Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
A Monthly PTA Newsletter for the Families and Staff of Gifford School
SEPTEMBER — 2015
Dear Gifford Parents, Wow! It is great to be back! It is exhausting for both the children and the adults, but we are back
doing what we love to do. Kids are a never-ending source of entertainment. Don’t misunderstand me, we
are keenly aware of how important education will be in these children’s future, but the beginning of the
school year is full of excitement and potential.
There has been a lot excitement over the beginning of the new construction. Thanks to our com-
munity and the leadership of Racine Unified School District we are immersed in the building of the new Gif-
ford addition and renovation that will make us a world class K-8 school beginning in the fall of 2016. The
weather was kind to us for the ground breaking and let us hope for the same, at this time next year, as we
meet to have the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
We want to extend our fondest wishes for those staff that have chosen retirement. We will cer-
tainly miss Mr. Timothy Pie, Mrs. Lynette Ahrndt, Mrs. Dianne Paulson, Mrs. Susan Devine and Mrs. Jane
Barbian. We thank them so much for their years of dedication. We also have the responsibility for replacing
Mrs. Terri Strom, Mrs. Mary Gajdos, Mrs. Sally Reichert and Mrs. Kathy MacAvaney who will continue their
careers within RUSD at other schools. We thank them for their years with us at Gifford.
Additionally, we welcome Mrs. Aimee Wendt to kindergarten, Mrs. Susan Kwapil to first grade, Mrs.
Katherine Vick to third grade, Mrs. Jean Szymanski to fourth grade, Mrs. Stacy Kovacik and Mrs. Stephanie
Naegeli to fifth grade. Mrs. Wendy Fleury hasn’t left, just relocated to third grade.
Please review closely the map that designates the traffic flow for parents. The eastern most en-
trance will be one lane to drive to the back parking lot. The western most exit will be the only way for traffic
to leave Gifford. That means that for parents who have been parent pick up in the past will mix with bus
traffic. Therefore, I am asking EVERYONE who plans to do parent pick up in the fall, please reconsider taking
the bus!
WINGS volunteer forms are required for volunteering and field trips, I know that parents under-
stand that the district feels the need to know exactly who has access to the building and, therefore, to our
children. WINGS forms are required for all adults who volunteer, especially if you intend to chaperone a field
trip, work with small groups, or assist in a classroom. PTA events such as the scheduled family fun nights
are exempt. At those events, you are asked to supervise your own children, keep them from running in the
hall ways, escort them to the washrooms, etc. Thank you for your cooperation. I know your level of concern
parallels mine.
We know this will be a challenging school year working around construction and renovation. But
the end goal is so worth the short term frustration. And soon we can offer children ten consecutive years in
the same stimulating and academically challenging environment at Gifford.
- Mr. Hunt
Principal News: A Letter From Your Principal, Les Hunt…
GIFFORD SCHOOL 8332 Northwestern Avenue
Racine, WI 53406
Co-Directing Principal: Mr. Les Hunt
Co-Directing Principal: Mrs. Mary Cline
Contact Numbers
Main Phone: 262-619-4550 Attendance Line: 262-619-4598 School Social Worker: 262-619-4576 Nurse’s Office: 262-619-4557 School Lunch Room: 262-619-4582
2015-2016 PTA Officers President:
Sheri Krenzke • 262-995-3566
Vice-President: Sara Delonay • 616-405-8295
Secretary: Nichole McDonald • 262-497-1514
CFO: Lori Strangburg • 414-559-1113
Treasurer: Amy Agallar • 262-939-7192
Clifford Reports Newsletter
Article Submission by the 15th of each month to: Amy Axelson
Wisconsin State PTA Website:
www.wisconsinpta.org
Gifford School Website: www.rusd.org/gifford
Join our email group for frequent volunteering and/or news updates:
Join our Gifford Elementary PTA ‘closed’ FaceBook group.
*All PTA meeting minutes are avail-able upon request by emailing: [email protected]
Hmmmm...Where is the rest
of the newsletter?
(more details on back)
CALLING SCHOOL
Parents please limit your calls during the day to the classroom as the teachers are trying to teach. If you must call please find out from the teacher the best time to call.
What if my Child will be Tardy? If
your child will be late, you may call in to the main office 619-4550 with reason for tardy and if they need a hot lunch.
What if my Child Won’t be at School? Call in’s should go to the Gifford
attendance line 619-4598 when your child will NOT be attending school. This is a 24 hour call in line. Please leave the reason why the stu-dent will not be in school (includes ill child, planned absence; and vacation time.)
