Newsletter Oct/Nov 2022
Newsletters
October 2022
FROM THE PRINCIPAL:
Dear Washington Families, Welcome to the 2022-23 school year. The year is now well under way and we are off to a successful start! Students and staff have been working diligently and we are already noticing evidence of growth. At Washington School, we place great value on the partnerships with families and understand the positive impact they have on student learning. As you know, the Washington PTA plays an essential role in supporting these partnerships. The PTA not only plans fun family events, but assists with raising funds to provide enriching learning experiences for students throughout the year. If you haven’t already done so, please consider signing up to join. This year’s first event is Oktoberfest, which takes place this Thursday from 5:00-7:00. All students and families are invited and we hope to see you there. This week also begins the Read-A-Thon fundraiser. A reminder for this was sent home with students on Monday. Thank you for your continued support and we’re looking forward to another great year. Sincerely, Mr. Matt Peerenboom Principal
Important Dates
October
- 10 - Read-a-thon
- 13 - Dental Visits
- 17 - FRC Opens
- 21 - No P4J, Planning Day
- 26 & 27 – Conferences 28 - Picture Retake Day
November
- 1 - No School
- 4 - No School
- 11 - No P4J, Planning Day
- 18 - No School
- 24 & 25 - No School
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Traffic and Safety Reminders
Stop Drop and Go Area: Parking is not allowed in this area. Please make sure to go as soon as you have dropped your child off. If you feel more comfortable you can park your car outside of the Stop-Drop & Go area and walk your child to the appropriate area. The parking lot is not to be used for dropping off or picking up students before or after school. If you need to use the parking lot during school hours, please use the visitor parking stalls. Crosswalks: Please have your child use the designated crosswalks each time he/she is crossing the road. Please do not park within 10 feet of the crosswalks as this makes it difficult for crossing guards to see any oncoming traffic. Drive slowly around the school and be attentive.
Grade Level/Special Area News
P4J
Hello Washington Families! The school year is off to a great start in P4J! Your kiddos have been learning a lot already. We have learned a letter a day and the sound it makes. The themes we have had include School/Friendship, All about Me, Apples, Signs of Fall and Fire Safety. Some highlights include painting with apples, apple tasting, graphing our favorite type of apple, creating fun art projects, going to the library and checking out our own book, playing with playdough and singing and dancing to our favorite songs. In addition, we have learned about how food is grown and shipped to the stores. October brings some added fun to the classroom as we play with new toys and centers related to the themes we are learning about. I hope your children are sharing the fun they have had at school each day.
Kindergarten:
Kindergarten is off to a great start! We have been learning our school routines and are continuing to work on alphabet, math, social, and digital skills. Please continue to practice letters, sounds, and numbers with your child at home. For the children’s safety, please send shoes that are easy for our kindergarteners to put on and take off themselves. Also make sure sweatshirts, jackets, backpacks, etc. are labeled with your child’s name. The Take Home Folder is a great communication tool between home and school. Please make sure to check it every day for notes from your child’s teacher and/or the office. Also, make sure to check your child’s backpack. It may have some memorable things in there to show what we are learning in kindergarten!
First Grade
First graders are off to a great start this year! We have been working on learning rules, routines, and procedures in the classroom and around the school. You will notice decodable reading passages and activities that come home each day with your child that focus on the phonics skill of the week. They should be practicing reading these passages/stories/word lists a little each night to help improve fluency and confidence. Thank you for your support with this. In math, we will be continuing to work on addition and subtraction strategies and number sense. Please remember to be sure your child has proper shoes on PE days. We are looking forward to a great year together!
Second Grade
Welcome back to our returning and new Patriot Families! We are loving having everyone back with us after a hopefully relaxing summer break. We have been introducing and practicing second grade routines. Students have been learning what it means to be a good citizen in 2nd Grade. The children should be familiar with Seesaw and how to access assignments. You are able to see their completed work when you access your Seesaw account. Our math program uses lots of hands-on explorations and practices skills through our workplace games. In the weekly family newsletter, we will include the link to these games if you would like to practice these skills at home as well. There will be math homework 2 - 3 times per week. We also encourage your child to read 20 minutes each day. They may partner-read more difficult text with a grown-up or read independently. In the family newsletter we will list the weekly phonics pattern and heart words. Encourage your child to sound out these words when they come across them in their text and practice the heart words, so they know them “by heart”. Practice Makes Better! As a reminder, the weather is changing. Please make sure your child comes with a jacket/sweatshirt. Also please continue to send your child with a water bottle to school every day.
Third Grade
3rd grade has been hard at work! We are busy getting into our reading, writing, and math routines. We have been reading a variety of fiction and nonfiction stories and focusing on retelling, citing textual evidence, and chronological order. In writing, we are focusing on personal narratives and will be moving onto writing opinions. In Science we are learning about life cycles and in Social Studies we are learning about government and maps. In Math we will be finishing up our addition and subtraction patterns and moving into our next unit which is multiplication. Start to look for a math homework sheet sent once a week. Continue to look at the Reading, Writing, and Spelling Weekly Focus sheets that are sent home at the beginning of the week. As a reminder students should be practicing their reading for about 20 minutes each night and spelling words as well. Please remember to send a water bottle, already filled with water, so students are ready to go for the day.
Fourth Grade
The Fourth Grade classes are off and running! Students began their school year learning new classroom routines and expectations. This is quite the challenge after months spent enjoying the summer months! September and October have had students working hard on many different skills. In math, they are reviewing multiplication and division strategies as well as beginning a new unit on forms of measurement. The students have been enjoying working in cooperative learning environments in which they practice good discussion behaviors. Students are actively incorporating sentence stems to foster purposeful and engaging discussions. Our first science unit focused on the scientific method. Students worked on identifying the steps a good scientist follows as well as identifying and understanding the reasons why they might use particular tools in their observations. The fourth graders will continue practicing their observation skills when we embark on our field trip to JSOL later this month. We have completed our first social studies unit on maps skills and are now beginning to learn about Wisconsin's early people. Students have enjoyed reading their new Studies Weekly magazine. They particularly enjoyed the included crossword puzzle and learning about the first creatures to inhabit the state of Wisconsin! We are learning how to navigate our new reading program, Wonders. This program offers an integrated and balanced approach to reading and writing instruction emphasizing student accountability. We are just beginning the text sets, but the students seem engaged in the variety of reading material presented and are able to make personal connections to the content thus far.
Fifth Grade
Fifth grade has started the year off with a bang! In math we are conquering multiplication facts and looking forward to starting fractions. Practicing those multiplication facts at home really helps in school. In social studies we finished map skills and are into our unit on Early Explorers. As a class read aloud, we are reading Holes. Once we have completed the book and activities, we will watch the movie and compare and contrast the book to the movie. If your student has an extra sweatshirt or jacket to keep in their locker that would help with the change in weather.
Learning Commons: Book Fairs are returning this fall with Literati! 3:30-6:30 on Wednesday 10/26 8:00-6:30 on Thursday 10/27
Counselor Connections
Hello families! My name is Mrs. Morgan, and I am the School Counselor at Washington. I cannot wait to continue working with our amazing students this year. As the counselor, I am here to help support your student’s social, emotional, and academic development. I collaborate with our students, educators, families and professionals in the community to provide your students the resources they need to be successful inside and outside of the classroom. We are finally starting our Connections classes in October! In these lessons we will continue our learning of conflict resolution skills, growth mindset, our emotional brain and coping strategies we can use to work through challenges, child safety, culture and diversity, and so much more! If you have any questions or concerns that I may help with, please email me at morgancasey-schm@janesville.k12.wi.us, or call me at (608)743-7225.
Safety Patrol
Our school safety patrol is now on duty before and after school. The students have been trained in crossing students safely and wear bright yellow safety belts for easy visibility. Please help all of our students stay safe by following the drop off and pick up procedures below. Please avoid parking on the corners of intersections to ease the flow of Traffic. Please avoid parking too close to the crosswalks. This can cause congestion and make it difficult for cars to pass through these areas safely, and it can also make it difficult for crossing guards to see around the vehicles to look for oncoming traffic. Please ALWAYS have your child use the available crosswalks rather than crossing in the middle of the street. Children are safest when crossing at patrolled crosswalks. Thanks for all of your help and support! We really appreciate it!
Notes from the Music room
5th Graders:
This year, 5th grade classes will be meeting 3 times a week instead of the usual 2. I explained that this 3rd music class in 5th grade is to introduce them to orchestra and band instruments and how they are played and sound, as well as to continue singing and discussing choir and what the Music Exploration classes in middle school will offer.
This is to help the 5th graders make the best choice for them individually when they need to choose a music class for 6th grade, which they will need to do by the middle of January when they fill out their schedule for 6th grade. The students have also been reviewing rhythm and various notes and rests in music. We reviewed the 3 eighth-note combination called a triplet and reviewed the prefix TRI and how it means 3. We learned about sixteenth notes and the combination of 4 of them to equal one beat. This reminded the students that there is a lot of math and fractions involved in music, like sixteenth notes equal ¼ of a beat, so we need 4 of them to equal a whole beat; eighth notes equal a ½ of a beat, so we need 2 of them to equal a whole beat, and a triplet equals 3 eight notes to a whole beat, each equalling ⅓ of a beat in this case.
We will be attempting working on fun October songs that incorporate triplets and sixteenth-note combinations and games with instruments and cups, as well as playing melodies on the Xylophones, Metallophones, and Glockenspiels! We will be very busy!
4th Grade:
The 4th graders started off the year reviewing the importance of a steady beat and reviewing and learning new notes and rhythms patterns. We played a poison rhythm game using lummi sticks where I played a rhythm for them that, if they heard it, they were not to echo it back to me. If they heard any other rhythm pattern they did echo it back to me on the lummi sticks. The students realized they really needed to be focused and listening to avoid being ‘out.’ We learned about a new note combination called a triplet, and we discussed other words that start with the prefix TRI and discovered that that prefix meant 3.
There are three eighth notes in a triplet instead of the usual 2. This led us to the fact that there is a lot of math in music, especially fractions. Two eighth notes to a beat each equal ½, while 3 eighth notes to a beat each equal ⅓. Now that it is October, we will be continuing to use triplets in a cup passing game to The Addams Family theme song, and we will also be using a grouping of sixteenth notes, which each equal ¼ of a beat, so we need 4 to equal a whole beat.
