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Martinson Elementary’s first graders enjoyed their field trip to the Wheelock Family Theater to see A Year with Frog and Toad. The play follows the adventures of two best friends as they journey through the seasons. From planting gardens in the spring to sledding in the winter, Frog and Toad explore all of the fun things in life while learning meaningful lessons about friendship and individuality. The children were delighted with the heartwarming story and lively performance, leaving with smiles and a greater appreciation for the beauty of being unique and celebrating differences.

Monday, Dec 16 - Holiday Concert @ 9:30 AM for families. Students will attend with their class at the other shows during the day.

Thursday, Dec 19 - Gr. K Caroling outside @ 2PM for families - No MES siblings.

Friday, Dec 20 - Early Release for Holiday Break at 12:05 - No lunch will be served

The lost and found items on the clothing racks are overflowing. Please have your child check Monday or Tuesday because the items will be donated to Sowing Seeds on Wednesday, December 18.

Please click here for the lunch menu and click here for the breakfast menu.

Lunch will be served at all elementary schools this year free of charge.

s we embrace the winter season, colder weather brings a rise in colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses.

Winter Health Tips

• Handwashing: Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, or touching surfaces

• Cover cough and sneezes: Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow (not hands) when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of tissues properly and wash hands immediately.

• Stay home when sick: Keep children home if they have a fever, severe cough, or any flu-like symptoms. Encourage a minimum of 24 hours fever-free (without medication) before returning to school.

• Boost immunity with healthy habits: Ensure children are getting plenty of sleep, eating a balanced diet, and staying physically active.

• Avoid touching the face: Remind children not to touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, as germs can enter the body this way and cause illness.

• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps keep mucous membranes moist, which can help protect against germs.

• Avoid sharing personal items: Remind children not to share water bottles, food, or utensils to avoid spreading germs.

Winter Nosebleeds

• If your child suffers from winter nosebleeds it may be from the dry air, try using a cool mist humidifier at night.

• Saline nose drops or petroleum jelly may help too.

Dry Skin

• Nourish your skin to prevent dryness and itching.

• Wash hands with moisturizing soap and warm water as hot water can strip away natural oils.

• Moisturize right after a bath or shower when your skin is still damp. This helps lock in moisture.

• Vaseline or aquaphor to lips daily or more often to prevent cracking and bleeding.

• Scratching can make dry skin worse and lead to infections. If your skin feels itchy, apply a cold compress or soothing moisturizer to calm the irritation.

Layering for the Changing Weather

• Since temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day, it’s important to dress children in layers that can easily be removed if they get too warm.

• Make sure clothing fits comfortably: Layers should fit comfortably and not restrict movement.

• Extra set of clothes: Packing an extra set of clothes or layers in backpacks.

When to Keep Your Child Home:

If your child had any of the following symptoms today, please keep them home

• Fever over 100 degrees (must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of tylenol or motrin to return to school)

• Vomiting and/or diarrhea (if your child has had any vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours, they should not return to school)

• Diagnosis of communicable disease such as strep throat or conjunctivitis (if diagnosed with a communicable disease and prescribed antibiotics, your child must not return to school until they have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours)

A doctor’s note is required if a student is out five (5) or more consecutive days. If an absence is due to a communicable disease or a bone fracture, a doctor’s note is required the day the student returns to school and should include any recess/gym limitations.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child's health, or if you're unsure whether they should attend school, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Jenny Goodwin

jgoodwin@mpsd.org

781-319-3985

Fax: 781-834-5003

This week in the library we shopped at the Scholastic Book Fair! Our top three titles were "Stranded," "Dog Man Big Jim Begins #13," and "Something Like Home." Our top book fair item was the classroom hand pointer. Together, our school spent over $7,000 and in doing so, helped contribute to our library collection.

Ongoing updates / events:

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How to Parent an Anxious Child

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Technology Troubles: Too Much Time Online!

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Responding to Challenging Behavior

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Email: pdevlin@mpsd.org
Website: www.mpsd.org
Location: 257 Forest Street, Marshfield, MA, USA
Phone: 781-834-5025
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Twitter: @mesppal