Newsletter for the Taylor Prairie School Community
January 3, 2020
Dear Taylor Prairie Families,

Each year offers a wonderful opportunity for a fresh start and new beginnings.  As we bring in the new year, we are able to celebrate all our experiences from 2019 and to welcome the opportunities for new beginnings in 2020. As one year ends and a new year begins, I am reminded of how quickly each year flies by. As you reflect on your child's year you may have noticed all the new learning they have developed.

Our school year is nearing the halfway point and it's a good time to consider what goals we have for our children. What goals have you thought about for your children? Are there play dates you wanted to initiate or kids in your neighborhood you would like your children to meet? Is your child finding time to locate books of interest and finding time to enjoy looking through or reading books? Does your child love experimenting and creating science or art projects? Are there scraps of materials around your home your child could use to create their special something? Does your child spend many hours on electronic devices- could s/he spend more time interacting with others, becoming physically active, and creating things with their hands or mind?

May you have a year that is filled with love, laughter, brightness and hope.  Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year.

Connie Haessly
Principal


In This Issue
December Superkids!
Calendar/Important Dates
Family Math Night & Community Potluck
Early Learning Fair
Pupil Services
Kids and Noisy Technology
Kid Safety
Library News
Public Library News
PTO
4K Frosting Containers!
General Information & Resources
December Superkids!
December 19 Superkids
  
December 19 Superkids    
December 19 Superkids
Calendar/Important Dates

Please check 
all upcoming events by clicking on the  Calendar Icon to the left.  

No School on Jan. 20!
No School on Jan. 24!

Watch for the 
GREAT KINDNESS CHALLENGE WEEK at the end of the month! 
 (Dress-Up Days and Activities)


The 2020-2021 MGSD Calendar has been approved and is available in our "General Information & Resources" section below.
Family Math Night and Community Potluck

Join us for Family Math Night and the Community Potluck!

January 14 4:45-7pm at Taylor Prairie

Details and RSVP in can be found in this flyer.  ( en Espanol)
Early Learning Fair - 2/3/20
On Monday, February 3rd, 2020, the Monona Grove School District will hold its annual Early Learning Fair and Together 4 Kids Registration at Nichols School (MG District Office) in Monona. This event is a free service to families of pre-school children. Parents will have the opportunity to meet with a professional to share information about their child's development and to register for the 2020-2021 T4K program. Registration information will be sent to families in mid December.  Parents will need to schedule an appointment upon receipt of registration materials.  If you have any new neighbors with young children aged birth to 4 ½, please have them call Gina in the Early Education Office at 839-2113.
Pupil Services ... Kelsy Dieckhoff & Corinne Truxal

Parenting Tip: Sleep and routines
Welcome back to school! After a long break it can be difficult to get back into a routine that works for school and your family, so this month, we're focusing on sleep! A good night's sleep is very important to a student's success at school. It might surprise you how much sleep your child needs or how early they need to get up. But when a child is well-rested they are set up for success and ready to learn. Below you will find a chart with suggested bedtimes to get optimal sleep. Each child has individual needs but these are general guidelines.

Consistent bedtimes and routines are very helpful when it comes to good sleep. Other helpful tips include:
  1. No screen time 30 minutes before they need to start unwinding.
  2. Keep the same bedtime everyday (even on the weekends).
  3. Use comforts like night lights, sound machines or essential oils to help them drift off to sleep.
  4. If your student has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep speak to their pediatrician.
*For more information on the importance of sleep go to this website
Kids and Noisy Technology
  
Many children received technology-related gifts this holiday season.  Unsafe listening habits can cause noise-induced hearing loss.  

Kid Safety


Home Alone After School  
This guide  includes:
  • How to tell if your child is ready to be home alone
  • A free, printable, emergency contact sheet for kids to reference
  • Tips, technologies, and tricks for adults to support kids' safety while home alone
Library News .... Elizabeth Wodzinski
Mallards Reading Program
Taylor Prairie students will be able to participate in the Madison Mallards "Lil' Ducks Reading Program." Students will track their reading in January-March and those students who meet their goal, will earn 2 free tickets to the Taylor Prairie and Cottage Grove School's Family Night to see a Mallards game! The game will be Tuesday, June 9th at 6:05pm. Classroom teachers will be sending information home soon. Happy Reading!
Public Library News
The Bookmobile 
Cottage Grove on Wednesdays: 
Dublin Park - 2:00-4:00pm
Piggly Wiggly - 5:00-8:00pm

Want to pickup a specific Bookmobile item you found in  LINKcat ? 
We have a large collection and can't fit it all on board at once. 
Please call us in advance to ensure we have your item on board when you visit!   
(608) 266-9297
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The Sun Prairie Public Library  is open to everyone!  
We have programs for all ages -- from babies through teens (adults, too!) and we're open 7 days a week.  Don't have a library card?  No problem!  Just bring a photo ID and we can issue you one today.  From Storytime to Legos to Gaming and more...there's always something happening at the library and you never know what you might find next!  Check our website for current program days and times:  www.sunlib.org
SPPL hours: Monday through Thursday 9am-9pm; Friday 9am-6pm; Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 1-5pm

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Pinney Library

Pinney Library is still open in its interim location: 
211 Cottage Grove Road  

It will be closed for moving from Feb. 17 - Mar. 11.  



Visit  https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/kids  for more information.




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MONONA PUBLIC LIBRARY   P ROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Special events:
Jan.11 "Play, Grow, Read Party!" An early literacy event.
And more!
Check the   Events Calendar  on the website or call 608-222-6127.
Follow Monona Public Library on Facebook and @mononalibrary on Instagram.
PTO


Thanks to all families that participated in the Jingle Jog!  As of today we have raised almost $8000!  The kids that participated had an average of over $75 each!  Great job! 

Be sure to join us for the January PTO meeting on  January 13th 6:30 at TP (or watch live on FB) to see the winners of the raffle drawings!





The January Scrip order form is here . 
4K Frosting Containers!

If you are frosting cookies or cakes, please keep us in mind!  Our  4K kids will begin a project in May which will require 40 empty frosting containers.  

If you have one - or a few - you can simply wash them out and send them into school.  

Thanks for considering.
General Information & Resources
MG Student Calendar 2020-2021(en ingles y espanol)