April 29, 2022

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• The students in the Seussical musical did such a fantastic job.  I loved watching them perform and all of the positive responses they got from their classmates and families.

• I watched a group of 5K students noticing patterns in the rhythms they were working on in Music.  It was so cool to watch them transfer their number corner work to another subjects.

• 5th graders are working on writing argumentative (persuasive) essays.  Today a student explained to me what quote he wanted to use in his essay and why it fits with his argument.

• This week, we did the finishing touches on finishing the Forward.  There were so many kids that took their time and really wanted to write a great essay for the TDA.  I was so proud of their hard work and focus!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, May 2
• Bus Duty: Schwoerer, Piekarski, Johnson
• New Support Staff duties start: 
• Breakfast: Riege, Bolman
• Circle Drive, AM: Fobes, Vredeveld
• Circle Drive, PM: Hahn, Wieneke
• GG Lessons for the week: Growth Mindset and speaking assertively
• Jenny in meeting from 9-10am
• Elementary Art show: 5:30-6:30
• Elementary Music concert, grades 1, 3 & 5: 6:30-8pm
• i-Ready/FastBridge testing window opens

• Tuesday, May 3
• Jenny gone for the day for Title 1 Meeting
• Pyramid Model Leadership meeting 1-2pm in Elem. Conference room
• 4th grade field trip to Horicon Marsh
• National Teacher Appreciation Day

• Wednesday, May 4
• Workout Wednesday / Star Wars Day - May the Fourth Be with You!
• Mandatory Staff Meeting for ALL staff in IMC from 3:15-4:00pm
• 5K field trip to the farm

• Thursday, May 5
• Playworks visit from 11:30-4:00
• Recess Team meeting from 3:05-4:00pm in Room 120
• Talent Show auditions 3:10-5:00 in the music room

• Friday, May 6
• Nurses' Appreciation Day

Nitty-Gritty

• Target Based work for grades 1, 3, & 5
• Our last Cesa 6 math coach visit is on Tuesday, May 10.  Grades 1, 3 & 5 will be working with Kris on preparing for our target based grading work in June.  Watch for an email from Sue O'Toole with details on times and resources to bring.  There are 3 rotating subs here that day that will cover each teacher's class during your work time.

• Art Show/Music concert
• On Monday, May 2, the Dodgeland Elementary Art Show will be showcased in the commons for the hour before the spring concert. (5:30-6:30). The Music concert will begin at 6:30 and grades 1, 3 & 5 will be performing.  Please see Mr. Johnson's email for the schedule for the rehearsal on Monday for these grades.

• Class Creator
• Next week, classroom teachers will receive an email from Class Creator (or a link from me) to input data in for creating class lists for next school year.  The week of May 9th, we will meet as grade levels to finalize lists for next school year. I would love to have input from interventionists and specials teachers on these lists.  You have the advantage of seeing the entire grade and I think your insights will be very helpful to this process.  Information from this last year will be stored in the historical data section.

• Tech Staff meeting
• Now that most of you have met with the tech team to make sure your files are saved correctly, the tech team is ready to share the next steps in the device refresh.  Please make sure that you are present on Wednesday in the IMC at 3:15pm.  This is for all staff of the district.

• Beaver Dam Library Reading Celebration
• Click HERE to see a flyer from the Beaver Dam Public Library regarding a family fun event centered on Reading. Please share with your students and families in case they are interested.

• Bridges Math
• Susan sent out an email asking for information to help us complete the budget process for next year.  Click HERE to provide information about your current supplies and anything that needs to be ordered for next school year.  She is putting this together so that we can order it as one order under the Math curriculum budget.

PD Spotlight

This week I talked about the anxiety I felt when I realized how few days we have left with our students this school year.  I came across this 2 min. video from Daniel Pink's PinkCast describing an alternative to the "to-do list" and I think I am going to try it.  What do you think?  Will it affect your work productivity and motivation? I am hoping it helps me! Let me know what you experience if you try it!

