CUSHING CHRONICLES

December
Sun, 10 - Staff Gift Giving Contributions Due
Mon, 11 - Holiday Spirit Day: Holiday Hair, Don’t Care
Tues, 12 - Holiday Spirit Day: Rudolph Red
Wed, 13 - Holiday Spirit Day: Feeling Frosty
Wed, 13 - FIELD TRIP: 1st & 2nd Grades - First Stage
Thurs, 14 - Holiday Spirit Day: Festive is Always in Style
Thurs, 14 - 5K Cub Scout Info Meeting, 6:00. Activity Center.
Fri, 15 - Holiday Spirit Day: 100% That Grinch
Mon, 18 - Holiday Spirit Day: Sweater Weather
Tues, 19 - Holiday Spirit Day: Long Winter Naps
Tues, 19 - FIELD TRIP: 1st Grade - Milwaukee Zoo
Wed, 20 - Holiday Spirit Day: Smooth as Velvet, Mad About Plaid
Thurs, 21 - Holiday Spirit Day: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
Fri, 22 - WINTER BREAK BEGINS

January
Tues, 2 - Classes Resume
Mon, 15 - NO SCHOOL
Wed, 17 - KM4K Info Fair. Details to come.
Mon, 22 - NO SCHOOL
Thurs, 25 - FIELD TRIP: 2nd Grade - The Domes
Fri, 26 - Cushing Family Movie Night

Last week we had students share helpful tips about reading at home with you. We know that reading at home can be powerful; the more we read and come across new information, the more we learn! 

We also know that when students have a strong knowledge base around a topic, they’re better able to understand what they’re reading. Research indicates that students with lots of background knowledge enjoy reading more, they also understand and retain information better. This is because knowledge sticks best to other related knowledge. Having a rich background of information can help children understand what they read and gain deeper insights from what they’ve read. (Wexler, 2019)

So, while you’re reading at home, consider encouraging your child(ren) to pick up a new kind of book, helping them to further develop their background knowledge and enhance their overall learning experience.

Happy reading!!

Star Slip Winners!

Holiday Spirit Days

Literati Book Clubs
Looking for a gift idea for a school-aged student?  Try Literati Book Clubs!  For only $9.95/month, your child (or grandchild, niece, or nephew) gets 5 new books!  It’s a great way to inspire a lifelong love of reading. See below for more information.

Cub Scouts for 5K
Pack 20, based out of Cushing Elementary, is looking to start a new Cub Scout “Lion” Den for 5K. Join us on Thursday, December 14th at 6:00 p.m. in the Cushing Activity Center to learn what scouting is about and how it works.  If you are interested but unable to attend, please email pack20cubscoutsdelafield@gmail.com.

Lost & Found
We have a lot of Lost items waiting to be Found.  If your student is missing something, there’s a real good chance it’s our Lost & Found.  The next time you’re at Cushing, swing by to see if anything belongs to your family. Parents seem to have the magic touch with finding lost items.

**Anything left by the time we head out for Winter Break will be donated.

Laser Locker
Friday, December 8: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Tuesday, December 12: 9:00am – 6:00pm (ALL DAY shopping)
Thursday, December 14: 9:00am – 4:00pm (ALL DAY shopping)
Friday, December 15: 9:00am – 4:00pm (ALL DAY shopping)
Wednesday, December 20: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Thursday, December 21: 12:00pm – 3:00pm

**The LASER LOCKER will be closed from December 22 – January 2.

Last Chance!!!

Staff Giving Program- Deadline Extended through Sunday 12/10!!!

The PTO coordinates an optional Holiday Gift Card Program to say "Thank You & Happy Holidays" to all of our Cushing teachers, staff and bus drivers. The program is meant to help simplify your gift giving should you choose to participate. This is not a fundraiser.

Here's how the program works:

You make a monetary contribution to the teacher/staff members and bus driver of your choice. Your child's gift is then combined with all other contributions for that particular staff member and the staff member will be presented with one BIG gift card to the stores of their choosing. The gift cards will be presented in a Thank You card that contains the names (NOT the amounts!) of all the families who contributed to the gift.

THIS IS A 2 STEP PROCESS - THIS AMOUNT SHOULD MATCH WHAT YOU ENTERED ON THE GOOGLE FORM!

STEP 1: Fill out THIS FORM. Please make sure to complete your child's/children first and last name (EXAMPLE:  JANE SMITH FAMILY) then select the teachers you'd like to give to and list the dollar amount (MUST be WHOLE dollar increments - no change please, $1, $3, $5, $10, $20, etc.).

Then total up your order.

STEP 2: Copy this GIVE BUTTER LINK ( https://givebutter.com/CushingStaffGivingHoliday2023) to pay your total. Click "Donate" and select/enter the amount that matches your google form. These orders will be compiled, and gift cards will be distributed to each individual.

Any amount is appreciated!

Program runs through Sunday 12/10

If you have any questions, please email elizabethschoene@gmail.com or emchugh85@gmail.com

The PTO would like to thank the amazing crew of parents and grandparents who helped make The Holiday Gift Shop a magical place for Cushing Students this year. The Holiday Gift Shop Committee of Jen Greenberg, Beth Comingore, Erica Burzynski, Kelli Grutz and Lisa Winchell turned the Star Space into the North Pole for all to enjoy.  The following parents and grandparents were the best elf helpers any school could ask for- Kristian Johns, Nicole McGuire, Kristin Risius, Stephanie Yemm, Serena Hughes, Jen Beres, Alicia Ploeger, Kate Manhart, Laura Bradford, Cheryl Kuhn, Magalie Miller, Tish Daley, Maureen Byrne, Emily McHugh, Nikki Deklotz, Jenna Marcotte, Amanda Coakley, Rebekah DeLuca, Julie Knipfer, Erica Knoblock, Kristin Harding, Megan Kinney, Jennifer Burkee, Jen Szerenyi, Jessie Bergeron, Meghan MacNeal, Taryn McCormick-Nelson, Jen Hollman and Jen Barker.

Did you know the Cushing PTO has a website? It’s a one-stop shop to find out about everything PTO-related - movie nights, winter event, Dine for Cushing, our celebrations that bookend the school year, Decathlon, PTO meetings, books fairs and more! It’s a great resource.

Visit us at https://sites.google.com/a/kmsd.edu/cushingpto/

Jump Rope Club
The course will include learning to jump rope, skill challenges, team jump roping and at the conclusion of the course a jump rope show for parents. 

Course will focus on fun, exercise and learning new challenges. Course is intended for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.  The jump rope show at the end will include a 1-3 min jump rope performance with a team to music.  The students will be working on this throughout the course. Enrollment is limited. The class will be held on Tuesdays after school beginning January 23.  Sign up today online at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/