Post on 04-May-2022
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM DOWNSVILLE
STAFF AND STUDENTS!
SCHOOL VACATION
BEGINS ON MONDAY,
DECEMBER 23 AND SCHOOL
RECONVENES ON
THURSDAY,
JANUARY 2, 2014.
MUSIC PROGRAM DVD’S
If you would like to purchase a copy of the
music + DVD, please contact the school office
and request one. The price will be $10.00 each.
WINTER CLOTHING NEEDED!!
Now that winter has truly arrived please be
sure you are sending your child dressed for
outside weather. They need to have a WARM
COAT, BOOTS, SNOWPANTS, HAT, and
MITTENS. Students are required to go
outside at recess time when the
temperature/wind chill is 0 degrees or above!
They need to wear all winter attire for
recesses.
UP-COMING DATES/EVENTS
Dec. 20 School Sing-along, 1:00
21 1st Day of Vacation
Jan. 2 School Reconvenes
14 Girl Scouts 3:20 – 5:00 PM
20 NO SCHOOL, STAFF
DEVELOPMENT
20 PTC Meeting, 5:30 PM
29 Early Release, 12:45
Feb. 11 Girl Scouts 3:20 – 5:00 PM
17 PTC Meeting, 5:30 PM
18 Parent-Teacher Conferences
4-7:45 PM
20 Parent-Teacher Conferences
4-7:45 PM
21 NO SCHOOL!!
26 Early Release, 12:45
28 5TH
Grade Ski Trip (tentative)
Mar. 7 End of Second Trimester
11 Girl Scouts 3:20 – 5:00 PM
12 Report Cards go Home with
students 13 Spring Pictures
17-21 SPRING BREAK!!
NO SCHOOL!!!
Downsville tiger tales
December 2013
Downsville Daily Schedule:
The daily schedule for students is 8:30 AM to
3:20 PM. We ask that children who walk to
school or are brought to school by their parent
not arrive at school earlier than 8:15 AM.
School Office Hours are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
daily. Please call the school secretary before
9 AM if your child is going to be absent.
Please provide a written note when your
child/children returns to school.
When students arrive at school after 8:30 AM
or must be excused before 3:20 PM a note
needs to be provided to the Office and you
must either sign in or sign out your child. A
child needs to check into the office if coming
to school after 8:30 AM.
Illness: With the cold and flu season upon us children
will become ill from time to time. If your child
has had a fever they must be fever free for 24
hours without medication (Tylenol, Motrin,
etc), before returning to school.
WRITTEN EXCUSE
We must have a written excuse from you
when you child returns to school after an
absence. This is a requirement from the
state!! Thank you
SCHOOL SUPPPLIES
Now is the time that many of the children have
depleted their original school supplies from the
beginning of the year. Please check with your
child as to any needs they may have for pencils,
erasers, paper, etc. to get them started after the
New Year!! Thank you!
SKATING RINK
Thanks to our wonderful volunteers – the
skating rink will be available over break and
also when we come back for use.
If you are able and willing to volunteer during
our lunch break to tie skates (especially for the
little tikes), or even help supervise the rink,
please contact the office (715-664-8546) with
your name and phone number. This way we
may be able to contact you when the weather is
ideal for skating to see if you are available.
DOWNSVILLE PARENTS AND
VOLUNTEERS ROCK!!
3rd, 4th & 5th Grade Physical Education News
Submitted by: Mrs. Munoz
3th, 4th & 5th grade physical education classes will be roller-skating January 9, 14, 17, 23 and 28. Vision Quest Entertainment Center will be providing the
rollerskates and will help students learn how to skate.
The students will learn how to get up and fall down safely. Students will also learn how to stay balanced, skate and stop. This is an amazing opportunity for the
students here at Downsville! Happy Skating!
Title Corner
Reading-
As the Winter Break approaches, keep encouraging your child to read every day, even when
school is not in session. Here are some great gift ideas to keep your child reading:
Buy your child a magazine subscription. This is a gift that will continue to give all year! There
are so many publications available from sports, nature, fashion, current events and more!
A Personalized Journal or Diary. Journals help develop and encourages children to express
ideas, opinions, and allows them to show their creative side.
Activity Books. Challenge your child by providing them with crossword puzzles word
finds, MadLibs. This will help promote and develop their spelling and vocabulary. Also check out
number puzzles like Sudoku!
Comfy Chair. Provide your child with a comfortable place to read. Look for a cushy chair that
they can place in a quiet spot.
