Lewiston Elementary

Welcome back to school! We hope everyone had an amazing winter break! Just a reminder...

School starts at 8:00am and ends at 3:00pm

• Our doors open at 7:40am
• Students arriving after 8:00am will be marked late. Late students must be signed in by an adult.
• Students missing more than 60 minutes of school in the morning will be marked absent for the AM.
• Students missing more than 60 minutes of school in the afternoon will be marked absent for the PM.
• Please provide a doctor note when absences are due to an appointment. These will always be excused.

8: Family Teacher Organization Meeting (Google meet only) @ 5:00 PM Meet Link

12: Early Release

19: Early Release

25: End of Semester 1

26: No School

2: Early Release

8: UOS Unit 3 Celebration (K,1) -AM

9: Early Release

16: Early Release

22: Parent Teacher Conferences 4-7 PM

23: Early Release

26: Parent Teacher Conferences 4-7 PM

As we approach the winter months, we want to share our plans in the event of inclement weather affecting the school schedule. Should the Portage Community School District declare a virtual learning day, we have put in place the following strategy to ensure continuity in your child's learning.

Students in Kindergarten and 1st grade

Classroom teachers will be providing kindergarten and 1st graders with work packets to be completed during their virtual learning day. These packets are designed to engage students in meaningful learning activities and should be completed by your child.

To ensure attendance and participation, it's crucial that the completed virtual work packets are returned to school within one week (or five in person school days). The completed work packets must be received within this timeframe to mark your child as present for the virtual learning day. Any packets not returned within this period will result in your child being marked absent for the virtual learning day.

Students in 2nd Grade-5th Grade

Chromebooks will be sent home with students to facilitate their virtual learning experience. Students are expected to log in to Google Meets throughout the day to engage in lessons and activities. If your child does not have Internet capabilities at home, instructional packets will be provided to ensure their continued learning. The completed work packets must be received within one week (five school days) to mark your child as present for the virtual learning day. Any packets not returned within this period will result in your child being marked absent for the virtual learning day.

Students should plan to log in to their Google Meet with their teacher at 8 a.m. on the virtual learning day for Morning Meeting. During this time, the classroom teacher will share the day's schedule and provide instructions for the virtual learning activities that your student must participate in to be marked present for the day.

We understand that circumstances may vary, and we're here to address any questions or concerns you might have regarding this procedure. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us should you need clarification or assistance.

Thank you for your continued support in ensuring your child's academic success during these unforeseen circumstances.

Warm regards,

Cherida VanderSchaaf

Lewiston Elementary School

Principal

The Lewiston Office keeps spare clothes on hand in case of spills or accidents. If your student comes home in different clothing, please be sure to return the clothing so we have them for future uses.

Items that we try to keep on hand:

• Shirts
• Pants
• Socks/Underwear
• Gently used shoes/winter boots
• Coats/Snow pants
• Mittens/gloves

We are currently low on girls and boys pants and shirts, sizes 5-12 and mittens. If you are interested in donating new/gently used items, you are welcome to send them to school with your student. Please attach a note so we know whether these items are to be used for your child or kept in the donation bin.

We appreciate any and all donations!

Respiratory viral illness is increasing in Wisconsin and locally in our schools. Influenza, RSV, COVID-19, and others continue to spread. The student health exclusion guidelines have incorporated the COVID-19 protocol. First, rule out COVID-19. COVID-19 at-home test kits are available through the main office at each of the district schools until the supply runs out, or you may order these through the government. Test kits are also available for purchase at various retailers and on a limited basis through the health departments.

Protective factors to decrease the risk of illness include:

• Stay up to date on vaccines that offer protection from severe illness
• Avoid others who are sick
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer
• Stay hydrated by drinking water and other nutritious beverages
• Eat nutritious foods
• Maintain your sleep schedule

NOTE: Most COVID-19 at-home test kits have an extended expiration date as determined by the FDA. Scroll down on this page to find the brand and lot number of the at-home test kits you have. The new expiration date is specific to the brand and lot number. Various vaccines are available through your health care provider, local pharmacies, and local health departments. Be aware that some pharmacies may be unable to vaccinate young children due to licensing rules.

Use medication safely following the product’s label for age, weight, dose, and when to administer a repeat dose. Know the ingredients in all medicines to avoid double dosing. Measure medication accurately using a measuring device such as a medicine cup or syringe. More information on medication safety is available here.

Hello!

Students will be creating T-shirt weavings in Art Class soon. If you have small, medium, large or extra large adult sizes that you would like to donate it would be greatly appreciated! Each weaving requires 8-9 t-shirts so your donations can make this happen. Please bring your donations (even if there are pictures or lettering) to the art room at your child’s school.

Thanks so much for considering!

Mrs. Martens

Art Teacher

Woodridge, Endeavor and Lewiston Elementary schools

Portage Community School District

Hello parents & guardians!

Our students have been working very hard at matching letters with sounds, tapping out each sound, and blending all the sounds to read the word. Kindergarten students are just beginning to do this work. You can help them look at each letter, make the correct letter sound, and then help them blend all the sounds together. Be on the lookout for home resources your student’s teacher will be sending home. There will be words to practice “tapping it out”. Our 1st-grade students are working on reading words with digraphs (ch, sh, th, wh, ck), bonus letters (words ending in ff, ll, ss), and glued sounds (-all, -am, -an).

You can support your child by modeling and encouraging them to tap out the words. Work first on accurately decoding words by tapping and then with lots of practice, students will start to recognize words and not need to tap them. Remember accuracy is more important than quickly reading in Kindergarten and First-Grade.

Here are some resources to use to practice reading with your students.

Online Activity- Word Chains with short a sound

https://community.wilsonacademy.com/p/sharelink/6595c71ddd4d3ea101c15014?hub=1

Parent Video for working with glued sounds -am and -an

https://community.wilsonacademy.com/p/sharelink/6595c870006afff9954c6cb9?hub=1

Activity- tapping word cards

https://community.wilsonacademy.com/p/sharelink/6595c96a006afff9954c6cda?hub=1

We have noticed an increase in instances where students are misplacing or forgetting their bus passes, which are required for bus transportation. It is important to note that if a student forgets their bus pass for three consecutive days, they will be temporarily prohibited from using the bus until they obtain a replacement pass. We kindly request that you ensure your student brings their pass with them daily. In the event that a pass is misplaced, please contact Mrs. Little in the office for assistance. The replacement cost for a new pass is $5.

The UW Varsity Band will be performing for our Portage Community, Sunday, February 18 at 1 p.m. in the PHS Gym. This is a remarkable year for our alumni in the UW band! There are six PHS alumni who are musicians in the band and we would love to make this a successful community homecoming for our former alumni and our community to share their pride! Our alumni in the band include: Hayden Augustine, Elizabeth Martens, Sadie Leach, Chandler Breene, Ella Briggs and Abbie Shaver. Tickets will be available for sale next week at the High School. The cost for an advanced ticket is $15, $12 for a senior ticket, $5 for a student or child ticket. Tickets at the door will be $20.

Email: vanderschaafc@portage.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.portage.k12.wi.us/schools/lewiston/
Location: W11195 WI-127, Portage, WI 53901, USA
Phone: 608-742-2524