HERE is the link!

Friday Funny

During Easter weekend, I lost my wallet somewhere in Madison.  I spent the next couple of days cancelling cards and ordering new insurance cards, an ID, etc.  Then out of the blue on Monday evening, I get a phone call from an unknown caller stating that his sister had found my wallet in a parking lot in Madison and they wanted to return it to me. (I really just wanted the red wallet since it was the last Christmas gift Matt gave me.) But, I was a little suspicious, so I asked if they could leave it at the service desk at Costco where I believed I lost it.  On Wednesday, I received a text asking if I could meet them outside their house to get it back.  That did not seem wise, so I suggested the Costco again.  They told me they would meet me in the parking lot at Costco.  I then texted by children with an exaggerated message. The following is a screen shot of this text conversation.  Enjoy our warped sense of humor!

April 22, 2022

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• 5K students are starting to write fiction stories.  One 5K student told me that he was a character in his book, but he could write it about something that didn't really happen.  He just knew about it from watching videos on youtube at home.  I can't wait to read this story!

• Teachers encouraging students to continue to do their best on the Forward.  Many that are doing make-up testing are in a hurry to get the test done as fast as possible, which is not what we need them to do.  Thank you to everyone that is helping to make sure our students finish the tests by the close of the window.

• A 4th grade student was so excited to tell me about her part of the musical and which parts are her favorite.  She told me what to make sure I am watching for when I see it this weekend. Her excitement was contagious!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, April 25
• Bus Duty: Klink, Lucht, Zastrow
• Jenny in a meeting from 9:00-10:00am
• PALS testing Window opens
• GG Lessons: Integrity, playing fairly, & handling name-calling
• School Board meeting at 6:30pm

• Tuesday, April 26
• Social Media Posts due to Josh: Schuett, T Caine

• Wednesday, April 27
• Workout Wednesday
• Jenny in meeting from 7:30-8:30am
• Academic 1st grade data meeting in Elem conf rm 12:05-12:55pm
• Staff meeting in IMC from 3:15-4:00pm

• Thursday, April 28
• SEL 4th grade data meeting in Elem conf rm 12:35-1:25pm

• Friday, April, 29
• Student of the Month Nominees due (I didn't get a chance to announce March, so we will do them together in May.)
• Dodgeland Summit survey due

Nitty-Gritty

• Dodgeland Summit
• Last week, Christina sent an email regarding the Dodgeland Summit coming up this summer. Summit is a conference style professional development event to help you get a jumpstart on your year.  The sessions you attend will prepare you for your amazing year ahead, as well as provide you with one checkmark toward your alternative compensation plan, all before our students even enter the building!  This year's summit will take place on Monday, August 15 from 7:45am-12:00pm.  Continental breakfast and snacks will be provided throughout the morning to fuel your learning brain
• Please complete the Dodgeland Summit Form to indicate your interest in attending, possible session topics, and even your participation by presenting a session by Friday, April 29th.

• PLTW survey (students and teachers)
• It is important that you complete (and ask your students to complete) the PLTW survey.  It is located on the home screen of myPLTW app. It is required as part of our award of PLTW grants.  Please complete by May 16th.

• End of the Year Assessments
• The Spring testing windows start on Monday, May 2nd.  Please plan to have your students finish these assessments by the end of May.  This includes i-Ready and FastBridge for both math and reading.  If you need assistance with proctoring a student, please let me know.

Friday Funny

Last week I was in Ms. Mook's Art classroom and they were doing a project about a dragon that eats tacos.  When I sat down at one of the tables, two 4K boys said, "Wouldn't it be cool to have a pet dragon at your house?"  To which, I am now all in on this conversation.  I responded, "I would need it to be a miniature one or it wouldn't fit in my house."  Then.  The conversation got away from me, as it so often does when I engage in a 4K hypothetical conversation.

One boy, L, says, "What would you do if a big dragon came to your house and breathed fire on it and the whole thing burned down?"  I said,  "I guess I would need to find a new place to live."  And that's when the argument started.  

