Wildcat News

Welcome back and Happy New Year to all!!!! A few things so you can stay in the know:

~ Our First Early Release of 2025 is next week!!! That came up quickly! Here is the sign-up link.

~ PTO Meeting: Our January PTO meeting will be held at 6:00 on Monday, January 13th in the Washington Media Center. Here's the link if you'd prefer to join virtually.

~ Save the Date--Family Game Night: The PTO is hosting our 2nd Annual Family Game Night on Friday, January 31 from 6:30-8:00pm at Washington Elementary. In addition to families bringing in their favorite board games (sorry--no large motor games this year--just not enough space), we may have The Dork Den and/or other places demonstrating some games. We will again be offering Silent Auction baskets and NEW this year...BINGO!!!!!!

The PTO is on the hunt for donations for BINGO prizes (they can be small) as well as Silent Auction donations. You may either make a silent auction basket OR simply donate some items (new games, cards, food, etc.) that the PTO will make into baskets. Maybe you'll find some great after-holiday specials that could be great donations. Please just bring any donations to the Washington office sometime before the event.

~ Sharing: Just a reminder that there are many things at school that we want kids to share, but food and anything hair related are not things that we ever share. This might be also be a good time to remind folks that we respectfully ask families, for a variety of health/allergen related reasons, to move away from birthday treats that involve food. As a refresher, here are the guidelines that we have shared many times.

~ Exciting announcement: Take a moment to watch the Lighthouse Team Video Announcement linked below. You won't want to miss this!!! :-) AND...the Lighthouse Team did an amazing job!

Thanks for all you do to support your kiddo and our school--it matters!

Ann Haggerty

Washington Principal

ahagge1@isd77.org

As we have adjusted to our new secure entrance at Washington Elementary, we are going to make a few changes to our morning routines beginning January 2, 2025.

Unless you have a pre-arranged plan with school staff for drop-off that involves coming inside the building, please say your goodbyes to your kiddos outside of our school building. Your child can then come into the building independently and go about their day. As a parent, should you need something, please enter the building at Door #1, ring the bell and go directly into the office area. The Washington office staff will assist you with what you need.

This new procedure will also apply to Kindergarten students and their caregivers. As we enter the second half of the school year, we want to continue to build independence in our youngest learners, and respectfully request that Kindergarten parents/guardians say goodbye outside of Door #13 and refrain from coming into the Kindergarten hallway.

Students who arrive after the first bell rings at 7:50 will need to go through the office to access the school, as the interior doors at the main entrance remain locked at all times, and the greeters and staff who monitor that door begin their day promptly at 7:50. Please do your best to have your child arrive at school before 7:50. They will be marked tardy if they arrive after 8:00.

We value partnership with parents, as well as creating a safe space for students and developing independence in each child. Thank you for your attention to this change in our routines and procedures.

The Cognitive Abilities (CogAt) Screener testing window will be open from February 3rd thru the 14th. The CogAt will be given to all 2nd grade students and new-to-district students in grades 3-5 who have not yet taken the CogAt.

The CogAt provides insight into students’ abilities and guides educators in making appropriate educational decisions for students. Mankato Area Public Schools use the CogAt in the following ways:

• to help educators differentiate instruction for the needs and abilities of a student;

• to understand discrepancies between a student’s ability and achievement; and

• to use as a measure in identifying students for placement in Talent Development Services, including cluster and Rising Scholar classrooms.

In grade 2, the CogAt is untimed. Students in a typical 2nd grade class generally take less than one hour to complete the CogAt, In grades 3-5, the CogAt will take approximately 45 minutes. The CogAt has three sections: verbal analogies, quantitative analogies, and nonverbal matrices. There will be short breaks between sections.

If you do NOT want your child to take the Cognitive Abilities Screening Form, please contact your school no later than Wednesday, January 29th.

Boy Scouts/PTO Partnership: Washington Elementary and the PTO are proud charters of the local Boy Scouts (soon to be Scouting America) Pack 91! We are looking to grow our partnership and create opportunities for more collaboration as we continue to support each other's missions. We are currently looking for a parent volunteer to serve in the role of Chartered Organization Representative (COR), which is a liaison role between Scouting and the PTO! No scouting experience necessary and you are not required to have a child in scouting to volunteer! If interested in learning more about this AMAZING opportunity please reach out to PTO President Katie Dease (katie.kendhammer@gmail.com).

Winter weather is here. Students go outside for recess daily, weather permitting. Please ensure your child is dressed properly for the weather: snow boots, snow pants, winter jacket, winter hat, and snow gloves. If your student is in need of winter gear please let the office know or fill out this Google form.

When we receive measurable snow, students MUST have snowpants and boots in order to play in the snow. Without these items, children will be asked to stay on the blacktop during recess.

Also, we follow the Wind Chill Chart to determine if kids go outside at recess time or not (see below). We go outside when the temperature and the wind speed land us in the light blue area. If you notice, we do go outside when it's quite cold, so having your child dress appropriately is extremely important!

During the month of December, our entire school will focus on Habit #2: Begin with the end in mind. As parents/guardians, your understanding and support of our leadership work in this habit is very appreciated! I have found this language and learning to benefit ALL, not just students!

Habit 1: Begin with the end in mind is about having a plan. If we don't make a conscious effort to visualize who we are and what we want in life, then we empower other people and circumstances to shape us instead. This habit is about identifying where we want to go and who we want to be.

Begin with the End in Mind means to think about how you would like something to turn out before you get started. Reading a recipe before cooking or looking at a map before leaving on a trip is beginning with the end in mind. For young children, a good example is that of a jigsaw puzzle. Before doing a puzzle, they look at the cover of the box. They start with the end in mind.

Habit 2 means to have a plan. I plan ahead and set goals. I do things that have meaning and make a difference. I am an important part of my classroom and contribute to my school's mission and vision. I look for ways to be a good citizen.

Begin With the End in Mind means to look out across the coming hours, days, weeks, months, and years with a clear vision of your desired destination—and then to proactively pursue that future.

Excellence, Equity, Empowerment. Every student, Every day.

Email: ahagge1@isd77.org
Website: https://we.isd77.org/
Location: 1100 Anderson Drive
Phone: 507-345-3059