Michelle Lewis - K Teacher at CES was highlighted in Dr. Jean and Friends Blog
https://drjeanandfriends.blogspot.com/2024/04/kindergarten-day.html
Michelle Lewis wrote this beautiful memoir that is perfect to share with you today! I know many of you feel the same way.
When I reflect on the 17 years I have been a teacher, I have definitely seen the pendulum swing back and forth in the field of public education.
Ever since I was in kindergarten, I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. Every morning when I walk into my classroom, I still feel like I’m living my dream.
Even with all the challenges and changes in education, I still love being a teacher. I truly do not think there is much greater in life than looking into the eyes of a child and watching them grow, learn and discover the world around them.
Of course, like so many teachers out there, I find myself wishing so many things could be different in the world of early childhood education but I try to make the best of it and hope the pendulum swings back to a time when the focus becomes more about “what is truly best for kids.”
I hope somewhere down the road changes are made in education, especially in the realm of early childhood education to ensure ALL curriculum is developmentally appropriate. We are causing these young kiddos to feel anxious, defeated and as if “they can’t measure up.” Some of these kids truly feel stressed when they take assessments. Some already show signs of test anxiety.
In my classroom, I do my very best to meet all of the state standards and teach the provided curriculum but my main focus is always my students. I look to how they are doing, how they are feeling and what they need at any given moment.
I find ways to incorporate time for that “social- emotional learning” piece of the puzzle that is often missing in many curriculums. I practice/ teach Conscious Discipline by Dr Becky Bailey in my classroom and use “teachable moments” as opportunities for learning.
I want my students to understand the importance of showing empathy, kindness, compassion, etc. I want them to know they are loved. I want them to feel a sense of belonging at school and know they are a part of our school family. I want them to live with integrity and do the right thing, even when nobody is watching. I want them to know that they can aim for the stars, live their dreams and become whoever they want to be. I want them to know they can make a difference in this world .
As a teacher, I truly believe that teaching my kiddos the importance of being helpful, safe and kind is more important than teaching them their ABC’s and 123’s. Every day my 4K students recite our classroom mission statement in sign language.
“Today in 4K we will play together, learn together and work together. We are a school family. We will be helpful, safe and kind.”
In my classroom, I want my students to see “learning as fun” and I want them to truly want to come to school. Of course I want them to learn the academics they need to be successful in kindergarten and beyond but I also want to provide time for them to play, laugh, giggle, sing and dance.
I try to provide my students with the best possible learning experience every single day and I strive to take care of their social and emotional well-being.
One way I do this is by reserving the last 10 minutes on Thursdays (4K is only 4 days per week) for a DANCE PARTY, complete with colorful lights and songs the kids love to dance too. Obviously as teachers, we purchase items for our classroom “out of pocket” but I will say the disco ball laser light was without a doubt one of my best purchases for my classroom.
We dance to songs like “Gummy Bear,” “It’s Raining Tacos,” “The Hamster Dance,” “Happy” and the list goes on. It’s funny because I have taught my kids “The Locomotion” and we have made a train and danced around our classroom and even gone down the hallways and they absolutely LOVE IT! I often hear during our dance parties “Ms. Lewis, can we please do the train song?”
For 10 whole minutes, it is pure joy in my classroom. There is dancing and jumping and hand holding and laughing and I can guarantee, every child in my class walks out of my classroom with a smile! And guess what happens on Monday— they want a DANCE PARTY!
This blog I wrote wouldn’t be complete without personally thanking Greg Smedley-Warren. He is an absolutely AMAZING kindergarten teacher in Tennessee who prompted me to start having dance parties in my classroom after observing videos of his class having them.
More eclipse pictures (Post 2)
Even more Eclipse Pictures (Post 1).
It definitely was an excited educational day in Clintonville.
Eclipse Fun!
Ms. Long's High School students reading to Elementary kiddos during Read Across America Week.
