august j-hawk journal copy - urbandale community school ......2014/08/06 · webster elementary -...
TRANSCRIPT
Webster Elementary - August 2019
J-Hawk Journal
Welcome to the 2019-2020 School Year!On behalf of our students and staff at Webster Elementary, I would like to extend a warm welcome as we launch a new school year. Webster Elementary will be home to approximately 545 students this year.
The following teachers will lead our instructional team at Webster. (Those new to our school are italicized)...
3 Year Old Preschool: Ms. Katie Kriegel, Ms. Mikayla Mentele, Ms. Julie Stundins
3 & 4 Year Old Preschool: Ms. Noelle Feldpausch, Ms. Rachel McCarville
4 Year Old Preschool: Ms. Breanna Helfrick, Ms. Kristen Hoffman, Ms. Lesley Monson, Ms. Kate Nuss, Ms. Patty VanScoy, Ms Keri Zimmerman
Kindergarten: Ms. Melanie Fausch, Ms. Kim Jorgensen, Ms. Ashley Muilenburg, Ms. Danielle Sanger
First Grade: Ms. Patty Alexander, Ms. Renee Assink, Ms. Diane Gruba
Second Grade: Ms. Kali Brinker, Ms. Nancy Carlson, Ms. Kayla Sandmann
Third Grade: Ms. Hollie Nord, Mr. Bill Olson, Ms. Lauren Underwood
Fourth Grade: Ms. Bethany Berger, Mr. Shawn Llewellyn, Ms. Michelle Sersland.
Fifth Grade: Ms. Ashley Douglas, Mr. Zach Maertens, Ms. Lisa Schaub
Special Education: Ms. Amanda Delzell, Ms. Kayla Hanson, Ms. Wendy Ipsen, Ms. Danielle Kanour, Ms. Ehrin Kelly, Ms. Heather Scott
Reading Specialist: Ms. Shannon Raisch-Roam
ELP: Ms. Laura Hecht
ELL: Ms. Abby Woodside, Ms. Kelly Hutchins
Counselor: Ms. Joleen Brady
Art Education: Ms. Gina James-Pritchard
Physical Education: Ms. Jodi Schutt
Vocal Music: Ms. Jade Fox
Instrumental Music: Ms. Emily Wells
Instructional Coach: Ms. Olga Barnes
Librarian: Ms. Pam Mefford
FFOs: Ms. Tiffany Braxton, Ms. Brittany Cooley
Dean of Students: Ms. Malorie Todd
Principal: Mr. Brandon Schrauth
Health Concerns If your child has any new or updated health concerns that need to be addressed during the school day this year, please stop by to see Webster’s school nurse, Sarah Bonnot (pronounced “Bahno”), or contact her at [email protected] of concerns may be diabetes, asthma, severe allergies, seizures, or any medication during the school day.
Severe Allergies If your child has a Severe Allergy to food, insects, latex, or another substance, please fill out the Severe Allergy Questionnaire (if you have not already done so). This can be turned in at Open House or any time before the beginning of the first school day. This does not need to be filled out for medication allergies such as Penicillin, Keflex, etc.
Medications Any medication to be taken at school requires a Medication Authorization Form to be signed by the parent and kept on file with the medication. All medication needs to be in its original container. The elementary schools in the Urbandale School District do not keep Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or other mediations in stock, but if parents would like this to be available for their child as needed during the school day, parents may provide it to the health office at any time.
Urbandale Community Schools’ provider for transportation services for the 2019-2020 school year will again be Durham School Services, 3310 101st Street, in Urbandale.
If your student(s) will be using the bus for transportation to or from school, you should have received information on how to create and access your PowerSchool parent account to view the bus stop locations and times for your student(s). This information will be available approximately one week prior to the start of school, however you should check this information the day before school starts to see if anything has changed.
You should have your child at the bus stop at least 10 minutes prior to the time listed.
If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Walters at [email protected] or 515-457-5011.
BUS BUSINESS
Webster has several support staff whom support our students and staff throughout the school year. Those support staff new to our building this year are italicized.
