Winter has finally arrived, bringing its crisp air and sparkling snow! While I hope you have all enjoyed the snow, I am ready for some warmer weather. I am sure many of you are too. Winter is the season that can challenge our routines and affect our well-being.

As a school community, we know how important it is to nurture not just academic growth but also the mental and physical health of our students and families. With that in mind, I’d like to share a few practical tips to help your family stay healthy and balanced this winter as we look forward to brighter, longer days:

• Get Outside: Encourage your children to spend time outdoors. Fresh air and sunlight, even on chilly days, can do wonders for boosting energy and mood. Bundle up and take a walk, build a snowman, or enjoy a family game of tag in the snow.
• Stay Active: Whether it’s sledding, dancing in the living room, or trying out a kid-friendly workout video, movement is key to staying healthy and happy. Physical activity helps regulate emotions and keeps everyone feeling their best.
• Eat Well and Together: Nutritious meals fuel young minds and bodies. Whenever possible, sit down together as a family for meals. Sharing a table is a wonderful way to connect and create memories while promoting healthy eating habits.
• Maintain a Routine: Sticking to consistent bedtimes and morning routines helps children thrive. A good night’s sleep supports learning and emotional well-being, while structured mornings set the tone for productive and positive days.
• Stay Connected: Winter can feel isolating, but staying connected with friends, family, and our school community can make all the difference. A quick phone call, virtual playdate, or school event can help strengthen bonds and brighten spirits.
• Practice Gratitude: Encourage your child to keep a journal or share something positive about their day at dinner. Focusing on the good, no matter how small, helps cultivate a sense of gratitude and joy.

Winter offers us a chance to slow down and reconnect with what matters most: family, health, and community. Let’s continue supporting one another as we navigate this season together.

Once a Bobcat, Always a Bobcat.

Students are considered chronically absent if they miss 10% of the school year for excused or unexcused reasons, which typically equates to an average of two absences a month.

Research indicates that students are missing school at higher rates after the coronavirus pandemic, which can harm their academic performance.

Absences can add up quickly, so as the school year progresses, experts advise parents to keep a tally each time their child misses’ school for an appointment, vacation, illness or any other reason.

Make regular attendance a nonnegotiable part of your child's routine.

Don't treat school like it's optional. Plan vacations and routine doctor appointments during scheduled breaks or on teacher workdays.

Communicate as a family about the importance of accountability and creating good habits for the future through high attendance.

While students pay the highest cost when they miss school too much, high absence rates also put a burden on teachers. Making up for lost instruction when students return adds to their workload and the loss of valuable classroom time for all students.

Average daily attendance, or ADA, is used to determine the allocated financial funding each school district will receive. Schools may encounter a decrease in funding due to excessive absenteeism, which can put an extreme strain on the schools’ budget. This limited budget may cause a lack of educational resources and materials for all the students in the school

Your future begins with your presence. Attend today, succeed tomorrow

Teaching children the value of heart health early sets the foundation for a lifetime of well-being. Encouraging regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and healthy habits helps prevent heart conditions and reduces the risk of chronic diseases later in life. Promoting heart health also boosts energy levels, supports brain development, and fosters emotional resilience. Early education about heart health empowers children to make informed choices that protect their hearts and overall health.

Poison ivy is a versatile plant that can thrive in various environments, from dense forests to suburban backyards, making it challenging to identify.

Its green leaves often blend seamlessly with surrounding vegetation, and with multiple types of poison ivy, its appearance can vary depending on the season.

Even more concerning, children can be exposed to poison ivy without direct contact. Objects like balls or pets that come into contact with the plant can spread its oils, the irritant found in poison ivy, can become airborne if the plants are burned.

• Apply calamine lotion three to four times daily to relieve itching.
• Use a 1% hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation.
• Keep your child’s fingernails trimmed to prevent scratching and minimize the risk of skin damage.
• Give your child a cool bath or an oatmeal bath to soothe their skin. Cold compresses may also provide relief.
• If advised by your pediatrician, consider giving an oral antihistamine to help ease nighttime itching and improve sleep.

PreK: Leighton Day

Kindergarten: Noah Allen, Charles Gloriod

1st: Caylee Thurman, Greyson Stahlman

2nd: Ethan Cordia, Morgan Wettling

3rd: Colton Wahlig, Ray Bendler

4th: Colton Compton, Jayden Viglasky

5th: Graeson Steeger, Amy Vollmer

6th: Hayden Walters, Georgia Hill

7th: Zaiden Basch, Skyla Best, Maycee Menzel

8th: Landen Comia, Jack Heideman

Willow Bush

Joseph Chapman

Daisy Hilderbrand

Kayla Raber

Harrison Rappold

Gage Rector

Christian Click

Xavier Declue

Cynthia Evers

Cailin Farrar

Charli Griggs

Georgia Hill

Colton Jahnsen

Kylie McMahan

Kylee Randolph

Eldryn Ritchey

Amelia Weston

Reese Corwin

Kolbie Cox

Brooke Hartsook

Piper Wahlig

Zaiden Basch

Bryce Martin

Kloie Mckinney

Kaitlynn Myers

Beau Miller

Landen Comia

Victor Davis

Jack Heideman

Ryleigh Hunt

Levi Laturno

Christopher Mcdonald

Bentley Oshia

Julia Simpson

Dawson Smith

Emily Sohn

Ethan Sohn