Eastwood Elementary Update

Congratulations to the students listed below for being named our May Eagle Way winners.

We are thankful for all of the students who modeled the Eagle Way throughout our building this year.

We appreciate the students who chose to follow our Eagle Way and “Do what is right, Do the best you

can, Treat others the way you want to be treated.”

All medications need to be picked up in the office by June 14th. The office will be open Monday through Friday 8 - 3:00. Any medications left will be disposed of appropriately. Medications can not be transported by students.

Dear Eastwood Families,

Summer break is upon us!

Our students have completed another year and we are very proud of their success. My first year back at Eastwood has been great! I am so thankful to the incredible staff, families, and students for supporting me as I transitioned back to the school district where my career started several years ago. I feel very fortunate to reside in this wonderful community where my husband and I are raising our children.

Transitions can be emotional and tough for our school-aged children. Even though many of us associate the end of the school year with a sense of freedom or excitement, it is not uncommon for children to experience some uneasy feelings, or perhaps a loss of their sense of belonging or purpose, which is something that school provides.

After the initial summer excitement has worn off, we may notice our children are complaining, agitated, bored, and even anxious at times. So what can we do to help our kids stay mentally healthy over the summer?

We can…

• Build some sort of structure or routine into their days and create some consistency.

• Help our children feel a sense of belonging by enjoying time with family, friends, or other kids in local activities, such as visits to the library, parks, or camps.

• Help our children connect to their sense of purpose. Assign some chores so they recognize they have an important role in the functioning of the household. Allow them to feel bored, which gives our children time to come up with ideas or activities on their own. Consider opportunities for our children to volunteer or do a charitable act. Also consider giving some reading “assignments” for purpose (and practice!).

• Create a balance between work and play / structured time and unstructured time.

Below is a link to a handout that explains the difference between mental health and mental illness from my colleague, Counselor Chelsey. I hope you find this information to be helpful as we work together to equip our students with essential, resilience-building life skills!

Mental Health Matters Family Handout / CLICK HERE

Please reach out any time with questions or concerns in the future. I look forward to watching your children grow and thrive over their coming elementary years. Have a wonderful summer! Thank you!

Best Regards,

Nikki Ohms, M.Ed., LPSC

School Counselor (Grades K-4)

Eastwood Elementary

4700 Sugar Ridge Rd. Pemberville, OH 43450

nohms@eastwoodschools.org

419-833-2821 ext. 205

Summer school will be held the weeks of June 10th, 17th, and 24th. It will be held from 8:30 until 11:00 on Monday through Thursday of each week. The bus pick up/drop off locations will be the same as last year. You are also welcome to drive them in.

We do ask, however, that if you agree to summer school, that you make the best effort to attend regularly. We limit our number of students for each grade and if you are not able to make a majority of the days, please allow someone else to attend. We know you may need to miss a few days, but in general, please plan on attending regularly.

A Heartfelt Thank You and Year in Review from the PTO

As the school year has come to a close, we wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering support and dedication to our school community. This year has been a year of building and growth and we are incredibly proud of all that we have achieved together.

Throughout the year, our PTO has worked tirelessly to support our school in various ways, from organizing fundraising events to coordinating volunteer efforts and everything in between. Your generosity, enthusiasm, and commitment have been truly inspiring, and we are immensely grateful for your ongoing contributions.

As we reflect on the events and initiatives that have defined this past year, we are filled with pride and gratitude for the incredible impact we have made as a community. From successful fundraisers that have enabled us to provide essential resources and support to our students and teachers, to fun-filled community events that have brought us all closer together, each endeavor has played a vital role in shaping the vibrant tapestry of our school community.

Through various fundraisers the PTO was able to raise the following funds:

· Candy Bar Fundraiser = $14,220

· Raffle = $3,031

· School Supply Fundraiser = $673

· Spirit Wear = $1,593

· Clothes Donation = $2,191

As a result of these efforts, we have been able to provide the following support and/or community activities to our teachers and families.

· Dare Celebration

· Donuts with Loved Ones

· Family Fun Night

· Solar Eclipse Glasses for all students

· Mother and Son Dance

· Movie Nights (2)

· Teacher Supply and Support

· Additional school supplies for students

None of this would have been possible without the dedication, passion, and hard work of our volunteers, teachers, staff, and families. Your commitment to our school community is truly commendable, and we are honored to be part of such a supportive and caring community.