Principal’s Secretary: Ms. Mary Gass Building Secretary: Ms. Brenda Briggs Nurse: Ms. Sarah Bonnot Building Associates: Ms. Sandy James, Ms. Debbie Sandon, Ms. Diane Weiser
Special Education Associates: Ms. Teresa Bartschat, Mr. John Boesen, Ms. Tammy Brown, Ms. Janet Clark, Ms. Char Coon, Ms. Lydia Cooper, Ms. Courtney Duff, Ms Melissa Fynaardt, Ms. Chantel Getter, Ms. Khursheid Haider, Ms. Brenee Herrick, Ms. Laurie Heth, Ms. Tracy Hoffman, Ms. Julie Howland, Ms. Raegan Jackson, Ms. Juanah Laxton, Ms. Marcy Loukili, Ms. Katherine Magsamen, Ms. Kandace Marlow, Ms. Mimi McLaurin, Ms. Angela Mills, Ms. Lynne Mona, Ms. Elizabeth Lugo Sanchez, Ms. Kris Stroebele, Ms. Devin Thorpe, Ms. MacKenzie Tuttle, Ms. Toni Valdez, Mr. Nathan White Preschool Associates: Ms. Ann Ashenfelter, Ms. Karen Caruso, Ms. Aldina Dedic, Ms. Lee Ann Fulton, Ms. Tammy Holmes, Mr. Buck Jones, Ms. Deb Lieth, Ms. Mary Moore-Johnson, Ms. Melanie Osborne, Ms. Chetna Renner, Ms. Suzy Saleh, Ms. Dianne Walters Custodians: Mr. David Peitzman, Mr. Donovan Long Nutrition Services: Ms. Stephanie Allsup, Ms. Vesna Djuric, Ms. Jennifer Herman, Ms. Sandra Melendez Adventuretime Leads: Mr. Peter Clinkscales, Ms. Kayla Gray
Joining Us For Lunch?
In order to be in compliance with the federal “Healthy & Hunger Free Kids Act”, families are asked not to bring
food from outside vendors when having lunch with their student.
The Urbandale Nutrition Services program provides wonderful meals for
both students and their family members. If you will be joining us for lunch, please notify the front office (331-8600) before the school day begins. Cost for an adult
lunch is $3.75. In addition, parents are asked to
provide a nutritional lunch for their child if they are bringing lunch from
home. Thank you!
Visiting Webster
All parents, relatives, and friends of Webster students must check-in at the
office before going to a child’s classroom for any reason. You will be
given a visitor badge to wear while you are at Webster. All visitors are asked
to enter and exit the building using the main entrance.
Please feel free to visit your child’s classroom at any time except during the first and last weeks of school. A
call/note to the teacher is appreciated so those schedules can be coordinated.
Before bringing a pet to school, contact the teacher for safety
considerations. Thank you for your cooperation.
World Wide Webster
If you haven’t already, please take time to check out the Urbandale
Community Schools Website (and more specifically the Webster
Elementary Webpage) at www.urbandaleschools.com for up-to-date district and building
information. Webster Elementary staff members will be working to create and update their
own classroom websites throughout the school year! Our website also features
important newsletters, notes, and calendar dates related to Webster
events. Thanks for visiting us on the world
wide web!
School AttendanceOne indicator of a student’s success in school is his or her daily attendance record. When students arrive at school on time, ready to learn each day, their likeliness of success in school grows. And, one way that parents can ensure their students success at school is to develop healthy routines at home that reinforce the importance of good attendance at school.
Before ever leaving the house in the morning, parents can help by providing their child with a healthy breakfast. As part of the breakfast routine, they can work with their child to help them understand what supplies or materials they need to take with them for their school day. Finally, parents can work to ensure that students arrive at school on time and ready to learn.
A reminder to parents that students may ARRIVE at school beginning at 8:40 am. Students should be IN THEIR CLASSROOM by the time the bell rings for class at 8:55 am. Students arriving in the room after 8:55 am will be counted tardy. If your student will be absent, please call the attendance line at 331-8620 or email [email protected].
