PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY WEEKLY PEEK

Learning Together, Growing Together.

Email: prairie_attendance@waunakee.k12.wi.us
Website: waunakee.k12.wi.us/prairie/
Location: 700 N. Madison Street, Waunakee, WI 53597
Phone: 608-849-2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaunakeeCSD/
Twitter: @WaunakeeCSD

Mis boletines se publican por medio del sitio web SMORE. Haré todo lo posible para que se traduzca mi boletín y así asegurarme de que la información que usted está recibiendo es precisa. El sitio web SMORE también tiene disponible una opción para "traducir", sin embargo, yo entiendo que esta opción de traducción es por medio de google translate y no siempre es la traducción más confiable. Si tiene preguntas o está confundido respecto a la información compartida en este boletín, por favor contacte a nuestra intérprete del distrito al 608-219-6542.

As a reminder, there is no school on Friday, April 15th and Monday, April 18th. Enjoy the long weekend!

Prairie Elementary April Printable Calendar: Click Here

NO SCHOOL DATES:

April 15--NO SCHOOL

April 18--No SCHOOL

Elementary Lunch: CLICK HERE
Elementary Breakfast: CLICK HERE

Menu del Almuerzo para la Primaria: clic aqui

Menu del Desayuno para la Primaria: clic aqui

To view the WCSD 2021-2022 Calendar Summary: Click Here

There are a LOT of fun events happening at Prairie in the coming months. Please mark your calendars now!

April

14--Incoming Kindergarten Night 2022-2023

15--No School

18--No School

22--Prairie Spirit Day: Earth Day

May

6--Spring Music Program, ALL invited!

12-All School Art Show

19--FTO Ice Cream Social

20--Prairie T-shirt Day

23--No School, Staff Development Day

As we transition seasons, please make sure you have all your winter gear picked up from the Lost & Found.

Any items remaining will be donated on 4/18/21.

Lost & Found will temporarily be located in the front hallway of the school. Please stop in the office and get a pass or call 608-849-2200 for more information.

Please click here to view the Lost & Found photo gallery.

Our goal at Prairie is to place children in classroom environments that facilitate continuing academic as well as social and emotional growth. Students will experience a variety of teaching styles, classroom structures and flexible groupings in each of our classrooms. Please be aware that many variables are considered in the process as we place a large number of students in a limited number of classrooms. The information that you provide will be considered as placements are made. REQUESTS FOR A STUDENT TO HAVE A SPECIFIC TEACHER ARE NOT CONSIDERED.

OPTIONAL: Please complete and return a separate information sheet for each child

who will be attending Prairie to the school office by April 14th, 2022.

Please click here for the printable placement form or stop in the Prairie office to pick up a paper copy. Thank you!

There are many different ways to help out.

• Please click here for April playground supervision Sign Up.
• Please click here to sign up for April Watch D.O.G.S. opportunities.
• May volunteers to help assemble decorations for the spring music program Click here. (see details below)
• May volunteers to hang up student artwork for the Art Show--click here. (see details below)

The FTO has purchased some new decorations for the upcoming spring program (Friday, May 6). We need your help to assemble and arrange the decorations in the gym and entryway the week of the program. It will be exciting for the kids to walk into the colorfully decorated gym and perform for their families. Click here to volunteer.

Families are invited to walk through the All School Art Show on Thursday, May 12th from 5:00-6:30pm. See all of the excellent student artwork on display throughout the hallways.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Grab a friend and help us set up for the Prairie Art Show. Dates that we need help are Monday, May 9th through Thursday, May 12th. Click here to Sign Up.

June 20 – July 28 6 weeks, all remedial classes & upcoming grades 5-12

June 20 – July 7 Session 1, upcoming grades K—4 enrichment classes

July 11 – July 28 Session 2, upcoming grades K—4 enrichment classes

Classes are held Monday—Thursday mornings.

No classes on July 4th or July 5th.

Registration:

Summer School Online Registration Opens:

• Tuesday, April 5th at 6:00 PM Middle and High School classes
• Tuesday, April 12th at 6:00 PM Intermediate School classes
• Tuesday, April 19rd at 6:00 PM All Elementary School classes, swimming and Camp Invention

A staggered registration schedule will speed up the registration process for all. It should also help our families with students at multiple age levels to be able to focus on each individual student.

