OCTOBER 2022

October is National Bully Prevention Month.

Here at Taylor Prairie we will be incorporating many activities throughout the month. All students will be taught a lesson on bullying behavior during a classroom guidance lesson. This lesson focuses on understanding bullying behaviors, strategies for dealing with bullying behaviors and how to be a good friend. It is important to acknowledge that we do not call a child a bully, as that would indicate a defining characteristic of the individual. Rather we emphasize that a child may show bullying behaviors, which the child can change through support from adults in the school and home settings. 

In addition, students will be given a challenge each Monday morning by Principal Foster. The challenges include: playing with someone new at recess, giving someone a compliment, smiling and saying hello to someone he/she does not know well, and using kind words. 

On October 10th, students are encouraged to wear BLUE to demonstrate we are united against bullying behaviors and united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion. 

Below is a resource that you may find helpful when discussing the topic of bullying behaviors with children at home:

http://www.stopbullying.gov/kids/index.html

Curriculum and School Information

Illustrative Math

MGSD commits to ongoing curriculum review and renewal on a six-year cycle so that all teachers are able to use high-quality instructional materials when engaging their students in standards-based grade-level learning. Every content area is given time and attention, and 4K-12 teachers, along with principals and curriculum specialists, participate in the process of instructional materials selection. To start the 2022-23 school year, our elementary school teachers are using new materials for mathematics: Illustrative Math. The IM K-5 curriculum provides teachers with coherently sequenced materials based on the standards and research-based learning trajectories to support students’ learning in these early years. IM K-5 Math is a problem-based core curriculum that sparks discussion, perseverance, and enjoyment of mathematics. IM utilizes an intentional lesson design that promotes mathematical growth and develops learning communities. If you are interested in learning more about Illustrative Math, please contact Lisa Heipp, our Director of Instruction, or feel free to explore the IM website.

Report Card Explanation

Our MGSD Elementary Report Card is designed to communicate what is occurring in the classroom. Teachers use grade-level content area standards in their planning and intentionally align learning targets and instruction to those essential grade-level standards.  

It is worth noting that essential standards listed on report cards capture the most vital grade-level learning; however, other content standards are included in classroom instruction. 

Our goal with essential year-long standards is that  each student is secure in those grade-level standards by the end of the year. Many students will be “beginning” or “developing” throughout the year as they continue to practice grade-level skills. 

Elementary Report Cards will be issued twice during the 2022-23 school year, in January and in June. The year-long essential standards require repeated opportunities to practice, to receive feedback, and to practice again. Learning takes time! To provide sufficient time for repeated practice before communicating Academic Performance Levels, the elementary report cards will be issued at the conclusion of each semester.

Report cards are just one communication tool we use with families. Teachers can also communicate progress with work sent home, through Seesaw, or other digital communication, phone calls and emails, and student conferences.  

National Walk-to-School Day

On Wednesday, October 12 Taylor Prairie will be participating in National Walk to School Day. National Walk to School Day is an opportunity to promote using safe routes when walking to school for learners and their families, as well as to bring awareness to the community of our young learners that walk to school. To help recognize this day we are inviting students, along with their families. There are a variety of ways to participate:

1. Walk to school from your home with your grown up
2. Drive to a specific location and walk with your grown up
3. Park on the street and walk to the front of the school with your grown up
4. Ride the bus and an adult will walk learners from the bus drop off to the front of the school building

Our local law enforcement will be present to support walkers in a safe arrival. We will also have music, bubbles, and snacks courtesy of Piggly Wiggly and the Cottage Grove PTO. We are appreciative of our volunteers and donations, which have helped make this event possible!

School-Related Activities and Events

Lessons run 10/30-12/21

Sundays 12:15-2:15pm

Mondays 6-8pm

Wednesdays 6-8pm

We still need volunteers! 

Please sign up to help out at the PTO Fall Fest!

Community Connections

Cottage Grove PTO

There are many things going on with CG PTO this year! 

Our First PTO meeting will be on October 10th at 6:30pm in the Taylor Prairie Library.

Also available on Zoom: 

Meeting ID: 880 0936 5005

Passcode: 654123

Stay up to date on that event - and all future events - by visiting: 

• Cottage Grove PTO
• CG PTO Website
• SCRIP Form
• SCRIP Online Purchase
• Meet the PTO 

CG Parks and Rec

The Fall/Winter Community Guide is available online. There are many opportunities for you and/or your child to become involved! 

• Community Guide
• Parks and Rec website 

Dane County Library

Our TP students are becoming amazing readers and they love to hear stories, look at books, and participate in activities that center on literacy. Here are links for local connections:

• Bookmobile Schedule
• Monona Public Library
• Monona Family Page
• Digital Story Room
• Calendar of Events

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