2
More Clifford Reports online-
PTA News: When does the PTA meet? How do I
join? How do they raise money and what do they use it for? How can I help?
School News: So many changes happening this
year, find the latest information here…
Student News: Find your student’s name and a
photo in this section if they were selected as Student of the Month or participated in Writer’s Roundtable.
...AND MORE!
A Monthly PTA Newsletter for the Families and Staff of Gifford School
...is going paperless!
Beginning this 2015-2016 school year, the Gifford Elementary
School “Clifford Reports” newsletter will no longer be distributed
in a printed hard copy form. Instead, an electronic pdf version of
the full newsletter will now be available monthly on the school
website. The newsletter document can be found at
www.rusd.org/gifford, located under the News/Events tab. The
multi-page newsletter will be available all month long to read,
reference and/or print and will contain the same information it
has in the past including PTA News, School News, Student News
and an Activities & Events calendar. In addition to the newslet-
ter, a pdf version of the current month “Hot Lunch Menu” will
also be posted and available under the same News/Events tab.
Save Paper. Print only the pages that you need.
www.rusd.org/gifford
Until construction is complete, the EAST parking lot will be a mess. Think bulldozers, cranes, flatbeds, utility vehicles, metal beams, wood, and bricks. PLEASE use the busing avail-able to you.
●95% of our students receive free busing
●Only 30 Gifford families are school choice that must
use parent pick-up/drop off
●Studies show that children who ride the bus the 1st
day of school have an easier adjustment
●Buses are equipped with cameras so any concerns
you have can be looked up by the company
●WEST parking lot remains for BUSING and TLC only.
RIDE THE BUS Nervous about your child riding the bus? Try these ideas until everyone is comfortable:
Partner up with an older student to be your child’s bus
buddy. Don’t know anyone on your route? Call Les Hunt and he can help you out
Greet the driver at the stop so you know each other
After your child gets on the bus, follow the bus to school
After child gets on the bus, drive to school, park, watch them
get off, and walk them to class
(You will beat the bus to school unless you are the last stop)
Use the Bus Tracker App to know where your child’s bus is
Watch your child get on the bus after school
Follow the bus home
To our new principal
Mrs. Mary Cline from all the Gifford Gators
(check out the “Get to Know Me” article Mary submitted in Clifford Reports online)
“Gator Pride”
Be Respectful,
Be Responsible,
Be Safe,
and
Be a Learner!
“The Gator Way”
1.Feet on Line.
2. Hands at Side.
3. Voice at Zero.
Here are some other things you’ll find on the Gifford school website ●Bell Schedule
●Lunch/Recess Schedule
●Staff Email
●Music News
●District News
●Calendars
●Many other school resources
3
Fundraising…
Through the generosity of Gifford’s families, Gifford’s PTA has historically been able to supplement all the wonderful experi-ences the Gifford students are able to have in the classroom and throughout their educational day. We are hopeful that Gif-ford’s families will continue their long tradition this school year. We will be having a number of fundraising events throughout the entire year. This should give our families more flexibility to find ways to contribute that fit their life styles and budgets, while still helping out the school financially. Our tentative fund-raising schedule for this year is as follows:
Spirit Wear Sep/Oct Fall Fundraiser October Book Fair Nov/Spring Scrip Monthly Carnival March Grand Raffle Jan/Feb/March Collection Programs All Year
Of course, Gifford PTA will accept cash donations in any amount at any time. Checks can be made out to Gifford PTA, dona-tions to be placed in an envelope addressed to Gifford PTA - Attn: Treasurer and given to your child’s teacher.
We are optimistic that we will be able to make the following contributions to enhance our Gifford Students’ educational ex-perience this school year:
With your help, we will meet each of these goals! Watch for more information on all the exciting fundraising opportunities in the monthly newsletter, Facebook, backpack mail and on the school website. It is through our very active PTA that we are able to provide such strong support to help make Gifford a great school for our kids. If you are not already a PTA member, please consider becoming one to join the great cause. Thank you in advance for your help in supporting Gifford School!
