Tuesday, November 26, 2024

PES Family Blog, November/ December 2024

  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."

___________________________________________________________________________________

WE DID IT AGAIN!
State Report Card Score of 83.6- Significanly Exceeds Expectations

We hope that all is well with you and 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 our school has exceeded many schools in the surrounding area. It is the second year in a row that we have been in the top category and our score continues to go up.

Along with that, goes the picture of our staff continuing to work hard and get better every day! They have been taking a Literacy KEYS Training this year and continuing to put the best practices for teaching literacy into place. 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+ Literacy (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.

Fastbridge Math and Literacy (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.

Fastbridge SAEBRS (Social, Academic, and Emotional Risk Screener) (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, Ms. Ary, our school psychologist or Mrs. Matush, our guidance counselor in a small group or individual setting.

IXL for Math and Literacy in 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
With our trimester ending on November 26th, we will be reporting our grades to our families. The grades will be available in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal on Monday, December 9th. We will be mailing out the report cards starting on December 9th 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.

Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures

The other day we had rain during pick up time and it prompted us to write a reminder. It was pouring rain and the pick-up line seemed to move flawlessly. One of the reasons was we did not have very many parents that were parking in the lot or leaving their cars. No one really wanted to get wet (except Mrs. Schuster and Mrs. Doebert who did an awesome job facilitating the line), and so the cars were all in the line. We ask that you continue with this practice and what has been a goal of ours - that we only use the crosswalk by the front entrance for parents who are coming into the school for after school meetings. Our hope and goal is that we can have very few, if any, parents/guardians standing on the sidewalk or under the front entrance overhang. We would like the cars to be in the line and able to move in and out of the parking lot quite quickly. Again it takes us about 13 minutes to clear the building. If you come at 3:16 like some parents, you can just whip right through.


Unfortunately, we have had some close calls this year with either staff, students or parents almost getting hit by cars or in the parking lot that were not following our procedures. We do not want any more of these kinds of unsafe situations and again if we use the rain model, then we should not have any issues at all. We are also looking at restructuring our parking so there are more spots near the front of the building for visitors. We are anticipating sharing some information after the December Holiday break. 

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.

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!

November

  • 27th, 28th, 29th - NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Break)

December

  • 6th - 👕 Flannel Friday; No 4K Classes

  • 13th - No 4K Classes

  • 20th - 👕 Pajama Day or Festive Holiday Clothes; No 4K Classes

  • 23rd - 31st - NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)

January

  • 1st - NO SCHOOL

  • 2nd - Classes Resume

  • 3rd - 4K Classes Attend on a Friday

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

  • 17th - No 4K Classes

  • 20th - NO SCHOOL (Staff Professional Development)

  • 24th - 4K Classes Attend on a Friday

  • 31st - No 4K Classes

Pictures

Veteran's Day Celebration

4K Literacy Night

Therapy Dog Visits

Wearing Pink to Honor Mrs.Schmudlach!
Fire Station Visits


Thursday, October 3, 2024

PES Family Blog, October 2024

 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."

___________________________________________________________________________________

Conferences on Thursday, Oct. 10th and Friday, Oct. 11th

We are excited to inform you that our second round of Family Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 10th from 1:30-7:00 p.m. and on Friday, October 11th from 8 a.m.- 12 p.m. These conferences provide a valuable opportunity for you to meet with your child's teachers and discuss their progress and areas of growth. 

To make the sign-up process convenient for you, we will be using the same online sign-up system as we have been. Please keep an eye out for an email from the district office with the links to your child's teachers and you can find the link below. Additionally, if you would like to schedule a conference with Encore teachers, feel free to sign up for them as well.

Here is the link to our: October Conferences Sign-Up

PAD Sponsored Scholastic Book Fair During Conferences

Our wonderful Parents' Club is hosting our Fall Book Fair. It will be next week Tuesday through Friday, Oct 8-11th.  Tuesday and Wednesday will be from 3:10-7PM and on Thursday and Friday it will be during conferences.  They will also have a small version of it at the Middle School during conferences on Thursday and Friday with Middle School aged books there. This is a great opportunity to purchase books and to also support reading in our schools. 

