May 30, 2025

Today's blog is sharing the most important facts for the upcoming week.  We only have 2.5 days left with kids.  Let's make them GREAT!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Sunday, June 1
• Happy Birthday Ella and Kari G!
• HS Graduation at 1pm 

• Monday, June 2
• Bus Duty: Fortmann, Miller, Chambers, Jenkins (Meet bus at end of sidewalk please)
• Lunch Supervisors:
• 12:00 - Lucht
• 12:30 - Arnes
• 1:00 - CaineB
• Jenny in meeting from 8:30-10am
• Newsletter articles due to Patti

• Tuesday, June 3
• Social Media Posts due to Jessica: Schuett
• Field Day (schedule is HERE)

• Wednesday, June 4
• Early Release / Last Day of School (Supervision Schedule is HERE)
• Staff Appreciation Ice Cream Social @ 1pm in the Commons

• Thursday, June 5
• PD Day for Certified Staff (Agenda is HERE)

• Friday, June 6
• Summer Break Begins!

• Monday, June 9
• Happy Birthday Kathy!
• Report Cards Sent home through email

• Tuesday, June 10
• Happy Birthday Trisha Caine!
• First Day of Summer School

Nitty-Gritty

• Frontline
• Don't forget to finish up your EP documents.  I will be going over these documents over the weekend.  If you need help, let me know!

• Last Day of School
• After thinking about the day, I decided that we are going to put the assembly after the movie.  This way any student winners' prizes/certificates will not be with them for the whole movie and everyone can take the materials back to their classroom prior to lunch/recess. Also, you can share with students the lunch plan for the day. Please click HERE to see the updated schedule. The supervisory schedule for paras is HERE. Please pay close attention to the schedule as there are some changes from previous early releases.

Behavior Specialist Information

Routines

If time allows, we would like to get brief feedback on the following during our class creator meetings:

Transitions - How was transitioning to: 

• Lunch

• Recess

• Hallway voice level

• Bus

Lunch Routine

• Line up right away or get seated and dismissed by tables?

• Dismiss by tables for bathroom (2nd/3rd grade)

• Open seating ⅘, slow release ⅔, by teacher 4k/1

• Spray tables - classroom job, just decide at the table?

Detention Process

• Any adjustments

Bus Duty

• Do we have the right amount of staff?

• Would you rather keep the same system or have one day a week for a certain length of time (ex: every Tuesday for a month/quarter)?

Recess

• Any adjustments

Sensory Path/Moving Company

• Any adjustments

Bathroom Routines

• Any adjustments

Please bring your ideas.

Field Day on Tuesday!

Here is the final (I think - lol) schedule for field day. A printed copy is also in your mailbox. 

Tuesday is going to be hot. Please encourage your students to wear sunscreen and bring a water bottle. Patti is also posting on DoJo for us.

There will be a calm zone in the gymnastics area where students can go to take a break if the competition is getting to be too much. Any student can use the calm zone at any time (with teacher permission). It is not a rotation.

Friday Funny

I usually think I have okay technology skills, but this one part of my phone always confuses me. No matter what I do, I never get this right. So instead, I now just let it go on and on until it stops on it's own! :-)

May 23, 2025

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• The kids did such a great job at the concerts this week.  Shout out to Carrie H for getting it all in order!  Great work!

• Shout out to teachers who welcomed back our students on Monday with compassion and empathy after the experiences many of them had over the weekend with the tornados that came through Dodge County.  I'm so glad our students have you!

• Shout out to Patti that keeps all the plates in the air and somehow still manages to understand what I am talking about even when I speak in partial sentences and call stuff "things." Thank you for everything Patti!

• Shout out to Lexi who pivoted quickly this week on her PE lessons when the weather was NOT cooperating.  Her minute-to-win-it challenges were a big hit, even if she did have to do them in the MS gym instead of the grass like planned.

• Shout out to Sue for helping us all with some fun end of the year Math Breaks! If you haven't signed up for a time the schedule is HERE. 

