Mrs. Gulrud, Principal
Thanks to our staff and parents/guardians for supporting our above the line behavior program. We continue to explicitly teach positive behaviors and work with students on practicing positive behaviors daily. Our 4th grade team has been working on self-control, self-awareness, and respect and achieving some great results with students. We will utilize that model with other students as well.
Above the Line - behavior is appropriate, acceptable
Below the Line - behavior is inappropriate
Bottom Line - serious rule infraction, violation of district policy
During the month of February, we are focusing on kindness. Activities include Appreciation Station at breakfast and lunch (write a note of appreciation to a staff member after you eat), Kindness Chain Challenge (students add a link for each act of kindness they perform and we see which classroom has the longest chain and then link the chains together at end of month), Kindness Videos in our daily announcements, and Kindness Dress Up Days the week of Feb. 12-16. Please discuss and model the importance of being kind to others for your child(ren). Our hearts feel good and grow when we are kind and it makes the world a more positive place through human connection.
We are very proud of the work students have done through their lessons in iReady. For the month of February, their is a schoolwide challenge of which classes in each grade level can complete the most lessons as a team by March 1st. Winning classrooms receive an ice cream sundae party with many toppings and second place winners receive root beer floats. Encourage your student to do their best on their weekly lessons and check out the progress their class is making on the large bulletin board in our library during your Parent-Teacher Conference visit.
Thank you for all you do to help your child(ren) be successful!
Angie Gulrud
Principal
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
Calling with Changes to Transportation
Please send a note or email in the morning to the student's teacher or with your student or call the office with any changes by 1:30PM on a regular school day and by 11AM on an early release day. With almost 500 students in attendance, the office does the best we can with this last minute information and especially if students finish the day in a specials class or there is a fun activity in a different room, it takes time to get the message to the student. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with letting us know these changes as soon as possible to give us ample time to communicate that to the student and classroom teacher.
Warm Clothing Necessary
Spelling Bee 2024
Here are your winners for this year's Spelling Bees throughout the district:
Endeavor 4/5 Bee:
Thiago Lopez - 1st (Thiago declined to participate in the regional bee, so Rachel will be going instead)
Rachel Veloz - 2nd
Lewiston 4/5 Bee:
Aiko Smith - 1st
Brecker Cole - 2nd (Alternate)
John Muir 4th grade bee:
Wyatt Wade - 1st
Cameryn Brunslik - 2nd
Aubrey Clevenger - 3rd (Alternate)
John Muir 5th grade bee:
Grace Suiter - 1st
Maddelynne Boyd - 2nd
Charli Warren - 3rd (Alternate)
Bartels Middle School 6/7/8 bee:
Tristan Krueger (8th grade - advances to regionals for the second year in a row) - 1st place
Evelynne Christopherson (6th grade) - 2nd place
Jackson Bergman - 3rd place (Alternate)
I believe that Jen might have gotten some pictures of the BMS event.
Rachel, Aiko, Wyatt, Cameryn, Grace, and Maddelynne will advance to the CWTAG Regional Bee where 54 4th and 5th graders will compete for the honor of being top speller in the region. This event will be held the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 30 at PHS.
Evi (Evelynne) and Tristan will complete that same day in the afternoon at the SCRIPPS Spelling Bee for grades 5-8. The top two winners of this Bee will advance to the state spelling bee in Madison.
Follow-up to January 30: Unfortunately we didn't have any top finishers this year, but we are very proud of all of the contestants. They all got out on hard words and did a great job trying to spell them as best they could!
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
Have you ever thought after working with your child on a mathematical problem that maybe YOU solved the problem and your child still is confused about the skill? If you have, you are not alone. A lot of teachers, parents and other adults feel the same way. When we engage in a mathematical conversation our goal should be to go beyond getting the correct solution. We should be listening to our child's mathematical thinking, and supporting and extending it when possible.
In an article written by Victoria R. Jacobs called "Warning Signs", it talks about three common mistakes we make as adults when helping a child in mathematics. First, we interrupt the child's strategy and insert our own. When we do this we send the message that their thinking is wrong and that there is only one way of solving a problem. Second, we manipulate the tool. By taking the pencil out of their hand, erasing their work, or moving a ruler to a different spot, we send the message about who owns the thinking in this problem. Lastly, are the questions we ask them. Are we questioning after every step or are we allowing them to process, take risks, and discover on their own?
