Welcome to the shortest month of the year! While it really is winter, the daylight is starting to last a little longer each day giving us hope for spring! To help us get through the winter doldrums we have A LOT of fun things planned for February!!

Please make sure your children are dressed for the weather each day as we always go outside if at all possible!

This week we celebrated Global School Play Day! We had so much fun playing and creating in so many ways in all our classrooms! Later in the month we will have the beginner strings concert, celebrate Valentine's Day and Random Acts of Kindness. Kids' Heart Challenge is scheduled for Feb 14th, and in addition to our school spirit day on Feb 16th, we will have spirit week leading up to the PTO's Winter Carnival!

Did you know it’s the Year of the Rabbit? Lunar New Year began on January 22nd with the Spring Festival and ends with the Lantern Festival on Feb 5. Students have watched Brain Pop videos and read books to learn about these celebrations in their classrooms. Many students also worked on projects and crafts.

Please take some time to tell us what you love about our school using the button below!

1. 1. Please dress your child(ren) for the weather as we do go outside in the morning and during recess on most days.
   2. Please keep your child(ren) home if they are sick. Please do not medicate your child(ren) with Tylenol or Advil and send them to school if they are not well.

   
   

   Colette Dugan, MEd, BSN, RN, CSN

   Certified School Nurse

   cdugan@wcasd.net

   Hillsdale Elementary (M-F – 484-266-2006)

From the Wellness Committee:

There are many benefits for students who exercise regularly that include:

1. Stronger muscles and bones
2. Leaner bodies
3. Less risk of becoming overweight
4. A lower chance of getting type 2 diabetes
5. Lower blood pressure and blook cholesterol levels
6. A better outlook on life
7. Better sleep
8. Handle physical and emotional challenges better
9. If you exercise during childhood, the behaviors carry over to adulthood and yield healthier adults

We will be celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week on February 13 through February 17. A random act of kindness is a simple act that brightens someone’s day. It can be something significant, like donating items to a charity, or something smaller, like holding a door open for someone. It can be planned in advance or happen spontaneously. Here is how can you help at home: Let your child see you being kind to someone else. Encourage them to be kind to you, their siblings, and their neighbors. Point out kind acts you see others perform in real life, and in books or movies. Below is a schedule of our daily themes.

• Manners Monday - Use your best manners!
• Thank You Tuesday - Who do I appreciate and tell them thank you for what they do?
• What can I do to help? Wednesday - Think of ways you can help your parents, teachers and friends.
• Thoughtful Thursday - What can I do to make someone feel good?
• Friendship Friday - How can I be a good friend and kind to others?

Mrs. DeWitt

School Counselor

• 2/13 - 2/17 - Random Acts of Kindness week
  
• Mon 2/13 - Beginner Strings Concert
  
• Tues 2/14 - Kids Heart Challenge, Valentine's Day
• Thurs 2/16 - Spirit Day: Pajama Day; PTO meeting 7pm
• Fri 2/17 - Early Dismissal (12:10) no lunch served
• Mon 2/21 - No School - Presidents' Day
• Sat 2/25 - PTO Winter Carnival
• Mon 2/27 - Noche de Familias

Did you know that 57% of West Chester teens report that they do not feel recognized for hard work? Yet, recognition of hard work is directly linked to a child’s commitment to school which is proven to decrease the likelihood of involvement with law enforcement and use of addictive substances. Recognition of genuine effort from teachers, parents, peers or other trusted adults helps youth to know their value and has a cumulative positive effect on emotional well-being. (www.wcctc.org/resilience1hs) Start early. Talk often. #wcyouthmatter

Registration is open for new students. Please go to the District website to fill out an online application. Our school secretary. Mrs. Taggart, will be in touch to finalize the registration. Tell your neighbors and friends!

When your child is absent please update Pick Up Patrol to reflect this AND send us an email or note after the absence. Please also use PUP to communicate any appointments (late arrival/early dismissal) and/or any changes to your child's dismissal plan.

A few things to note:

• Pick Up means you are driving through the car line to get your child after 3:30
• Early Dismissal is for when you are signing your child out before 3:30pm for any reason
• Walker means you are walking to school or parking your car and walking up to retrieve your child.

Even with Pick Up Patrol, if your child is absent, we must have a note from you to explain the absence within 3 days of your child's return. Otherwise the absence is marked as Unlawful and you will be receiving a letter from the office. (No one likes sending or receiving these letters!)

Each child is permitted 10 parent notes and 5 family vacation days each year for absences. Please use the family vacation form below or email me (pmerten@wcasd.net) with vacation requests.

Doctor’s notes are appreciated whenever you see a doctor due to illness.

Si usted prefiere comunicarse en español por favor llame al 484-266-1690 para contactarse con personal escolar.

(If you prefer to speak to a Spanish speaking operator, please call 484-266-1690 to connect with school personnel.)