The Winn Word 9.7.25

Welcome to Week 4! We completed our NWEA assessments and individual assessments for reading and math. The kids worked very hard to show us all they know. This week, teachers will be meeting as grade levels to develop a plan to support all of our students. Each day, we have a special time called "WIN" (What I Need) time. This time allows us to provide additional instruction to meet each child's needs whether they are under, on, or above grade level.

What can you do to help at home? Does my child have homework?

Each night, make sure to check in with your child about school. As a reader, we expect all of our kids to read every night. A great goal is 20 minutes each night. Having your child read, you reading with them, or you reading too them all have great benefits to your child. Make reading a family affair! Shut off the devices every night and enjoy a good book. You will see that it helps your child in so many ways. Reading helps your child's; vocabulary, understanding of the world, critical thinking skills, stress levels, and ability to focus. If you find that this is difficult for your child, please reach out to your child's teacher for some tips on how to help.

Highlights this week:

• Specials this week: Music/Health
• Monday: Safety Patrol Begins!
• Friday: Picture Day, Student Council is Announced

Birthday's this week:

• Monday: Annabelle B -5th
• Tuesday: Brayden -5th, Teagan -2nd
• Friday: Casimere -K, Maverick -3rd

Warmly,

Laurie Richards
Principal, Winn Elementary

Capturing Kids’ Hearts – Week 2 Focus: Noticing How Someone Else Feels

This week, we are teaching students that empathy is about noticing, understanding, and sharing feelings. Whether it’s celebrating a friend’s joy or supporting someone who is sad, empathy is one of the most powerful ways we can connect with others.

What Students Are Learning in Class

• Kindergarten: Students are practicing sharing feelings with their friends. They learned a Sharing Feelings Hand Signal to show empathy without using words (a fist over the heart in a circular motion).

• 1st Grade: Students are learning to notice when friends are happy or sad and to respond with empathy—saying, “I’m happy with you!” or “I’m sad with you.”

• 2nd Grade: Students are exploring how people can see things differently. They practiced looking at pictures from different perspectives and learned that empathy also means trying to understand another person’s point of view.

• 3rd Grade: Students are discovering what it means to “walk in someone else’s shoes.” They practiced thinking about how others feel in different situations and how to show care.

• 4th Grade: Students are comparing what happens when they show empathy vs. when they don’t. They are learning that empathy builds trust and stronger friendships.

• 5th Grade: Students are focusing on recognizing emotions in others—through facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice—and thinking about empathetic responses they can give.

How Parents Can Help at Home

You can reinforce empathy by modeling and practicing simple habits at home:

1. Talk about feelings openly.
   Ask your child: “How do you think your friend felt when that happened?” or “How would you feel if you were in their shoes?”

2. Use the Sharing Feelings signal.
   Try it as a family when someone shares good news or when someone is upset—this gives kids a chance to practice what they’ve learned at school.

3. Celebrate empathy when you see it.
   Point out when your child notices someone else’s feelings, comforts a sibling, or shows kindness: “That was really empathetic when you noticed she was sad and gave her a hug.”

4. Read books or watch shows together and pause to ask:

   • “How do you think this character is feeling?”

   • “What would you do if you were in their place?”

5. Model empathy in daily life.
   Let your child hear you say things like: “I can see you’re frustrated. That must be hard.” or “I’m so happy for you—that’s exciting!”

School Picture Day – What You Need to Know

Guys & Dolls Photography

There is no form to fill out or money exchanged on picture day. You will get to see your

student’s picture online with background choices before you order.

Approx.1-2 weeks AFTER picture day you will receive an email from orderschoolpix.com

with a link to your student’s picture *Please note ordering works best on a desktop or

laptop computer*

If you do not receive an email:

1. check your spam and your promotions tab within your email

2. If it is not there go to www.guysanddollsphotography.com

a) Select School/Sports/Events

b) Select your school or organization

c) Enter your student’s unique passcode for the password (This passcode will be in the

email we send to you. If you do not receive an email, you must contact your school, and

they can give you the information).

d) Enter your email address to order pictures, select BUY PRINTS. Please note there are

separate tabs at the top of the screen for packages, single prints and photo products. All

portrait packages ordered prior to the deadlines will be delivered to the school, unless you

choose to have them mailed to your home. In which case a shipping fee will be applied to

your order.

To avoid price increases you must place your order during the first or second batch sale.

Once the second batch deadline arrives, you will still be able to order pictures. However,

there will be a price increase on prints. All pictures that are ordered after the deadline will

also incur a shipping fee and they will be mailed to the home address you provide when you

place your order.

Please note: Portrait packages ordered after deadlines cannot be picked up at our studio

or delivered to the school.

Any other questions contact Guys and Dolls Photography of Mt. Pleasant

989-772-2167

guysdollsphotography@gmail.com

Save the Date- November 8th is our annual Fall Fest! The Winn Parents Club is looking for volunteer help. Click on the following form to sign up to; be on a committee, work the event, or help with clean up! We need you!!

Peggy O’Mara once said, “The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.”

This week, as we focus on empathy at school, we invite you to reflect on how powerful your words are at home. When children hear encouragement, kindness, and understanding from us, those words shape the way they talk to themselves and treat others. A gentle “I’m proud of you,” or “I understand how you feel,” doesn’t just brighten their day—it becomes part of who they are.

Let’s model empathy in our homes so that our children’s inner voices grow strong, caring, and kind.

• 9/12 Picture Day
• 9/29-10/3 Homecoming Week
• 10/3 Homecoming Parade & Game
• 11/8 Winn Elementary Fall Fest

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