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Spence Elementary:
The Place to Succeed!
Every Student ~ Every Day
SPENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PARENT NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2015
Season’s Greetings!
It’s that time of year again, when we typically reflect on the year
past and resolve to do a few things differently in the upcoming new
year. While we may be ringing in a new year, at least according to
the calendar, we are just approaching the half-way point here at
Spence. The upcoming months are “hard core learning” months for
us all. We frequently find that students “take off” during these
months as our routines and procedures at school are established,
students understand our expectations and we have solid academic
foundations to build upon and connect new learning to.
While you are writing your New Year’s resolutions, I would like to
encourage everyone to look for new or improved ways to support
your child’s education. Studies show that kids for whom their parents
are involved in their education have a better attitude toward school,
have better grades and more appropriate school behavior than those
less involved parents.
There are many ways you can get involved. It can be as simple as
talking with your child each day about their day and their homework.
Your involvement could also include:
 Establishing a homework routine and providing your child with a
good place to study — away from distractions like TV, video
games, the phone, or loud music

Taking your child on trips, playing games together, and visiting
the local library

Showing you value education by being a learner yourself (take a
class, learn a new skill, etc.) or letting your child see you
spending time reading

Volunteering at school to help in the classroom, library or on
field trips

Attending and getting involved with the parent-teacher
organization

Reading to your child or have him/her read to you every day
However you choose to be involved in your child’s schooling, know
that we appreciate everything you do to support your child, their
teachers and our school. You are our most important partner in
helping your child become all that he or she can be.
I wish you all a safe and joyous holiday season and a Happy New
Year!
In partnership,
Shelley Shirel,
Principal
January Calendar
January 5th
(Monday) Back to School
January 6th
PBIS Winter Assembly
January 7th
3rd, 4th & 5th grade to Central
High School
January 14th
Quarterly Celebration, Early
Release - Student’s dismissed at
12:40pm
January 15th
5th Grade Honors Orchestra Tour
January 16th
End of Quarter 2
January 19th
No School (Monday)
January 20th
PTO Meeting at 6:30pm in the LMC
January 22nd
Report Cards Sent Home
January 29th
Fifth Grade to Heider Center
January 30th
Second Grade to the Main Branch
Library
School District of La Crosse
2015 PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
The School District of La Crosse will begin accepting registrations for the 2015-2016 Four Year Old Preschool Program beginning January 7-9, 2015,
starting @ 6:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Any child, who is 4 years old on or before September 1, and lives in the La Crosse School District attendance area is
eligible for preschool. The preschool program is a 2.5 hour program housed at a number of centers and schools throughout the district. The preschool
program is free for any eligible child.
Those interested in registering for the Four Year Old Preschool Program may register by:
Register in person at: Hogan Administrative Building, 807 East Ave. S., in the Welcome Center. (Please bring address verification & child’s
birth certificate)
OR
You may fill out the paperwork online @ www.lacrosseschool.org. You must have a valid email address in order to use the New Student
Online Enrollment option. If you are filling out the paperwork online, this process is not registering or guaranteeing placement for any
preschool site, you are simply filling out the enrollment paperwork in advance to expedite the enrollment process. Print that paperwork
and bring it into the Hogan Administrative Building beginning January 7, 2015, starting at 6:30 A.M. You will need to bring in address
verification & the child’s birth certificate to complete enrollment and secure site placement.
**Due to limited space, early registration is recommended.**
On January 12, 2015, we will be back to regular office hours of 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. If any registrations are done online, you will need to bring in
the address verification & child’s birth certificate to Hogan Administrative Building to secure placement at the requested preschool site.
The sites that are tentatively established for the 2015-2016 school year thus far are:
Congregational Preschool
Child First South La Crosse
Gundersen Health System Child Care
Hintgen Elementary
North Woods International
Spence Elementary
Summit Environmental
YWCA Child Center @ WTC Campus)
2503 Main St.
3710 East Ave. South
700 Bennora Lee Court
3505 S. 28th St.
N2541 Sablewood Rd.
2150 Bennett St.
1800 Lakeshore Dr.
419 N. 9th St.
Coulee Children’s Center
Emerson Elementary
Hamilton Family Learning Center
La Crosse Montessori Preschool
