November2015 - kaukauna.k12.wi.us November Newsl… · November2015 Hello School Family, This past...

School Family

Newsletter

November2015

Hello School Family,

This past week I had the pleasure of attending a Conscious Discipline Conference led by the founder of the program Dr. Becky Bailey. A good deal of the information that I learned was not new but it was very reassuring to listen to Dr. Bailey speak about struc-tures that should be in place in schools that successfully implement Conscious Discipline and know that those structures were in place in our school.

During the afternoon session each day a principal from Texas spoke of how she has led the process in her school. So many times during these sessions I could not help but

share how my staff at Park Community Charter School had also implemented those same structures. I am so proud of the staff at Park Community and the progress we have made in the three short years we have implemented this program.

During a break in the conference I spoke to Dr. Bailey about what we could do to further our growth with Conscious Discipline. In addition to further staff de-velopment she suggested that we share our growth with others. To do this she suggested we host a STAR conference at Park Community. A STAR conference is when staff and administration from across the coun-

try come to a school to see the structures in action with students during a school day. During our exploration of Conscious Discipline I attended a STAR conference in Hou-ston Texas with a few Park staff. It will be such an honor to share what we are doing with others if this becomes a reality. I will definitely keep you in the loop as this devel-ops.

Inside this issue:

Principal’s Message 1

Teacher Feature

Meet the PCCS Staff

2-3

Music, Art, Phy. Ed,

Library Updates

4-6

School Nurse Tidbits 7

Reading Update 7-

8

School information 9

District Information 9

Parent Advisory

Counsel 11

November Calendar 12

Park Community Charter School Walks to Anchorage Alaska for the Iditarod in March!

We are walking to Anchorage from PCCS - which is 3455 miles or 6,910,000 steps!

The students (K-4) and staff are using pedometers to “track” the steps taken in our community. When we

walk to Kaukauna Utilities, Thousand Islands, Grignon Mansion or any other community places of study,

staff and students wear a pedometer. We document our steps and miles by recording the total number

walked on each field study. Our progress can be viewed on the scrolling sign leading into the gym and in

the lobby. Each month we will add a new Alaskan boot with our total steps and miles taken. What a

great way to show how much we walk in our community!

A celebration will be planned once we have reached Anchorage!

Physical Education—Mr. Kleuskens

Librarian—Mrs. VanderLoop

Where are you from? I moved to Kaukauna when I was in grade school and never left.

Where did you go to High School and/or college? I attended UW-Oshkosh for by B.S.

Degree and I received my Master’s Degree from Viterbo University in LaCrosse, WI.

Total years in Kaukauna Area School District? This is my 26th year in KASD.

What is your favorite thing about teaching your grade level or working in an elementary school? I

have been a 2nd and 3rd Grade classroom teacher in the past. Being a Library Media Specialist allows me to work with all students and all teachers. Locating books that support your readers and teachers’ curriculum needs is such a time consuming task but I do love it.

What makes Park Community a special school? The size makes it unique. The library has previously been

on 3rd and 2nd floor in this building. Now I have a room that is still cozy, but big enough to make it a safe, inviting place for learning and “growing.”

School Family Newsletter

Teacher Feature This is a chance for you to learn more about the staff at Park Community Charter School.

Where are you from? I am from Freedom Wisconsin where I was born and raised. I cur-

rently live with my wife Sarah in Neenah Wisconsin.

Where did you go to High School and/or college? I attended Freedom High School

where I graduated in 2006. After High School I completed my undergraduate degree in educa-

tion at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. My focus of study was physical education with a

minor in adapted physical education.

Total years in Kaukauna Area School District? This is my third school year in the Kaukauna Area School

District. I currently teach physical education at PCCS and I am also the Lead Teacher at PCCS.

What is your favorite thing about teaching your grade level or working in an elementary school?

I enjoy teaching elementary physical education because my students come in everyday with energy and excite-

ment. It is great being able to teach students at a young age the values of living a healthy lifestyle. I feel that I can

be a positive influence on my students when they are at a young age and that the information being taught will ben-

efit them as they continue to grow.

What makes Park Community a special school? Park Community Charter School is a great place to work

due to the relationships that the staff work to attain with the students. Our school population allows our educa-

tors to truly get to know each student so that we can make a positive impact on their lives. I feel that the staff at

PCCS is extremely dedicated to achieving student success.

