Greetings, Douglas Families!

We have had a wonderful start to the school year. Our 350 students in grades 4K-5 are working hard and having fun every day here at Douglas Elementary School. Our staff is dedicated to building strong relationships with students and families, as well as engaging students in their learning. We are so appreciative of the strong partnership we have with our Douglas families. Thank you for reading with your child every night (or letting them read into the night by flashlight :)) - and for encouraging your child to be curious, kind, hard-working learners every day!

Once again, this year, our Douglas is utilizing Seesaw for both student learning as well as parent communication. On Seesaw, you will find notifications from your child's teacher (pictures, reminders), your child's learning (activities they have completed, videos of your child reading a piece of writing), and school announcements and messages. We invite all parents/guardians to connect with us on Seesaw to stay up-to-date with your child's learning and classroom/school activities!

We hope that you find this newsletter full of valuable information for the next couple of months. If ever you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me, our office staff, or your child's teacher. We appreciate all our Douglas families do to support your children, our teachers, and our school community. Thank you for partnering with us on this journey!

Go Tigers!

Mrs. Lessner

Did you know?? One of the continuous improvement strategies all Douglas teachers utilize to build a classroom community of learners is collaborative development of a class mission statement. This process engages all students in developing a class mission statement that will help them achieve their goals during the year. Mission statements are posted so students can refer back to them throughout the school year. Check out a few examples from our Douglas classrooms below!

For student safety and supervision, please make sure Douglas students are dropped off no earlier than 7:45 AM. Our school doors open and student supervision begins at this time. Students being dropped off after our school start time of 7:55 AM should be dropped off at the main office on Prospect Street. Students arriving in the building after 7:55 AM will be marked tardy. Please continue to help ensure our school is a safe place for all learners by adhering to these morning drop-off times.

Parents/guardians, if you or anyone you know is interested in joining our district as a substitute (teacher or support staff member), we would love to have you!

Whether you are interested in daily subbing, or being available 1-2 days/week, your help would be greatly appreciated. Our substitutes ensure that we are able to continue providing an excellent education when our staff members are not able to be with us for the day. Please reach out to Mrs. Lessner at lessnere@mywusd.org or (920) 262-1495 if you have any questions or would like more information.

October 22: Picture Re-Take Day

October 28: Staff Development Day - NO SCHOOL

October 29: Teacher Comp Day - NO SCHOOL

November 1-4: Scholastic Book Fair

November 8: PTO Meeting 5:30pm (In Person & Zoom!)

November 22-26: Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL

December 13: PTO Meeting 5:30pm (In Person & Zoom!)

December 22: EARLY RELEASE 11:30 Dismissal (Students)

December 23-December 31: Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

January 3: Classes Resume

January 10: PTO Meeting 5:30pm (In Person & Zoom!)

January 17: Staff Development Day - NO SCHOOL

January 21: End of Semester

January 24: Teacher Work Day - NO SCHOOL

February 10: Midyear Parent-Teacher Conferences (4:00-7:30)

February 14: PTO Meeting 5:30pm

February 15: Midyear Parent-Teacher Conferences (4:00-7:30)

February 18: Staff Development Day - NO SCHOOL

March 14: PTO Meeting 5:30pm

March 17: Pizza Picasso (Tentative)

March 28-April 1: Spring Break - NO SCHOOL

April 4: Classes Resume

April 11: PTO Meeting 5:30pm

April 15: Non School Day - NO SCHOOL

May 2-6: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 6: Douglas Dash (Tentative)

May 9: PTO Meeting 5:30pm

May 12: Learning Showcase & K/1 Spring Concert 5:30-7:00pm

May 30: Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL

June 7: Awards Assembly – Gr 3-5 12:30-2:00pm

June 8: End of Semester/Last Day of School (Early Release - 11:30 Dismissal)

June 9: Teacher Work Day - NO SCHOOL

Spring Concert Date(s) - Grades 2-5 - TBD!

We have updated our school calendar to reflect our shift to spring music performances, celebrating the musical talents of all of our Douglas Tigers. We have not yet determined dates for Grades 2-5, so please stay tuned for this information. We look forward to enjoying performances by all Douglas Tigers this coming Spring 2022! This will give our students a chance to practice their skills in music class throughout the school year, and the perform in the spring. Huge shout-out to Mr. Roley, who is motivating our young musicians and sharing his love for music with them every day!

