PES Family Blog, March 2026

 Poynette Elementary School Staff are:

"Leaders in providing a positive, successful, and safe environment for ALL"

so our students can say,

"We are Pumas! I am learning and growing every day."

___________________________________________________________________________________

Kindness Assembly! 

On Friday, February 27th, we wrapped up our February Kindness activities with an assembly. We were joined by volunteers from the Poynette Food Pantry. Diane Tessmer, Ruthann and Melvin Waugh, along with Tom and Clara Gilles came and picked up all of the items that were donated. Our students brought in almost 1,000 items for the food pantry to show kindness to our community and to also celebrate the 100th day of school. We aspire to show kindness every day, but it was nice to have some fun and positive activities for our students to participate in during the month of February.

Scholastic Book Fair This Week!

Our wonderful PAD parent club is again running a Scholastic Book Fair this Spring during conferences. It runs from Monday, March 2nd through Thursday, March 5th.  Monday through Wednesday it will be open from 3:10-7PM, and Thursday will be from 1:30-7PM. The Book Fair will be held in the Poynette Elementary School STEAM area.

Conference Information 

• We do have conferences coming rather quickly on Thursday, March 5th. We will begin dismissing students at 1:00 p.m. so the buses can get to the MS/HS by 1:15 p.m. These are scheduled conferences and many have been signed up already.
• If you would like a conference please sign-up, and our teachers will honor it.
• If a teacher has requested a conference, we would really encourage you to attend.
• If you have any questions or need assistance with signing up, please call the school office.

Report Cards
Our trimester ends on Thursday, March 5th. We will be reporting out our grades to our families. Final grades will be available in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal on Thursday, March 12th. We will be mailing out the report cards starting on March 13th, so parents can easily see the marks and the teacher comments. Please let us know if you do not receive your child's report card in the mail.

Upcoming Spring Concerts!

Please join us at Poynette Elementary School for Spring Concerts! Here is some more information:

• Students should report to their classroom at the arrival time.
• All concerts will be held in the elementary school gymnasium.
• Each concert will run roughly 30 minutes. We ask that the gym is cleared as quickly as possible.
• We will be utilizing both parking lots and door entrances to accommodate this system.
• There will be a letter coming home with even more information.

Grade	Date	Student Arrival Time	Concert Start Time
1st	Thur., March 19	5:30pm	5:45pm
2nd	Thur., March 19	6:45pm	7:00pm
3rd	Thur., March 26	5:30pm	5:45pm
4th	Thur., March 26	6:45pm	7:00pm

Upcoming Protective Behaviors Unit in Guidance Class

• As we do every year, our Second Step SEL program has a protective behaviors unit.
• This unit will be starting on March 9th in all of our guidance classes for grades Kindergarten- 4th grade.
• The topics are similar for each grade level, but the examples used are age appropriate. 
• If you would like to see the lessons prior to your child participating please reach out to the school office.
• We will be sending home a letter in the middle of February that will have more details and like always, if you have any questions or concerns please call the school office.

P.A.A.W.S. Program  (Poynette Area Adults Working with Students)

We are excited this year to again roll out this program that will encompass our school’s mentors, tutors, WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) and field trip volunteers.  We are really hoping to a lot more adults participate this year! We can set up volunteer plans that are flexible, weekly, or day-long that will support our students.  Volunteers will have a T-shirt to wear for the day and also access to a free school lunch depending on your volunteer plan.  We have the saying on a wall in our school of “Strong Schools, Strong Communities”.  We would love to add your picture on our wall this year.  If you are interested in volunteering at our school, please contact Mr. Hausser at 635-4347 ext. 100 or at jhaus@poynette.k12.wi.us.

In order to volunteer at our school or participate in a field trip, you need to pass our district background check.  These checks need to be completed every three years. Some of our parents/guardians will need an updated background check. If you are unsure of your status, you can contact the school office at 635-4347 ext. 107 or 109 to receive that information. The background check form is located on our website, here is the direct link:  Criminal Background Check for Volunteers.  We will seek additional volunteers in the Spring; continue to watch for communication updates.

What's for Breakfast or Lunch?

Breakfast/Lunch Menus

Student Events Coming Up!

March  

Youth Art Month 

• 5th - Second Trimester Ends (4K-4th); Early Release all grades @1:15 p.m.; P/T Conferences (1:30-7:00 p.m.)

• 6th - NO SCHOOL for all Students  

• 9th - 👕 Primary Colors Day (Wear red, blue, and/or yellow)

• 10th - 👕 Secondary Colors Day (Wear orange, purple, and/or green)

• 11th - 👕 Neutral Colors Day (Wear brown, black, and/or white)

• 12th - 👕 Monochromatic Day (Wear as many shades of one color as you can!)

