HUEGEL HIGHLIGHTSAPRIL 2015

4/1-4/6 Spring Break

4/7 School Resumes

4/7 Referendum: Please Vote!

4/9 Huegel Special Needs Parent Group

4/10 Easy as Pie Fundraiser Ends

4/14 PTO Meeting

4/17 Early Release

4/24 Popcorn Day

4/28-4/29 5K Field Trips to Planetarium

4/30 5th Grade Visits to Toki + Spring Harbor

UPCOMING

EVENTS

RAY W. HUEGEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL : 2601 PRAIRIE ROAD : MADISON, WISCONSINHTTPS://HUEGEL .MADISON.K12.WI.US/608.204.3100

A MESSAGEfrom Ms. Potter-DavisHappy Spring!I hope this newsletter finds you well. Can you believe we are in the final quarter of the year? Time continues to fly by. On March 10 we had an engaging Spring Parent forum focused on assessment. Families who attended enjoyed a meal together from Olive Garden and learned about the different kinds of assessments their child will take part in, and also how teachers use the information to determine next steps for teaching and learning. If you were not able to attend the event you can find a list of questions about assessment on my blog, a Peek into Huegel, which is on the Huegel website.

Starting in April, all MMSD students in grades 3-8 will take the Badger Exam. The Badger Exam is the name for the Smarter Balanced Assessment, which is required by the State of Wisconsin. The Badger Exam will assess students in the areas of English/Language Arts and Mathematics. This new test replaces most of the fall WKCE test that students took in past years. The Badger Exam is an untimed test that comes in three parts: a computer-based test, a group classroom activity, and an individual performance task. As always, you can support your child by helping them get a good night’s rest and encouraging them to do their best.

continued on next page

2 HUEGEL HIGHLIGHTS

Take good care,

Abby Potter-Davis, Huegel Principalaapotter@madison.k12.wi.us

This month our Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Cool Tool was called iCare. Students practiced the different ways we take care of our electronic devices (laptops, tablets), including using both hands to transport a device and plugging them in when you are done. I am certain these skills will be useful at home as well! For our PBS celebration was on March 19, each classroom decided on their classroom theme (Pajama day, hat day, crazy hair day, color day, backwards day, inside out day, super hero day, etc.) During an all school assembly on that day, students tried to guess the theme for each class. It was great to see all the creative themes!

Finally, enjoy this month’s newsletter, which is focused on music. As a former choir member myself I am very aware of the power of the arts to inspire and engage students. You will hear from our music teachers and hear all about the music opportunities offered at Huegel. Enjoy!

APRIL TECH UPDATEOn Saturday, February 28 our Huegel G1 Technology Team met at Biopharmaceutical Technology Center in Fitchburg to engage in a day of learning devoted to personalized learning. At this event our team shared with the other G1 schools our efforts to start Genius Hour during REACH class in 2nd through 5th grade, as well as our efforts to train all staff in the district’s Technology Scope and Sequence. The following week the G1 team traveled to Janesville and Beloit to visit and learn from three elementary schools that have purchased technology devices for each student. We came back inspired and full of ideas to implement at Huegel. In particular we were struck by one school’s efforts to personalize learning for students through goal-setting and personalized applications.

3APRIL 2015

LOOKING FOR AUCTION ITEMS FOR THE ALL SCHOOL CARNIVAL AND SILENT AUCTION!Held Friday, June 5th

We are starting to collect items for our end of the year charity auction held during the All School Carnival. All proceeds go towards PTO projects such as Movie Nights, school events, funding the Huegel Garden and other school projects.