There will be songs we will be playing melodies and rhythms with that include triplets and sixteenth notes, and we will be using Xylophones, Metallophones, and Glockenspiels to perform these melodies and rhythms.
3rd Grade:
Third graders began reviewing steady beat and rhythm during our Poison Rhythms game, and we also worked on those two concepts playing a name game with Lummi Sticks that incorporated these skills, called Concentration. They found out how difficult keeping a steady beat can be! The students have been learning about a new combination of eighth notes called a triplet, and we talked about how the prefix Tri means 3 and talked about other words that start with tri and made connections with these words.
The students are learning a cup passing game using triplets as well as other rhythm patterns that we play along with The Addams Family theme song. October will continue to be filled with fun songs using these rhythms as well as melody exploration using Metallophones, Xylophones, and Glockenspiels.
2nd Grade:
2nd Graders reviewed the Beat and how they are like bananas because they like to be in bunches. They know these bunches are called measures in music, and we have been exploring with measure of 2, 3, and 4, and performing rhythms using these groupings of beats. We used our new Lummi Sticks to perform the different rhythms and patterns of beats. We are also exploring how fractions play into music and have been talking about eighths, quarters, halves, and wholes. We will be having some spooky October fun playing a cup passing game with the Addams Family Theme song and introducing a new combination of eighth notes called triplets. There will be other great October songs using melody instruments such as Xylophones, Metallophones, and Glockenspiels, games, and more rhythm activities to come!
1st Graders:
The first graders are reviewing how important a steady beat is to the music while singing and marching and playing name games. We refreshed our memories regarding using ‘good manners’ words with “The Magic Words” song, and we also used some sign language for these special words. We have been playing beat and rhythm with Lummi Sticks, and as October progresses, we will be playing melodies along with some spooky fun songs on the Xylophones, Metallophones, and Glockenspiels! We will be using many other instruments during this month as we continue to work on beat, rhythm, and melody.
Kindergarten:
The music room is an exciting place for these new faces, and I am working hard to learn all of the kindergartners’ names!! Since the Beat is the glue that keeps all music together, that is our focus for the first month or so. We have also been incorporating name games that combine melody and beat so we can learn each other’s names, and we have been moving and marching, too! Since using good manners is an important part of being a human, we also worked on a song with Magic Words that are ‘good manners’ words, and we learned the sign language for these special words. We are gaining confidence in using our singing voices, and we are playing games with bean bags and keeping a steady beat.
The month of October is one of my favorite months of the school year, so we will be working with some great October songs while we learn about Xylophones, Metallophones, and Glockenspiels and play melodies on those instruments as we sing. It’ll be spooky good fun!!
A Few Lines from Washington’s Art Studio
Dear Families, My name is Lynn Hopfauf, and I’m the new Art Teacher at Washington. I grew up in Mandan, North Dakota. I am a graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. My past experiences include teaching kindergarten, first grade, and third grade. I have been the Traveling Art Teacher in the Janesville School District for the last five years.
My husband, Dwight, works in the hotel industry. My son, Jacob, is in his second year of college and loves the outdoors. My daughter, Mackenzie, is starting her second year in the film industry since graduating college. I love hiking, fishing, biking, kayaking, painting, and traveling. I am very excited to have your child in my art class and I am looking forward to a fantastic, creative year in the Art Studio.
Students will be investigating artmaking while developing creativity and innovation through drawing, painting, printmaking, using mixed media, creating sculptures, weaving, sewing, and using clay.
Why Art?
Art is everywhere! Art helps you form connections in Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, and Math. Art enhances and enriches all learning experiences. Create is the highest level of Bloom’s Taxonomy. Art teaches problem solving skills. It helps us learn about history and many cultures. Art helps us express ourselves. It is a great outlet for stress.
Art develops 21st Century Skills including curiosity, imagination, creativity, flexible thinking, independence, responsibility, problem solving, evaluative skills, experimentation, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. These core skills developed through art help empower students to meet the challenges of the global marketplace. I am committed to helping each student feel successful and welcome. Your support is incredibly valuable as students progress through the year.
If ever I can do more to support your child, please let me know. I cherish the opportunity in helping your child cultivate his/her creative, imaginative abilities and art skills. Artfully Yours, Lynn Hopfauf lynn.hopfauf@janesville.k12.wi.us 608-743-7243
PE News
Hello Washington Families, We started off the year in the gym by working on some cooperation games to get all the students used to working together. We then moved on to throwing/catching as well as kicking skills to make sure that the students learn the correct form and remember it. We are currently in the middle of our fitness unit and learning about the different parts of fitness and why they are important. After fitness we will go back to some team challenge games where they will have to think about team concepts and how they can work together. After that we will begin our floor hockey unit. We will end the trimester with some fitness activities using bosu balls. It has been a fun start to the year and I look forward to a great rest of the year. If you for any reason need to contact me you can do so at zachary.hutson@janesville.k12.wi.us or call at 608-743-7248. Zach Hutson
Schoolwide Title I Program Notice
As a school with a low-income rate of 56%, Washington School receives federal Title I funds to support the learning of all students through a Schoolwide Title I Program. Schoolwide programs serve all children in a school. All staff, resources, and classes are part of the overall schoolwide program. The purpose is to ensure all students, including those most in need, are positioned to meet the state's challenging academic standards.
Schoolwide Title I schools annually complete a needs assessment to identify the school’s strengths and areas for improvement in student achievement, develop strategies and action steps to address how the goals identified will be achieved, and evaluate and update the plan as needed. Schoolwide Title I schools are required to engage parents and families in the Title I planning and evaluation process as well as provide opportunities for parents and families to engage in supporting their child’s education. Parents of children enrolled in Title I schools have the right to Timely information about services provided; Access to a description of the curriculum, the forms of assessment used to measure student progress, and the achievement levels of challenging state standards; Opportunities or meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children upon their request;
Response to their suggestions in a timely manner. Copies of the Schoolwide Title I Plan and the Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy are available upon request. Please contact the school secretary at (743-7205) to request a copy.
Bullying prevention
The School District of Janesville Board of Education strives to provide an educational environment where every student feels safe, respected and welcomed. The Board also strives to provide an educational environment where every staff member can serve students in an atmosphere that is free from significant disruptions and obstacles that impede learning and performance. Bullying can have harmful social, physical, psychological and/or academic effects for those who engage in these behaviors, victims of such behaviors, and bystanders who observe acts of bullying.
The District prohibits any form of bullying behavior by students towards other students, school employees, volunteers, or any other person(s). Bullying includes aggressive or hostile behavior that is intentional and involves an imbalance of power between the bully and the bullied. Bullying is a form of victimization and is not necessarily a result of or part of an on-going conflict. Bullying is defined as any conscious, willful, or deliberate acts, or attempted acts, through the use of words, images, gestures or other physical actions, including electronically transmitted acts, that are intended to cause physical injury, emotional distress or property damage.
Bullying includes, but is not limited to, behaviors motivated by an actual or perceived distinguishing characteristic or factor including sex, race, national origin, ancestry, religion, color, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability.
Bullying may also be motivated by any other distinguishing factor such as gender identity, physical appearance, or social, economic or family status. Examples of acts of bullying include physical intimidation, force or assault, humiliation, sexual or racist remarks, extortion, verbal or written threats, taunting, put downs, name calling, threatening or menacing looks or gestures, spreading cruel rumors, and social exclusion.
This includes acts of cyber-bullying that involve sending or posting inappropriate, insulting or threatening messages or images through electronic communication systems such as the Internet, e-mail, cell phones or other personal devices. Bullying is prohibited on District grounds, at District-related activities, or on transportation to and from school or District-sponsored activities.
Harassing bullying behavior is prohibited in all educational environments, regardless of whether the facility or location is owned, leased, or otherwise used or provided by the District. Acts of bullying that originate off school premises and outside of the school’s control may be subject to the provisions of this policy and related procedures if the conduct is determined to be substantially disruptive to the educational process and the day-to-day operations of a school.
This includes, but is not limited to, threats made outside of school hours that communicate intent to be carried out during any school-related or school-sponsored program or activity, or on any vehicles used for transportation to and from school and school-sponsored activities. All complaints about bullying shall be promptly investigated. The District shall respect the privacy of the complainant, the individual(s) against whom the complaint is filed, and the witnesses as much as practicable and in a manner consistent with the Board’s legal obligations to investigate, take appropriate action, and conform to discovery or disclosure requirements.
Disclosure of information related to the complaint shall be made only to those with a legitimate need to know. All records generated as a result of the complaint and appeal processes shall be maintained as confidential to the extent permitted by law. If the investigation finds bullying has occurred, school officials shall take prompt and necessary action up to and including behavioral interventions and support, disciplinary action, and/or referral to law enforcement officials or social services.
Consequences shall be unique to the nature of the behavior, the developmental level of the student, and the history of problem behaviors. Remedial measures shall be designed to correct the problem behavior, prevent other occurrences, and protect the victim. The District shall also take appropriate action against any student or District employee who retaliates against any person who makes a good-faith report of alleged bullying or against any person who testifies, assists, or participates in an investigation or hearing related to such behavior.
Employees found to have facilitated or participated in bullying behavior against students or to have been aware that bullying was taking place and failed to report the behavior are considered to be in violation of the prohibition expressed by this policy and may be subject to disciplinary action. This policy shall be distributed annually to all students enrolled in the School District, parents/guardians, and all District employees. It shall also be distributed to organizations in the community having cooperative agreements with the schools.
