
John Muir News
January 2024 - Volume 5
Calendar
Jan 1 & 2 - No school
Jan 5 - Full day of school!
Jan 12 - Early Release, 1:00 pm
Jan 16 - PTO Meeting, 4:30pm, Woodridge Library
Jan 17 - Market Box Pick-up - 4:30-5:30
Jan 19 - Early Release, 1:00 pm
Jan 26 - No school - inservice
Early Release Fridays for 2023-24
Jan: 12, 19
Feb: 2, 9, 16, 23
Mar: 1, 8, 15
Apr: 12, 19, 26
May: 3, 10, 17, 24
Message from the Principal
Dear Families,
The staff at John Muir Elementary continues to work hard to create a safe and orderly environment where learning can take place. We feel it is imperative for children to feel safe in their school and surroundings. In order to do so, we are excited to introduce our new school-wide behavior system to help us achieve this goal.
John Muir has adapted the Above the Line program developed by consultant Corwin Kronenberg. There are three categories:
Above the Line - behavior is appropriate, acceptable
Below the Line - behavior is inappropriate
Bottom Line - serious rule infraction, violation of district policy
In this system, the school has consistent categories of “Above the Line” expectations for all students – The Warrior Way (We are Respectful, Responsible Individuals, On Task, Ready to Learn, and Safe). Each classroom will conduct a class meeting to determine both the Above the Line and Below the Line behaviors. This allows the opportunity for students to have ownership of the climate in their classroom.
If a student acts inappropriately, or “Below the Line”, the teacher will give that student a choice. “Do you want a consequence, or do you want to fix it?” Generally, a student will choose to “fix it”. The student is asked to brainstorm ways they can fix or repair the harm that they have caused. Best of all, it allows us the opportunity to explicitly teach replacement behaviors for inappropriate actions. For example, if a student makes fun of a classmate, the fix it plan may include writing a letter to the child listing three specific things they like about him or her. A staff member will follow-up and make sure that the plan was carried out. In the event the plan was not completed, the offending student forfeits their opportunity to fix the problem, and instead receives a consequence determined by the staff member. Finally, if the student engages in a Bottom Line Behavior, an office visit will ensue.
We ask for your support in our efforts. Please discuss the Above the Line Behavior System with your child and share your own expectations for their behavior at school. Your positive reinforcement is very important to our success.
We are looking forward to a fun year filled with social, emotional and academic growth.
Principal,
Angie Gulrud
Contact Information-
Email : gulruda@portage.k12.wi.us
Phone: 608-742-5531, ext. 2001
Behavior Tips : Common Language at School and Home
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING -
The first month of school will be focused on helping students feel welcome, safe, and confident at school. Staff will run morning meeting activities in which students get to know each others' names, connect through common interests, and build community within their classroom and grade level. This year at Muir in addition to our Warrior Way that we pledge in announcements daily (We are respectful, responsible individuals on task, ready to learn, and safe.), we will be working on routines and procedures in all settings that follow these ideals - take care of yourself, take care of others, and take care of this place.
Sometimes words like responsible and respectful can be confusing for students as they aren't concrete terms, so breaking down what being responsible and respectful look like will help students understand.
Each grade level will use these rules and you can use the following rules at home as well so students have common language between home and school:
1. We listen to each other.
2. Hands are for helping, not hurting.
3. We use I-Care Language.
4. We care about each other's feelings.
5. We are responsible for what we say and do.
EMOTIONAL REGULATION-
Helping students identify and voice their feelings is really important to emotional regulation. We will work on this as well. When students identify or name their feeling, then they can use a strategy (if needed) to regulate that feeling. For example - I feel "angry" when you try to budge in line in front of me. Adult can prompt, what are your strategies when you feel angry? Student can share the strategies and adult can urge the student to use a strategy to cope with anger.
This takes patience and practice. It is also something all people (children and adults) need as a life skill. It is really great for adults to model for their children as well. Talk out loud about the thinking process going on within your mind (which teachers call a "think aloud") and this will provide modeling for your student.
"I am really angry that that car just pulled so close right in front of us. In the moment it really made me feel scared and worried for our safety. I am going to do some deep breathing right now and turn down the radio for a few miles to calm my body and keep driving safely."
Mrs. Jahn, Dean of Students
Did You Know?
Missing 10%, or about 2 days each month over the course of a school year, can make it harder to learn to read.
Students can still fall behind if they miss just 1 or 2 days every few weeks.
Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
Attending School regularly helps children feel better about school-and themselves. Building these habits early on so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is importance. Eventually good attendance will be a skills that will help them succeed in high school and college.
What You Can Do
Set a regular bedtime and morning routine
Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
Develop backup plans for getting to school it something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor or another parent.
Try to schedule medial appointments and extended trips when school isn’t in session.
If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors and other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and exited about learning.
*Adapted from AttendanceWorks.org: Help Your Child Succeed in School: Build the Habit of Good Attendance Early
Contact information ~
Karissa Jahn
Email: jahnk@portage.k12.wi.us
Phone: 608-742-5531, Ext. 2002
Warm Clothing Necessary
Lost and Found
Parents/Guardians,
Please help us by labeling your children's gear - coats, bags, gloves, hats, scarves, etc. We no longer have space to store all the lost and found items and will be cleaning it out biweekly. We are teaching students the responsibility of having what they need with them and keeping track of their belongings. In order for coats left behind not to be lost, please label them and we'll get them back to the students if their name is on the item.
Thanks for your help,
Principal Gulrud
Math Intervention
Matt Dietzenbach, District Math Specialist
Kathy Tofson, Elementary Math Coach
Market Box Sign Up
We are excited to offer this great opportunity to our PCSD families and need to see how many families would like to participate!
