United South Central Elementary

November/December Newsletter

Rebel Rights

Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Safe

As we approach the end of 2023, gear up for the upcoming year, and embrace the Christmas holiday, I want to extend warm wishes to all USC elementary students and families for a safe, joyful, and healthy Holiday Season. Amid the hustle and bustle of the season, I hope you have time for reflection on the past, moments with loved ones, and the joy of festive celebrations. May you create lasting memories.

Upon reflection, this has been a remarkable year at USC Elementary, and we look forward to continuous improvement in 2024. In our pursuit of enhancing literacy initiatives, the cohesive community of educators at USC Elementary has been a pivotal force in steering these literacy transformations. Staff is currently in the second year of LETRS (Language Essential for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training while incorporating our new explicit phonics instruction, UFLI, into the classroom. Consequently, teachers have actively engaged in collaborative efforts both within and outside the classrooms, aligning goals and crafting meaningful experiences to prioritize the best outcomes for our students.

In addition to focusing on teaching, training, and curriculum development this year, school staff have committed to fostering a sense of belonging among students. This involves encouraging students to articulate their thoughts, embrace challenges, and confidently ask questions. Each Monday, students are assigned a new mission to tackle throughout the week, which can include expressing gratitude, seeking assistance, or adhering to rules, to name a few. School staff reinforce these weekly missions by implementing the Be Good People Curriculum. This dedication has enriched social and emotional awareness, which leads to heightened academic engagement.

In recognizing that learning extends beyond classroom walls, particularly during the holiday season, we continually strive to offer diverse experiences and field trips throughout the year to strengthen our sense of community. Events such as Homecoming, Farm Safety Day, Field Trips, Rebel Pride Celebrations, Holiday Movies, Choir and Band Concerts, Dress Up Days, I Love to Read Month, Track and Field Day, Dance Parties (P.E.), Lyceums (guest speakers), Green Eggs and Ham, etc. play a pivotal role in bringing us closer together and reinforcing our unique sense of community. It is this community spirit that makes USC Elementary truly special.

While we close out the year and welcome a new one, let's not forget to make it The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. In conclusion, I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes to you – Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and a joyous Winter Solstice! Thank you for the ongoing support of your students and USC Elementary School. I sincerely appreciate everyone who contributes to making United South Central such an exceptional community. Embrace the season, and here's to a Healthy and Prosperous 2024!

Warm Regards,

Jennifer Taylor
USC Elementary Principal
It’s a Great Day to be a Rebel!

December 8 - 5th-grade GingerBread House Event from 1:00 - 3:00 P.M. - 5th Grade Parents Welcome
December 11 - USC Elementary Christmas Concert (grades K-2) at 2:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M.
December 12 - Two-Hour Late Start - Mid Quarter
**School will start 2 hours late. Buses will also be 2 hours late, and breakfast will not be served that morning at USC. Students may arrive at school between 10:00 and 10:10 A.M. Staff will participate in staff development activities that morning.
December 12 - USC Elementary Christmas Concert (grades 3-5) at 2:00 and 7:00 P.M.
December 19 - School Board Meeting at 6:00 P.M in the Community Education Room
December 21 - Holiday parties in respective classrooms with a movie
December 22 - January 1: Holiday Break/New Year
January 2 - School resumes

Thank you to parents and guardians for attending Parent/Teacher Conferences in November. Our hope is that each family received valuable insights about their child(ren)'s academic, behavioral, and social progress in the fall quarter. The collaboration between home and school is crucial for the academic success of our students. Your cooperation is appreciated, and we value being a part of your children’s lives.