Items secured for the 2015 Silent Auction include:• Overnight stay at the Concourse Hotel & Governor’s Club • American Doll of the 2015, “Grace” and story book• 4 passes to the Children’s Theater of Madison 2015 production of “A Christmas

Carol” • Day passes to the Children’s Museum of Madison• Aldo Leopold Annual Membership• Past items have included:• Club/Gym/Pool memberships• UW Badger autographed basketballs, footballs, apparel and game tickets• Professional Services (babysitting, computer repair, home cooked meals,

organizational services, home repairs, etc.)• Gift cards to local businesses and restaurants• Classroom themed gift baskets

If you are interested in helping secure donations from area businesses, help assemble classroom gift baskets, or donating items for this year’s auction, please contact: Corrie Burmeister -cbbburmeister@gmail.comHolly Zimmer - 4zimmers@gmail.comStephanie Watrud - loweandbehold@hotmail.com

4 HUEGEL HIGHLIGHTS

FUNDRAISER

DONATE BY CHECK OR ONLINE UNTIL APRIL 10!www.huegelschool.appspot.com/events/outdoor-class

EASYAS PIEHuegel’s PTO is raising monies for the NEW Huegel Outdoor Classroom!

WIN A $25 HUBBARD AVE. DINER GIFT CARD!

5APRIL 2015

DONATE BY CHECK OR ONLINE UNTIL APRIL 10!www.huegelschool.appspot.com/events/outdoor-class

Huegel Elementary 5th grade students have a unique opportunity to learn to play a string instrument as part of their school day. Strings class is a year-long commitment from September through May. Participation in 5th grade strings is voluntary. String classes meet twice a week for 45 minutes and classes are part of the weekly school schedule Strings classes are offered as pull-outs during the school day. Pull-out means that the student is normally scheduled for class in another subject area, but for two 45 minute sessions per week is taken from class to participate voluntarily in strings class. Students are required to make up any work missed from the class they are pulled from. The instruments taught in 5th grade strings class include violin, viola, and cello. Families are encouraged to rent or purchase their own instruments, but Huegel does have string instruments in limited quantities and qualities for all students to use. Successful students are strongly encouraged to continue playing strings in middle school where the upright bass becomes a fourth option for string students to play. Fifth grade students learn instrumental technique, they learn to read music notation, and they may have several performances during the school year. Playing a musical instrument requires practice at home in addition to practice in school classes. Students should plan to practice at home 15-20 minutes per day. Students who do not practice at home often struggle in class and don’t find the same enjoyment as their classmates. For many students, part of the “fun” of playing a musical instrument is persevering to overcome the many challenges. The personal sense of pride and achievement is the biggest reward for hard working students. Parents and families should assist their students by helping students to remember to practice at home, bring instrument and materials to string classes, and to participate in any concerts. Playing any musical instrument is a challenging, but is also a very satisfying, fun activity for students! It is also a wonderful means of personal growth and expression.

MUSIC - 5TH GRADE STRINGSCURRICULUM FEATURE

6 HUEGEL HIGHLIGHTS

TAB

LET

AP

PS

PIANO MAESTRO BY JOY TUNES - practice piano songs on your tablet

FLASHNOTE DERBY - challenge yourself in reading musical pitch

JELLYBEAN TUNES - compose your own songsLearn & Play Recorder

PIANO DUST BUSTER BY JOY TUNES - play songs by following falling icons

MUSIC

FREE TICKETS FOR OVERTURE PLAY! (Courtesy of the Huegel PTO)

ANNIE GRIFFITHS on Tue April 14 @ 7:30PM:

Capitol Theater

Email huegelrsvp@gmail.com by 5pm on April 8th with the

number of tickets you would like (maximum 6 tickets) to be placed in a drawing

for the tickets!

Winners will be contacted on April 9th

More about the play - https://tickets.overturecenter.org/single/PSDetail.

aspx?psn=280&_ga=1.55676972.643967474.1412965981

7APRIL 2015

PTO CORNER BY: JENNIFER SEEKER CONROY, PTO PRESIDENT

VOLUNTEERVolunteer opportunities for the rest of this spring include:

• Bringing treats for Staff Appreciation Week in early May

• Working in the Huegel Garden• Helping with the prairie burn

(April or May)• Helping with Carnival on June

5th• Helping to collect and organize

donations for the Silent Auction, also on June 5th.