Halloween Dance

Our school's Halloween dance is scheduled for Saturday, October 26th from 5:30- 7 p.m. in our Gym and Cafeteria. Please note that the dance is only for Kindergarten through 4th grade students, as organized by the PAD Parents' Club. We will be having our Dress-Up as your Favorite Book Character Day on Thursday, October 31st. Please make sure that the students only wear appropriate cosutmes and bring props that are appropriate for school. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

A Call for Military Veterans

If you or a family member is a military veteran and would like to help our students out please contact the school office at 635-4347 ext. 4 or email Mr. Hausser at jhaus@poynette.k12.wi.us. We are looking to create a Veteran's Day experience on November 11th for our students. We are looking to have it be more informal and more of a question and answer format. Don't worry we will answer all of your questions prior to you committing. We will also spend time to prepare you for the experience. 

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.

The Student 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

October

  • 4th - No 4K Classes

  • 8th - Picture Day Make-Ups

  • 10th - Early Release all grades @ 1:15 p.m.; 4K-12 Family-Teacher Conferences (1:30-7:00 p.m.)

  • 11th - NO SCHOOL; Family-Teacher Conferences (8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.)

  • 18th - 👕 Badger / Favorite team dress-up day; No 4K Classes

  • 24th - NO SCHOOL (Staff Professional Development)

  • 25th - NO SCHOOL

  • 26th - PAD Halloween Dance for K-4th grade students (5:30- 7:00 p.m.)

  • 31st - 👕 Book Character Day 

November

  • 1st - No 4K Classes

  • 8th - No 4K Classes

  • 15th - No 4K Classes

  • 22nd - No 4K Classes

  • 26th - 👕 Pajama Day; 1st Trimester Ends

  • 27th, 28th, 29th - NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Break)

December

  • 6th - 👕 Flannel Friday; No 4K Classes

  • 13th - No 4K Classes

  • 20th - 👕 Pajama Day or Festive Holiday Clothes; No 4K Classes

  • 23rd - 31st - NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)

January

  • 1st - NO SCHOOL

  • 2nd - Classes Resume

  • 3rd - 4K Classes Attend on a Friday

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

  • 17th - No 4K Classes

  • 20th - NO SCHOOL (Staff Professional Development)

  • 24th - 4K Classes Attend on a Friday

  • 31st - No 4K Classes

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.

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!

1st Watch D.OG. of the Year- Thank you Mr. Tester!



Friday, August 16, 2024

PES Family Blog, Summer 2024

 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."

___________________________________________________________________________________

August 2024

We are so excited to see you again!  Last school year was great year and we continue to love learning and growing everyday. Thank you to the community for your continued support! We will continue to have a strong focus on student achievement and the development of all of our students across many areas. Following is some information about the upcoming school year. We look forward to working with you and your child(ren) this year.

4K Orientation and Great Start Conferences

  • We have our 4K orientation on Thursday, August 22nd at 6 p.m. It will take place in the PES cafeteria and parents do not need to bring their child's supplies. Those can be brought at the Great Start Conferences.

  • Students should have already received their teacher letter with their class assignment. IF you have not received a letter, please contact the school office at 635-4347 ext. 107 or 109.

  • We are hosting our Great Start Conferences on August 29th from 10am- 7pm.  We have sent the schedule out via email, please sign-up for a time if you have not done so already.


Forms for Great Start Conferences
Our classroom teachers will have a form for you to fill out at Great Start Conferences if you choose to do so. The form is acknowledging that you have read our student handbook and the district's new AUP (Acceptable Use Policy). We do need a parent signature for both of these items. Here are links to the handbook and the policy so you can read them ahead of time if you wish.



Packed with School Supplies Backpacks Available

You will hear from us throughout the year about how awesome our Parents' Club is. They start the year off with a bang, by offering fully packed backpacks. Our parents' club along with local businesses collect school supplies that our students need. The club then packs a with grade specific supplies and students can pick up the backpacks at Great Start Conferenes. If you would like to request a backpack, please call the school office at 608-635-4347 ext. 107 or 109.


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 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 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 this link and watch a 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 WATCH D.O.G.S. and field trip volunteers.  We are really hoping to have 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!


Jay Hausser, Principal Lynn Sisco, Associate Principal

Friday, May 10, 2024

PES Family Blog May, 2024

We are Pumas, I am learning and growing everyday!


We have had some great activities happening here at school. A HUGE SHOUT OUT to Mrs. Ellis and our awesome Parents' Club. They have been fantastic to our students and staff this year. They just finished up some great Staff Appreciation activities this week and also led our "Pastries with Pretty Ladies" for kindergarteners on Friday, May 10, 2024. The PAD Parents' organization is a great group of people that have provided us with so many things this year, and they are not done yet!

What's Up at School?

