Waitsfield Elementary

Principal's Message

Dear families & friends,

The warm temperatures of the past few days, and the calendar turning to June, makes it feel as though summer is almost truly here. I love the change of pace that summer brings. For a long time, I read (or had read to me) the entire Little House book series, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I spent many hours lounging on my back porch with a bowl of cherries and these books. This evolved into a summer tradition I still keep of celebrating the start of summer by staying up way too late reading by candle and firefly light, enjoying reading an entire book in one day. Ah, summer decadence.

While I appreciate summer life, I have also seen anegative impact that time away from school can have upon students’ academic growth. A study from the Brookings Institution found that students can lose up to two months of math skills over the summer, and reading achievement can also decline, particularly for children who do not have regular access to books (Brookings, 2020). These losses are cumulative, meaning they can build up over time and contribute to achievement gaps by the time students reach middle school. “Summer slide” is real – we have seen it in our own assessments, with student skills often testing at a significantly lower rate in September than the level students achieved in May of the prior year!

There are simple and effective ways families can help counter-act this phenomena AND still enjoy summer: regular reading; playful engagement with math and problem-solving; and meaningful, curious conversations about the world around us can significantly reduce “summer slide.”

ENCOURAGE DAILY READING Find a routine that fits for your family – reading before bed, reading first thing in the morning (this can accompany “no technology before noon, or breakfast, or again, whatever works for your family) or reading as a way to chill out a bit in the late afternoon. Whether you read to your child, your child reads to themselves, or you use audio books, give your child the gift of a regular reading routine and while you’re at it, practice one yourself! You can find more information about the incredible impact of reading for just 20 minutes everyday here. Here are some ideas to support a regular reading habit:

Visit the local Libraries Did you know that a Joslin library card will allow you to take out books in Warren or Moretown libraries too? Our local libraries have lots of resources and a summer reading program.
Let Kids Choose Their Own Books Encourage your child to choose books on topics they're passionate about, whether that's sports, animals, or fantasy worlds. The goal is to associate reading with enjoyment. You can always suggest more challenging books as supplementary reading, but let their interests guide their main selections.
Read Aloud Together Set aside time each day to read aloud with your child, even if they're capable of reading independently. Choose books slightly above their reading level to expose them to new vocabulary and more complex stories. Take turns reading pages to make it interactive and fun.
Explore Audiobooks Introduce your kids to the world of audiobooks, which can be enjoyed during car rides, while doing chores, or before bedtime. Many libraries offer free audiobook rentals. Audiobooks can help improve listening skills, expand vocabulary, and make complex stories more accessible.
Set Reading Goals and Rewards Work with your child to set achievable reading goals. This could be a certain number of books, pages, or minutes read per week. Create a chart to track progress visually. Offer small rewards for reaching milestones, such as a special outing, extra screen time, or a new book. Be sure to celebrate their efforts and progress, not just the end results.

PRACTICE MATH IN EVERYDAY LIFE You use math in a variety of ways all the time; look to include your child in

Include your child in cooking, measuring, budgeting, or tracking time on trips—these all involve math!
Play games that reinforce math skills like Yahtzee, Uno, Monopoly, or card games.
Use online platforms that make math fun and accessible.

Bedtime Math: Daily math problems designed for family discussion.
Khan Academy Kids: Free app for ages 2–8 covering early math, reading, and social-emotional learning.

FOSTER CURIOSITY AND COMMUNICATION Summer often provides opportunities to explore new places. Share your own curiosity and talk about the world around you with your kids: why did the rocks at Warren Falls erode in that way? What do lightning bugs do during the daytime? What people lived here before us? How much water does it take to fill up that swimming pool? Here are a few ideas and resources.

Start a summer journal, postcard exchange with relatives, or creative story project.
Encourage children to write about trips, nature walks, or family activities.
Visit museums, parks, and nature centers.

Ask open-ended questions to build thinking skills: “What do you notice?” “What do you wonder?”
Encourage your child to explore a new interest or skill like drawing, music, or building.

Summer learning doesn’t have to feel like school. The most important thing is to keep your child engaged in thinking, reading, and exploring the world around them. By spending even a little time each day on these types of activities, you can help your child return to school confident and ready to learn.

Wishing you and your family a joyful and enriching summer!

Respectfully,

Kaiya Korb, WES Principal

PE & Health News

The HUUSD Elementary PE curriculum is divided into a two year rotation. While some skills are built on almost every class- like respect and locomotion (for example, running), other skills are highlighted every other year. This school year in the rotation, catching and throwing, and kicking are emphasized. Next year, hitting with a short implement (paddle, bat, racquet, etc) and long implement (hockey stick, golf club, etc) will be the focus.

The last few week’s, we’ve honed our skills through frisbee throwing. If you’re able to practice frisbee (aka flying disc) throwing at home, you can remind your student of the cues we’ve learned in class for proper technique - point, cross, step, flick.