The school will be contacting families of students who are shown to have frequent or excessive absences and/or tardies. Please work to make sure your child is at Webster by 8:55 am! Thanks for your cooperation and support in helping students to achieve success in school!
No student enrolled in the Urbandale Community School District shall be excluded from participation in. be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in the District’s programs on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, marital status (for program), ethnic background, national
origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (for employment) or socioeconomic background (for program). The policy of the District shall be to provide educational programs and opportunities for students as needed on the basis of individual interests, values, abilities and
potential. If you have questions, please contact the District office at 11152 Aurora Ave, Urbandale, IA or call 515-457-5000.
Calendar of EventsWednesday, August 21st - Open House
4:00 to 6:00 pm
Friday, August 23rd - First Day of School (Day “C”)
Tuesday, August 27th - 5th Grade Band Night 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Friday, August 30th - Webster J-Hawk Back to School Assembly - 9:30 am
Monday, September 2nd -Labor Day No School
Thursday,September 5th - Webster PTO Meeting 6:30 pm - Webster Library
Monday, September 9th - Fall Running Club Begins
Wednesday, September 11th - Late Start Classes begin at 10:00 am
Friday, September 13th - Webster PTO Family BBQ - 5:00 - 8:00 pm
M-F September 16th - 20th - Homecoming Week
Wednesday, September 18th - J-Hawk Superstar Mile - 4:30 pm @ Walker-Johnston Park
Thursday, September 19th - Homecoming Parade 6:00 pm - from UMS to UHS
Webster PTO Meeting - September 5thThe Webster Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization (P.T.O.) is excited to begin another great school year! The P.T.O. Executive Board has been busy working to prepare for the first meeting of the school year and set goals for this year as well as years to come. The P.T.O. needs YOUR help in making this school year the most successful year yet! We cannot do it without your help! The Webster P.T.O. will meet four times throughout the school year to plan for this year’s activities. The meetings will start at 6:30 pm and will last approximately 1 hour in length. Check the calendar for this year’s dates! Our first meeting will be on Thursday, September 5th. We really need your support and hope to see you there! Mark your calendars! We will be meeting in the Webster Media Center and childcare is provided.
SIX GREAT WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD SUCCEED IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
1. Attend Parent Teacher Conferences - Kids do better when parents are involved and it’s a great way to get to know your child’s teacher and their expectations. 2. Visit the School and it’s Website - Knowing the layout of the school can help you connect with your child when talking about their day and the website can help you find information about the school calendar, staff contact information, field trips, testing dates, etc. 3. Support Homework Expectations - Homework reinforces and extends classroom learning. Let them know you see it as a priority. 4. Send Your Child to School Ready to Learn - A nutritious breakfast and a good night of sleep can help boost your child’s attention span, concentration, and memory! 5. Get Involved - It’s a great way for parents to show they’re interested in their child’s education! Parents can get involved by being a classroom helper, attending board meetings, joining the PTO, reading a story to the class, etc. 6. Make Time to Talk About School - Ask your child about their day, every day, so he or she knows what goes on at school is important to you. It’s important to listen carefully and ask question that go beyond “yes” or “no” answers.
Webster Elementary is
Dates To Remember
Lunch/Recess/Specials
Letter Day Calendar
Lunch Menu
Online Payments
Flyer Hub
Transportation
Mrs. Jodi Schutt (pronounced “shoot”) is Webster’s wonderful physical education teacher. Along with providing an excellent curriculum developed to help your child learn lifelong skills like goal setting, inclusion, and teamwork, Mrs. Schutt also has established “Running Club”. Running Club is an opportunity for all Webster students to jog or walk laps during lunch recess and accumulate miles to earn awards. Parent volunteers are needed to help keep this club “running”, literally! Please contact Mrs. Schutt at 331-8612 or emailing her at [email protected] for more information on this opportunity.
