Cushing Elementary

CUSHING CHRONICLES

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

UPCOMING EVENTS

September
Sat, 16 - KM Trivia Night
Fri, 22 - Spirit Wear Orders Due
Mon, 25 - Homecoming Week: Mismatched Sock Day
Tues, 26 - Homecoming Week: Hat Day
Wed, 27 - Homecoming Week: Pajama Day
Thurs, 28 - Homecoming Week: Class Colors Day
Fri, 29 - Homecoming Week: KM/Cushing Spirit Day

October
Mon, 2 - NO SCHOOL
Wed, 4 - Decathlon @ St. John’s
Thurs, 5 - Decathlon Rain Date
Tues, 10 - Picture Retake Day
Fri, 13 - Fire Prevention Day

MESSAGE FROM MRS. RACH

Greetings Cushing Families! 
We've had a fantastic full week of school here at Cushing, and our students are settling nicely into the routines and rhythms of the new school year. Speaking of routines and learning, you may remember that our Academic Excellence goal this year focuses on improving our literacy scores while introducing our new English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum, myView. You can view the first unit overviews by grade level below, they were also shared with parents at Great Start Conferences as a part of our communication plan:

5K myView Unit 1 Overview
1st Grade Unit 1 Overview
2nd Grade Unit 1 Overview
3rd Grade Unit 1 Overview
4th Grade Unit 1 Overview
5th Grade Unit 1 Overview

This week, we've begun using myView in our classrooms, and we're also working through our initial screening assessments. These assessments happen in the Fall, Winter, and Spring, giving us a comprehensive view of each student's strengths and areas where they can grow in ELA and Math. These insights play a crucial role in adjusting our classroom instruction to meet each child's unique needs. Results from these screeners will be shared with families as they’re completed. 

During this past Tuesday’s school board meeting, I presented our school's Annual Report, including goals and action plans for the upcoming year. I am looking forward to sharing our work around and progress towards our goals throughout the year. Your continued support and engagement are greatly appreciated.

CUSHING NEWS

Star Slip Winners!

Star Slip Winners

Picture Retakes - October 10
Empire Photography will be here in the morning on Tuesday, October 10th for picture retakes.  If your learner is making a funny face and you want a re-do or if your learner did not get their picture taken at Great Start Conferences, fill out THIS FORM. 

Homecoming Week: September 25-29
We’ve got spirit...yes, we do!  We’ve got spirit...how ‘bout you?  September 29th is KM’s Homecoming.  Cushing will be getting into Homecoming spirit ALL WEEK!

Monday, September 25 = Mismatched Sock Day
The less coordinated your socks are - the better.

Tuesday, September 26 = Hat Day 
Show off your coolest head wear.

Wednesday, September 27 = Pajama Day
Wear your pajamas to school.  One of our favorite days.

Thursday, September 28= Class Colors Day
Dress in your grade’s color and let’s see what grade has the most spirit!

4K = Red
5K = Orange
1st = Yellow
2nd = Green
3rd = Blue
4th = Purple
5th = Black

Friday, September 29 = KM/Cushing Spirit Day
Show your Kettle Moraine/Cushing Pride by wearing your KM/Cushing gear!  Play a sport for KM? Wear YOUR team jersey!  Don’t have any spirit wear?  That’s ok!  You can wear Navy and Gold instead!

Digital Citizenship
Part of our back to school lessons with students include learning around digital citizenship. We want students to understand that being a good digital citizen means that they can utilize technology while staying safe online. As a parent, you can support your child(ren) at home by reviewing these tips from Common Sense Media. Per our school handbook, cell phones or other smart devices are not allowed during the school day (8:30 - 3:35); students with these types of devices should inactivate or mute the device during the school day. If you have any questions about appropriate use of technology, feel free to reach out to Mrs. Rach or Mrs. Klatt.

Additionally, GALS is hosting a learning session: Navigating Digital Safety: 2.0; Empowering Parents to Protect Youth Online:

Date: Monday, October 16th, 2023 
Location:Kettle Moraine High School Library 
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Digital Safety

Yearbooks
Click HERE to order your yearbook. All yearbooks will be handed out at school at the end of the year.  Please call/email Empire Photography if you have any questions.