We hope we are not looking at measurable snowfall anytime soon with our beautiful December weather. Still, we need to start considering our virtual learning plans for winter. We have a small cushion of student days built into our school calendar for the school year, and it is possible that we may call a "regular snow day" early on this winter if the need arises, before utilizing our virtual learning days to continue instruction when it is not possible to come into the school building. We plan to provide as much notice as possible before utilizing a Virtual Learning Day. We aim to communicate this possibility in advance so our students can have time to prepare and collect their necessary materials. Please begin thinking about what your student(s) will need to be successful on a Virtual Learning Day while learning from home. If your family is in need of internet access for Virtual Learning, we do have a small number of internet hotspots that can be checked out. Please contact us if you have any specific questions about this program.

We've noticed an increase in various illnesses, which is typical for this time of year. Here are some important reminders about when to keep your children home from school. Your cooperation is crucial in maintaining a healthy environment for all students.

Please keep your child at home if they:

• Have had a fever of 100.0°F or higher within the past 24 hours.

• Have experienced vomiting or persistent diarrhea in the last 24 hours.

• Are diagnosed with strep throat (they can return after 12 hours on antibiotics and no fever for 24 hours).

• Have influenza (they can return after being fever-free for 24 hours and once the cough has subsided).

• Test positive for COVID-19; in this case, they must stay home for five days. Please inform the school when your student tests positive. Note: COVID-related guidelines are subject to change as updates occur.

• Exhibit a severe, frequent cough that would impede concentration and disturb others.

• Have a draining wound.

Your adherence to these guidelines helps us in our collective effort to keep our students healthy.

*Parents, if your child is unwell, it's important that they visit the nurse's office to assess whether it's appropriate for them to go home. Using text messages to notify parents will not be considered sufficient. Please remind your students that they need to visit the nurse's office if they are feeling ill to ensure proper communication procedures are followed. Additionally, if the nurse's office contacts you to pick up your ill child, please aim to do so as promptly as possible.

As athletic and activity events get rolling this winter, we kindly ask that parents consider supervision for their elementary-age children (4th grade and under) attending events at USC. We are so glad to see the energy and enthusiasm toward events and activities here, and we want to ensure everyone is safe throughout the course of the busy fall/winter season.

Remember to preserve your child's precious memories by ordering a USC Elementary yearbook, capturing their growth and milestones throughout the school year. Yearbooks are available for order until April 4, with a cost of $17.00. Order forms will be sent home with your child this week.

Payment can be made in cash, by check (made out to Strawbridge), or through credit card (online orders include a fee).
To order online, visit the link: https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/search/YB29666.

Ensure you secure this lasting tribute to your child's elementary experience.

On November 10, 2023, we hosted our annual Veteran’s Day Celebration, providing a wonderful opportunity to express our gratitude to the Veterans for their service to our country. Their valiant efforts are the reason we enjoy the freedoms we have today. Students from grades K-6 and 7/8 showcased musical performances, and one high school student shared an impactful story about the influence of Veterans in their family. Our guest speaker this year was USC graduate Bryan Ward. A special thank you to Mr. Ward and everyone who attended the event, especially Pierre Stencel and Jessica Woratschaka, who are elementary teachers serving in the military. Let's remember to appreciate and thank Veterans for their service every day of the year.

This year's fundraiser was a tremendous success! Thank you for your outstanding efforts in selling items to support our fundraiser. We deeply appreciate your generous contribution to our USC students and your steadfast support for USC Elementary School. The profit from this year's fundraiser reached an impressive $22,611, with an additional $112,500 earned in free college tuition.

Entrance into the Building
We kindly request that parents drop off and pick up students outside the main doors for safety reasons. If a parent/guardian needs to access the school building for any reason, they are required to check in at the elementary or high school office and get a name badge prior to entering the building. Ensuring the safety of our students remains our utmost concern, and we appreciate your cooperation in the matter.

Drop off and pick up at USC Elementary

• Students will enter the school by the main door by the elementary office

• Students can enter the building at 8:10 A.M. after they are lined up outside. Please be mindful to drop your students off as close to 8:10 A.M. as possible to alleviate a long wait before the start of the school day.