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, May 26
• Memorial Day - NO School - Parades in our communities

• Tuesday, May 27
• Happy Birthday Andrea and Vicky!
• Bus Duty for the week: Klink, Caine-Arnes, Westphal, Wagner (please meet bus at the end of the sidewalk)
• Lunch Supervisors:
• 12:00 - Stampfl
• 12:30 - Huso/Kriewald
• 1:00 - Schulte
• Social Media Posts due to Jessica
• Klink, Jenkins, Fortmann
• Senior (and 5K) Graduation Walk starts at 10:45am in the elementary Halls.

• Wednesday, May 28
• Happy Birthday Mary Schoppe!
• 2nd Grade Field Trip - 9am-noon
• iPad Turn in starts with Mrs. Rollin (Schedule is HERE)
• Jenny leaving school at 2:45pm

• Thursday, May 29
• 3rd Grade Field Trip - 8-2:45pm
• iPad turn in continues (Schedule)
• 5K Graduation @ 6pm
• Book Fair Open to public 3-7pm

• Friday, May 30
• 4th Grade Field Trip - 8:30-2:45pm
• 5th Grade Field Trip - 8 - 2:45pm
• iPad turn in continues (Schedule)
• Class Creator Surveys due today

• Saturday, May 31

• Sunday, June 1
• HS Graduation @ 1pm in the gym
• Happy Birthday Ella and Kari G.!

Nitty-Gritty

• Math Help Desk
• Did you catch Sue's Math Help Desk?  She is ready and willing to help you out with preparing for next September's Number Corner, etc. This is incredibly kind, but also very useful.  I think I speak for all of us when I say, THANK YOU SUE! The link is HERE if you need it.

• Last Day of School
• I went through the results from the Last Day of School survey from last week's blog. Fifty percent of you wanted to watch Inside Out 2 and others wanted an assembly and/or picnic. So, after a lot of thinking, etc, this is the schedule for the final day. It was created with the goal of celebrating our year together and enjoying our school community for the last time for the 2024-25 school year.  Please click HERE for details on the last day of school activities.  

• Senior Graduation Walk
• On Tuesday morning, our annual Graduation walk will take place through the Elementary halls to congratulate the Class of 2025.  They will walk through our students twice.  The first time the Seniors will walk through alone and the second time, they will be paired with a 5K student.  
• FYI: Many of our Dodgeland Den students made signs for the Seniors that work in the Den to show their excitement for them. (It's a secret for Betsy and Sofia) Alexis and Ella will get the posters for students to hold during the walk that morning, either in the classroom, or while standing in the hallway.

• Summer Newsletter
• Our summer newsletter will be sent out at the beginning of June. If you have any articles or information that you want included, please get them to Patti as soon as you can. 

• Report Cards/Test Results
• By the end of the day, 5/23, you will find letters explaining the i-Ready, FastBridge and/or AimsWeb tests, depending on what your students take. Please include this with the test results for your students.  Thank you to Sue who is helping by printing the FastBridge results for students/parents.  Please send the results home before the last day of school.

• Budget Update
• I am going through the budget forms that you have handed in.  By Tuesday morning, you will have a copy of the budget forms along with the amount that is available for your classrooms. Please make sure to have all PO's turned in before you leave for the summer.  If you order anything from Amazon, put the items in your cart, but do not submit it until after July 1.  It will get canceled automatically if you click submit before you leave for the summer.

Friday Funny

I find this very funny. But I do wonder at what point or year will this have to be explained to others...

May 16, 2025

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• Many students were sharing their pride while talking about their i-Ready growth to me.  I love that you help them see the learning they are building all year long.

• Shout out to First Grade who have students that showed tremendous growth in their math FastBridge scores!  Way to go team!

• Shout out to Brad for always having a plan and problem-solving behind the scenes so that we can continue our classroom lessons as scheduled. This week it was the back up internet (even though it was a Dodgeland issue, Brad made sure we were affected on a very limited basis). Other times, it is answering my incessant questions that start with, "Would it be possible to....?"  I'm sure he hates those questions, but I love that he respectfully listens to me and talks through what ideas are possible and what the parameters would be.  Thank you Brad!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Saturday, May 17
• Happy Birthday Rachael!

