GRAND AVENUE NEWSLETTER
January 2025
Grand Avenue Elementary
craig.trautsch@saukprairieschools.org
Dean of Students- Erin Smith
erin.smith@saukprairieschools.org
Email: contact@saukprairieschools.org
Website: www.saukprairieschools.org
Location: 225 Grand Ave, Prairie du Sac, WI 53578
Phone: (608) 643-1900
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From the Principal
Dear Grand Avenue Families,
Welcome to 2025! We hope everyone had a restful and relaxful break. As we begin the new year, we have some exciting events and important updates to share with you.
Upcoming Events:
3rd Grade Family Folk Dance Night – Monday, January 13th:
We are excited to invite our 3rd-grade families to our annual Family Folk Dance Night on January 13th. This will be a fun evening of music, dancing, and community.Eagle Day Presentation/Raptor Show – Friday, January 17th:
We are thrilled to have our students participate in the Eagle Day presentation, where students will have the opportunity to learn about raptors and see these majestic birds up close. This educational show will be held during school hours and promises to be an exciting learning experience for all grades.No School on Monday, January 20th:
Just a reminder that there will be no school on Monday, January 20th, in observance of the holiday. We hope you enjoy this long weekend with your families.
School News and Updates:
Above the Line Theme: Trustworthiness
Our “Above the Line” character theme for January is Trustworthiness. This month, we are focusing on teaching students the importance of being reliable, honest, and responsible in their actions. We encourage families to discuss what trustworthiness looks like at home and in the community.December Attendance Goal:
Unfortunately, we missed our December attendance goal of 94.5%. Our attendance rate for the month was 93.7%. Let’s work together to improve attendance in the new year by ensuring students are here and ready to learn every day. Good attendance is key to academic success!Community Connection Program:
We are continuing with our Community Connection Program, where each classroom is paired with a local business to foster relationships between our school and the community. Take a moment to ask your child about which local business their class is partnered with. It’s a great way to connect school learning with real-world experiences!Traffic Reminder: For safety purposes, when dropping off or picking up your child, please remember to do this on Grand Avenue and not in the school parking lot. We need to reserve the parking lot for the bus traffic.
Thank you for your continued support in helping our students grow academically and personally. We look forward to a great month ahead. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Craig
Important Dates
January:
Thursday, January 9- Game Night 3:10-4:10 Grand Avenue-IMC
Monday, January 13- Family Folk Dance Night- Grade 3- Grand Avenue Commons- 6:00 PM
Monday, January 13- School Board Mtg. 7:00 PM- HS
Friday, January 17- Eagle Days- RAC- Raptor Show
Friday, January 17- Above the Line- Trustworthiness- awards given
Monday, January 20- MLK, Jr. Day- PLC Day (NO SCHOOL)
Tuesday, January 21- GSPie Meeting 6:30 PM at Grand Avenue
Wednesday, January 22- Grand Avenue to the RAC to watch Show Choir performance
Monday, January 27- School Board Meeting 7:00 PM- District Office
February:
Thursday, February 6- Grade 5 Concert- Grand Avenue Commons- 6:00 PM
Monday, February 10-School Board Mtg.- 7:00 PM-District Office
Thursday, February 13- Game Club 3:10-4:10 Grand Avenue-IMC
Monday, February 17- Presidents' Day- NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, February 19- Early Release @ 1:30
Friday, February 21- Above the Line- Empathy- awards given
Monday, February 24-School Board Mtg. 7:00 PM-District Office
aimswebPlus Screener
This will be taking place for third graders, January 13-31st. Please see the link below for more information.
GAME CLUB- GRADES 4 & 5- After School
Above the Line
The December Above The Line theme was “Responsibility.” The students below received awards on Thursday, December 19th from their classroom teacher or staff member who felt that they are an individual that is responsible. Congratulations to these students!