The PTO has also initiated two large projects: the renovation of the outdoor classroom and garden, and the reconstruction of the inner courtyard. Many volunteers are needed for these projects.

These are all great ways to help the school, meet other parents, understand the inner workings of Huegel, and feel a part of making our school better.

If you can help in any way, please contact Kate Corcoran at kathleen_conklin@msn.com.

Hi Huegel Families!

Thank you to those of you who attended the Spring Family Forum. We had a great night complete with an Olive Garden dinner and a chance to learn more about the assessments and standardized testing that occurs at Huegel.

We have two PTO meetings left, in April and May. In April, our focus will be on transitioning to Toki Middle School and will include a visit from students and staff. In May, we will have a fun year-in-review and plan for 2016!

We also have some fun events still on the calendar this year, including Fast Forward Skate Night and Carnival. And we’re funding a few projects including a school sign and updates to the Huegel Garden and outdoor classroom. Stay tuned to sign up for community work days!

At our May PTO meeting, we will be voting on our board for next year. Are you interested in getting more involved in the direction of our school, meeting new families, or using or honing your unique skills? Feel free to reach out to huegelelem@gmail.com or me directly at jenniferseeker@gmail.com for more information or to express your interest. You don’t need any specific background or availability, just the desire to improve Huegel and work with other parents. You can either fill a particular role, like secretary, or be a general board member. It’s a fun, no pressure opportunity!

This has been a wonderful year so far. I’m so proud of our school and our students. I look forward to what Spring brings!

--Jenny Seeker Conroy, PTO President

8 HUEGEL HIGHLIGHTS

CONGRATULATIONS + THANKS!

Congratulations to Ms. Grindle’s class for bringing in the most BoxTops in February! They will enjoy an ice cream sundae party as a thank you from the PTO.

A big “Thank You” to Target! They donated $700 toward Huegel’s PTO through their Take Charge of Education Program

Learn more here: https://www-secure.target.com/redcard/tcoe/home

9APRIL 2015

HOW LONG HAVE

YOU BEEN APART

OF HUEGEL?

WHAT’S YOUR

FAVORITE

PROGRAM/PART

OF HUEGEL?

WHAT’S YOUR

FAVORITE HOBBY/

THING TO DO

WHEN YOU’RE

NOT TEACHING?

WHAT ARE

YOU MOST

EXCITED ABOUT

REGARDING

HUEGEL’S MUSIC

PROGRAM?

TEACHER FEATURE

RHONDA CHALONEGENERAL MUSIC TEACHER

This is my 5th year at Huegel.

My favorite program at Huegel is - MUSIC! :)

What I love about Huegel is how supportive

everyone is. There is something special

about the community at Huegel - very

caring and thoughtful.

My favorite thing to do when I am not

teaching is hanging out with my daughter. I

also like to read novels and go biking around

Madison.

I am most excited at the beginning of the

school year. Such joy in everyones’ eyes

and a zest for learning. I spend a great deal

of the summer planning out the school year.

My favorite instrument to teach in music is

keyboards/piano because it gives me the

chance to work one on one with students!

MARTIN STEINPART TIME MUSIC TEACHER

This is my first year at Huegel. I am a part-time

music teacher at Huegel. I teach three 2nd

grade classes and 2 Third grade classes.

Of course I love the music program. I’m thrilled

to be part of a great music staff lead by Ms

Chalone and includes our excellent strings

teacher, Ms Riley.

‘

I like to spend time with my wife and children.

I also enjoy playing music with friends, biking,

reading, and playing sheepshead with my

cards buddies.

I am very excited about the music shows that

Ms Stair’s, Ms Murphy’s and Ms Covarrubius’

2nd graders, as well as Ms Grindle’s and Ms

Rose’s 3rd graders will be performing in May.

I will send notices about concert dates and

times to parents next week.