• Students who have breakfast can access the school building at 7:50 A.M. Upon arrival, they should proceed directly to the Commons Area. After breakfast, students will return outside and enter the elementary building at 8:10 A.M., when the official school day begins. It is important to note that students are not permitted to enter the elementary building until 8:10 A.M.

• Students will be dismissed from the main doors by the office.
  
  

Crosswalks: To prioritize students' safety, we request that everyone consistently use the designated crosswalks when dropping off or picking up students. We emphasize that our top priority is ensuring the safety of our students, and we discourage any attempts to walk between school buses, as it poses a significant safety risk. We would like for both parents and students to use the designated crosswalks exclusively.

Parking Advisory: To ensure the safety of our students, staff, and visitors, please make sure you are parked legally when dropping off or picking up your children before and after school. You can avoid potential issues by following parking regulations.

Parent Contact Information: Please make sure to notify the elementary office if your address, email address, or telephone number changes. It is imperative that we are able to contact you in case of a school-wide emergency or your child becomes ill. Also, keeping your contact information current will ensure you receive notices and announcements from the school.

Extra Clothing: Please send an extra set of clothing with your child. It is important we have an extra set of clothing in the event of spills, mud, accidents, and wet clothing from recess. Thank you.

Outdoor Recess: With the arrival of snow flurries and decreasing temperatures, it's essential to keep in mind that your children will be having outdoor recess every day, weather permitting. Your assistance in making sure your students come to school adequately prepared for the weather is greatly appreciated. Unless the temperature is 60 degrees or higher, please ensure your child wears a jacket or coat. Additionally, as winter approaches, it's crucial for students to have the appropriate outdoor attire, such as layers, hats, mittens/gloves, scarves, boots, and snow pants when the snow is on the ground. Thank you in advance for your help in making sure your child feels comfortable outside at recess. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call the Elementary Office at (507) 553-5810.

Lost and Found: Please consider checking the tables in the Commons area, near the vending machine, for any misplaced items belonging to your child. To prevent your child's items from ending up in Lost and Found, Please ensure all clothing is labeled correctly with their name.

Celebrate the return of Countdown to Holiday Break dress-up days this year! Join us for our annual festive countdown and don your best holiday attire. Get ready to embrace the holiday spirit and enjoy the upcoming festivities. Take a look at the dress-up days listed below ↴

This award is given to students who go above and beyond showing respect to staff, students, and property during the quarter.

Pictured (L to R) Regulo Martinez-Zamago, Rutledge Kimpton, Colby Schrader, Piper Stevermer, Joshua Yokiel

This award is given to students who show up on time, are dedicated to completing work, and help others during the quarter.

Pictured (L to R) Adyn Todd, Payton Sichmiller, Reagan Worsley, Alivia Albers, Madelyn Fendrich

This award is given to students who make safe choices, keep their hands and feet to themselves, and follow safety protocols in the classroom and throughout the building.

(L to R) Brenna Huper, Quinn Stenzel, Eirin Lee, Olive King, Valerie Pliego-Ruiz

Students who sold the most items at this year's fundraiser participated in a ‘Cash Grab’ at the Rebel Pride Celebration. Students got to put their hands in a box filled with money with a cash value ranging from $5.00 to $50.00—a special thank you to Tracy Frank for sponsoring this event and to Tammy Bullerman and Kim Gormley for all their help with the fundraiser.

Mrs. Stenzel's first-grade class engaged in a UFLI phonics lesson, delving into foundational reading skills essential for developing proficient reading abilities.

In their music class with Mrs. Rame, second-grade students acquired the skill of identifying an eighth note and reading it from a musical flashcard. They had the chance to engage with instruments and enjoy a brain break by participating in limbo. The students found this activity to be incredibly enjoyable!

Email: jtaylor@unitedsouthcentral.org
Location: 600 11th Street Southwest, Wells, MN, USA
Phone: 507-553-5810