This week, we’ll be focusing on kicking skills playing kickball and modified kickball games for younger students.

Next week, we’ll dabble In track and field, and throw pool noodles or “turbo javs” like a javelin and softballs like a shot put. We’ll also try some hurdles, learning the form of leading with the opposite arm stretching over the lead leg. You can practice this at home from standing- lift one leg and try to touch it with the opposite arm. Try on the other leg, too. Next, try a leap with the opposite arm reaching over the lead leg just like a hurdler.

These cross-body movements do more than improve hurdle form—they're also great for brain development. Movements that cross the body's midline require the left and right sides of the brain to communicate and work together. This helps develop coordination, balance, motor planning, and skills that support learning, reading, writing, and other everyday activities. Plus, they're a fun way to get moving!

Be sure to check out the latest blog posts, linked below including a Water Safety slidedeck for families. This is a topic we covered earlier in health class, but rolling out of Water Safety Month (May) and into summer is the perfect time for the whole family to “dive” into water safety.

Spring PE Photo Dump

Health Class Updates

Water Safety for Families

WES Swag Is Back!

WES gear is available to order, for a very short window of time (until next Friday). Check it all out here. Products include tees, sweatshirts, sweatpants and hats for youth and adults.

The online store is open through 06/12/2026. Order now to receive items before the summer break!

Free Summer Meals

School's Out For Summer Raffle

The PTA is excited to announce the 3rd annual, "School's Out for Summer Raffle"! This raffle has helped to fund 3/4 ECO, field trips and other enrichment activities.

Here’s how you can help make this fundraiser a success:

Purchase raffle tickets on our website!
Sign up to sell! Many dates are available and selling is fun! We need people for the following dates: Farmers Market Saturday 5/23, Mehurons 6/5, 6/6, 6/12 and 6/13 and Three Mountain Cafe on 5/30, 6/6 and 6/13.
Share our fundraiser posts and links with your friends and family and encourage them to buy tickets!

Together we make this fundraiser a success!

Please note that the opportunities/events listed below are not specifically endorsed or screened by school staff. As always, families should use their own standards and review processes to determine appropriate activities.

Join us for a family-friendly dance party at Lareau Farm! Featuring DJ Oh-J Freshhh on the decks.

Drinks and flatbread will be available for purchase to fuel your boogying. Costumes are optional, but highly recommended!

Purchase tickets here: https://secure.givelively.org/event/spring-hill-school-incorporated/the-kid-boogie

Warren Time Capsule Workshops at Inklings

Want to write a letter to the children of the future? Inklings is excited to be working this summer with the Warren Historical Society, hosting writing workshops for kids to be a part of this year's time capsule project.

Starting June 6th, young writers will craft letters to their future selves, stories, predictions about Warren in 2076, and drawings of their favorite places in town. The best part? Their work goes into the new time capsule, to be opened on America’s tricentennial in 2076.

Summer Reading Kick-off Celebration

Join Early Literacy Labs, Inklings Children's Books, and our amazing local libraries at Mad River Green to celebrate the start of summer reading! Sunday, June 7th, from 11a - 1p.

Enjoy multiple storytimes with guest readers and authors, games, painting, and learn about the libraries' Summer Learning Program. Three Mountain Cafe will have their grill going. Activities are FREE & open to ALL!

Children are invited to come dressed as their favorite book character.
FREE & open to all.

Bilingual Storytimes with Miss Gladys at Inklings

Inklings is excited to host Miss Gladys for a series of bilingual storytimes and songs.

Saturdays June 13th, 20th & 27th, Miss Gladys will lead children through three weeks of bilingual books, sing-alongs, dancing, and lots of fun!!

FREE & open to all. Time: 11am - 11:45am

Celebrate Make Music Day at Inklings!

Join us Saturday, June 20th, starting at 11am for a day of special guests and musical fun.
At 11am, join Dr. Francois Clemmons, renowned singer and "Officer Clemmons" on Mister Rogers Neighborhood for a very special storytime.
At 12pm, cellist and author Melissa Perley will give children a chance to explore a variety of string instruments.

FREE & open to all!

Summer Camp at Phantom

MAGIC TOYBOX with TRACY MARTIN at PHANTOM THEATER

Open up a magic toy box and discover what’s inside! Zany characters, silly stories, and adventures to far-off places steer our journey through the elements of creative play. In this longtime favorite camp, children use theater, dance, and the power of their imaginations to create characters, simple props and costumes, filling their own magic toy boxes with unforgettable experiences.

* Culminating in a wonderful and whimsical show for family and friends!~

AGES 4-6 years old

AUG. 17-21

Monday-Friday, 9-12pm, Phantom Theater, (Edgcomb Barn, corner of airport and dump roads, Warren)

$275 for the week

sibling rates apply

scholarships available

for more info + to register please contact

tracy@madriver.com