Happenings at South Elementary School
South Elementary School News
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*Important Dates*
Monday, March 18 - Trowbridge Music Program 2:00pm
Monday, March 18 - Grade 5 Music Orientation night @ Cheney Middle School 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Tuesday, March 19 - Grade 2 Field Trip 10:35 - 11:40am
Tuesday, March 19 - Huseby Music Program 2:00pm
Tuesday, March 19 - Facilities Planning 2.0 Public Forum 6:00pm Heritage Middle School
Wednesday, March 20 - Edinger Music Program 2:00pm
Wednesday, March 27 - Facilities Planning 2.0 Public Forum 6:00pm Cheney Middle School
Wednesday, March 27 - Yearbook orders due
Kindergarten Music Programs
Kindergarten programs will take place March 18, 19, and 20. Doors will open at 1:45pm; enter through the east main doors under the green canopy. All visitors will sign in at the table in the hallway and take a visitor sticker before going to the program. All programs will take place in the music room, Rm. 127. Please note your child’s class time below:
Our students will showcase their talents in a variety of ways, including singing, dancing, and playing instruments. Since this is the only program kindergartners will perform this year, I encourage students to wear something special. And ask your child to sing a program song for you! Your continued support at home means so much. Please invite any special people in your life (grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc.). If you have any questions regarding this performance, please contact Mrs. Poehls by email or Seesaw. We hope you can join us!
Kindergarten Pre-Registration Time
Now is the time to pre-register your kindergarten student to attend the 2024 - 2025 school year. Learner's must be five years old on or before July 31, 2024. You can register online at WFPS, choose Families, Registration, you will complete some forms now and then complete the process in August. If you have questions about the registration process please contact our district registrar at registrar@west-fargo.k12.nd.us or 701-499-1067. Registering now helps us to have an idea of how many students to expect to help plan for the upcoming school year.
It is time to order your South Elementary yearbook. Every student has received an order form, yearbooks are $20.00 each. We do not order extra books to be sold later so if you want one you will need to order it now. The deadline for orders is Wednesday, March 27. You can pay with cash or check placed in the order form envelope and return it to school or pay online at Myschoolbucks.com in the school store section. Order yours today so you don't miss out.
Great Day at South
This morning started with Kindergarten and 3rd grade students having breakfast with buddies. Students from these 2 grades were able to bring 1 special guest to have a doughnut with them before school. This is great time for children to have treat with someone special to them. Thank you PTA for sponsoring this event. Future dates for the other grades will be: March 28 - Grades 1 & 4, April 12 - Grades 2 & 5 watch for information from your teacher as the date gets closer.
Today our 4th grade students got to have their Day of Compassion experience all day in the gym. Students joined together with some of our staff and volunteers from WF high school to play some games, enjoy some new experiences and participate in some team-building activities. Check out the pictures from the day and ask your student about their fun day. Thank you to all of our helpers.
1st and 3rd grade students got a visit from some members of the NDSU men's basketball team. The players read to students and answered questions. The students had a great time having these visitors at South, thank you NDSU basketball.
Parents & Guardians
We are planning for the 2024-2025 school year! If you haven't already completed the South 2024 -2025 Planning Survey for the fall, please take a few minutes to fill it out now. We are asking all families to please fill out the survey below. Please complete one submission per child as we are trying to plan for how many students will be returning to South in the fall.
Thank you for helping us plan for next school year.
Principal Nelson
Love & Logic Class
The class covers how to help families set limits, routines, work on children listening and following directions, anger management, problem-solving, logical consequences and other positive strategies to end the arguing, nagging, threats and bribery cycle so parent get stuck in. The class is free and will be held at the Freedom Elementary library. Families must call 701 241-5700 or fill out this registration form link (below) to attend. The class is capped at 25. There will be childcare available for up to 12 children provided by WFPS paraprofessionals (in the Flyer Room – just down the hall from the library).
Grade 5 Students Preparing For Middle School
MARCH
5th GRADE MUSIC ORIENTATION NIGHTS AT CHENEY
- FAMILIES – As 6th graders, students are required to choose one music choice: Choir, Orchestra or Band. Our Cheney Music Teachers are inviting 5th graders and their families to a Music Orientation Night where they can tour our Music Department, meet the Music teachers, and try out various instruments to help in their decision making for 6th grade music. *If you are unable to attend your school’s scheduled night, you are welcome to attend the other orientation night instead.
- Monday, March 18th – 5th Grade Music Orientation Night from 5:00-7:00PM in the CMS Commons
- Harwood Elementary, South Elementary, Willow Park Elementary
- Tuesday, March 19th – 5th Grade Music Orientation Night from 5:00-7:00PM in the CMS Commons
- LE Berger Elementary, Westside Elementary, Eastwood Elementary
APRIL
5th GRADE ORIENTATION AT CHENEY
The transition from elementary school to middle school can be overwhelming so we want to make sure that students (and parents) feel prepared and ready for the first day of school!
In April, our incredible team of Counselors will be visiting each elementary school to share a little about what to expect as a 6th grader and answer any questions you may have. We will also be hosting an Orientation Night here at Cheney where you can tour the building, meet some of our amazing staff, and even practice going through the lunch line!
- Monday, April 22nd – 5th grade Orientation & Tour from 5:30-7:00PM at the Cheney Middle School Theatre
- Harwood Elementary, South Elementary, Willow Park Elementary
- Monday, April 29th - 5th grade Orientation & Tour from 5:30-7:00PM at the Cheney Middle School Theatre
- LE Berger Elementary, Westside Elementary, Eastwood Elementary
Non-Routine After-School Pickup
When a learner is not picked up from school
- The school will contact all parents/guardians and emergency contacts listed in PowerSchool.
