Happy Thanksgiving!
This holiday season I am especially grateful for all of the wonderful people that I get to work with each and every day. This past year or so has been difficult health-wise and I am finally starting to feel better, to which I am beyond thankful. However, I want to use this week's blog to make sure that you know how much I care about all of you and how truly grateful I am to work alongside you as part of the Dodgeland community. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and you have time to relax and enjoy the people that mean the most to you.
Thank you for...
Alexis - using your skills to work with our 5K students to practice their foundational reading skills and for providing fun after school opportunities for our older kids in the den.
Amber - planning ahead for our students, both on your caseload and in the older grades. Your commitment to teamwork is much appreciated. I also appreciate the conversations I get to have with you. You make me smile and laugh frequently which is good for my soul too!
Andrea - taking on the challenge of moving to the Elementary with positivity and hard work. I am so grateful to get to work with you more closely this year. We are very fortunate to have you working with our students!
Andrea, Mary R, Mary S, Jazmin, Heather, Sunnessa, Kay - tirelessly providing breakfast/lunch/snack to all of our students, delivering milk to our classrooms and greeting our students with a smile every day!
Ashley G - jumping into our system with organization, kindness, and teamwork. I love problem solving with you about situations that come up. I'm so glad you chose to join our team at Dodgeland!
Ashley H - joining Reading Corps and working so hard with our early readers. Your commitment to them will have a lasting effect on their school career!
Ashley N - finding and sharing resources for our families so that our students can be wrapped around with wide variety of services that help them to thrive. I also appreciate your problem-solving conversations with our team as well. :-)
Bethany D - making me and your colleagues laugh, even if I am the victim of your ideas! I also appreciate how you advocate for your students and their needs, as well as provide the consistent love these little ones need!
Bethany N - continuing in the Reading Corps program at Dodgeland. Your expertise and knowledge of the program is beyond helpful to our students!
Bethany T. - taking on our 3K program and making it the success that it is. Our community is very lucky to have this option to them and we are lucky that we get your teacher expertise in our 5K and 1st grade classrooms every afternoon as well!
Blasia - being a valued and wonderful member of the Dodgeland community. You work hard each and every day in every role you have here and we are beyond lucky to have you here!
Brad - working tirelessly across so many different parts of our building. From the sound system, to network servers, to iPads, to PowerSchool and beyond. I rely on you so much for so many things and love to collaborate on things with you. You always put the needs of the district at the forefront. Thank you!
Brenda - your caring ways with all of our students and your colleagues. You are always the first person to offer a kind word, a compassionate ear or a helping hand. Thank you!
Brent - being the guest teacher we get to see the most and especially for stepping in all over the building to help out all of us. We are so glad that you choose to be at Dodgeland almost every day!
Brittany - being a dependable and kind role model for our 4K students. The way you listen to their stories makes them feel important. Thank you for this!
Broedy - your steadfast work in our building and stepping in to help us with a variety of things. We appreciate your quiet ways!
Carol - always coming in with a smile. You make me smile in the short interactions I get to have with you each week. Your kindness just exudes from you in all that you do. Thank you!
Carrie - taking on this new teaching position and working hard to make it your own, adding fun to your class periods and being innovative too. I am glad you are here!
Chris - being a dependable person for many of our students that need to come to school early each morning. Having someone greet students with a smile and a kind greeting is a great way to start their day! Also, thank you for all the ways that you continue to help our 3K students grow and thrive in our school.
Chrissy - supporting our students and being a resource for us and our students when we need advice or ideas to help our students, whether it is with sensory needs, handwriting improvement or fine motor skills. It is wonderful to know that we have someone with your expertise and that is approachable to ask for ideas as well.
Christina - the many ways that you support our school. You help answer questions, you find the answer if you don't know and your calm responses to our questions always seems to help lower our stress. I don't know what I would do without you and knowing that you are always willing to be a thinking partner with me, makes me happy. Thank you so much!
Courtney - including literacy into your art class. Our kids benefit from the integration of reading into art that you have mastered for years. Thank you for this connection!
Dom - sharing the just right gif to match every situation. They always make me smile and it's a true skill to find and use the one that fits perfectly. Every. Single. Time. :-)
Ella - being consistent with our students to help them grow. Also I appreciate that you continue to think about ways to add to the Dodgeland Den program including new toys, fun activities and consistent schedules and are never afraid to take feedback from your coworkers. Thank you so much!
Eneida - joining us full-time this school year and jumping right back in to the program like you have been here for YEARS! I enjoy working with you and watching your loving ways with all of our 4K students.
Gabrielle - all the ways that you help your students thrive. You make your students in your class and from all of your previous classes feel important and many of them want to re-enter your classroom as High School and college students as well. Thank you for all you do to provide this lasting memory for our students.
Hailey - celebrating our students' successes. You can see even the smallest of wins and make sure that students can feel that success as well! I love that you care so deeply about our system and you are always advocating for our students. They are lucky to have you in their corner!
Jahra - never, ever giving up. Students that walk in your classroom feel loved, included and proud of the work that they do with you. Your persistence with helping your students grow, not only as students but also as people with character is always noticed and appreciated. Thank you!
