GRAND AVENUE NEWSLETTER
March 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 Families,
We hope this message finds you well!
Attendance Update
Our goal for attendance is 94.5%, and while we aimed to meet it, we fell short for the month of February with an attendance rate of 92.9%. We know that attendance plays a vital role in student success, so we encourage you to continue supporting your student’s regular attendance. Every day counts, and together, we can reach our goal!
Character Trait of the Month: Cooperation
This month, we are focusing on cooperation as our character trait. We will be engaging students in activities and discussions about teamwork, collaboration, and working together to achieve shared goals. Feel free to ask your student about what they're learning and practicing in school!
Upcoming Dates to Remember
- No School – Monday, March 10th
- Spring Break – March 24th - 28th
- Report Cards – Going home on Friday, March 14th
- Forward Exam (State Assessment) – April 3rd - 15th
Please mark these important dates on your calendar!
Reminder: No Photos During the School Day
Just a quick reminder that students are not permitted to take pictures of other students during the school day, whether it be on their phones or smartwatches. We kindly ask for your help in reinforcing this rule to ensure the privacy and safety of all students.
Thank you for your continued support in making Grand Avenue Elementary a great place to learn and grow!
Craig
Traffic Safety
To improve traffic flow, please pull up toward Marion Park instead of stopping directly in front of the main entrance. You can also drop your child off near the crossing guards, who are there to assist. Additionally, please have your child exit the vehicle closest to the sidewalk rather than onto the street. We appreciate your cooperation in helping keep everyone safe!
Important Dates
March:
Monday, March 3- Pre-registration for summer school begins at noon
Tuesday, March 4- DPI Observance Day- Casimir Pulaski Day
Tuesday, March 4- Ruhland & Trachsler - Mackenzie Center Field Trip
Wednesday, March 5- Coy & Schell - Mackenzie Center Field Trip
Thursday, March 6- Backeberg, Sauer, & Markley- Mackenzie Center Field Trip
Thursday, March 6-Nolden Field Trip- Tripp Museum- weather permitting
Monday, March 10- NO SCHOOL
Monday, March 10- School Board Mtg. 7:00 PM- District Office
Tuesday, March 11- Math 24 Competition
Thursday, March 13-Markley, Sauer, & Backeberg- visit Buddies at Bridges
Thursday, March 13- Choralpalooza-7:00 PM at SPHS
Thursday March 13- Game Club 3:10-4:10 Grand Avenue- IMC
Friday, March 14- Summer School Pre-register closes at noon
Friday, March 14- Above the Line- Cooperation
Friday, March 14- YEARBOOK ORDERS DUE
Monday, March 17- DPI Observance Day-"The Great Hunger" in Ireland
Monday, March 17- Summer School course selection opens at 6:00 PM
Thursday, March 20- First Day of Spring
Monday, March 24- School Board Mtg. 7:00 PM-District Office
Monday, March 24-28- NO SCHOOL- Spring Break
April:
Friday, April 4- Summer School Course Selection Closes at noon
Friday, April 4- Energy Show for the Students at Grand Avenue
Wednesday, April 9- DPI Observance Day- Prisoners of War Remembrance Day
Thursday, April 10- Game Night 3:10-4:10 -Grand Avenue IMC
Monday, April 14- School Board Mtg.- District Office 7:00 PM
Monday, April 14- DPI Observance Day- American's Creed Day
Tuesday, April 15- GSPie Mtg.- Bridges 6:30 PM
Wednesday, April 16- Early Release 1:30
Thursday, April 17- Above the Line
THursday, April 17 -DPI Observance Day- Patriots' Day
Friday, April 18- NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, April 22- DPI Observance Day - Environmental Awareness Day
Friday, April 25- DPI Observance Day- Arbor Day
Monday, April 28- School Board Mtg.-District Office 7:00 PM
Youth Art Month and Art Spirit Week
We are only two weeks away from art spirit week and the Youth Art Month art show opening! Below are the dress up days for art spirit week. Please note that Friday, March 7th is a dress up day since we do not have school Monday, March 10th. Can't wait to see everyone's outfits!
Friday, March 7--Rainbow or ALL the COLORS! Tuesday, March 11--Primary Colors Wednesday, March 12--Secondary Colors Thursday, March 13--Monochromatic Day Friday, March 14--PATTERNS!
Sport all the colors of the rainbow! Can you wear them in rainbow order?
Red, yellow and blue are the primary colors. Try to incorporate all three of these colors in your outfit.
Orange, green and purple are the secondary colors. Try to incorporate all three of these colors in your outfit.
Choose one color and use it in your entire outfit. Make it your favorite!
Go crazy and see how many patterns you can wear! (i.e. plaid, camo, floral, etc.)
*Thursday, March 13 — K-5 ART SHOW OPENING!!! Stop by the Sauk Prairie School District River Arts Center between 3:30-6:00 pm to see artwork created by all of the talented SP artists!
