Calais Cougar Chronicle

Hello Calais Community!

I’ve spent some time in classrooms this week which is something I love to do. In 3rd grade I observed students taking an end of unit quiz in math. Their test-taking game was strong - it’s an important skill to have! The quizzes also help Mrs. Jackson gain the best understanding of what her students know and what will need to be addressed in a new way. In PreK, students dazzled me with their turkey songs. Spending time in PreK is a gift that fills your bucket, for sure! In 2nd grade, I caught Mrs. Burroughs and her students playing board games and cards. They had earned a classroom celebration which means Mrs. Burroughs counted 100 acts of her students being kind, safe, and working hard.

Last week, we kicked off the week with an all school assembly honoring veterans for Veterans Day. We had student leaders greet and welcome our guests:

• Candi Smith: Spouse of Retired Sergeant First Class Larry Smith and volunteer coordinator for The Veterans Place in Northfield

• Larry Smith: Retired Sergeant First Class, Army National Guard, Military Policy (MP) Motor Sergeant (Mechanics)

• Donna Smith: Spouse of Retired Colonel Stephen Smith Army Infantry

• Pam Smith: Retired Lieutenant Colonel, Air Force

• Ron Tillman: Retired Commander of VFW Barre & Sheila McGrath - Auxiliary

Students learned about the differences between Veterans Day and Memorial Day, what the flag means to those who’ve served, and we had in depth conversations about books, the pledge of allegiance, and what our freedoms mean to us in this country. I’m incredibly proud of our school community for making Veterans Day something more than just a date on the calendar. Special thanks go out to Candi Smith for helping bring this event to life!

Tomorrow, we break for a few days to celebrate Thanksgiving with our friends and family. I want to take the time to share that one of the things I am most thankful for everyday is to be here at Calais with your children. I am incredibly lucky! Happy Thanksgiving!

Cat Fair, CES principal

The Health Office has been busy screening students the last two weeks. We screened students in PreK, K, 1, 3, and 5th grades for both vision and hearing deficits. If you did not receive a letter home with your student, your student passed both screening tests. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

As we go further and further into cold and flu season, please take a moment to refresh your understanding of when to keep a student home.

From the Calais Elem Family Handbook:

• Stay home when newly sick: Whether you have new symptoms of COVID-19, the flu, or another contagious illness, please stay home if you are sick and call your healthcare provider if needed. This helps keep germs from spreading, protects those who may be at risk of serious illness, and gives you a chance to get well.

• We know that people with new symptoms are more likely to be contagious and so would like people coming down with something to stay home. If you have lingering symptoms that have vastly improved; i.e. cough, runny nose, please feel free to return to school.

• Fever (greater than 100°): Your child’s temperature should be back to normal (less than 99°) for at least 24 hours before returning to school without the aid of medication.

• Coughing (excessive): Your child’s cough should be “dry” sounding and easily controlled by a drink of water or cough drop before returning to school.

• Vomiting or Diarrhea: Your child should be able to eat food and drink liquids without vomiting or diarrhea for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

• Red or Draining Eyes: Please keep your child at home and check with a physician to ensure your child does not have conjunctivitis. If being treated for an infection please follow the Infection recommendation below.

• Excessive Nasal Drainage: Please keep your child at home and check with a physician to ensure your child does not have an infection. If being treated for an infection please follow the Infection recommendation below.

• Unusual Rash: Please keep your child at home and check with a physician to ensure that the rash is not contagious. If being treated for an infection please follow the Infection recommendation below.

• Infection: If your child has been tested or treated for any contagious infection, please have them stay at home until test results are available. If positive for infection, they should have had their medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school. This is to best ensure the infection has not spread and your child does not have a medication reaction/allergic response in school. If medication is to be given at school, please contact Nurse Maria prior to your child returning to school to make arrangements. Parents/Guardians must personally give the medicine to the Health Office with the medication permission form. Forms can be found on the website or requested from the school.

COVID-19

COVID-19 is a disease, caused by a virus not previously seen in humans. COVID-19 is spread mostly by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. Important practices that help reduce the risk of spreading the virus and reduce the risk of infection, include getting the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters, staying home when sick, and handwashing. Certain age groups and/or people with specific health conditions may be at more risk for complications from the illness. We encourage you to discuss any concerns you have with your personal medical provider to determine what is best for you.

WCUUSD will implement the health and safety guidance from the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont Agency of Education which will reflect the current impact that the virus is having on our community. You can find more information about Vermont’s guidance here. Specifically, the health and safety guidance includes:

• Stay up to date on vaccinations: Vaccines are the best tool we have to protect ourselves against COVID-19, especially from severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vermonters ages 6 months and older can get vaccinated. The Vermont DOH strongly encourages you to protect yourself by getting vaccinated as soon as possible, and get your booster shot for full protection when eligible.

• Testing: Students & staff exhibiting COVID19 symptoms (Fever (100.4 °F or higher), cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea) are encouraged to test. More information can be found here about testing in Vermont.

• If your child tests positive for COVID-19, they should stay home for at least 5 days and return to school if their symptoms have improved AND they have had no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of medicine that reduces fevers. Testing is not required to return to school.