The District shall provide a copy of the policy to any person upon request. Records shall be maintained on the number and types of reports made, and sanctions imposed for violations of this policy in accordance with established procedures. REF: State Statute 111.31 State Statute 115.28(31) State Statute 118.01(2)(d)8 State Statute 118.02(9t) State Statute 118.13 State Statute 118.155 State Statute 118.195 State Statute 118.20 State Statute 120.13(1) State Administrative Code PI 9 State Administrative Code PI 41 State Criminal Statutes 947.0125 State Criminal Statutes 947.013State Criminal Statutes 948.51(2) Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972 Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Civil Rights Act of 1991 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act CROSS REF: Board Policy 5020, Student Nondiscrimination Administrative Regulation 5020.1, Public Notification of Student Nondiscrimination Policy Administrative Regulation 5020.2, Student Discrimination Complaint Procedure Administrative Regulation 5020.3, Student Discrimination Incident Report Board Policy 5021, Sexual Harassment Administrative Regulation 5021.1, Complaint Procedures Relative to Sexual Harassment Administrative Regulation 6724.1, Guidelines/Use of Technology by Students and Staff Administrative Regulation 6724.2, Student Internet Access and Safe Use Board of Education Janesville, Wisconsin 2009; 2011, August 201
Child Find Notice
Upon request, the School District of Janesville is required to evaluate a child for eligibility for special education services. A request for evaluation is known as a referral. When the district receives a referral, the district will appoint an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to determine if the child has a disability, and if the child needs special education services. The district locates, identifies, and evaluates all children with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in private (including religious) schools, elementary schools and secondary schools located in the school district.
A student with a medically diagnosed disability is not automatically eligible for special education. An outside medical diagnosis is insufficient of special education eligibility. A student must be found eligible as a "child with a disability" under state and federal special education law. A student with a disability is one who requires specially designed instruction as a result of meeting the criteria for at least one of the identified disability categories under state and federal special education law.
A student cannot start receiving special education services without a full and individual comprehensive special education evaluation completed by the student's district. Outside evaluations and other information shared by the parent, such as medical diagnoses, are considered during the evaluation and may provide supporting or new information about the student's academic and functional skills important for determining the nature and extent of the student's disability and education needs. 34 CFR SS 300.8 and 300.301. Wis. Stat. § 115.76(5).
A physician, nurse, psychologist, social worker, or administrator of a social agency who reasonably believes a child brought to him or her for services is a child with a disability has a legal duty to refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides. Before referring the child, the person making the referral must inform the child's parent that the referral will be made. Others, including parents, who reasonably believe a child is a child with a disability may also refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides.
Referrals must be in writing and include the reason why the person believes the child is a child with a disability. A referral may be made by contacting Mrs. Kimberli Peerenboom, Director of Pupil Services, School District of Janesville, at 608-743-5061, or by writing her at 527 S. Franklin Street, Janesville, WI, 53548. Child Find Notice English Rev. 9/16/21 KRP
School district of Janesville confidentiality of personally identifiable information obtained through child find activities The School District of Janesville is required to locate, identify, and evaluate all children with disabilities, including children with disabilities attending private schools in the school district, and homeless children. The process of locating, identifying, and evaluating children with disabilities is known as child find.
This agency conducts the following child find activities each year in the form of Early Childhood and Speech and Language Developmental Screenings. This notice informs parents of the records the school district will develop and maintain as part of its child find activities. This notice also informs parents of their rights regarding any records developed. The school district gathers personally identifiable information on any child who participates in child find activities. Parents, teachers, and other professionals provide information to the school related to the child's academic performance, behavior, and health.
This information is used to determine whether the child needs special education services. Personally identifiable information directly related to a child and maintained by the school is a pupil record. Pupil records include records maintained in any way including, but not limited to, computer storage media, video and audiotape, film, microfilm, and microfiche. Records maintained for personal use by a teacher and not available to others and records available only to persons involved in the psychological treatment of a child are not pupil records.
The school district maintains several classes of pupil records."Progress records" include grades, courses the child has taken, the child's attendance record, immunization records, required lead screening records, and records of school extra-curricular activities. Progress records must be maintained for at least five years after the child ceases to be enrolled. "Behavioral records" include such records as psychological tests, personality evaluations, records of conversations, written statements relating specifically to the pupil's behavior, tests relating specifically to achievement or measurement of ability, physical health records other than immunization and lead screening records, law enforcement officers' records, and other pupil records that are not "progress records." Law enforcement officers' records are maintained separately from other pupil records.
Behavioral records may be maintained for no longer than one year after the child graduates or otherwise ceases to be enrolled, unless the parent specifies in writing that the records may be maintained for a longer period of time. The school district informs parents when pupil records are no longer needed to provide special education.
At the request of the child's parents, the school district destroys the information that is no longer needed. "Directory data" includes the student's name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, photographs, degrees and awards received, and the name of the school most recently previously attended by the student."Pupil physical health records" include basic health information about a pupil, including the pupil's immunization records, an emergency medical card, a log of first aid and medicine administered to the pupil, an athletic permit card, a record concerning the pupil's ability to participate in an education program, any required lead screening records, the results of any routine screening test, such as for hearing, vision or scoliosis, and any follow-up to the test, and any other basic health information, as determined by the state superintendent.
Any pupil record relating to a pupil's physical health that is not a pupil physical health is treated as a patient health care record under sections 146.81 to 146.84, Wisconsin Statutes. Any pupil record concerning HIV testing is treated as provided under section 252.15, Wisconsin Statutes. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and section 118.125, Wisconsin Statutes, afford parents and students over 18 years of age ("eligible students") the following rights with respect to education records: The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of receipt of the request.
Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal (or appropriate school official] a written request that identifies the records(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. The school district will comply with the request without unnecessary delay and before any meeting about an individualized education program, or any due process hearing, and in no case more than 45 days after the request has been made. If any record includes information on more than one child, the parents of those children have the right to inspect and review only the information about their child or to be informed of that specific information. Upon request, the school district will give a parent or eligible student a copy of the progress records and a copy of the behavioral records.
Upon request, the school district will give the parent or eligible student a list of the types and locations of education records collected, maintained, or used by the district for special education. The school district will respond to reasonable requests for explanations and interpretations of the records. A representative of the parent may inspect and review the records. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes is inaccurate or misleading. Parents or eligible students may ask [Name of] School District to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading.
They should write to the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the district decides not to amend the record, the district will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and the right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information in the student's education records, except to the extent that federal and state law authorize disclosure without consent.
The exceptions are stated in 34 CFR 99.31, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regulations; Sec. 9528, PL107-110, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and section 118.125(2)(a) to (m) and sub. (2m), Wisconsin Statutes. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosures to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the district has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Upon request, the district discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. Also the district discloses "directory data" without consent, unless the parent notifies the district that it may not be released without prior parental consent. The right to file a complaint with the U. S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-4605
December 2022 / January 2023
Washington Wavelength December 2022-January 2023
From the Principal:
Dear Washington Families, It’s been an exciting first trimester and the staff at Washington are very pleased and encouraged by the progress students have made thus far. Students have been working hard and have much to be proud of. We’re really enjoying working with them. As we enter the winter months, I wanted to share a few safety reminders with you. With snow on the ground and snow banks near the roads, it is especially important to drive with caution during drop off and pick up times. Please be sure you are parking only in the designated areas and at least 10 feet from crosswalks. Another thing to be aware of, when it comes to the winter weather, is that we regularly go outside for recess. We stay in for recess only when the temperature is below 0 degrees (including the wind chill). This also applies to letting students into the building before school. If the temperature is below zero, students are allowed in, but not before 8:05. Please consider this when dropping students off in the morning. Thank you for your ongoing support and your efforts to help keep students safe. We hope all of our students have a happy and safe winter break. Sincerely, Mr. Matt Peerenboom, Principal
Important Dates
December
- 7 - Scoopie Night
- 9 - No P4J
- 10 - Lego League Competition
- 22 - Winter Break begins
January
- 3 - School Resumes
- 13 - 2nd Friday Count Day
- 16 - MLK Jr. Day No School
- 19 - End of 1st Semester
- 20 - No School
- 27 - No P4J
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Traffic and Safety Reminders
Stop Drop and Go Area: Parking is not allowed in this area. Please make sure to go as soon as you have dropped your child off. If you feel more comfortable you can park your car outside of the Stop-Drop & Go area and walk your child to the appropriate area. The parking lot is not to be used for dropping off or picking up students before or after school. If you need to use the parking lot during school hours, please use the visitor parking stalls. Crosswalks: Please have your child use the designated crosswalks each time he/she is crossing the road. Please do not park within 10 feet of the crosswalks as this makes it difficult for crossing guards to see any oncoming traffic. Drive slowly around the school and be attentive.
Grade Level/Special Area News
P4J:
P4J enjoyed playing counting and number games at their Thanksgiving Celebration! Thank you to everyone who joined us! In December and January, we will be continuing to work on our fine motor skills of cutting, holding a pencil/crayon, picking up small items, and writing our names. Families can work on these skills at home as well by: lacing beads, making beaded or cheerio/fruit loop necklaces, playing with playdough, cutting, and writing names. We will also continue working on our counting and 1 to 1 correspondence. Playing board games at home can help with these skills and taking turns.
Kindergarten: Please make time during this busy month of December to complete your family project of the Polar Express train. The students and staff love to see all the different trains hanging in our kindergarten hallway! Please send your child every day with proper outdoor clothing for recesses. This includes a winter coat, hat, gloves, boots, and snow pants when the snow arrives. Kindergarteners should be working hard to be independent by dressing themselves in their winter gear and tying shoes as they are transferring from boots to shoes many times a day at school. Warm up to a good book this winter with your child! Reading to your child is a perfect opportunity to spend time together while practicing letter names, sounds, and sight words!
First Grade:
First Graders have been busy learners! Looking forward in reading, our themes include plants and how they change, folktales, long ago and today, and how we get our food. Our phonics skills will focus on the long vowel patterns. We will be writing an informational writing piece on an animal of choice. Please continue listening to your child read and practice the decodable stories that go home every day. In Math, we'll be continuing to work on addition and subtraction strategies. Colder weather is here! Please make sure your child is bringing gear for outdoor recess. Have a great holiday season!
Second Grade:
The second graders have been working so hard on finding text evidence and comprehending our second grade texts. We are very proud of how they are growing as readers. At the end of the month of December we will be taking part in a gingerbread man unit. We will be comparing and contrasting different versions of the story, as well as working on other English language arts skills. Your child will be bringing home a gingerbread person that as a family you will want to disguise so it won’t get eaten. Be as creative as you wish. We have had many clever disguises over the years. We will be working on our expository writing. The children will choose an animal they are interested in and outline their life cycle. They have done a great job learning about finding relevant details when researching, and are very excited about their writing. As second graders are beginning to do double digit addition and subtraction, it is essential that they have mastered and are fluent with their basic addition and subtraction facts through the sum of 20. Just reviewing a few minutes each night at home can help your child’s success. Are you ready for some cool weather? The winter season is here and it is important that our students have proper winter attire. You may want to use a second bag to bring their winter gear to and from school. It can be difficult to put snow pants as well as home folders in the backpacks.
