June PreK-4 Newsletter

As we wrap up a wonderful school year, we want to thank you for your continued support and partnership. It’s been a joy watching your children grow, learn, and thrive each day. With summer just around the corner, we encourage you to help prevent the “summer slide” by keeping learning fun and engaging—read together regularly, explore nature, practice simple math in everyday situations, and encourage curiosity through creative play. We wish you a safe, relaxing, and enriching summer break!

If your child missed the last day of school, they may have some materials in the elementary office. Please stop by between 8 and 4 most days or call the elementary office at 831-6925 to see if you have anything to claim!

June 9-Summer Foodservice Program begins at Windom Area Elementary and Highland Early Learning Center. Free meals will be served to people age 18 and younger.

Emphasize the big three: sleep, healthy nutrition, and exercise. All three are essential to optimal brain growth and development and health and wellness for children and adults alike. And excessive screen time can impact all three. Children who spend more time in front of screens have been shown to eat more fast food and less fruits and vegetables and get less sleep and exercise. Therefore, it is very important to incorporate healthy lifestyle choices as part of the daily routine, as well as limiting screen time.

Here are some fun and engaging activities to try this summer with preschoolers and even kindergarteners to help prevent the "summer slide and increase literacy skills in our young learners..

https://fun-a-day.com/summer-literacy-activities-for-preschoolers/

Also, don't forget to elevate your language. Move beyond everyday language and incorporate more academic language into your conversations. For example, instead of saying, "Come eat," you could say, "It's time to eat. I made you a delicious dinner."

1. Keep Reading Together Even as children grow older, reading together remains crucial. Consider starting a family book club where everyone can discuss their favorite parts of the story. Encourage your child to ask questions and share their thoughts to build comprehension skills and foster a deeper connection to the material.

2. Let Their Interests Guide Choose books that match their interests and reading abilities. If they love animals, explore nonfiction books about fascinating creatures. If they are history buffs, dive into biographies or historical fiction. Graphic novels and comics can also entice reluctant readers with their engaging visuals.

3. Make Writing Fun and Relevant Encourage your child to write regularly by providing opportunities for creative expression. Start a journal together, write letters to family members or pen pals, and create silly stories, poems, or comic strips.

4. Use Technology Wisely While technology can be a valuable tool for learning, it's important to monitor and limit screen time. Encourage your child to use educational apps and websites that reinforce literacy skills. Balance screen time with offline activities like writing and outdoor play. Audiobooks are also a great way to provide access to stories and vocabulary they may not be able to read by themselves.

5. Expand Literacy Beyond Books Read menus, online articles, or recipes together. Play board games, puzzles, and even charades; these all involve reading and critical thinking. Games like Scrabble, Jr. Boggle, or Mad Libs are fun ways to practice vocabulary and spelling.

In an effort to best serve our students in a safe, productive, and positive environment, there have been a few small updates to our Elementary Student Handbook. Please review the handbook and remind your child of any important information.

The Free Summer Lunch Program is back! Click on the image to see details.

Look for Windom Area School District-ISD177

Most current information can be found on our website: https://www.windom.k12.mn.us/

Are you connected with your child's Seesaw? Most information about upcoming events is shared there. Ask your child's teacher for a link.