Northside Elementary
State Road Elementary
Toddle Inn Day Care
Coulee Montessori (Northside Campus)
2935 East Ave. South
2101 Campbell Road
1111 South 7th St.
1818 Redfield St.
1611 Kane St.
N1821 Hagen Road
W2637 Hwy 33
1611 Kane St.
If you have further questions, please call Julie Lawrence at 789-7006.
2015-2016
Kindergarten Registration/
Confirmation
The School District of La Crosse is now accepting
registrations for Kindergarten for the 2015-16 school
year. Families with a child that will be five years old as
of September 1, 2015 are encouraged to register as
soon as possible. If your child has never attended a
La Crosse School District preschool program, please
call the Central Registration office at (608) 789-7756.
Students that have attended a La Crosse School district
preschool are asked to complete the confirmation form
(to the right) and return it to the school office so that we
can begin planning for the 2015-2016 school year.
Spence kindergarten information will be provided to all
registered students in May with relevant information/
forms and how you can support your incoming
kindergartner.
Please share this information with any neighbors or
relatives who may not receive this newsletter.
2015-2016 Spence Kindergarten
Confirmation Form
Child’s Full Name
___________________________________
Date of Birth _____/_____/_____
Parent/Guardian Names
___________________________________
Address
___________________________________
City
___________________________________
Phone
__________________________________
PLEASE RETURN TO SPENCE
School Closings &
Early Dismissals
In the event school is closed or dismissed
early due to bad weather, the
announcement will be made on the
following television and radio stations:
WKBT TV 8
WEAU TV 13
WXOW TV 19
WKTY 580 AM
WIZM 1410 AM
WLFN 1490 AM
WLSU 88.99 FM
Z93 93.3 FM
COW 97 FM
KQ98 FM
CLASSIC ROCK 100.1 FM
EAGLE 102.7 FM
MAGIC 104.9 FM
CC106.3 FM
KCLH 94.7 FM
WRQT 95.7 FM
The announcement will also be listed on the
district’s website at
www.lacrosseschools.com
A Skylert message is also sent out in the
event of a early dismissal or school closing.
Please be sure to keep your phone
numbers up to date.
Spence Cooking Club
Spence Cooking Club students have been cooking a
variety of main dishes, snacks and desserts all while
building their reading, math, and social skills! Over
eighty students have participated so far this school
year in weekly events held after school, at midday
recess, and before school. We are very grateful to
receive funding and support from a variety of sources.
Last week, we were awarded a $500 La Crosse Public
Education Foundation (LPEF) grant to pay for
ingredients and supplies. In addition, the Spence PTO
has generously volunteered to fund the rest of the
groceries. We have also been promised a donation of
pork from the La Crosse County Pork Producers
Association. Last, but certainly not least, Miss
Gudgeon, our facilitator, receives extra-curricular
money from The School District of La Crosse for her
time. We appreciate this outpouring of kindness and
support so much! Spence Cooking Club was originally
established with no funding and is now beginning its
fourth year. It is open to all fourth and fifth grade
students at Spence. If you are
interested in learning more, visit
http://www.news8000.com/
schools/assignment-education/
assignment-education-cookingclub/24541000.
Food Drive Winner!
Congratulations to Mrs. Fitzgearld's Class
for winning the food drive!! Thank you
everyone for participating. Together we
collected over 1,700 food items!!
-Ronnah Metz
AFTER SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS
Please make transportation or after school arrangements with your
child prior to them coming to school in the morning or send a note
to your child’s teacher if after school arrangements are changing.
Due to the volume of calls at the end of the day, it becomes difficult
to ensure that each message is received by the classroom teachers
and students.
Mustang Club
Bronze Mustang Pride
Lauren Beames, Dominic Burja, Evan Carver,
Charles Chritton, Savannah Clancy,
Mara Coulombe, Isaiah Denning,
Anthony Escobar, Natalya Heberlien,
Leah Hessler, Jordan Hurtgen,
Silas Hutzenbuehler, Emma Kadera,
Emmerson Keeney, Doua Chee Lee,
Patrick Lewis, Mollie Manke, Sam Matter,
Ally Mikshowski, Chase Morris,
Farid Muhammad, Colin Neberman,
Maddie Neberman, Amelia Northwood,
Derrick Pangier, Aidan Reinsenauer,
Ta’Shawn Shaw, Alahnna Simpson,
Tyler Sirianni, Nicholas Stetzer,
Peyton Strittmater, Damian Thao, Alvin Vue,
Lily Vue, Bella Walburn, Cameron Woyczik,
Evan Wright, and Elijah Zielke
Silver Mustang Pride
Andrew Martell, John Traun,
and Alan Wright
PTO CORNER
PTO Contact Information
Spence PTO, [email protected]
Will Faulkner, President, [email protected]
Sandy Kotlowski, Vice-President, [email protected]
Jessica Lapic, Treasurer, [email protected]
Heather Mask, Secretary, [email protected]
Every Little Bit Helps!

If you have a Target Credit/Debit Card, please list Spence
as your school of choice. Target will donate 1% of your
purchases to our school.

Don’t forget to turn in your Box Tops, Kwik Trip
Milk Moola Caps and Campbell soup labels to the
white bins outside the school office.

