Waitsfield Elementary School Newsletter

Waitsfield Elementary School Rocks!

January 17, 2019

Dear Friends and Families,
This Friday, "report cards", or progress notes, will go home with all kindergarten - sixth grade students. These progress notes are a component in our broader system of communication with families regarding the ongoing work and growth of students. These reports contain information about the work that children have been doing in various content areas as well as information about each individual child's skills. Families, as you review these reports with your child, please ask them what within it they are proud of? What is something they would like to improve? Where is an area where they feel they've been particularly challenged or "worked hard"? These notes are not an evaluation of all they can do, but a report on the work they've demonstrated thus far. If you have any questions about anything on these reports, please reach out to the sending teacher; we welcome the opportunity to further strengthen home/school communication and connection.

Thanks to Will Rounds for the awesome ski transport yesterday and to all of our on mountain volunteers. We have 19 different ski/board groups accommodating all of our students and their various skills. That takes a lot of on mountain help! We are in need of a few more volunteers to join as chaperones; please consider if you can spare at least 4-5 Wednesday afternoons (and complete the fingerprinting process) in order to help us keep this program working well. Did we mention it is also lots of fun? Contact the school if you are interested and available (kkorb@huusd.org).

Respectfully,

Kaiya

Sophia Hall, Clayton Wetzel, III and Allison Conyers, the latter two of HUUSD, recently achieved National Certification in their field.

The Vermont State School Nurses’ Association would like to recognize three of its board members for their successful completion of the National Certification Examination for School Nurses. Sophia Hall, M.Ed, RN, NCSN (Millers Run School, Sheffield), Clayton S. Wetzel, III, BSN, RN, NCSN (Waitsfield Elementary School, Waitsfield) and Allison Conyers, MSN, RN, NCSN (Thatcher Brook Primary School, Waterbury) join eighteen other school nurses in the state holding this certification. The National Board Certification for School Nurses seeks to advance the quality of school health services and professional standards for school nurses. Nurses receiving this credential demonstrate excellence in professionalism, clinical knowledge, experience, and education. They have met the highest national standards of practice for school nursing, demonstrating expertise and commitment to providing the best possible care to students and the school community. Congratulations to these outstanding school nurses and the communities in which they practice.

FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE: FLU VS. COLD

Influenza (also known as flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. There have been reported cases of flu in our area.

In addition to the treatments that your doctor will recommend for the flu, we encourage everyone to keep practicing the following protocols to help keep us all as healthy as possible:

While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
Stay home until you are better. If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever (>100F) is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2018, September 18). Flu Symptoms and Complications. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/symptoms.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2018, December 10). Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/treatment.htm

Community Announcements

Please note that the opportunities/events listed below are not specifically endorsed or screened by school staff. As always, families should use their own standards and review processes to determine appropriate activities.

Dance Theater Camp with Taryn Noelle, at Montpelier City Hall Arts Center, for ages 9 and up, Monday-Friday, Feb. 25-March 1, with shows March 1&2. The camp will focus on The Impossible Voyage from the inspiration of HUGO. To enroll call 802-229-0492.

Mad River Valley Little League Youth baseball for Boys and Girls 4-12 years old. We are excited to announce that registration for 2019 Little League season is open. We have some exciting changes for 2019. We are creating a new softball field to be used for girls’ softball and also for T-ball. To register, please click the link to our registration site.
The league has 6 different levels of play:
T-Ball for 4-6 year old boys/girls
Farm League (coach pitch) for 7-8 year olds
American League (minors) for 9-10 year olds
National League (majors) for 11-12 year olds
Softball (minors) for 8-10 year old girls
Softball (majors) for 11-12 year old girls
There is some flexibility, depending on skill level, to ‘play up’ to older leagues.
The season runs from May 4^th (practice starts earlier) until mid-June. All Star teams (optional) run later into the summer for the American and National Leagues.
-Registration is open now @ www.madriverbaseball.com
-In person registration night: Thursday, March 14^th 6:00PM @ Waitsfield Elementary School.

