NOVEMBER 2023

Thank you for your continued support and patience as we continue to work on systems to best support our pick-up and drop-off procedures.  As you have noticed, we are working to establish a specific “loading and unloading zone” for students.  This helps to ensure the safety of our students, while also working to best keep our car line moving.  We know how tempting it is to just have your student jump in the vehicle as soon as you see them or as they are passing on their way to the loading zone, but we continue to ask that you wait until your vehicle is in the specific loading zone.  You’ll hear us continuing to encourage students to keep walking and moving down to the loading zone, and ask that you support that as well.  We will continue to evaluate our systems and make adjustments as necessary to make this a both smooth and safe process for our students and families.

A couple of other notes:

• School dismissal time is 2:50.  This means that most students are exiting their classrooms at that time before making their way outside for pickup.  Currently, our pickup line is already mostly full by 2:30 each day.  This does cause traffic to start backing up on Main St. We understand that many of you have students to pick up at multiple buildings, and other after school activities that are pressing.  We just ask that you are mindful of how early you arrive as we do our best to prevent congestion on the main road outside of school.
• Parents should remain in their cars at all times while in the pickup line.  If your child needs additional assistance getting in or exiting out of the vehicle, we ask that you park in the parking lot to not hold up the line of cars moving through.  Staff members are always able to assist in unloading and loading students as well, and are more than welcome to help.

2nd graders at CGS listened to a presentation from Mrs. Cheng on celebrating Lunar New Year in Taiwan. They were taught several words and characters in Mandarin. They chose one of the characters (fu - blessings and happiness, chun - spring, and ji - luck) and practiced calligraphy to make the character on paper. 

Cottage Grove School will hold a lockdown drill on November 8th for all students and staff.

The safety of our students is a top priority which is why it’s important for students to be present for monthly drills. A lockdown drill is designed to familiarize students with responding to an active threat. In all cases of a safety drill, our staff will inform students beforehand of the drill and what they can expect so they are fully prepared. We follow best practices to use trauma sensitive language and exercises to mitigate fear and anxiety during the drill.  

What your student will experience: Staff will prepare students by explaining the purpose of the drill, what they can expect and what they will need to do during the drill. The drill will begin when an announcement is made over the speakers that a lockdown drill has started. Staff and students will use the methods of listening for information and the method of Lock, Lights, Out of Sight. Classrooms will be encouraged to practice creating a barricade if safe to do so. Throughout the drill students will be reminded of different ways to manage stress and anxiety (eg: deep breaths, counting to 10, focus on the task, stay in the present, etc.). Doors may be tested during the drill, but students and staff will be alerted of any tests before they occur. After the drill is complete, staff will use trauma sensitive language to help students process the experience.

Students with sensory and other special considerations will be accommodated according to their needs. 

We encourage families to communicate with your student(s) about the importance of safety drills. You can find resources on our website to help guide those conversations. 

Read the full message on safety communication practices on our website.

Did you know that the MGEF invests on average $28/student during the school year? Some of the broad reach items are the Weekend Snack Pack Program, which currently provides food for 150 MG students who experience food insecurity when not in school. The Pay It Forward personal hygiene supplies at MGHS, GDS and Winnequah offer students free access to basic hygiene needs (shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant). The Starting Line Fund just provided funding for the new Fishing Club at MGHS to purchase additional equipment and supplies giving access to students to participate in an activity they may not otherwise have. These are just three examples of the many things the Monona Grove Education Foundation does for the Monona Grove School District. There are many students who need additional support for various reasons and MGEF continues to partner with the Monona Grove School District to meet those needs. Please consider supporting the MGEF, so that we can continue helping the students of MG.

The MGEF is in the middle of its CARES Campaign. This is the only fundraising campaign for the MGEF which supports the students and teachers of Monona Grove via the 5 programs we offer.  Students and Teachers have access to funding via the Pay It Forward Program (PIF), MGEF Weekend Snack Pack Program, Starting Line Fund, Summer Scholarships and Teacher Innovation Grants.  As a 501(c) 3 organization run by volunteers all proceeds from the CARES Campaign are used for the operations of these programs.  You can find out more about the individual programs, volunteer opportunities and support  these initiatives by going to www.supportmgef.org.  

Happy November from the Health Room,

A reminder to please label all sweatshirts, coats, hats and mittens as we end up donating quite a few of these items to charity when we can’t find their owners and they aren’t claimed from the lost and found.

We will be screening vision on November 9th and screening hearing on November 21st for the entire 2nd grade class.  If you have a first grader that you have concerns about, please contact me and we will try to do a screening for them at the same time.

My phone number from the health office often shows up as Possible Spam on your phone.  Please add me to your contacts.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Nancy Zingg, Health Office

608-839-2184

nancy.zingg@mgschools.net

Social and Emotional Learning - What is SEL?

Social and emotional learning (SEL), is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. SEL is an integral part of education and is included within our 4K-12 curriculum. The Department of Public Instruction states that “explicitly teaching and promoting SEL skills in Wisconsin schools is one step on the path to student success.” 

SEL lessons will often include elements of social justice, which is the principle that society should never withhold rights and opportunities because of a person’s identity and should aim to create a society where everyone has access to the resources and opportunities to develop their full capacities, and everyone is welcome to participate. 

SEL can be a powerful lever for creating caring, just, inclusive, and healthy schools that support all young people in reaching their fullest potential. In the context of SEL, equity and excellence refers to every student—across race, ethnicity, family income levels, learning abilities, home language, immigration status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other factors—engaging in high-quality educational opportunities and environments that best promote their healthy social, emotional, and academic development (CASEL.org). 

SEL for November: Understanding others, using words to express what is bothering you, and bullying.

SJ for November: Native American Heritage Month, Giving Thanks, and Learner Variability

PTO News

THANK YOU to our families! This year's Fall Festival raised over $14,000 and will be used to fund teacher requests, cultural arts events, and other school needs for grades 4K-5. Please join us November 2 at 6:30 at Oakstone for our fall Parent: Teacher Meeting. Save the Date for Saturday, December 16 4:30-7PM for the Annual Winter Candlelight Night Hike with a StoryWalk and winter readings in the school prairie and forest. 

Support the Cottage Grove PTO and our schools! 

SCRIP is one of the biggest (and EASIEST) fundraisers we have! 

SCRIP Information

Meet the CG PTO

Infinite Campus

Please keep your information on Infinite Campus up to date!

Be sure to check your phone number(s), addresses, emails, and emergency contacts.

Infinite Campus Q&A

CG Parks and Recreation

Cottage Grove Village Guide - Fall/Winter

Attendance

If you know your child is going to be absent please email CGS.attendance@mgschools.net or call (608)-839-4576.

Pre-arranged absence? Fill out the form and turn it into attendance.

5301 Monona Drive, Monona, WI 53716  Phone: (608) 221-7660  Fax: (608) 221-7688