The MARKET BOX will contain both perishable & non-perishable food. There is NO COST to participate and this program is open to all PCSD families. Here's the link: 2023-24 Market Day Box Sign-Up.
MARKET BOXES may include:
Eggs
Bread
Fresh Fruit
Fresh Vegetables
Frozen Meat
Boxed dry goods (Breakfast items/snacks/lunch options)
MARKET BOXES will normally be available for pick up on the THIRD WEDNESDAY of each month. The December MARKET BOX pick up is scheduled for January 17 from 4:30-5:30.
Families will need to pick them up from JOHN MUIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
If there is a change in the day or time for pick-up, we will notify families of the change.
Please fill out this form. Only submit ONE response per family/household per school year, even if you have multiple children attending the district.
School Counselor
Jennifer Shier is designated Grades 2 & 3
Contact Information
Email: shierj@portage.k12.wi.us
Phone: 608-742-5531, ext. 2454
School Counselor
Mike Meyers is designated Grades 4 & 5
Contact Information
Email: meyersm@portage.k12.wi.us
Phone: 608-742-5531, ext. 2454
Surviving the long winter months
Here are some tips and ideas to help yourself and your family through these next few months where the weather is constantly changing and the holiday season is winding down.
Turn off technology and engage with your child with board games or drawing, coloring or other activities that help their minds grow.
Go outside and be active
Get creative, build a blanket fort, bake some desserts or other food items, do an indoor obstacle course etc.
Keep to routines
Let the sunshine in
Saturday Theater Workshops at Portage Center for the Arts: January 6th and March 16th ages 10-18 9am-11:30am $5 per child/workshop
February 3rd ages 5-9 9am-11am $5 per child/workshop
More information/register: (608)-742-5655
Spaghetti Dinner January 27th 4:30pm-7pm St. Mary’s School Gymnasium
Pokemon Club grades 2-5 at Portage Public Library 3:45-4:30pm Monday January 15th, Monday February 19th, Monday March 18th, Monday April 15th and Monday May 20th. No registration required. Bring your cards for battle (30 cards if you have them).
Shelby Glasgow, Social Worker
Contact Information
Email: glasgows@portage.k12.wi.us
Phone: 608-742-5531, ext. 2107
Dental Health Month
Healthy Habits for Healthy Smiles
February is Children’s Dental Health Month!
Good dental health is a key component to your child’s overall health. Cavities are the leading cause of childhood disease in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 1 in 5 children have untreated cavities. Cavities can be painful, impact your child’s ability to eat, can cause serious infection, and result in missed school days.
The good news is that cavities can be prevented with regular oral hygiene habits including:
Brush teeth with fluoride toothpaste 2 times each day.
Floss between the teeth at least daily.
Eat healthy foods and limit sugary drinks. Try to drink water as the first choice.
Drink fluoridated water.
See the dentist regularly every 6 months for routine dental check ups.
Dental sealants can also help to prevent cavities in children. These are applied to your child’s teeth by a dental health professional during a dental visit or during a community health program for dental sealants. Portage Community School District has been fortunate enough to have collaborated with community agencies to provide Wisconsin Seal a Smile services to eligible buildings over the years. Please visit our website for additional information about Wisconsin Seal a Smile and our collaboration with this program.
If you are in need of dental health services AND do not have dental insurance or are participants of the Medical Assistance/BadgerCare Dental program, please visit this link for a list of low cost dental providers.
Valerie Hon, MSN, RN, LSN, NCSN
Pronouns (she/her)
District Nurse & Safety Committee Chairperson
Portage Community School District
305 E. Slifer Street
Portage, WI 53901
608/742-4867, extension 4022 or
PHS 608/742-8545, extension 1156
Fax 608/742-3989
Volunteering at John Muir!
Volunteering to help at the school or go on field trips is a wonderful way parents can stay connected to their student's school activities. To become a volunteer, the district asks that a background check be completed prior to participating. Here's the link to the district web page. It will take about five working days to process. Please keep in mind, this process must be completed prior to getting involved in your student's school activities. It cannot be completed the day of the activity as we will not yet have the approved results. The background checks are required to be done annually, i.e. if one is done in December, 2023, it will be good until December, 2024! It can be completed at any time during the school year.
We hope to see you at school!
Bus ID's
Bus ID's are here! Students will be using their bus pass to ride the bus again this year (even students who normally don't ride a bus as we use these for field trips, too). The pass is scanned and allows the system to track who is on the bus.
The Here Comes the Bus App is a free app that enables the user to see the location of your child’s school bus on a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer. The app allows families to see real-time updates of where a bus is along its route, to create a custom notification for when the bus reaches a certain point in its route and to receive notifications if there has been a schedule change. If you wish to sign up for scanning notifications of when your child scanned on and off the bus, the district code is 29776.
The app is available from the App Store or Google Play. Download instructions and additional information can be found at www.herecomesthebus.com.
School Lunch and Breakfast 2023-24
The meal prices for students and adult visitors are as follows:
Milk: $.50/carton
Breakfast: $2.00
Lunch: $3.10
Reduced Breakfast: $0.30
Reduced Lunch: $0.40
Adult Breakfast: $2.75
Adult Lunch: $4.50
Please visit the PCSD Food Services webpage for additional information. Click the image below for the Free and Reduced Lunch Application.
Can't remember your lunch pin? Sign in to your Infinite Campus account, your lunch pin is the 5-digit number under your picture. Monthly breakfast/lunch menus are sent home with your student at the beginning of each month. You can also access the menu through our website by clicking on the lunch bag in the upper right corner.