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting an “In-Person” Scholastic book fair coming up the first week of November. Our PTO and staff are currently in the planning stages, and we are currently recruiting volunteers. If you or a grandparent are interested in volunteering, please complete the volunteer form here: https://forms.gle/4jVHJTs6kwgUvMWU6 . Please keep in mind that all volunteers will need to complete a district volunteer background check form, which are available in the Douglas office.

It's BAAACCCKK! One of the most exciting (and favorite) book fair events - the All for Books Coin Drive is back! This coming week, Monday, October 25-Wednesday, October 27, students may bring in any coins or bills to their classroom coin collection container. All funds raised will go directly toward books for your child's classroom library. The students in the classroom with the highest total raised will each get to pick out a FREE book from the Book Fair as well! Thank you for supporting reading and classroom libraries for our Douglas students.

Tuesday, November 2nd - Evening Shopping

**5:00-7:00 PM - Family Shopping Hours (Shop before we "open"!)

Wednesday, November 3rd - Daytime & Evening Shopping

Students will be able to shop the fair during school hours. If you would like to send money with your child, please place it in a baggie/envelope labeled BOOK FAIR. You may also set up an eWallet (details below).

**7:30-8:30 - Parent/Grandparent Shopping (stop in before school & at drop-off)

**1:30-2:15 - Parent/Grandparent Shopping (stop in prior to pick-up!)

**2:15-4:00 - Family Shopping Hours

Thursday, November 4th - Daytime & Early Bird Shopping

Students will be able to shop the fair during school hours. If you would like to send money with your child, please place it in a baggie/envelope labeled BOOK FAIR. You may also set up an eWallet (details below).

**7:30-8:30 - Parent/Grandparent Shopping (stop in before school & at drop-off)

Once again, our PTO is holding our Fall Emil's Pizza fundraiser. Information and order forms will be sent home prior to Thanksgiving, with orders due following Thanksgiving. Pizzas will be delivered prior to winter break! All students who sell one item or donate funds will be entered to win a prize pack from the PTO...with the top 3 sellers in the school also receiving a prize.

***Specific dates to come!

Here is a fun and amazing event that is sure to bring happiness and joy to children of all ages. If you do not know what Trunk or Treating is, it is when people decorate their trunks (like homes) for Halloween, and hand out candy to kids who attend this large event. This event is coming up quick!

• Free Winter Coats & Gear
• Vaccination Stations
• Food Pantry Pop-Up
• More Essential Resources

November 12 From 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Immanuel Lutheran Church

209 N. 9th St., Watertown, WI

Nov. 14 From 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Country Inn

1650 Doris Dr., Fort Atkinson, WI

Learn more at: cacscw.org/winterglow

This material and/or activity is not sponsored by the WUSD or its personnel

Second and third grade families, please look in your students Friday Folder for the Watertown Seal-A-Smile parent letter and permission form. We do need a response from each student. The form has a "Yes" section and a "No" section. Please complete your student's form and send it back to school. The Watertown Seal-A-Smile Program is getting ready for their first visit to Douglas!

The Watertown Seal-A-Smile Program is collaborating with your child's school principal and staff by offering a preventative dental sealant program at your child's school for students in second, third, sixth, and seventh grade. Dental staff will come to each school building to provide their services twice this year. The program is not meant to be a substitution for regular dental visits.

What exactly does this program offer for my child? Sealants, fluoride varnish, tooth brushing instructions and additional oral health education, toothbrush and toothpaste, and a letter sent home explaining what services were provided and suggestions for further treatment or follow up.

The Watertown Seal-A-Smile dental sealant program is available at no charge whether or not your child is covered by dental insurance. The program will contact and bill Medical Assistance or BadgerCare if your child is covered by one of these programs. There is a brief explanation of the program and a short video that all parents of students in grades 2, 3, 6, and 7 will be able to review online see below links. Parents will also be able to sign students up for the program as well. Please note that this is a completely secure website. For more information about the Watertown Seal-A-Smile dental sealant program, please call Watertown Department of Public Health at 920-262-8090 or e-mail at cquest@ci.watertown.wi.us.

