From Ann Schroeder, Principal
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Happy September! As students settle into back to school routines, the Staff and I are happy to be back to the business of teaching and learning. Walking through the school, I like what I'm seeing! Students are practicing routines for hallway walking, participating in class, and working on problem solving skills.
 | | Ann Schroeder, Principal |
Good News! Winnequah has received a Wisconsin Title I School of Recognition Award for the second time. Winnequah was one of 173 schools out of 1,193 Title I schools in the State of Wisconsin chosen for the award; Monona Grove had two schools recognized as Cottage Grove School earned the award too. In Dane County, there are four schools receiving awards, and our two schools in our very own MG District! Winnequah earned a High-Progress School Award, given to schools with performance in the top 10% of schools experiencing growth in reading and math and an achievement gap for students in poverty that is less than three points between student groups or showing evidence of reducing gaps. On Oct. 13, there is an award ceremony at the State Capitol where we will receive a plaque and $500 to use by the school. Congratulations to our students, teachers and staff, parents, and school!
As a Positive Behavior and Intervention Support (PBIS) School, we believe in the practice of teaching skills so that we can have a safe, responsible, and respectful school. That's the Winnequah Way! New this year is a Peace Pie to help students learn and practice student to student problem solving skills. Students are given tools to discuss the problem, share their feelings and thoughts, and agree on a way to fix the problem. School Psychologists will be teaching this tool in classrooms, and recess supervisors will be facilitating the use at recess.
As we work with Nelson Bus Company to improve our bus pick ups, drop offs, and timeliness, I've appreciated your patience and understanding as we all address the late busses or missed stops. Letters will be sent home today, (Sept. 12) with new route or stop information for riders impacted. Another bus has been added for Winnequah's morning route and changes will start Monday, September 15.
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Parent/Teacher Conferences
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We look forward to seeing you at Parent/Teacher Conferences on September 25 or October 1 (3:45 - 7:45). We are changing up conferences this year to spread out our report card and conferences over five different points in the year rather than three. Also, the first conference will be used for goal setting while the mid-year conference will be to check in on progress and make plans for meeting goals if not on track. At each conference, homeroom teachers will share Data Cards which will clearly identify learning targets and where you child is in relation to the target, so that we can work together to help him or her meet the target.
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New Staff
| This year, Winnequah School welcomed 19 new staff members. Due to retirements, transfers to new positions, or resignations, this was a busy year in the District for new hires. In each issue, we'll profile a few of our newest staff members.
 - Ms. Casey Ince, Library Media Specialist
- Mrs. Kerry Quiñones, 1st Grade Teacher
- Ms. Becky Swance, School Psychologist 4K-2
- Mrs. Beth Hornung, Reading Interventionist
- Mrs. Kate Brown, 3rd Grade Teacher
- Ms. Barb Burt, 3rd Grade Teacher
- Mrs. Mary Sullivan, G/T Teacher
- Mrs. Lindsey Rice, Special Education Teacher
- Ms. Megan Schuchardt, 1st Grade Teacher (4th
Grade LTS last year)
- Ms. Anna Heintze, General Music Teacher
- Mr. Ben Ferris, General Music/Strings Teacher
- Mr. Austin Wills, Physical Education Teacher
- Mrs. Kelsey Hansen, 5th Grade Teacher
- Mrs. Jen Goodnough, Art Teacher
- Mrs. Amy Falkner, Speech/Language Therapist
- Mrs. Diane Jensen, 5th Grade Long Term Substitute Teacher
- Mrs. Kimberlee Dorst, Administrative Assistant
- Mr. Scott Murray, Maintenance
- Ms. Sarah Hughes, RN, Nurse (yes, we have two same name staffers)
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Music/Strings - Mr. Ferris and Ms. Heintze
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Both our new music teachers are excited to be part of Winnequah school and excited to be teaching our wonderful students about music! Some things students will be discovering this year are: singing, speaking, composing, playing instruments, dancing reading music and movement.
Mr. Benjamin Ferris
 | | Mr. Ferris |
Mr. Ferris, a dual citizen of the US and the UK, grew up in Madison, received his Bachelor's of Music degree in Music Education at UW-Madison, and plays any instrument with strings. He also teaches with the Madison Music Makers and the jazz program at Madison Memorial High School.
Professionally, he plays the string bass in a number of groups including The Ben Ferris Quintet, Lucho Rey y Su Salsera, The Michael BB Quartet, Four Seasons Musical Theater, and occasionally with the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Learn more at bferrisbass.blogspot.com.
Ms. Anna Heintze
 | | Ms. Heintze |
Ms. Heintze grew up in Whitewright, TX,and received her Bachelor's of Music Degree in Music Education at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. During her four years in the Razorback Marching band she played piccolo for three years and and was a Drum Major in her final year.
Needless to say, Ms. Heintze's favorite subject is music. She also plays the flute, clarinet, saxophone and piano, and her fiance plays the tuba! Her favorite animal is the owl making her feel right at home here at Winnequah!
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Thank you!
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We would like to thank the both the Cottage Grove Lion's Club and Vogel and Partners for their generous donations of school supplies.
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September is Attendance Awareness Month
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A recent review of student attendance data by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction shoes that regular attendance from Kindergarten on is essential to successful learning:
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 Missing school even 10% of the time has significant impact on reading and math achievements.
- Children who had good attendance in K-2 were more than twice as likely to score proficient on state math tests.
- Research has shown that the attendance habits established in Kindergarten through grade 2 have lasting effects on students throughout their education.
Thank you for all you do to support your child's school success and well-being, as well as our school!
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| No Fee for Infinite Campus Payments! | Just a reminder that you can now pay fees and add money to lunch accounts in Infinite Campus with no additional fee!
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PTO News Briefs
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The Monona Grove PTO wants to extend a welcome to all returning and new families of Winnequah School. We invite you to be involved with PTO. PTO is for everyone. We hope you will support the role PTO has in our school by attending events, volunteering your time and resources or helping PTO financially through our many fundraisers. Ultimately, everything that is done by PTO is to make our school stronger by building ties between families, between home and staff, and financially supporting the school. Save the Date!
Hoot Hoot Hustle - 1 mile walk/5k
Saturday, October 4th @ 10am
Walk to School Day
Wednesday, October 8th
Sock Hop
Friday, November 7th - Winnequah Gym
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September 12th Garden Party - Canceled
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September 17 Student Picture
Retake Day
September 18 PTO Meeting 6pm in Room 54;
enter at Gym Doors
September 22 No School T4K - 5th
Sept. 25/Oct. 1 Parent Teacher Conferences
3:45-7:45
September 26 Owl Assembly
Wear purple & green
or Owl clothing!
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