Use Goodsearch.com as your search engine. For every
search and purchase made through them they will donate
Mark your Calendar for this
year’s PTO Meetings. All
meetings will be held on the
third Tuesday of the month at
6:30pm in the Spence LMC.
Tuesday, January 20th
Tuesday, February 17th
Tuesday, March 17th
Tuesday, April 21st
Tuesday, May 19th
to Spence.

Aluminum cans can be placed in our collection cage at the
end of the staff parking lot.
Thank you for your support!
Giving Tree
Don’t forget to take a look at the Giving Tree
located on the office windows. To make it
easy to find your child’s teacher, ornaments
are color coordinated by grade. Please “take a
ornament” if you are interested in donating
that item and attach it to your gift.
KG - Green, 1st - Pink, 2nd - Yellow, 3rd - Blue,
4th - Purple, 5th - Orange, Others - Red
Looking for ways you can help…
Check out the Opportunities Area on the
PTO Board, located in the foyer at Spence.
Please sign up where you are able to help out.
Reading ConnectioN~Tips for Reading Success
Comprehension Checkup
Good readers know when things make sense, and
they know when they’re confused. To boost your
child’s reading comprehension, encourage him to
ask himself questions like these as he reads or
listens to stories.
“Did I read that right?”
Get your youngster thinking about whether the
words he reads make sense. Read aloud, and tell
him you’re going to change a word to make it
funny. Example: “Clouds gathered, and reindeer fell
from the sky” (instead of rain). Ask, “Did that
make sense?” After he shakes his head “no,” he can
suggest a better word. Then, show him the actual
word.
“Do I understand what I just read?”
Your child may know every word and still not
comprehend the story. As he reads (or listens), stop
occasionally so he can describe the action. If he’s
reading a picture book, he might pause after every
few pages to say what’s happening. For a chapter
book, he could summarize after each chapter.
“How can I figure this out?”
What can your youngster do when he’s stuck on a
word? Suggest the clapping strategy: Read the
sentence out loud, but clap instead of saying the
hard word. By the end of the sentence, the word
might pop into his head. Or if he’s confused about
the plot, rereading the last few paragraphs or pages
can help—if it doesn’t, he might ask you or his
teacher for clues.♥
Who reads? Everyone!
Is it possible to get through a day without reading? Ask
your youngster to look around—she’ll be surprised by
how much reading she sees and does each day:
● When you’re out together, try to spot as many people
reading as you can. For example, your child might notice
the dental hygienist reading a chart. You could point out
the mechanic reading the service order for your car.
● Have your youngster keep a list of everything she
reads in a day. Remind her to include things outside of
school, too, like directions on the oatmeal packet or a
sign advertising a winter carnival. At bedtime, let her
count the items.
Book Picks
Read-aloud Favorites:
 Blue-Ribbon Dad by Beth Raisner Glass
 Exclamation Mark! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
 The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and
Gary Rubinstein
 Marisol McDonald and the Clash Bash/Marisol McDonald y la
fiesta sin igual by Monica Brown
Read-to-Self Favorites:
 The Map Trap by Andrew Clements
 Empire State Building by Elizabeth Mann
 Paint the Wind by Pam Munoz-Ryan
 Go: A Kidd’s Guide to Graphic Design by Chip Kidd
Question and Answer
Q: My son reads novels and textbooks for school, but when he doesn’t have an
assignment, he only wants to read blogs and online magazines. Is that okay?
A: Encouraging your child to read for pleasure is one of the most important
things you can do. And even when he’s reading his favorite websites, he may
learn new words or discover facts he didn’t know.
Online reading offers other benefits, too. Your youngster can easily look up a
new word’s definition, search for facts, or click on a link to read more about a
topic. Plus, videos and graphics can help him understand complex information.
For instance, an article explaining how glaciers move will make more sense if it is
paired with a video showing their movement.
Try offering him books to read, but don’t worry if he reads for pleasure online.
He’s reading—and that’s what matters. Note: Have him use the computer in a
common area so you can make sure he’s visiting only safe and appropriate sites.
Q: My son loves reading, but he isn’t as excited about math. How can I use
reading to help him enjoy math more?
A: You could start with a trip to the library. Authors like Stuart Murphy, Marilyn
Burns, and Loreen Leedy have written many fun picture books on numbers,
measurement, graphs, money, and other math topics. Read the books aloud,
and try math activities from the story. Your child might count cereal pieces,
measure household items, or graph family members’ favorite colors, for
instance. Also, encourage him to read other materials that include both words
and numbers, such as recipes, coupons, and sports articles. Use them to make
up word problems together. Example: “Our team scored 3 goals, and the other
team scored 2. How many goals were scored in the game?” (Answer: 5.) Or
when your son brings story problems home from school, let him read them to
you and then retell them in his own words before solving them.♥
Locate more reading tips, as well as math and science on the
Spence webpage under The Office ~ Parent Collaboration.