• Monday, May 19
• Bus Duty: CaineT, Juech, Stampfl, Schuett (by the end of the sidewalk near bus drop off)
• Lunch Supervisors:
• 12:00 - Vertz
• 12:30 - Zastrow
• 1:00 - Bingen
• All PE Classes will be outside today (weather permitting)
• Jenny in meeting from 8:30-10am
• EP Work Time on Doc Log, etc @ 3:15pm in IMC
• Art Show @ 5:00-6:30
• Elem. Concert for 5K-2 @ 6:30pm
• School Board Meeting @ 7pm

• Tuesday, May 20
• All PE Classes will be outside today
• Book Rescue event in the IMC (Sign up HERE)
• Art Show @ 5-6:30pm
• Elem. Concert for Gr 3-5 @ 6:30

• Wednesday, May 21
• Happy Birthday Noah!
• Workout Wednesday
• Book Rescue event in the IMC (Sign up HERE)
• All PE Classes will be outside today
• HS Assembly in the Multi-purpose room from 9-10am

• Thursday, May 22
• Book Fair Set Up begins

• Friday, May 23
• 1st Gr. Field trip (10:45am-2:45pm)
• Last Day for SEL groups

Nitty-Gritty

• Last Day of School Survey
• Please take this survey to help me determine what would be a possible way to celebrate together on the last day of school. (I'm sorry Kathy, I know you are sick of surveys. I won't send you another one for the rest of the school year. Scout's Honor!) 

• IMC and Library News
• Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st will be our book rescue event in the library. Please sign up here for a time to bring your class to the library to "rescue" some of our discarded library books. These are books that have been weeded from our library, or other libraries, and are in need of rescuing to a good home. These are books the students can keep forever at home. Ms. Rollins will be sending out information on Dojo explaining these books to families so they know what is coming home. 
• Sign up for a time to turn in your student iPads here. iPads will be collected directly from your classroom during your time slot. Please go through this presentation with them to help "clean up" their device. 
• Grades K-3
• Grades 4-5

• Summer School
• Registration officially ends on May 23. (Although, we can enroll kids from the office after that date, but parents may not be able to register after that date.) If you are not sure if a child you recommended has registered, let me know and I can look it up. I can also reach out to encourage attendance if you'd like me too as well.
• Classrooms used: These are the rooms used this summer.
• 102, 107, 110, 114, 115, 119, 120, 121, 127, 129, 137, El. gym
• Room 124 will be used all summer for FASA Summer Camp (They may need to use 123 if need a spill over room.)

• PD Opportunity this summer
• Sue shared this with me. Click HERE for information about a great learning activity for teachers regarding a one-day conference about ways to help students struggling with mindset, motivation and engagement. Thank you Sue! (Registration is limited!)

PD Spotlight

Sophie shared a site that had some great resources that might come in handy for us as we welcome our students back in the building next Monday. (Thank you so much Sophie!) Click HERE to see the numerous resources.  In the meantime, I find this short list to be helpful as well.  This is a list of things we (and families) can do to help students following natural disasters.

• Try and keep routines as normal as possible. Kids gain security from the predictability of routine, including attending school.
• Limit exposure to television and the news.
• Be honest with kids and share with them as much information as they are developmentally able to handle.
• Listen to kids' fears and concerns.
• Parents and adults need to first deal with and assess their own responses to crisis and stress.
• Rebuild and reaffirm attachments and relationships.

from: American School Counselor Association, 2025, https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Publications-Research/Publications/Free-ASCA-Resources/Natural-Disaster-Resources

TechKnow Tip

This week, the tip is just a review of some of the important details from Brad and Christina's presentation at the staff meeting.  (This is my summary, not theirs. :-))

• Make sure to keep your devices update (even in the summer)
• At the end of the year, turn in ALL check out equipment (except apple pencils) even if you are teaching summer school
• Make sure your items are saved on One Drive or Google Drive
• Clean off charging lockers in your classrooms (they will be moved and used for summer school)
• Use the Help Desk Ticket system rather than email (even during the summer)
• As a team, go through ClassLink to review and take inventory of what is there. Is anything missing? Anything that needs to be removed?

Behavior Specialist Information

Field Day!
Here is the field day document. Games and Junior Coach Assignments may/will change. I will put a hard copy in mailboxes when the information is finalized, however I wanted you to have the general outline/schedule for planning purposes. Again, please don’t print this document, a final copy will be printed for you Monday, June 2.