James - making me laugh each week and for the many things that you do around the building that support our students, staff and especially me. I'm certain that you do not hear my appreciation enough!
Jen - your color coding, google sheet/excel documents that keep information organized and in one place for me and our teams. I appreciate them more than you know because I like to use them, but I rarely have time (and let's face it, skill) to put something like it together myself!
Jerry - working hard at Dodgeland every day. Our building is a big place full of things to do, maintain or fix. I appreciate that you always help me when I ask and never make me feel bad for my questions.
Jessica B - Thank you for willingness to step in to help out where needed and in classrooms and grades that are new to you this year. You ask good questions, you give me feedback and helpful ideas periodically to make our system better and more efficient. I appreciate this level of collegiality and teamwork!
Jessica J - your tolerance with my annoying habit of waiting until the last minute to complete things, and the numerous weird things that always end up in my office that I'm sure drives you crazy. I also appreciate that when I ask for your time, you make time for me to ask questions and bounce ideas off of you. Thank you!
Kari G - the many, many, many times that you answer a radio call to help a staff member or a student with something throughout the day. If you don't hear it enough, I am beyond appreciative of your hard work for all of us and know that I need to make sure I say it more often. Thank you so much!
Kari W - choosing Dodgeland to start your teaching career. I love watching your students grow under your guidance and encouragement. You have taken on all the parts of a new job with confidence, competence, and collegiality. We are all glad you are on our team!
Karissa - stepping into the 4K classroom teacher role even though it meant a lot more responsibilities for you. You are taking on this new role with enthusiasm, kindness and organization. Thank you for everything!
Kathy - your calm way (even if you don't feel calm) when addressing your students. Every time I see you, you have something to smile or laugh about, which is contagious. You don't give up on your students and are constantly looking for ways to help all of our students to grow and have the plan that will help them to thrive. I appreciate all you do Kathy!
Kerri - your loving and consistent ways with our students. Your smile and kindness shines bright wherever you go and it always makes me smile too!
Kimi - all that you do for so many of us in the district. I know that I ask questions that I have asked before and you are always so nice to me when I am sure you are feeling annoyed. I will work on it, I promise!
Klair - for joining our Dodgeland team this year. You work hard to create a classroom environment that is respectful and focused on working hard and celebrating their successes. You are working on transitioning so that they get ready to do this in the 3 min. window they will have in Middle School. We are so fortunate that you chose us! I am glad that you are on our team!
Lance - preparing our grounds for us and the numerous activities that occur here, including building the shed for our playground equipment, getting the curtains up in room 108, and even for your yummy homemade treats!
Laura - reminding me of routines and procedures that I really should have down pat by now. Thank you for your kind and caring ways with all staff but especially for me. I always feel like when you ask how things are going, you really want to know. I do appreciate being able to work with you and that you make me feel comfortable to ask for help.
Leah - caring about our students and staff's health so much. You are always trying to come up with ways to help all of us feel better and communicating with staff and parents frequently. Thank you so much!
Lexi - looking and finding the strengths and positive parts of all the students you work with. I know that some days are harder to remember those, but you always let students start fresh the next day without holding it against them. The connections you make with our students will stay with them for years and years!
Lindsey - your consistency and organization for your students. Your students know exactly what is expected and you work hard to provide a safe and peaceful learning environment for them to be in each day. I know this has been a difficult fall and I hope you know how much your Dodgeland team wants to support you here because we care about you, not just Mrs. Klink. (of course that also includes Korbin and Teagan!)
Lynn - the communication and for answering all of my enrollment questions. You have a way of describing complex things in a way that I can understand! You will be missed at Dodgeland, but I am very happy for you. Thank you for everything!
Mandy - your creative and fun activities and experiences that you provide for our 5K students every year. These are activities that stay with your students for years and also what our families remember when they think back to these important years of their child's life. I know this takes a lot of your time, but please know that it does not go unnoticed!
Marcia - your teamwork and collegiality. 25 years ago, I started at Dodgeland and got to meet you and work with you as your mentee. How lucky I am that I got to grow as a professional alongside you all these years! Thank you!
Mary Jo - taking on 1st grade with the same fantastic teaching talent you used in 5th grade. At every position you have had at Dodgeland, you have been masterful in that role. We are beyond lucky that you are part of our team!
Melissa C-A - the many times that you make me laugh. Aaaaand, sometimes the jokes others besides myself will understand! I'm still not going to use your suggested Friday Funny though. Staff will have to ask you about that themselves! :-) I also appreciate all the hard work you are putting in for our students this school year. I know that it might seem daunting and overwhelming at times, but you got this and we are all here to help!
Melissa U - joining us at the elementary this year and working so hard to get to know a new system and a brand new age group with new routines. Thank you so much for taking this on with such positivity!
Michael - taking on soccer and football at recess so our students can enjoy it at recess, but also to prevent the inevitable arguments that we all know are coming. I am certain it is not easy, but please know how truly grateful I am that you and your expertise in this area are there every day!
Natalie - all the new things you have taken on this year in the effort to make the system more efficient including the new milk and lunch counts on PowerSchool, the Dodgeland Den snack updated procedures and taking on the Harvest of the month activities. I loved hearing kids this month tell me about the "new" juice at breakfast! Cranberries were a hit across the building!