Here are some new, hot books:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck by Jeff Kinney
The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppet (Book 4 of Origami Yoda Series) by Tom Angleberger
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
Let's Go For a Ride by Mo Willems
Oh, No! By Candance Fleming
No Fits, Nilson! by Zachariah OHora
Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales
Knock Knock: My Father's Dream for Me by Daniel Beaty
Wait! Wait! by Hatsue Nakawaki
Math Riddle: Why did the coach go to the bank?
~~If you know the answer, make sure you tell Ms. Swiontek, so
LIBRARY NEW!!
Here’s what the students have been learning during library media time:
Kindergarteners have been reading books by Jan Brett and working on
their mouse skills in the computer lab.
First graders have learned four of the parts that are part of all stories:
characters, setting, problem and solution. They also found out about
different versions of folk and fairy tales like Cinderella.
Second graders learned the Big 3 (steps of research) and learned about
interesting animals in the world. They also have gained dictionary skills.
They can practice more by going to the guide word websites off of the
second grade links.
Third graders read as many Caldecotts as they could, experimented with
different art media (making Caldecott Cornucopias) and having a game
show to show what they’d learned. Now, it’s on to the Wonders of
Menomonie Unit.
Fifth graders began designing book trailers (iMovies promoting one of
their favorite books). They’ve watched several good examples, planned
with a storyboard, used Soundzabound to get copyright-free music,
scanned images and learned to use Safe Search on Google to find images
for their project. They are taking a couple of weeks during December to
study similarities between Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and will
return to the book trailers in the new year.
The fourth graders did a brief
unit during library media time
where they identified the ethnic
groups who first lived in our part
of Wisconsin and used Almanacs
to see what the percentages of
groups of various ethnicities is
now. As a culminating activity,
they made ornaments
representing the Ojibwe,
German, Norwegian and English.
The ornaments were displayed
(along with those made at
Downsville and River Heights) at
the Rassbach Heritage Center as
part of their tree decorating
contest.
Our library has been
gifted with books
donated by the
Downsville Sportsman
Club. $200 worth of
books about
conservation, hunting
and fishing were
selected to update the
school’s library
collection.
Pictured here are Library Media Specialist Ann Salt, students Jarod Shetler,
Samantha Hein, Jonah Jensen and Bryce Wittig, and club members Annette
Knutson, Jim Ness and Kris Widmar.
Minutes for PTC Meeting on December 16, 2013
Kami Ayres opened the meeting at 5:45 PM.
Attendees: Heather Obenberger, Geraldine Carlson, Jane Hulett, Katie Wittig, Rhonda Paul, Kami Ayres,
Angie McWithey, and Mary Henry
Minutes: November minutes read and approved. Katie made motion and Rhonda 2nd
.
Treasurer’s Report: Current Balance= $3,998.54
Recent Deposits= $118.10 Downsville’s Culver’s Night profit
$134.00 Downsville School Clothing Sales
Old Business:
A. Santa Visit Update
Scheduled for Friday, December 20th
at 1:00 PM
B. Level Books Fundraiser/Cookie Walk Update
December 10th
cookie walk was a success with a profit of $288.30 raised towards the $758 goal
to purchase level reading books for the school. A second cookie walk will be held December
17th
to raise additional funds toward this goal. Fund request made by Rhonda Paul for
reimbursement in the amount of $23.50 for cookie walk containers. Kami made motion, Katie
2nd
, voted on and approved.
New Business:
A. Election of New PTC Secretary
Rhonda nominated Kris Hoff who has expressed interest in the position. Kris Hoff elected
as new PTC Secretary.
B. Downsville Family Skate Night at Vision Quest
PTC will look into scheduling this for January, February, or March, with the possibility of
sharing a skate night with Knapp School.
C. Ice Skating/Winter Party
This is tentatively scheduled for Friday, January 31st from after school until 5:00. PTC will look
into getting hot chocolate and string cheese for this event.
D. Book Fair
PTC is hoping to schedule the book fair during the week of Feb.17th
to coincide with student
conferences.
Principal’s Report: Minor school day schedule changes (in regards to school day start time and lunch/recess
schedule) to begin following winter break. Look for a note coming home with students prior to winter break for
more information regarding these changes.
Next PTC Meeting: Due to no school on Monday January 20th
, the date of January’s PTC meeting has
been changed to Tuesday, January 14th
at 5:30 PM.
Meeting adjourned at 7:05 PM
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE FIRST GRADERS!!