• 13th - 👕 Pattern Day (Wear as many different patterns as possible)- No 4K Classes

• 19th- Music Concerts grades 1-2 (5:45 p.m. and 7 p.m. start time)

• 20th - No 4K Classes

• 26th- Music Concerts  grades 3-4 (5:45 p.m. and 7 p.m. start time)

• 27th - No 4K Classes

• 30th/31st - NO SCHOOL (Spring Break)

April

• 1st-3rd - NO SCHOOL (Spring Break)

• 10th - 👕 Puma Pride / School Spirit Day- No 4K Classes

• 17th - No 4K Classes

• 20th - NO SCHOOL 

• 24th - 4K Classes Attend

• 30th - 👕 Tie Dye Day (National Tie Dye Day is April 30th!)

May   

• 1st - No 4K Classes

• 8th - No 4K Classes

• 14th - 4K Superhero Day and Fun Run

• 15th  - 👕 Superhero Day & Fun Run -No 4K Classes

• 22nd - 👕 Brewer Day- No 4K Classes

• 25th - NO SCHOOL 

• 27th - 4th Grade Celebration Night (6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.)

• 28th - All library materials due

• 29th -  4K Classes Attend

June

• 2nd - Last Day of 4K Classes

• 3rd - 👕 Puma Pride Day and Last Day of School & Early Release @ 12:30 p.m.

PES Family Blog February, 2026

 Poynette Elementary School Staff are:

"Leaders in providing a positive, successful, and safe environment for ALL"

so our students can say,

"We are Pumas! I am learning and growing every day."

___________________________________________________________________________________

Even though it is still going to be cold, we are planning to go outside on Thursday and Friday of this week. Please send warm clothes with the kids. Thank you!

Conference Information 

• We do have conferences coming rather quickly on Thursday, March 5th.
• We are again using the District Google Document for sign-ups. Please watch for an email next week with the Teacher Calendars' linked so you can sign-up.
• If you would like a conference please sign-up, and our teachers will honor it.
• If a teacher has requested a conference, we would really encourage you to attend.
• If you have any questions or need assistance with signing up, please call the school office.

Upcoming Spring Concerts!

Please join us at Poynette Elementary School for Spring Concerts! Here is some more information:

• Students should report to their classroom at the arrival time.
• All concerts will be held in the elementary school gymnasium.
• Each concert will run roughly 30 minutes. We ask that the gym is cleared as quickly as possible.
• We will be utilizing both parking lots and door entrances to accommodate this system.
• There will be a letter coming home with even more information.

Grade	Date	Student Arrival Time	Concert Start Time
1st	Thur., March 19	5:30pm	5:45pm
2nd	Thur., March 19	6:45pm	7:00pm
3rd	Thur., March 26	5:30pm	5:45pm
4th	Thur., March 26	6:45pm	7:00pm

Upcoming Protective Behaviors Unit in Guidance Class

• As we do every year, our Second Step SEL program has a protective behaviors unit.
• This unit will be starting on March 9th in all of our guidance classes for grades Kindergarten- 4th grade.
• The topics are similar for each grade level, but the examples used are age appropriate. 
• If you would like to see the lessons prior to your child participating please reach out to the school office.
• We will be sending home a letter in the middle of February that will have more details and like always, if you have any questions or concerns please call the school office.

How to handle student illness? 

It is that time of year, when we see an uptick in illness around the state and our school.  Here is some great information from our district nurse, Mrs. Newell, about how to navigate this tricky time.

A child who is sick will not be able to perform well in school and is likely to spread the illness to other children and staff. We suggest making a plan for childcare ahead of time so you will not be caught without a comforting place for your child to stay if he/she is ill.

I would like to remind you of some guidelines about when to keep your child home from school.

When should I keep my student home from school?

• Common cold – irritated throat, watery discharge from the nose or eyes, sneezing, chills and/or general body aches. Keep your child home if symptoms are serious enough to interfere with your child’s ability to learn. Seek care from the doctor if symptoms persist beyond 7-10 days, fever or cough producing phlegm develops, or nasal discharge becomes yellow or green.

• Vomits two or more times or has diarrhea in the last 24 hours

• Oral temperature equal or higher than 100 degrees (before taking medication such as Tylenol or Advil) Must be fever free for 24 hours without the aid of a fever reducing agent before returning to school.

