March 2020 Newsletter
A Message From Mr. Ruhl:
March and April are some pretty tough months. These are months filled with rigorous academics, state testing, increased expectations and the dreaded daylight savings change. All of this can lead to student (family) stress, loss of energy, and loss of focus. This is one of the times we need it most! If your like me, I just need to make some time to hit reset so my kids and I can do our best in our respective work. So here are some hints base on research (not just my opinion).
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Make or take some time regularly to relax together or play a game.
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Revisit or re-establish routines after school/work, in the morning, and night time.
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Some do homework after school, some after dinner, but making sure it is an established time helps.
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Many kids have many different sleep patterns. Find one that is reasonable, predictable and consistent. Regular rest is key to attention and learning.
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If your kids don't respond to verbal directions (like mine) for that transition to bed, reading etc, draw a visual schedule where pictures show the task followed by each ensuing task. Those ambitious enough may even take pictures of your kids doing that task and show them the picture when it's time to transition.
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As a last special note, the same applies to state testing time. Establish and practice schedules and hold tight to them for the testing window. In order to do well on the testing days, students should experience their regular routine just like the day they learned the test material.
Wishing everyone a successful spring season.
Out-of Attendance Area & Open Enrollment for 2020-2021 School Year
If you have a student that needs to attend a school outside of their home school please fill out the Out of Attendance form HERE.
From The PTO
Join us for a presentation by Licensed Family Therapist, Joy Wagner, about how we can help our children understand their feelings. More information was sent home in Blue Envelopes.
Please make sure to send back the RSVP.
PBIS Corner
March Social Skills Focus:
On February 28 we had our monthly Freaky Friday. The goal of this month’s activity was to practice having a conversation with a small group. Prior to Freaky Friday, classes discussed what a “Conversation Maker”(Example: Showing interest in what the speaker is saying) and a “Conversation Breaker” (Example: When someone interrupts) was. On Freaky Friday, each class divided up their students into groups of 4 or 5 and were given tokens. Students were then given prompts/scenarios and had a conversation about them. If a student noticed a conversation breaker they tossed one of their tokens into the middle. The class then counted the tokens and discussed how the “Conversation Breakers” affected the conversation.
Social Skills Tip of the Month:
Caring For Others
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Ask your child about ways that he or she has helped a classmate “have a good day.”
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“Catch” your child being kind to someone and point out how good it must have made the person feel.
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Model small acts of kindness during your daily activities and talk with your child specifically about how and why the act may have benefited the other person.
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Brainstorm ways your family could do kind things for others in your neighborhood or community, or participate in a community service project as a family.
March Raffle:
(4) students from K - 2 and (4) students from 3- 5, will get to play basketball in the gym with some special guests and enjoy a treat afterwards.
Looking Ahead (Cougar Way Events):
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March 8th | Daylight Saving Time (Spring Forward) |
March 11th | Early Release (12:30pm) |
March 13th |
- Big Book Giveaway (by PTO) - Movie Night (by PTO) |
March 17th | St. Patrick's Day |
March 19th | Community PTO Meeting (6-7pm) |
March 23rd - 27th | NO SCHOOL (Spring Break) |
April 1st | Paraprofessional Appreciation Day |
April 7th | NED Show |
April 10th | NO SCHOOL |
April 16th | Spring Art Showcase |
April 20th - 24th | After School Professional Appreciation |
April 23rd | Opera For The Young |
April 27th | All School Walk to School Day |
May 1st | National School Lunch Hero Day |
May 4th - 8th | Teacher Appreciation Week |
May 4th | Walk With A Doc |
May 6th |
- Bike to School Day / Walk With A Doc - National School Nurse Appreciation Day |
May 10th | Mother's Day |
May 11th | Walk With A Doc |
May 13th |
- Early Release - Walk With A Doc |
May 18th | Walk With A Doc |
May 20th | Walk With A Doc |
May 21st | Community PTO Meeting (6-7pm) |
May 25th | NO SCHOOL |
May 27th | Walk With A Doc |
May 28th | Field Day |
June 1st |
- Field Day (Make Up /Rain Day) - Walk With A Doc |
June 3rd |
- Last Day of School - Walk With A Doc |
Crossing Guard Needed
Calling all parents....grandparents or E. Cook Neighbors....We are looking for someone to help by being a Crossing Guard a couple mornings a week. This is a volunteer position and and does not required to be EVERY day. You would be needed from 7:20am - 7:50am on either Monday's, Tuesday's, Thursday's or Friday's. Volunteer for 1 day a week or a combination of any of the days. If you or someone you know is interested in helping keep our students safe while crossing the street, please call the office at 920-424-0152.
Miscellaneous Information
- School Day Hours
- Walk With A Doc Info (UPDATED)
- Weather Clothing Guidelines
- School Illness Protocol
- E. Cook Traffic Plan
- E. Cook Social Media Info
- Volunteering Info
School Day Hours
7:30am - Playground Supervision Starts
7:40am - First Bell Rings (students enter building at this time)
7:45am - Second Bell Rings (students should be in their classroom at this time)
7:46 am - 7:54am - Students who arrive late will be marked TARDY
7:55am & after - Students will be marked UNEXCUSED, unless:
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A parent has called with the reason for the student’s tardiness
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A parent has walked the student in to the Office
11:20 am - 11:40 am:
- Recess for 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades
- Lunch for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade
11:40am - 12:10pm:
- Lunch for 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades
- Recess for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade
2:45pm - End of the day bell rings (students need to be picked up immediately, they may not wait at the playground)
Early Release Dates: (End of the day bell rings at 12:30pm)
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November 13, 2019
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December 11, 2019
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January 8, 2020
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February 12, 2020
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March 11, 2020
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April 8, 2020
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May 13, 2020
Walk With A Doc Info (UPDATED)
Weather Clothing Guidelines
During this time of year Mother Nature sure does like to confuse us Wisconsinites and we just never know what type of clothing to wear for outdoors. Here are some guidelines that we follow:
- If the temperature is BELOW 50° - A COAT IS REQUIRED
- If the temperature is BETWEEN 50° - 60° - LONG SLEEVES ARE REQUIRED
- If the temperature is ABOVE 60° - NO COATS ARE REQUIRED
We have decided to try and help students remember these guidelines by posting these signs at the recess doors.