The RAMbler

Welcome to November with all the changes that Fall brings. This is always such a wonderful time of year for those of us who live and work in schools. We’ve just come off our Fall Break and are now heading into Thanksgiving, followed by the Winter Holidays. By this point in the year, we know our students well, and we’re focused on monitoring their growth and supporting their success as we approach the end of the first semester.

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble, and a Cluck, Cluck, Cluck, it's time for the Turkey Trot!

The 27th annual Turkey Trot will be held on Friday, November 20th, with the Physical Education
Department hosting a mile run around the campus to help celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Every student participant will receive a popsicle. Top finishers in each grade will receive a
turkey (1st-3rd place), and those finishing 4th-10th place in their grades will receive a gift bag
with Thanksgiving food items. The students who finish first will also have their names displayed
in the large gym on the appropriate plaque. See our PE fundraiser page in the PHMS Webstore
to donate to the Turkey Trot.

In preparation for this fun and exciting event, all PHMS PE students will walk the 1 mile course
as part of PE class with their teachers The course starts at the tennis courts, goes out the back
gate, down the bike path, along Oak Park Blvd, past the county library and then finishes down
the entrance to the school parking lot.

We have a minimum day on the day of the event, Friday, November 20th and we will be running
the Turkey Trot all day with each grade running during two Periods.. Turkey Trot Race times are
as follows: (Approximately)

6th Grade Girls and Boys at 8:20 am during 1st and 2nd Periods
7th Grade Girls and Boys at 9:40 during 3rd and 4th Periods
8th Grade Girls and Boys at 11:52 during 6th and 7th Periods

Many parent volunteers are needed for the smooth running of this event. By volunteering, you
get the best view of the fabulous race. If you are interested in assisting, please email Kim
McCann at mccannk@mdusd.org If you cannot volunteer but would like to come
watch, please do so in our special parent viewing side of the parking lot.

Again this year, we will be inviting families to drop-in teacher meetings in the days leading up to Winter Break. These are wonderful opportunities to get a live, in-person update on your child's progress through the first semester. Special invitations will be sent to any children who have multiple D's and F's or have experienced behavioral challenges, but all are welcome!

All meetings will be in the Multi-Use Room with the following schedule:

Wednesday - 1:00 - 3:00 and 4:00 - 6:00

Thursday - 1:00 - 3:00

Subject: Creating Device-Free Moments

Dear Families,

Starting this month, I'll be sharing one short digital wellness tip at the start of each month. We're starting with healthy media balance. We know that our kids learn with tech tools every day. We also know they need time to balance their time with activities that are away from screens. Spend this month talking to your kids about how they balance their time online and hear what challenges they face in doing so.

Try this at home:
Choose one device-free moment this month, like dinner or the drive to school.

Resource:

Healthy Habits Family Tips: K–5 · 6–12 · Español

Subject: Understanding How Tech Apps Make Us Feel

Dear Families,

Last month, we started our conversation about building healthy habits online. This

month, let's notice feelings we get when we use certain apps. Some apps leave us happy

and connected. Others leave us tired and irritable. As a family, explore the apps and tech

used at home and discuss the ways apps can impact our well-being.

Try this:

Ask your child,"Which apps make you feel good, and which don't?" Then share your own answer.

Resource: Video, Kids and Tech: How Much Is Too Much? English · Español

November 9 - 13 - STAR Testing

November 11 - Veterans Day Holiday

*November 17 - Honor Roll at Lunch

November 18 - PTSA General Meeting

November 20 - Minimum Day

- Turkey Trot

November 23 - 27 - Thanksgiving Break

November 30- School Resumes

December 1 - Minimum Day

December 8 - Winter Concert

December 10 - Winter Concert

December 16 - 17 - Parent Education Meetings

December 16 - 19 Minimum Days

*January 4 - School Resumes

*January 18 - Martin Luther King Holiday

*January 22 - Winter Dance 6th Grade - 5:00 - 6:30 / 7th & 8th Grade 7:00 - 8:30

*February 5 - PTSA Gala

*February 15 - Presidents' Day Holiday

* New Addition This Week