HCE Happenings

Our Family Newsletter

October, 2020
Principal's Corner
Dear HCE Parents and Guardians,
It's hard to believe that 5 weeks have already passed as we are underway with learners both in-person and in their "distance" locations. We have spent time getting to know our students and will spend additional time this month on PALS (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening) in K4-grade 2 and MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) in grades 1-5. These standardized assessments provide us with reading and math information to tailor learning to meet individual student needs. As we close out the month we will celebrate with our Harvest Parade and parties. We have revised them to consider safety measures. Please read more about it later in this newsletter.
Enjoy the fall colors and sweatshirt weather!
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Komas
October Important Dates
2 NO SCHOOL - Staff Development Day
13 Picture make-up Day
16 Spirit Wear Day
30 Harvest Parade (indoors) and parties
Partnership for Continued Health and Safety

As we dismiss our students at the end of the day we ask them to remain wearing their masks since we can’t ensure physical distancing during the pick up process. Some parents walk during the pick up process and are present on the sidewalk or playground by the front doors without masks. While there isn’t a policy that masks should be worn during this pick up time we are asking that you would help us with this safety routine and consider wearing a mask as you are coming out of your vehicle to pick up or meet your child. We also ask that you practice physical distancing when conversing with other parents at arrival and dismissal. We greatly appreciate your partnership in this health and safety issue. If we work together, we can stay safe to stay open.
Welcome, Mrs. Fowle, Dean of Students

Hello! I am so excited to be joining the staff at both Edgerton and Hales Corners Elementary schools as the Dean of Students! I am not new to Whitnall as I have served as a Learning Coach in both elementary buildings as well as the middle school, and most recently as an Academic Learning Coordinator. As a resident of the Whitnall community myself, I am humbled and honored to serve in this role. 

A little about me professionally, I earned my Bachelor's in Education from Lakeland University and my Master's in Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch. Prior to my experiences in Whitnall, I taught 7th and 8th grade English-Language Arts and Social Studies in neighboring school districts. I've approached all of my experiences as learning opportunities, where I embrace new challenges, because I truly love what I do! I care deeply about academic, social, and emotional learning as well as the personal achievement of all students. 

Outside of school, I value time with my family! My daughter is a 2nd grader at Edgerton, and I enjoy watching her develop a talent in dance. Additionally, I love rooting for Wisconsin sports teams, reading, music, concerts and traveling (when it is safe to do so)! 

Again, I am so excited to join both elementary buildings as the Dean of Students. I appreciate the close-knit community that Whitnall serves and I am proud to be "All In!"
HARVEST PARADE AND PARTIES
Friday, October 30, 2020

We will continue the Harvest Parade and Parties tradition but with some accommodations to help it be a safe event during this time. We will virtually “parade” within each classroom. Each classroom will “stream” their parade while other grades watch. After we complete the virtual assembly each classroom will enjoy an activity. Each student can bring their own special treat. Please remember that we can’t have peanut or tree nut products in the classrooms. Your child’s teacher will share a list of treat ideas.

DO NOT SEND K5-Grade 5 STUDENTS TO SCHOOL WEARING COSTUMES. They will have the opportunity to put them on before the event. K4 should come dressed in costumes.

Costumes should not be clown-related, scary, have violent themes with blood or be a character from an R rated movie. No toy weapons are permitted. As this is a school wide activity with students ranging from 4-10 years old we want to help everyone enjoy the event.
News from Ms. Thao, Social Worker, &
Ms. Geboy, Occupational Therapist

Over the last two weeks, Ms. Geboy, and I have been going into classrooms and teaching the Zones of Regulation. What are the Zones of Regulation, you ask? The Zones curriculum is a behavioral approach used to teach self-regulation by categorizing all of the different ways we feel and states of alertness we experience into four colored zones: green, blue, yellow, and red. Students are taught how to control their emotions and impulses, as well as improve their ability to problem solve conflicts. We’ve been reading Clark the Shark to help students understand the four zones. We’ve also introduced the Zones Toolbox, which consists of a variety of strategies to help students regulate their emotions. The green zone is the one we encourage students to stay in during school since it indicates that a student is “ready to go” and in control of their body for learning. However, we also emphasize that being in the blue, yellow and red zones are okay to be in as long as we find the appropriate tools to get our bodies back into the green zone. The students have done an excellent job and we look forward to teaching them more tools! 
What Office Staff Want Parents to Know

  1. Student Absences - Please email student absence information using the Student Absence Reporting LINK. Please do not email the teaching staff regarding absences.
  2. Change in Dismissal - Please call the office regarding changes in dismissal. Office staff will then communicate the change to the teacher. If your child is scheduled for the Y program or daycare, it is your responsibility to notify them also.
  3. Late to School/Early Pick up - If your child is arriving late to school or being picked up early, notify the office by either calling the office or using the Student Absence Reporting link. Late students get a pass from the office before reporting to class.
  4. Voicemail is available on all staff phones, including the office. Messages can be left 24 hours a day.
  5. Bus information - First Student is the bus company that transports resident students. They can be reached at (414) 422-2020 after our office closes at 4:00 pm. You will need to know your child's route number when calling.
  6. Parent portal of Infinite Campus should be reviewed for accurate phone numbers. If someone other than a parent is picking a child up from school, that person must be listed as an emergency contact for the student in Infinite Campus.
  7. Address changes must be reported to Kay Larson as soon as possible. Kay can be reached at (414) 525-8526 or klarson@whitnall.com.
Lost and Found

Please take a moment to label your child’s personal belongings with their first and last name. It will help us reunite found items with their rightful owner. Items that are not labeled will be held for no more than two weeks. We bag each item and keep them in the office.
Hales Corners Elementary
11320 W. Janesville Road
Hales Corners, Wisconsin 53130
414-525-8800 (office)
414-525-8801 (fax)