10 HUEGEL HIGHLIGHTS

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Our vision as a district is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student for college, career and community. Our teachers, principals and school communities are working hard to make that vision a reality, and we are making exciting progress. As we work to give schools all of the tools and support they need to be successful, we know our physical buildings are part of creating the right environment for great teaching and learning. These buildings, in turn, help keep our community strong, providing spaces for children to learn and grow, gymnasiums and cafeterias for after-school childcare, rooms for enrichment programming for residents through Madison School and Community Recreation (MSCR) and more. They are the heart of our neighborhoods. Improved Accessibility Several MMSD schools have second or third floor classrooms accessible only by stairs, rendering them, in effect, off-limits to students, families and community members with mobility impairments. Some students who use wheelchairs or other assistive devices are currently unable to attend their neighborhood school due to lack of building accessibility. Additions For several years, many of our schools have been near or beyond capacity. Schools have been strategically modifying spaces, restructuring schedules and finding creative solutions in their buildings — holding classes in hallways and closets, among them — to accommodate the need for learning spaces and enrollment growth. Projects in the referendum will add space at our most crowded schools. Renovations The district’s 45-plus buildings have an average age of over 50 years. Many require renovations — electrical system upgrades, updates to vestibules offering line-of-sight visibility to main entrances, replacements to windows, ceilings, HVAC systems and more. Projects will target schools with the lowest rating on the district’s facility condition index and seek to create environments more conducive to learning. Technology Infrastructure As more students and staff are given access to devices as part of the district’s 5-year technology plan, projects in the referendum will replace server and storage systems and increase bandwidth across the district, empowering students, staff and families to engage in continuous learning. Accessible technology for every student at every school, with ongoing support for families, will provide equitable opportunity for discovery, collaboration and creation.

April 7, 2015 School Building Referendum!

Learn more at www.mmsd.org/facilities, or contact us at 663-1879 and via email at

comments@madison.k12.wi.us.

About Madison Metropolitan School District The Madison Metropolitan School District, Wisconsin’s second largest school system, has a simple but bold vision — that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate from high school ready for college, career and community.

• 27,000 students • 52% minority student population • 32 elementary schools • 12 middle schools • 5 high schools • 4,423,936 square feet of physical building space • 5,900 staff members • $435 million operating budget

Our strategy as a district is captured in our strategic framework (mmsd.org/framework), developed with input from staff, students, parents and the community.

Facilities to Support Great Teaching and Learning As we strive to provide equitable access to high-quality learning environments across the district, our school facilities demand our community’s immediate attention. Great teaching and learning rely on environments that support positive development, educational achievement and career and community readiness. Among our schools’ most immediate needs:

• building accessibility • additions • renovations • technology infrastructure

11APRIL 2015

!

!

!

Our vision as a district is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student for college, career and community. Our teachers, principals and school communities are working hard to make that vision a reality, and we are making exciting progress. As we work to give schools all of the tools and support they need to be successful, we know our physical buildings are part of creating the right environment for great teaching and learning. These buildings, in turn, help keep our community strong, providing spaces for children to learn and grow, gymnasiums and cafeterias for after-school childcare, rooms for enrichment programming for residents through Madison School and Community Recreation (MSCR) and more. They are the heart of our neighborhoods. Improved Accessibility Several MMSD schools have second or third floor classrooms accessible only by stairs, rendering them, in effect, off-limits to students, families and community members with mobility impairments. Some students who use wheelchairs or other assistive devices are currently unable to attend their neighborhood school due to lack of building accessibility. Additions For several years, many of our schools have been near or beyond capacity. Schools have been strategically modifying spaces, restructuring schedules and finding creative solutions in their buildings — holding classes in hallways and closets, among them — to accommodate the need for learning spaces and enrollment growth. Projects in the referendum will add space at our most crowded schools. Renovations The district’s 45-plus buildings have an average age of over 50 years. Many require renovations — electrical system upgrades, updates to vestibules offering line-of-sight visibility to main entrances, replacements to windows, ceilings, HVAC systems and more. Projects will target schools with the lowest rating on the district’s facility condition index and seek to create environments more conducive to learning. Technology Infrastructure As more students and staff are given access to devices as part of the district’s 5-year technology plan, projects in the referendum will replace server and storage systems and increase bandwidth across the district, empowering students, staff and families to engage in continuous learning. Accessible technology for every student at every school, with ongoing support for families, will provide equitable opportunity for discovery, collaboration and creation.

