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Newsletter for the Taylor Prairie School Community
April15, 2020
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Dear Taylor Prairie Families,
Then read through this newsletter for information that was mentioned: Pupil Services info, Grab-and-Go meals, and Tornado Drill, as well as more staff pictures and easy and fun ideas for those looking for something a little different.
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Pupil Services
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 If you find that your family is in need and would like some support (food, shelter, mental health needs), please reach out to one of our Pupil Service Team members:
Also, you can call 211, which will connect you with non-profit and government services in our area that may assist you with the needs you may be experiencing.
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Grab-and-Go Lunches
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The Monona Grove School District School Nutrition Department will be providing FREE pre-packaged, grab-and-go Breakfast and Lunch to any child age 18 and under.
School Nutrition staff will prepare and (along with Nelson's Bus Service) deliver meals to each of the identified sites at the time published on a daily basis (Monday thru Friday).
A few more updates:
- A weekly reminder will be sent out to all families - Only individuals requesting deliveries will need to sign up (link found in Sunday reminder message).
- Students no longer need to be present to receive food.
- Everyone is welcome to participate; there is no income limit
- This is open to children 18 years and younger; children do not need to be school age nor attending the Monona Grove School District to qualify
Cottage Grove Pick up Sites and Times:
- Glacial Drumlin School 11:00 am to 11:15 am
- Taylor Prairie 11:20 am to 11:35 am
- Cottage Grove School 11:45 am to 12:00 pm
Thank you for your patience!
We have experienced fluctuations in the numbers of meals requested; in order to adjust to that, we will increase the number of meals prepared add provide an additional buffer too, for Monday's meals. We had been trying to minimize how many extras we had in order to provide some diversity of meals provided and to produce less waste, but we're going to adjust that starting next week. We'll focus on making sure we have enough meals for everyone, then start to provide different meals as it levels off again.
As we transition to not requiring a sign up, please be patient as we adjust our daily counts.
Providing meals for our families is an incredibly important service during this closure. We will be sending weekly email and SMS/text reminders to sign up for the free breakfast and lunch to all families. If you do not need the information in this message, please ignore/delete.
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Statewide Tornado Drill - THURSDAY, April 16th
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The National Weather Service Milwaukee has passed on information that they will not be holding the "regular" statewide tornado drill that was scheduled to take place at 1:45pm on April 16th. Some areas may choose to still sound sirens, but the statewide drill will now be virtual. The NWS is hoping that your family takes time (maybe even at 1:45 on 4/16) to practice a tornado drill at home.
Discuss these topics and then run a practice drill at home!
- Which place(s) in your home would be the best location(s) to go during a tornado warning?
- What is the safest way to sit if you know you are in the direct path?
- What can your family easily do to pass the time in your safe location, if you are not in the direct path, but still under a warning?
- How can you safely get weather updates while in a safe place in your home?
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Moving?
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 As we begin the placement process, it is important that we know if your child
WILL NOT
be attending the Monona Grove School District next year.
If you plan on moving before the beginning of the next school year,
please email
penny.meikle@mgschools.net
. We will forward a withdrawal form to assist in forwarding your child's records to the next school. Thank you.
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Greetings from TP
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TP Misses you all!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here are
just some of the "Hello's" this week!
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Ms. Reinhart is joining the TP Spirit Wear fun, too!
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Ms. Connor in her TP Spirit Wear!
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| Ms. Fruhling and Sully say Hi! |
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Getting outside and hiking with Baloo!
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Five-Minute Break
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Screen-Free Ideas:
~ See what kind of "unusual" things your family members can do. Roll your tongue? Wiggle your ears? Lick your own elbow?
Link to a Great Site:
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Arts & Crafts
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Screen-Free Ideas:
Link to a Great Site:
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Outdoor Fun & Recess
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Screen-Free Ideas:
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Blow bubbles!
Here is how to make your own mixture.
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Learn to ride a bike without training wheels
!
~ Not for this one! Just get outside and move!!!
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Move That Body - Indoors
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Screen-Free Ideas:
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Play Follow-the-Leader and take 3-minute-turns being the leader.
Links to Great Sites:
~ Log on to
Go Noodle and choose a movement activity.
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Mindfulness
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Screen-Free Ideas:
~ Look out your window & really pay attention to what's outdoors.
How many animals do you see? What are they doing?
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Choose a breathing strategy and teach it to someone at your house (hot cocoa, flower, candle, belly breath, etc.)
Link to a Great Site:
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Science & Nature
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Screen-Free Ideas:
Links to Great Sites:
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San Diego Zoo has a whole bunch of activities, games, videos, and stories to share.
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Music
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Screen-Free Ideas: 
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What type of music does each of your family members like best? Why do you like that kind? Is that the kind of music that has always been your favorite? Who are some musicians in that genre? Sing/listen to some songs from that genre.
~ Make an instrument out of...anything! Drums are easy - see what else makes sounds.
Links to Great Sites:
~ Learn how different instruments sound with
this video
.
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Math
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Screen-Free Ideas: 
~ Another muffin pan activity - put money amounts on a piece of paper in the tins and have kids figure out different ways to make those totals.
Links to Great Sites:
~ Number Bonds is a fun game for "Friends of 10" (select target number of 10)
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Reading & Library
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Screen-Free Ideas: 
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Look/listen for rhyming words in books.
- Read to a pet, stuffed animal, or a family member. (Many grandparents love to listen to stories over the phone or through video chats!)
Links to Great Sites:
~ Storyline Online streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children's books alongside creatively produced illustrations.
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Writing
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~ Write a letter (and maybe even address the envelope) to someone who might enjoy getting something in the mail!
~ Keep a daily diary - a notebook will work. Twenty years from now, re-read it!
Links to Great Sites:
~ Take a break from the screens, and stick with the writing utensils!
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The Zones of Regulation
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There's a good chance you've heard your child say, "
I'm in the Green zone!
" Huh? What is the Green zone? At Taylor Prairie all kindergarten and first grade students have learned to label emotions and identify their feelings, based on The Zones of Regulation. This is an essential skill for students to develop before they can efficiently cope and self-regulate. Below is a description of the four zones
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Blue Zone
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A low state of alertness; Used to describe when someone feels sad, tired, sick or bored.
Green Zone:
The ideal state of alertness; Used to describe someone who feels calm, happy, attentive/focused, or content.
Yellow Zone:
A heightened state of alertness; Used to describe someone who is feeling stress, frustration, anxiety, excitement, or fear.
Red Zone:
An extremely heightened state of alertness; Used to describe someone who is feeling anger, rage, explosive behavior, panic, grief, or terror.
It is important to note that everyone experiences all of the zones at different times and in different circumstances. The Red and Yellow Zones are not "bad" or "naughty" zones. All of the zones are expected at one time or another. What is most important is to recognize what zone we're in so that we can use tools/strategies to get to the appropriate zone for the situation!
Please take some time to review the Zones with your child! You can support your child's learning by asking the following questions:
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How are you feeling right now? What is your zone?
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What tool or strategy could you use to get back to _______ zone?
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If someone is feeling _______, what is their zone?
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When observing someone with a strong feeling (at home, in public, in a book, on TV), ask your child to identify the feeling and describe how they made that decision. Follow up by asking what zone that person is in at the time.
Emphasize that when your child is able to understand how s/he is feeling, then s/he will be better able to control oneself. Identifying feelings is the first step towards calming down and using strategies to solve problems.
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General Information & Resources
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