A Warming Trend...

The Polar Vortex has struck again!

Let's hope that this is the last time, this winter, that we will see these dangerously cold temperatures.  We miss our students when school is not in session!

I would like to share with you some things that our staff has been working on, as we strive for continuous improvement within our building:

Friday, January 24th:  Teachers continued on their work with curriculum mapping.  They spent time aligning resources and planning their 180 days with students, in the area of reading/language arts.  Staff also had an opportunity to work on record keeping, during the afternoon hours.

Wednesday, January 29th:  Teachers took the afternoon to analyze student data, using MAP data and benchmark assessment data, in the area of reading.  Additionally, we spent time having rich conversations about functioning in a growth mindset.  In part, this means approaching students with an understanding that their attitudes and effort are indicators of future success, rather than simply innate ability.  As a staff, we need are committed to celebrating student growth, on a regular basis.  These celebrations, together with the focus on the learning journey, will inspire students to be the best that they can be!

Also, thank you to the parents that attended the Parent Advisory Counsel meeting on January 22nd.  We discussed math programming and interventions.  Our next meeting will be in March.  The dates and times of these gatherings are communicated through the Principal's monthly newsletter, through the Wednesday take-homes, and through this blog.  Stay tuned. 

Beyond that, it has been a short week, and we are ready for 5 full days of instruction with your children next week!  Stay away Polar Vortex!

Our First Full Week of 2014!

A Week in Review...

It's been a calm, peaceful week at Willow Glen!  Students are focused on the learning that is occurring in the classrooms. 

MAP testing continues to take place, and staff is analyzing the data as it comes in.  This provides teachers with valuable information to make instructional decisions for your children.

In celebration of Martin Luther King Day, a timeline was created and now displayed in the main hallway.  If you get a chance, please stop in and see it.  Every child in the school participated in this activity!

Additionally, Anti-Bullying remains a focus at Willow Glen.  Our third grade students choreographed and filmed a "public service announcement", bringing awareness to this sensitive topic.  It will be made available to parents in the coming weeks.  The students are planning future PSA's, as well.  Stay tuned...

Please remember that students do not have school on Friday, January 24th.  Teachers will be involved in curriculum mapping and record keeping.

Enjoy your weekend!

Welcome to 2014!

Happy New Year!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful winter break, and enjoyed time with family and friends. 

As we turn our attention to the second half of the school year, teachers are beginning to administer mid-year, benchmark assessments in reading and writing.  This new data will provide valuable information to help guide instruction for the remainder of the year.  While staff regularly engages in frequent, informal evaluations of student progress, these benchmark assessments (given 3 times per year) offer a deeper analysis of student strengths and areas that need improvement.  Additionally, we have entered into our winter assessment window for MAP (Measurement of Academic Progress).  Classes are rotating through the computer labs, being tested on broad reading and math skills.  These results will be sent home in February.

Classroom Highlights:

K4 - The dinosaurs are coming!  Students are excited about an upcoming unit on these prehistoric beasts!

K5 - As the year has progressed, kindergartners are becoming more comfortable with the Daily Five framework for reading.  During the Daily Five, students circulate between "centers", focusing on writing, word work, partner/independent reading, listening/computer, and guided reading.  This framework is used in grades K5-Grade 5.  The children in K5 are enjoying more time in guided reading, as they emerge as readers.

Grade 1 - The students are engaged in non-fiction writing and creating "All About" books.  This is their opportunity to use research skills to learn more about something that they really enjoy.  Parents of first graders, look for these special books to come home in the coming weeks!

Grade 2 - The second graders are beginning a new unit on animals.  This is always of favorite topic in science class!

Grade 3 - Third graders are studying America's earliest communities.  They will be creating models of houses or dwellings.  Feel free to take a look at these masterpieces as they start to come in towards the end of the month.  They will be on display in the third grade hallway.

Whole School Activity:
In celebration of Martin Luther King Day, students are creating a timeline of Dr. King’s life in the long hallway outside of the gym.
Students chose an event from Dr. King's life, researched it, and then wrote a short paragraph about it.  They will place their contribution on the timeline. (Kindergartners are making "doves for peace".)  Please stop in and see this terrific display focusing on Martin Luther King!