Please click HERE for more information on registering.

Here is the on-line link to our summer school web page containing the catalog:

Summer School Website-Catalog

The health curriculum in the fourth grade includes a unit on human growth and development, specifically on the physical and emotional changes children may experience as they enter adolescence. Fourth grade teachers will inform families when and how the unit will be taught, including plans for virtual student participation and learning. The full letter was sent via Infinite Campus on Thursday, April 14th.

Important Dates:

• Informational meeting for families to discuss the fourth grade human growth and development curriculum will be held on Tuesday, May 3rd at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom for any interested parties; this is not a mandatory meeting. The zoom link is HERE.
• We are requesting that parents/guardians complete this Google form to provide consent/opt out for their child’s participation in the human growth and development unit by Monday, May 9, 2022.
  

With warmer weather arriving, more students will be walking, biking or riding scooters to school. Please review these safety items to ensure a safe Drop Off and Pick Up for all students and staff.

When dropping off/picking up your child(ren) in the PUDO area--

• Please pull ahead as far as possible in line. A few extra steps for your child is okay.

• Please do not stop at the crosswalk area.

• Please have your child exit the vehicle on the passenger side.

• Please have your child out of the vehicle within 15-30 seconds (child is prepared when you drive in). If you have some start of the day rituals as a send off, please take care of those before leaving home.

• If you need to enter the building or get you child out of the car, please pull into a stall (not the fire lane) in the parking lot.

• Please be patient and take it easy.

• Please do not drop your child off in the bus loop. Mixing car traffic with buses is unsafe.

• Please follow the white arrows to help monitor traffic flow in and out of the parking lots.

• Please refrain from using your cell phone while in our PUDO area’s. They are a distraction and it is vitally important that full attention is on our student safety.

• 
  

Please click here for map. Please click here for a video explaining drop off procedures.

Dear Prairie Families,

As you are aware, we've been practicing some distancing measures and practices while students are eating in the classroom and cafeteria. We are extremely appreciative of the volunteers who have assisted with cleaning desks while we have navigated through this current arrangement for eating.

We are also eager to share that we will be shifting all of our students back into the cafeteria for lunch, no longer requiring us to use the classrooms on a rotational basis for lunch. We will be utilizing the tables and benches in the cafeteria as they were originally designed for lunch in the building. Additionally, rooms will begin migrating into learning environments with flexible seating and arrangements according to classroom teacher preferences. We appreciate your continued support and understanding.

Appreciatively,

Dean & Katie

Dear Families,

It is hard to believe we are in the final stretches of the school year. Our students have grown so much this year both socially and academically. One area that we are always continuing to work on is peer interactions. To do this, we emphasize Social Emotional Learning (SEL) which teaches Self Awareness, Self Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making. These are pieces that we integrate into our daily classroom activities and Wellness lessons. One classroom example of this is during our daily community circle times. These opportunities allow students to build connections with one another, learn ways to manage their emotions, have empathy for one another, and how to solve problems.

Research shows that “Social Emotional Learning (SEL) not only improves academic achievement, but also increases prosocial behaviors (kindness, sharing, and empathy) improves student attitudes towards school and reduces depression and stress amongst students“ (Durlake et al. 2011) These are critical components that teach our students to be resilient, problem-solve, and ensures that our students are successful not only within our school but later in their lives as well.

Building upon our SEL foundational work is also our approach to discipline. If we identify a student that is struggling with reading or math we provide interventions and reteaching for them to learn those skills. We do the same for behavioral issues. When students do struggle, our focus is on identifying the area(s) of need and providing them additional teaching/ practice and support. We also provide opportunities for students to have restorative conferences to work through and repair relationships with their peers.

All of these pieces are key to ensuring every student feels safe, connected, and a part of our school community. We encourage you to ask your child what they’re learning about in these areas. If you would like more information about how you can support this at home, below is a link with some family resources. DPI Resource For Parents, Guardians, and Families.

Wishing you a wonderful spring!

Dean Kaminiski & Katie Schmuck

Hello Prairie families!

