Elm Hill School Newsletter

Dear Elm Families

Here we are already at the end of October. WOW!!! It has been two wonderful months of getting to know your students and watching their hard work mastering new skills. I want to share with you a few of the things that we have had going on and a few more on the horizon.

As you might recall from the last newsletter our librarian, Lora Cokolat had an incredibly successful Scholastic Book Fair and raised a significant amount of funding to expand offerings. Lora has placed orders to increase books, electronic readers and resources. The students are going to be enjoying the benefits of your generosity and increasing literacy skills through numerous avenues.

Most recently the Springfield Fire Department visited our school. Every classroom was able to go outside and explore the fire safety trailer and talk with first responders. We also hosted our very first All School Meeting of the year. Our first guests were local firefighters who explained how to respond to a fire and showed the students their safety gear in detail.

This week we will also see the return of the traditional Elm Hill Halloween Parade. Students will begin with a show of costumes in the gymnasium for peers and then exit the school for a parade around the cul-de-sac. We ask parents to be mindful of parking and to not block driveways and intersections as you will likely need to walk up to the school. The parade will start at 9:45am (note time change from original announcement).

In November, our Celebrating Culture with Food Around the World project will focus on the United States. We will have two very special meals. The first will be a traditional Native American meal including "Three Sisters Soup". Our School Counselor, Cindy Wubbenhorst who is part of the Abenaki tribe and spent time on Lakota reservations has provided the traditional recipe to the Abbey Group for preparation. Our second meal will be our Harvest Feast consisting of turkey, stuffing and more. Each student will be able to invite one guest to join them for the Harvest Feast. Please keep an eye out for further details and information on how to RSVP.

I have truly enjoyed the last couple of months at Elm Hill School. It is a beautiful school with incredibly hard working teachers and amazing students. The children's laughter rings high in the hallways that are adorned by their artwork. We look forward to seeing you all this coming month for parent-teacher conferences.

Best,

Miss Rachel

October 31 - Halloween Parade

November 11 - No School, Veterans Day

November 13 - PTA Meeting at Elm Hill School 6-7:30 pm

November 14 - Early Release - Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 15 - No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 21 - Harvest Feast

November 27-29 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

If your student has lost an item please reach out to Ryan Seaver at rseaver@ssdvt.org. Ryan is the keeper of lost and found.

We have two handicap spots in the front of the building. These spots are reserved for people with disabilities who have a valid permit or plate.

Students in Ms. Fry's 2nd Grade celebrated National Alaska Day on Friday the 18th by learning about "Inukshuk". "Inukshuk" are stone sculptures created by the native peoples in the Arctic Circle. Students created their own "Inukshuk" sculptures from Legos, then measured the height in centimeters!

"Kindergartners belt out Old MacDonald" in Mr. Ron's class. Other favorites include This Old Man and Baby Beluga. We have been getting into the woods most days, where we have noticed and wondered about mushrooms and a friendly chipmunk who is a frequent visitor. Outdoor games include Screaming Toes, Hot/Cold and Foxes and Squirrels."

Happy Fall! I am Miss McLoughlin. I am the math interventionist. I have been helping teachers

get to know their students and learning about what the kids know about math. I have begun groups with second grade, we are exploring numbers and the place value system of hundred, tens and ones. We are beginning with 2-digit numbers. I will begin math groups for kindergarten and first grade in the next couple of weeks. I am really looking forward to working with the kids.

Happy Fall! 🍂

A big “Welcome” to all Elm Hill families! It was so nice to meet some families at our recent Open House.

Vision Screenings by Lions Club (Kindergarten and First Grade Students) 👁️: Most Kindergarten and First Grade students received vision screenings by the Lions Club 10/16 and 10/17. If your student has been referred for additional vision testing, a letter will be mailed to you. If you receive a letter, it is recommended that your child follow-up with a primary care provider or an eye doctor. Thank you!

Pediatric Flu Vaccination Clinic 💉: North Star Health will host a pediatric flu clinic at Elm Hill School on Wednesday, October 23rd. Only those students who have returned permission slips can participate.

Health Cards 🗂️: Please return these to the Health Office as soon as possible, if you have not yet done so. Thank you!