Music—Mrs. Krueger

Art—Mrs. Mueller

Where are you from? I grew up in Oshkosh and currently still live there.

Where did you go to High School and/or college? I went to Oshkosh West High School and graduated from UW Oshkosh in the spring of 2012.

Total years in Kaukauna Area School District? I’ve been at Kaukauna for the last 4 years and enjoy working with the students and staff here.

What is your favorite thing about teaching your grade level or working in an elementary school? . I love seeing the kids get excited about the artwork they are creating. They all have that moment when they can let loose and be themselves with a project

What makes Park Community a special school? Park Community is special because they really focus on building a school family and trying to make those connections with students.


Teacher Feature This is a chance for you to learn more about the staff at Park Community Charter School.

Where are you from? I am from Kaukauna.

Where did you go to High School and/or college? ? I went to Kaukauna High School, and I

went to DePaul University In Chicago, IL

Total years in Kaukauna Area School District? I have been in Kaukauna for 20 years.

What is your favorite thing about teaching your grade level or working in an elementary school? My favorite part of teaching music is performing with my students. I love to see how excited they get and how proud they feel to share their talents!!

What makes Park Community a special school? ? Everybody who walks through the front door makes this a spe-

cial school! It is a great place to be!

Mrs. Mueller—Art Tidbits

Our Featured Artists

Thank you to everyone who ordered Square1Art! The students are always so excited to see their artwork on products you use every day. Kindergarten has been working hard learning patterns. We used what we know about patterns to create fun cows who’s spots had patterns! 1st Grade has also been working hard on patterns and created brightly colored hot air balloons flying high in the sky. 2nd Grade learned about self portraits and envisioned themselves as Minion! They were so ex-cited to take those little yellow guys and make them look like themselves! 3rd Grade learned about an old fashion way of dying fabric called Batik. We created drawings of animals and used a resist process similar to Batiks to make our drawings look like fabric. 4th Grade took a trip down south the Mexico and learned about realistic drawing. We used overlapping and value to draw Mexican style pots filled with cactuses. Stop in during conferences and I’ll ask you a question. If you get it right, you get a special sur-prise!

Morgan Mena

1st Grade Cunniff

Jada Schiedermayer

2nd Grade Gries

Logan Young

4th Grade Benson

Gym News From Mr. Kleuskens


Dear PCCS Families and Community, I cannot believe I am starting my third school year as the physical education teacher at PCCS. I hope all of

you enjoyed time away this summer to spend with your family and friends. My summer highlight was getting mar-ried in July and spending 10 days in St. Lucia for our honeymoon. I am excited to return to a great school and teach students who I have had an opportunity to know and understand through the course of the last school year. If your student is new to PCCS I look forward to learning about who they are as people and how I can get them to be active in many different ways. We have so many great opportunities for our students and even adults in our community during the year that I wanted to inform you about as a “SAVE the DATE” to mark on your calendar.

International Walk to School Day – Friday October 9, 2015 4th Grade vs. Staff Basketball Game – Tuesday March 15th 2016 Jump Rope for Heart – Monday March 21st- Tuesday March 22nd 2016 Bike to School Month – May 2016 3rd Annual PCCS K-4/5K run/walk – Saturday May 14th 2016

This year the “Food of the Week” returns to PCCS and is announced daily on the school’s loud speaker sys-

tem each morning. Each week I highlight a fruit or vegetable that is our school’s “Food of the Week”. The students are informed about important nutrients that fruit or vegetable contains along with interesting facts. Students are reminded throughout the week about eating the “Food of the Week”. You can be a great example by asking your child what the “Food of the Week” is and consume that food with your child or family.

Again this year I am implementing the Physical Education “Power Word of the Week” which is a literacy fo-

cus in physical education to improve our student’s knowledge of physical education vocabulary. I feel that an under-standing of the chosen “Power Words’ will help our students participate in physical education with a better under-standing of common terms I use on a daily basis to instruct. The 3rd graders at PCCS will be assessed on their knowledge and understanding of these important terms throughout the school year. I have posters that act as study guides and will be giving out handouts such as “fill in the blank” or crossword puzzles to the 3rd grade students at PCCS to practice these terms.

Thanks for reading and please contact me with any questions!