Seal A Smile program information: https://www.chawisconsin.org/initiatives/oral-health/wisconsin-seal-a-smile/

Video: https://vimeo.com/625425862

Link to online form: https://sealasmile.wisconsin.gov/Consent/Home/About

In partnership with TalkReadPlay, the Watertown Unified School District is pleased to be offering the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program, which includes free offerings for families with children ages 0-12. Triple P is an internationally recognized program that provides parents with a toolbox of strategies to raise confident and healthy children, build strong family relationships, manage misbehavior, and prevent problems from happening in the first place.

Join us for an upcoming virtual seminar series! Attend one, two, or all of these seminars from the comfort of your own home, at no cost to you.

• Thursday, November 4, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - The Power of Positive Parenting

• Thursday, November 11, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Raising Resilient Children

• Thursday, November 18, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Raising Confident, Competent Children

All seminars will be delivered virtually through Zoom. Click here to register for seminars.

In addition to seminars, one-on-one parenting support is available to meet your family’s individual needs. Click here to learn more about one-on-one support.

For more information about the Positive Parenting Program, visit talkreadplaywi.com/parenting or email talkreadplaywi@watertownhealthfoundation.com.

Thank you for your continued support in following our symptom checker (see image below) and key safety protocols. We appreciate families monitoring student symptoms and keeping students home who are demonstrating symptoms that lead to a failed symptom checker. We also appreciate everyone’s follow through when students need medical clearance in order to return to school. Thank you so much for all you do to keep our students, staff and families safe and healthy during these times!

Upon receipt of the medical note, our office staff will confirm with parents/guardians that students are able to return to class, and will also let our teachers know that your child will be returning. Doctor’s offices are very busy these days, so please make sure that you receive confirmation from our office staff that a note has been received if a clinic has stated they will be sending something our way. You are welcome to call our office staff to let us know that a note is on the way.

If your child has known medical conditions that result in symptoms on our symptom tracker (example – asthma resulting in bouts of coughing after playing outside), please provide a medical note from his/her doctor stating the symptoms and any other medical guidance they would like to provide. Thank you!

Please continue to utilize the WUSD “Can I Go to School/Work Today?” flow chart (available Here in English and Spanish version) to determine if your child is able to attend school. This year students stay home if they are being tested for COVID, they do not have to stay home if they are in contact with someone who is being tested.

You are welcome to call our office at (920) 262-1495 to report an absence or connect with our office team.

Rock River Disc Club

• https://www.ci.watertown.wi.us/departments/park_recreation_forestry/docs/Disc_Golf_Handout.pdf
  
• https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rock%20River%20Disc%20Golf%20Course/192647044119499/

Watertown Aquatic Team (WAT)

• https://www.teamunify.com/team/wswat/page/home
  
• https://www.facebook.com/watertownaquaticteam

Watertown Archery Club

• http://watertownarchers.com/
  
• https://www.facebook.com/watertownarchers

Watertown Blue Revue

• http://www.watertownbluerevue.com/
  
• https://www.facebook.com/watertownbluerevue
  

Watertown Family Center

• https://watertownfamilycenter.com/
  
• https://www.facebook.com/watertownfamilycenter

Watertown Lacrosse Club

• https://tshq.bluesombrero.com/watertownlax
  
• https://www.facebook.com/WatertownGoslingLacrosse

Watertown Soccer Club

• https://www.watertownsoccer.org/
  
• https://www.facebook.com/watertownsoccer
  

Watertown Thunder Fastpitch

• https://www.watertownsoftball.com/
  
• https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057589392328
  

Watertown Volleyball, Inc

• http://watertownvb.com
• www.facebook.com/watertownvolleyballinc

Watertown Youth Baseball

• https://www.watertownbaseball.org/
  
• https://www.facebook.com/WatertownBaseball

Watertown Youth Basketball

• https://www.watertownbasketball.org/
  
• https://www.facebook.com/WatertownYouthBasketball

Watertown Youth Football

• https://www.watertownyouthfootball.org/
  
• https://www.facebook.com/Watertown-Youth-Football-Junior-Goslings-509231519137046

Douglas Elementary School

1101 Prospect St., Watertown, WI 53098

Phone: 920-262-1495, Fax: 920-262-7596