Discover Girl Scouts January 29, Waitsfield School Library, 6pm. Discover Girl Scout meetings are structured meetings with two simultaneous parts. Parents learn about Girl Scouts and what it means to volunteer while girls attend their first “Girl Scout” meeting on the other side of the room.
At this event girls and their families will get to:
> Meet local Girl Scouts and volunteers.
> Learn about expanded STEM and outdoor programs.
> Enjoy fun, girl-led activities.
> Explore our other Girl Scout programs.
> Register to become a Girl Scout.
> Receive a FREE Discover Girl Scouts patch!

Registration is now open for the 2019 Spring Lacrosse Season @ www.madriverlax.com . We have had a few issues again this year with registration via our website, but please give it another shot and let us know if you have any questions.
Mad River Valley Youth Lacrosse will offer both girls and boys lacrosse again this year. There are three separate grade levels including 3rd-4th, 5th-6th, and 7th-8th. Equipment will be provided for 3rd-4th-grade players as supplies allow. We will also offer a Sunday morning program for 1st-2nd-grade boys and girls that we call “Chill Lax.” First timers are welcome at every level.Registering at www.madriverlax.com as early as possible is highly recommended, as teams often fill to capacity. Player space is open on a first-come, first-serve basis. Team assignments will be provided by March 1, 2019. Coaches encourage athletes who might play other spring sports to try lacrosse. Our season is short and we try our best to accommodate other spring sports schedules.

Read and Play Fridays at the Moretown Town Hall Starting Friday January 25th, 10:30-11:30am. Come to the Moretown Town Hall on Fridays this winter for a chance to play big and small, and then finish our time together with a few stories and songs. Recommended for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. For more information contact moretownlibrary@gmail.com or call 496-9728.

The Hungry Heart A screening and conversation about opioid addiction in our community, Sunday, January 29th, 6pm, at the Big Picture Theater. Join the Mad River Valley Libraries for a screening of "The Hungry Heart", a documentary by Bess O'Brien that shares the often hidden world of prescription drug addiction and recovery. Primarily shot in Franklin County, Vermont, the film takes an intimate and powerful look at those who have been swept into the downward spiral of addiction, and highlights the struggles and hopes of recovering addicts and their quest for a better future. Matt Whalen from the Vermont Department of Health will also be on hand to help facilitate a discussion of the opioid crisis and how it manifests in our community. Light refreshments will be served, and the event is free and open to all. Generously sponsored by the Big Picture Theater, MRV Libraries, Capstone Community Action and the MRV Community Fund.

Dungeons and Dragons Saturday, February 2nd. Both new and seasoned players welcome to come enjoy this legendary fantasy role playing game at the Moretown Town Hall. Bring your own character made from 5e, or play one of ours. Recommended for ages 10 and up.

CALENDAR

1/18/19 Report Cards Sent home
1/21/19 Holiday, no school
1/22/19 Inservice Day, no school for students
1/23/19 Winter Sports Program, 12:15-2:35
1/30/19 Winter Sports Program, 12:15-2:35
2/6/19 Winter Sports Program, 12:15-2:35
2/12/19 PTA Meeting, 6pm
2/13/19 Everybody Wins Literacy Night, 6pm
2/13/19 Winter Sports Program
2/19/19 6th Grade Band Festival, 7:45-11:00, Harwood
2/21/19 Snow date for 6th Grade Band Festival
2/25-3/5 Winter Vacation
3/6/19 School Resumes
3/6/19 Winter Sports Program
3/12/19 5th/6th Grade Choral Festival, 7:45-11, Harwood
3/12/19 PTA Meeting, 6pm
3/13/19 5th/6th Grade Choral Festival Snow Date
3/13/19 Winter Sports Program
3/18-3/22 PTA Book Fair
3/20/19 Winter Sports Program
3/21/19 Family Conferences, 2:30-7pm
3/22/19 No School For Students
3/22/19 Family Conferences 7:30-12:00
3/28/19 K-6 field trip to Cirque Esprit at Stowe Peak
3/29/19 5th/6th Grade Play Performance: James and the Giant Peach

PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO SCHOOL THIS COMING MONDAY (MLK day) or TUESDAY (staff inservice).

We'll see you for another ski/ride day next Wednesday!

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