Music with Mrs. Krueger

Kindergarten

The kindergarteners continued to work on their singing voices during October. They are learning the difference be-tween talking, singing, and shouting. Some of the songs the worked on were: Proud Of Our Veterans, Jack-O-Lantern, This Is Halloween, and the Halloween Parade. The kindergarteners also enjoyed learning about and playing many classroom instruments. Some of the instruments include drums, triangle, tambourine, maracas, cymbals, and guiro. After practicing all of the instruments, the 1st graders formed a band and marched around in a parade

.1st grade

The 1st graders continued working vocabulary words during October: Some of them include whole note, half note, quarter note, eight note, and treble clef. They worked very hard on the concept of steady beat. The songs they worked on were: Proud Of Our Veterans, Jack-O-Lantern , The Halloween Parade, This Is Halloween, and their favorite-Skin and Bones which uses piano(soft), mezzo(medium), and forte(loud) to make the song more interesting.

2nd grade

The 2nd graders worked on rhythm and vocabulary during the month of October. They also worked on the louds and softs of music: piano, mez-zo, and forte. Some of the songs they worked on were: Proud Of Our Veterans, Skin and Bones, This Is Halloween, the Whacky Halloween, and The Halloween Parade.

3rd grade

The 3rd graders worked very hard on rhythm and vocabulary during the month of October. They also worked on dynamics, the louds and softs of music: pianissimo, piano, mezzo piano, mezzo, mezzo forte, forte, and fortissimo. They learned what a round is and got to practice one with the song The Ghost Of John. Other songs that they worked on were Skin and Bones and Proud Of Our Veterans.

4th grade

The 4th graders got a good start to the recorder Karate program. They have already learned the first song and will have the opportunity to earn their white belt very soon. They also worked on the song Proud Of Our Veterans.


Once again it has been a busy month of exploration and growth in the library.

Kindergarten – Students should no longer say they can’t read. They now know that reading pictures is READING. In fact, they read one wordless picture book to ME. I loved it and we had so much fun. We’ve read lots of stories of the season. Your child can probably sing Shake shake, shake dem Halloween bones.

Grade 1 – We started out the month with a silly story about Ole Mama Squirrel. Next we decided to “dig “ for facts about squirrels. We started with the dictionary which was helpful. Next we looked in a book about squirrels. Since then we have also ex-plored websites about Squirrels in Wisconsin and even a youtube video about a squirrel being a pest. Wait until you read next month what we do with all of our facts.

Grade 2 – October began by looking at two resources students can access from home; BookFlix and TumbleBooks. Each child was given direc-tions to take home for accessing them. We enjoyed an electronic story on Tumblebooks about an owl that wanted to go to bed at night but HAD to stay up. We followed that book that was written for fun with books written to give us information. The dictionary and books were read. When a student read a fact in a book that they thought we should record they gave me the fact and then organized it according to the type of fact is was; Body, Habitat, Diet or Other. Students learned how to access an great database; PebbleGo on the iPads. The library pur-chased a new database this year so we explored that too. Facts4Me.com made us laugh. I better tell you that we had to discuss dung. I have an app for them in which they will share the information we gathered.

Grade 3 – Third Graders are ready to use the library catalog. They are ready because they have a better “handle” on spelling. So we have

visited the lab in order for them to find the KASD homepage and then the PCCS Library homepage. We will practice using the cata-log, but students are researching Native American Tribes and I wanted to show them how to access their school Google Accounts and a new database that will provide information they need.

Grade 4 – Students learned a new word; chaparral. They had to record the pronunciation and definition that they found on the iPad dictionary app. Their understanding of that word helped them understand part of a new data-base that had a large section on Chaparral Animals. Every time they come to class they keep notes about the re-source we access. In this way, they are learning to be organized and at the same time keeping a list of useful re-sources.

Mrs. VanderLoop—Librarian

Tips From the Nurse—Mrs. Sundelius

Many parents worry about what their children eat — and don't eat. However, most kids get plenty of variety and

nutrition in their diets over the course of a week. The following are some ideas to prevent power struggles over

nutrition with your child:

Respect your child's appetite or lack of one - If your child isn't hungry, don't force a meal or snack. Serve

small portions to avoid overwhelming your child and give him or her the opportunity to ask for more if

desired.

Stick to the routine - Serve meals and snacks at about the same times every day. Allowing your child to fill

up on juice or milk throughout the day might decrease his or her appetite for meals.

