OCTOBER 16, 2008

FROM THE DESK OF ANNE M. KREUL

Dear Parents,

All students in grades 3-5 will begin WKCE testing beginning October 27.  The purposes for this test are to meet No Child Left Behind legislation requirements of demonstrating annual yearly progress of all students. At a district and school level, this student test data supports curriculum and instructional planning for students. Middle school and students in tenth grade participate in WKCE testing also.
Staff has put considerable time in planning and developing the building test schedule. Changes in building procedures affecting all students and staff will ensure an optimum environment for students taking the tests. The following procedures will be followed:

* The public address system will not be used during the day.
* Telephone calls will not be placed through to classrooms where testing is taking place.
* Areas of the building will be designated as "off limits" for classroom and group use. The Multipurpose, Exploratorium, and science rooms become breakout areas for small group and individual testing.
* Testing will not be interrupted by recess or lunch transitions so alternative planning will ensure that key areas across the building are conducive to testing.
* Birthday treat or other snack deliveries will need to be scheduled directly with classroom teachers.
* Students need to be in attendance and arrive on time in order to promptly begin testing in the morning as they will not be able to walk into the testing environment after the rest of the class has been given directions and have begun timed tests.

We know that you will prepare your child for testing through the following:

* Having an adequate amount of sleep in order to be physically and emotionally ready for testing
* Following a set routine each morning so that your child feels confident and prepared for testing
* Eating a good breakfast each morning
* Having a nutritious snack for break.
* Reminding your child that they should do their best in demonstrating what they know and understand. The test results, along with classroom performance, assignments, participation, and other assessments, help our staff to best plan and support all students!

REMINDER - School will not be in session on October 30 and 31.
Thanks for your help and support!

Sincerely,
Anne M. Kreul 

DATES TO REMEMBER - OCT/NOV

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS REGARDING TITLE 1

School District of Elmbrook  
13780 Hope Street  
P. O. Box 1830  
Brookfield, Wisconsin 53008-1830
Phone: (262) 781-3030  
Fax:  (262) 783-0983  
stewartm@elmbrookschools.org

Dr. Matthew Gibson
   Superintendent of Schools
Eileen Depka
   Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services
Melanie Stewart
   Director of Assessment & Student Learning

October, 2008

At the beginning of each school year, school districts receiving Title I funds must notify all parents of children attending Title I schools that federal law gives parents the right to request information about the qualifications of their children's teachers and paraprofessionals.

Parents have the right to request information on:

Currently all of our teaching staff and paraprofessionals have required credentials. This information will be provided to you in a timely manner upon your request.

If you would like information regarding Title I please contact Dr. Melanie Stewart at 262-781-3030, extension #1112 or via email at stewartm@elmbrookschools.org. If you have questions regarding teacher qualifications please contact the Chris Hedstrom at 262-781-3030, extension 1128 or via email at hedstroc@elmbrookschools.org

HEALTH ROOM REMINDERS

1) Compliance date for student immunization was October 10, 2008.  If you have received a request from the health room, please forward immunization dates.  It is a state law, and students who are non-compliant can be excluded from school.
2) Please remember when sending any medications to school, the health room can only give doses according to the instructions on the medication.  We would need a consent from the student's doctor to give anything other than the what the instructions on the bottle say.  Also, please check expiration dates.  The health room cannot give any expired medications.  All prescription medications require a completed parental and MD (doctor) consent form.  Over-the-counter medicines require a completed parental consent form only.
3) If your student has any significant health concerns, including ANY allergies or asthma, and you have not yet reported this to the health room, please do so immediately.
4) The health room is always in need of sweat pants, t-shirts, and sweatshirts which they need to keep on hand to loan out to students as needed.  Donations of used items would be greatly appreciated.

ELMBROOK SCHOOL DISTRICT WEAPONS POLICY

Each year, we are asked to share the Elmbrook School District Weapons Policy with our school families.  Please review it and explain it to your child.

Weapons or imitation weapons of any kind are not permitted in any school facility, on any school grounds, on school buses, or at any school-sponsored function.  The only exceptions to this policy are weapons under the control of law enforcement personnel and inoperable or imitation weapons for school-sanctioned purposes, approved in advance by the building principal.