Also, be sure to check out the Specials Schedule you receive at Open House to insure your student has athletic shoes with them on the letter days that they have P.E. class!
The Leader in Me is a whole-school improvement process based on the idea that everyone can be a leader. This evidence-based approach empowers students with the leadership and life-skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.What are the 7 Habits?
1. Be Proactive…I’m responsible for my own actions and attitude.
2. Begin With the End in Mind…I have a plan.3. Put First Things First…Work first, then play.4. Think Win-Win…Everyone can win!5. Seek first to Understand, Then to Be
Understood…Listen before you talk.6. Synergize…Together is better.7. Sharpen the Saw…Balance is best.
Parents play an important role in helping their children develop deeper understanding and application of the leadership principles taught in the Leader In Me process. You can help by setting goals with your family, asking your student how he or she incorporated the 7 Habits in school or how they can apply them at home in their personal life, and you, yourself can model these Habits!
Staff Directory
Great Expectations!The staff at Webster Elementary School are concerned with providing all of our students and staff with a safe, effective learning environment throughout the school day and have developed the following set of expectations to guide student behavior in common areas of the building. Staff will review the rules and expectations with students in all classrooms on the first day of school and throughout the school year. Please take a moment to review and become familiar with the following expectations:
You can revisit these rules and expectations along with many other informative documents, throughout the school year by visiting the Webster Elementary School website at http://www.urbandaleschools.com. Our website features important dates and information to help busy parents and families keep up-to-date with school news and important school events!
C o u n s e l o r’ s o r n e r
Lunch Payment Online
Taking care of your child’s lunch account balance has never been easier, thanks to the online site, RevTrak, which can be accessed through the Urbandale Community District Website. To pay online, go to:
https://urbandaleschools.revtrak.net/
Select “Food Service Payments” and follow the directions to make a deposit into your child’s lunch account. Be sure to note your student(s) ID number found on your packet handed out at Open House.
Paying your child(ren)’s lunch fees online ensures timely payment. Keeping a positive lunch balance is important in ensuring your child is able to access his or her lunch account each day.
Thank you in advance for your attention to your child’s balance. If you have questions, please call Cathy Conklin, UCSD Nutrition Services Director at 457-6913.
Webster Elementary will be home to approximately 545 students this fall. This includes preschool through fifth grade. We have many new faces to meet this year and look forward to the opportunity to get to know each one of them personally. We also have many friends that we will welcome back to our school. Whether you are new or a returning student,we are glad you are apart of our school!
Webster’s School Counselor,Mrs. Brady, is a wonderful listenerand works hard to build relation-ships with each of our students.Her room is located in the hallwayleading to the 2nd/3rd grade wing (Room #406).She will be looking forward to meeting new families at our Open House.
Webster School HoursThe Webster staff would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience during drop-off and pick-up times. Please note the following arrival and dismissal time guidelines for Webster Elementary School as established by the Urbandale Community School District.
1st Bell: 8:40 a.m. (students may arrive at/enter the building) Late Start: 9:45 a.m. 2nd Bell: 8:55 a.m. (class begins - students entering the building after this time will be counted tardy.) Late Start: 10:00 a.m. Dismissal Bell: 3:35 p.m.
Parent Pick-Up Ad-Visor
In order to insure a smooth parent pick-up process, families using our Parent Pick-Up/Drop Off Drive are encouraged to hang one of our yellow “Parent Pick-Up Visor Sheets” on the passenger side visor in ANY car that will be used for pick up. As you drive up the west drive, please lower your visor (with the family name directed out the window) so we will be able to see which student to call to the car. This is especially helpful as different teachers do pick-up duty on different days. Please be sure to also pull forward as far as possible. Thank you for your help in ensuring a smooth pick-up process!
*Note: Only those students who are not listed as bus or Adventuretime in PowerSchool will automatically receive a “Visor Sheet”, but you may request a “Visor Sheet” or additional copies of the sheet at any time from the Webster office.