Third Grade:
It’s hard to believe that we are finished with the first trimester! In math we are working on our 3-digit addition, subtraction, and rounding unit. Please continue to complete the math homework sheets. It’s a great way for your child to practice skills and show you the new strategies we are learning or practice previously learned skills. In reading, we are continuing to read stories from our Wonders reading series. Upcoming genres include expository text and folktale. This next trimester we will be focusing on many reading skills such as summarizing, personification, visualizing, theme, and character perspective, just to name a few. Please continue to have your child read each night. In writing, we will be focusing on opinion writing. In Social Studies we will be learning about Economics and in Science we will be learning about simple machines and magnets. Be sure to send your child with a hat and gloves each day as the weather gets colder and check folders each night.
Fourth Grade:
It is hard to believe that we are already nearing the end of the month of November! The fourth grade students are so busy that we didn't realize just how close we all are to another holiday break. Students have shared what they enjoy the most about their holiday celebrations and look forward to the upcoming days off with family and friends. Math and reading are keeping us working collaboratively with our classmates. Our earlier work on multiplication strategies has led to division and now fractions. Our current unit has students expanding their understanding of mixed numbers, improper fractions, and using visual models to identify equivalent fractions. Students began our second reading unit learning about what helps an animal survive. We discussed various animal's physical and behavioral adaptations. We worked on identifying the central idea in a passage and finding relevant details to support it. This week's reading selections come in the form of plays. Students discussed what happens when animal characters replace humans in familiar stories. Do they become more interesting? Are their actions reflective of our own? Students are learning to identify key characteristics of a play such as stage directions and understand how they help readers better understand the plot. We are also working on how to identify the theme or overall lesson an author wishes to communicate. Our latest unit in social studies is teaching students about the Native American culture in Wisconsin. They are learning about how many towns and cities are named after Native American words or phrases and which tribes still call Wisconsin their home today. Next week we will be comparing the first Thanksgiving to our own modern day versions. We have extended our study of animal adaptations into our science and writing classes. The fourth graders had very strong opinions about the topic of spiders! They really enjoyed reading about how spiders differ from insects and all of their unique features. Ask them what they remember about how many eyes spiders have and how they eat their food. One final note, please keep practicing multiplication facts and reading with your child at home. Every minute counts!
Fifth Grade:
Fifth grade will soon be starting, A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. This classic piece of literature will be presented in the form of a graphic novel which our students love to read. If you have the opportunity to watch one of the many versions that are available we would encourage you to do so with your student. We have just finished a unit on fractions in math and will be moving into decimals next. Your help is greatly appreciated in reviewing multiplication facts at home as multiplication is in many different standards of our math curriculum. In reading we will be studying different forms of poetry. As the weather turns cold it's always helpful for your student to have an extra sweater or hoodie in their lockers as some days our rooms are hot and other days they're cold.
Learning Commons:
STEAM IN THE LMC: 1st grade students wrapped up their Wonder's unit with an opportunity to be engineers as they explore different building materials, structures and the importance of working together. News: We welcomed Dewey the library fish to the LMC. We are monitoring his water conditions and will be dabbling in aquaponics Recap: The Literati book fair was a huge success. Thank you for coming out to support the library and contribute to the wonderful opportunities we provide our students. You can continue to purchase online throughout the year and we will have another fair in the spring. @literati.com/schoolbox Students in 1st-5th grades had an opportunity to attend a book-tasting event where they sampled different genres to discover new favorites. Reminders: Please keep student's books in their backpack so they always have them for their library day.
Counselor Connections:
Hello families! In our Connection lessons we have been learning all about our amazing brain.You may be hearing your children say new words like amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. I wanted to give you all a glimpse as to what we are learning so that you continue using and learning about these words outside of school as well. Amygdala: The amygdala reacts to fear, danger, and threat. Its job is to regulate our emotional state by acting as the brain’s security dog, alerting us to things that might make us feel unsafe and protecting us from threats. When a child is in a negative emotional state the amygdala prevents the brain from being able to do higher-level thinking and being able to make reasonable judgments. When the amygdala is in charge and we “flip our lid” we often respond with fight, flight, or freeze. Hippocampus: The hippocampus plays an important role in our learning, as this is the part of our brain that is a storage vault of our memories. Prefrontal Cortex: The prefrontal cortex is responsible for the learning, reasoning, and thinking in our brain, and it is really important in helping us make good choices. In our lessons, we often refer to this part of our brain as the lid. Learning about these important areas of our brain helps our children to understand how their brains respond to stress (flipping our lid) and how they can calm their minds and use their prefrontal cortex for thoughtful decision-making (putting our lid back on). We can help our children learn to put their lids back on by practicing mindful breathing, or what we call “breathing on purpose”. If you have any questions or concerns that I may help with, please email morgancasey-schm@janesville.k12.wi.us, call me at (608)743-7225, or via text at (608)561-1424.
Notes from the Music room:
5th Graders: 5th Grade continues to work on completing their packet for middle school music choice selection, where they are learning about instruments from band and orchestra, as well as singing and working on vocal skills. The students will be choosing which music class they will be taking in middle school by the middle of January, so watch for the official form for scheduling your child’s middle school classes. The students are reviewing and developing their recorder skills, focusing on B, A, and G pitches, and building a repertoire of songs they can play using those pitches. The recorder is a beginning Woodwind instrument similar to the clarinet, so this is helpful for students who are considering playing a woodwind instrument in band in 6th grade.
2nd 3rd and 4th Graders:
2nd, 3rd and 4th Graders will be beginning, or building on, their ukulele playing skills, moving from getting to know, and playing simple melodies on, the 4 strings to learning and playing chords to accompany some really fun songs, including some songs we hear on the radio! While we learn these ukulele skills we are continuing to develop our rhythm and pitch reading skills on the Treble Clef Staff, as well as learn more about harmony and Ostinatos and further developing our singing skills. It’s going to be Uke-a-riffic!!
Kindergarten and 1st Graders:
Kindergarten and 1st Graders will continue to work on reading and playing pitches G and E on the Music Staff using various melody instruments such as Boomwhackers and Xylophones, Metallophones, and Glockenspiels. We will be adding Pitch A as well. They will also continue to work on reading and playing rhythms and Ostinatos, which are music patterns that keep repeating over and over. The students will also get to try their hands at composing or writing their very own melodies which they will perform for the class. It’s all very exciting!
A Few Lines from Washington’s Art Studio:
Dear Families, Kindergarten and first grade students are working on creating turkeys with a focus on learning the different types of lines to use in creating works of art. Second grade is focused on learning about geometric and organic shapes with a crayon resist art piece. Third graders have been working very hard on creating dream catchers to go along with one of their reading stories. The students question me daily if they really work. Fourth grade students learned about facial proportions and how to correctly draw a face and facial features. They are now creating a self portrait collage. Fifth grade just finished their animated self portraits, Tim Burton style. They are fun to look at. Students are now moving into using a one point perspective to create their names which requires using a ruler and measuring. Students will be preparing to do a few seasonal art projects for the months of December through January while building on skills and meeting learning targets. The Fall projects will be sent home with students next week. May your holidays be safe and joyous! Artfully Yours, Lynn Hopfauf
PE News:
Hello again Washington families, It has been a great start of the year and the students are doing great in the gym. In the next couple months we will start by working on some tumbling/gymnastics skills before winter break, which then turns into a fun obstacle course that the students love to use. Then going into January we will start working on our rolling skills by starting our bowling unit. Last but not least we will be doing our second fitness unit of the year to work on some more learning about why it is important for our bodies. As always feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. zachary.hutson@janesville.k12.wi.us or call at 608-743-7248. Hope you all have a great winter. Zach Hutson.
Schoolwide Title I Program Notice:
As a school with a low-income rate of 56%, Washington School receives federal Title I funds to support the learning of all students through a Schoolwide Title I Program. Schoolwide programs serve all children in a school. All staff, resources, and classes are part of the overall schoolwide program. The purpose is to ensure all students, including those most in need, are positioned to meet the state's challenging academic standards.
Schoolwide Title I schools annually complete a needs assessment to identify the school’s strengths and areas for improvement in student achievement, develop strategies and action steps to address how the goals identified will be achieved, and evaluate and update the plan as needed. Schoolwide Title I schools are required to engage parents and families in the Title I planning and evaluation process as well as provide opportunities for parents and families to engage in supporting their child’s education. Parents of children enrolled in Title I schools have the right to Timely information about services provided; Access to a description of the curriculum, the forms of assessment used to measure student progress, and the achievement levels of challenging state standards; Opportunities or meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children upon their request;
Response to their suggestions in a timely manner. Copies of the Schoolwide Title I Plan and the Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy are available upon request. Please contact the school secretary at (743-7205) to request a copy.
Kick-Off to P4J
Enrollment for children who turn four years old on or before September 1, 2023. Saturday, February 11, 2023. Kick-Off to Enrollment will take place at the Educational Service Center at 527 S Franklin St, Janesville WI 53548. A Parent or Legal Guardian must attend the Enrollment Appointment. Enrollment will be done by appointment ONLY. Starting January 16, 2023 you can:
- Call to make a P4J enrollment appointment for our Kick-off date or later. For February 11th Kick-off appointments call 608-743-5038. For appointments needed after the kick-off date call 608-743-5011. 2. Pick up enrollment packet at the Educational Service Center at 527 S Franklin St, Janesville, WI. Documentation Needed For Your Appointment:
- Completed Enrollment Paperwork (will not be accepted prior to February 11, 2023) 2. Proof of Residency (copy of lease/purchase agreement or utility bill must be dated within the last 60 days)
- Guardian Identification (Drivers License/State ID)
- Child’s Immunization Records
- Child’s Birth Certificate.
