East Elementary

Can you believe October is already here? We have a wonderful month ahead filled with hands-on learning and memorable school events.

A big shout-out to our families for helping our students start the year off strong! To celebrate outstanding daily attendance, we’re hosting "lunchroom parties" with low lights and music every time we hit a 95% attendance rate or higher. Plus, reaching 10 days of 95%+ attendance will unlock a school-wide reward celebration!! We appreciate your partnership in making every school day count.

I am SOOO proud of our students! We have had an incredible start to the year and I am so excited to see what amazing things our students can accomplish in October!

🌟 National Bullying Prevention Month

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. We will be highlighting how to be anti-bullying all month and engaging in a culminating activity on Unity Day, Wednesday, October 21 by wearing orange and participating in a No One Eats Alone celebration at lunch.

Information about Unity Day - the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month has been recognized in the United States since 2011. To participate in Unity Day, individuals, schools, communities, and businesses wear or share orange to unite for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent students being bullied.

Kindness Club starts on Wednesday, October 7th and this year, students in grades 2nd through 5th will be able to participate! During October, Kindness Club will share an Anti-bullying pledge which all students and staff can sign. This will be hung up in the hallway for all to see!

Please make sure you have all of the upcoming important October dates added to your calendar!

Warm regards,

Mrs. Jori Ruff, East Elementary Principal

The school website is a great resource! Here you will find:

Lunch Menu

Panther Press Newsletter

Volunteer Information

Full School Calendar

Staff Directory

School Safety Info

Upcoming Events

Download our App for your phone:

Apple and Google Play

Wednesday, October 21 Full Day of School

Thursday, October 22 Two Hour Early Release - Parent/Teacher Conferences, Scholastic Book Fair

Friday, October 23 No School or KidStop

Friday, October 30 East School Picture Retakes

November 25-27, 2026 No School or Kid Stop - Fall Break

December 23 - January 1 No School or Kid Stop - Winter Break

Please let the school office know if you would like your student added to to retake list. Thank you!

5th grade students have had an exciting start to the 2026 - 2027 school year. In only the second week of school, students had their first opportunity for an authentic hands-on learning experience with The Hovercraft Project. Students collaborated to design, test, modify, and perfect their very own hovercraft. Next month, 5th graders are looking forward to having high school students representing FFA come in to present a special lesson, Agriculture in the Classroom. Students will learn about the dairy industry and the impact it has on Wisconsin.

Please register online for Sauk County’s award-winning oral health program by October 12 for East’s program. Click here to sign up. https://sealasmile.wisconsin.gov/Consent/Home/About

This free program is designed to build a strong foundation of positive oral health experiences and knowledge for ALL students—whether your student regularly visits a dentist or has yet to have their first dental visit.

Together Seal-A-Smile partners with families and their dentists to strengthen oral health wherever your learner may be through education, skill-building, decay-preventing fluoride and sealant treatments, as needed. Every child goes home with an after-visit letter and oral health kit to inspire their brushing and flossing routine.

Contact Seal-A-Smile Coordinator Katie if you have questions katie.homar@saukcountywi.gov or (608) 963-9251. Seal-A-Smile will be visiting East in late October.

What is ESPG? The East School Parent Group is a community of parents and family members dedicated to enhancing our children’s education. By getting involved, you help improve student performance, provide vital resources for our teachers, and fund the "extra" fun—like field trips and school programs—that makes East School so special.

🗓️ Mark Your Calendars

• When: Tuesday, October 6th

• Where: East School Library

• Who: Everyone is welcome! Childcare is provided in the school gym.

🤒 When to Keep Your Child Home (Too Sick for School)

Please keep your child home if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms. They should remain home until they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

• Fever: A temperature of 100.4°F or higher.

• Vomiting or Diarrhea: Keep your child home if they have had two or more episodes in the previous 24 hours.

🤧 When They Can Still Come (Mild Symptoms)

A simple runny nose, mild congestion, or an occasional cough are usually fine for school, provided your child is fever-free, without medication. We ask that you teach them good hygiene habits like coughing into their elbow and regular handwashing to prevent the spread of germs.

If you have questions regarding current illness guidelines or have a positive test to report, please email or call the East Health Office.

rchristensen@barabooschools.net

bhelton@barabooschools.net

Direct Line to the East Health Office: (608) 893-6262

Nurse Fax: (608) 355-3975

Effective September 1, Kid Stop Accounts may not exceed $50 (previously $100) in

order for your child to continue to attend the program. Weekly payments are highly

recommended in order to ensure your child's Kid Stop spot. If your account exceeds

$50 you will be notified that your child is unable to attend Kid Stop until your balance is

paid in full.

New Option:

If you would like to make a lump sum payment to your Kid Stop account, email Pat Gavin the

amount and I will post that amount to your account (i.e. $100, $200 or more). You will

then need to immediately make that payment so I can then credit your account. Future

Kid Stop fees will then be deducted from that balance.

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Enrollment for the 26/27 School Year

Information and registration forms are available on the District website or paper copies are available at all elementary school offices and the East, GLW and West Kid Stop sites. Completed enrollment forms may be submitted by scanning to the Kid Stop Coordinator’s email address at pgavin@barabooschools.net or dropping your form off at the Gordon L. Willson Elementary School office during business or Kid Stop hours. Please know that there is no online registration option for the Kid Stop program. Any questions, please contact Pat Gavin at the above email address.

We do not have a waitlist at any of our Kid Stop sites at this time, so spread the word that we are still accepting enrollments.

EAST Kid Stop

• During the school day: 355-3920 ext. 4132
• After School: 608-393-6924

GLW Kid Stop

• During the school day: 355-3925 ext. 7150 or cell 608-393-6872
• After School: 608-393-6872

Kid Stop Coordinator

Pat Gavin - pgavin@barabooschools.net (Best way to communicate via email)

GLW Kid Stop Cell - 608-393-6872

Kid Stop Director

Jori Ruff, Kid Stop Director and East School Principal - jlruff@barabooschools.net

Phone - 608-355-3920, ext. 4010

Students should have their bus pass everyday. The Boys and Girls Club shuttle bus students must have their pass or they will not be able to ride. If your student didn't receive their bus pass at open house, they will get it from their driver on their first day riding.

If they need a replacement pass, a new one can be purchased for $5.00 through the school store located in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you need assistance ordering a replacement or getting logged in, please contact our Tech Department at (608)355-3940 Option #3.

Download the MyRide K12 bus app to see your student's location once they have scanned onto the bus.

Attendance Letter from Mrs. Ruff

Please remember that it is important to report an absence or if your student will be late to school or leave early.

Andrea Schroeder, Administrative Assistant

Email: aschroeder@barabooschools.net

Text: (608) 621-2248

Voicemail: (608) 355-3920

✈️ Planned Absences & Family Vacations

We understand that family time is important. If you plan an extended absence for a family vacation or other reason:

• Action Required: For absences of three or more days, such as a family vacation, please notify the office a week in advance.

Thank you!

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