Lastly, our next Parent Advisory Council meeting will take place on January 22 at 6:00pm. I will be sharing information on the math program at Willow Glen.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about student learning experiences, and suggest topics for future PAC meetings.  Hope to see you there!

Have a nice (warmer) weekend!

In Partnership,
Laurie Pogorzelski
Principal

Winter Break is Almost Upon Us!

The holiday spirit is in the air...Students are enjoying their daily classroom routines sprinkled with a touch of seasonal fun!  As you pass through the halls, you will see displays of student work including fascinating facts about reindeer and caribou, written expressions focusing on holiday wishes, and descriptions of family traditions.

Looking ahead:
Winter Break is Dec. 21- January 5.
Our window for MAP testing is January 6-24th. 
January will also bring mid-year assessments in the areas of reading and writing.  The teachers use this data to guide their instruction, and to meet the individual needs of students.

The gift that money can't buy...

The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, fun, connection, and love. Yet those feelings are often overshadowed by the hectic rush of the holiday season in shopping for the perfect gifts, decorating, cooking and cleaning. The following poem, given to me many years ago by a very wise teacher, reminds us that the gift of time is the most precious and important gift we can give to our children.

What Shall We Give the Children?

What shall we give the children?

The holidays are almost here.

Toys, games and playthings, as we do every year?

Yes, for the magic of toy land is part of the

Yuletide Lore.

But to gladden the heart of childhood,

I shall give something more.

I shall give more patience, a more sympathetic ear.

A little more time for laughter or tenderly dry a tear.

I shall take time to teach them the joy of

doing some task.

I’ll try to find time to answer more of

the questions they ask.

Time to read books together and take long

walks in the snow.

Time for a bedtime story or sharing things we know.

I shall give these to my children, weaving a closer tie.

Knitting our lives together, with gifts money cannot buy.

 

 

 

Wishing you a peaceful and joyful winter break...

 

Looking forward to continuing out home/school partnership in 2014!

The Holidays are Approaching!

At Willow Glen, a true sign of the holidays approaching is our annual Winter Concert. Last night's program was delightful! The music selected was the perfect mix of old and new seasonal songs. The finale' was one of the best that we've had...Lights dimmed and candles lit, as a representation of how our unity makes this season so joyful. A special thank you to Mr. Chris Shanaflet, Music Teacher, and the children in grades two and three...Superb performance!

Classroom Highlights...
As you can probably imagine, the classrooms are sprinkled with holiday cheer! The students are continuing to be engaged in the Daily 5 Reading Framework, with a touch of seasonal celebrations.  Many of their writing pieces are focused on Christmas, family traditions and gift giving. Santa has crept into stories, over and over again. It really is a magical time to be in a primary school!

Teacher In-Service Day
As you know, Wednesday, December 11th was a Staff In-Service Day. While the children were at home/day care, enjoying an afternoon off, the teachers were busy at work learning about the new teacher evaluation system in Wisconsin. We spent several hours together discussing the new system, called Educator Effectiveness. The 2014-2015 school year will bring a few changes to education, one of which will be Educator Effectiveness. The system balances professional practice with student outcomes; each counting for half of an educator's overall rating. It was a system designed for teachers, by teachers. The development team was grounded in the belief that every child in every classroom deserves to have excellent teachers and excellent building leaders who are supported in their ongoing professional growth. Research confirms that teacher and principal effectiveness are the two most important factors influencing student achievement. If you would like to learn more about this, please access the Department of Public Instruction's website and search for Educator Effectiveness.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to read!!!!!

A Bounty of Thanks...

 This week and always!

 

 

Thanksgiving Delights
On Thanksgiving Day we're thankful for
Our blessings all year through,
For family we dearly love,
For good friends, old and new.

For sun to light and warm our days,
For stars that glow at night,
For trees of green and skies of blue,
And puffy clouds of white.

We're grateful for our eyes that see
The beauty all around,
For arms to hug, and legs to walk,
And ears to hear each sound.

The list of all we're grateful for
Would fill a great big book;
Our thankful hearts find new delights
Everywhere we look!  

Below is a list of what some of our what some of our students are thankful for this year.

