Gator News - Amazon Web Services...as we are in the midst a long stretch of school days with few breaks or interruptions. It’s the real ... demonstrate financial hardship and must

March 2 Coding Club—3:00-4:00


Art Club—3:05-4:15

Pink Pong Club—3:15-4:00


March 12 Daylight Saving —Turn Clocks Forward 1 hour

March 13 Art Club—3:05-4:15

Ping Pong Club—3:15-4:00

March 16 Early Release—2:00

Parent-Teacher Conference 4:00-7:00 PM

March 17 Early Release—11:20

March 17-19 School Musical

March 20 Art Club—3:05-4:15

Pink Pong Club—3:15-4:00


March 27 End of Quarter 3

Coding Club—3:00-4:00

Ping Pong Club—3:15-4:00 March 28-29 8th Grade College Tours

Mar. 1

2017

Learning, Leadership and Laughter…The JRG Journey

Gator News J.R. Gerritts Middle School • 545 S. John St. • Kimberly, WI • 920-788-7905

a Glance Forward Exam

Spring Conferences

Policy Reminders

March: Spring Conferences, Forward Exam March has arrived, and spring weather is (hopefully) just around the corner after our brief February false spring. I love to ride my bike, and every year at some point, either February or March cruelly trick me into thinking that road biking season is here to stay, only to dampen my hopes with more snow, rain, wind and all the other joys that springtime brings to Wisconsin.

This can also be a challenging time of year for our students to maintain their focus and work effort, as we are in the midst a long stretch of school days with few breaks or interruptions. It’s the real heart of the school year, and while it might seem long for students, so much important growth and learning occurs during this period. You can help your student by setting goals (for grades, or work completion, or reading, or other academics) and helping them to monitor their progress.

To give parents an opportunity to meet with teachers with more of the school year remaining, we have moved our spring conference date earlier this year. Conferences will occur on Thursday, March 16 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Because our spring conferences are only one night, you can expect them to be busy. You are welcome to attend conferences for any reason, and as always if you have more significant concerns that will take more time than conferences allow, please contact the teacher and set up a separate time for a more thorough conversation. If you have reviewed your child’s grades on Infinite Campus and don’t have major questions or concerns, we want you to feel welcome to, but not obligated to, attend conferences.

Soon after our spring conferences, students will be taking the Forward Exam. We are in the second year of this statewide standardized assessment. Seventh graders are assessed in English Language Arts and Math, while eighth graders are assessed in those same subject areas, plus Science and Social Studies. Students will take these assessments during their regular core classes following the schedule outlined below. While testing is intense and takes a lot of time, we are excited to see the growth our students have made since last year.

Here are a few important reminders as we gear up for the Forward Exam:

As always, we ask that whenever possible families avoid scheduling appointments or other pre-scheduled absences during the testing sessions.

Remind your student to charge their Chromebook, since all testing is done online. Also, remember that students cannot use a personal device (laptop, Chromebook, etc.) for testing. We will provide those few students who typically opt to use their own device with a district Chromebook to use during testing.

Students should bring headphones on testing days, as some portions of the test require them.

Phones, smartwatches and any other personal electronic devices cannot be used by anyone (students or staff) in the testing environment. When possible, students should leave them at home on testing days. Teachers will be collecting these devices during testing, and returning them at the end of the testing session.

You can also help your child to perform at their best by ensuring that they get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.

This year’s Forward Exam schedule will be: 7th and 8th Graders:

March 21-23: Math (during Math classes)

April 4-6: English Language Arts (during Language Arts classes)

8th Graders only:

March 27-30: Social Studies and Science (during Science or Social Studies classes)

If you have questions about spring conferences or the Forward Exam, please feel free to contact me. A brochure with more information about the Forward Exam is included later in this newsletter. As always, thank you for supporting your child’s success at JRG!

Mr. Brinkmann, Principal

Gator News • J.R. Gerritts Middle School • Page 2

Project Starfish Intended to Help Families in Financial Need Limited Financial Assistance is available for activities, events and programs at JRG Middle School through Project Starfish. In partnership with U. S. Ventures, Inc., JRG is proud to announce its participation with Project Starfish. Project Starfish provides an opportunity for students to develop a plan to volunteer within the school community and "pay it forward" in an effort to make a difference to others. This could be anything from helping clean up school property; helping in the office, weeding, or an approved project the student may self select. Participants in Project Starfish remain confidential, must demonstrate financial hardship and must complete their volunteer work prior to the mini-course experience. Forms to participate in Project Starfish can be picked up in the Student Services office and can be found on page 21 of this newsletter. Submission of a request does not guarantee assistance.

