Winship Family News

Winship Wildcat Family,

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, our calendar continues to be full at Winship with exciting school-wide events, field trips, and family activities. This time of year always brings a great deal of energy and celebration as we reflect on all of the learning and growth that has taken place throughout the year.

As I reflect on my first year at Winship, I am incredibly grateful to be part of such a caring and supportive school community. I have truly appreciated the connections I’ve made with students, staff, and families, and I am thankful for the kindness, encouragement, and partnership that make Winship such a special place. The support of our families and dedication of our staff have made this a wonderful first year, and I look forward to continuing to grow together as a school community.

As the weather improves and more students begin walking and biking to school, please remind your child(ren) to use the crosswalks during arrival and dismissal times. We also ask parents and caregivers to model this behavior to help ensure everyone’s safety. Thank you for partnering with us and reinforcing the importance of safe practices before and after school.

Drafts of class lists for the 2026–2027 school year will be created this spring through collaboration among classroom teachers, special education teachers, multilingual teachers, specialists, and administration. Final class placements will be shared in August before the start of the school year. We kindly ask families to refrain from making specific teacher requests through current classroom teachers, as these requests can make it difficult to create balanced classroom communities. Our staff carefully considers each student’s learning style, academic needs, social development, behavioral needs, and friendships when creating class placements. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work thoughtfully to make decisions that are in the best interest of all students.

We are also incredibly thankful for the continued support of our Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO). From providing classroom supplies and supporting field trips to organizing teacher appreciation efforts, our PTO plays an important role in supporting both our students and staff. They have many exciting plans for the 2026–2027 school year and would love for more families to get involved. Please stop by the PTO table at our fall open house to learn more about how you can support our school community!

As always, please reach out to the office if you have any questions!

Lori Skattum

Principal

Door 1 (N 15th St) is the main entrance to Winship Elementary. Please use during:

• Drop off after 8:20am
• Pick up during school hours

Door 3 (6th Ave N) is used for:

• Drop off for breakfast 7:40am - 8:20am
• Pick up after school

In order to keep our school secure, all visitors must enter through Door 1 and sign in at the office. Thank you for understanding!

Tuesday through Thursday

May 26 - 28

Dates: July 27 - August 14

Time: 8:00am - 12:00pm

Location: Winship Elementary School

Pre-Registration Survey Link: https://form.jotform.com/gfschools/2026-2027-kindergarten-pre-registra

Website / More Information: https://www.gfschools.org/link-2/kindergarten/kindergarten-registration

Registration starts online ONLY on July 27, 2026.

Phoenix Elementary (all students from Viking, Winship, Phoenix)

• Dates: June 1, 2026 – June 19, 2026
• Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Focus Areas: Reading Literacy and Math
• Current Kindergarten through 4th grade (current 5th grade enroll for Middle School Summer)

• Busing have yet to be determined.
• Registration deadline is April 1, 2026. Late registrations are not guaranteed.

Dear Families,

Please find the link below to register for Summer Encore.

We would like to highlight that the program will be held at one location only—Phoenix Elementary—and families will be responsible for transportation to and from the site.

We encourage you to carefully review all information provided within the registration form before completing your submission.

Summer Encore 2026 Registration

• Dates: June 1, 2026 – June 19, 2026
• Lunch: Provided by Child Nutrition from 12:00–12:30 PM
  • If your child arrives after 12:30 PM and has not already eaten, you will need to provide a lunch.
• Program Hours: 12:30–5:30 PM
• All students must be picked up no later than 5:30 PM

• Cost:

  • $150.00 per student
  • Payment is due on June 1, 2026
  • Accepted forms: cash, check, or money order (made payable to GFPS)
  • Please note: No exceptions or refunds will be made

Middle School Summer School

• Summer School Registration will be open from February 1st - May 1st with registration link https://bit.ly/GFPSMiddle26

• Schroeder & South students at Schroeder (due to construction) will be held June 1-26, 2026 from 8:00-12:00 pm

• Valley Middle School RISE Program will be held June 1st -July 1st from 8:00-12:00 pm

• Open to incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students

• English Language Arts (ELA) and Math

• Multilingual program at Valley Middle School this year

• Any questions can be directed to Theresa Ostgarden at tostgarden220@mygfschools.org. Questions specifically to Valley RISE can be directed to Nick Pederson at npederson040@mygfschools.org.

• Once registered, you will be receiving an email the week of May 25-29 with more information

PowerSchool - make sure you have your student's PowerSchool account activated for Middle School - this is mandatory. If you are unable to log in to PowerSchool, call Laurie in the office for assistance. There will be no PowerSchool Access after June 5.

IF you move residence and need your student's records, you must contact the middle school to transfer records. All fifth grade paper files will be transferred to the middle school by June 3.

May 8 - Fifth Grade Track Meet (send water bottles, if needed sunscreen)

May 13 - Early Release 1:30pm

May 14 - Fourth and fifth grade to Turtle River State Park (send water bottles, if needed sunscreen) please watch the weather and send appropriate clothing

May 15 - Field Day at Winship (water games - send extra clothes to school)

May 21 - Kindergarten Graduation 2 - 3pm

May 25 - NO SCHOOL

May 26 - 28 - NO ENCORE

May 28 - Fifth Grade Graduation 9 - 10am

May 28 - Report Cards Emailed by Noon

May 28 - Last Full Day of School

Please take note of the following early release dates.

The purpose of PTO:

• Enhance and support the educational experience at Winship Elementary School
• Develop a closer connection between school and home by encouraging parental involvement
• Improve the environment at school through volunteer and financial support.

Everyone is welcome to attend PTO meetings! We encourage participation and sharing your talents! You do not have to attend every meeting, but would appreciate your suggestions and assistance! For questions, please contact winshippto1@gmail.com

Upcoming PTO Meetings, Door 3, Winship Library, 7:00pm:

*dates coming this fall*

Scan the QR code below to join our Winship PTO Facebook page or, Search "Winship PTO-Grand Forks, ND" to stay up to date on current Winship events and happenings.

Download the App and scan your receipts! You can use digital receipts on the App! Funds are used for school supplies.

• Bring in your labels, and the office will do the work for you!
• By buying Our Family brand products – and saving the UPC barcodes from those cans, bags, boxes and bottles you can help purchase school supplies. 500 bar codes = $25.

On your Casey's App, you can donate your points to Winship Elementary.

Under your Account, Select School Donations, add Winship Elementary.

Medical forms have to be submitted for all over the counter and prescription medicines.

June 1 - Monday, Office Closed

June 2 - 4 - Tuesday through Thursday 7:30am - 3:00pm

June 5 - Friday, Office Closed

June 8 - 9 - Monday and Tuesday 7:30am - 3:00pm

June 10 - 11 - Wednesday and Thursday 7:30 - 12pm

June 12 - Friday, Office closed until end of July

There will be days when the office will have shortened hours or closed in July and August (before school starts). Please call ahead; a sign will be posted on the door with changes. Dates and times will also be posted on the Winship Calendar.

Welcome back to school night! This will be held on Monday, August 24th from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. This is an opportunity for students and families to drop off supplies and meet/visit the teacher and classroom.

Winship Elementary School

1412 5th Ave N

Grand Forks ND 58203

Lori Skattum, Principal

Laurie Nelson, Administrative Assistant

Office: 701-746-2325

Attendance Line: 701-746-2321

Fax: 701-746-2374