BOGO Book Fair

Our wonderful Parents' Club is once again offering a Scholastic Book Fair. It features a buy one, get one free deal. We will be hosting the BOGO Scholastic Book Fair from May 21st to 23rd, from 3:10 PM to 7:30 PM each night. We have had so many successful events that the company wanted us to have even more. Thank you for supporting our literacy efforts and Parents' Club!

Thursday, May 16th and Friday, May 17, 2024- Superhero Fun Run


On Thursday, May 16th(4K) and  Friday, May 12th our (K- 4th grade) students will participate in our Superhero Fun Run. Students are encouraged to participate in the Fun Run and dress as a superhero for the day. The purpose of the run is to encourage healthy habits in our students and this is the only fundraiser that the school does for supporting any special projects at school. This year we hope to use the funds from this activity to add some professional motivational signage around the school, and furniture for an outdoor classroom. Donations for this fundraiser can be made at the following link:

PES Superhero Fun Run donation site.  


Students will be running around two loops at Poynette Elementary School. After they run, the students will have a healthy snack provided by our PAD Parents’ Club. Also, we will be able to have spectators this year. Teachers and staff members will also share photos of the day. We will have the rain date of Friday, May 24th.

Here is a link to the classroom schedule.  


4th Grade Walk-In
We are going to have a 4th-grade Walk-in on the last day of the school year. It will be similar to a walkout, but instead at the beginning of the day so families do not have to contend with end-of-the-day traffic. The community is invited to join us in the cafeteria to cheer on the 4th graders. The walk will commence shortly after 8:10 a.m.

Back Parking Lot
It has taken us a bit to get used to having two parking lots available. We apologize, but just wanted to let you know that we can use both of them. So if you arrive for field trips or other events during the day after 8:05 a.m. (when the buses are gone), you can definitely park behind the school in the bus loop. Please do not park in the fire lane at any time, but we can use both lots during the day and at night. Thanks for your patience, but we now have a routine down so the back doors are unlocked and supervised at these times. That way, you do not have to walk around the school to the front.

Upcoming Student Activities

May  

  • 13th- 3rd Grade Field Trip- Knuteson/ Timmerman Olbrich Garden

  • 16th- Kindergarten Field Trip to Aldo Leopold (8:30- 1:45 p.m.)

  • 17th - 👕 Superhero Day; No 4K Classes

  • 20th- Young Authors' Conference

  • 20th- 3rd grade filed trip to Olbrich Gardens (Collins/Lindert/Manzi) (8:45- 12:45 p.m.)

  • 21st - 2nd Grade Walking Fieldtrip in Poynette (9-10:45 a.m.)

  • 24th - 👕 Brewer Day

  • 27th - NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)

  • 29th- 4th Grade Celebration Night (6-7 p.m.)

  • 30th- 4K Fieldtrip to MacKenzie Center

  • 31st- Poynette HS Senior Walk at the Elementary School (9:30ish)

  • 31st - Sharing Writing Pieces with Reading Buddies

June

  • 3rd- 3rd Grade Walking Fieldtrip (10- 12 p.m.)

  • 3rd - Last Day of 4K

  • 4th- 4th Grade Walk-In (8:10 a.m.)

  • 4th - 👕 Puma Pride Day and Last Day of School & Early Release @ 12:30 p.m. 


Looking to help out at our School?

Field Trips and Volunteer Opportunities

We are excited that with Spring arriving we are going to be able to take some fieldtrips. However, it has been a while and so we wanted to remind you of the procedures. In order to volunteer at our school or go on a field trip, you need to pass our district background check. These checks need to be done every three years and some of our parents/ guardians are done with their last three-year window. If you are unsure of your status, you can contact the school office at 635-4347 ext. 107 or 109 to receive that information. If you have not filled out a form ever, then you can find one on our school district website. 
  Click Here:  Criminal Background Check for Volunteers 

PAD Parent Club

As we stated before, this outstanding organization that supports our schools in many different ways. They have donated/ provided many items from Chromebooks to road signs and so much more. This group is always looking for new members and meet monthly on the second Tuesday of the month during the school year.


Follow Us On Social Media

  • Poynette Elementary School can be found on Instagram at: pes_pumas. Please follow us.
  • The School District of Poynette also has a Facebook page for District information.

What's for Breakfast or Lunch?


Click Here: Breakfast/Lunch Menus


PES Family Blog Start of the School Year, August 2026

   Poynette Elementary School Staff are: "Leaders in providing a positive, successful, and safe environment for ALL" so our studen...