JRG Students Featured in Art Show Five JRG students have their artwork on display at the North East Regional Art Show at the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum in Neenah from February 25-March 4. From the Regional Art Show, Sadey, Nola and Trystian’s artwork pieces have been selected to advance to the State Art Show in Madison in March to celebrate Youth Art Month. Congratulations to all of our talented artists!

Nola McDonald, Grade 7: “Self Portrait with Cats”

Nicole Benedict, Grade 7:

“Self Portrait with Basketballs”

Trystian Weeks, Grade 7:

“Self Portrait and Bowling”

Emily Williams, 8th Grade:

“Worry”

Sadey Havel, Grade 8:

“Remember Me…”

Emergency Medications Please be aware that emergency medications that are provided for use during the school day will not be accessible after school hours. Parents and students plan ahead to have emergency medication available during after school activities such as clubs and sports. If an emergency arises and a student does not have their emergency medication available, 911 will be called.

Appointments, Forgotten Items, and Messages to Students

We commonly see a number of items brought to the office to be given to students throughout the day. This includes lunches, phones, musical instruments, and athletic clothing, as well as calls to get messages to students. While we realize that some things are unavoidable, please try to ask the office to get a message to your child only in cases of emergency. With over 780 students at JRG we prefer not to interrupt learning any more than absolutely necessary. As we receive items or messages, students are sent a quick message in their email notifying them they need to stop in the office. Students are then responsible to stop in the Main Office after class. If your student contacts you from school concerning a forgotten item, it is their responsibility to check in the office between classes. If they do not check between classes, they will be called during announcements at the end of the day to pick up their item. Students who have appointments during the day are expected to come to the office in the morning to receive a pass. Please send them with a note in the morning indicating the time they will be picked up. We write the pass 5 minutes earlier than the indicated time to ensure your student is here to meet you when you arrive. It is then their responsibility to be aware of what time they are to come to the office to meet you. We would prefer to not have to call a classroom to remind students of their appointment time once they have received a pass. Thank you for your support in creating a great learning environment at JRG.

My Child Doesn’t Feel Well While at School—What Should They Do? The weather is starting to change, and more students are feeling off—whether it is a stuffy nose, sore throat, or just generally not feeling well. On page 5, you will find guidelines put together by our District Nurses of when to keep your child home from school. If your child is at school and does not feel well, our health room is located in the Main Office. There they will be asked to complete a brief form to indicate their concerns. Students will then be evaluated by the Health Assistant or an office staff member. We ask that students not contact home on their own without first being evaluated in the health room. For most concerns, 10-15 minutes of rest helps tremendously and the student is able to return to class for the remainder of the day. All students are encouraged to carry a water bottle with them to stay hydrated throughout the day. JRG is equipped to offer certain stock medications in pill form only. These medications include regular and extra strength acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and Benadryl. To dispense these medications to a student, we need to have a form completed by a parent indicating which medications we can provide as well as the dosage. You can find this form on our website under Forms and Documents. If your student needs cough drops, Tums, or non-pill forms of pain relieving medications, you may provide them from home in their original containers. They will be kept in the health room for those times your student needs them. Our main goal is to help students return to class and continue learning. If their temperature is over 100 degrees or other symptoms dictate, parents will be contacted by the health assistant, office staff, or permission will be given to the student to call. Please take a moment to discuss this process with your student. If you have any questions about this process, please call the office at 788-7905.


Cough and Cold Season Is Upon Us With the weather changing to colder fall temperatures, the health room is seeing an increase in students with cold symptoms. While we do have Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and Benadryl in stock, any other type of over the counter medication needs to be provided from home. All medications must be kept in the health room, including cough drops. If your child is in need of any medication at school (stock, or over the counter), please fill out a medication consent form and bring it to the main office. The forms are available in the office and on our website under Forms and Documents. We also encourage students to carry a water bottle with them as good hydration is key. Thank you for your help in keeping our kids healthy and safe!