Be patient with new foods - Your child might need repeated exposure to a new food before he or she takes the first bite. Serve new

foods along with your child's favorite foods. Make it fun - Serve broccoli and other veggies with a favorite dip or sauce. Cut foods into various shapes with cookie cutters. Serve a

variety of brightly colored foods.

Recruit your child's help - At the grocery store, ask your child to help you select fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods. Encour-

age your child to help you prepare these foods.

Set a good example - If you eat a variety of healthy foods, your child is more likely to follow suit.

Minimize distractions - Turn off the television and other electronic gadgets during meals. This will help your child focus on eating.

Don't offer dessert as a reward - Withholding dessert sends the message that dessert is the best food, which might only increase

your child's desire for sweets. Instead redefine dessert as fruit, yogurt or other healthy choices.

Don't be a short-order cook - Preparing a separate meal for your child after he or she rejects the original meal might promote picky

eating. Encourage your child to stay at the table for the designated mealtime — even if he or she doesn't eat. Keep serving your

child healthy choices until they become familiar and preferred.

If you're concerned that picky eating is compromising your child's growth and development, consult your child's doctor. In addition, consider

recording the types and amounts of food your child eats for three days. The big picture might help ease your worries. A food log can also

help your child's doctor determine any problems. In the meantime, remember that your child's eating habits won't likely change overnight —

but the small steps you take each day can help promote a lifetime of healthy eating.


Partnerships in Comprehensive Literacy: Year Two 2015-2016

PCCS adopted the Partnerships in Comprehensive Literacy (PCL) model of instruction in 2014-2015. The PCL

model uses literacy as a tool for measuring school change in four interrelated areas: student learning, teacher knowledge, school culture, and

school processes. At PCCS we are committed to using literacy as a lever for educational change in order to increase teacher knowledge and

student achievement. There are 10 key features to the model:

Feature 1: A Framework for Literacy uses a workshop approach for meeting the needs of all students, including an integrated curriculum,

inquiry-based learning, and differentiated instruction. Students acquire problem-solving strategies for working on tasks that increase in com-

plexity and difficulty.

Feature 2: Coaching and Mentoring uses scaffolding techniques to assist teacher in taking on new learning, including a gradual release model

for assuming responsibility (Dorn & Soffos, 2006).

Feature 3: Model Classrooms are transformed from traditional approaches of instruction into literacy labs that become settings for observ-ing the model in action.

Feature 4: High Standards are based on state, national, and professional standards with benchmarks along the way to ensure that all chil-

dren reach their highest potential.

Feature 5: Accountability includes a school-wide, seamless assessment system with multiple measures for evaluating success, such as forma-

tive and summative assessments, student portfolios, assessment walls, and school reports.

Feature 6: Interventions are targeted to meet the needs of diverse readers, including Reading Recovery for the lowest students in first

grade and K-5 intervention groups for other needy students.

Feature 7: Professional Development is embedded into the school climate, including literacy team meetings, professional learning communi-

ties, teacher book clubs, peer observations, cluster visits, teacher conferences, and demonstration levels.

Feature 8: Well-Designed Literacy Plan is created for continuous improvement, including short and long-term goals as related to literacy

with a benchmark of three years with a monitoring system.

Feature 9: Technology is used for communications, presentations, data collection, publications, and networking opportunities.

Feature 10: Spotlighting and Advocacy are techniques for disseminating information on the model, including news releases,

research articles, and presentations by school teams, and schools site visits.

(Courtesy of http://ualr.edu/literacy/)

Tidbits from our Reading Specialist—Mrs. Keehan

http://ualr.edu/literacy/

Park Community Charter School Literacy Progress and Plan for Growth

PCCS believes reading to be the cornerstone of learning and the key to school success. We are committed to the goal of all students reading at or above grade level by the end of each grade. We have created a literacy plan to reach this high goal. Our two main goals are as follows: PCCS’s students will by reading at grade level by the end of each year. Reading proficiency is being

able to read grade level material fluently with high levels of comprehension. 2. Teachers will participate in a book study of the book Teaching for Deep Comprehension in addition to attending staff development that supports teachers in developing their skills as reading instructors with a focus on teaching small groups. The success of the above goals will be measured by pre and post test data as measured by PALS and MAP testing. Our school fall 2015 proficiencies are as follows: PALS: K= 87% at grade level (starting point for growth)

1= 98% at grade level (up 6% compared last year) 2= 70% at grade level (down 8% compared last year) MAP:

2= 31% at grade level (down 4 % compared last year)

3= 60% at grade level (up 8%compared last year) 4= 52% at grade level (down 1% compared to last year) PCCS’s literacy program uses a balanced literacy model (Partnership in Comprehensive Literacy) that includes instruction in phonics, fluency, vocabulary, word study, and comprehension. What makes our charter special is that our reading and writing instruction integrates our science and social studies curriculum from our place-based learning platforms into our informational text units of study. This helps our students to see a real world application of all that they are learning at school.