PTA News:
+ =
COMMITTEE COMMITTEE
Name Chair(s) Name Chair(s)
1st Folder Home Linda McGee & Allison Fritsche Hallway Decorating ** OPEN **
Book Fair Kris Larson Membership Gina Petersen-Daniels
Budget Lori Strangberg Newsletter Amy Axelson
Carnival ** OPEN ** Popcorn Jane Huber
Clifford Tanya Wenzlaff Reading Programs Stacy Cervantes & Christy Maller
Collection Programs Nichole McDonald Science Club Brett Halladay & daughter
FaceBook Group Allison Fritsche & Suzanne Gelinskey Scrip Katherine Kostermen
Fall Fundraiser Lindsay Willis, Debra Boedecker & Rochelle Ehrhart Spirit Wear Kris Larson, Heather Moeller & Heather Tiedman
Family Fun Nights ** varies by event ** Staff Appreciation Missy Kwiatkawski
Gators 1st Fund Lori Strangberg Veterns Day Susan Yonkovich
Grand Raffle Linda McGee & Debra Boedecker Yearbook Suzanne Gelinskey
COMMITTEES THIS YEAR Our committees are not full time jobs. Members of committees should not feel obligated to participate in everything the committee does. Members may only wish to give time to part of the planning, execution, etc - it’s your choice and we welcome you no matter what!
*If you are interested in learning more about any committee or would like to join one, please email [email protected].
4
When Does Your PTA Meet? We have 2 different types of PTA meetings at our school:
1)Executive Board 2)Association
Your Executive Board consists of the officers of the Association and Standing Committee Chairs. At these meetings, your Board conducts neces-sary business transactions between Association meetings. Board meetings are open to all members to attend.
Association meetings are open to everyone - members or not. Agendas will be set around what members want to know. They will be interactive, fun and informative.
September is PTA Membership Month. Join Now! Membership: $6 per individual, $12.00 per family
Support the largest volunteer child advocacy association in the nation, which provides parents and families with a powerful voice to speak on behalf of every child. At Gifford, you will have a voting voice on Volun-teer of the Year, Outstanding Educator of the Year Award, budget stuff, program/committees and much more. Membership dues forms will be placed in your child's 1st folder home that you will be receiving at Open House. If you do not have a child that attends Gifford, but want to join our cause, please email [email protected] to have a membership dues form electronically sent to you.
If you have any questions please contact Gina Daniels at [email protected]
1st
PTA Meeting of the Year
Date: Sep 15 Time: 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Location: Library On the Agenda
What is Gifford’s PTA all about? How we spend and raise money Upcoming Events Volunteer Opportunities Shoparoo Principal Update Topic Suggestions for Upcoming Meetings Questions
Please Join Us!
Executive Board
President Sheri Krenzke
Secretary Nicole McDonald
CFO Lori Strangberg
Treasurer Amy Agallar
Vice President Sara DeLonay
3K-1st Grades Nicole Stangler & Sue Pena
2nd–5th Grades Terri Russo & Jenn Bersch
6th-8th Grades Mary Cline
Educational Programs Cheryl Reaume
Family/School Spirit Jenn Kumm
Income/Fundraising Laurie Nikolic & Sarah Grycowski
A HUGE Thank You
PTA would like to extend a BIG thank you to Borzinski's, Arbor Management, Racine Uni-fied, Gifford staff and family for all their dona-tions that made the ground breaking cere-mony a GREAT SUCCESS!! Borzinski's do-nated all the roasted corn, Arbor Manage-ment donated all the paper products and salt, Racine Unified supplied water and cookies, Gifford staff and Gifford families donated wa-ter and butter. The generosity of your dona-tions is greatly appreciated.
Volunteer Needs LUNCHROOM: Kindergarten and 1st grade lunch time - these little ones need help opening hot lunch packs, milk & juice, and a lot of the tricky cold lunch items (gogurts, fruit cups, fruit snacks, string cheese, etc) - simple stuff for us adults to do. All you need to do is have a WINGs form turned in and then check in at the front office to get a VISITOR sticker.
CARNIVAL & HALLWAY DECORATING: Looking for someone to chair these committees. CONTACT: [email protected]
We are on Facebook! Gifford PTA has their very own Facebook group and hope you will join. When you become a member of the PTA and join our Facebook page you will have:
▪Many links many parents use readily available to you in one location including the lunch menu, WI PTA, RUSD, etc.
▪The current Clifford Report newsletter. It will be posted as soon as it's available
▪Current volunteer opportunities (typically set up as "events" you can RSVP to)
▪School events (typically set up as "events" you can RSVP to) ▪Discussion topics
Everyone is welcome to write on the wall, ask questions, and provide feedback (good and bad).
We hope to see you join the Gifford Elementary PTA Facebook group soon!
