Webster Elementary - September 2019

J-Hawk Journal

Getting Into the “Flow” of a New Year

Students and staff have certainly gotten into “flow”. It is clear that routines are established, expectations are set, and learning is taking place. Legendary psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's famous investigations of "optimal experience" have revealed that what makes an experience genuinely satisfying is a state of consciousness called flow. In classrooms, each day our staff work to create experiences that are enjoyable, engaging, and safe. Students will continue to build community and engage in learning in their classrooms. In addition, this month students and families will encounter many opportunities to get into “flow”. 

Leadership Jobs: Students have the opportunity to develop their leadership greatness within their classroom and our school by applying for leadership jobs. 

Student Reading Goal: Students and families have the opportunity to engage in reading together and track their progress each month with their personal goals. 

Run Around Webster (RAW) Kick-Off: Our PTO will kick-off the Run Around Webster fundraiser and students will walk or run October 11. 

All School PTO BBQ: Our PTO will host an event for students, staff, and families to connect with one another.

Homecoming Events/Class Parties: September 16th-20th our school community will celebrate Homecoming Dress Up Days. On September 19th there will be a parade and on the 20th classrooms will host parties. 

7 Habit J-Hawk Assembly: We will come together as a school to celebrate our school's student leadership, learn together, and celebrate our student’s uniqueness. We hope you are finding your “flow” as we start a new school year. As always, know we are here to support you and your student(s). Our doors are always open!

Principal Schrauth’s Entry Plan Update

I have enjoyed learning and connecting with the Webster Learning Community in a variety of ways since July 1. Below are the actions that have been taken so far:

Send an introductory letter to all staff. Share an introductory video with students and families. 

Phase 1: Introductions• Arrange meetings with the outgoing principal and district

administrators.• Review the following district documents and identify key points

to utilize:-Strategic Plan-District and School Proficiency Levels -Board Minutes-Curriculum Documents-District Professional Learning Plan-Special Education Continuum and Delivery of Services-Webster Elementary Professional Learning Plan from the previous 5 years-Student Handbook

Phase 2: Listening & Learning• Arrange meetings with staff members.• Building Leadership retreat to set expectations, build team rapport and align goals to District Strategic plan.• Arrange meetings with principals and district administrators.• Send an introductory newsletter for families.• Review and analyze the master schedule for maximized instructional time.• Review PBIS, Leader in Me, and Behavior Data.• Establish home-school communication protocol.• Meet with PTO members and discuss previous work and goals.

These next 60 days are focused on building relationships with students and families. My goal by the end of October is to know the names and as much as possible about each of our students. 

Learning About Students through Assessment

The following assessments are being administered to learn more about students and how our staff can best support them in their learning:K-2 Math Screening - assesses students understanding of numbers.K-1 Early Reading Screening - assesses students' use of a variety

of foundational literacy skills. 2-5 Reading Fluency Screening - assesses students' rate of reading. 3-5 Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) - is an adaptive assessment that measures students' progress in language usage, reading, and mathematics.Student Engagement Survey - measures student feelings towards school.  - Brandon Schrauth, Principal

Nut Allergies and Birthday Treats

Reminder: If classmates have food allergies, we will not allow you to serve Birthday Treats that contain those allergens. Please contact me if you have any questions about what is safe for the students in your child's classroom.

Illness Policy

Students will be sent home and REMAIN HOME for 24 hours from school for the following: • Temperature 100 degrees or higher • Vomiting • Diarrhea more than once•• Any other illness requiring antibiotics If students are sent back prior to the 24 hour rest period, they will be sent back home and the 24 hours will restart.

Sarah Bonnot, BSN RN Webster Elementary School Nurse Office: (515) 331-8603 Cell: (515) 681-4119

UHS HOMECOMING 2019

Webster's PTO sponsors many programs and events that benefit ALL Webster students! However, less than 10% of parents have signed up to help with this year's programming on the 2 Hour Power Link. Unfortunately, without volunteers, we will NOT be able to provide these opportunities for our children. Any amount of help you can give is greatly appreciated by the PTO and our wonderful Webster students! https://forms.gle/ziqcdJFnpiWK4ytq6

Homecoming Week for the Urbandale J-Hawks is September 16th through the 20th! Webster students are invited to participate in the following “dress up days” during Homecoming Week:

• Monday, September 16th - Career Day• Tuesday, September 17th - Crazy Clothes Day• Wednesday, September 18th - Sports Team Day• Thursday, September 19th - Hat Day• Friday, September 20th - J-Hawk Spirit Day•

The Webster Staff will be participating in the Homecoming Parade in the evening on Thursday, September 19th. The parade route runs from Urbandale Middle School to Urbandale High School along Aurora Avenue and begins at 6:00 pm. We hope your family will come cheer us on along the parade route! (We may even have some candy to throw your way!)Don’t miss the Lions Club Annual Homecoming Pancake Supper at the High School Commons from 4:30 to 7:00 pm on Friday night before catching the Varsity Football game vs. Linn-Mar at Frerichs Field! Go J-Hawks!

Fall Classroom Parties will be held on Friday, September 20th, beginning at 2:45 p.m.

Picture Day!

Fall picture day at Webster is coming soon! Wear your best

smile on Friday, September 27th.

Order forms will be sent home the week before pictures.

Please be sure to send your form back with your student on

Picture Day for them to take with them to the photographer.

If you have any questions, please call the Webster office at

331-8600.

Late Start Days

There will be two late start days in September. On

Wednesday, September 11th, and Wednesday, September 25th, classes will begin at 10:00 am. Students may

begin arriving at the building at 9:45 am on Late Start days. Please remember, there will be

no supervision for students prior to 9:45 who are not

attending Adventuretime as teachers will be in meetings.