Thank You to our Custodians and Summer Maintenance Staff
We are pleased to recognize and thank our dedicated custodians and summer maintenance staff who worked throughout the summer getting our building ready for the
start of a new year. This is the time when carpets are shampooed, floors are stripped and waxed, windows are washed, painting projects are completed, rearrangements of furniture and equipment are accomplished, and every
surface is cleaned and polished. This summer is an excellent example of the professionalism that our
maintenance staff displayed, day in and day out, as they completed many major projects to ensure that our building is shining for the opening day of school.
Reminders for Students: Back to School Safety Rules
1. Stand on the same side of the street as the bus stop.
2. Always stay on the sidewalk and be ready for the bus to arrive.
3. Always be alert to traffic.4. Always walk in front of - not behind - the bus.5. Move toward the door only after the bus stops, the
door opens, and the driver says it’s ok to board.6. Hold onto the hand rail when getting on and off the
bus.7. Standing up or walking around while the bus is
moving is not allowed for your safety.8. Move away from the bus quickly after getting off.9. Always obey the bus driver.
Box Tops at Webster Every year, Webster Elementary School
participates in the Box Tops for Education program sponsored by the General Mills
Company. Box Tops for Education has helped American schools earn well over $200 million in
the past 16 years. Since beginning the collection of Box Tops in the Fall of 2006,
Webster Elementary has earned over $15,000.00 for important projects and materials.
Last school year, Webster once again earned almost $2000.00 and we are counting on your support for us to beat that amount this year!
So start collecting those BoxTops for Webster! Ask family, friends, and neighbors to help collect
too! You may turn in your box tops anytime during the school year, but we will also have
incentives at different times throughout the year to encourage the return of the Box Tops. Thanks
for the support you gave in the 2018-2019 school year!
Join s For A Great School Year!Teachers, staff, students, and our families are all important to the success that our school has each and every year. “Teaching ALL, Reaching ALL”. More than a statement, it’s a commitment. It’s a commitment from everyone at Webster to help each child to succeed and to learn at high levels. The staff at Webster is committed to improving our practice through quality staff development opportunities. We understand that the key to a successful school year is the partnership between parents and their child(ren)’s school. You are encouraged to consider volunteering at Webster and offering of your time and talents to both students and our staff in helping the children to learn at high levels. So, again, welcome to Webster Elementary School! YOU put the “U” in OUR school! If you need any assistance with school related questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Webster office at 331-8600. We are looking forward to a terrific year working together!!
How to Communicate With the PTO
Do you have a question for the President? If so, email Stephanie at: [email protected].
For any fundraising ideas or any ideas about soliciting sponsors, email:
Do you want to volunteer or do you have a question about 2 Hour Power or a certain
committee? If so, email: [email protected]
Want to spread the word to other Webster parents about an upcoming event, email:
Please send pictures of any school events, class parties, field trips, music programs, etc. to:
[email protected](These pictures may be used for Facebook, The
Des Moines Register, and/or the Webster yearbook. Deadline for photos to be considered
for yearbook is December 1st.)
We want to help you stay informed about all that is happening at Webster. The Webster page of the district website, http://www.urbandaleschools.com/schools/webster-elementary/, is a good source for announcements, school supply lists, newsletters, calendars and more. You can also follow Webster on Twitter - @WEB_UCSD - as well as “liking” our Facebook page - Webster Elementary.
We frequently send out information through email as well: monthly J-Hawk Journals, PTO updates, conference sign ups, upcoming event reminders, etc. Please help us keep you informed by assuring we have an updated email address or addresses for your family.
Making sure we have the most accurate phone contact information is also important should the need to contact you during the school day arise. If you change your phone numbers or email addresses throughout the year, please notify the office at 331-8600 or by emailing Mrs. Briggs, [email protected], or Mrs. Gass, [email protected].
Also, we have a convenient way for you to keep track of all of the important upcoming dates at Webster! Simply upload the Webster Parent Calendar in either Google or iCal formats by clicking on the appropriate link.
The Webster office staff are also available and eager to help with any questions you may have at 331-8600 from the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.