- If the learner is not picked up within 30 minutes, the school will contact the School Resource Officer (SRO) and the learner will be turned over to the SRO.
- The SRO will contact all parents/guardians in their records.
- If the learner is not picked up within the timeframe dictated by the SRO, the SRO will transport the learner to social services.
When a learner is not met at the bus stop* and is returned to school
- The school will contact all parents/guardians and emergency contacts listed in PowerSchool.
- If the learner is not picked up within 30 minutes, the school will contact the Police Department and the learner will be turned over to them.
- The Police Department will contact all parents/guardians in their records.
- If the learner is not picked up within the timeframe dictated by the Police Department, they will transport the learner to social services.
NOTE: Due to the late return of buses that service the Early Childhood Center (ECC), the Police Department will be the first contact for any learners from the ECC that are not met at the bus stop and are returned to school. This contact will be initiated by the Transportation Department, as school staff are typically gone for the day before ECC buses return.
*Being met at the bus stop is not a requirement for all learners. Parents/guardians would be made aware by the school if that was the expectation with their learner.
Winter Clothing
Please be sure your child wears a warm coat, snowpants, boots, hat and gloves to school every day. Students go out for recess every day for 20 minutes and should have warmer clothing for the playground. If you need assistance getting any of these items for your child, please contact our school counselor bkrabbenhoft@west-fargo.k12.nd.us.
Morning Programs
Morning programs are 8:00am - 8:30am. Students enter through door #2 on 6th Ave. They will select a wristband for the activity they want to do that day. Once the wristbands are gone for an activity, they will need to choose something else, it is first come. Students should go directly to that location and not go to their classroom or locker. Once a student is in an activity, they will stay there until the bell rings at 8:30. They cannot switch activities. If a student chooses to go to the small playground, they will need to wait outside until 8:15am, when we have staff available for supervision.
Schoolwide Title I Information
Check these links for more information about our Title I program at South.JoinSupport South Elementary students and staff by becoming part of the PTA! We encourage EVERYONE to join the South Elementary PTA. Parents, grandparents, teachers, community members; anyone interested in supporting education at South Elementary School. Be involved! Be heard! Be your students’ biggest fan! By simply joining the South Elementary PTA, you are advocating on behalf of all children (including your own!) No additional commitment is required! Members are invited to participate in 6 monthly meetings, receive meeting minutes, provide input on upcoming events sponsored by the PTA and get to know the teachers and families of South Elementary!Join today at https://southstarspta.memberhub.com/store/items/742682
Videos
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Video List New School Start Time
Mrs. Nelson explains our school day start and end times since this is new this year.
Author:Length:
Donations
Weekly Announcements
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Art Gallery
The goal for our art gallery is to display work from every South student sometime throughout the school year.
Inspiration for this art gallery originated in honor of Alexa Kersting, daughter of Loren and Monica Kersting, who passed away in July of 2004 while waiting for a lung transplant.
During Alexa’s six years as a student here, she created many works of art and poetry, as all our students have done. The frames for the gallery were purchased by the Kerstings to commemorate Alexa’s love of the arts.
These students have their art on display this week:
Mrs. Dougherty’s classroom: James, Olivia, Bentley, Jovi, Haddie, Andorra, Elsa, Beckett, Emmelyn, Orion, Ivan, Zohraan, Oushtaw, Kerstyn, Hamed, Nolan, Rylen, DJ, Crosby, Zander, Samphelia, and Titus
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West Fargo Public Schools creates and distributes numerous publications to students, staff, and families on a regular basis. West Fargo Kid-Ventures is a publication that is electronically distributed every month to K-5th grade families within West Fargo Public Schools. You can find Kid-Ventures on the WFPS website under departments, public relations, advertising.
Reminders
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- If your student is going to be absent, late for school or leaving early, please notify our office at 701-356-2100 or south@west-fargo.k12.nd.us and also notify your classroom teacher(s). It is helpful to notify both places in the event that the classroom teacher is not in that day.
- If you are changing your students after school plans, please contact the office before 2:00pm so we have time to notify the classroom teacher.
- If you have any phone or email changes, you can log into your parent portal account to update it.
- Semester one milk ($40) can be paid online at Myschoolbucks.com in the school fees section.
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If you would like to join your child for lunch some day at school, starting October 1, please note the following guidelines:
- Parents need to call the office by 9:00am to let us know who is coming and what choice they want for lunch, 701-356-2100.
- No outside fast food, pop or candy is allowed in the lunchroom.
- Parents cannot be on the playground with their child.
- Adult lunch is $4.00, payable by cash or check. We cannot take credit/debit cards at school.
- Parents eating lunch with their children can only take pictures of their own children.
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Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
8:00am - 8:30am - Drop off for breakfast at door #2 on 6th Ave. - Breakfast students only
8:30am - First bell rings - All students who are parent drop off or walkers enter door #1 (students who aren't eating breakfast)
8:40am - Tardy bell rings - students need to come to the office for a tardy slip
3:10pm - School dismisses for all students
- Please do not leave your vehicle unattended in the drop off zone. If you need to walk into the school please use a parking space away from the drop off zone.
- When dropping off or picking up your child curb-side, please pull all the way forward along the curb so you are directly behind the vehicle in front of you. This will allow as many cars as possible in the lane at one time.
- Do Not double park on the road
- Make sure your child enters and exits the car on the sidewalk
- Kindly reserve “handicap” designated parking spaces for those displaying a handicap permit in their vehicle. It’s the law!
- Thank you for helping ensure our students remain safe and drop-off and pick up times runs smoothly.