Bottom row (L-R): Gabbi Argall, Maddie Maier, Aria Hiel, Nora Deines, Charlie Schoepp, Ivy Jensen, Declan McCarthy, Mallory Tredinnick, Annabelle Dahl, Ruby Mitchell, Owen Considine, Kellen Allaby & Peyton Holden
Middle row (L-R): Yulissa Alcantar Ramiriz, Juniper Franciskovich, Charley Miles, Kallie McFarlane, Scarlet McClearn-Padley, Hunter Holden, Josiah Scheunemann, Cade Corbit, Gage Fourtner, Anna Lombard, Liam Beckwith, Sam Frost & Ray Skwor
Top row (L-R): Evynne Lewis, Willow Eckstein, Lennon Hager, Hadley Wheatman, Kendall Krueger, Easton Moore, Saul Chavarria Rodriguez, Clara Duren, Paige Myers, Lilly Mack, Izzy Pulvermacher & Poppi Eckstein
Not pictured: Emma Zick & Caleb Anderson
Read-A-Thon
The fourth grade at Grand Avenue Elementary held a read-a-thon on Friday, December 20. We want to thank all those who donated. Also, thank you to all the volunteers who came and read to the classes. The fourth graders raised $1,302.75 that was then donated to the Sauk Prairie Food Pantry!
Pictured Above:
From (L-R): Kris Ballweg from the food pantry along with a student representative from each fourth grade class: Lincoln Raunio, Julian Galvan, Lillie Reuter, Kendall, Koenig, Emma Slaney, Paige Williams, & Madelyn Bischoff
From our Library
Library Tid-bit - 8,965….that is the number of library books that have been checked out so far this year! 635 is how many books students have placed on Hold, so they can read their next favorite book. Grand Avenue students love to read! Here is a link to the elementary library webpage where your student(s) can access many great resources such as: Destiny Library Catalog, Sora (ebooks), PebbleGo/PebbleNext (research database), and much more!
Counselor Connection
In January, our 3rd grade classes have been learning about the difference between good and bad teasing. They also learned that the target of the teasing gets to decide if it is good or bad, but they also need to have empathy for the teaser and realize that the teaser is probably not trying to cause a problem in most situations. Look for a worksheet with teasing “do’s” and “don'ts” on it that can help them and you further understand the differences. We have also discussed the many ways that bystanders can choose to help and show compassion, if it seems like bad teasing is happening to someone else.
Our 4th grade classes are learning about common substances that people may get addicted to and impact their physical, as well as mental, health. They are learning what tobacco (vaping), alcohol, and marijuana are; how they impact the body and decision making; and some consequences of consistent use. These lessons are being co-lead by our School Resource Officer, Nick Hayden.
The 5th grade classes will finish up our NeuroLogic curriculum and begin an online program, Act Now!, that discusses different types of bullying, how to recognize it, and how to deal with bullying situations. Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin (Children’s), created the program, and offers resources and programs for children, parents, teachers and caregivers to help keep kids healthy and safe. To find out more about Children’s, visit their website at www.HealthyKidsLearnMore.com.
Miss Sadie
School Counselor
From our Nurse
Winter Safety
The colder temperatures are here to stay and soon more snow will be on the way! All the fun activities of winter…sledding, skiing, snowballs and snowmen, are a great way to get outside and get our kids some exercise and have fun. Just be sure your child is dressed right—and know when it's time to come in and warm up.
Frostbite and Hypothermia are two conditions that can happen in winter if kids aren’t dressed properly or spend too much time out in the cold. Kids are more at risk from the cold than adults due to their smaller size, they lose heat more quickly. But with proper precautions and planning with warmth in mind, fun can still be had by all. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests the following:
Check the wind chill
In general, playing outside in temperatures or wind chills below -15° Fahrenheit should be avoided. At these temperatures, exposed skin begins to freeze within minutes.
What to wear
Several thin layers will help keep kids warm and dry. Insulated boots, mittens or gloves, and a hat are essential. Make sure children change out of any wet clothes right away.
Take breaks
Set reasonable limits on the amount of time spent playing outside to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Make sure kids have a place to go for regular indoor breaks to warm up.
GSPie
GSPie
(GSPie, said “G - S - Pie”)
Your Parent/Caregiver TeacherStaff Organization (PTO)
Grade School Partners in Education (GSPie)
New Year's Appreciation Drive for Teachers & Staff
Happy New Year! As we start the new year, the GSPie Staff Appreciation Team is trying a new way to enable parents and caregivers to get involved in our schools’ community. Many different teachers and staff members touch our children’s lives on a daily basis. Our team’s job is to make sure they know how much we appreciate the care and time they put into making our children’s days special.
