Waitsfield Elementary

Principal's Message

Dear families & friends,

Did you know that attention is a skill that develops over time and can be strengthened through practice? Like building a muscle, developing attentional skills involves regular opportunities to focus, work through challenges, and follow a task from beginning to end—even when the task isn't our first choice!

Everyday activities provide wonderful opportunities to practice. Cooking a meal, building something, playing a game, or completing a puzzle can all help children develop their ability to sustain attention. Daily reading is another GREAT way to practice focus, with many additional benefits for language development, vocabulary, and learning.

One important element of attention is inhibitory control—our ability to pause, resist an impulse, and choose a response that helps us reach a goal. For children, this might mean waiting for a turn, listening to all the directions before beginning, or sticking with a challenging task rather than giving up. These skills develop gradually from early childhood into young adulthood, and children benefit from opportunities to practice them along the way.

At school, we practice these skills every day. Families can support their development at home, too! Here are some simple ways to build attention and self-control into everyday routines:

Play games that require listening and responding, such as Simon Says, or games that involve taking turns.
Build, draw, or solve puzzles together. Encourage children to stick with a challenge and notice their progress.
READ! Aim for regular reading time, building toward 20 minutes a day as children are ready. Reading together counts, too!
Take observation walks. Notice the changing leaves, listen for birds, or see how many different colors you can find.
Cook or complete household tasks together. Give children meaningful responsibilities and opportunities to follow a task from start to finish.
Practice one direction at a time. As children become more successful, gradually build toward following multiple steps.
Reflect together. Ask, “What helps you concentrate?” or “What makes it easier to stick with something when it gets hard?”

Remember that attention isn't just about effort or willpower. Adequate sleep, nourishing food, physical activity, and supportive environments all help our brains function at their best. Small, everyday opportunities to practice can make a difference as children develop these important lifelong skills.

A reminder: There is no school Friday, October 9, or Monday, October 12. Enjoy the beautiful autumn weekend!

Respectfully,

Kaiya Korb, WES Principal

🩺 Notes from the Clinic: Smart Fall Habits for Healthy Families

Notes from the Nurse: Back to School Habits for Healthy Families

As the season shifts, we often see a rise in classroom illnesses and a transition to more indoor activities. Here is a look at the latest evidence-based guidance to help you navigate hand hygiene, seasonal coughs, and digital screen time this fall.

1. Handwashing: Our First Line of Defense

Proper hand hygiene is one of the single most effective ways to prevent the spread of infections. In school settings, it can reduce respiratory illnesses by up to 21%.

The 20-Second Rule: Scrubbing with soap and water physically removes microbes from the skin. Teach your child to scrub for a full 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice), focusing on the backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails.
Soap vs. Sanitizer: Soap and water are always the gold standard because they wash away dirt, grease, and all types of germs. When running water isn't available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol is an excellent backup.

2. Navigating the Seasonal Cough: When to See the Pediatrician

Most coughs are caused by simple viruses and resolve on their own with rest and hydration. However, knowing when to seek professional care can give you peace of mind.

Likely OK to monitor at home:

A mild cough accompanied by a low-grade fever (under 101°F) that doesn't disrupt sleep or play can usually be managed with fluids and a cool-mist humidifier. (Note: Pediatricians advise against over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children under 4 to 6 years old due to potential side effects).

When to call your pediatrician:

Breathing difficulties: Your child is breathing faster than normal, working hard to breathe, or you notice their chest or ribs "sucking in" (retractions).
Duration: The cough lasts for more than 10 to 14 days without improvement.
High Fever: A fever that spikes above 102°F or lasts for more than 3 consecutive days.
Behavior changes: Extreme lethargy, poor fluid intake, or fluid refusal.
Sound: A barking cough (which may indicate croup) or a high-pitched "whooping" sound.

3. Smart Screen Time

Managing digital devices can feel like a constant battle. Modern pediatric guidelines from organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggest focusing on a holistic "Family Media Plan”

Prioritize the Essentials: Rather than counting every minute, ensure that screen time never displaces 10–11 hours of sleep, physical activity (at least 60 minutes a day), homework, and family meals.
Establish Screen-Free Zones: Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight and away from mealtime. Blue light emitted by screens suppresses melatonin, making it harder for developing brains to fall into deep, restorative sleep. Aim to turn off screens at least one hour before bedtime.
Engage Together: When your child does use a screen, try to co-view or play alongside them. High-quality educational content combined with parental interaction helps turn passive consumption into an active learning experience.

WES SWAG

Have you seen the Waitsfield School hoodies, sweatpants and other great swag?

AVAILABLE ONLINE

Waitsfield school merch is available to order online here.

NOVEMBER DELIVERY

Place your oder now for delivery in mid-November!

Save the Date! The Ski & Skate Sale is ON!

When: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 9AM-4PM

Volunteer Shop > 7-8 AM
Ticketed Early Shop > 8-9 AM
General Public > 9AM - 4PM

Where: Waitsfield Elementary School, 3951 Main Street, Waitsfield

What: New and Used Gear: Alpine, Nordic, Skate, Backcountry, aznd hard/soft goods

More Info: http://www.waitsfieldpta.org/ski-and-skate-sale.html

Consignment Registration is Open!

Consignors are required to pre-register items online to receive item tags; no unregistered or untagged merchandise will be accepted onsite. You can register online to consign at https://sale.waitsfieldpta.org/register.

Consignment registration deadline: Monday, Nov. 9th at 11pm
Consignment tag pick up: Wednesday, Nov. 11th -Friday, Nov. 13th at WES
Pre-registered consignment drop off: Friday, Nov. 13th from 4pm to 7pm at WES

Volunteer for the Earliest Shopping Access!

Volunteers get first dibs! We need support from all families to make this a success! This is the school’s only fundraiser for the year, and all proceeds support educational and enrichment programs for students, including our Winter Ski & Ride Program, ECO, and field trips.

Upcoming Important Dates

Friday October 9 & Monday Oct 12. NO SCHOOL
Wednesday October 21, 11:30 dismissal (Staff development in afternoon)
Tuesday November 3, NO SCHOOL (election day)
Wednesday November 4 & Thursday November 5 2:40 - 6 Family Conferences
Wednesday November 11, 11:30 dismissal (Staff development in afternoon)

2026-2027 School Calendar

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.

🏀 Harwood Youth Basketball Registration Open Through October 15

Registration is now open for the 2026-27 Harwood Youth Basketball season for boys and girls in grades 1-6. Practices begin in early November, with games running through February break.
Register by October 15:
www.harwoodyouthbasketball.com/registration
Scholarships are available. Interested in coaching or volunteering? We'd love your help!
Questions: Brian Godfrey, Harwood Youth Basketball President (brian.godfrey@mmuusd.org)
Additional information is available at www.harwoodyouthbasketball.com.

Check out the latest StoryWalk at the Moretown Recreation Fields!

Every Autumn, the teeny tiny woman’s, teeny tiny house in the forest is completely

buried by the falling leaves, which is not a teeny tiny problem. She tries making noises

of increasing intensity, but no one hears her. As she is loudly banging cookie sheets

together to no avail, she decides on a new strategy.The delicious aroma of chocolate chip cookies baking in her oven soon does attract three children who are out trick-or-treating. Soon, they are all enjoying a sweet Halloween treat together. We hope you enjoy this book, and stop by the library to tell us about some of your favorite Halloween stories.

Take a stroll along the Moretown recreation fields and enjoy this latest StoryWalk installation.