Windsor Newsletter

• December 9 - No School; Professional Development Day
• December 22nd-January 3 Winter Break, No Classes
• January 4th - First Day Back After Winter Break
• January 16th- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – No school
• January 17-18th- No school; Professional Development days

Hi Everyone –

We got our first taste of winter weather a couple of weeks ago, and while it wasn't too crazy, it won't be long until some type of winter event affects Windsor's drop off or pick-up times. Here are a few tips to help you navigate those crazy days...

• Don’t stop on the hill coming up 59th Street. Our custodian and I often have to help push cars up the street after they stop and can't get going again. Once you are up by the playground, it levels out and we have the cutout so you can get out of the way of traffic.
• Don’t drop your students off going northbound on 59 Street. That forces the students to cross through the middle of traffic going the opposite direction. That’s an issue waiting to happen on nice days. When you add in snow and ice, it could be a disastrous outcome.
• Don’t try to come up Dagle Street from the west. That’s an even bigger hill and it’s pretty narrow through there.
• If you want to use the ‘drop off service’ through the west parking lot, please do so. The hardest part of that is getting up 59th Street, but if people are not stopping, and going to the cutout area, that becomes much more manageable.
• St. Theresa’s lot is an option as well. You can park there and walk over or drop your student there and the crossing guard will make sure your student crosses safely. I have instructed our custodian to clear the path on our sidewalk and through the median since the city said that the snow would be cleared – but only within 24 hours of the snowfall ending. (One potential downside is how clear their parking lot would be. They are great partners and we’ve talked through snow scenarios, but they are at the mercy of snow removal crews too. However, they have always been great in getting it cleared early in the past.)
• On those days in particular, it is so very important to communicate with us any change of plans as soon as you possibly can! We don't want you, your family, or your child out in a storm any longer than possible.

Take care and have a wonderful holiday season!

Mr. Nichols

It's that time of year again! Winter Break is soon approaching and our students are getting antsy to play in the snow and enjoy days at home.

Our expectations at Windsor are to be respectful, responsible, and safe. And our goal for this year's December Incentive is for each classroom to earn 20 snowballs by demonstrating those same expectations. They earn snowballs by earning compliments/praise from staff members, including their own teacher, If the class has earned the 20 snowballs by December 21st, they will earn our Windsor Winter Wonderland party! Each classroom will get time to watch a movie, enjoy popcorn and water, and play school wide BINGO! This will start December 1st!

December 8, 5:30-7pm, Windsor Elementary

Join the current students in 21st Century as they showcase what they've been learning and experiencing since September. Interact with community partners that have supported the afterschool clubs, learn about next session, and have the opportunity to sign your children up for the next session beginning in January!

Fourth grade is currently studying animal defense behaviors and had a special guest come to help. On November 22nd the Des Moines Y-Camp in Boone, Iowa brought their owl to visit. From the presentation, students learned about the different types of owls that live in Iowa, how their bodies help them to hunt, and and how to help protect owls.

In the event of inclement weather Des Moines Public Schools may do one of four things:

1. Cancel classes at all schools but administrative and school offices remain open.
2. Cancel classes at all schools and administrative and school offices are closed.
3. Dismiss schools two hours early.
4. Delay the start of school by two hours but administrative and school offices open at regular time.

If the Superintendent issues one of these four notices, this link explains what impact it will have on students, parents and school district employees.

1. Windsor Wear Donations: If you have Windsor apparel that no longer fits, we would love to give it to students in need. You can drop it off in the office anytime before Christmas break.

2. December PAWS Meeting is Tuesday, December 13th from 5:30-6:30 pm in the library. (We changed the time due to a band concert at Merrill)

3. Amazon Wish Lists: Windsor has an amazing staff who always goes out of their way to do the best for our kids and appreciates any help we can give them. In order to make it as easy as possible for you to support the Windsor staff this year, PAWS has compiled Amazon Wish Lists from every teacher who responded. Thank you again for helping give back to our awesome Windsor staff! The lists will be active until Christmas.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ncj1nT02Xce4jcbpMy7omOu0rLhzmYeBmFtJ-W4bSaA/edit?usp=sharing

If your student is in need of cold weather clothing such as a winter coat, hat, gloves, snow pants, boots, etc,.. please submit a student support ticket here https://dmschools.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aXyba9xHFj6CgT4 If you know sizes, please be specific. If not, we will do our best to determine a good fit.

Madisen Gaskin will coordinate getting students the appropriate attire. If you have any questions, please contact her at madisen.gaskin@dmschools.org

1. Visit our district website at www.dmschools.org and find the Parents Link at the top of the site.

2. Click the Online Payments link under Links for School Info to get to the Des Moines Public Schools Web Store.

3. Select School Fees.

4. Enter your Infinite Campus Parent Portal User Name and Currently enrolled child’s birthdate (MM/DD/YYYY) to access a list of your student’s fees.

5. Select the fees you would like to make a payment for and click Next Page.

6. Confirm your payment choices and click Go to Checkout.

7. If a new customer, select “I am a new customer”.

a. Enter your email address

b. Click “Sign in”

8. If a returning customer, select “I am a returning customer”.

a. Enter your email address and password

b. Click Sign in

9. Enter your billing information and create a password (if required).

10. Enter your payment information.

11. Verify information for accuracy and select Complete Order.Payment will be processed and Receipt can be viewed and printed.

Need Help?

Forgotten Web Store Password? Click Password Reminder under Services, enter your email address and click the arrow. Your password will be emailed to you shortly.

1. Forgotten your Infinite Campus Parent Portal Password or no Parent Portal Access? Contact your student’s school building secretary Casey Brown at

1. noi.killswat@dmschools.org

2. https://dmps.revtrak.net

Email: windsor@dmschools.org
Website: https://windsor.dmschools.org/
Location: 5912 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA, USA
Phone: 515-242-8440
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windsordmps/
Twitter: @WindsorWildcatsDM