If you live outside of the School District of Janesville you will need to apply for Open Enrollment. For P4J Questions contact Angela Lynch, P4J Coordinator, or Peggy Karleski, P4J Secretary Educational Services Center 527 S Franklin St. 608-743-5038
Kindergarten Enrollment: 2023-2024 School Year School District
Residents If you have a child turning 5 (five) years old prior to September 1, 2023 and they are not currently enrolled in a School District of Janesville Preschool for Janesville (P4J) or Early Childhood (EC) program it is time to enroll in the Janesville Public School District. Enrollment will take place from December 1, 2022, through December 15, 2022, at the Educational Services Center located at 527 S. Franklin St. (administration building) in the New Student Enrollment office by appointment only. Please call (608) 743-5011.
If you cannot attend during the enrollment period please make an appointment as soon as possible to enroll after December 15, 2022. Enrollment in the district is required for participation in orientation. When you enroll, you will need your child’s birth certificate, proof of residency (Utility bill, current term lease, or government issued statement), immunization records and photo identification.
The window for Requests for School Transfer/Placement within the School District (yellow forms) for incoming kindergarten students are available from December 1, 2022, through December 15, 2022, and should be submitted during the enrollment process. Forms are available at the schools for current students requesting a transfer. Current proof of residence and a photo ID are required when submitting a transfer request. If you have questions regarding this process contact Deen Hartley at 743-5152.
The status of requests will be determined by January 15, 2023 if they are turned in by December 15 th . If you have a student currently attending a school under a School Transfer/Placement within the School District, it does not automatically qualify your kindergarten student for attendance at the same school; however, siblings are generally assigned to the same school.
In order for your kindergarten student to attend the same school as a sibling, you must submit a request during the Kindergarten Enrollment time frame. If you know of a child in your neighborhood or from community activities that would be entering kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year, please pass this enrollment information on.
Non-District Residents: If you are a non-resident of the School District of Janesville and have a child turning 5 (five) years old prior to September 1, 2023 and would like your child to attend the School District of Janesville you must also apply for OPEN ENROLLMENT.
The timeline for Open Enrollment is February 7, 2023, to April 29, 2023. Currently open enrolled non-residents in a P4J or EC program do not need to re-apply. If you have questions regarding the Open Enrollment process, please contact Deen Hartley at 743-5152.
Request for School Transfer/Placement (Intra District Transfers) within the School District of Janesville Attendance Areas.
Due to Move:
If you move within the School District of Janesville during the school year and wish to remain at your current school, please ask the school office for a Request to Remain in Current School Following Move to New Attendance Area Form (blue). Complete the form and return it to the school office. Current proof of residence and a photo ID are required when submitting a transfer request.
Due to Parent Choice: If you wish to apply to have your student transferred/placed in another school within the district next school year (2023-2024), please ask the school office for a School Transfer/Placement Within the School District Form (yellow). Completed forms will be accepted from December 1 through December 15, 2022 only. Submit your Request for School Transfer/Placement Within the School District Form (yellow) to your home school attendance area office.
Current proof of residence and a photo ID are required when submitting a transfer request. Parents applying for a Request for School Transfer/ Placement Within the School District will be notified of approval or disapproval by January 15, 2023.
Parents applying for a Request for School Transfer/Placement Within the School District for incoming Kindergarten students will be notified of approval or non-approval after they have enrolled their child during the Kindergarten Enrollment period with the New Student Enrollment Office. If you have questions, please contact the school office of your home school attendance area.
Open Enrollment or Public School Choice:
If during the school year, you move outside the School District of Janesville and you wish to remain at your current school please contact the Open Enrollment Specialist at 743-5152 and request a tuition waiver form within two weeks of your move. This will allow you to be eligible to attend your current school for the remainder of the current year tuition free. To continue attending the School District of Janesville after the 2022-2023 school year, you will also need to complete an open enrollment application. Application instructions are provided to the School District of Janesville by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and should be available by late January 2023. This year applications will be accepted Monday, February 6, 2023, to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2022. If you have questions regarding Open Enrollment or Public School Choice, please contact the Open Enrollment Specialist at 743-5152
Child Find Notice
Upon request, the School District of Janesville is required to evaluate a child for eligibility for special education services. A request for evaluation is known as a referral. When the district receives a referral, the district will appoint an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to determine if the child has a disability, and if the child needs special education services. The district locates, identifies, and evaluates all children with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in private (including religious) schools, elementary schools and secondary schools located in the school district.
A student with a medically diagnosed disability is not automatically eligible for special education. An outside medical diagnosis is insufficient of special education eligibility. A student must be found eligible as a "child with a disability" under state and federal special education law. A student with a disability is one who requires specially designed instruction as a result of meeting the criteria for at least one of the identified disability categories under state and federal special education law.
A student cannot start receiving special education services without a full and individual comprehensive special education evaluation completed by the student's district. Outside evaluations and other information shared by the parent, such as medical diagnoses, are considered during the evaluation and may provide supporting or new information about the student's academic and functional skills important for determining the nature and extent of the student's disability and education needs. 34 CFR SS 300.8 and 300.301. Wis. Stat. § 115.76(5).
A physician, nurse, psychologist, social worker, or administrator of a social agency who reasonably believes a child brought to him or her for services is a child with a disability has a legal duty to refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides. Before referring the child, the person making the referral must inform the child's parent that the referral will be made. Others, including parents, who reasonably believe a child is a child with a disability may also refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides.
Referrals must be in writing and include the reason why the person believes the child is a child with a disability. A referral may be made by contacting Mrs. Kimberli Peerenboom, Director of Pupil Services, School District of Janesville, at 608-743-5061, or by writing her at 527 S. Franklin Street, Janesville, WI, 53548. Child Find Notice English Rev. 9/16/21 KRP
School district of Janesville confidentiality of personally identifiable information obtained through child find activities The School District of Janesville is required to locate, identify, and evaluate all children with disabilities, including children with disabilities attending private schools in the school district, and homeless children. The process of locating, identifying, and evaluating children with disabilities is known as child find.
This agency conducts the following child find activities each year in the form of Early Childhood and Speech and Language Developmental Screenings. This notice informs parents of the records the school district will develop and maintain as part of its child find activities. This notice also informs parents of their rights regarding any records developed. The school district gathers personally identifiable information on any child who participates in child find activities. Parents, teachers, and other professionals provide information to the school related to the child's academic performance, behavior, and health.
This information is used to determine whether the child needs special education services. Personally identifiable information directly related to a child and maintained by the school is a pupil record. Pupil records include records maintained in any way including, but not limited to, computer storage media, video and audiotape, film, microfilm, and microfiche. Records maintained for personal use by a teacher and not available to others and records available only to persons involved in the psychological treatment of a child are not pupil records.
The school district maintains several classes of pupil records."Progress records" include grades, courses the child has taken, the child's attendance record, immunization records, required lead screening records, and records of school extra-curricular activities. Progress records must be maintained for at least five years after the child ceases to be enrolled. "Behavioral records" include such records as psychological tests, personality evaluations, records of conversations, written statements relating specifically to the pupil's behavior, tests relating specifically to achievement or measurement of ability, physical health records other than immunization and lead screening records, law enforcement officers' records, and other pupil records that are not "progress records." Law enforcement officers' records are maintained separately from other pupil records.
Behavioral records may be maintained for no longer than one year after the child graduates or otherwise ceases to be enrolled, unless the parent specifies in writing that the records may be maintained for a longer period of time. The school district informs parents when pupil records are no longer needed to provide special education.
At the request of the child's parents, the school district destroys the information that is no longer needed. "Directory data" includes the student's name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, photographs, degrees and awards received, and the name of the school most recently previously attended by the student."Pupil physical health records" include basic health information about a pupil, including the pupil's immunization records, an emergency medical card, a log of first aid and medicine administered to the pupil, an athletic permit card, a record concerning the pupil's ability to participate in an education program, any required lead screening records, the results of any routine screening test, such as for hearing, vision or scoliosis, and any follow-up to the test, and any other basic health information, as determined by the state superintendent.
Any pupil record relating to a pupil's physical health that is not a pupil physical health is treated as a patient health care record under sections 146.81 to 146.84, Wisconsin Statutes. Any pupil record concerning HIV testing is treated as provided under section 252.15, Wisconsin Statutes. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and section 118.125, Wisconsin Statutes, afford parents and students over 18 years of age ("eligible students") the following rights with respect to education records: The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of receipt of the request.
Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal (or appropriate school official] a written request that identifies the records(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. The school district will comply with the request without unnecessary delay and before any meeting about an individualized education program, or any due process hearing, and in no case more than 45 days after the request has been made. If any record includes information on more than one child, the parents of those children have the right to inspect and review only the information about their child or to be informed of that specific information. Upon request, the school district will give a parent or eligible student a copy of the progress records and a copy of the behavioral records.
Upon request, the school district will give the parent or eligible student a list of the types and locations of education records collected, maintained, or used by the district for special education. The school district will respond to reasonable requests for explanations and interpretations of the records. A representative of the parent may inspect and review the records. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes is inaccurate or misleading. Parents or eligible students may ask [Name of] School District to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading.
They should write to the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the district decides not to amend the record, the district will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and the right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information in the student's education records, except to the extent that federal and state law authorize disclosure without consent.
The exceptions are stated in 34 CFR 99.31, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regulations; Sec. 9528, PL107-110, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and section 118.125(2)(a) to (m) and sub. (2m), Wisconsin Statutes. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosures to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the district has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Upon request, the district discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. Also the district discloses "directory data" without consent, unless the parent notifies the district that it may not be released without prior parental consent. The right to file a complaint with the U. S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-4605
February / March 2023
Washington Wavelength
February/March 2023
FROM THE PRINCIPAL:
Dear Washington Families,
We are all aware of the fact that literacy skills are the key to success in school and life beyond. Our primary goal at Washington is for all students to leave here with the skills necessary to be successful in the years ahead. Accordingly, we place a heavy emphasis on literacy skills, from the most basic foundational skills to higher-level critical reading and comprehension skills. We are also aware of the important role that parents, and families play in supporting student growth in reading. If you are wondering about some ways you can assist your child in developing their interest in reading and growing their skills, here are a couple of easy opportunities that we would encourage all families to consider. Washington School LMC. This is a way to purchase books for your child’s home library and it helps raise funds to purchase books for the school’s library.