Nicole - the work you put in to the many things around the building beyond the therapies that you provide for our students. I also appreciate being in meetings with very young students that are being evaluated and you have a way of explaining such complex things in a way that everyone understands. You make families feel at ease and encouraged with your thought out plans for their child. Thank you so much!
Noah - providing our 5th graders their first experience with learning to play an instrument. You are so patient and clear when teaching that the frustration that occurs naturally is alleviated so much! Thank you for being a welcome entry to the Band world!
Rachael - moving to the math and PLTW world in 5th grade. The time and effort you put in to make this shift is evident and is helping our students to learn at high levels. You are even taking on a student teacher next semester to provide guidance to the new staff to this career!
Reilly - seeing our students as the people they are and focusing on their positive traits. It is easy to see that you care about the students you work with and want the best things possible for them. Thank you for making that a priority in your day!
Rose - advocating for resources for our multi-lingual learners and providing caring support for our parents as well. Students enjoy working with you as do your colleagues. Thank you for all that you do!
Roxanne - all the hard work that you put in day in and day out to provide us all with a clean environment. Your attention to detail is definitely noticed by us. Thank you so much!
Sam - answering the phone when I call (even if you don't want to!) and always be willing to help me with my ridiculous questions!
Samantha - joining our team full-time this year. Your expertise is valued and our students are very lucky to have your consistent and loving ways. Our students have made a strong connection to you in such a short time. Thank you for all that you do!
Sandi - providing feedback to me to make our procedures better and also for continuously trying new strategies to see if it will help solve a problem for one of our students. I appreciate that you are always willing to go where help is needed and that you want what is best for our students and our school. I am so glad you are a part of our Dodgeland Team.
Sarah P - the many ways that you support students at Dodgeland. I don't get to see you as often as I once did, but when I do, I know I can count on you to be ready with a kind word that makes me smile. Thank you Sarah for this. It means more than you know.
Shanalyn - all the hard work you put in to set up systems for your own groups and also for the paras that work with you. You provide a fun learning environment, yet also have expectations for your students at all times. Your students know they can rely on you to help them and listen. I am so glad that you have chosen Dodgeland to be your school!
Sophie - taking on the Check-in, Check-out program for some of our students that need it most. You provide a very important piece to their days, but also for their teacher and classmates as well. The relationships you build with students will help them to thrive. Thank you!
Stacey - advocating for your students for the needs that they have. I also appreciate that you provide an atmosphere of joy in your classroom while they are learning. You can laugh with your students and you make them feel cared about and important. Thank you so much for that!
Stephanie - providing our 4K students with a truly play based education. I appreciate the extra little things that occur throughout the school year to provide them with fun experiences. This could be following clues to find Pete the Cat or "digging" for dinosaur bones, etc. This is almost as fun for me to watch as it is for the kids to do! I know it is a lot of work, but I really appreciate that you do them for our students.
Sue R - for being you. You might be one of the people I have worked with the longest here at Dodgeland! I remember sharing a classroom with you way back in Reeseville in the Middle School. You are always so kind to people and way back then I am certain you had many times that you wish I would just. stop. talking! But, thank you for being such a great listener to staff and students alike.
Sue O - so very many things. You are so amazing and I am grateful that you are always thinking about our students and staff and how to support them all. Whether it is PLTW materials/modules, grants to apply for, math intervention, and everything in between. I am grateful for you each and every day.
Taylor - making lasting connections with our students (even long after they leave your classroom) and working at providing the instruction they need. This might be with the language they need, the SEL strategies they need, or even just the space they need to work through a difficult situation. Thank you for this.
Teresa - continuing in the Behavioral Specialist role after last year. I love collaborating with you, I appreciate that you provide me with feedback and that you are always willing to brainstorm when difficult situations come up. Your hard work is always noticed and appreciated here.
Tina - joining our team and being so flexible with the unique way we are handing specials for your 4K class this year. I appreciate that you know your students well and you try many things to help them to be successful in your classroom. We are glad you are here!
Trisha C - always sharing your feedback, thoughts and questions with me to continue to make Dodgeland a great place to work and a great place for our students to be. I value your insights more than you know!
Trisha P - keeping track of so many things for me and problem solving with me about things that come up. I will miss you when you move to the other side of the building, but am very happy for you!
Vicky - working day in and day out at providing consistent expectations, kindness and high levels of support in their classroom. Every child that is lucky enough to interact with you benefits as do the rest of us that get to work alongside you each day.
Watson - always seeming to know when I need some puppy love. Getting to love on you helps ease my stress, and I love how excited our students are to see you each day!
May your Thanksgiving be relaxing and full of the things that bring you joy!
Stay Safe and Be Well,
Jenny
For certified staff, I will see you on Monday morning! Don't forget the admin team is serving lunch and the PD schedule is HERE.
This year Mrs. Claus will NOT be in attendance due to being run over by a reindeer and needing to get a new knee last week. 
We will be sure to tell the kids that Mrs. Clause is back making sure all the elves are working hard!
