam Klinger, and Paul Meyer made this annual event possible by securing specialized skates with soft wheels designed for the elementary gym. Students have been gliding, practicing, and building confidence as they learn.

This time-honored tradition was established decades ago, recognizing roller skating as a “lifetime sport” that supports balance, coordination, and overall motor skill development. In addition to being fun, roller skating offers strong cardiovascular benefits and helps build endurance. Throughout the unit, students are challenged to persevere, take risks, and show resilience as they work toward improvement. The gym was filled with energy and excitement throughout the unit as students continued to grow and shine!

We are extremely grateful to the community members, former teachers, and high school students who volunteered their time and support to assist students with putting on their roller skates. Their dedication made it possible for all students to participate fully, confidently, and safely in the roller skating unit.

Email: jtaylor@unitedsouthcentral.org
Location: 600 11th Street Southwest, Wells, MN, USA
Phone: 507-553-5810