• Coughs almost constantly or complains of difficulty breathing or rapid breathing

• Sores on skin or mouth that are crusty, yellow, or draining(Impetigo)

• Symptoms of a contagious illness such as hand,foot and mouth disease,chicken pox, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough). May return as directed after evaluation by healthcare provider

• Constant runny nose with green or yellow discharge

• Unexplained skin rash (any location on body) unless evaluated by a healthcare provider with permission to return to school

• Skin rash with a fever

• Red eye(s) with crusting or green or yellow discharge drainage

• Diagnosed contagious illness (such as, but not limited to, strep throat or pertussis) until antibiotics are taken for 24 hours or as otherwise directed by healthcare provider

• Chicken pox – all lesions must be crusted over – no draining lesions

School Safety Information

Poynette School District participates in the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of School Safety (OSS) SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT  program. This threat reporting system is available 24/7 and is free to all. Students, parents, school staff and community members can submit a school safety concern by downloading the SUSO app (Android and iOS), visiting speakup.widoj.gov or by calling 1-800-MY-SUSO-1. Resource Center staff work around-the-clock to respond to reports and to deploy a response. Please click on the link below if you have a safety concern that you would like to report anonymously. You can report the following concerns:

• Bullying, harassment or intimidation
• Student self harm concern
• Alcohol, drug, or weapon concern
• School safety concerns including all threats
• Report a concern by visiting this link to SUSO at https://speakup.widoj.gov/  or  1-800-MY-SUSO-1

Breakfast/Lunch Menus

Student Events Coming Up!

KINDNESS MONTH 2026

Weekly Themes:

• Week 1 (Feb. 2nd-6th) - KINDNESS TO OUR COMMUNITY 

• Friday, February 6th → “Shine Bright for Kindness” → Wear Neon Colors

• Week 2 (Feb. 9th-13th) - KINDNESS TO OTHERS 

• Friday, February 13th → “Dress to Impress” → Wear Red or Pink

• Week 3 (Feb. 16th-20th) - KINDNESS TO SELF 

• Friday, February 20th → “Cozy up to Kindness” → Wear Pajamas or Comfy Clothes

• Week 4 (Feb. 23rd-27th) - KINDNESS TO OUR WORLD

• Friday, February 27th → Puma Pride Day → Wear Orange & Black 

By the 100th day of school, February 10th, our goal is to have each grade level bring in 100 non-perishable items to donate to the food pantry. Items cannot be expired, damaged, or homemade. Items must be clearly labeled with nutritional information. Pantries often need peanut butter, canned protein, canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned beans, pasta, and rice. Toiletries, such as toothpaste and facial tissues, are also helpful. Thank you for your support!

 

PES Family Blog December, 2025

 Poynette Elementary School Staff are:

"Leaders in providing a positive, successful, and safe environment for ALL"

so our students can say,

"We are Pumas! I am learning and growing every day."

__________________________________________________________________________________

Peppy's Pawsitive Pumas Book Store

WE DID IT AGAIN!

State Report Card Score of 91.2- Significanly Exceeds Expectations for the 3rd Year in a Row!

We hope that all is well with you as the days keep flying by. I thought it was appropriate to share the great news of the District and School report cards. The Poynette School District continues to score very well and improved again this year. Our school has exceeded many schools in the surrounding area. It is the third year in a row that we have been in the top category and our score continues to go up.

Our school is awesome and scores well because of the amazing staff we have here. Go Puma Nation!

School Screeners

We try to limit the number of formal assessments, but at the same time this information is essential in providing our students with the best education. We have some assessments that are required by the state like AIMS Web+ (Grades 4K-3rd) and also the Forward Exam (Grades 3&4). We also have district screeners that we have our students take. We use the following screeners:

AIMS Web+ Early Literacy (4K-1) or Reading (2-4) (3 times a year) - This is a new state required assessment by ACT 20. It will be given two times this year, but 3 times a year moving forward. We will be communicating a lot more about this new screener and there are timelines that we need to follow as well. This screener will help us determine support and interventions in the area of literacy for our students.

AIMS Web+ Early Numeracy (4K-1) or Math (2-4) (3 times a year) - This assessment allows us to determine what supports and interventions that our students may need. These supports could include working with Mrs. Yanna, our literacy interventionist, or Mrs. Wallace, our math interventionist.

AIMS Web+ SSIS-SEL Screener (Social Skills Improvement System-Social Emotional Learning) (2-3 times a year) - This assessment allows us to form small groups or individual supports to help students be successful in their classroom. These supports could include working with Ms. Sisco, Mr. Hausser, Mrs. Ebert (our school psychologist), or Mrs. Matush (our school counselor) in a small group or individual setting.

IXL for Math and Literacy (3rd and 4th grade) - This assessment is the same one that is used at the middle school. Our teachers can identify and students can work on individual skills to improve in both math and literacy. We also use this screener to help with determining interventions and supports for our students during Puma Pounce Time.