PTO Meetings

Webster’s first PTO Meeting for the 2019-2020 school year

will be held on Thursday, September 5th. Meetings

are held in the school’s library beginning at 6:30 pm and free

childcare is provided. PTO meetings will also be held on the following dates:

November 5, 2019 February 4, 2020

April 7, 2020

No student enrolled in the Urbandale Community School District shall be excluded from participation in. be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in the District’s programs on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, marital status (for program), ethnic background, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (for employment) or socioeconomic background (for program). The policy of the District shall be to provide educational programs and

opportunities for students as needed on the basis of individual interests, values, abilities and potential. If you have questions, please contact the District office at 11152 Aurora Ave, Urbandale, IA or call 515-457-5000.

Introducing Webster’s New Kindergarten Teacher, Mrs. Sanger!

I grew up in California and moved to Iowa in high school, graduating from Waukee High School. I attended Iowa State University - Go Cyclones! I've taught both fifth grade and Kindergarten in the Des Moines Public School District for 5 years. I have 2 children, Connor (8) and Mia (3). We live in Adel and are in the process of building a new home out in the sticks :). I love baking, especially baking and decorating cakes. I'm looking forward to working with all the amazing staff and students at Webster! Everyone is so welcoming! 

Calendar of EventsMonday, September 2nd -Labor Day

No School

Thursday,September 5th - Webster PTO Meeting 6:30 pm - Webster Library

Monday, September 9th - Fall Running Club Begins

Wednesday, September 11th - Late Start Classes begin at 10:00 am

Friday, September 13th - Webster PTO Family BBQ - 5:00 - 8:00 pm

M-F September 16th - 20th - Homecoming Week

Wednesday, September 18th - J-Hawk Superstar Mile - 4:30 pm @ Walker-Johnston Park

Thursday, September 19th - Homecoming Parade 6:00 pm - from UMS to UHS

Friday, September 20th - Fall Classroom Parties 2:45 pm

Wednesday, September 25th - Late Start Classes begin at 10:00 am

Friday, September 27th - Fall Picture Day

Tuesday, October 1st - J-Hawk 7 Habits Assembly 9:30 am

Fall Running Club Begins September 9th!This fall we will continue a running club at Webster in addition to physical education class. This program is a way to increase physical fitness, improve school performance, and promote self-esteem. Kindergarten through fifth grade students will have the opportunity to jog or walk laps on the track during their noon recess times. The program is optional, but all students at Webster are automatically included. Students do not need to participate every day or for the entire recess unless they wish to do so. The fall program will begin on September 9th and will conclude on October 18th.

Any student who chooses to participate will have his/her laps recorded by a parent/grandparent volunteer. Students who complete 26 miles or more during the running club will be eligible to participate in the Drake Relays Grand Blue Mile Run in April.

If you have questions regarding the program, please feel free to contact Jodi Schutt, Webster’s PE teacher, at 331-8612.

Dates To Remember

Lunch/Recess/Specials

Letter Day Calendar

Lunch Menu

Online Payments

Flyer Hub

Transportation

Staff Directory

Classroom PartiesThank you to those who have already signed up! There are still a couple of slots available. If you are interested in helping, please sign up here.

FRISEPT13

2019

Parent Pick-Up Ad-Visor

When using Webster’s Parent Pick Up line in the west circle drive, please be sure to put your family name “Visor Sheet” on your passenger side visor facing out so that staff can quickly see which student to call out to the pick up line. *Note: You may request a “Visor Sheet” or additional copies of the sheet at any time from the Webster office.

Race Around WebsterThe 7th Annual Race Around Webster will be Thursday, October 10, 2019. This event will serve as the PRIMARY fundraiser for Webster Elementary. Students will seek sponsorship dollars from friends and family towards their goal of a 1 mile or a 3.1 mile (5k) run/walk. Students can receive sponsorship funds in the form of cash, checks, or online via credit card. Specific information on student fundraising will come home on September 13, following our RAW kick off assembly.  

Fundraising money raised this year will go towards field trips, new indoor recess activities, new club opportunities for students, connecting family events as well as our regular PTO funded budget items.    Preschoolers will participate in a fun run around the playground. Grades K-2nd will be running the 1 mile course which is a great accomplishment for our younger runners.  As the kids move on to 3rd grade through 5th grade, they are challenged with a full 5K run/walk.  This fitness related fundraiser is a great opportunity for friends and family to support a tremendous athletic accomplishment!

 

Race Around Webster (R.A.W.)  Important Dates to Remember! 

September 13 - Kickoff Assembly September 20 - Cash & check turn in day September 27 - Cash & check turn in day October 4 - FINAL Cash & check turn in day October 10 - 7th Annual Race Around Webster October 11 - Event rain date

We want to help you stay informed about all that is happening at Webster. The Webster page of the district website, http://www.urbandaleschools.com/schools/webster-elementary/, is a good source for announcements, school supply lists, newsletters, calendars and more. You can also follow Webster on Twitter - @WEB_UCSD - as well as “liking” our Facebook page - Webster Elementary

We frequently send out information through email as well: monthly J-Hawk Journals, PTO updates, conference sign ups, upcoming event reminders, etc. Please help us keep you informed by assuring we have an updated email address or addresses for your family.

Making sure we have the most accurate phone contact information is also important should the need to contact you during the school day arise. If you change your phone numbers or email addresses throughout the year, please notify the office at 331-8600 or by emailing Mrs. Briggs, briggsb@urbandaleschools.com, or Mrs. Gass, gassm@urbandaleschools.com.

Also, we have a convenient way for you to keep track of all of the important upcoming dates at Webster! Simply upload the Webster Parent Calendar in either Google or iCal formats by clicking on the appropriate link.

The Webster office staff are also available and eager to help with any questions you may have at 331-8600 from the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.