Shark Bites-October 2008Page 1
/ SHARK BITESNewsletter of SchenkElementary School
October 2008
/ / Emmett Durtschi, Principal
230 Schenk St.
Madison, WI53714
Office: 204-1501
Safe Arrival: 204-1500
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS:
Sept. 24-Cookie dough sale starts
Oct. 13- Picture Day(Note date change)
Oct. 21, 5:30 pm-Family Movie Night
Oct. 30 & 31- No School- Teacher’s
Convention /
- Principal’s Letter
- PTA News
- Volunteer Information
- Family Resource Information
- Notes from the Nurse
- Volunteer Opportunities
- News from our Social Worker
Next PTA Meeting
Tuesday, November 11th, 6-8 p.m.
In the LMC
Child care and Snacks!
Please join us!
Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles
also invited to attend!
Schenk Families:
It is hard to believe that we are already into our second month of the school year. Fall has arrived and we are well into our school routines. Fall is a wonderful time at Schenk.
I have a couple reminders for families at this time of year. Please remember to dress your children for the changing weather. If it looks to be cool or wet, please dress them accordingly. Students will be going outside for recesses and activities and need to feel comfortable in the weather.
When newsletters and backpack mail come home, please read through the information provided. At times we add activities or change dates and times. We do our best to get this information out. If you have any questions about upcoming events, please talk to your child’s teacher or call the school office.
As a reminder, students are not to be dropped off in the morning until 8:15 or later, unless they are part of the YMCA program or are having breakfast in the cafeteria. Breakfast runs from 8:00-8:30. The breakfast service is available for anyone and comes out of your lunch account or is part of the free/reduced lunch program. Please take advantage of this service if you need it. It is important for all students to start the day with a healthy breakfast.
All the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will be taking the state WKCE tests in November. You will be receiving more information regarding these tests and the dates they will be given later on. Please prepare your children on the days of the tests with a good night of sleep and a healthy breakfast. Although these tests are only a snapshot of how your child is achieving, they are an important indicator of progress and help us in our efforts for continuous improvement.
On a final note, I need to thank everyone who has volunteered so far this year and those who are already signed up to volunteer throughout the year. It always inspires me to observe the countless individuals who work together to make Schenk a great place for our students. I also want to thank the many individuals and organizations who make donations of kind and money to Schenk. Thank you to the employees of American TV and Appliance as well as the members of the DoorCreekChurch for their sizable donations.
Thank you to all our parents for the work they do with their children to prepare them for school each day and support our efforts to make Schenk a place of learning and community. It would be impossible to do this work without your effort and dedication.
Have a fantastic fall!
Emmett Durtschi, Principal
/ From the Health Office:
Hello everyone! My name is Beth Braun and I am the new school nurse at SchenkElementary School. I'm really excited to be a part of this fine school.
My office phone number is 204-1504 and I work Tuesday-Friday from 8-3:30.
Martha Coughlin, the nursing assistant, is here again this year and her phone number is 204-1505. Her work hours reflect the daily Health Office hours which are Monday-Friday 7:30-2:30. Please call us for any needs you might have.
Please submit your child's updated immunization information to Martha as soon as possible.
Please consider having a change of clothing available in your child's locker in case of accidents, spills, etc.
New Immunization Law
The Wisconsin Student Immunization law was recently changed. Two different vaccine requirements were added. The change will go into effect in September 2008 with the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year.
What are the new requirements, what grades are affected and when will they begin?
Beginning this fall, the Wisconsin Student Immunization Law will require:
- 1 dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine) for students entering grades 6 , 9 and 12, and
- 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine for students entering grades Kindergarten, 6 and 12.
AGE/GRADE REQUIREMENTS
2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR
The following are the minimum required immunizations for each age/grade level. This is not a recommended immunization schedule. For that schedule, contact your health care provider or local health department.
Age/Grade / Number of Doses
Pre K (2 yrs through 4 yrs) / 4 DTP/DTaP/DT / 3 Polio / 3 Hep B / 1 MMR5 / 1 Var6
Grade K1 / 4 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td1 / 4 Polio4 / 3 Hep B / 2 MMR5 / 2 Var 6
Grade 1 through 5 / 4 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td2 / 4 Polio4 / 3 Hep B / 2 MMR5 / 1 Var 6
Grade 6 / 4 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td2 / 1 Tdap3 / 4 Polio4 / 3 Hep B / 2 MMR5 / 2 Var6
Grade 7 through 8 / 4 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td2 / 4 Polio4 / 3 Hep B / 2 MMR5 / 1 Var6,7
Grade 9 / 4 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td2 / 1 Tdap3 / 4 Polio4 / 3 Hep B / 2 MMR5 / 1 Var6,7
Grade 10 through 11 / 4 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td2 / 4 Polio4 / 3 Hep B / 2 MMR5 / 1 Var6,7
Grade 12 / 4 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td2 / 1 Tdap3 / 4 Polio 4 / 3 Hep B / 2 MMR5 / 2 Var6
1. DTP/DTaP/DT vaccine for children entering Kindergarten: Your child must have received one dose after the 4th birthday (either the 3rd, 4th, or 5th) to be compliant. (Note: a dose 4 days or less before the 4th birthday is also acceptable).
