December 20, 2007

The Last Thursday Letter of 2007

December 20, 2007

It was terrific to have such large audiences for last week's Winter Festival Concert. The students' pride and pleasure in their accomplishments and performances are palpable and being able to share this with family and friends is just the best. Thanks for taking the time to be here.

Growing up in Michigan, I remember winters filled with snow, cold, and endless hours outside building forts or houses and playing Fox and Geese in the snow. This was before Land's End style warm clothing so included in my memory bank, too, are icy toes and fingers. One part of our house was heated with only a wood stove, so cold mornings are part of my memory as I would make the daily dash from the cold bedroom to the toasty warmth of the stove in the other room. Along with these memories, I have a storehouse of winter break memories, times when my mom or dad were unexpectedly available to play a game or to bake cookies. One time, my dad even took me ice fishing very early in the morning! While this is a fond memory because of the time with my father, it did cure me for all time of any interest in standing out on the ice holding a skinny pole with a dangling fish line.

Times have changed in so many ways. Now, there are actually warm clothes that can make being outside even more fun. Families of all configurations have developed traditions of who is with whom when and as with my own now blended family; celebrations can go on for days in multiple different states. From my conversations with children here at Cumberland, though, one thing has remained absolutely the same from my childhood to now; children still look forward to and value time with the adults in their lives. I wish for you during these next two weeks the opportunities to spend time with those you love, to make memories that will stick for the next several decades, and to build on traditions that bring pleasure and meaning to your family. Tomorrow, Friday the 21^st is the last day of school until January 7^th when we return to regular school. Happy New Year to you!

Notes:

• Attention all K4, K5 and 1^st Grade Families: Join us on Thursday, January 24^th from 5:00-7:30 for the Second Annual Family Literacy Night. This year, Richards School will host the event. You will have the opportunity to choose from several fabulous sessions, walk away with literacy games, activities and specific skills that you can use at home to encourage your child's efforts to read and write. Sue Boquist will share her incredible knowledge about how children learn to read and write in a session for parents. Pizza dinner and child care will be provided. Reserve your spot now by completing the form that was sent home last week. More forms are available in the office. The registration deadline is Friday, January 11^th. Due to advance planning for food and space, no late registrations can be accepted. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Seiler at 963-3943 or lseil.ms.wfb@wfbschools.com.
• Parents and Guardians of 4^th and 5^th graders are asked to complete a World Language survey online at http://www.wfbschools. Once at the website, select your child's school from the column on the left. Select 'Curriculum' and follow the survey link on the Curriculum page. Thanks for completing this survey prior to January 6^th.
• Poison Prevention safety tips: In today's folder is a two page hand out from the Wisconsin Poison Center at Children's Hospital. Filled with information specific to this time of the year, it can help prevent accidental injuries.

December 13, 2007

Notes from Ms. Heffron December 13, 2007

Tomorrow is the Winter Festival Concert and I look forward to seeing you there. Please remember that the doors are open 45 minutes before the concert and we do not have space for waiting much before this as our more than 600 students pass through already crowded hallways. Parking restrictions will not be enforced around the school area. Performances are at 9:45 and 1:30 and if possible, those with last names A-M are encouraged to come in the morning and N-Z in the afternoon. See you then.

Other things:

• Our clinic can always use extra gloves for loan. Donations are gratefully accepted.
• January Pops is a concert of One Hit Wonders performed by the WFB High School extra-curricular choirs featuring music from the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. Lots of great and not-so-great music! Performances are Friday, January 11, 2008, 7 pm and Saturday, January 12, 2008, 7 pm at the Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 790 N. Van Buren St., Milwaukee. Tickets are $13. for adults and $7. for students and seniors. Call Mary Lynn Han 963-0466.
• Winter Break, December 24^th – January 6^th. School resumes on Monday, January 7, 2008.

December 6, 2007

A Letter from Ms. Heffron December 6, 2007

Having snow is fantastically fun here at school. District personnel plow the blacktop for safety and the snow is pushed into large piles at the edge of the fields. Endless fun ensues with the possibilities for building forts/structures, snow chairs and otter-like slides. Students of all ages join in, with students in successive recesses adding to buildings that were started by others.

To maximize snow fun and safety, and to help students smoothly transition back to learning after recesses, the following procedures are in place:

• Students in all grades must wear boots and snowpants to leave the blacktop. This includes going to the play equipment areas. Boots and snowpants provide protection and reduce the chances that students will come back in with wet pants or socks, both of which distract from learning.
• Structures can be built. There is to be no active stealing of snow balls/boulders allowed between groups/structures.
• No one owns a structure. All are community property to be shared.
• No tunnels are allowed for safety reasons.
• Sliding down the snow hills is ok, feet first only.
• King of the Hill is not allowed because of the danger resulting from the pushing.
• No throwing snowballs. Anyone who does is sent immediately to the office. The student spends the next recess in the office. If repeat offenses, students will lose recesses for several days.

If you have a chance to stop or drive by during lunch recesses, you will see even from afar the loads of fun that students have outside during the winter. Scholarship funding for outerwear is available for families in need. Contact me directly if you would like to be considered.

Our Winter Festival Concert is a week away! The all-school concert will be held on Friday, December 14 at 9:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. All-day kindergarteners and 1st-5th grade students will perform at both concerts. Morning K4 and K5 classes will perform @ 9:45am. Afternoon K4 and K5 classes will perform @ 1:30pm. To accommodate all parents and visitors, please try to attend the concert at your designated time:

• Families with last names beginning A-M, please try to attend the 9:45 a.m. performance. Families with morning kindergarteners should attend this performance.
• Families with last names beginning N-Z, please try to attend the 1:30 p.m. performance. Families with afternoon kindergarteners should attend this performance.

Of course, if the designated time does not work with your schedule, please attend the performance that will work best for your family. The gymnasium doors will open for audience members 45 minutes prior to each performance. The gymnasium doors will open at 9:00 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. for the performances.

We look forward to seeing you at the Winter Festival concert on December 14th!

Notes:

• PTO Cougar Callers (the Cumberland telephone directory) were distributed to PTO members last week through Thursday folders. If you did not receive a Caller and you think you should have please direct questions to PTO Membership Chair, Beth Matkom by calling 967-9770 or by email ematkom@wi.rr.com. Also, if you are a PTO member and have not received a district calendar please contact Beth as well.
• Late Start for students: December 12^th. All students begin class at 9:15
• Reminder: December 7^th is a half day for students. Dismissal at 11:50