Recess Information

Playground Use/Extra Recess

Please use this link to sign up for additional outdoor time so we can be proactive in not having too many students in our outdoor spaces at one time. PLEASE hold our students accountable to following the same expectations as normal recess and make sure our equipment is put away and the door is locked. Here is what the lock should look like to be locked properly.

***Remember next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Ms. Lexi will have PE outside. She is setting up stations in the grass behind the basketball hoops. These are off limits for recess.***

Friday Funny

Something to help you laugh.  You know, release endorphins!

May 9, 2025

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• Shout out to staff this week that used technology to smoothly communicate all of the information in the language the parents understand best so they can be fully engaged in the meeting.  Way to go Shanalyn, Hailey, Bethany and Mary Jo!

• Staff are working hard to provide field trips that provide experiences and learning outside of the building and setting up the conditions for them to be successful whether that is specific chaperones/groups, extra provisions, alternate plans if needed, etc.  Thank you all for doing this!

• Shout out to Carrie Houk for leading our 4K students in an adorable concert for a large group of parents and grandparents and family/friends today.  

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, May 12
• Seals on Wheels continues til Wed or when completed
• Brewers Day
• i-Ready Testing window starts
• Bus Duty: Bingen, Huso, Lucht, Braunschweig (please meet buses at end of sidewalk)
• Lunch Supervisors:
• 12:00 - Donovan
• 12:30 - Mosher
• 1:00 - CaineT
• Jenny in meeting from 8:30-10am
• School Board Meeting @ 6:30pm

• Tuesday, May 13
• Social Media posts due to Jessica: Ellefson
• 1st grade Data meeting (SEL only) in 1st gr. room - 3:05-3:40pm
• Band Concert (5th graders performing) @ 7pm

• Wednesday, May 14
• Workout Wednesday
• FFA Drive Tractor to School Day
• Field Trip to MOHEE for grades 4 and 5 (8-2:30)
• Budget sheets due to my mailbox by the end of the day
• NHS Blood Drive
• Staff Meeting in IMC from 3:10-3:55pm (Important end of the year info, please plan to be there!)
• Supply Lists should be done by the staff meeting

• Thursday, May 15
• 4K Field trip - all day

• Friday, May 16
• Pyramid Model Leadership Meeting 1-2pm in Elem. Conf. Rm

• Saturday, May 17
• Happy Birthday Rachael!

Nitty-Gritty

• SAEBRS and mySAEBRS
• If you haven't done the spring SAEBRS on FastBridge yet, please do this before May 16. If you teach 2nd-5th grade, please have them complete the mySAEBRS on their iPad as well. This data will help you see any growth in students' SEL skills.

• Supply Lists
• Each grade team should look at the supply list on the site HERE. This is the one that will be used for next year and as a group you can add or delete items to your grade's list. As you do this, it will adjust the cost of the items for the kit.  Here are some guidelines I'd like you to follow as you complete the list together:
• Only essential items should be on the list.  Are there items that your students have not been using in the past couple of years?
• Are there some items that could be on a donation list rather than a supply list? The cost of everything is getting more and more expensive as we all know, so the more we can keep costs down the better it is for our family.
• Finally, as you are building the list on this site, please keep your supply list to $50 or below. If you have difficulty with this, please see me and we can problem solve together. 
• Email me when the supply list for your grade is done.  When all grades are completed, I will approve them to get the next part started. 

• Reading Corps Report
• Last week I met with Brenda and our Reading Corps partners and they shared a report of all of the work that Bethany and Ashley have accomplished this school year.  I wanted you all to see it as well.  It is important to note that the Reading Corps leadership is very impressed by our reading tutors results and fidelity.  Please click HERE to see the report and help me congratulate and thank Bethany and Ashley for their hard work!

• PLEASE HELP!
• Please help us save money on energy costs and prevent issues with our ViewSonic Boards.  There are a number of boards that are being left on at the end of the day after we have left for the day.  This includes any of us that are using the board in the conference rooms for meetings.  Please, shut down the boards before you leave each day or at the end of a meeting.

• Mark your Calendars!
• There are a couple of things coming up for you to write into your plans:
• May 27 @ 10:45am - Senior/5K student Graduation Walk through the elementary wing.  They will be in their caps and gowns and it is our chance to congratulate our seniors as they are ready to walk across that stage!
• August 12 - This summer the Dodgeland Summit will be held on August 12. More details will be out in the coming weeks. It is a great chance for us to learn together and also start thinking about the next school year.