April 7, 2015 School Building Referendum!

Learn more at www.mmsd.org/facilities, or contact us at 663-1879 and via email at

comments@madison.k12.wi.us.

About Madison Metropolitan School District The Madison Metropolitan School District, Wisconsin’s second largest school system, has a simple but bold vision — that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate from high school ready for college, career and community.

• 27,000 students • 52% minority student population • 32 elementary schools • 12 middle schools • 5 high schools • 4,423,936 square feet of physical building space • 5,900 staff members • $435 million operating budget

Our strategy as a district is captured in our strategic framework (mmsd.org/framework), developed with input from staff, students, parents and the community.

Facilities to Support Great Teaching and Learning As we strive to provide equitable access to high-quality learning environments across the district, our school facilities demand our community’s immediate attention. Great teaching and learning rely on environments that support positive development, educational achievement and career and community readiness. Among our schools’ most immediate needs:

• building accessibility • additions • renovations • technology infrastructure

HUEGEL’S CURRICULA

12 HUEGEL HIGHLIGHTS

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!

Frequently Asked Questions !

How much will the referendum cost? The estimated cost is $41 million, with taxpayers owning a home valued at $237,678 (the average single-family home value in Madison) seeing a $61.80 property tax increase yearly for 10 years.

How did you prioritize projects and schools? We identified the most critical projects based on an index of facility conditions, enrollment projections, city planning information, population shifts, community feedback, overcrowding studies and facilities studies going back more than 10 years. In what way are school buildings inaccessible? All our schools have building entrances that are accessible and adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, not all students, family members and community members who use wheelchairs or other assistive devices have full access within the interior, especially those with multiple levels and no elevator.

Why don’t you redraw attendance area boundaries to relieve overcrowding at some schools? We considered this. However, all of the district’s 32 elementary schools are now nearing their capacity limits, so boundary changes would not help. In the future, this may be revisited as demographics change. Doesn’t the district have an operating budget for facility improvement? Our annual operating budget covers maintenance to keep buildings clean, safe and in the best possible condition. With decreasing state funding and increasing pressure on our operating budget, like most school districts, we need to go to referendum to fund larger capital projects.

How and where do I vote? The referendum will be on the Spring 2015 Election ballot on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. To find out where you vote, visit http://gab.wi.gov or call 1-866-VOTE-WIS. Where can I learn more? View draft floor plans and summaries of each proposed project at mmsd.org/facilities. (Detailed architectural plans will be generated if voters approve the referendum in April.)

In the coming weeks, we are also holding informational sessions to share details and answer questions about projects at each school. Locations, dates and times will be posted on our website. We continue to collect feedback from the community. We invite you to share yours: Web: mmsd.org/facilities Email: comments@mmsd.org Phone: (608) 663-1879 !

Debt Comparison of Madison to Other Districts Based on Debt vs. Enrollment

13APRIL 2015

!

!

Frequently Asked Questions !

How much will the referendum cost? The estimated cost is $41 million, with taxpayers owning a home valued at $237,678 (the average single-family home value in Madison) seeing a $61.80 property tax increase yearly for 10 years.

How did you prioritize projects and schools? We identified the most critical projects based on an index of facility conditions, enrollment projections, city planning information, population shifts, community feedback, overcrowding studies and facilities studies going back more than 10 years. In what way are school buildings inaccessible? All our schools have building entrances that are accessible and adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, not all students, family members and community members who use wheelchairs or other assistive devices have full access within the interior, especially those with multiple levels and no elevator.