 

"I am thankful for...

my parents"

my turtle"

my house"

my clothes"

trail mix"

my birds, Crackers and Cheese"

scarecrows and turkeys"

my whole family, even my brother"

oranges"

football, soccer and baseball"

my friends"

my hermit crab"

baking cookies"

moon and stars"

bananas"

the sun for boat rides"

hugs and kisses"

my bed, a blanket and yogurt"

lamps in my room, 'cause it's really dark"

jalapeno cheese popcorn because it's my favorite"

the solar system"

people who serve food at Willow Glen"

my house, Santa and campfires"

that God made my mom and dad"

my whole, entire family"

 

While away from your children, our teachers have plans this holiday with family and friends.  Here are some ways that our Willow Glen teachers will be spending Thanksgiving:

 

Mrs. Boening - Visiting in-laws with family

Mrs. Coplan - Visiting in-laws with family

Mrs. Dropik - Visiting in-laws with family in Illinois (needs to bring a desert and crafts)

Mrs. Cogburn - Cooking at home and enjoying her family

Mrs. Michalski - Visiting relatives (needs to bring a vegetable medley)

Mrs. Payment - Enjoying family

Mrs. Reeves - Preparing meal on Saturday for her family

Mrs. Roberts - Visiting family in Appleton (needs to bring a pie)

Mrs. Sanfilippo - Visiting family (needs to bring a broccoli cheese dish)

Mrs. Andre - Visiting with family

Mrs. Korpela - Visiting with family (needs to bring tofu)

Ms. Legwinski - Spending time with family and friends

Mrs. Dowd - Both visiting (AM) and hosting (PM)

Mrs. Erceg - Cooking at home and enjoying her family

Mrs. Lemke - Visiting with family

Mrs. Jordan - Cooking at home and enjoying her family

Mrs. Grafwallner - Cooking at home and enjoying her family

Mrs. Kulig - Spending time with husband

Mrs. Jakubowksi - Visiting family in Slinger (needs to bring a desert)

Nurse Diana - Visiting family on Thursday, and then hosting a "Orphan's Thanksgiving" on Friday (cooking for 25 people who are alone this holiday)

Mrs. Krochalk - Visiting with family

Mr. Fredrickson - Skiing in Colorado

Mrs. Dayton - Cooking for family

Mrs. Maslowski - Visiting with family (needs to bring a vegetable casserole)

Mrs. Chiaverotti - Cooking for family (Son coming home from Marines!)

Mrs. Duren - Visiting with family (needs to bring a birthday cake)

Mrs. Koch - Visiting with family (needs to bring a green bean casserole)

Mrs. Marsh - Visiting with family

Mr. Shanafelt - Visiting with family
Mr. Stelloh - Cooking for his family

Miss Patty - Cooking a meal for her family up north

Mrs. Pogorzelski - Visiting with family (needs to bring a green bean casserole)

 

Most of us will also be watching the Green Bay Packers!

 

Enjoy your time with family and friends this Thanksgiving, and thank you for sharing your children with us!

 

 

 





Gobbling Up Another Great Week

A Time to be Thankful...

The next blog, which will be posted on November 26th, will offer student thoughts on what they are thankful for.
Be sure to log on!

Thank you to all the parents that attended the PTO meeting, which was held this past week at Willow Glen.  Please remember that PTO is a wonderful opportunity to become involved in the schools. 

Highlights of the meeting include:

• Presentation from Chartwell regarding the school lunch program
• Presentation from myself and Mr. Powell (DC Principal) regarding state led initiatives, and their impact on the SFSD.  These initiatives include:  Common Core Standards, Smarter Balanced Assessments, Educator Effectiveness and School Report Cards.
• Principal reports from WG/DC
• Discussion on requests for funding from PTO.

THANK YOU PTO FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FUNDING FOR:
Character Trait Banner (Fairness)
     & Zoo visit TO Willow Glen for Second Grade

Gator Time began this week! 
We began Gator Time last year, in an effort to continue to meets student needs.  On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, students gather for this activity. Staff begins by analyzing MAP data and dividing students into flexible groups, based on need.  All groups receive instruction that is tailored just for them...Whether it be for additional support in a content area, or for extension and enrichment. These groups meet with an educator for 30 minutes per day, on these 3 days.  The students enjoy the opportunity to work with new friends and new educators during Gator Time, and learn new things that are "just right" for them!

Looking ahead...
It will be a short week.  Many of the classroom activities that were described in last week's blog, will continue through Wednesday.

Have a fantastic weekend and remember to read!