School Picture Proofs
Images from picture day have been processed and emails to families have been sent out. If you have not received your email, check your spam folder first. If it's not there, please fill out this form: www.empirephotos.com/proofrequest and Empire Photography will get back to you by the end of the following business day. Empire Photography can also be reached by phone at 608-257-2941 or email: customerservice@empirephotos.com.

Girl Scouts Improves Cushing Nature Trail and Builds Little Library
Last year, the 5th grade Girl Scout Troop (now in middle school) wanted to work on a service project for Cushing and noticed that the nature trail needed some help. They cleaned up the fallen branches from the trail and also made a number of improvements, including a new trail sign; a selfie stick by the bridge, so teachers could take class pictures and be in the pictures too; a kindness rock garden; an outdoor classroom that includes a table for the teachers and a place to sit for students; and bat houses so there would be fewer mosquitoes. They also created a fun scavenger hunt activity. Outside of the Nature Trail, they also added a Little Free Library near the bike racks. The girls are very proud of their project and earned the Bronze Award from Girl Scouts for their service project!

Girl Scouts Nature Trail Improvements
Girl Scouts Nature Trail Improvements

PTO UPDATES

DECATHLON - October 4

Decathlon Volunteers Needed
We need Decathlon volunteers, come be a part of this special day!!

October 4, 2023. Rain Date: October 5.

Decathlon K-5:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BA5A62EAAFE3-decathlon1

4K Decathlon: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BA5A62EAAFE3-cushing1

This is our ONE big ask! We have raised just over $3,000 which is 15% of our goal. We are asking each student to contribute a $50 pledge to reach $20,000 with the support of family, friends and our community.

Cushing Decathlon

SPIRIT WEAR - Orders Due September 22

Spirit Wear Winners
The following Cushing Stars were drawn to win Cushing Spirit Wear apparel and/or Cushing water bottles. Congratulations!

Brady L., Remy F., Isla K., Bennett B.,Will D., Brooklyn M., and Logan R.

Spirit Wear

KM NEWS

HOMECOMING PARADE SIGN UP

All Kettle Moraine School District Clubs and Activities are encouraged to sign up and participate in the 2023 Homecoming Parade.  

Homecoming 2023 Parade Sign Up!

When: Friday September 29, Parade begins at 5:15
Where: Line up at 4:30 in the KMHS Athletic Entrance Parking Lot (south side)

Please contact Kelsee Stellpflug with any questions at stellpflugk@kmsd.edu

Homecoming Parade

HEALING HEARTS OF WISCONSIN

Healing Hearts is a trusted, local, free, source of grief support for children, and families who grieve loss due to death, divorce, addiction, incarceration, deportation, or military deployment. Fall sessions of Healing Hearts will be starting soon! There are three locations and times this fall. Pick one or more that work for you!

Oconomowoc | Good Shepherd United Methodist Church | 6-week session | starts Thursday, September 21  

Waukesha | First United Methodist Church | 12-week session | starts Monday, September 25

Menomonee Falls | Good Shepherd Catholic Church | 6-week session | starts Thursday, November 9

Children will find care, support, and healing through age-based peer support groups while parents/guardians participate in a peer support group specifically for them.

Please use this link to register for a group or call 262-751-0874 for more info. Share this with someone you know who may benefit from it!

KMMS FAMILY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Do you want to have a better idea of the middle school vibe? Are you interested in having the inside scoop on KMMS? Do you want to spend some time each month with other middle school parents? 

If so, the Family Advisory Committee might be for you! The KMMS Family Advisory Committee (FAC) is beginning its third year and has returning members, but we are looking to onboard new parents to join our team to share their perspectives and insight.

FAC

Please fill out this short Google Form if you are interested. We meet the first Wednesday of each month from 5:00-7:00PM.

KM TRIVIA NIGHT IS BACK ON!