Letters will be sent out monitoring attendance concerns. Please understand that family vacations, surgeries or a longer ill-

ness may have very legitimate impacts on your child’s attendance. However, the letters are sent out as part of our regular

communication to families for any student who has 5 or more absences for the quarter.

Attendance Letters

Some of our staff at PCCS service more than one school or have other scheduling con-

flicts. In order for you to plan more effectively, the following staff will be available at

PCCS during the following conference day/times:

Mary Sundelius, Nurse: By appt. only

Mary VanderLoop, Library: November 16th 12:30-4:00 pm

Amanda Mueller, Art, November 12th 12:30-4:00 & November 16th 2-4:00

Sheri Krueger, Music: November 12th & 17th

Danny Zamost, Guidance Counselor: November 12th 12:30-4:00 pm & November 16th 2-4:00 pm

Kyle Kleuskens; Phy Ed. November 12th TBA & November 16th 12:30-3:00

Deb Meredith: Speech by appointment only

Reba VandeLoo: SLD

Katie Opperman: SLD

Finding Specialists During Fall Conferences

PICKING UP STUDENTS PRIOR TO DISMISSAL

Just a reminder when picking up a child early from school (for an appointment or other reasons), please

send a note or email to your child’s teacher or call the office in the morning. Once you arrive, the of-

fice will call the classroom and have your child sent to the office. This eliminates children from

waiting in the office in case you are delayed and allows them to participate in the classroom instruction

until you arrive. Thanks for your cooperation and understanding.

This is an unpredictable time of year weather-wise. Please be sure to send your child prepared for the worst Mother Nature

has to offer. It is very important that the children go outside to play at recess; however, they need to be dressed for the

weather. We do want to keep your child healthy. When the snow falls ALL students must have boots, in addition to snow

pants if they play in the snow. If you have difficulty providing winter wear, please contact the office as we have donated items

to share. It is also recommended that students keep a dry pair of socks and pants in their backpack in case clothing gets wet.

Weather Watch

PARENTS, PLEASE PASS INFORMATION ON ——-

If you know anyone who has children age 0-18 that are not currently enrolled in the Kaukauna

Area School District but live within the districts boundaries, please direct them to our website to

fill out a Census Update form. They can get a copy by visiting our website at

www.kaukauna.k12.wi.us and clicking on the Census link. This census information is critical for

building and district level staffing planning. Thanks!!

Park Community Charter School

509 Lawe Street

Kaukauna WI

54130

Phone: 920.766.6129

Fax: 920.766.6544


November Calendar

COINS FOR CARING NOVEMBER 2ND-6TH

Wednesday Nov. 11th: Veteran’s Day Celebration

At Veteran’s Memorial Park

Thursday November 12th: Conferences; 4-7:30

Monday November 16th; Conferences 12:30-4:00

Early release

Tuesday November 17th; Conferences; 4-7:30

November 25th-27th: THANKSGIVING BREAK—

NO SCHOOL

HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE FOR 2015

Programs include: The Salvation Army Christmas Assistance Program, Food Baskets,

Adopt-A-Family Program, Coats for Kids, Toys for Tots

Where: 1200 W. Kimberly Ave., Kimberly

When: Wednesday, November 11th; 8:00 am-4:00 pm

Thursday, November 12th; 8:00 am-4:00 pm

Friday, November 13th; 8: am-1:00 pm

What you should bring:

Picture identification (Driver’s license, etc)

Social Security cards for all family members

Proof of income (most recent check stubs)

Proof of residency (electric/phone bill, lease, etc.)

Must reside in Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Little Chute, Kimberly, Kaukau-na, Combined Locks, Greenville, Grand Chute, Larsen or Darboy.

If you have questions, call 734-3324.

November2015 - kaukauna.k12.wi.us November Newsl… · November2015 Hello School Family, This past...

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