August, 2023
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 growing and learning every day."
Great Start Conferences
Thank you to everyone who attended a great start conference! This was something new and it was great to see the excitement around our building. We had almost 100% participation, but if you did not make it that is okay. We will have lots of staff members around the first day to make sure all of our students find their way.
School Directory
Our awesome PAD Parents' Club who does great work for us, is offering a student directory this 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 call the school office for more information. If you would like to be a part of our Parents' Club, please email the group at: Poynetteparentclub@gmail.com. They meet monthly at the Poynette Elementary School Cafeteria.
School Dress Up Days and Calendar of Activities
Here is the link to our school calendar for Dress-Up and Special Occasions.
2023-24 PES Calendar of Activities
School Times/ Bus Loading and Pick- Up
Just a reminder that our school day runs from 8:10 a.m.- 3:10 p.m. Instructional minutes are very important to us and school attendance is an important factor in student achievement. Please make every effort to keep your children here at school. Students arriving late or leaving early on a consistent basis can accumulate many lost instructional minutes. We ask that students please do not arrive at school until 8:00 a.m., when the first bell rings and the buses unload.
We also have staff who will be available to help students find their way and arrive at their classrooms. We ask that parents drop their students off in the vestibule or office area and not walk around the hallways. This can create a safety concern and so for every one's safety we do not have parents' walking to classrooms.
Please click the link and watch this video about our Drop off and Pick up procedures at the front of our school. Also, please contact Go Riteway at (800) 236-5450 or email Rebecca Talley at portagebus@goriteway.com if you have any questions or concerns about busing.
Attendance Information
We know that you have many hopes and dreams for your child’s success in school and beyond. To make sure those hopes and dreams are realized, we want to ask for your commitment to making sure your child attends school every day possible this year. The evidence is clear: children with good attendance are more likely to be successful in school. To accurately record attendance, we are asking that your child please bring a note from the doctor, dentist, or another designee to the office after an absence. These absences will be marked MEDX and will not count towards your child’s absences. If your child is not feeling well, we do ask that you continue to keep your child home until they are feeling better. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the office.
Student Safety Request
Last minute changes can be tough for our staff to handle and miscommunication can occur when dealing with pick ups or bus riders. We ask you to please notify the office by 2:30 p.m. on days that your child may have a different plan for going home. After 2:30 p.m., children will be instructed to follow their normal procedures. We understand that life happens, and plans change, but the more notice the better. The end of the day is very busy for our great secretaries and any early notice would be great for them. Also please follow our pick-up and drop-off procedures at the front of our building.
Insurance Option
Also, this year we have many field trips and great events planned. We would like all of our students to be safe and protected. The School District offers Student Accident Insurance for any student who does not have medical insurance. Again you can contact the school office or district office for more information.
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, the former WATCH Dogs 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.
We are so excited for the new school year and to see the learning and growth that will occur each and every day. As always, please contact the school office if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you and Go Puma Nation!