We know it can be challenging to schedule time to drop off food or attend meetings for many families, so this January, we are hosting an online-only drive to supply our teachers and staff with germ-battling care items, feel-good luxuries and snacks to stock their desks for the winter ahead!
If you would like to participate, please consider purchasing any of the items on our Amazon wishlists, linked below. There are a wide variety of price points available and items ship directly to the schools. The more families that participate, the more impactful our show of gratitude. We appreciate your generosity and support!
We will be setting up "shop" on Friday, January 31 so please purchase all items for delivery by Thursday, January 30.
Bridges Amazon Wishlist
Grand Avenue Amazon Wishlist
Winter Fun Day
Monday, January 20 from 1-3pm at Culver Park, Prairie Landing building
No school means time for some winter fun! Join us for a fun-filled winter afternoon at Culver Park for ice skating, sledding, indoor games and a movie (showing Frozen indoors and out!). GSPie will be sponsoring a free hot cocoa bar and the concession stand will be open for snack purchases (benefits GSPie). Bring your own skates or rent for $5, but the skate fee is free!
Join the Team
- The next GSPie meeting is Tuesday, January 21 at 6:30pm at Grand Ave. Everyone in the Bridges and Grand Avenue communities are welcome to attend - to hear what’s new or get involved and make new connections (and friends!) within our grade school community. We would love to see you there!
- The Staff Appreciation Team is welcoming new members to help plan the second half of the year's events. The team will be meeting Thursday, January 23 at 6:30pm at George Culver Library. We would love to see you there! Any questions, please reach out to gspie2@gmail.com and we will direct your questions to the team.
GSPie (said G - S - Pie)
Your Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) for Bridges and Grand Ave
Thank you for continuing to support your children and our schools!
Attendance Information
If you call your child in with an illness, we would like you to, please let us know the symptoms, i.e., a fever, sore throat, headache, cough, etc., that your child may have.
In addition, if your child usually rides the bus, please call Lamers to let them know if your child will not be riding the bus. They can be contacted at 608-460-7050.
Dismissal Changes
Temporary Dismissal Changes
To ensure the safety of students and allow for adjustments in bus routes, a parent/guardian must complete this form prior to their child riding a bus route that is different from the child's regular dismissal plan documented in Skyward.
The district strongly encourages all requests to be submitted prior to 11:00 AM on the day the change is needed. This form applies to all students in all grades (4K - Grade 12).
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE FORM
Food Service
Eligibility for free and reduced-price meals is based on Federal income eligibility guidelines
or participation in other programs including Food Share, W-2 Cash Benefits, Food
Distribution on Indian Reservations, and some Medicaid programs. Households are
encouraged to apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits before the start of the school
year.
Free & Reduced Food Service Applications
To apply for free or reduced meals, the Food Service application must be completed every
year. Applications may be completed at any point during the school year as income may
change. You can choose to print the forms and complete or complete the forms online.
For the 2023-24 school year, the price of reduced and paid lunches are as follows:
If you have questions, are unsure of your child(ren)s eligibility for free or reduced-price
meals, or would like to request an application, please contact Tammy Smith at 608-643-
SPSD Future Student Form
The Sauk Prairie School District wants to make sure your child/family is included in mailing lists and communications once your child is old enough to register for 4K or Kindergarten classes. If you have a child who is age 5 or under and have not previously completed a SPSD Future Student Form, please complete one today! Use the link below to access the form or pick up a form at the SPSD District Office (440 13th Street, Prairie du Sac, WI). If you have any questions, please email the District Registrar or call 608-643-5984. Thank you!
Future SPSD Student Form - English
Community Center Info
Looking for summer activities for your children to keep them active and engaged learners! Sauk Prairie Schools Community Education and the Sauk Prairie Recreation Department offer enrichment and lifelong learning opportunities for all ages. Some of our programs are just good old fun while others offer the opportunity to improve a skill, discover a new hobby or improve wellness.
If you have questions about Community Ed and Recreation programs, please use the link below to contact us at the Sauk Prairie Community Center.
https://cc.saukprairieschools.org/o/cc/page/contact-community-center
Sporting Events
Safety First
secretary at Grand Ave. Elementary