When to Keep Your Child Home

Children should be kept home from school when they don’t feel well. It is important to get the rest

they need to recover, and to prevent the spread of germs to other children and the staff. If you are

unsure of when to keep your child home, please contact the school nurse or your family medical

provider.

The following symptoms may suggest a communicable disease. Children who have the following

symptoms should be kept home from school until a doctor has seen them, they no longer have

symptoms indicating a communicable disease or they have received treatment for at least 24 hours

for certain diseases.

Fever: An oral temperature of 100.00 or higher indicates a fever. If your child has a temp of 100.00

or higher at school he/she will be sent home. Your child should be fever free for 24 hours without the

use of a fever reducer (Tylenol or Ibuprofen product) before he/she returns to school.

Strep Throat: If a fever is accompanied by a sore throat, stomach ache or head ache it may be strep

throat. Strep throat is diagnosed by a throat culture obtained at a medical clinic. If your child is

diagnosed with strep throat, your child must be on appropriate antibiotics for 24 hours and fever free

for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducer (Tylenol or Ibuprofen product) before he/she returns

to school.

Vomiting and diarrhea: If your child has an episode of vomiting and diarrhea at school, he/she will

be sent home. Anyone with these symptoms should stay home until symptoms are absent for 24

hours.

Eyes: Pink eye or conjunctivitis appears as a pinkish sclera (white of the eye), it is usually itchy and

painful. Drainage or crust may form on the eyelids. Student may attend school unless he/she has a

fever, behavioral changes, or is unable to avoid touching his/her eyes. Antibiotics are not required for

return to school.

Skin problems: Rashes and infected sores needed to be diagnosed by a medical provider. Many skin

rashes such as impetigo, scabies, chicken pox, Fifth disease or Hand Foot and Mouth disease are very

contagious. Students may return to school once the rash has been diagnosed and treated for 24 hours

or cleared by a doctor. Open sores from illnesses such as chicken pox and impetigo may need to be

covered at school with bandages for several days.

Cough: A cough may be a sign of many different illnesses. If a cough is accompanied by a fever,

sore throat, body aches or any other symptoms you should keep your child home. Any cough that

lasts for more than several days should be discussed with a doctor.

Lice: If live lice are found on a student at school, the student will be sent home for treatment. The

child may return after a treatment and no live lice are found on the head. If you discover lice at

home, please contact the school nurse to discuss the best way to get rid of lice and determine when

your child may return to school.

G\Nurse\readwrite\Health Services Policy and Procedures\HealthAssistant 03/2016




The Gator Art Club

Second Semester

Art club is for anyone who enjoys creating and using their imagination!

We meet on Mondays after school – 3:05 until 4:15 pm in the Art room.

Expectations:

If you plan to attend, please sign up on the Art Club Attendance Form hanging up on the art room door (room 436) by the Friday before we meet. This helps me plan. If you forget, just come in and sign up the Monday we are meeting.

There is an open door policy: if you can not make it to art club just sign up to come the next time. If you are in either a sport, the play, or another activity after school, join us after it’s over.

You will need to provide your own transportation home at 4:15.

The Gator Art Club will meet the following dates for the rest of the school year:

Feb. 6, 13, 20 March 6, 13, 20

April 3, 10, 24 May 1, 8, 15

Thank you for supporting the visual arts at JRG!!

Mrs. Dagesse [email protected]




The Kimberly Area School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, (including limited English proficiency), ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, homelessness status, sex, including transgender status, change of sex or gender identity, disability,

age (except as authorized by law), military status or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability in any of its student programs or activities.

J.R. Gerritts Middle School * 545 S. John Street * Kimberly, WI 54136 (P) 920-788-7905 (F) 920-788-7914 (E) [email protected]

Follow JRG on Twitter and ‘Like’ Us on Facebook Our Facebook page is Facebook.com/JRGerritts and you can find us on Twitter @JRGerritts. These resources are used to provide occasional school-wide updates and for reminders about various upcoming events. Families also find it's fun to check out the hundreds of pictures of students participating in events, activities and other learning experiences at JRG.





Rob DeLain

KASD Homeless Liaison

920.788.7905

Kristine Nadolski

608.267.7338