Halloween Safety Tips🎃: Hoping all have a fun and safe Halloween! Remember that there are some students who have food allergies (these students may have a teal colored trick or treat pumpkin) or cannot consume sugar (diabetes), so keeping a few non-edible treats, like stickers, small fidgets, etc. can help all children enjoy Halloween. For some Halloween Health and Safety tips, see: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx

Extra Clothing 👚👖👕: It would be appreciated if each family would send in an extra set of clothing for their student to be kept at school, including shirt, pants, underwear, and socks, for those unexpected “accidents.” We have limited clothing in the Health Office. Thanks very much!

Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy, and Safe Fall!

With Kind Regards,

Nurse Mary

All-4-One News-visit our website: https://www.ssdvt.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1550139&type=d&pREC_ID=2250070

What’s happening at All4One:

Elm Hill has started clubs Monday-Mixed up Media; Tuesday-Making Friends; Wednesday- Scrapbooking! Next club session starts in January!

Union Street has started clubs: Monday-Magic the Gathering; Tuesday and Wednesday-Sports Club; Thursday our Fun Run Club continues. Next session starts in January!

Pre-K at the Tech Center is open and running. We have 3 spots available if you need before/afterschool care!

RMS NEWS:

Club brochures went home: Monday: Student Leadership; Tuesday-Drone Club; Wednesday-Safe Sitter Club. Daily the Space is open and Pre-Practice Club is an option for afterschool.

The SPACE is now open at Riverside in the café. Monday to Friday from 2:45 until 5:00 pm. Please sign up on the club brochure if you are coming to the SPACE, even daily or drop in.

Our Website for the SPACE is:

https://www.ssdvt.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1550139&type=d&pREC_ID=2311193

SHS NEWS:

LOTS of opportunities are available at SHS this year! SPACE is open afterschool for drop in in the new and improved CAFETERIA! Games, social time, food and fun! Daily M, W, F until 4:00pm

Flex time clubs are abundant… sign up through adaptive scheduler!

Afterschool clubs: Math Team, Open Gym, Weight Room, Disc Golf and coming soon MUSIC FUN!!!

Important Dates:

October 14th: RMS Trip to Six Flags for those that have registered! All other programs closed!

October 15th: Pre-K, All4One K-5, RMS open! Must register!

November 11th: All programs closed

November 15th: Pre-K, All4One K-5, RMS open! Must register!

November 27-28-29th: All programs closed

December 20th: AM ONLY for Pre-K and K-5! NO Afterschool programs, all closed!

December 23-27th: All programs closed

December 30,31 and January 2, 3: Programs open TBD on registration! Keep in touch via facebook or ssdvt.org

Events:

Don’t miss this event!

If you want to register your trunk use link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E4CA5AE29AAFD0-51299186-trunk#/

SSPTA is a group of families, district staff, and community members who team up to support Elm Hill and Union Street schools. We host monthly meetings and collaborate throughout the year on a series of community, fundraising, and support initiatives. Our efforts allow us to fund enrichment activities, field trips, classroom supplies, healthy snacks, community events, college scholarships, and more! Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ssptavt and our website https://www.ssptavt.com. We can be reached at PTA@ssdvt.org

SSPTA Meetings

SSPTA meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 6-7:30pm in the Elm Hill School cafeteria. Because life is busy, we provide both childcare and pizza – all we need is you! Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, November 13th. Want to be involved but can’t make the meetings? No problem! Reach out to us at PTA@ssdvt.org there is always a way to be involved, even if it’s just informing us of some creative ideas!

What’s Happening Now?

Halladay’s Harvest Barn fundraiser orders will be available for pick up on Saturday, November 9th between 10am-12pm in the lower parking lot of Union Street School. If you have any questions about the Halladay’s Fundraiser please reach out to Hollie Conway at porter_hollie@yahoo.com or 802-245-4631.

What’s Happening Next?

SSPTA will hold a Square 1 Art fundraiser in November. Every child will have a custom catalog of keepsakes with their own masterpiece on them which their loved ones can order. A special thank you to Elm's creative art teacher, Mrs. Farrell for helping with this big project! Order forms will go home at the beginning of November. Orders from the Square 1 Art Fundraiser will arrive prior to the holidays. Be on the lookout for your child’s custom catalog and more information in November.