UPCOMING EVENTS
JANUARY
19 - LEGO League, 6-7:30pm
20 - NO SCHOOL- MLK Jr Day
21 - NO SCHOOL- Professional Development
21 - Middle School information session- Online only, 7:00-8:00pm
22 - XC Skiing, 3:15-4:15
23 - Math team practice, 2:50-4:00
24 - FAST (Grades 5 to 8 have the ice)
LOOKING AHEAD
JANUARY
26 - Lego League, 6-7:30pm
29 - Middle School Proposal Informational Meeting (via Zoom), 7 pm
30 - Math team practice - 2:50
31- FAST (K to 4th grade skaters have the ice)
DOWNHILL SKIING
If your student is signed up for skiing at Whaleback during our FAST Fridays, please see these important notes below:
- Be sure to select the appropriate dismissal procedure in Pick UP Patrol
- You may reload your child's ski pass with money for snacks if you would like.
- Speaking of their ski pass, I held on to passes for most students in grades K to 4 (unless it was a season pass they will use with their family.) Upper grades students kept theirs. If your child has their card, please be sure it comes back next Friday. It will save us time distributing cards so groups can get organized and out on the slopes more quickly. Also, Whaleback charges $5 per card to replace lost cards.
- Lessons end at 4:30 which is a great time to meet your child on the back deck to help them gather their things. Thank you all for making sure to get their by 5 pm. This was the first year I had every student matched with a caregiver on time!
- CHAPERONES - Please plan to arrive closer to 1:30 if you are able. Also, if there is a parent or two that can help with sign-out, please contact Audra Bucklin at abucklin@plainfieldschool.org.
Thank you!
SKATING
REMINDER: Due to the overwhelming popularity of the skating option, students enrolled in skating will attend skating at the rink two of the days and will participate in snow activities the other two days as follows:
Skaters in grades 5 to 8
- Skating on Friday, January 17 and Friday, January 24
- Snow activities on Friday, January 31 and Friday, February 7
Skaters in grades K to 4
- Snow activities on Friday, January 17 and Friday, January 24
- Skating on Friday, January 31 and Friday, February 7
Please make sure your child comes dressed appropriately for their assigned activity. They should have boots, a helmet (hockey, skiing, or bike helmets are all acceptable) snowpants, coats, hats and gloves/mittens for the outdoor snow days.
SNOWSHOEING / SNOW SCULPTURES / XC SKIING
We have lots of snowshoes to share and students are also welcome to bring their own (or cross country skis if they would like to do that instead!)
Depending on size needs on any given day, students may have to take turns and we will have other activities they can participate in while they await their turn.
Please make sure your child comes dressed appropriately for their assigned activity. They should have boots, snowpants, coats, hats and gloves/mittens for the outdoor snow days.
In the weeks returning from Christmas break we have seen an uptick in stomach illnesses. Cases are scattered among the grades and in staff as well. A common cause of stomach illness is the very contagious Norovirus which causes terrible vomiting and diarrhea. The information below is excerpted from the CDC website about Norovirus (https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/about/index.html) and contains pearls of wisdom in the management and prevention of Norovirus as well as general stomach complaints. Norovirus causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days; but they can still spread the virus for a few days after. You can get norovirus illness many times in your life because there are many different types of noroviruses. Infection with one type of norovirus may not protect you against other types. A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most common symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain. Other symptoms: Fever, headache, and body aches. If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill, and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration (loss of body fluids), especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Decreased urination
- Dry mouth and throat
- Feeling dizzy when standing up
- Crying with few or no tears
- Unusual sleepiness or fussiness
Anyone can get infected and sick with norovirus and people of all ages get infected during norovirus outbreaks.
Norovirus spreads very easily and quickly in different ways. You can get norovirus by: Having direct contact with someone with norovirus, like caring for them, sharing food or eating utensils with them, or eating food handled by them. Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus. Touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then putting your unwashed fingers in your mouth. You can still spread norovirus for 2 weeks or more after you feel better. Norovirus is very contagious, but you can take steps to protect yourself and others, including:
- Wash your hands well and often.
- Cook shellfish thoroughly and wash fruits and vegetables.
- Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.
- Wash laundry in hot water.
- Stay home when sick for 2 days (48 hours) after symptoms stop.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days. There is no specific medicine to treat people with norovirus illness. Antibiotic drugs will not help treat norovirus infections because they fight bacteria, not viruses. Watch for signs of dehydration (loss of body fluids) in children who have norovirus illness. Children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy. If you have norovirus illness, you should drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost from vomiting and diarrhea. This will help prevent dehydration. Sports drinks and other drinks without caffeine or alcohol can help with mild dehydration. However, these drinks may not replace important nutrients and minerals. Oral rehydration fluids that you can get over the counter are most helpful for mild dehydration. Dehydration can lead to serious problems. Severe dehydration may require hospitalization for treatment with fluids given through your vein (intravenous or IV fluids). If you think you or someone you are caring for is severely dehydrated, call your doctor.
In Health,
Nurse Beth
PES MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAY
Middle School Play auditions will be held in the PES library from 3-4pm this week on Wednesday, January 15th, and Thursday, January 16th.
Any 6th, 7th, or 8th grader who would like to participate in the play should come to at least one of these audition times. Please bring your completed audition packet (attached). If you want to act in the cast, practice the scene and the monologue in the packet.
Please reach out to co-directors Melinda Russo (mrusso@plainfieldschool.org) and Amanda Lighthiser (dramaclubadvisor@plainfieldschool.org) with any questions.
We’re excited to see you there!
BASKETBALL
Basketball has started! Please check the athletic calendar for updates and schedules.
All teams will be practicing this week. For the most up to date schedule, please visit the co-circular calendar. ATHLETICS. Don’t forget to check the website under Athletics for the most up-to-date practice and game schedules!