Lost and Found
Grade 4 Visits Geology Museum and the Capitol
GAME CLUB- GRADES 4 & 5- After School
Above the Line
February- Empathy
The February Above The Line theme at Grand Avenue Elementary was “Empathy.” The students listed below received awards on Friday, February 21, from their classroom teacher or staff who felt that they are an individual that is empathetic toward others. Congratulations to these students!
Bottom Row (L-R): Brecken Craig, Eralyn Greene, Hattie Roloff, Taelyn Bindl, Carter Lewis, Ivy Schwichtenberg, Hadleigh Hudson, Camilo Favela, Ivy Liegel, Lauren Schulenburg
2nd Row (L-R): Gabe Miller, Maddy Bischoff, Vivianne Herbrand, Julian Galvan, Cooper Hellenbrand, Addie Newman, McKayla Peterson, Veda Johnson
3rd Row (L-R): Oliver Wentworth, Dhara Stephens, Collyns Fitzpatrick, Sara Wilke, Emry Sparks, Charlie Breunig, Noble Gass, Emery Porter
Top Row (L-R): Brantley Dean, Jack Franciskovich, Sullivan Osgood, Calvin Weishaar, Kenzie Strutz, Raegan Noltner, McKenna Byrd, Emily Ramirez, Addison Schulenburg, Brynn Stille
Not Pictured: Maleyia Zimmerman, Ellie Muehrer, & Ariana Crawley
Knights of Columbus Spelling and Math Winners
Congratulations to the above winners of the Knights of Columbus Spelling and Math Competition.
Math:
1st Place- Willa Eckstein
2nd Place- Kendall Krueger
3rd Place- Callan Cody
Spelling:
1st Place- Willa Eckstein
2nd Place- Calvin Weishaar
3rd Place- Poppi Eckstein
YAC- Young Authors' Competition
The above students are winners of the YAC- Young Authors' Competition.
Bottom Row (L-R): Vivianne Herbrand (Creative Writing), Madelyn Keller (Personal Narrative), Juniper Franciskovich (Personal Narrative), Emily Ramirez (Poetry), Cora Warner (Personal Narrative)
Middle Row (L-R): Tenley Breunig (Creative Writing), Nora Deines (Creative Writing), Aria Hiel (Poetry), Mallory Tredinnick (Poetry), Sebastian Lovick (Poetry)
Top Row (L-R): Lucas Giese (Personal Narrative), Beckett Suchla (Poetry), Oliver Baker (Poetry)
From our Library
Want to learn some amazing facts and have fun learning, too?! Check out the series by author, Dan Gutman, called, My Weird School Fast Facts. This all-new series of nonfiction books features hundreds of hysterically informative facts, plus lots of photos and illustrations throughout. These books combine the characters that readers know and love with fun and educational trivia
Counselor Connection
To support student well-being, we will administer the mySAEBRS social-emotional and behavioral screener to students in grades 2-5 from March 10-21. This 20-question, computer-based assessment helps us understand students' perspectives and enhance universal support. Participation is voluntary. To opt your child out, please contact your school administrator or social worker/counselor.
Learn more at
https://www.illuminateed.com/products/fastbridge/social-emotional-behavior-assessment/saebrs.
Contact me with any questions.
Miss Sadie
School Counselor
(608) 643-1969
sadie.sutter@saukprairieschools.org
GSPie
GSPie
(GSPie, said “G - S - Pie”)
Your Parent/Caregiver TeacherStaff Organization (PTO)
Grade School Partners in Education (GSPie)
Family Bingo Night
Join us at Bridges on Friday, March 14 from 6-7pm for free family bingo brought to you by GSPie, on Pi Day, with pies as prizes! All Bridges and Grand Ave families are invited!
Great Wolf Lodge Spring Break Escape
March 20-March 31, 2025
Does your pack need an escape for the day? Day passes for $25 each, from open to close, parking fee is waived. For each pass sold, Great Wolf Lodge will donate $5 to Sauk Prairie Grade School Partners in Education—providing opportunities for students, teachers, and families. Click here for the QR code to purchase!
Bridges Bolt
Mark your calendars for Friday, May 2!
Join the Team
The next GSPie meeting is Tuesday, April 15 at 6:30pm at Bridges. 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!
Your Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
Thank you for continuing to support your children and our schools!
GSPie (said G - S - Pie)
The PTO/PTA and Bridges and Grand Ave
From our Nurse
Health News
A Note From Your School Nurses
Recently measles has been a big topic of conversation in the news due to recent outbreaks throughout the United States. While we have not seen any cases in our state or community thus far, we wanted to share some basic information with you on measles.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to serious complications, especially in babies and young children
Measles is an “airborne virus” which means it spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. It can also spread by contact with contaminated surfaces.
The best protection from measles is to receive 2 doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. The first dose is recommended at 12-15 months of age and the second dose at 4-6 years of age.
If immunity decreases or a person has never received the MMR vaccines, they can be given to anyone 12 months or older, with the doses separated by at least 28 days.
MMR vaccines usually protect people for life against measles and rubella, immunity against mumps may decrease over time
If you are unsure of you or your students vaccination status and all vaccinations were given in the state of WI a record can be obtained by visiting:
If vaccines were received in a state other than WI check with your physician's office.
Sincerely,
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