Information for this years Color Run - Thank You Mr. Z and Ms. Carmody :)
English - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S-CXzfPFVLv7Ehl9XXQxqdtUb0iipplI/view?usp=drive_link
Spanish - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1of6Q0nYilllhIXndjfxV0f6zhbA2KpaC/view?usp=drive_link
Online link:
https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Clintonville/FearlessFemalesWiseGuysColorRun5K
This past week, SRO Ebert and Superintendent Troy Kuhn spoke with grades 4-12 on the effects and consequences of threatening, bullying, and harassing comments that are made in school, outside of school, or over social media. There has been an increase nationally and locally of students bullying, harassing, and threatening each other over social media.
The two main points of discussion were
1)The district and law enforcement take every threat and act/mention of violence seriously.
2)If someone has been harassed, bullied, or needs mental/emotional health support, there are trained staff within the district, community, and county that can assist.
These talks have already sparked positive conversations among students and staff. We have had many students already seek adults for help for various reasons.
Our goal is to always keep our schools and community safe. We can all do our part by following the rule of, "If you see something, say something!"
Read Across America was celebrated today with CMS Student Council reading with friends in Kindergarten and at the daycare!
Free Baseball Clinic
Read Across America Week for CMS/CES
Join us for Winter Family Night on January 23!
Help us learn about the world! This win-win fundraiser helps not only you, but also twelve very deserving students learn how to be more global citizens through their trip to Panama in the summer of 2024. We'll be seeing amazing engineering, speaking Spanish with host families, exploring tropical environments, and learning about a culture other than our own! Help us reach our goal and save money too by buying a car wash card today. Thank you / Gracias!
The Clintonville High School Trip to Panama Group.
Heather Schmidt
Maestra de Español - Spanish Teacher
Clintonville Middle and High Schools
Several retired CHS staff members toured the new elementary school on November 29th. This group represents over 350 years of experience at CPSD!
Back row:
Bob Petermann (Phy Ed/Social Studies, 34 years)
Bob Veleke (Band Director, 36 years)
Al Wichmann (Agriculture, 34 years)
Mike Wespetal (Tech Ed, 25 years)
Steve Reinke (Director of Buildings and Grounds, 39 years)
Lee Halverson (Math/Physics, 31 years)
Craig Akey (English, 32 years)
Karen Petermann (Phy Ed, 36 years)
Front row:
Sue Halverson (spouse)
Mary Lou Donnelly (Business Ed, 33 years)
Marge Wichmann (spouse)
Deeann Behnke (spouse)
Earl Behnke (Chief Engineer, 20 years)
Kathy Akey (Library, 34 years)
Please attend and share this information. Our goal is to inform the community of events happening within the district as well as create open dialogue. Not only do students preform and interact, but staff and administration will be available to answer questions.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3_RaARWL1AFBw5HqsioltsuYTZW_VE95aVm-xEoUkXUfK_g/viewform
District Family Title Night and Trick or Treating Moved Indoors 2023-10-26
We are still going to host our District Wide Family Night and Trick or Treating but the event will be moved indoors due to the forecasted rain and the safety and comfort of the participants. Please park in the front of the High School and use the main entrance to enter the event. We have worked hard to create an indoor version of the walking trail that will maintain the fun activities. Yes, there will still be pumpkins for families to take home and decorate!
The event will be on October 26th from 5:00 - 7:00 pm in the High School.
CES Public Open House this Afternoon! See attached Image
Little Truckers Playground Information. Click on Link for larger print and Spanish version.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1iuGUanXhEaeCYUGDsi40w22pvYQa9i5mbkVmMXbT9AU/edit#slide=id.p
Homecoming Dress Up Days for Next Week
You are invited to the first CES PTO meeting!
Due to an unexpected absence of photographers, our picture day was not able to be completed.
Kindergarten and first grade students did have their pictures taken today.
The rest of the school will be photographed on future dates. See attachment for details!
