HES Parent & Family Newsletter

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As we head into the colder months, we want to share important information about preventing the spread of respiratory viruses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance to help schools and families stay healthy and safe during this time.

Key Recommendations from the CDC:

• Encourage Hand Hygiene: Regular handwashing with soap and water is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of viruses. Please remind your child to wash their hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing.

• Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Teach your child to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue or the inside of their elbow to reduce the spread of germs.

• Stay Home When Sick: If your child is feeling unwell, please keep them home to rest and recover. We encourage families to follow the CDC’s guidelines for when it's safe to return to school after illness.

We appreciate your support in keeping our school community healthy. Together, we can help ensure a safe and productive school year for all of our students.

If you have any questions or need more information about the CDC guidelines, please feel free to reach out to the school nurse or the office.

Thank you for your continued partnership!

Congratulations to our two student teachers this semester, Ms. Mya Tiernan and Ms. Rylee Vaughn! We have been fortunate to host these two phenomenal individuals. Both Mya and Rylee are graduating today from Winona State University. We wish them all the best as they embark on their next adventure!

In an effort to reduce milk waste and manage costs more effectively, we are making some changes to our milk distribution at snack time for students in grades 1-6. Moving forward, we ask that families who wish to purchase milk for their children at snack time complete the attached form. This will allow us to distribute milk more accurately and ensure that funds are collected appropriately.

Please take a moment to fill out the form and indicate which of your students you would like to receive milk during snack time It's important to note that students receive a free carton of milk each day during school breakfast and lunch. However, milk is only free at lunch if the student takes the school meal. Otherwise, students in grades K-6 will be charged $0.60 at lunchtime for their milk.

Milk distribution at snack will begin September 9th, 2024. We will add students to the list and milk will be delivered to students during their scheduled snack times.

Cost per milk $0.60:

• Quarter 2- 11/5/24-1/17/25 (41 school days)= $24.60
• Quarter 3- 1/21/25-3/21/25 (42 school days)= $25.20
• Quarter 4- 3/31/25-5/28/25 (40 school days) = $24.00
• Total cost for milk = $96.00

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we work to make this process more efficient.

Snack Break Milk Request

Kind regards,
Angela McQuinn
Assistant Principal, Houston Elementary School

• Monday, December 16th
• Dress-up Day Theme- Festive Holiday Dress
• Lunch today is Chicken & Gravy with stuffing
• Alternative today is a Turkey BLT Wrap
• K-4 Mini Musical Matinee- 2:30
• K-4 Mini Musical Concert 6:30
• Tuesday, December 17th
• Dress-up Day Theme- Christmas Colors Dress Day
• You could even plan to dress like your friend
• Preschool Concerts
• AM class at 9:00 am
• PM class at 12:45 pm
• Lunch today is Pancakes with Sausage patty
• Alternative today is a Turkey BLT Wrap
• Wednesday, December 18th-
• Dress-up Day Theme- Favorite Christmas Character
• Dress like your favorite character (santa, the grinch, etc)
• Lunch today is BBQ pork sandwich
• Alternative today is Turkey BLT wrap
• Thursday, December 19th
• Dress-up day theme- Favorite holiday flannel & slippers
• Lunch today is cheese bosco sticks
• Alternative today is Turkey BLT wrap
• Friday, December 20th
• Dress-up day theme- comfy clothes (dress like you are going on the Polar Express)
• Lunch today is pasta with meat sauce
• Alternative today is chicken alfredo
• Christmas Break
• Monday, December 23rd-Friday, January 3rd

This week’s Hurricane FORCE Positive Office Referrals of the Week come from 2nd grade. Congratulations to Ruby K. & Charlotte N. who were nominated by their teachers, Mrs. Martin & Mrs. Botcher. Both students were nominated for their kindness, respect, and responsibility they demonstrate in the classroom and around school. Congratulations Ruby and Charlotte!

At Houston Elementary, we are proud to highlight the efforts of our 5th-grade enrichment students, Luka and Caleb. Over the past few weeks, these two students have gone above and beyond by reading books to our preschool, first grade, and second grade classrooms. Their initiative has not only supported younger students in developing a love for reading but also provided them with an opportunity to grow as mentors and leaders.

This experience has been a valuable way for Luka and Caleb to contribute to the school community while enhancing their own communication and leadership skills. We are excited to see how this enrichment activity fosters growth for all students involved, embodying our commitment to continuous improvement in every aspect of learning. Keep up the great work, Luka and Caleb!

As part of our ongoing commitment to student achievement, Houston Elementary’s third-grade students had a heartwarming opportunity to engage with the community this holiday season. Last week, our third graders visited Heritage Court, where they made gingerbread men and caroled for the residents.

This experience not only allowed our students to demonstrate creativity and teamwork but also gave them a chance to practice kindness and generosity. The joy and connection shared with the residents highlight how real-world learning experiences support both academic and social development. We are proud of our third-grade students for their spirit of giving and look forward to seeing them continue to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

At Houston Elementary, we believe in the power of partnerships and real-world learning, and our Student Leadership Committee is a shining example of this commitment. Recently, our student leaders volunteered their time bell ringing for the Salvation Army outside the Root River Market. This opportunity not only allowed them to give back to the community but also taught the importance of service, empathy, and community engagement.

In addition to their volunteer work, the Student Leadership Committee worked together to develop dress-up days for the week before winter break, bringing school spirit and fun to the entire school. Their efforts are a reminder of the positive impact our students can have on both their peers and the broader community. We are proud of their leadership and look forward to seeing how they continue to make a difference.

• December 16: K-4th Grade Mini-Musical at 6:30pm, matinee at 2:30 PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE
• December 17: Preschool Programs, 9:00 for the AM class and 12:45 for the PM class at the elementary gym.
• December 23-January 1st: No School, Holiday Break. Hurricane Watch will NOT be available.
• January 2 & 3: No School, Holiday Break. Hurricane Watch will be available. Students attending HW must bring sack lunch.

Please check the school website calendar for more information as well as other events/opportunities.