Elm Hill School Newsletter
Novemberr 2024
Elm Hill School is filled with children's laughter and quite honestly teaches laughter and joy. It has been such a wonderful place to work this fall.
I want to extend a giant thank you to Mr Seaver and all the children and families that made the Halloween Parade special. For those of you who attended outside we know that we were behind schedule but the children were having the BEST time parading across the stage and receiving individual accolades. We'll have to allow for more time for that next year.
Our students are also engaged in a project with the local Rotary International organization. It involves collecting and bringing plastic film to school to place in the collection bins. Our goal is 100lbs of plastic that will earn Elm Hill School an outdoor bench from NexTrex. If you have an opportunity to drop off grocery bags, bread bags, sandwich bags or other types of plastic film including pellet bags we will gladly receive them. What a great way to add to our outdoor space and learn about recycling and the environment.
On the horizon we have the Harvest Feast on Thursday, November 21st. I know many of you have RSVP'd that you will be in attendance. We are excited to return this fun event of student/parent lunch to celebrate the coming holidays.
The following day will include an opportunity from the Springfield High School Theater Department. All Elm Students will be traveling to SHS to see the production of Rainbow Fish. This is a 40 minute show and we will return to Elm afterwards. Buses depart Elm at 9am.
I hope everyone has a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving break. I look forward to seeing all of our students' smiling faces and hearing their stories of days off and family time when we return on Monday, December 2nd.
Hello, Families! November has been a busy month full of learning and fun! With Thanksgiving around the corner, we made some Place Value Turkeys. Students picked a 3-digit number and wrote it in different ways: standard form, word form, and expanded form. Then students used base 10 blocks to build their 3-digit number. We hope you enjoy our turkeys. Happy Thanksgiving! Google, Gobble.
What are ten ways kids become better readers? READ, READ, READ, READ, READ, READ, READ, READ, READ, READ!
Throughout Elm Hill School, kids are learning how to read in fun and exciting ways. This past week for Parent-Teacher Conferences, kids and families were able to "shop" for free books around the school using their bags that were generously donated by Dollar General. I was able to get over eight full boxes of books into kids' hands! Also, in my classroom, kids have been practicing their early literacy skills using many different fun ways of learning that can be duplicated at home. My goal is to help kids develop a LOVE for reading and to remind them that READING IS FUN!
A Happy November ๐ to Everyone!
November is Diabetes Month. Check out this parent-friendly site to learn more about this chronic disease that affects both children and adults.
Ticks are Still Around!: With weather patterns changing, these critters are becoming very resilient. It is a good idea for everyone to do regular checks: of clothing, shoes, arms, legs, head, armpits after being outdoors. See VT Department of Health and CDC for some additional measures to prevent tick exposure.
Respiratory Illnesses ๐ค ( Pneumonia, Flu, and RSV, and COVID): As a result of colder weather, people are gathering more indoors. This increases the chance of exposure to not only the common cold and COVID, but also to Pneumonia, Flu and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). There has been an uptick of Pneumonia in our community, and in the United States.
Flu: The onset of symptoms is very abrupt, and can include: fever (usually high), headache, tiredness and weakness (can be extreme), dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body or muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (more common in children).
RSV: Symptoms include: runny nose, decreased appetite, cough, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. Currently, there is not a specific treatment for RSV, and symptoms usually improve within 1-2 weeks. However, infants younger than 6 months of age and older adults, seem to be more susceptible to developing more severe symptoms that can require hospitalization. Vaccination is recommended for infants and toddlers, as well as adults 60 years of age and older.
COVID: See https://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/covid-19/covid-19-symptoms-treatment for symptoms and new return to school/work guidelines.
Prevention Measures for these Respiratory Infections Include:
Washing your hands for 20 seconds by rubbing all surfaces well with soap and water prior to touching the eyes, nose, and mouth. (the gateways for germs to enter the body)
Covering your mouth with the elbow when coughing or sneezing.
Cleaning frequently touched surfaces, like door knobs and phones.
Vaccination for Flu and COVID: Preventing the Flu | Vermont Department of Health
***A friendly reminder to Families/Staff: It is best for those who are not feeling well to stay at home. Please contact the Health Office at 885-5154 or 885-5155 if your child/or staff member has tested positive for Pneumonia, Flu, COVID, RSV. We are keeping track of this data. It is also the expectation of the VT Department of Health for school nurses to report any positive COVID cases and to report any outbreaks. Thank you for your help.
Dental Health Presentation ๐ฆท: Lisa Watson, local dental hygienist, gave a presentation at All School Meeting this month. Students and staff, alike, learned about dental hygiene and ways to keep that smile happy:)
Extra Clothing ๐๐: It would be appreciated if parents/guardians pack at least one additional outfit for your student to have each day for those unexpected accidents. We have very limited clothing in the Health Office. Thank you!
Outdoor Clothing โ๏ธ: As temperatures fall, please encourage your student to wear warmer outdoor gear to school each day, such as a winter coat, hat, gloves/mittens, boots, scarf/gaiter and snow pants, as we head into the colder winter temperatures. Thank you!
FYI: The healthychildren.org site is offering a free webinar about childrenโs upper respiratory illnesses on Thursday, 11/22/24, 1-1:45 p.m.
Be Happy, Healthy, and Safe!
With Kind Regards,
Nurse Mary