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” in our classroom. The first
graders will deck our classroom with beautiful wreaths, and decorations! As you pass our room you may hear bells jingling and the happy voices of children singing the traditional Christmas carols just for fun. This group of first graders really likes to sing!
During this month, we will study Christmas traditions of children around the world. Of course, the students will continue their practice of addition, subtraction, tens and one, and problem solving skills. The students are working hard on their reading and writing skills as well. They are constantly acquiring new word attack skills, increasing fluency and increasing their sight word vocabulary.
In the spirit of Christmas, the first graders have written two wishes; one is a wish they have for themselves, and the other is a wish they have for a special person in their life or the world…
MY CHRISTMAS WISHES
Jonathon – I wish for a blade wheels. I wish for a play cash register and a toy microphone. I wish for my grandpa to feel better. Cyrus – I wish I had a million dollars. I wish for a black BB gun. I wish for a dirt bike and an I-pod. Chad – I wish for a football. I wish for a car. Parker – I wish I had $20,000. I wish my gram would feel better. Autumn – I wish for my grandma and grandpa to come visit me. I wish my dad could see better.
Masyn L. – I wish I had a million dollars. I wish I had tickets to see the Packers. I wish my mom had a million dollars. Elliana – I wish for my grandma to get better. I wish good things for the world. Kaiden – I wish for my dog to have babies and for tickets to the Packers. I wish for my family to be closer. Josh – I wish for some money. I wish for a John Deer tractor. Mason W. – I wish for my family to have another four wheeler. I wish for Santa to bring my family presents. Karlen – I wish my family had money. I wish I could fly. I wish nobody would die. I wish I lived by Chicago. James – I wish for a ticket to the Millionaire. I wish for mom to have a baby. Sam - I wish to have tickets for the Packers. I wish for my grandpa to feel better. Michael – I wish for a dirt bike. I wish for Star War’s legos. Blake – I wish my snuggy was alive. I wish my grandpa was alive.
CAN YOU NAME THE THIRD GRADE BOY?
In October, we taught you about our
amazing girls. This month we’d like
to tell you more about our wonderful
group of boys. Match the description to
the choices on the left. The answers are
on the bottom. Good luck!
Choices Description Answer
You may
use each
boy only
once.
Zachery
Brett
Matthew
Joey
Garrett
Justin
Luke
Kolyn
Rosko
Mitchell
Mr.
Hayden
1. I love playing all sports, including going hiking and canoeing.
I love reading books and spending time with my family. I have
two pets, Juno (cat) & Blacky (dog). Who am I?
Mr.
Hayden
2. I am the youngest sibling. Mr. Hayden taught my older
brother about ten years ago. Louis Sachar is one of my favorite
authors. I have a clever sense of humor. Who am I?
3. I have a brother in fourth grade. I have a cousin who is in first
grade at our school, too. I like to play chess and strategy games.
I also like to read. Who am I?
4. I like playing football and sports at recess. I am the only child
in my family. I tend to be quiet, but I have lots of friends and
enjoy playing with them. Who am I?
5. Mr. Hayden says I am like Tigger. I have lots of energy and
am a very happy boy. I love to draw. My older brother is in 6th
grade. Garrett is one of my good buddies. Who am I?
6. I also like playing football and sports at recess. I am polite and
helpful. Mr. Hayden loved my memoir about my fat cat, which I
met when I was out hunting. Who am I?
7. I like playing video games. I am quiet most of the time, but
get a bit more outgoing when I am with my pals. Matthew in
fourth grade is a good friend of mine, too. Who am I?
8. I am the only one in my family who attends Downsville, but
next year I’ll have a brother who will be in Kindergarten. I am a
great friend to Joey, Matthew, & many others. Who am I?
9. I am the oldest sibling. I have a younger brother who will be
in kindergarten next year. Mr. Hayden says that I am the
“posterchild” for an outdoor boys magazine. Who am I?
10. I love drawing. I also love exploring and digging for rocks.
One of my favorite games is Minecraft. I have a good sense of
humor and am very kind. Who am I?
11. Mr. Hayden says that he thinks I am a “cool kid” because I
am nice to everyone and very easy to be around. I have a nice
sense of humor and am very helpful. Who am I?
Answers: 1.Mr. Hayden 2.Luke 3.Zach 4.Brett 5.Matthew 6.Justin 7.Joey 8.Garrett 9.Mitchell 10.Rosko 11.Kolyn
FIFTH GRADE NEWS!!!!
