The Winn Word

Greetings Winn Families!

Happy Sunday! Field trips, graduation walk, and no power OH MY! What a crazy busy week we had! Thank you for rearranging your day on Friday due to our power outage. We know that that is not easy to do! This week, we are looking forward to a week full of learning and music performances. We can't wait to listen to all of the beautiful music and see all those happy faces! See you at the show on Wednesday and Thursday!

Capturing Kids Hearts Focus: Helping Our Children Live with Integrity: The T.H.I.N.K. Strategy

At Winn Elementary, we believe in supporting the whole child—not only in academics, but also in character. One way we encourage responsible and respectful communication is by using the acronym T.H.I.N.K. This simple tool helps students pause and reflect before they speak, post online, or act. It stands for:

• T – Is it True?

• H – Is it Helpful?

• I – Is it Inspiring?

• N – Is it Necessary?

• K – Is it Kind?

Why T.H.I.N.K. Matters

Integrity means doing the right thing—even when no one is watching. T.H.I.N.K. gives students a framework to consider their words and actions carefully, helping them become thoughtful, kind, and honest individuals.

How You Can Use T.H.I.N.K. at Home

You can reinforce this message at home in a few simple ways:

1. Model it – Use the acronym yourself when discussing tough situations or making decisions.

2. Pause and Reflect – If your child says something hurtful or impulsive, gently ask, “Was that kind? Was it helpful?”

3. Create Visual Reminders – Post the T.H.I.N.K. acronym on your fridge or by the family computer or devices.

4. Celebrate Integrity – When your child uses kind, honest, or helpful words, point it out and praise their thoughtful choices.

5. Use Real-Life Scenarios – Talk about moments from books, TV shows, or daily life, and ask, “Did they T.H.I.N.K. before they acted?”

Highlights this week:

• BOGO Book Sale Final Day Monday
• Tuesday 7:00pm: Board of Education Meeting at Winn Elementary - Mrs Ballard, Mrs. Percha, and Mrs. Horanoff present the "Peer to Peer Program: BlueJay Buddy"
• Wednesday: 1st grade musical @ 6:00pm, 2nd grade musical @ 7:00pm - All performances are at the Shepherd High School Auditorium on Main Campus.
• Thursday: 3rd grade musical @ 6:00pm, 4th grade musical @ 7:00pm - All performances are at the Shepherd High School Auditorium on Main Campus.

Birthday's this week:

• Monday: Emily 4th
• Tuesday: Lucian 3rd, Mason 3rd
• Wednesday: Brynn 2nd
• Thursday: Nathan 1st
• Friday: Jarelynn 4th, Sophia 3rd

With Gratitude,

Laurie Richards

Winn Elementary Principal

We have one more survey we need your help with. Please click on the short survey below to help us gather some feedback about Capturing Kids Hearts and Winn Elementary! Thanks! Click the link to go to the survey:

https://iheartckh.com/public-survey/gbwd2hc4

We are excited to share that our 2nd grade students are embarking on a hands-on learning experience—raising baby chicks right here in our classrooms! This project supports our science curriculum and provides an unforgettable opportunity for students to witness the life cycle of a chicken, from egg to hatchling.

• 5/26 No School Memorial Day
• 5/28 Music Concert K 6:00pm, 5th 7:00pm SHS Auditorium
• 6/2 Field Day!!
• 6/4-6/5 5th Grade Sleep Over at Winn Elementary!
• 6/5 Last Day of School (1/2 Day) Dismissal at 11:00

Here is our Winn Elementary Parent and Student Handbook for 24-25. It is filled with lots of useful information about our school.

I leave you with the quote that we are sharing at school this week. Feel free to chat about it at home too! With your partnership at home and our continued focus at school, we can help every student at Winn Elementary grow into a person who communicates with integrity and treats others with respect. Thank you for helping us build a culture of kindness and character!

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