You can purchase books online Literati: A fundraising opportunity for the using the following link https://efairs.literati.com/?school=washington-elementary-school-janesville-wi or books can be purchased in person at the book fair during March conferences.
Janesville Jets Reading Club:
The Janesville Jets and SSM Health have created a program to encourage kids to read on a regular basis. During the week of January 30th, information regarding this program was sent home with each Washington student. The program runs from February 6th through March 3rd. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued partnership and support in helping all Washington students learn and achieve at high levels. Included in this newsletter are some important dates to take note of, including the spring sing and parent-teacher conferences. Best Regards, Matt Peerenboom, Principal
Important Dates
- February 14 - PTA Meeting 5:30pm
- February 23 - End of 2nd Trimester
- February 24 - No School for Students
- March 1 - Conferences 4-7pm
- March 2 - Conferences - 8am - 7pm - No School for Students
- March 3 - No School for Students or Teachers
- March 10 - No P4J Classes
- March 14 - PTA Meeting 5:30pm
- March 17- Spring Sings
- KG - 8:45am
- 1st Gr - 9:45am
- 2nd Gr - 10:45am
- 4th Gr - 12:15pm
- 3rd Gr - 1:15pm
- 5th Gr - 2:15pm
- 20 - 24 - Spring Break - No School
- March 31 - No School for Students
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Traffic and Safety Reminders
Stop Drop and Go Area: Parking is not allowed in this area. Please make sure to go as soon as you have dropped your child off. If you feel more comfortable you can park your car outside of the Stop-Drop & Go area and walk your child to the appropriate area. The parking lot is not to be used for dropping off or picking up students before or after school. If you need to use the parking lot during school hours, please use the visitor parking stalls. Crosswalks: Please have your child use the designated crosswalks each time he/she is crossing the road. Please do not park within 10 feet of the crosswalks as this makes it difficult for crossing guards to see any oncoming traffic. Drive slowly around the school and be attentive.
Grade Level/Special Area News
P4J
P4J Students have been working on recognizing letters and practicing letter sounds. We have been naming the letters in our names and writing our names. In February and March, we will focus on Valentines, Dental Health, Dr. Suess stories and rhymes, and St. Patrick's Day. We will be continuing to work on our fine motor skills of cutting, holding a pencil/crayon, picking up small items, and writing our names. Families can work on these skills at home as well by lacing beads, making beaded or cheerio/fruit loop necklaces, playing with playdough, cutting, and writing names. We will also continue working on our counting and 1 to 1 correspondence. Playing board games at home can help with these skills and also helps students practice taking turns.
Kindergarten
February is a busy month celebrating Groundhog’s Day, the 100th Day of School, Valentine’s Day, and Children’s Dental Health Month! Also, in February we will be completing assessments for trimester 2. Please continue to practice and review – counting, number recognition, shapes, letters, sounds, words, and tying shoes. For Valentine’s Day, we will be doing activities in the classroom. This year we are able to give out Valentines. Please refer to the Valentine note that came home. Please be sure your child is dressed for winter. Snow pants and boots are a MUST in order to play in the snow. All students go outside unless it is below zero.
First Grade
Happy New Year! First graders are working hard in this new year on reading, writing, and math. We want to remind you to please listen to your child read their decodable stories each night at home. Practicing rereading these passages for 10-15 minutes will reap huge rewards in their reading success! In math we will be working on using single digit addition, in which we are fluent in, to then solve larger addition facts. Place value will also be a focus in the upcoming weeks. Just a reminder to send dry shoes in your child's backpack when they wear boots to school. They also need athletic shoes on days we have PE. Thank you for your support!
Second Grade
During the next several weeks, our second graders will be reading a variety of genres. Through this literature, we will integrate our social studies program into our reading. The students will become more adept at using the variety of text features to improve their understanding of non-fiction material. The children will be writing opinion pieces, focusing on their favorite season. In math, the children have enjoyed our measuring unit and are getting quite good at estimating distances. Our next focus will be on place values. We will be exploring values to 1,000 as well as place value
with money. Continue to be on the lookout for math home connections that are sent home two to three times a week. Please check with your child that they have all the necessary tools to do their work in the classroom. We are about halfway through the school year and many students are in need of working headphones, crayons and dry erase markers. Continue to encourage your child to come to school with the proper winter attire. We have found it helps when they bring their winter gear to and from school in a separate bag. It can be difficult to put snow pants as well as home folders in the backpacks
Third Grade
A “few” things from Third Grade! In math we are busy learning about fractions, division, and our geometry unit is coming up. Please continue to complete the weekly math homework sheets. In reading we will be reading realistic fiction, expository texts and poetry (narrative, free verse and haiku.) Our reading skills are focusing on finding text evidence, explaining different characters’ perspectives and how one or more characters develop throughout the plot, figurative language, theme and text features. In writing we will be finishing up our persuasive writing and getting into writing expository texts while doing some research to support our central idea. In Science we are just finishing up our simple machines and magnets unit and will have some STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) lessons in the library area, with Mrs. Miller, to further understand the Engineering Design Process. In trimester 3 we will be learning more about
ecosystems. In Social Studies, we will be learning about Janesville’s history. Students love this unit, and each year they are amazed by the history we have right here! We are also getting started with our preparation for the Forward Wisconsin state testing. More information will be shared at conferences. In the meantime, continue to read 15 -20 minutes each night. We look forward to seeing you at conferences and sharing more about your child’s successes!
Fourth Grade
Students in grade 4 have been working on different strategies to help them solve larger addition and subtraction problems. They built on what they learned about addition in the first weeks after the holiday break and shifted their focus to subtraction. We utilize problem strings and story problems to help students better understand which strategy might be the most useful to them based on the problem they are addressing. Our goal is to find a strategy that they not only feel comfortable and confident in using, but also one that is the most efficient. Social Studies and reading classes have often overlapped. For example, this week students focused their attention on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his lifetime accomplishments. They were able to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement and his tireless efforts to realize his dream of equality between all people. In reading, our texts centered on biographies of other individuals contributing to the end of segregation in the United States.
Fifth Grade
In fifth grade we have been busy and are always onto the next thing! In math, we just finished up our unit on decimals, and now transitioning into a unit on multiplying and dividing fractions. In reading, we are finishing up expository texts and will soon be moving on to reading biographies. In writing, students will be using what they learned in reading to apply that to their own expository writings, and then also complete a research project for a biography as well! In social studies we finished up our unit on the colonial times and are now moving to the Revolutionary war; and in science we are working on a unit about force and motion. In a few weeks we will also begin working on a biztown unit that will set us up for Biztown in April, more information about that will follow later! It's hard to believe how far into the year we are but we look forward to seeing you at conferences in the beginning of March!
Learning Commons
The book fair is back with a Secrets of the Sea theme. Our online companion fair found at: efairs.literati.com will open 3-4 weeks before our fair to get a head start at a deep dive into reading. Sneak peek book trailers here: K-3 , 4-6 March 1st & 2nd.
Counselor Connections
Hello families! We have begun learning in our Second Step curriculum. Throughout the year, your child may be bringing home Home Links that go with several of the Second Step lessons. Home Links are simple, fun activities for you and your child to complete together. They are a great way for you to understand what your child is learning and for your child to show you what he or she knows. If you have any questions about the Second Step program, please do not hesitate to contact me for more information. Thank you for supporting your child in learning the skills that lead to success in school and in life. Go online to SecondStep.org and log in with the activation key CPUK FAMI LYGK to get more information about what your child is learning in the Second Step program. Thank you for helping us to make our school a safe and supportive place where everyone can learn! If you have any questions about what we will be learning, or would like more information, please do not hesitate to reach out to me atmorgancasey-schm@janesville.k12.wi.us, call me at (608)743-7225, or via text at (608)561-1424.
Notes from the Music room
5th Graders:
The 5th grade students finished their instrument packets, and the students who are interested in taking band or orchestra in 6th grade were able to work with a middle school band and orchestra teacher to try out some of those instruments. Then they filled out their schedule for middle school!! So exciting!! They are finishing up their recorder unit by composing 4-measure melodies in a range from Middle C up to 4th space
D that they will perform for the rest of the class on their recorders. The students could choose to work on their own or with a partner for this composition assignment. They really had to focus on their Treble Clef Staff reading skills, as well as their rhythm skills in order to complete this assignment, and they also honed in on their recorder playing skills. Starting in February, the students will be choosing 7 or 8 popular songs to perform in their upcoming performance in March. The students will be able to sing solos or with a small group, as well as assist in writing introductions for the songs and introducing them for the show. We will also work some instrument performing into the performance, as well. **5th Grade Performance will take place on Friday, March 17!!** Save the date!
4th Grade:
The 4th graders have been finishing up with ukuleles and chords, playing along with songs like, “Best Day of My Life” and “Thunder.” They have been reviewing and applying Dynamics (volume) and the Italian words we use for that in music as they played along with songs. We will begin working on the Recorders, which are beginning woodwind instruments. The students will begin working on their “Pirates 2: The Hidden Treasure” musical in February, learning the songs and auditioning for and memorizing speaking parts and singing solos. We will work some instruments into the musical, as well. The students are excited to begin learning the show! **The 4th Grade Performance will take place Friday, March 17th!** Save the date!
2nd & 3rd Grade:
These students have been learning chords on the ukuleles and have learned to accompany several fun songs, including songs you can hear on the radio! They have recently been reviewing several Italian words that are used in music that have to do with Dynamics (volume) and Tempo (speed of the beat). They are learning a game that is similar to the Hot and Cold game, and it uses Crescendo (gradually getting louder) and Decrescendo (gradually getting quieter) to let the person know whether or not they are close to the item they are supposed to be finding. The students are loving this game! They also honed in on their Treble Clef Staff-reading and rhythm-reading skills when they learned the song they need to sing when they play the game. The 2nd and 3rd graders will be performing a musical in March and will begin learning the songs and the speaking parts and solos for these shows beginning in February. The students are very excited to get started on their shows! **The Performances are Friday, March 17th** Save the date!