"You can live at my house!" S says.

"No, you should come to my house," said L.

"But my house is really WARM!" S responds.

"Mrs. Huelsman, which one do you choose?" Says L, "You'd really like living at my house."

No matter what I said about how kind it is that they would take me in if a dragon breathed on my house, they wanted to WIN the principal at their house. (I'd like to remind them of this in 5 years, when they would most definitely not want to WIN!). Finally I said, "You know what, I think I would just live at school."  That seemed to appease them.  They probably think I almost live here anyway!  :-)

April 15, 2022

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• Our 4K-2nd graders tried really hard to be as quiet as possible while testing was occurring in the building.  Thank you to the adults who impressed upon them how important this was.

• Teachers working together to plan for special events for their students while still filling the last few weeks with high quality instruction.

• So many students were motivated to do well on their test and took their time while completing it.

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, April 18
• Bus Duty: TCaine, Vertz, Murphy
• GG Lessons: Handling Peer Pressure (2-5), Handling exclusion/things taken away (4K-1)
• Jenny in Meeting from 9-10am
• Make-Up Forward testing begins
• 3K/4K Registration/Screening from 3:30-6:30pm
• Seals on Wheels treatments start in EL conference room

• Tuesday, April 19
• Social Media posts due to Josh: Schweitzer, Huso
• 4th grade - Forward Testing, Science 8:15-9:45am

• Wednesday, April 20
• Workout Wednesday
• 4th grade - Forward Testing, Social Studies 8:15-9:45am
• Jenny in meeting from 9:45-11am
• Academic 2nd gr Data Meeting 12:05-12:55pm
• Student Nurses will be giving presentations to those that signed up for today

• Thursday, April 21
• Jenny in meeting 8:15-9am
• SEL Data meeting 5th grade 12:35-1:25pm
• 3K/4K Registration/Screening from 3:30-6:30pm

• Friday, April 22
• Elementary Musical performance for Elementary students in Multipurpose room 2-2:45pm
• Musical student performers should report to Mr. Johnson's room at 1:20pm

• Saturday, April 23
• Students in the musical arrive at 5:15, show starts at 6pm for the public/community.

Nitty-Gritty

• Forward Testing
• While the majority of students finished their Forward testing last week, there are a number of students that will be working on sessions from the test due to absences or needing more time to finish.  Please be cognizant in the office and room areas where testing is still occurring.

• Painting in the Elementary wing
• There will be two painters that will be working in the hallways of the elementary wing starting Monday, April 18.  They will have areas roped off as they work, but there will be places where paint will be wet at various times throughout the day.  Please help me emphasize to our students that they are working hard and need to concentrate.  We should avoid touching any areas where they are working.

• Seals on Wheels
• The treatments this week take longer than the previous visits.  This time, students will need to come to the office to participate in the sealants treatments.  They will do their best to work around schedules, but students may miss part of a lesson, class, etc. in order for the Seals on Wheels people to finish by the end of the week.

• Elementary Musical
• Our students have been working very hard to put together the first Dodgeland Elementary musical.  Their first performance is for the students and staff at Dodgeland on Friday afternoon.  Please have your students in the multi-purpose room at 2pm so they can be ready to watch the production of Kids Seussical Jr.  I realize that there are a few PE classes before and during the performance, but this is our best option for students to perform for us and for us to support their work and celebrate their success.

• 3K/4K Screening/Registration
• On Monday and Thursday this week, we are holding our registration/screening time for our new students to Dodgeland for the fall.  Parents and young students will be entering in Door #1 and visiting our classroom and 3K/4K teaching staff.  If you see any parents/visitors, please welcome them to our building.  We will be working out of room 109 for the majority of the night.

• Field Trips
• If you are planning field trips for the coming weeks, please submit your forms as soon as you can.  The bus company wants to make sure that they have them on the calendar as soon as possible so that everything is in place for the trips.  Please make sure that the trip is an extension of the learning from the classroom.