TechKnow Tip

As we strive to improve communication and efficiency at Dodgeland, we’d like to encourage everyone to utilize the power of our shared Google Drive. Shared drives are special folders in Google Drive that you can use to store, search, and access files with a team. Shared drive files belong to the team instead of an individual. Even if members leave, the files stay in the shared drive so your team can keep sharing information and work anywhere, from any device.

Benefits of Using Shared Google Drive:

• Enhanced Collaboration: Work together simultaneously on projects, lesson plans, and resources. Team members can edit, suggest changes, and see revisions instantly.

• Improved Accessibility: Access files from anywhere, anytime, on any device with an internet connection. No more struggling with lost USB drives or outdated versions!

• Increased Organization: Create folders and subfolders to keep everything organized and easy to find. Share specific folders or documents with colleagues for targeted collaboration.

• Version Control: Never lose track of changes! Google Drive automatically saves revisions, allowing you to revert to previous versions if needed.

• Streamlined Communication: Eliminate the need for multiple email attachments. Share files directly within Google Drive for a more efficient workflow.

Get started with Google Shared Drives by logging into your Google Drive, locate “Shared drives” along the left-hand side. 

If you would like to set up a shared drive please reach out to anyone in the tech department. If you have additional questions about how shared drive works don't hesitate to ask.

Friday Funny

I came across this meme and it spoke directly to me and why I have so so so much junk in my office, my house and much to my parents displeasure, their basement.  But you know what is worse is when you keep it in case you need it, and then when you do need it, you can't remember where you put it!  Am I the only one that is like this?

May 2, 2025

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• Congratulations to Jahra Juech who was named the Dodge County Teacher of the month for April. Please help me congratulate her on this award!

• Jr Coaches had a great trip this week that was just for them. They are building leadership skills and helping us each day.  Thank you to Teresa and Blasia for taking them on this trip!

• This week I had the privilege of sitting in on an IEP meeting for a 3rd grader. It was awesome to hear the growth that the student has made this school year and see the pride on her parent's face.  Never doubt that you are making a difference in a child's life! 

• Lauren's last day with us is Tuesday, May 6!  Please help me congratulate her on her upcoming graduation and wish her much success in her teaching position for the fall!  Good Luck Lauren!

What's Happening At Dodgeland?

• Saturday, May 3
• Happy Birthday Eneida!

• Sunday, May 4
• Star Wars Day - May the Forth be With You!

• Monday, May 5
• Seals on Wheels Visits start - These are longer appts because it is teeth cleaning and applying sealants for each student.  They will be set up in the elem. conference room all week.
• Bus Duty: Zastrow, CaineB, Schulte, Donovan (meet buses at end of sidewalk in the morning)
• Lunch Supervisors:
• 12:00 - Schuett
• 12:30 - Westphal
• 1:00 - Fortmann
• Jenny in a meeting from 8:30-10am
• AimsWeb Assessment starting in Grades 4K-3rd
• Teacher Appreciation Week - I always appreciate you, but this week I get to show you too. Get ready to be spoiled!

• Tuesday, May 6
• 2nd Gr Data Meeting (SEL only) in District Office Conf. Rm @ 12:05-12:55pm
• 1st Gr. Data Meeting (SEL only) in 1st grade classroom @ 3:05pm
• Para Meeting in IMC @ 3:15 

• Wednesday, May 7
• Jenny in meeting from 8:30-10am
• 4th Gr. Data Meeting (SEL only) in 4th gr. classroom @ 12:35-1:25pm

• Thursday, May 8
• 5K field trip from 8:15-11:30am
• 4K Concert in Elem. gym at 2:30pm

• Friday, May 9
• 5th grade Band rehearsal on the stage from 8-8:30am, all 5th graders will have PE at 8:30 instead
• 5K Data meeting (SEL only) in District Office Conf. Rm @ 11:35-12:25pm (RESCHEDULED due to field trip on Thursday)
• Harvest Lessons in grades 4-5 starting at 10am
• Patti in a training from 12:30-2pm

Nitty-Gritty

• Americorps - Reading Corps
• You may have been hearing information in the news regarding Americorps and it's funding.  I get frequent updates from the directors of Reading Corps.  At this time, the funding for our tutors, Bethany and Ashley, is still in place and we expect that they will both be back next year!  Yay!!!

