The Hiawatha Buzz!

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Dear Hiawatha Community,

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. May you and your family be safe, healthy, and happy.

Happy Holidays,

Katherine

* December 23, 2024 - January 1, 2025 - Early Winter Break- NO SCHOOL - please plan accordingly

* January 14, 2025 - PTO Meeting from 6:00 PM — 7:00 PM

* January 24, 2025 - Annual Community Dinner from 5:30 to 7:00 PM

You and your family are invited to our Annual Community Dinner on Friday, January 24th, 2025 from 5:30-7:00 PM!

Dear Hiawatha Families,

We are excited to let you know that starting in January our school will be welcoming a therapy dog named Georgina to our school community! This is part of ongoing efforts to support the emotional and social well-being of our students and staff. Georgina has been trained to interact in ways that support emotional health and fosters positive connection and relaxation. She is a trained, friendly and playful dog.

Why a therapy dog? Research has shown that therapy dogs can help reduce stress and anxiety, increase focus and motivation, support behavioral improvement, and enhance social-emotional learning. Georgina will visit classrooms, attend social-emotional programs, play and exercise with students outside, and provide comfort during times of stress or anxiety. Our goal with Georgina is to support students and teachers in feeling safe, calm, and connected throughout their day.

Important Information for Families:

• Hypoallergenic: Georgina is a hypoallergenic poodle mix, which means she is less likely to cause allergic reactions.

• Training and Supervision: Georgina has had advanced training. She lives with staff member Alice Weston, and Alice and Georgina are certified for canine therapy work through Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Georgina will be handled by Alice Weston throughout the day.

• Allergies/Sensitivities: If your child has a known allergy or sensitivity to dogs, please contact Alice Weston (contact below) so we can make accommodations. Your and your child will be given options for slow introductions to see if reactions happen, an alternative option to participate in activities involving the therapy dog, or to opt out if preferred.

• Opt-out or individualized introductions: If you and your child feels uncomfortable around animals or prefers not to interact with the therapy dog, we respect that choice. Please reach out to Alice Weston if you would like to discuss any special arrangements for your child which could include individualized introductions to the dog with Alice, opting out of interacting with the dog, or other accommodations we can discuss.

We believe that Georgina will bring great joy and stress reduction to our school community, and we are thrilled to introduce this initiative to our students. Should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Alice Weston (aweston@ewsd.org) or 802-857-7727

Katherine Grykien, principal (kgrykien@ewsd.org) or 802-857-7736

Kindergarten students have been working with mixed media. They learned to include a horizon line when drawing or painting a landscape scene. They then painted snow-covered landscapes, using found objects and fun materials to add details and decorations.

First-grade artists are working on our annual penguin project. First, students paint a background paper with warm or cool-colored spirals. Then, Cassie Stephens's guided drawing lesson teaches students how to draw an adorable penguin. After that, they use chalk to add a shadow and collage the pieces.

Second and third-grade artists have finished their advocacy printmaking project inspired by Ruby Bridges. Students enjoyed learning about printmaking terms and processes. They are learning to label their prints as editions and select their finest prints for display.

Third-graders have been coming to the art room each Wednesday for a unique integrated project. Students are designing and sewing their very own emoji pillows! First, they came up with a feeling to depict. Then, they drew an emoji face to show that feeling. Next, they cut shapes out of felt and began putting their pillows together. After our break, they will learn how to sew and stuff their pillows. We have been having so much fun, and the results are impressive. Fantastic work, third-grade artists!

Cassandra Gengras, M.Ed.

She/Her

Art Educator

Hiawatha School

Room B2/ext. 7765

cgengras@ewsd.org
(802) 881-8885

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Please be advised that we have seen a few cases of Strep over the past couple of weeks.

Only a small portion of sore throats are the result of strep throat. However, it is important to identify this bacterial infection and get treatment. The bacteria that causes strep throat responds quickly to antibiotics, and treatment stops the infection from spreading to other people.

Strep throat is most common in children between the ages of 5 and 15, but it affects people of all ages. In addition to throat soreness, signs and symptoms typically include a fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, swollen glands, and in some cases a rash. Younger children may also complain of abdominal pain.

If your student exhibits these symptoms, please contact their physician. Please contact the nurses office at 802-857-7740 if your student is diagnosed with a strep infection. If diagnosed, the student should remain out of school until antibiotics have been given for 24 hours and the student is fever-free for 24 hours.

Thank you,

Nurse Reyna

rmaher@ewsd.org

With 2024 winding down, I can’t help but reflect on all the fun and enriching experiences that our Hiawatha kids have enjoyed because of our school community. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to any of our PTO events in the last year.

Looking ahead, 2025 will bring three more PTO sponsored gatherings: The Community Dinner, The PTO Dance as well as Pizza on the Playground. In addition, we will be organizing Staff and Teacher Appreciation Week.

Please keep an eye out for opportunities to help with all of these events. Giving small amounts of your time makes a big difference.

Enjoy winter break, see you in January!

Please click this link to see the hot lunch menu, be sure to select the correct month you need and select lunch in the drop down in the top of the page. The menu can also be found on our website :-)

Winter Lights at Maple Street Park

Take a walk through Maple Street Park and enjoy the lights accompanied by festive music. Scan a QR code for a scavenger hunt list on your way into the park to see if you can you find all the hidden ornaments in the trees.

ALL AGES / NOVEMBER 28–JANUARY 1
Daily from 5:00–9:00 PM

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Holiday Light Parade

Come out and join us for this years 4th annual holiday parade in Essex! There will be quite the lineup of lit up trucks, cars, fire trucks, police cars and much more.

This parade will be held on December 20 from 7:00 pm and end around 8:30 pm. We will post updates as we get more vehicles involved and plan accordingly.

Lineup starts at 6: 00 pm ends at 6:50 pm (depending on weather). The Christmas light parade route will be posted soon on the event page! See you soon, and happy holiday to all!

Champlain Valley Expo109 Pearl St., Essex Junction, VT 05442Visit Website | 802-878-5545 | info@cvexpo.org

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Email: hiawathaoffice@ewsd.org