5
This year we are excited to be partnering with a fun, free, and truly easy fundraiser called Shoparoo! Schools nationwide are already earn-
ing hundreds and even thousands every year through Shoparoo and it’s a
great opportunity for us to really make a difference this year!
Shoparoo is school fundraising made easy: the free app turns pic-tures of your everyday shopping receipts into cash donations and sweepstakes entries for our school! Yep, it’s that simple. No more cutting labels, selling door to door, or time-consuming coordinating. All you have to do is shop as you normally do, snap pictures of your re-ceipts with the app, and voila Just shop, snap, earn! Get started today: 1. Download the free Shoparoo app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store 2. Select our school from the list and start taking pictures of your receipts - shop anywhere, buy anything! 3. Use code referral code swung779 to earn extra points for Gifford school 4. Earn even more Roo Points, or cash donations, by inviting others to join using your personal referral code 5. You can even select a grade to support and have fun with grade competi-tions! If you were a member last year you will have to change your grade level in settings and update to the current grade your child is in. There’s no limit to how much money we can raise with Shoparoo - the more supporters, the more we will raise for our school. Schools with just 40 sup-porters are earning an average of $1,000 every year. That’s free, easy money that we could be fundraising too. Check out shoparoo.com to learn more about this awesome app!
Send in With Your Student... The entire Box Top image on the product. Full product list at btfe.com
The entire UPC label, including the Campbell’s Labels for Education logo. Full product list at labeslforeducation.com
Caps from bottles, 12-14 digit codes found on fridge packs (located inside the tear off flap) OR codes from shrink wrapped cases (found inside of shrink wrap on bottom). Full product list at mycokerewards.com
(*We no longer accept Milk Moola caps or bag tops)
September's PTA’s Family Fun Night Swan's Pumpkin Farm
Watermelon Eating Contest! Scavenger Hunt!
Date: Thursday, Sep 24th Time: 5 - 7:30 PM
Location: 5930 Highway H Franksville, WI
Specially Priced Wristbands for Gifford Families!! $7 each -or- 4 for $25. Must purchase by Sep 16th via
backpack mail to receive the discount.
Includes: Unlimited Corn Maze, Hay Ride, Spook house, Barrel Trains, Pedal Karts and 15% Off Coupon
for Pumpkin. Watch your child’s backpack mail the week of September 7th for more details!
Contact Katherine Kostman at 262-909-7252 or [email protected]
Collection boxes are located near the
main office under the PTA display case.
While out shopping, please consider picking up extra school supplies.
PTA has a box at the front office throughout the year for teachers to replenish their classroom
supplies from.
Items classrooms often run low on before the end of the school year are:
Glue sticks Construction paper (12x18)
Reams of white paper Folders
Dry erase markers
*You can always send in a $$ donation in a sealed envelope made out to Gifford PTA
"School Supplies"
How the Program Works
Target Credit Card® and Target® Visa® Credit Card ac-count holders can sign up for the Take Charge of Edu-cation program by calling 1-800-316-6142 or by visiting Target. Target will track purchases made on participat-ing Target Credit Cards, Target Visa Credit Cards, and Target Debit Cards, and will distribute the accumulated donations to schools in September.
Designate Gifford, and Target donates an amount equal to one percent (1%) of your Target Credit Card, Target Visa Credit Card or Target Debit Card pur-chases (minus returns and sales tax) at any Target store and Target.com, and one-half percent (1/2%) of your Target Visa Credit Card purchases made.
It is so easy to do! 1. Go to www.Target.com 2. Click redcard at the top 3. Rewards & Benefits 4. Scroll down to find “Take Charge of Education” 5. Click Enroll 6. Search for Racine, WI 7. Select W ALLEN Gifford ELEM SCHOOL
*Any money earned by Gifford goes into the school (non-PTA) account, just like Skatetown Gifford Night profits. This fund is used by our principals for things such as field trip busing fees, classroom equipment, etc.
6
School News: GETTING TO KNOW ME My name is Mary Cline and I was born and raised in Wisconsin. I moved 9 times during elementary
school and moved to Sun Prairie the day before 7th grade. I attended UW-Oshkosh where I studied Span-
ish, English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education. I have had the opportunity to study abroad in
Spain, Mexico and Guatemala for varied lengths of time. After graduating, I taught ESL one year for the
School District of Kimberly. When my husband graduated, we moved closer to his family. I taught high
school Spanish at Burlington and Delavan-Darien. I studied Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
at UW-Madison for my Master's Degree. I began working for RUSD in 2009 as an associate principal at
Knapp and Olympia Brown. I was the scheduling principal at Jerstad-Agerholm Middle School and was
the directing principal at Jerstad-Agerholm Elementary. My passion is K-8 and scheduling is my forte. My
family and I moved this summer to Mount Pleasant. My husband, Nate, and I have two beautiful children,
Ethan (3) and Genevieve (3 months). We are both excited to join the Gifford family.