We all have good intentions but because of other pressures (shortness of time, frustration, and desire for them to succeed) we often rush to the solution. Here are a few moves to think about next time you sit down with your child:
- Slow down: Allow the child to finish before intervening.
- Encourage your child to talk about their strategy so far.
- Ask questions to ensure they understand the problem, without giving them a strategy to solve it.
- Ask yourself, "Would another tool or strategy help or confuse my child?"
Hopefully these strategies will help the next time you sit down to do math with your child. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about your child's mathematical development.
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 February 21 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.
Happy Valentines Day!
Ever since I was in Pre-K, Valentine’s Day has always been my favorite holiday. My Pre-K classes were held in a basement of a local church and I can still vividly remember the festivities that we did together during this time; from decorating our own Valentine’s Day boxes out of old shoe boxes and making sure to make a space at the top to receive all our Valentine’s we were anticipating receiving from our classmates, to making Valentine’s Day Cut-Out cookies with my mom for kids in my class, and seeing all the pretty decorations (pink being my favorite color). February is not only a month to celebrate those you love, but to also express kindness to others and celebrate the friendships that we have in our lives.
2nd & 3rd Grade SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Update:
During the month of February your child will be receiving guidance lessons on a weekly basis covering the topics of Kindness and Friendship. We will be discussing what it means to be a good friend and how we can show kindness towards others. There is a great article from the American Academy of Pediatrics titled “Kindness: How a Simple Act Can Make a Big Difference” that offers some great tips on how families can encourage this mindset at home (see link below).
**For additional ways to practice kindness with the entire family, please check out the below links for some fun kindness craft activities you can do with the kids.
https://www.pbs.org/parents/valentines-day
https://thismomwithablog.com/creating-kindness-valentines-day-crafts/
Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns!
Jennifer Shier is designated Grades 2 & 3
Contact Information
Email: shierj@portage.k12.wi.us
Phone: 608-742-5531, ext. 2454
Conflict Resolution and the Hand-Brain Model
In 4th and 5th grade, we have been learning about and discussing the 3 C’s of Conflict Resolution. Ask your student if they can name all 3 (Calm Down, Communicate, and Choose a Solution). Along with all of this, students completed a project in which we created a paper version of the Hand-Brain Model in order to better visualize 3 main areas of the brain, though we focused specifically on 2 of those areas — areas we can think of as our Upstairs Brain and our Downstairs Brain (again, ask if they can explain this to you).
When our emotional buttons get pushed and pushed, over and over, we eventually get to the point where we are unable to cope any longer and we flip our lid. When our strong emotions and feelings take over and run the show, our Upstairs (the thinking part of our brain) and Downstairs brains (our emotional brain) are unable to communicate, and we therefore need to calm down by breathing, taking a break, talking to an adult, or doing something else, each of which steers our attention away from the argument or disagreement, breaking the emotional spell we are under, and allows us to calm ourselves.
We can’t really begin to communicate and then choose a solution until we are calm again, and can use the calm thinking and problem solving area of the brain. Once we all are calm, we can begin communicating using I-Statements:
1st) I feel ________, when _________.
2nd) I need/want _________________.
Once we both have heard how the other person feels, and what they need or want going forward, then both can work at finding a solution.
February is Kindness Month at Muir: Our Kindness Chain Challenge
February 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day, though we have created a Kindness Chain Challenge for the month of February. Classroom teachers have shared a Kindness Log for their students to keep track of 3 acts of kindness they showed each day (or more), and write each kindness on a slip of paper that will be linked to a growing classroom chain! For each day that a class has an above-the-line day in their classroom, their teacher will add a golden link to their class chain.
INDIVIDUAL GOAL: For each person in each class to perform 3 acts of kindness (or more) each day in February. Each kindness becomes a link in your class chain.
CLASSROOM GOAL: To stretch your class’ kindness furthest in your grade level.
GRADE LEVEL GOAL: Be the grade level whose kindness stretches the furthest.
SCHOOL GOAL: Join ALL of our chains and see how far our kindness can reach!
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: 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
Pokemon Club grades 2-5 at Portage Public Library 3:45-4:30pm 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 Awareness
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 and approved 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.
