Thank you all for your continued commitment to professional learning and collaboration. Below are the plans for our upcoming workshop time on Monday, November 3 from 8:00–10:00 AM. Please review your group’s location and format.

Grade-Level Professional Development (far right, workshop day tab)

Kindergarten & 1st Grade
Topic: Mystery Science PD
Format: Presenter on Zoom; staff attending in person
Location: On site — Art Room

2nd–5th Grade
Topic: Stemscopes PD
Format: Presenter on Zoom; staff attending in person
Location: On site — Makerspace

What to Bring:
We’ll use one “master” device in each room to project the presenter on the big screen. Please bring a charged device to access any shared links or content, and any resources you typically use for science planning. We'll update you if presenters request anything additional.

Support Staff & Specialists

Interventionists & Student Support Specialists: "Check-in with families"
Participate on site or remotely based on your role and access needs.

K–5 Specialists (PE & Music):
Meet at East Makerspace

Special Education Staff

Training: Accommodations & Modifications
Format: In person
Location: ISD 318 Board Room – old Southwest School

Please reach out with any questions. We appreciate your flexibility and preparation.

Sean

We will use the new volunteer system to assign volunteers.

Classroom dates, afternoons of: 11/12-11/20

Book Fair classroom visit signup: https://calendar.app.google/LzCupcSVxzY9nmRk9

The Book Fair will also be open during conference nights and the conference Friday.

Book Fair Preview

 ~ Sean

www.tinyurl.com/WestHalloween22

Students at West Rapids Elementary are permitted to dress for Halloween.  Dress up day will be Friday, October 31st. Students should be made aware of the following guidelines in order to maintain a safe and productive learning environment:

1. No blow up/inflatable costumes.

2. Halloween masks should not be worn.   

3. Props will not be permitted as part of student costumes.

4. Also, do not wear cleats or spikes as they may damage floors and become slipping hazards.

5. No weapons, or look-alike weapons, are allowed at any time. No spikes, chains or ropes may be brought to school.

6. Make up, hair dye, sunglasses and hats are permitted as long as they are not dangerous or disruptive. Sunglasses and hats must be removed in the classroom.

7. No clothing that depicts drugs, alcohol or their usage.

8. Costumes should not prevent the student from fully participating in learning activities. Most students will still have PE on that day!  Use good judgment!

9. All makeup, hair, and accessories must be done at home.

10. Building administration has the right to require students to change their apparel if it is deemed that the costume is not appropriate for school. If a change of clothing is not available, students will be required to put on clothes provided from the school if they are unable to obtain a change of clothing.

West is officially piloting a Volunteer Portal as our new system for volunteer sign-ups—no more paper forms moving forward.

Please help us spread the word to families:

• If they’re interested in volunteering (now or later), they should complete the digital application.

• You can send them directly to the link, have them contact the main office, or give the names to Geraldene to send the info.

  • https://vm.navigate360.com/volunteer-portal/landing-page?id=8053

Once they’re approved through the portal, they’ll be added to our approved volunteer list. From there, we’ll begin using the Nav360 Events feature to post specific needs—classroom help, field trips, special events—and families can sign up directly for those opportunities.

One thing that has not changed: Every adult who volunteers onsite—even for a one-time event—must have a completed application on file. This ensures we’re meeting site safety protocols.

Starting after MEA break, Clayton and I will begin brief walkthroughs focused on Science and Wit & Wisdom instruction (typically 15 minutes).  Just like with our recent UFLI look-fors, these walkthroughs are intended to help us reflect on our systems and ensure we’re supporting implementation with consistency across classrooms.

We won’t be scheduling these visits in advance — instead, we’ll drop in during times that align with the master schedule. A PDF copy of the observation forms we’ll be using is attached for your reference.

A few notes to help clarify our focus:

Science

• We’re simply looking to see that science instruction is taking place (e.g., using Mystery Science or Stemscopes during your scheduled science time).

• If your grade level has pacing considerations we should be aware of — for example, Kindergarten’s science unit doesn’t begin until January and social studies is currently taking place during that block — please feel free to let us know ahead of time so we have that context.

Wit & Wisdom

• As we move into year 2 of implementation, our focus will be on transitions within and between lesson sections and activities. We’ll be looking for how students are moving through the lesson structure with clarity and engagement.

As always, the goal of these walkthroughs is to support instruction and ensure our systems are working well for staff and students. If you have any questions or want to share any scheduling context in advance, feel free to reach out!

Thank you for all you do — and wishing you a restful MEA break when it arrives.

A few quick facility and supervision notes as we head into October:

Chalk Play
Please keep sidewalk chalk activities well away from the building. We've had quite a bit tracked in recently, especially at recess entrances, and it leaves a mess on both floors and walls. With our limited custodial staff, avoiding extra cleanup is a big help.

Recess Near the Building
A reminder to keep play away from the building walls and windows. We have classrooms and programs (like our SPED wing) running throughout the day, and activity near windows—including throwing balls or leaning against glass—can be very disruptive.

Hand Washing at Lunch
Whenever possible, please prioritize soap and water over hand sanitizer in the cafeteria. Hand sanitizer doesn’t clean as effectively, and frequent spills are damaging the waxed floors. Thanks for encouraging clean and safe habits!

After-Hours Use of the Building
We’re adding privacy stanchions to clearly indicate where after-hours visitors/groups should not go. Signs are posted near the AED and gym entrances with guidance, and a radio is now available at the podium in the servery for emergencies or custodian support.
Just a note: Most groups should stay at or near the cafeteria—very few are approved to access beyond that and next to no one is allowed in the classroom and SPED wings.

Thanks for helping keep our space safe, clean, and welcoming for all who learn and work here!

Sean

Staff, we’d like your help capturing school moments for our East and West Rapids Elementary Yearbook. This year we’re moving away from shared Google folders. Sorry to change direction, but Jostens PhotoShare will be a much better tool for us.

With PhotoShare, all pictures are collected in one secure place and organized for yearbook staff to review.

How to Share Photos:

1. Click the link below or scan the QR code to access our PhotoShare site.

2. Upload your classroom, event, and activity photos (please include student names, grade, and event if possible).

3. You’re done! All images will be reviewed for consideration in the yearbook.

 Upload Photos Here (it really is East and West)

I do not know when pictures will be in Infinite Campus.  In the meantime I have updated the ones I had in EduClimber.

Link to Menus: https://www.isd318.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/menus

We'll be able to run Spooky Space in the Starlab again.

Here's the signup link:  https://calendar.app.google/r1cL7rrRTM5SLmSk9

You will have to move the calendar to the week of Halloween, either Thursday or Friday.  I'll have it setup on those two dates.

Planetarium Reminders: https://sites.google.com/isd318.org/isd318starlab/home