Friday Funny

April 8, 2022

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• The tornado drill went well today and everyone I was able to connect with seemed confident in their procedure.  Great job!

• 4K students are learning to recognize their last names now by using it to find their free play spot!  What a great way to help them continue independence and literacy skills at the same time!

• Teachers working together to determine strategies and procedures/routines to help students that are struggling with SEL within the school day.  From older student mentors, to rearranging schedules, to thinking outside the box with other ideas to try to help them succeed.

• Staff communicating concerns and questions with me and others.  When we work for the best solutions as a team, our students benefit.  Thank you for showing how much you care about our kids, their learning and our school.

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, April 11
• Forward Testing starts for grades 3-5 (Quiet hallways from 8:15-11:30 all week please)
• Bus Duty: Stampfl, Chambers, Ganser
• Jenny in Meeting from 9-10am
• EP work time meeting in IMC @ 3:15pm on Doc. Log (Optional)

• Tuesday, April 12
• Social Media posts due to Josh: Braunschweig, Crane, Koenings

• Wednesday, April 13
• Workout Wednesday
• 3rd grade data meeting in El conf. room 12:05-12:55pm
• Staff meeting @3:05-3:45pm in IMC

• Thursday, April 14
• 5K SEL meeting in El conf room 11:35am-12:25pm

• Friday, April 15
• NO SCHOOL

Nitty-Gritty

• Forward Testing
• One last reminder that our students will be testing in the elementary wing, in offices, in extra rooms and just about anywhere we can find space for a group to test next week for the majority of the morning.  Please emphasize for your classes how important it is for them to be respectful to the students trying to do their best.  The hallways should be VERY quiet and help students remember to avoid classrooms with testing signs on them.  In addition, as adults, please limit conversations in the hallways outside of testing rooms whenever possible. When it is so quiet inside rooms, our voices carry much more clearly through the doors.  As a team, we can support our students and encourage them to do their best!!!
• If you were unable to attend Jessica's Forward test training last Wednesday, HERE is the link to the slides.  Please look through this before Monday.

• Flocabulary Update
• If you did not receive the email, please note that we will all receive preview access to the upgraded features in Flocabulary starting April 18.  These features include new comprehension activities for students.

• Recess Updates
• Did you get a chance to read Mrs. Chambers recess update this week.  Please do so, as it has quite a few important details to note about recess.  Some highlights are:
• Boots are required for the playground until the end of the year.  It is very muddy and since it will be dug up after school ends, no more wood chips are being added to cover the mud.
• As recess supervisors, please spread out and scan at all times.  There should be a supervisor at Gaga and Kickball at all times to help settle any conflicts if they should arise.  Please help enforce the rules for these core games that are described in detail in Teresa's email from April 6.
• Kindness is expected between all students at all time.  If you see unkind words or actions, please step in to help them settle any conflicts and deter from any further unkindness.

• Talent Show
• We get to hold an in-person Talent Show this year!  If you would like to participate in the staff act, please let Mrs. O'Toole know!  She always has something exciting and fun to do and our students love to see their teachers' other talents!  The date of this year's show is Tuesday, May 17.

PD Spotlight

As we enter the second week of April, many of you may have had the same thought as me.  "The weeks are going so FAST!  How will I get everything done!"  Then, we add on a week of testing for our students with a totally different schedule (that can be very upsetting to some students) and even other extra plans to make for the end of the year.  All this is to say, that while the testing week is stressful, and we do our best to set up the kids to do their very best work, don't forget to take time to breathe, practice a positive mindset and ask for help if you need it.  Many, many times over the past year, I have had shared many articles about how to care for yourself.  With a potentially stressful week coming up, what is your plan to care for yourself?  

Friday Funny

I tell my kids all the time, that I thought that I used to be "smart."  They disagree, but then things like this happen to me, and it just proves them right!!   (Okay, I don't have a Ph.D, but you know what I mean!)