We are looking forward to celebrating our wonderful staff this year for Staff Appreciation Week, May 2-6. We are hoping to collect donations to purchase items for the week, and any amount would help! We would like to provide a pizza luncheon, a donut breakfast, a mailbox gift and special Prairie t-shirts for all staff! We look forward to showering our staff with treats, gifts, and surprises! More details to come on how you can participate as well! Thank you for your supporting our staff and FTO! Click here to donate to our Classmunity site.

Prairie FTO

Due to popular demand, the Community Education area has added a second Birdhouse Workshop for students (gr. 2-8) and their adult companion (age 18 and older). Registration is going on now for this class at the Innovation Center on Wednesday, April 27!

Birdhouse Workshop Parent & Child 4/27/22

If you are unsure whether you have purchased a recorder, please contact Erin in the Prairie office 608-849-2200 or erinmayrand@waunakee.k12.wi.us

Please click here for the newest World Language newsletter. Enjoy!

Please click here for the April Counselor's update. Thank you!

If you are interested in purchasing a classroom group photo, you may order directly through Lifetouch: MyLifetouch.com

Picture Day ID: EVTBFDWZW

Cost is $11.00

Get Comfy and Start the Conversation

As your child gets older and spends more time away from you, it’s important that they know personal safety rules to help keep them from harm. These tips can help you teach them—in a warm, comfortable way—how to recognize if a situation is safe or not, how to say no, and what to do if someone breaks a safety rule.

Please click here for tips for talking about personal safety with your child. Please click here for more information in Spanish.

Spring cleaning? If you have gently used, elementary aged appropriate books (no adult books or preschool board books) you would like to donate, we would love to take them off your hands. We have a collection bin set up near the library. Throughout the year, students will have opportunities to view the books and choose new ones to take home. Thank you!

Optional: Please complete and return a separate information sheet for each child who will be

attending Waunakee Intermediate School to the school office by Friday, April 22, 2022. Alternately, forms may be turned into the Prairie office by 4/22 as well.

Please click here for the Optional Placement Information form.

Greetings, 4th grade students and parents/guardians!

My name is Mike Steen, and I am the orchestra teacher at Waunakee Intermediate School. Next year, all incoming 5th grade students have the option of participating in orchestra. Orchestra is an elective (optional) music class where students can learn to play stringed instruments (violin, viola, cello, and bass). General music is a required class for all 5th grade students.

In 5th grade orchestra, students can start on the violin, viola, or cello. Students interested in learning to play the bass in 6th grade will need to start on cello in 5th grade. There are no beginning orchestra classes after 5th grade.

Full information about getting started in orchestra can be found on the Incoming 5th Grade Orchestra website. Click here to see the full message

Mike Steen
Orchestra Teacher
Waunakee Intermediate School
michaelsteen@waunakee.k12.wi.us

March 29, 2022

Dear Staff and Families:

The Board of Education held a community engagement meeting on Monday, March 28th. The topic for our March meeting was school safety planning. Thank you to those that attended. We appreciate your participation.

We invite our staff and families unable to attend to view the recording of the district presentation. Here is a link to the recording of the webinar and the presentation slides.

By working together, we can strengthen our student’s learning experience and success. We appreciate your contributions to this and other school support initiatives.

Sincerely,

Anne Blackburn

Communications & Engagement Specialist

The Waunakee Community Education will be offering new courses at the Waunakee HS Innovation Center.

Birdhouse Workshop, Wednesday, April 27: Parent & Child course click here

Course registration, click here.

Please disregard this message if you do not request translation services.

Asunto: Inscripción a la Escuela de Verano

17 de marzo de 2022

Estimadas Familias:

El Distrito Escolar de la Comunidad de Waunakee está ofreciendo apoyo para inscribirse a la escuela de verano a las familias que han solicitado servicios de traducción.

Bachillerato/Preparatoria, Escuela Media e Intermedia: comuníquese con Angie Ramos para agendar una cita y ayudarle personalmente.

Escuelas Primarias: El personal estará disponible para ayudar en la Escuela Primaria Heritage, dirección 501 South St. a las 5 p.m. el martes 19 de abril.

Por favor traiga el chromebook de su estudiante al evento si tiene uno. También tendremos computadoras adicionales disponibles.