Kindergarten & 1st Grade:
Kindergarteners and 1st Graders have been learning about Guido d’Arezzo, who was a monk living in a monastery in a small Italian village and developed the music staff, which is the system on which we write music notes, as well as the music scale and solfége, which is Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, and Ti. This is why we still use so many Italian words in music today. The students learned six Italian words that have to do with the volume or Dynamics of music. We sang songs and used our voices to sing the words according to what they mean, as well as used motions to help us remember the meaning. They have just begun learning some Italian words that have to do with Tempo or the speed of the Beat. Ask your children to sing these songs to you or tell you some of the Italian words they have learned! These students have also been busy finishing up their E, G, and F compositions on the music staff that we started working on before winter break. The students will perform their compositions for their classmates as soon as everyone has completed their musical masterpieces! These kindergarten and 1st grade students will begin learning their spring musicals as February begins! We will become fish and sea creatures for our upcoming shows. They are getting ready to sing and dance and learn their parts as we prepare for these performances! **The performances will take place on Friday, March 17th!** Save the date!
A Few Lines from Washington’s Art Studio
Dear Families, I am very excited to announce that the Square 1 Art Fundraiser is back this year! The money raised goes back to your child in the form of purchased art supplies for Washington students. Students are creating a very special art masterpiece that you may purchase on unique gifts and keepsakes to enjoy for a lifetime. Every order made will help you preserve the special memories of your child’s creative growth in a fun and inspiring way! You may want to share your child’s awesome art with family or friends for fun or for special occasions such as birthdays, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day. Student artwork will be shipped to the Square 1 Art Company February 6th and returned back to us by February 22nd. Order catalogs will be sent home February 23rd along with student artwork, and a free sticker page with their artwork on it .Families place all orders online by scanning the code on the catalog. All items will be shipped directly to your house. Orders should arrive approximately 2-3 weeks from the order date. All orders must be placed online by March 3rd.Our Washington community looks forward to an amazing fundraiser with Square 1 Art! Sincerely, Lynn Hopfauf Washington Art Educator
PE News
Hello Washington Families, We have been having fun in the gym learning new skills and getting better at ones that we have already used before. In these next couple months we will be starting to work on some volleying skills with volleyball, dribbling skills with basketball, rollerblading in the gym, and learning about the heart and how it works. We will be rollerblading between February 20 to March 3, if you would like to have your student bring in their own helmet and other safety equipment that is okay but it is not required. I will be sending out more information in the coming weeks to remind everyone as well. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me zachary.hutson@janesville.k12.wi.us or call at 608-743-7248.
Kick-Off to P4J Enrollment
for children who turn four years old on or before September 1, 2023. Saturday, February 11, 2023 Kick-Off to Enrollment will take place at the Educational Service Center at 527 S Franklin St, Janesville WI 53548. A Parent or Legal Guardian must attend the Enrollment Appointment. Enrollment will be done by appointment ONLY.Starting January 16, 2023 you can: 1. Call to make a P4J enrollment appointment for our Kick-off date or later. For February 11th Kick-off appointments call 608-743-5038. For appointments needed after the kick-off date call 608-743-5011. 2. Pick up enrollment packet at the Educational Service Center at 527 S Franklin St, Janesville Documentation Needed For Your Appointment: 1. Completed Enrollment Paperwork (will not be accepted prior to February 11, 2023) 2. Proof of Residency (copy of lease/purchase agreement or utility bill must be dated within the last 60 days) 3. Guardian Identification (Drivers License/State ID) 4. Child’s Immunization Records 5. Child’s Birth Certificate If you live outside of the School District of Janesville you will need to apply for Open Enrollment. For P4J Questions contact Angela Lynch, P4J Coordinator, or Peggy Karleski, P4J Secretary Educational Services Center 527 S Franklin St. 608-743-5038
April / May / June 2023
washington Wavelength
April / May / June 2023
FROM THE PRINCIPAL:
Dear Washington Families, As we are closing in on the month of May, I’m finding it hard to believe how fast the year has gone by. It’s been such a pleasure working with the Washington students this year and we are incredibly impressed by the growth they have made. As hard as it is to see the year come to a close, it brings us great joy to reflect on the progress students have made over the course of the year. They've worked hard and are continuing to do so during the WI State Forward Exam, which will be concluding this week. We are proud of their efforts and know that each child has done his or her best. Spring is always a busy time of year and in this newsletter, you will notice several important dates and upcoming events. As the school year winds down, you can expect more information coming home with your child about these activities and more. In closing, I would like to thank Washington’s PTA for all of their contributions to the Washington School community, the support they have provided to promote learning, and the fun events they have planned for our students to enjoy. Your time and energy is greatly appreciated and helps to make Washington a great place for students to learn. I would also like to thank all of our parents and families for your ongoing support and involvement this year. The partnership between school and families is crucial to the success of each child we serve. Thank you for all you do and I hope you have a wonderful summer. Sincerely, Matt Peerenboom, Principal In case you missed it, here is a link to the grade level musical performances in March: Link
Important Dates
April 6 and 7 – No School
April 11 – PTA Meeting 5:30pm
April 12 - 5th Grade Field Trip to BizTown
April 13 - FRC Family Dinner 5:30 – 7pm
April 14 – PTA Movie Night 6pm
April 17 – Culver’s Scoopie Night 4 -8pm
April 21 - No P4J Classes
May 4 – 3rd Grade Field Trip to Tallman House
May 9 – 2nd Grade Field Trip to JSOL - pm
May 12 – No P4J Classes
May 23 – 5th Grade Track Meet – am
May 24 – 4th Grade Track Meet – am
May 25 – PTA Ice Cream Social – 5-7pm
May 26 – Track Meet Rain Date
May 29 – Memorial Day – No School
June 6 – Kindergarten, 2nd Grade and 3rd Grade Field Trip to Palmer Park
June 7 – Last Day of School
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Traffic and Safety Reminders
Stop Drop and Go Area: Parking is not allowed in this area. Please make sure to go as soon as you have dropped your child off. If you feel more comfortable you can park your car outside of the Stop-Drop & Go area and walk your child to the appropriate area. The parking lot is not to be used for dropping off or picking up students before or after school. If you need to use the parking lot during school hours, please use the visitor parking stalls. Crosswalks: Please have your child use the designated crosswalks each time he/she is crossing the road. Please do not park within 10 feet of the crosswalks as this makes it difficult for crossing guards to see any oncoming traffic. Drive slowly around the school and be attentive.
Grade Level/Special Area News
Early Childhood
Our classroom consists of our youngest learners that are three and four years old and have been identified as being a child with a disability. Our classroom has a special education teacher as well as an assistant special education teacher. Throughout our sessions, many other specialists come to work with the children, including speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, vision therapist and mobility specialist. Skills that we work on in the early childhood classroom include increasing language knowledge with nursery rhymes, strengthening our motor growth by stretching, reaching, crossing midline on our bodies, increasing balance, getting our fingers and eyes ready for reading by increasing their strength and stamina, and increasing the amount of time that we stay engaged in tasks not of our choosing, becoming more independent and tolerating transitions and regulating our feelings.
The brains of our youngest learners are busy making connections and organizing those connections, which will become the foundation of all further learning. Even a child’s play is helping the architecture of the brain. When we talk back and forth to our children, we are helping with making those connections in the brain. In the early childhood classroom, we love getting our hands dirty. We have many different sensory bins that go with our various themes. We love playdough but also explore slime, putty, noodles, shells, rice, sand, water, and shaving cream.
P4J
P4J students have been working hard on recognizing letters and naming their sounds. We have also been practicing some problem-solving skills and ways to calm down when we have big feelings. Throughout April and May, we will continue to focus on letter recognition, letter sounds, number recognition, and counting, writing our names independently, and practicing our problem-solving skills.
Kindergarten
It is really hard to believe we are approaching the end of our kindergarten year! We have learned so much this year and we will continue all the way until the very end! Here is a list of things that first grade teachers want their future first graders to be able to do in the fall: writing his/her own name neatly with an uppercase letter at the beginning and lowercase letters for the rest, knowing alphabet letters and sounds, counting and number recognition, reading consonant-vowel-consonant words AND tying his/her own shoes. This summer, please consider sending your child to Washington for Getting Ready for First Grade during summer school. It is a great opportunity for students to continue on skills taught during the school year, see friends, and receive a free breakfast and lunch! Summer school will be from June 12- July 7.
First Grade
First graders are working hard! Our reading themes for the end of the year integrate science topics such as classifying and categorizing, up in the sky, inventions and inventors, sound, and how things get built. Decodable books will continue to come home each week. Please remember to listen to your child read these stories to help them practice their word knowledge and fluency. In Math we are working on place value and continuing to focus on addition and subtraction strategies. Kids are also working to tell time on digital and analog clocks to the hour and half hour. Spring weather is unpredictable. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately each day for the weather.
Second Grade
It is hard to believe we are closing in on the end of the year. In reading, we will focus on comprehension and fluency skills. Please continue to practice the weekly sight words and read with your child each night. The end of the year will find us studying measurement, fractions, multi-digit computation and place value in math. Please continue to work with your child on the homework and games sent home. During this trimester we have been working on biographies. We will be studying Helen Keller and Bessie Coleman. Then students will be writing their own biography. We will be taking students on a trip to the JSOL in May. This will be a way to extend our learning of plants and animals in science. Look for more information to be coming closer to the date. We have enjoyed having your children this year. We are so proud of how they have risen to meet the many challenges we faced and the growth they have made. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Third Grade
Wow! We can’t believe it’s already Trimester 3! It was great to be able to talk to parents at conferences and share what we are doing in class. 3rd grade students have been busy preparing for their first time taking the state testing. They have been working very hard. In math we are continuing to work on multiplication/division, perimeter/area, telling time, geometry, and fractions. In reading we are continuing to learn more about fiction and nonfiction stories. In writing we are working on a variety of pieces and our main focus for the trimester is writing informational pieces and a research project. In Science we will be learning about weather and ecosystems. We will be learning about Janesville’s history in Social Studies. We will be going on a field trip to the Tallman House and Frances Willard School house. Be on the lookout for more information later this Spring!