And, remember, it is ALWAYS lice season. As we move into colder weather, please make sure your student has a hat and jacket to minimize the chance of students needing to share resources that can spread lice to others. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Nurse Maria at mmelekos@u32.org or 454-7777 ext 166.

This past month in kindergarten through second grades we have been singing a couple songs while exploring different families of instruments. Some of our songs are called Closet Key, The Littlest Worm, and Old Joe Clark. Closet Key is a song in which the students have to search for a hidden yellow key in the room, the stronger they sing the more hints they get! The Littlest Worm is a repeat after me song about a young child who swallowed a worm. Most of the students got to lead the song for their class. Old Joe Clark is a fun song tale. The story is about going to Old Joe’s house and discovering all the silly things that Joe does, a favorite of our class.

In third and fourth grade we have been learning how to read music. We have started off simple with some repeat after me patterns spoken with the syllables Du and Du-de. They learned how to read these patterns, create their own, and write them all on their own. We have just started our second unit of reading music using the terms Du and Du-da-di. We also explored these patterns on hand drums. With the hand drums we played all sorts of different games including rhythm relay, and poison pattern.

In fifth and sixth grade we just ended a project where we recorded scary stories. For the project students had to read and record the stories, add spooky music that they created and add some scary sounds to make them even creepier. After they were finished we shared them in one class of spookiness.

Thank you for supporting music in our school!

-Mr. Kirk

What’s happening In Art Class?

Our Kindergarten class has been working hard on their Art Books that we will complete throughout the school year. They’re focusing on the Elements of Art such as line, color, shape, and texture. First and Second graders just finished a “Bug on a Rug” weaving project. They made resist paintings using lines and then cut their paintings into strips to weave on paper looms. Next, they created a bug collage and added fringe with yarn to finish their amazing creations.

Our Third and Fourth graders have worked on several observational drawings of various kitchen utensils and collaged them together to make an invention. Their artwork is accompanied by a writing piece describing their creation. Currently, they are working on a drawing and watercolor project inspired by the book, Color Blocked by Ashley Sorenson. In our 5 /6 class, we have been looking at the work of Australian artist, Anna Blatman and her use of color and shapes. Students have learned about the batik process and are making a banner using a glue-batik technique.

It’s been a busy start to the school year and we’re having lots of fun. As always, thank you for supporting the Art program at Calais and your incredible artists! -Mrs Rose

(4th Grade)

How did Calais Elementary get its mascot?

Well the Calais Cougars are fast, fierce and strong but no one knows how the Calais Cougars

got their mascot. Does anyone have information on how Calais chose their mascot and why?

Interview with Student of the Week: Ella Grzankowski

Ella is in 4th Grade

Ella’s favorite color is teal and her least favorite color is brown.

Ella’s favorite food is chili and her least favorite food is plain cooked meat

Ella’s favorite sweet is ice cream and her favorite flavor of ice cream is mint.

Interview with Mrs. Jackson: 3rd & 4th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Jackson’s favorite color: brown

Mrs. Jackson’s least favorite food: jalapeno peppers

Mrs. Jackson’s favorite food: Pasta

Mrs. Jackson’s favorite sweet: chocolate cake

Mrs. Jackson’s least favorite sweet: sugary candy

Mrs. Jackson grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee

11/22-11/24 - School break - No school for students

11/27 - Basketball will start for grades 5/6

11/28 - Basketball will start for grades 3/4

12/2 - This is the planned start date for Prek-K basketball. More details will be shared soon!

12/14 - Friends of Calais meeting

12/19 - Gifts for Giving

Our town officials and volunteers are so appreciative of the gifts and kind notes from our community.

Let us finish the month and show them how much their dedication and commitment are appreciated. There are 5 slots still open, one of them being the Select Board and a kind word or gift to this group is needed. Their meeting is Monday, Nov 27th at 6:00pm at the Town Hall.

Please consider signing up to show your thankfulness. Contact me via this email if you need help getting your gift to the location or have any questions.

More slots available here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040C4FAAA628A13-44593428-month

https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/calais-cougars

This sale of Calais Cougar Gear is a fundraiser for the Friends of Calais. We hope to rally the spirit of our community members that attend Calais Elementary School!

The above link is an easy way to get some really cool gear and show your Cougar spirit. 5% of the sale goes toward the Friends of Calais. There is no picking up the gear at school as it will be directly billed and shipped to you.

Please consider supporting our non-profit group--and Go Cougars!

The Vermont Center for Independent Living has launched a statewide, in-home vaccine service for people of all ages ahead of the holidays.

The initiative was funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living, through a grant from US Aging.

In-home vaccinations for flu, RSV, and COVID-19 are available for anyone who has difficulty getting to or using traditional vaccination locations.

This service is free of charge to anyone in Vermont. No insurance information will be collected.

The people administering the shots also wear masks.

The service can be scheduled Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Entire households including children, caregivers and friends can be vaccinated at once.

https://www.mynbc5.com/article/vaccine-service-offered-at-home/45819140#