May PreK-4 Newsletter

As we enter the last month of the school year, school staff start to reflect on how the year has gone. When we start the year, teachers get students who were just a year younger, but they prepare to move on students that are a year older. Second graders start as students who were just first graders, but they are on their way to being third graders, and they have changed A LOT. Sometimes we don't see it because the changes are small and we are close, but much growth has taken place! Our students have changed physically, educationally, and even emotionally. They have made new friends and maybe moved past some previous friendships. This is a good time to reflect with your child. What did they hope to accomplish this year? What did they hope to learn? Did they meet their goals? If not, there is still time! Learning never ends, so even as summer draws near, keep encouraging your child to keep reading, keep working with money or telling the time on an analog clock, keep asking questions, and keep building background knowledge. Studies show that the more background knowledge a student has, the more they will read, understand, and learn.

With SO MANY events to end the year, please watch for information on Seesaw or in your child's take-home folder. There may be events that require permission, a change of clothes, sunscreen, snacks, or other necessities. Thank you for helping to end the year on a high note.

1st through 4th grade students will participate in Track and Field Day on May 8 starting at 12PM. Families are welcome to attend, but please stay in the stands or along the fence outside the track. Families should not enter the infield area until the end of the day. Families may pick up their child from track and field day by signing them out with their teacher. Please send sunscreen and a water bottle if your child doesn't already have one at school. Hats may also be worn outside on Track and Field Day.

Join us on May 13 for our annual Elementary Gallery Walk. There will be a free meal followed by a student-led tour of the elementary art. Please sign up for the meal by clicking on this image.

We are looking for more parents to join the Parent Teacher Organization. The mission of the PTO is to enrich the educational experience of students, support staff, and connect families and the community. The PTO has plans for various fundraisers and fun activities for students. PTO Meets the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 PM. Come join us for one or all meetings!

A 2023 US Surgeon General Advisory suggests limiting social media for kids. According to the advisory, evidence suggests that social media has potential to harm the mental health of children and adolescents. The advisory indicates that frequent social media use could be associated with changes in parts of the brain related to emotions and learning. Additionally, it can affect impulse control, social behavior, emotional regulation and sensitivity to social punishments and rewards.

1. Read together every day. You can read the morning news at breakfast, share a story after supper, or cuddle up for a book at bedtime. A daily reading routine is something everyone can look forward to.
2. Talk and build vocabulary. Interesting conversations build vocabulary, language skills, and knowledge about the world. Talk is a child’s best source of exposure to new words and ideas.
3. Model reading. Kids want to do what the grownups do. Make sure your kids get to see you reading and hear you talk about it.
4. Point out print. Read and talk about the words you see in the world around you. There’s lots to read—signs, recipes, cereal boxes, instruction manuals, bus schedules, news, maps, and menus.
5. Visit the library. Take advantage of all the books, materials, story times, programs, and resources your local library has to offer.
6. Create a reading-rich home. Find books at the bookstore or yard sales. Provide a special shelf or basket for kids to keep their own books and one for library books. Make sure there are quiet, comfortable places to read.
7. Encourage your child’s reading. Praise the efforts of a soon-to-be or beginning reader. Make sure schedules of older readers include time for reading for pleasure.
8. Keep books handy. Stash books in your bag to read aloud when you travel or have to wait at restaurants or for appointments. Or keep eBooks on your phone.
9. Start reading traditions. Beyond bedtime stories, consider a special birthday book, holiday favorites, or a regular family read aloud night.
10. Let kids choose books. Offer titles that explore your child’s interests, expand horizons, and offer exposure to different kinds of writing. Show them there are books where they can see themselves and books where they can see the worlds of others.

Find more tips at: https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/raising-readers-what-parents-can-do

In an effort to best serve our students in a safe, productive, and positive environment, there have been a few small updates to our Elementary Student Handbook. Please review the handbook and remind your child of any important information.

As the weather gets warmer, please remind your child of our elementary dress code. This is meant to keep the learning environment safe and free of distraction for all students. Here is an excerpt:

"Students will not be allowed to expose the midriff in the front or back when their arms are raised. ...Students should also use discretion in the length of the shorts they wear. Hats may not be worn in the building during the normal school day. Hats worn appropriately will be allowed during sponsored activities..." Thank you for helping to ensure this policy. The full policy can be found in our Elementary Student Handbook.

As the weather continues to change, we want our students to stay warm and healthy. If the "feels like" temperature is above zero, and it isn't actively raining, kids will go outside.

Breakfast and lunch menus can be found on the Windom Schools Website. Go to Family->Food Service->Printable Menu. Here is the page to get you started.

Our Windom Nursing Department consists of District Nurse Jessica Matt & Elementary Nurse Jacki Larson. Both Nurse Jessica & Nurse Jacki care deeply for the well being of students and they have put together a great resource website for your use. You can click on the image to view the site.

Windom Elementary has a new attendance email. attendanceelem@isd177.com is a place where you can send a note if your child will be absent, late, or needs to leave early. You can also continue to call in to 507-831-6925 Ext 443 or 441 (Ext 311 for Spanish)

Look for Windom Area School District-ISD177

Most current information can be found on our website: https://www.windom.k12.mn.us/

Are you connected with your child's Seesaw? Most information about upcoming events is shared there. Ask your child's teacher for a link.