Fourth Grade
Fourth graders are busy getting ready for Forward testing. They are especially excited to be able to use a Chromebook. In addition to our regular class work we have been taking time to discuss testing expectations and strategies. Students have engaged in practice tests in the areas of ELA, science, social studies, and mathematics. Students are able to familiarize themselves with the type of content the tests will cover and learn how to better navigate through questions that might not be as easy for them to answer. Please help your student get a good night's rest so that they can do their best work on each and every test! Students in this grade level will be continuing to work on multiplication and division strategies, studying line plots to analyze data, as well as practicing how to convert fractions to decimals. In social studies we continue learning about Wisconsin's early heritage. Our studies are taking us on a historical journey from being just a territory to becoming a state. Class discussions focus on Wisconsin's three major economic enterprises of manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. Students will create booklets identifying Wisconsin state symbols, cultural traditions, government structure, historical landmarks, mapping major cities and bodies of water as well as identifying individuals that played a significant role in the development of our state. In science we will begin a unit on rocks and minerals followed by forms of energy. Our WIN groups are continuing to enjoy their novel studies groups. They are developing essential reading comprehension and critical thinking skills and remain excited and engaged in peer discussions. Our classes are very much looking forward to participating in the city-wide track meet at Monterey Stadium in May. They will be able to compete against fourth graders from other schools in Janesville in track and field events. More detailed information will be provided as we get closer to the big day!
Fifth Grade
It's crazy to think the school year is almost over! Students have really been working hard and that is not stopping with the end of the year. We are working on state testing which everyone is doing their best on, and it's very encouraging to see such hard work! Soon we will be going to BizTown which will give students a taste of having a job and bank account. Everyone is so excited for their job and to have a little taste of "adulthood". In math we are starting geometry and will end the year with surface area and graphing. In social studies we are finishing up the Revolutionary war and then will end the year with the Civil war. In reading we are working with expository texts about space, which is always a fun concept to explore. Finally, in writing we will wrap up the year with a personal narrative and get to see how much these students have really grown this year! At the end of May we have the annual track meet and that will be a great way to end our year!
Learning Commons
The school year is flying by and before you know it our shelves will be closing down for the end of the year. Please be sure to stay on top of returning your library books. Come May we need them all tucked away nicely and neatly for inventory and are always super sad to add any books to our lost or reorder lists for the following year. Thanks!
Counselor Connections
Hello families! We have begun focusing on friendships and bullying in our Counselor Connection Lessons. Throughout these lessons we will do activities that encourage classroom community, problem solving, and review of rules that help all of our students to feel safe and respected while at school. And we need your help, too! Get involved in making our school a safe and respectful place by letting us know if you hear about bullying at our school. Make sure your child knows to tell you or someone at school if he or she is being bullied. And give your child the clear message that it is never okay to bully others. If you have any questions about the Bullying Prevention Unit or the Second Step program, please contact me. For more information on our school’s anti-bullying policy and specific procedures, check our school website or contact the school office. Thank you for helping us make our school a safe, respectful place where everyone can learn. If you have any questions about what we will be learning or would like more information, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you, Morgan Casey-Schmidt Washington School Counselor morgan.casey-schm@janesville.k12.wi.us Office: (608) 743-7225 Cell & Text: (608) 561-1424
Notes from the Music room
5th Graders:
As the last few months of the school year are upon us, and the 5th graders will be completing the last classes of their elementary school careers, they will be continuing to explore the various elements of music on various classroom instruments and with their voices. I also want to give them all a Huge shout-out for their performance they gave right before spring break. They really pulled it together as an entire 5th grade group, and they Rocked it!! I loved seeing and hearing all of the musical talents the students are gifted with, and it was a pleasure putting on this show with them! The students will review their recorder compositions they wrote before we began working on their show, and they will practice and perform them for me. They will then review piano skills and perform songs, requiring keyboard knowledge, as well as rhythm and pitch-reading skills. We will play fun musical games and explore other classroom instruments as we home in on all of the musical concepts they have learned about.
4th Grade:
Now that the 4th grade’s fabulous performance of, “Pirates 2!” is over, the 4th graders will be reviewing their musical compositions they finished right before we started learning our show. They will rehearse and then perform them on Xylophones, Metallophones, and Glockenspiels. They will then move on to work on everyone’s favorite beginning woodwind instrument, the Recorder! This will combine several musical skills while they learn proper holding and fingering placement in order to play the instrument. Learning how to blow softly with warm, gentle breath is also so important for them to play sweet, gentle sounds instead of loud, squeaking noises. This skill takes time, as does learning the tonguing technique needed to correctly separate each sound as they play. The students will continue to work on the recorder at the beginning of 5th grade. After the short introduction to the Recorder, they will continue to work on their piano skills and pick up where they left off at the end of last school year, not only working on their knowledge of the keys, but reading pitches on the Treble Clef Staff and reading and playing rhythms.
3rd Grade:
As the 3rd grade’s spectacular performance of “Arf!” is at its end, they will begin a keyboard unit to finish out the school year. While learning how the keys work related to the music alphabet and how to play basic piano songs, they will be reviewing Treble Clef Staff pitch-reading, rhythmic skills, work on their fine-motor skills, and also review different dynamics as they play. We will also play some fun musical games and continue working on our vocal skills and different voice parts, as well as harmony.
2nd Grade:
Now that their amazing performance of “Go Fish!” is over, and the students did a fabulous job performing and showing off their musical and acting skills, we will get back to performing their E, G, A compositions on xylophones, metallophones, and Glockenspiels for the rest of the class. We will work on demonstrating knowledge of form and rhythm on various instruments, as well as texture and different ways we express meanings through music. The first graders will be hearing the story of “Peter and the Wolf” as we discuss how music and musical themes are used to help tell a story. The 4 families of instruments will be discussed and practiced through the story, and then they will demonstrate their knowledge of different instruments’ timbres, or unique sounds, by playing “Peter and the Wolf” Bingo at the end of this unit.
1st Grade:
Now that their amazing performance of “Go Fish!” is over, and the students did a fabulous job performing and showing off their musical and acting skills, we will get back to performing their E, G, A compositions on xylophones, metallophones, and Glockenspiels for the rest of the class. We will work on demonstrating knowledge of form and rhythm on various instruments, as well as texture and different ways we express meanings through music. The first graders will be hearing the story of “Peter and the Wolf” as we discuss how music and musical themes are used to help tell a story. The 4 families of instruments will be discussed and practiced through the story, and then they will demonstrate their knowledge of different instruments’ timbres, or unique sounds, by playing “Peter and the Wolf” Bingo at the end of this unit.
Kindergarten:
Now that their big show is over, and they did a fabulous job on their performance, we will be working on rhythm as the students learn to play Rhythm Bingo with 4-beat rhythms using Quarter Notes, Quarter Rests, and combined Eighth Notes. The students will perform their E,G, compositions on Xylophones, Metallophones, and Glockenspiels for the class, and we will be working on Form, noticing different parts of a song and looking for patterns. The kindergartners will hear the story of “Mortimer” and discuss how music is used to help tell a story, and they will be adding music to the story using various classroom instruments as we read and bring the story to life with music. We will continue to explore different types of instruments, rhythms, texture, and melody as we finish out the school year.
A Few Lines from Washington’s Art Studio
Dear Families, A special shout out to all the Washington artists for their hard work on the beautiful masterpieces they created for the Square 1 Art fundraiser! A very appreciative thank you goes out to all the families that ordered artwork for the Square1 Art fundraiser and made it so successful! Your support makes a difference and the money raised will go back to the students in the form of art supplies. Once everyone receives their orders, Washington will be given a check for a percentage of the total amount of money raised. It looks like so far that we have exceeded the goal amount
Way to go!!! Artfully Yours, Lynn Hopfauf Washington Elementary Art Educator
PE News
Hello Washington Families,
K-1
In the younger grades we are going to practice using long handled implements by starting off with pool noodles to practice hitting and eventually trying out badminton. In May our 4th and 5th grade students have a track meet and I will have every grade practice the events just so they know what they will be doing as they get older and have their chance to compete at the track meet. While the older students continue to practice track events the students will be getting some time outside to work on throwing frisbees and doing other activities that need more space than we have indoors.
Grades 2-3
We will be practicing using long handled implements using lacrosse sticks and badminton throughout April. In May we will practice track events that they will be competing in coming years when they are in the grades 4 and 5. While our older grades are still practicing for their track meet I will take the students outside and let them practice golf as well as throwing frisbees and trying out frisbee golf.
Grades 4-5
In April we will be trying out both badminton and lacrosse, and if there is time using short rackets for pickleball or tennis. In May we will start practicing for the track meet, which is May 23rd for 5th grade and May 24th for 4th grade, both in the morning. While we practice for the track meet the students will get to pick which events they would like to compete in. After we are done with the track meet I will take the students outside to try using the golf clubs. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me. zachary.hutson@janesville.k12.wi.us or call at 608-743-7248.
Kick-Off to P4J Enrollment
for children who turn four years old on or before September 1, 2023. Saturday, February 11, 2023 Kick-Off to Enrollment will take place at the Educational Service Center at 527 S Franklin St, Janesville WI 53548. A Parent or Legal Guardian must attend the Enrollment Appointment. Enrollment will be done by appointment ONLY. Starting January 16, 2023 you can: 1. Call to make a P4J enrollment appointment for our Kick-off date or later. For February 11th Kick-off appointments call 608-743-5038. For appointments needed after the kick-off date call 608-743-5011. 2. Pick up enrollment packet at the Educational Service Center at 527 S Franklin St, Janesville Documentation Needed For Your Appointment: 1. Completed Enrollment Paperwork (will not be accepted prior to February 11, 2023) 2. Proof of Residency (copy of lease/purchase agreement or utility bill must be dated within the last 60 days) 3. Guardian Identification (Drivers License/State ID) 4. Child’s Immunization Records 5. Child’s Birth Certificate If you live outside of the School District of Janesville you will need to apply for Open Enrollment. For P4J Questions contact Angela Lynch, P4J Coordinator, or Peggy Karleski, P4J Secretary Educational Services Center 527 S Franklin St. 608-743-5038
Summer School
Summer School registration is here! RIGHT NOW, families can visit the summer school page (https://www.janesville.k12.wi.us/departments/summer-school) on the district's website to create an account they will need for registration. Then, at 4:30 p.m. MONDAY, APRIL 3, course selection will go LIVE ... allowing families to pick their classes for the summer. A friendly heads-up: Some classes fill up very quickly. By creating your account now, you will be all set to select classes when they go live at 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 3. We look forward to seeing your students for some fun summer learning!