October Elementary Newsletter

October 1, 2024

Welcome!

"The Best Year Ever" is well underway. Windom Elementary students have learned their classroom routines and procedures, and the learning has begun! You can keep up with your student's progress by watching for updates on SeeSaw, joining your child's class on Class Dojo, and by using the Parent Portal on Infinite Campus.

Some things that make kids' days easier at school include eating a healthy breakfast (free at school 7:30-8:00 AM), getting enough sleep (10-12 hours for 5-9 year olds), and having a positive start to the day by following a morning routine (dress, brush teeth, gather school supplies, etc.)

A good start to the day helps the whole day to run more smoothly, and will help to make this the best year ever!

October Events

Fire Safety Week

National Fire Safety Week is October 6-12. We will talk about fire safety and practice fire drills at school that week. You can practice fire safety at home too! Test your smoke detectors. Find a "meeting place" outside of your home and practice meeting there while testing your smoke detectors. Your family's safety is the most important, and having a plan helps to keep everyone safe.

Walk to School Day

Walk to School Day is October 9. Students who normally walk will get a joyous greeting. Students who normally get dropped off can meet at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church parking lot. We will have volunteers there to lead walking busses from that parking lot to the elementary school. Walking busses leave at 7:30 and 7:40. Students who ride the bus can take a lap around the school to join in the fun. See the information sent out on SeeSaw for more information.

October 16 Early Out and MEA Break

October 16 will be a 1/2 day at Windom Area Schools. Students will be dismissed at 12:30 so staff can attend trainings. October 17 and 18 is MEA break across Minnesota. There is no school those days.

Grandparents Day

Grandparents Day will be Monday, October 21, 2024 from 2:00-3:00 PM. Students will be able to invite grandparents (or a special friend) to visit their class, share their work and enjoy coffee and a cookie. Watch for more information on SeeSaw!

Terrific Kid is Coming

Windom Kiwanis supports Windom Area Elementary by sponsoring our Terrific Kid program four times each school year. Each teacher selects one Terrific Kid to be honored at the event. Students who are selected as Terrific Kids demonstrate qualities such as hard work, kindness, respect, responsibility, and community service. Our first Terrific Kid program will be on October 29 at 10:00 AM for 1st and 2nd Grade and October 30 at 10:00 AM for 3rd and 4th grades.

Attendance

Attendance Email

Windom Elementary has a new attendance email. attendanceelem@isd177.com is a place where you can send a note if your child will be absent, late, or needs to leave early. You can also continue to call in to 507-831-6925 Ext 443 or 441 (Ext 311 for Spanish)

Policies, Updates, and Reminders

In an effort to best serve our students in a safe, productive, and positive environment, there have been a few small updates to our Elementary Student Handbook. Please review the handbook and remind your child of any important information.

No Electronic Devices in School

Electronic devices such as phones, smart watches, tablets, and video games must be turned off and stored in backpacks and lockers while students are in the school building.

Drop-Off/Pick-Up Loop

For the safety of students and staff, please only drop off and pick up in "The Loop" on the south side of the elementary school. If you plan to walk your child in, you may park in the south parking lot and walk in with them. After school, please use "The Loop". Please do not instruct your child to walk into any parking lot alone. Please stay in your car and when possible have your child enter from the RIGHT side so they stay out of the traffic path.

Walking Students to Class

We want to encourage social skills and independence among all of our students. With this in mind, and for the safety of all students and staff please feel free to walk your child into school, but parents and guardians are expected to not pass the office area.

Lunch

October Breakfast and Lunch Menus

Breakfast and lunch menus can be found on the Windom Schools Website. Go to Family->Food Service->Printable Menu. Here is the page to get you started.