2. DTP/DTaP/DT/Td vaccine for students entering grades 1 through 12: Four doses are required. However, if your child received the 3rd dose after the 4th birthday, further doses are not required. (Note: a dose 4 days or less before the 4th birthday is also acceptable).
3. Tdap means tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine, recommended for adolescents. If your child received a dose of tetanus or diphtheria containing vaccine such as Td within the past 5 years, Tdap is not required.
4. Polio vaccine for students entering grades Kindergarten through 12: Four doses are required. However, if your child received the 3rd dose after the 4th birthday, further doses are not required. (Note: a dose 4 days or less 1 before the 4th birthday is also acceptable).
5. The first dose of MMR vaccine must have been received on or after the first birthday (Note: a dose 4 days or less before the 1st birthday is also acceptable).
6. Var means Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. A history of chickenpox disease is also acceptable.
7. Students 13 years of age or older without a prior history of chickenpox disease, or who received their first dose of varicella vaccine at 13 years of age or older, are required to receive 2 doses of varicella vaccine.
Please call us if you have any questions.
The Importance of Good Attendance
Students who miss a lot of school miss out on learning. This is why the MadisonSchool District has set a goal that all students miss no more than 11 days in a school year and have 94% attendance. All students are expected to be a school unless they are ill. If your child is sick, it is important to call Schenk’s Safe Arrival at 204-1506 each day that your child is absent. Schenk office staff will contact families if a child is absent and no call was made to Safe Arrival. If the school does not reach you, the absence is marked unexcused.
Absences can be excused for the following reasons:
-Illness
-Doctor’s appointments
-Family emergency, for example serious illness of an immediate family member
-Death in the an immediate family
-Extreme weather conditions
-Religious holidays
Your child’s absence will be marked unexcused for these reasons:
-On-going transportation difficulties. Students are either provided bus service or live within walking distance of the school.
-Staying home to care for a family member.
Please contact your child’s teacher or call Schenk’s social worker,
Jenny Markwiese, at 204-1508, if your child is having problems attending school on a regular basis. We will work with you to help improve your child’s attendance.
/ We’re still looking for fill a few ROOM PARENT spots and would love to have you! It is a great way to get to know your child’s teacher and help out without getting too involved!
We need one or two parents for the following classrooms:
Mrs. LynchMrs. HokeMr. BrownMrs. Luciani
Mrs. IndaMrs. BlairMrs. KubiszMrs. Sterk
Mrs. DanielsonMrs. LymanMr. HilsabeckMr. Gingher
Please contact Marla Shoop, PTA Volunteer Coordinator at or 245-9909 if you can help or just want to see what it involves!
/ BookKingdom Grand Opening!
Friday, October 17th
The Book Kingdom Student Bookstore will hold its Grand Opening soon. Students will get a chance to visit the bookstore and purchase books. New books will be priced at $1.00 and used books will be priced at 25 cents. The BookKingdom will be open once a month during school hours, so mark your calendar for upcoming BookKingdom dates:
Friday, October 17th
Friday, November 21st
Friday, December 19th
If you would like your child to participate, please send money with him or her on the date when the bookstore is open. And just as a reminder, we appreciate any and all donations of gently used books!
--Barrie Martin
The PTA is selling Bucky Books!
If you are interested please contact the office or watch for upcoming information in your child’s backpack.
The books are $35.00.
The Schenk PTA keeps $15 from every book sold! /
Popcorn Fridays!
We need volunteerswho could pop popcorn for the kids once a month on Thursdays. It takes about 2-3 hours and can be done during school hours,after school or even in the evenings.
Training provided - it's super easy!
Popcorn Fridays is a great treat that the kids love.
School is off to a great start. Looking for ways to get involved? Here’s a sample of what we need:
- Help an hour or two a month with the Kingdom of Books Student Bookstore
- Help pop popcorn one Thursday a month for a few hours – super easy and yummy! Can be done in the evening or during the day.
- Help develop and manage content for the PTA section of Schenk’s website
- Participate in the planning committee for the Winter Carnival – we had a great time last year!
WHAT IS THE MIDWEST ACADEMIC TALENT SEARCH?
To: Parents of Third-Eighth Grade Students
From: Talented and Gifted (TAG) Resource TeachersEach year, The Center for Talent Development (CTD) at NorthwesternUniversity in Evanston, IL conducts the Midwest Academic Talents Search (MATS). Participating in this activity is voluntary and at parent/guardian discretion. Students in grades 3-6 may take the EXPLORE test, a test designed for 8th grade students. Students who are in grades 6-9 may choose between the ACT and SAT tests, which are designed for high school juniors or seniors.