As we look ahead to the future, we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and are confident that, together, we will continue to achieve great things for our school and our students. Thank you once again for your continued support, and we look forward to many more successful years ahead.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Your Eastwood Elementary PTO

How to Ride Safely

• Ride with traffic, not against it. Stay to the right.
• Follow all traffic signs. Stop at red lights and stop signs.
• Walk the bicycle across busy streets. Look left, right, and left again before crossing.
• Do not ride at dusk or after dark.
• Children younger than 1 year of age should not be on bicycles. Their neck muscles may not be strong enough to control their heads during a sudden stop, especially with the added weight of a helmet.
• Children younger than 10 should ride on a sidewalk or bicycle path instead of the street. Most young children are not able to make safe choices in traffic.
• Make sure the seat and handlebars of the bicycle fit your child.
• Know a child’s limits. Tell your child where and when he can ride.
• The most important step you can take to prevent bicycle-related brain injuries is to buy your child a helmet and make sure he wears it every time he rides!

Why are Helmets Important?

• Every year in the U.S., more than 220,000 children visit the emergency department with bicycle-related injuries.
• The most common injuries are bruises, cuts and broken bones, but the most serious are head injuries.
• 9 out of 10 bicycle riders who die in crashes are not wearing helmets.
• Wearing a bicycle helmet can lower the risk of brain injury by up to 88 percent.

Where Can I Get a Helmet?

• Helmets cost as little as $10 and can be found at retail stores.
• Some community programs offer free or discounted helmets for families who cannot afford one.

How Do I Pick the Right Helmet?

• Let your child help pick out a helmet that he or she likes. Choose a bright color to help drivers see your child.
• Look for the CPSC Certified label on the box.
• Try the helmet on your child. It should be snug, but not tight.
• If your child is between 2 sizes, pick the bigger one. Most helmets come with extra pads to help you get a good fit.
• If it feels too tight, try using thinner pads. If it is still too tight, buy a larger helmet.
• The helmet should not move from side to side when your child shakes his head.
• Replace any helmet that is damaged or that has been involved in a crash.

How Do I Fit the Helmet Correctly?

• The helmet should sit flat on top the head and rest 1 or 2 finger-widths above the eyebrows. The forehead must be covered.
• The straps should form a “V” below your child’s ear.
• The chin strap should be buckled snugly under the jaw. No more than 1 or 2 fingers should fit under the strap.

Additional Bicycle Helmet Resources

• Blog Posts:
  • Bike Sharing and Scooter Rentals: Why Children (and Adults) Need to Bring Their Own Helmets - August 2018
  • Use Your Head: Choosing and Fitting Your Child's Bike Helmet - June 2018

If your child hasn't already gone through kindergarten screening and they are 5 before August 1st, please contact our office at 419.833. ext. to get the information for our Aug. 6th kindergarten screening. It is being held at the Elementary Gym, with the first session at 9:00( which is full) and then another session at 10:30.

'This summer will be Eastwood Athletic Booster's third year of working the entrance gates for the Wood County Fair. In order for this to be a successful fundraiser, we need community members' help in signing up to work a shift or more. This fundraiser will help us raise over $16,000 for current and future student athletes at Eastwood. You will get in for free on the days your work and shifts are only 3-4 hours. Please consider volunteering some of your time July 28-August 4. Below is a flyer with the link to register. Each worker must register themselves for the shift. We will do our best to keep you with the ones you want to work with but sometimes our hands are tied. Thank you, in advance for your time and consideration!'

"The Eastwood High School Soccer teams are excited to be having their annual youth camp again this summer. Boys & girls entering PreK-8th grade in the 2024-2025 school year are invited to attend. The camp will take place July 8-10 and is held at the Eastwood High School soccer fields. The flyer is attached below. Please click the following link to sign up. Eastwood Youth Soccer Camp Registration Link"

June

3rd- Work day

4th - Teacher Professional Development

5th- Summer Institute Professional Development Day for teachers

Summer School Dates

10th-11th-12th-13th-17th-18th-19th-20th-24th-25th-26th-27th- Summer School Days

August

6th- Summer Kindergarten Screening- at Elementary at 8:30

7th- Summer Institute for Teachers

12th- New Teacher Training

19th- Staff Meetings

19th- Open House

20th- Staff Meetings

21st- 1st Day of School for 1st-5th and some Kindergarten