The Winn Word 8.31.25

Greetings Winn Elementary Families!

Happy September! I hope you are enjoying this beautiful long weekend. I am sending this a little early this week so I can enjoy the holiday weekend too :)

September Capturing Kids Hearts Focus: Empathy

At Winn Elementary, we are excited to begin the new school year with a focus on Empathy—one of the core social-emotional skills we nurture through the Capturing Kids’ Hearts program. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and it plays an essential role in helping our students build strong, caring relationships.

Why Empathy Matters

When children learn to practice empathy, they:

• Develop kindness and compassion toward others

• Strengthen friendships and teamwork skills

• Create a safe and respectful school community

• Learn how to handle conflicts peacefully

Empathy not only helps students succeed in school but also prepares them to thrive in life.

What We’re Doing at School

This month, teachers and staff will be modeling and teaching empathy in daily classroom routines. Through Capturing Kids’ Hearts, students will:

• Greet one another and staff members each day with respect and kindness

• Practice listening to understand, not just to respond

• Use “I feel” statements to share their thoughts and emotions

• Celebrate one another’s successes and encourage each other during challenges

Students will also participate in activities, stories, and discussions that help them “walk in someone else’s shoes” and recognize the feelings of their classmates.

How Families Can Support at Home

How You Can Help at Home:

• Ask your child about a moment during the day when they noticed someone else’s feelings

• Model empathy by listening attentively when your child or others share experiences

• Read books or watching shows together that highlight compassion and then talking about the characters’ choices

• Encourage your child to notice small ways they can show kindness—holding a door, sharing a toy, or including someone new in play

Together, We Make a Difference

When school and home work hand-in-hand, our children grow into caring, thoughtful individuals who contribute positively to the world around them. Thank you for reinforcing the important value of empathy with us this month.

Highlights this week:

• Monday: No School
• Tuesday-Friday: NWEA Reading and Math Testing 1st-5th grade

Birthday's this week:

• No birthdays this week :)

Warmly,

Laurie Richards
Principal, Winn Elementary

It's time to get your order for some cool Winn Elementary and Shepherd gear! Our order are due by Wednesday at midnight. There are a ton of new things to choose from. Click the link and happy shopping. All things will be delivered to Winn.

Thank you to all of the families for attending our special event. It was so fun to have you all be a part of that day. We are interested in any feedback you have to offer about how we structured the first week and what you thought of the sorting picnic. We know you are your child's first and most important teacher! We look forward to working with you throughout the year.

If you are looking for another way to get involved with the building, please attend our Winn Parents Club meeting this week on Wednesday. It is a great way to meet new people and help our school. We love to have new families with new ideas! We will see you on Wednesday at 5:30pm.

School Picture Day – What You Need to Know

Guys & Dolls Photography

There is no form to fill out or money exchanged on picture day. You will get to see your

student’s picture online with background choices before you order.

Approx.1-2 weeks AFTER picture day you will receive an email from orderschoolpix.com

with a link to your student’s picture *Please note ordering works best on a desktop or

laptop computer*

If you do not receive an email:

1. check your spam and your promotions tab within your email

2. If it is not there go to www.guysanddollsphotography.com

a) Select School/Sports/Events

b) Select your school or organization

c) Enter your student’s unique passcode for the password (This passcode will be in the

email we send to you. If you do not receive an email, you must contact your school, and

they can give you the information).

d) Enter your email address to order pictures, select BUY PRINTS. Please note there are

separate tabs at the top of the screen for packages, single prints and photo products. All

portrait packages ordered prior to the deadlines will be delivered to the school, unless you

choose to have them mailed to your home. In which case a shipping fee will be applied to

your order.

To avoid price increases you must place your order during the first or second batch sale.

Once the second batch deadline arrives, you will still be able to order pictures. However,

there will be a price increase on prints. All pictures that are ordered after the deadline will

also incur a shipping fee and they will be mailed to the home address you provide when you

place your order.

Please note: Portrait packages ordered after deadlines cannot be picked up at our studio

or delivered to the school.

Any other questions contact Guys and Dolls Photography of Mt. Pleasant

989-772-2167

guysdollsphotography@gmail.com

What does it mean to be an empathic learner? Watch this with your child and have a chat about empathy. Have a great week everybody!

• 9/1 No School (Staff/Students)
• 9/3 WPC Meeting 5:30pm Free Childcare Provided
• 9/5 Popcorn Day at Winn - Free Popcorn for All Students Sponsored by WPC
• 9/12 Picture Day
• 9/29-10/3 Homecoming Week
• 10/3 Homecoming Parade & Game
• 11/8 Winn Elementary Fall Fest

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