A weapon shall include, but not be limited to, the following:  firearms, knives, martial arts devices, explosive devices, including manufactured ammunition, chemical agents including pepper spray, clubs, or any device or instrumentality which, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, is calculated or likely to cause bodily harm.  An imitation weapon shall include, but not be limited to, the following:  toy guns, water guns if they resemble or are used as guns, poppers, caps, non-working replicas of weapons, cap guns, pocket knives and manufactured ammunition which has been used (spent shell casings). 

If it is determined that a student is in possession of a firearm, the student shall be automatically suspended and, pursuant to federal law, recommended for expulsion.  Such expulsion is to be for a period of not less than one year.  If it is determined that a student is in possession of any weapon, other than a firearm, the student shall be automatically suspended and may be recommended for expulsion.  If it is determined that a student is in possession of any imitation weapon, the student shall be disciplined up to and including suspension and may be recommended for expulsions.  When a student is suspended for possession of a weapon (not an imitation weapon), the matter shall be referred to the Office of the Superintendent for further disposition.  In addition, any student who was knowledgeable of the weapon but did not report it, shall be considered for suspension.

Any person, other than a student, who is suspected of possession of a weapon in any school facility, on any school grounds, on school buses, or at any school-sponsored function, shall be reported immediately to the appropriate law enforcement officials.  The District will also pursue filing an appropriate complaint.

Wis. Stats. 120.13
Fed. Stats. 20USC8921

 LATE ARRIVALS TO SCHOOL:

Please note that students, who arrive to school AFTER 8:50, must be signed in at the Health Room.  For safety reasons, it is NOT permissible to drop them off without coming in to school and signing them in.

PTO NEWS AND REMINDERS

* PTO Meeting - Tuesday, October 21st - 6:30pm
(Room 221 - Swanson Multipurpose room)
All Swanson families are welcome and encouraged to attend.
(Although children are welcome, no childcare is provided)
Please plan to attend the first PTO meeting of the 2008-09 school year!

Topics of discussion will include:
* Nomination and Vote on PTO Treasurer candidate Amy Hodges
* Results of our fall fundraiser and our current PTO financial situation
* Discussion & vote on whether to set aside funds to upgrade our Swanson playground
* Volunteer opportunities
* Planning of future PTO sponsored events for this school year

* Fall Fundraiser Pickup - Monday, October 20 (3:00 - 5:30)
Swanson Cafeteria - All fundraiser orders must be picked up at this time!

PARA-PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES!

If you are interested in joining our para team at Swanson...we have openings.  Our para-professionals work over the lunch hour (11:15-12:45) on the playground and in the hallways, supervising students and getting them to lunch.  We presently have Wednesday and Friday openings.  Please contact Wendy Ruhland (ruhlandw@elmbrookschools.org) if you are interested.

 Everyday Mathematics: A Curriculum for the 21st Century

The philosophy of the EM program is based on extensive research about how students learn mathematics and how mathematics is taught. Students need a rigorous and balanced mathematics curriculum. Such a curriculum:

Ø       emphasizes conceptual understanding while building a mastery of basic skills.

Ø       explores the full mathematics spectrum, not just basic arithmetic.

Ø       considers how students learn, what they're interested in, and the future for which they must be prepared.

Outstanding features of the Everyday Mathematics Curriculum include: real-life problem solving, balanced instruction, carefully planned, sequenced instruction, ongoing and continuous basic skills practice, emphasis on communication, appropriate use of technology and a home/school partnership
 
Question:  What is the purpose of Math Boxes in the Everyday Math Curriculum?  Why aren't the problems related?

 Answer:  Math Boxes are one way Everyday Mathematics provides children with continuous practice and review of all mathematical content.  Almost every lesson includes a Math Boxes page in the math journal as part of the Ongoing Learning and Practice section of the lesson.  The problems on a Math Boxes page provide practice in various skills and concepts learned up to that point.  This way, children don't forget what they have learned, and they maintain and even improve their skills.  Math Boxes are designed as independent activities, but at the beginning of the year, some guidance may be needed.  Teachers often use Math Boxes to make informal assessments of children's progress.

Linda Polulach
Instructional Resource Teacher
Swanson Elementary School
305 N. Calhoun Road
Brookfield, WI 53005
polulacl@elmbrookschools.org
Phone 262-789-2540
Fax 262-789-3288

 LOST AND FOUND

Our lost and found is already overflowing!  Please stop by the cafeteria and check to see if any of the many, many items which have been left behind here at Swanson belong to you!