It is recommended that participating students have WKCE scores at or above one of the following:
GradeVerb/RdgMath
3rd504487
4th528518
5th535549
6th558567
7th568586
8th584598
Why might a student participate in this testing opportunity? Reasons include:
- The testing process offers an out of level testing opportunity for students who typically perform at the “ceiling” (or top) of grade-level standards.
- This may be the first testing experience a student has in which s/he does not know all of the answers, or is even able to complete the entire test.
- Students will gain information about other academic opportunities around the state and nation (WisconsinCenter for Academically Talented Youth [WCATY]), NorthwesternUniversity, etc.)
You may read more about the Midwest Academic Talent Search and its cost, and also register on-line at:
If you prefer to register on paper, please email Kerry Berns at or call 663-5230. Your message should include your child’s name (please spell the last name), grade, and school. An application will be sent to you with a deadline of October 30th.Students who qualify for free and reduced lunch will qualify for financial aid and registration must be done by paper, not online.
Special Notice: Talented and Gifted Parent Meeting to meet new staff and learn more about MATS
When: Thursday, October 16th 7:00-8:30
Where: McDaniels Auditorium, DoyleAdministrationBuilding, 545 West Dayton
Family Resources
Koats for Kids
Do you need help getting winter coats for your children? Then call Community Action Coalition (CAC), 246-4730, to register your children for Koats for Kids. Coats will be distributed October 18-21. You will be asked for identification for each of your children who need a coat.
Thanksgiving Baskets
DaneCounty has a Thanksgiving Basket Program for families in need. You can sign-up at local food pantries between September 20 - October 18. Call the United Way helpline at 211 or 241-HELP to find out the names and addresses of participating pantries. To register by phone, you call 211 or 241-HELP between 8 AM – 5 PM, October 21-24. You will need identification for each member of your household as well as proof of residency.
A big THANK YOU to DoorCreekChurch for being so generous to
SchenkElementary School.
They held a school supply drive and donated the supplies and made a cash donation to the school. In addition, they made a large cash donation to help us buy furniture and a PA system for our gym! / Boomerangs Resale Shop
Boomerangs Resale Shop, a ministry of Door Creek Church, will be opening in Northgate Mall (corner of Aberg and Sherman Avenues) on Tuesday, September 9th. All profits of the store will be distributed to local mercy ministries to meet needs in the Madison area. Donations during business hours are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible. For more information and store hours go to or call the store at 268-0793.
Schenk Spirit Wear
There is still time to purchase Schenk shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and hats!
Orders will be taken at Parent Teacher conferences. There will be samples and sizes available to see when you place your order. Plan ahead as the orders will be available in time for holiday gift giving!
Go Sharks!
/
June 5th 2009
will be a special day at Schenk.
ArtistJoel Pfeiffer will be working with the students to create a special work of art.
The kids (and adults too) will mix the clay with their feet in the morning
then in the afternoon a mural will be created.
You can view Joel's work at
Our next Artist-in-Residence Committee Meeting is
Oct. 7th at 6:00 pm in the LMC
Please join us and get involved!
Is Your Child Well Enough To Go To School?
It is not always easy to decide if your child is sick enough to stay home or well enough to be in school. Children who come to school are expected, with few exceptions, to participate fully in school activities.
Here are some guidelines that might help in a parent's decision-making:
- Fever: A fever of 100 or more signals an illness that is probably going to make a student uncomfortable and unable to function well in class. Your child should stay home until he/she is feeling better.
- Vomiting, Diarrhea or Severe Nausea: These are symptoms that require a student to remain at home until a normal diet is tolerated the night before and the morning of school.
- Infectious Diseases: Diseases such as impetigo, pink eye with thick drainage, and strep throat require a doctor's examination and prescription for medication. Contacting the doctor and using the medicine as directed for the full recommended length of time are necessary. Once medication has been started and the child is feeling well, he/she may return to school.
- Students with chicken pox may return to school when all the scabs are completely dried and no new lesions are developing (usually 5-7 days).
- Rashes: Rashes or patches of broken, itchy skin needs to be examined by a doctor if they appear to be spreading or not improving.
- Injuries: If a student has an injury that causes continuous discomfort, the student should not attend school until the condition is checked by a doctor or it improves. Injuries that interfere with class participation need a medical evaluation. If participation in physical education classes is not recommended, a doctor's excuse is required.
Welcome all new and returning members! We had a large turn out in the L.M.C. at our first meeting on Sept. 9th. The new board members were introduced and the year’s events were announced. Principal Durtschi offered a welcome and information regarding changes around the school. We are excited for the events planned for students and families this year and are off to a great start!
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events!
September 24 – Cookie Dough Sale Kicks Off
Information was sent home in your child’s backpack
October 6th - Cookie dough order forms & money are due to the child’s teacher
October 14 6:00p.m. – Board Meeting in the L.M.C. Open PTA meeting for observations.
October 215:30p.m. – Movie Night Event – movie to be announced