April 1, 2022

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• Aaah, it was a quiet week at school.  I hope you all have had a relaxing week.  I can't wait to see you on Monday!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, April 4
• Bus Duty: Bingen, Crane, Miller
• Jenny in a meeting from 9-10am
• New support staff duties start (see below)
• Share Recess Video with your class

• Tuesday, April 5
• Run for State: SkillsUSA/Forensics at 8:30am
• Social Media Posts due to Josh: Lisiecki, Stanton, Johnson
• Pyramid Model Leadership mtg @ 1pm

• Wednesday, April 6
• Workout Wednesday
• Jenny in meeting from 9:45-11am
• Academic Grade Level meeting - 4th gr (12:35-1:25pm) in EL conf. rm
• Forward Testing meeting with Mrs. Johnson @ 3:15 in IMC for all proctors of the test

• Thursday, April 7
• SEL Grade level meeting - 1st gr (12:05-12:55pm) in EL conf. rm
• Final day to let Jenny know if you'd like to pilot literacy curriculum

• Friday, April 8
• PLTW visit from John Deere engineers around 9:30-11:30am

Nitty-Gritty

• Run for State
• On Tuesday, April 5th, we will hold a dual run for state for our High School students going to state for SkillsUSA and for Forensics.  Mrs. Modaff will announce this around 8:27 and the elementary students will go to the hallway around 8:35 or so to cheer on our students.  See Mrs. Modaff's email for more information.

• April Duties Start
• Now that April has started, before and after school duties has changed as well.  
• Breakfast in Commons: Gruenwald & Fobes
• AM Circle drive: Wieneke & Riege
• PM Circle drive: Helmer & Lexi

• Forward Testing 
• Forward testing will begin on Monday April 11 for grades 3-5.  Although, you may not necessarily teach students in those grades, the assessment is a chance for our students to show what they have learned from all of us.  Please help encourage and support our students and their testing environment by reminding students to be extra quiet in the hallways and with your flexibility in possible schedule changes.

• April is Tornado Awareness Month
• As we return to school, please be sure to review on your own and with your classes the safety protocols for safety drills for tornado, fire and lock-downs.  When we, as staff members, know the procedure our students will follow.  If you need any further attendance slips for drills, please grab some from the mailboxes in the teacher lounge. 

• Piloting MyView from Savvas for 2022-23 school year
• After meeting with Literacy curriculum team last week, it was decided that we will pilot MyView at Dodgeland next school year.  If you would like to be a part of the piloting process, please let me know by the end of the day, Thursday, April 7.  If you choose to be a pilot teacher, you will be part of the leadership and support team for implementation the following year.  I did ask some follow up questions for the primary levels specifically and will share that with anyone in grades 5K/1 that would like to pilot as well.  It is optional to be a part of the piloting team.  There will be a zoom training for all teachers participating that will be scheduled as well.

• Alt Comp form on Frontline
• During Spring Break, Mrs. Johnson emailed directions on how to access the alternative comp form on Frontline for this school year.  Please add to this form so that I can read them and print them by June 1st for you to sign and hand in before you leave for the summer.  Click HERE to read her pdf on how to do this.

• Small Group Tech meetings
• Many of you have your tech meetings during the week of April 4th.  Please have your devices ready to be checked over with someone from the tech team.  If you need the directions for this again, please see the Staff resources site. If you are not sure what date and time you have been assigned to, please let me know and I will forward the email to you again.  It is important that you attend on your date/time, so that the tech department can make sure that everything is ready for the staff device refresh this summer.

• Recess Video
• I can not believe the weather we had during spring break. However, it will be more springlike soon and with it will be the questions about what they should wear when they go out for recess.  Please plan to share this video with your students on Monday as a reminder for all about recess expectations.  (If you are a recess supervisor, please make sure that you have watched the video as well so that we are all on the same page.)

Friday Funny

Anyone else spend part of their Spring Break doing this??  You can ask Lexi about her treasures!  lol