Greetings Doty Families!

What a busy week we have had with students moving all around the building. This morning was super special as our sixth graders helped our PreK students explore the climbing wall. One of the things I love best about Doty is that we have students mix and mingle. Not only does it build community, it helps cement learning. When students explain things to each other or help each other, they have to use what they have learned. One part of really understanding anything new is the first learning of it, another big part of it is using that learning in some way.

We have some events coming up this month. Friday, October 20th is Sloth Day, aka Hang Out and Read Day! We will all be in our comfy clothes, sloths if we have them, passing out sloth stickers, moving slowly, and getting some extra reading time in!

The Haunted Hallway returns on October 28 from 6-8 PM. This is our first one since 2019! I am so glad to see the return of this tradition.

On Halloween itself, we will be doing our afternoon parade at 3. Kids may change into what I call “costume-lite.” This means that you should send in the base of the costume - accessories and other things that can get left behind or lost should stay at home. Also, any weapons or masks that might be scary to our littlest friends need to be left at home.

This morning one of my favorite quotes about kids popped into my head. I thought I’d share it with all of you. Michael Carr said, “All kids are gifted, some just open their packages earlier than others.”

As always, thank you for sharing your students with us!

Gillian

Hello from the Doty Health Office. In Vermont, we are seeing the beginning of flu season. Preventive measures like hand washing, coughing into a sleeve, drinking plenty of water, and adequate sleep may help slow the spread of the common cold, flu and covid. We continue to encourage frequent hand washing at school.

There are several area flu and covid vaccine clinics during the next few weeks. Walmart in Berlin has a clinic this Saturday, 10/14 from 9am-1pm. The next one will be 10/28 from 9-1. It is for walk-ins only, and they are not taking appointments. As of 10/11, Walmart did not have COVID vaccines, but are expecting shipments soon for kids and adults. Please call before going to make sure they have stocked both pedi and adult vaccines.

(Note: For those with Medicaid: Kids under 18 who are on Medicaid are not covered for flu shots but I was told by Walmart they WOULD be covered for COVID. Over 18 ARE covered for COVID if they are on Medicaid. They have plenty of flu available.)

I hope all of you have a great weekend. -Nurse Lydia