Why don’t you redraw attendance area boundaries to relieve overcrowding at some schools? We considered this. However, all of the district’s 32 elementary schools are now nearing their capacity limits, so boundary changes would not help. In the future, this may be revisited as demographics change. Doesn’t the district have an operating budget for facility improvement? Our annual operating budget covers maintenance to keep buildings clean, safe and in the best possible condition. With decreasing state funding and increasing pressure on our operating budget, like most school districts, we need to go to referendum to fund larger capital projects.

How and where do I vote? The referendum will be on the Spring 2015 Election ballot on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. To find out where you vote, visit http://gab.wi.gov or call 1-866-VOTE-WIS. Where can I learn more? View draft floor plans and summaries of each proposed project at mmsd.org/facilities. (Detailed architectural plans will be generated if voters approve the referendum in April.)

In the coming weeks, we are also holding informational sessions to share details and answer questions about projects at each school. Locations, dates and times will be posted on our website. We continue to collect feedback from the community. We invite you to share yours: Web: mmsd.org/facilities Email: comments@mmsd.org Phone: (608) 663-1879 !

Debt Comparison of Madison to Other Districts Based on Debt vs. Enrollment

HUEGEL’S CURRICULA

14 HUEGEL HIGHLIGHTS

This fun, all-ages event will feature delicious food, fun games, contests, and more - all with FREE ADMISSION! REAP is coming together with teachers, school administrators, and local organizations and businesses to celebrate the best in delicious, nutritious food for children and families.

WHEN: Sunday, May 17, 2015, 12-3 p.m.

WHERE: Lincoln Elementary School - 911 Sequoia Trail, Madison

COST: FREE!

EVENT ACTIVITIES

We’re working hard to put together a fun afternoon full of all-ages activities, and we’ll post

more details as we have them. Here are some things you can look forward to:

• Recipe contest and video contest

• Opportunities to meet local farmers with their products

• A cooking demonstration featuring students and celebrity chefs

• Farm to School art projects, games, and musical performances

• Nutrition education for students and parents

• Food carts and other vendors serving delicious local food!

15APRIL 2015

FAMILY FOOD FEST VIDEO CONTESTREAP Food Group is hosting its first annual Family Food Fest! This event will celebrate farm-

to-school efforts across Madison and will be a fun and free opportunity for people of all ages to come

together and celebrate all things food.

As part of the festivities, we are holding a video contest! If you encountered aliens from another

planet, what would you tell them about the food and farms of Wisconsin? You now have that

opportunity to share your love of the bounty of Wisconsin through a video!

This video could be anything from a song about squash, a rap about radishes, an ode to an organic

farmer, or a play about pollinators.

All Madison area K-12 students are eligible to submit videos. There are no limits to the number of

students involved - it can be one student with a harmonica or a whole choir. So get together with your

teacher, your family, your whole classroom, or your band group and start recording your videos!

Upload your video to Youtube and submit this online submission form

(http://goo.gl/daOEMx) confirming your entry by May 1st. Interested in learning more tips and tricks for

capturing these moments in video form and uploading successfully to You-tube? Email farmtoschool@

reapfoodgroup.org with subject line “Family Food Fest Video

Tips and Tricks” to learn more.

Top 5 videos will be awarded exciting prizes and entered into the 2nd round of the contest

in which a popular vote will determine the winner! The final winner will be announced at the

Family Food Fest event and receive an exciting prize!

All videos must be between 30 seconds to 3 minutes in length and will be evaluated for

• Originality

• Creativity

• Enthusiasm

Start creating and recording! Good luck!

16 HUEGEL HIGHLIGHTS

CHECK US OUT ONLINE!

Friend us on FacebookHUEGEL EAGLES

Follow us on Twitter@huegel_eagle

Email the PTOhuegelelem@gmail.com

Follow Abby’s Bloghttp://peekintohuegel.blogspot.com

PTO MEETINGMay 12TH

SAVE THE DATE!

Website

CLASS WEBPAGES - https://huegel.madison.k12.wi.us/teacher-pages

For every BoxTop you send in, Huegel receives 10 cents!