Native American Projects This year in fifth grade we created native american projects. We picked from the
Tlingit
( kl-ing-it ) tribe, the Iroquois ( ir-i-coi ), the Hopi, and the Lakota. We all had to pick
one tribe which ranged from about 2 to 3 kids doing each one, but we had to do the
projects by ourselves.
We all had to write an oral report, put together an artifact, make visual
presentation, and do a written report which included a bibliography. We all organized
and looked up the research at school. We had a choice to pick things to write about so
our teacher gave each of us a sheet that said what we could write about. These are the
categories that we had to pick from: region, basic necessities, and culture. We picked 2
things from each category and there were 6 choices within each category we could write
about “you can always do more but never less” is what Ms.Graham always says.
We all worked hard on our projects at school but we had to make our artifacts at
home so we worked hard on them at home. When it was the day that we had to present
them some of us who had not yet finished our final drafts all got inside and we worked
hard to get them done. When everyone got there we all got a pep talk from Ms.Graham
and we got up there and told everyone about our tribe. We showed them our slideshows
and our artifacts and then when we were done we got to take our artifacts home. Then
Ms.Graham told us we did great!
We worked so hard to make them and present them. It’s something to look
forward to when you get into fifth grade!
Here are some pictures:
By: Shaelee Paul
3rd, 4th, and 5th grade present . . .
Winter Wonderland
Welcome to our Christmas Concert Article! This is all about our concert we had.
Just recently we had our Christmas Concert. The concert featured 3rd, 4th and 5th graders
singing and playing recorders. We took a long time to get ready for the concert. It was fun, but hard
and required lots of practice and concentration. We each had our own songs. Here are the list of songs,
their solos, and their reading parts:
● Snow Day:
Read by Shelby Tuschl
Sang by everyone
Snow Day is about having a Snow Day and what you would do. What is your ritual on a
Snow Day?
● Winter Walk:
Read by Maysa Maraia
Sang by 3rd grade
Winter Walk is about the scenery we see at this time of year, and how beautiful it is.
Even though sometimes we dislike this season, Winter Walk reminds us this
season is one of the most beautiful seasons we have.
● World Chimes:
Read by Evelyn Johns
Played on the recorder by 4th and 5th grade
World Chimes is a recorder cover of a song composed of the bells we often hear during
this season.
● O Come Little Children:
Read by Zander Franks
Sang by everyone
Recorders played by Zachary Foslid and Zander Franks
Solos: Evelyn Johns, Klara Knospe, and Shaelee Paul (Klara couldn’t make it)
O Come Little Children asks all of the children of the world to come and enjoy this time
of year and it’s joy.
● Snow Angels:
Read by Shaelee Paul
Sang by 3rd grade
The song Snow Angels show that this is the one season we can make snow angels and
how cool they look. They are a great addition to the beauty of this season.
● A Perfect Winter Day:
Read by Zachary Foslid
Sang by 4th grade
A Perfect Winter day is a time that people have a love/hate relationship with winter! 4th
grade sing this in two groups, the grumpy, and the happy.
● Jingle Jive:
Read by William Ockler (who couldn’t make it and was replaced by Sean Greer)
Sang by 5th grade (and the audience)
Did you know that Jingle Bells was actually originally a Thanksgiving song? This song
puts a jazzy twist on the classic hit winter song.
● Light the Candles All Around the World
Read by Chloe Styer
Sang by everyone
Solos: Maysa Maraia and Shelby Tuschl
This song admonishes us that everyone is different and should not be judged. But, the
question is, what if everyone in the world stopped what they were doing and
everyone lit a candle, so everything would be peaceful?
Our concert was very fun to learn and practice. We had to learn a lot of lyrics and notes! Huge thanks goes to Mrs.
Poquette who directed us and taught us everything we knew at the concert. Once again, thank you Mrs. Poquette!
Thank you Mrs. Poquette!!! - by Zander Franks & Zachary Foslid
D.A.R.E. Graduation By: Devin Radle
D.A.R.E is a program that teaches kids about drugs, alcohol,
and smoking. D.A.R.E. teaches kids to not smoke or drink alcohol.
It covers ten lessons. The fifth graders’ D.A.R.E. officer is Deputy
Rod Dicus. The fifth grade students are graduating from D.A.R.E.
on Friday, Dec. 20 at 10:00 in the library. They will be getting a
certificate after they recite their D.A.R.E. essays. The fifth graders
learned a lot!
Thank you Deputy Rod Dicus!