Student News:
Each month teachers will select one student from their class (including specialist teachers; gym, art, music, etc.) that
stood out as an outstanding student that month. The student may be selected for achieving the highest grades, setting
a great example, helping other students, outstanding behavior and/or many various other reasons. The student se-
lected will receive a Student of the Month certificate with their name and picture on it, along with their picture in this
monthly newsletter. They will also receive an extra recess the day the students of the month are awarded, and they
will get to choose a special prize (previous years included a student of the month t-shirt, a water bottle or bracelet).
*Keep an eye out each month for pictures of the students that were selected to be student of the month.
Writer’s Roundtable What is Writer’s Roundtable? Writer's Roundtable is a fantastic opportunity to showcase students' creativity and hard work. Teachers choose 2 students a month to share their original writing with a group of their peers. The focus is children reading to children, with adult volun-teers facilitating small groups. The children gain self esteem and a sense of pride sharing their writing with one another. ~ Mrs. Russo *Keep an eye out each month for WRT (writer’s roundtable) updates, topics and pictures of the students that were selected to participate that month.
Students of the Month
VISITOR ACCESS TO THE BUILDING
DURING CONSTRUCTION
▪All visitors should enter through the
West “TLC” doors.
▪As always, all exterior doors will be
locked.
▪All visitors will need to be buzzed in
by staff.
Want more school news? Click on any of the titles above while on the Gifford School Website
to open a drop down menu with more options and information.
Show your Gator Pride! First Friday of every month
This Year’s First Spirit Day
September 4th
7
Racine Unified School District Music Department - 5th Grade Band
The Racine Unified School District will offer the opportunity for present fifth graders to participate in Instrumental Music Instruction.
Your child can explore his or her musical talents while learning and strengthening valuable skills such as commitment, discipline, fo-
cused concentration, perseverance, and teamwork.
The lessons are free. Your costs will include the rental or purchase of an instrument and the purchase of music books and other supplies.
Of primary importance will be your investment of time and energy to encourage your child by insisting upon effective daily practice.
Please take a few minutes to consider and discuss the commitment you and your child are making to ensure a successful musical experi-
ence.
Getting started . . . Choosing an instrument
Next week your instrumental music teacher at school will help your child try various instruments and fit your child to the instrument that
suits him or her best. This will be done during the school day. To reserve a fitting time for your child, you must return the form below to
your child’s homeroom teacher by tomorrow. This form is the only way to reserve a fitting and will be the only opportunity to try various
instruments.
Fifth graders will have the opportunity to play any of the following band instruments:
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba,
Percussion Kit (bells, snare and/or drum pad)
Getting started . . . Renting or purchasing an instrument
Most music stores and merchants provide some sort of rent-to-own program, and this is the recommended way to obtain an instrument.
You may rent or purchase an instrument from any source you wish, but the rental/purchase plans are not all the same. Please take the
time to compare the rental/purchase plans carefully, checking for TOTAL costs and upgrade and switching provisions. Brochures de-
scribing the various plans will be given to your child at the instrument fitting. The recommended local merchants are:
Schmitt Music, 1409 Washington Ave. 634-5637
Lakeshore Conservatory of Music, 922 Goold St. 632-9373
Copycat Music, 3205 Washington Ave. 633-2228
If you have any questions about the instrumental music program, please contact me by email: [email protected] or leave a message
for me at your child’s school. Once again, in order to take advantage of this musical opportunity for your child, you must return the form
below to your child’s homeroom teacher by tomorrow.
Detach and return to Mr. Weiss
Please print clearly
Student’s Name ______________________________________ School ________________ Homeroom # _____
Parent’s Name ____________________________________Phone # ___________________________________
Email______________________________________________________________________________________
Instrument – First Choice ____________________________ Second Choice ____________________________
We understand that effective daily practice and consistent attendance at lessons are necessary to participate in this program.
Joining instrumental music is a full year commitment. It is also a graded class on report cards. Every student is needed the entire year and will
not be allowed to drop the class.
___________________________________ __________________________________________________
Student signature Parent signature