Date: 9/16/23

Location: Dousman Lions Club 235 N Main St., Dousman 53118 Doors open at 6:00pm, first round starts at 7:00pm.

Each table costs $300 and includes food. Cash bar.

Assemble your team (up to 8 people per table) and join us for this fun annual event. Proceeds benefit Kettle Moraine Athletics.

The top 3 teams will receive prizes! Additional prizes will be awarded for the best costume and table décor (arrive early to decorate your table). There will be a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, and heads/tails game. $10 or 3 for $25 shout-out for a special person/event, or roast.

SIGN UP NOW! https://www.classmunity.com/kmsd/view-fundraiser.php... you can't attend but still wish to support KMHS Athletics, please click the "Make a Donation" button.

KM Trivia Night September 16th

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

KETTLE MORAINE SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Providing Recreational and Educational Opportunities for Our KM Community!

We also rent space and are happy to facilitate your events, courses, or activities.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE!

COMMUNITY ED LOGO

Aerobics
Need that extra push to get started on an exercise program? We’ve perfected our routines so they work for anyone of any age or fitness level. Work at your own pace with easy to follow steps set to a wide variety of the music you love. You’ll get just the right cardiovascular workout followed by floor work that will both tone and stretch all of your muscles.  Class is held Tuesdays and Thursdays at KM Middle School/Dousman Elementary at 6:30.  Sign up today at www.kmsd.edu/communityed

Adult Conversational Spanish - Live Virtual Classes Offered
Always dreamed of learning Spanish or refreshing your high school Spanish?  This class is for you! The primary focus will be on building conversational tools in Spanish through interactive practice and exercise.  Vocabulary topics include common greetings and introductions, numbers, food, clothing, likes and dislikes.  Join us on Mondays or Tuesdays this fall.  Sign up today www.kmsd.edu/communityed

Virtual Spanish Programs Offered
From Elementary to Middle School Students to adult, KM Community Education offers a wide variety of opportunities with partners from Futura Language Professionals.  Learn vocabulary related to home, places and shops throughout the community.  Register online at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/

After School Chess Club
Develop your child's intellect through the royal game of chess! Current research has shown a strong link between chess and academic performance in a variety of areas, including mathematics and language arts.. Each class will consist of a fun, interactive teaching period and guided practice time. Both beginner and experienced players are welcome and will learn under the guidance of an experienced Chess Scholars coach.  This program is offered by Chess Scholars.  To sign up, please visit https://www.learningmeansfun.com/signup 

Wales Elementary - Tuesdays, 10/10-12/19
Dousman Elementary - Wednesdays 10/11-12/20
Magee Elementary - Thursdays, 10/12-12/21
Cushing Elementary - Fridays, 9/29-12/15

Junior Lasers Baseball - Opportunity for 1st and 2nd Graders
KM Junior Lasers Baseball Club is holding an additional tryout to add players to our 2nd grade (U8) teams for the 2024 season. We invite all 1st and 2nd graders to try out on September 20th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Wales Community Park. Players already placed on a team should not attend this tryout.

To register, please email Tryout Coordinator Joe Lawniczak at josephlawniczak@yahoo.com and include your player’s name and grade level.

At the tryout, players will perform throwing, catching, fielding, and hitting drills. Players should wear athletic attire and athletic shoes or cleats. Players should bring a glove, bat, and water. If a player does not have a bat, we will provide one. If a player is invited to join a team for the 2024 season the fees of $400 for 1st and 2nd grade would be due after tryouts to secure a roster spot. (Fees can be split into 2 payments)

KMJL teams begin indoor practices once per week in December or January. Beginning in April, teams will have a combination of 2-3 games or practices per week through the middle of July. Indoor practices are at KMHS or other KM schools. Outdoor practices are at Wales Community Park or other parks within the KM district. Teams will play approximately 16 league games, typically on weeknights, and 2-3 weekend tournaments.

Please email Joe Lawniczak at josephlawniczak@yahoo.com with any questions. We look forward to having your player in our program.

Cushing Elementary School

https://www.kmsd.edu/cushing

227 Genesee Street Delafield, WI 53018