5th
GRADE POEMS
HOT CHOCOLATE BY: Evelyn Johns
The wind whips, the trees blow, the snow envelops me head to toe.
I fight the cold and try to warm I can barely see the cop standing in a uniform
The house I live in with the smoke wafting from the chimney and light bursting through the windows
I can almost smell the hot chocolate burning The dark creamy chocolate and the marshmallows floating to the top
Thunk, thunk, thunk went the door and there standing looking cold the cop begging for some hot chocolate.
We gladly took him in and handed a swig of the melted gold in the goblet in exchange for his story,
it starts with a little girl named Tori...
The Snowman
The snowman standing there tall and high
I just might wonder why, why, why.
Standing there all day and night
The wind is blowing not so light
As I stand there watching him
I got an idea I’ll bring him in
I hustled out into the cold
I grabbed his stick hand and pulled pulled pulled
As I went in the living room I felt something wet
It was the snowman not looking the best.
By Shelby Anne Tuschl
THE SNOWFLAKE
On a cold winter day all I could see
was a little snowflake falling on me
but that little snowflake fluttered away
so now there is no snowflake falling on me
so I followed the snowflake as far as I could see
but it never came back and sat on me
and after that it started to snow
so it was impossible to find my snowflake
as the sky got darker I started to cry
I thought I would never find my snowflake
but then
I found my snowflake far away from my house
sitting on a hill with the sun shining brightly
on my snowflake
as I reached out my snowflake started to melt
as I sat there sadly without a doubt
the sun started to come fully out
and after that I was down as I walked home all cold and wet
I started to sob and throw a tantrum.
By Shelby Anne Tuschl
Christmas/Winter Break
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
from the Downsville 5th Grade Tigers!
The break starts Saturday, December 21, 2013 and ends Wednesday,
January 2, 2014.
My name is Will and for Christmas break I’m going spend time with
my family and have a nice feast with my family at my grandma’s house
and at my house.
Hi my name is Sean and over Christmas break I’m spending time with
my family and playing with my brothers and I am going to play with my
presents.
Sean and I interviewed a couple students and staff members and
asked them what their plans are for Christmas/winter break. We asked
Devin and he said he is going to hang out with his sister, spend Christmas
with family, relax and play outside. Zander is going to Illinois for
Christmas and spending it with family and playing with his new bird Andy
and presents.
Ms. Graham is going to Wisconsin Dells with her mom, dad, brother,
nephew, and herself for Christmas. She has never been there. Mr. Mike
our custodian is going up north snowmobiling over Christmas break. Mrs.
Peplinski our 1st grade teacher is going to have fun with her family over
Christmas break. Mr. Hayden our 3rd grade teacher is going to stay in a
cabin with his family over Christmas break.
Hope you enjoy your Christmas/winter break!
Christmas jokes By: Devin Radle
1. Why did Rudolph the Reindeer look at Santa’s emails?
Because he is nosey.
2. What does Santa say when he walks backwards?
“oh oh oh”.
3. Where does Frosty the Snowman deposit his money?
The snow bank.
4. Why was Santa’s little helper depressed?
Because he had low elf esteem
Ice Skating
Hello Parent/Guardians, this article is about the Ice Skating rink. Every year Downsville
Elementary School is very lucky to have such wonderful people to build a skating rink
for Downsville. The school will fit your child for skates and if you decide you want to
get your child their own skates then go ahead and get some but once again the school
will provide them too. The school does not require helmets and knee pads and elbow
pads; they are optional. If you want to bring your own you can. Parents/guardians can
skate with their children if they let Kay Wolf know. Parents can go on the rink without
skates if they don’t have any but we recommend winter boots if you do go on it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are willing and able to tie skates at lunch, please sign the form below. We could
really use the help!
A. I can tie skates on B. I cannot tie skates.
__Mondays __Thursdays
__Tuesdays __Fridays
__Wednesdays
Parent Name (Print)_______________________________
Parent Signature __________________________________
We would like to have a Mentor Reading Program this year. The goal for our program is to form relationships with students who need an extra boost with their reading. Volunteers would work with a small number of children every week for 15-30 minute sessions. How do I get to be a volunteer? Fill out the bottom of this sheet and return it to school. Our district does require a background check for any individuals volunteering at a school. When do we start? A teacher will contact you to discuss the date when you would like to start.
Name: ___________________________________________________________ Time and day(s) available to help:__________________________________ Contact number and/or email:______________________________________
We look forward to working with you!