Las ofertas de los cursos de la Escuela de Verano se pueden ver aquí (en español). Visite nuestro sitio web de la Escuela de Verano si tiene preguntas adicionales.

Si tiene preguntas, por favor comuníquese con Angie Ramos al 608-849-2000 opción 2

¡Muchas gracias!

Atentamente,

Mr. Kaminski & Mrs. Schmuck

Please click here for more information from our High School Aquatic Center.

The public library is helping us kick off this event by hosting a virtual library card drive. If your child does not have a library card, simply click this link and fill out the form. Your child will receive a library card in the mail. (Spanish link)

Open Enrollment Notice
To: Families who have moved, or are planning to move out of the Waunakee Community School District boundary limits.
Your student(s) may be eligible to continue attending the Waunakee Community School District under the State of Wisconsin's open enrollment program. Open enrollment applications may be completed electronically through this link: http://dpi.wi.gov/open-enrollment between February 7th and April 29th, 2022. Please call (608)849-2000 x 8470 or e-mail Julie Gengler, Open Enrollment Coordinator, at juliegengler@waunakee.k12.wi.us for more information.

Intra-District Transfer Notice
To: Families who wish to request a transfer of elementary aged students (K-4) outside of your assigned attendance area or back into your assigned attendance area.
Your student(s) may be eligible to transfer outside of your assigned elementary (K-4) attendance area or back into your assigned attendance area. The transfer request form is available on our district website at this link: Intradistrict Transfer Request Form or by contacting the district registrar. Transfer requests must be returned to the district registrar by March 18th, 2022.
Transfer requests must comply with Board of Education policy 432-Rule.

Our district on-site COVID-19 testing center at 905 Bethel Circle, is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Please note that the testing site is now open until 3 p.m. each day. You can view the hours here. To view the on-site testing clinic information and consent forms, please click here. Other test location options can be found here.

If a student is to be absent from school, families/guardians must call the school attendance line or email the attendance email address below before 8:30 a.m. for K-4 students.

608-849-2200 Ext. 1

prairie_attendance@waunakee.k12.wi.us

Llamar o Enviar Correo Electrónico si su hijo(a) falta

Si un estudiante va a faltar a la escuela, las familias/tutores deben llamar a la línea de asistencia escolar de la escuela o enviar un correo electrónico a la dirección de correo electrónico de asistencia escolar el día de la falta, antes de las 8:30 am para estudiantes de Kinder a 4°

608-849-2200 Ext. 1

prairie_attendance@waunakee.k12.wi.us

Girls Soccer Clinic for U12 and under 4/25/22

Strikeout Cancer Softball Youth night 4/28/22

Birdhouse Workshop Parent & Child 4/27/22

Tri 4 Schools Offerings Waunakee - 5/21/22

STEM Summer Camp 6/13-8/26/22

Madison Youth Choir - Sing With Us Summer programs 07/15/22

2022 Spring Swim Programs 6/30/22

Waunakee Artistic Youth Showcase 5/14/22

4K Registration for the 2022-2023 School year.

Youth Girls Lacrosse registration open until 4/30/22

WCSD Parent & Child Classes Birdhouse 3/29/22 Puzzle 5/25/22

Spring I9 Sports starts April 16, 2022

Please see the full list of community sponsored opportunities by clicking here.

Important numbers for Prairie Elementary:

Prairie Elementary School, 700 N. Madison Street, Waunakee, WI 53597

Main office: 608-849-2200 ext 0

Attendance: 608-849-2200 ext 1

Health Office: 608-849-2200 ext 2

Fax Number: 608-849-2255

Dean Kaminski, Principal, deankaminski@waunakee.k12.wi.us

Katie Schmuck, Associate Principal, catherineschmuck@waunakee.k12.wi.us

Erin Mayrand, Administrative Assistant, erinmayrand@waunakee.k12.wi.us

Shelley Finnel, Administrative Assistant Attendance, shelleyfinnel@waunakee.k12.wi.us

Attendance Email, prairie_attendance@waunakee.k12.wi.us

Diane Laubenstein, Health Assistant, dianelaubenstein@waunakee.k12.wi.us