• Nomination Form

• Past Winners

Good Morning,

The school elf Teachy McTinsel is hiding throughout the school for the holidays and watching who is naughty and who is nice for the holidays.  If you find  Teachy, take an Elfie Selfie and text it to Sean (218-259-3129) and myself (Clayton 218-256-5653) and you will be entered into a weekly drawing. Be discreet with your selfie so as to not give away the location to others.  Happy hunting!!!!!!!

It’s that time of year again—our Door Decorating Contest is here, and it’s open to all!

Here’s the scoop:

• Who can participate? If you have a door, you’re in. If you don’t have a door, borrow one. (Check with a friendly neighbor; door sharing builds community.)

• Participation is optional. But let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to show off their creative flair?

Details:

• Doors will be judged on Thursday, December 19th, and the winner(s) will earn bragging rights AND a Hot Cocoa Party (generously sponsored by the PTC).

• The Cocoa Party will be held Friday, December 20th—just in time to warm up for winter break!

• Decorations should be up and ready for judging by Thursday, December 18th, but the sooner you’re done, the sooner we can all admire your masterpiece.

Theme? There’s no official theme, but winter/holiday vibes might be a good starting point.

Need help? Tara, Amanda, Katie, and Timarie from the PTC have volunteered to lend a hand, so feel free to reach out to her if you need some extra assistance or glitter (she probably has glitter).

Judging Criteria: I’m not sure if I’ll be one of the judges, but if I am, here’s a tip: I lean towards creative, messy, and kid-driven designs. Bonus points for anything that makes me laugh!

Let’s make our hallways a little more magical this December! Good luck, and may the best (or messiest) door win!

Sean

Dear Families,

Stay informed and connected with everything happening at West Rapids Elementary School! Our latest newsletter is packed with updates, events, and important information.

👉 Read the Newsletter Here

Thank you for being an integral part of our school community. Together, we shine!

Sincerely,
Sean Martinson
Principal

I’m excited to share details about an incredible new initiative we are rolling out to support some of our students: the Check-In/Check-Out (CICO) Program. This is a positive, structured system designed to provide students with additional encouragement, accountability, and a daily sense of accomplishment. While only a small group of students will directly participate, the ripple effects of this program will benefit our entire school community.

What is CICO?

CICO is a research-backed intervention that focuses on building strong relationships, setting daily goals, and fostering self-reflection. The program pairs selected students with mentors (our Music and PE teachers) who will serve as their Check-In/Check-Out teachers. These mentors will:

• Meet with students each morning from 8:05–8:35 to help them set daily goals and start the day on a positive note.

• Check back in with students at the end of the school day, prior to the final bell, to review their progress, reflect on successes, and celebrate their accomplishments.

These brief, 5–10 minute interactions will give students personalized attention, encouragement, and a structured routine to help them thrive.

Who Participates?

Students selected for CICO have been identified by our counselors as those who would benefit from additional daily support. These students are not in trouble—in fact, quite the opposite! They have been chosen because they are ready to grow with just a bit of extra guidance and encouragement.

Why is This Amazing for Our School?

• Strengthened Relationships: CICO builds a bridge between students and trusted adults, giving them a daily touchpoint to feel seen, heard, and supported.

• Increased Focus and Motivation: Starting the day with clear goals and ending it by celebrating progress helps students stay on track and feel successful.

• Positive School Culture: Programs like this remind us all that small, intentional interactions can have a significant impact on a child’s day—and life.

How Can You Support This Program?

Even if you don’t know which students are participating in the CICO program, there are many ways you can support all students and help foster the positive outcomes this program aims to achieve:

• Greet Students Warmly: A friendly “Good morning!” or a welcoming smile can set a positive tone for any child’s day, whether they’re in the program or not.

• Reinforce Positive Behavior: Celebrate moments of effort and success that you notice, no matter how small. Encouragement builds confidence and motivation for all students.

• Be a Role Model: Show enthusiasm, patience, and kindness in your interactions—these qualities ripple outward and create a supportive environment for everyone.

• Stay Flexible: While CICO sessions are brief, understand that some students may occasionally be transitioning to or from a check-in/check-out session. Your patience and support in these moments make a difference.

• Be a Cheerleader: If you see a student looking proud or accomplished, acknowledge it with a simple, “Great job!” or “I’m so proud of you!” Sometimes you don’t need to know why—they’ll still feel the impact.

Ultimately, every child benefits when the adults in their school show up as consistent, caring role models. Your positive interactions, even with students outside of CICO, contribute to the supportive culture that helps all kids succeed.

When Does This Start?

The CICO program will begin on Thursday, December 5th, with ongoing support from our Music and PE teachers, as well as our counselors.

Thank you for being part of a school that constantly seeks ways to help students succeed. Together, we’re creating an environment where every child can shine!

If you have any questions about the CICO program, feel free to reach out.

Together at West, We Shine,
Sean

Below is a summary of the books available in our library for Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade for Wit and Wisdom Module 2. For the books we do not currently have, in some cases, we do have other works by the same authors. You can use the following site to search our library catalog for more options: https://grsouthwest.goalexandria.com/search#lang=en.

Kindergarten: Once Upon a Farm

Available:

• Farm Animals by Wade Cooper

• The Little Red Hen by Jerry Pinkney

• The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone

Missing:

• The Year at Maple Hill Farm by Alice and Martin Provensen

• Three Little Pigs by Raina Moore

1st Grade: Creature Features

Available:

• Never Smile at a Monkey by Steve Jenkins

• What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

• Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young

• Stories from Aesop's Fables (The Hare & the Tortoise and The Ants & the Grasshopper)

Missing:

• Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell

• Sea Horse: The Shyest Fish in the Sea by Chris Butterworth

2nd Grade: The American West

Available:

• John Henry: An American Legend by Ezra Jack Keats

• Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg

• The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie dePaola

Missing:

• Journey of a Pioneer by Patricia J. Murphy

• Plains Indians by Andrew Santella

• The Buffalo Are Back by Jean Craighead George

• John Henry by Julius Lester

• The Story of Johnny Appleseed by Aliki

Please feel free to explore the library catalog at the link provided above. If you need help finding alternative resources or acquiring missing books, let me know!

December 2nd-13th

• K-1

  • Fastbridge Reading and Math

  • Teacher SAEBRS

• 2nd

  • Script for administration of assessments

  • Fastbridge Reading and Math (Including CBM Screening)

  • Teacher SAEBRS

  • mySAEBRS

Assessment Calendar website:

• https://sites.google.com/isd318.org/isd318mtssinternalsite/assessment

• The early out on 12/11 is dedicated for K-5 Teacher SAEBRS completion, and all need to be done by December 13th.