• Citizenship Grades
• Please put in citizenship grades for your students for April. This will help you at the end of the month when it is time to do the report cards.

• Updates on the 2025-26 School year
• This week was difficult for many due to the many changes that are occurring throughout the district. The decisions made were hard and the unknowns for many of us are stressful as well. Please know that I will share what I can, you are always welcome to meet with me or give me feedback and that I always think through all decisions that I make. If you don't understand something, it is always better to ask for clarification than it is to make assumptions.  That being said, these are the changes that I know about for now.
• Gabrielle Zastrow will be our new ML Coordinator for the district. She will take on some of the tasks that Rose has done for us, and she will be supporting us as we help our ML students to continue to thrive and grow!
• Kari Westphal will be staying in her current classroom, but will be teaching 2nd grade next year.
• There will be 3 sections of 4th Grade next year. Stephanie Neis will be joining Trisha and Lindsey to teach 4th grade and will be moving into Rose's current classroom.
• There will be 3 sections of 5K next year.  Tina Ellefson will remain in her current room, but will be teaching 5K instead of 4K.
• Amber Jenkins will be teaching 3K in the morning and Early Childhood in the afternoons.
• Courtney Mook will be a shared teacher with the Hustisford School District. This means that one day a week she will be out of the building teaching.
• There will be other updates on logistics as plans are finalized for next year. If you have specific questions, please enter them HERE. This will help me to make sure your questions are addressed.

• Class Creator
• Many have asked me about the class creation timeline. I plan for us to be creating these class lists on June 5. Please make sure that you complete the surveys for all of the tabs by May 30. This will allow me to have the drafts done before June 5 when we will meet as a group.

• Library Updates
• Week of May 12th is our last week of typical 30 minute library lessons
• Monday (19th) - Wednesday (21st), you can bring your class into the library for a discarded book event. Students will have the opportunity to take a number of discarded books home to keep forever!
• Friday, May 23rd - All library books are due back to school
• Wednesday, May 28th - BOGO book fair for the community from 3:00-5:00pm
• Thursday, May 29th - BOGO book fair for the community from 3:00-7:30pm
• Friday, May 30th - BOGO book fair for students (more detailed information to come about limited times students from each grade can come shop)

• Budget Sheets
• Jessica emailed out about the Budget planning for your classrooms.  Remember, it is critical that you only budget for what is essential.  The worksheet will be in your mailbox and is due by May 14. I will look through them at that point and let you know what is approved and then you can submit Purchase orders.  All PO's should be completed by June 9 this year.

• Supply Lists for next year
• As a group, please look over the supply lists for your grade.  We will be using a company this year that will be a option for our families to buy school supply boxes sent directly to the school for the next school year.  This is totally optional.  It has the ability to be a fundraising piece, but I have not looked at that part. At this time, I have a proposal of what it would cost our families if they were to order it based on the supply list from last year.  Click HERE to look through the boxes. When we are ready for this, we will update the supply list on the portal here and it will adjust the cost of the box in real time.  This process will be completed by May 12.  (You will see on the link that it is sent directly to me, but I think it is a better way to share the details than me trying to summarize it!)

Recess Information

Upcoming!

Field day will be Tuesday, June 3rd. 4k - 3 grade will be in the morning and 4th-5th grade will be in the afternoon similar to the format of years past. More information to come.

TechKnow Tip

As you work through sorting, saving, and organizing this year’s materials for next year, be sure you are logged into iCloud! You may notice a red notification bubble on your settings app (iPad) or you may be prompted with a pop-up (laptop). These frequent logins with iCloud are set for security measures. Be sure to log into your Apple ID on your iPad AND laptop whenever you see the notification or you get a pop-up notification. Being logged into your Apple ID ensures proper iPad backup of your files, photos, and apps. This is the same for students too, so feel free to encourage them to stop tapping “Later” and log in to ensure their priceless work is saved.

Friday Funny

Nate Bargatze is back in WI this month.  Here's a short clip of another of my favorite stories!