The Weekly Update #4

Dear Windom Eagle Families,

The first month of school has been great! Students have settled into the routines of the new school year and are working hard to achieve their learning targets each day. As families, you play an important role in supporting your child's success at school. One simple but powerful way to help is by establishing consistent routines at home, especially at bedtime.

Predictable bedtime routines help children feel secure because they know what to expect. Getting a good night's sleep is the first step to preapare for the next day of learning.

An example of a healthy bedtime routine might look like this:

• 7:00 p.m. – Put away electronics and begin winding down.

• 7:15 p.m. – Take a bath or shower, brush teeth, and put on pajamas.

• 7:30 p.m. – Read a book together or enjoy some quiet time.

• 7:45 p.m. – Talk about the day and something to look forward to tomorrow.

• 8:00 p.m. – Lights out and time for sleep!

Of course, bedtime routines will look different depending on your child's age and your family's schedule. The important thing is consistency. When children get enough sleep, they are better able to focus, manage their emotions, and engage in learning throughout the school day.

Thank you for partnering with us to help every child succeed. Together, we can make this a great school year!

All the Best,

Jamie Frank, Superintendent

Oct 30 - No School for Students and Paras - End of Quarter

Nov. 11 - Veteran's Day Program in the Nest at 9:30 - All are Welcome!

Nov 12 - Evening Conferences - 3:30-8:30

Nov 13 - Day Conferences - 7:45-3:45 - No School for students and paras

November 26-27 - Thanksgiving Break - No School

October 15, 2026

Dear Windom Families,

The week of October 19 is School Safety Week and Windom Students will be learning about what to do if there is a “wolf” or intruder in the building. Although none of us want to think about this possibility, we must have a plan and be prepared. All teachers have completed A.L.I.C.E. Training and are equipped to make decisions that will keep students as safe as possible during this type of event. A.L.I.C.E. gives teachers options that begin with knowing where the intruder is located. Once teachers know the location of the intruder, they have options to lock down their classroom and barricade the door (they would exit out the window in the real event), exit through a door and run to a rally point, distract and confuse the intruder, or even take the class into the neighborhood for safety.

A.L.I.C.E. stands for:

Alert Get the word out! Armed Intruder in building instead of Code Red

Use clear, concise language to convey the type and location of the Event.

Lockdown - Good starting point. Lockdown in a secure area.

Inform - Communication keeps the intruder off balance and allows for good

decision-making.

Counter - Apply skills to distract, confuse, and buy time so adults can gain control.

Evacuate As soon as it is safe to do so, evacuate.

There will be many scenarios that we will practice with students during Safety Week using a story book for the younger students and discussion points for the older students. Teachers and students together will locate all exits in the building, including the doors not used very often such as the maintenance room or the kitchen exits. They will practice running to the rally point to meet their teacher. Classes will practice building a barricade at the door and talk about going out the window in a real event. Most importantly, students will learn that it is critical to follow the teacher’s directions in an emergency.

A new statute allows parents to opt their child(ren) out of A.L.I.C.E drills. If you prefer not to have your child participate in the drills, please complete this form and electronically submit.

If you have questions or would like more information about the use of A.L.I.C.E. in Windom Area Schools, please call me at 507-831-6901 or email: jfrank@isd177.com.

Sincerely,

Jamie Frank

Superintendent

Windom Schools Education Foundation was founded in 2026 to add a layer of opportunity to our WAS system. The board of directors has worked very hard creating bylaws, achieving 501(c)(3) status, and now we are fundraising to build up the account. We have raised over $56,000 in a few short months. Donors can choose to invest in our endowment fund or select a special fund from the list. The interest from the endowment fund will be available to teachers, coaches, and principals in the form of mini-grants to provide opportunites for students beyond what the basic education budget can provide. Watch for fundraisers from the foundation, promote contributions, and let's make this a game changer for Windom Area Schools. For more information, visit the foundation's website.

When the state was established in 1858, a trust was formed using land and natural resource revenues (mining, land leases, timber harvesting) to specifically support public education. Today, the trust is valued at $2.3 billion, and only interest and dividend earnings may be paid out to school districts each year under the Minnesota Constitution. Windom Area Schools received $89,778 last year from the Permanent School Trust Fund.

During the 2026 legislative session, the House of Representatives unanimously voted to change the way earnings are paid out to districts from only paying out dividends & interest to using a more modernized calculation of 4.5% POMV (Percent of Market Value), calculated over three years. This would be a change to the Minnesota Constitution and requires Voter Approval. Therefore, this will be on every Minnesota ballot in November.

The additional revenue is estimated at an additional $33 per student per earning period. For Windom, this equates to an additional $35,610 in revenue with no impact on the taxpayer.

For more information on the Permanent School Fund please click here.

The Middle School Advisory is selling Baker's Square Pies again this year. To order online, please click here. Pies will be available for pickup on November 24 from 3:30-7:30 in the Nest Lobby - just in time for Thanksgiving!

Website: https://windomasdmn.sites.thrillshare.com/
Location: 1400 17th St. PO Box 177 Windom, MN 56101
Phone: (507) 831-6910
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WindomAreaSchoolDistrict/
X: @Windom_Eagles