 If interested, more information can be found at Illuminate Education.

Report Cards
Our trimester ended on November 25th, we will be reporting our grades to our families. The grades will be available in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal on Monday, December 8th. We will be mailing out the report cards starting on December 8th so parents can see both the marks and the teacher comments. Please let us know if you do not receive your child's report card in the mail by next week.

Puma P.R.I.D.E. (Personal Responsibility in Demonstrating Excellence)
Our Puma Pride program is used to help our students understand the expectations around our school. This year, we have again revamped some procedures and we wanted to share them with you. The last two years we had done a Puma Pride Role Model. This year we are going with "Peppy's Pawsitive Pumas". One student from each classroom will be selected at the end of the week as a "Pawsitive Puma." The students' names are read during the Friday's morning announcements and also receive a certificate that they can bring home and put on the refrigerator. K-2nd grade students will come and greet Peppy and have their picture taken for Social Media Posts. The 3rd and 4th graders will be our special announcers the following week by providing the joke of the day or an interesting fact. 
Another great part of this program, is our wonderful Parents' Club has donated books for each student who is selected as a "Pawsitive Puma." The books are housed in our Peppy Book store at the office as shown in the above picture. We have been putting the students' names in books that have been passed out already so feel free to ask them about the new books.

PAD Parent Club School Directory

Another service that our PAD Parents' Club, who does great work for us, offers is a student directory each year. If you would like your contact information to be available to other parents for birthday parties, playdates, etc., then you will want to get your name in the school directory.

• You can view the directory at any time at this link: Poynette ES & MS Directory
• If any changes are needed at any time you can email poynetteparentclub@gmail.com, we would be happy to update the directory. 

School Safety Information

Poynette School District participates in the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of School Safety (OSS) SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT  program. This threat reporting system is available 24/7 and is free to all. Students, parents, school staff and community members can submit a school safety concern by downloading the SUSO app (Android and iOS), visiting speakup.widoj.gov or by calling 1-800-MY-SUSO-1. Resource Center staff work around-the-clock to respond to reports and to deploy a response. Please click on the link below if you have a safety concern that you would like to report anonymously. You can report the following concerns:

• Bullying, harassment or intimidation
• Student self harm concern
• Alcohol, drug, or weapon concern
• School safety concerns including all threats
• Report a concern by visiting this link to SUSO at https://speakup.widoj.gov/  or  1-800-MY-SUSO-1

P.A.A.W.S. Program  (Poynette Area Adults Working with Students)

We are excited this year to again roll out this program that will encompass our school’s mentors, tutors, WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) and field trip volunteers.  We are really hoping to a lot more adults participate this year! We can set up volunteer plans that are flexible, weekly, or day-long that will support our students.  Volunteers will have a T-shirt to wear for the day and also access to a free school lunch depending on your volunteer plan.  We have the saying on a wall in our school of “Strong Schools, Strong Communities”.  We would love to add your picture on our wall this year.  If you are intrigued by these offers or interested in volunteering at our school, please contact Mr. Hausser at 635-4347 ext. 100 or at jhaus@poynette.k12.wi.us.

In order to volunteer at our school or participate in a field trip, you need to pass our district background check.  These checks need to be completed every three years. Some of our parents/guardians will need an updated background check. If you are unsure of your status, you can contact the school office at 635-4347 ext. 107 or 109 to receive that information. The background check form is located on our website, here is the direct link:  Criminal Background Check for Volunteers.  We will seek additional volunteers in the Spring; continue to watch for communication updates.

What's for Breakfast or Lunch?

Breakfast/Lunch Menus

Student Events Coming Up!

December

• 5th - No 4K Classes

• 5th - 👕 Flannel Friday

• 12th - 4K Classes Attend 

• 19th - No 4K Classes

• 23rd - 👕 Pajama Day or Festive Holiday Clothes/Winter Celebration

• 24th - 31st - NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)

January

• 1st/2nd - NO SCHOOL

• 5th - Classes Resume

• 9th - 4K Classes Attend 

• 9th - 👕 Puma Pride / School Spirit Day

• 16th - No 4K Classes

• 19th - NO SCHOOL 

• 23rd - 4K Classes Attend

• 30th - 👕Puma Pride Day

          No 4K Classes

February

• 6th - No 4K Classes

• 9th- 100th Day Celebration (School-Wide)

• 13th - 👕 Dress to Impress/Red and Pink Day and Classroom Valentine Exchange- No 4K Classes

• 20th - No 4K Classes

• 27th - 👕 Puma Pride / School Spirit Day

          No 4K Classes