News from the Lion's Den
January 2024
Welcome 2024!
Dear Families,
Winter has finally arrived - and not just according to the calendar! We may have gotten a late start with winter weather, however the days now consistently bring cold weather, and of course plenty of snow!
It is hard to believe we have already used our 3 traditional 'Snow Days'--although 2 were for our unexpected wind and rain storm.This means that remote snow days are now here. The next time the weather forces us to stay home for safety, students will have a remote day.
Remote Snow Days are not meant for students to do 'new learning' but instead engage with their classmates and teacher, review, and retain skills previously learned. Students will be sent home with review work in the case that they are unable to connect to the internet and join their classmates via Google Meets. Either showing up on Google Meets or completing the review packets count as a remote present for your child when we document attendance the following morning.
The Auburn School Department works hard to be transparent and will make remote day calls in time to send home the appropriate materials for your child to complete their work whenever possible. Of course, weather predictions frequently change and can do so quickly. Your child's teacher will send home a document with clear expectations including a daily schedule, links to video chats, and ways to contact them in the case of technical difficulties. If there is an unforeseen remote day your child should default to their remote day packets in their backpacks as a way to review work and show an effort to complete school work at home.
Please know we are here to support you and your child in any way we possibly can. Mother nature does not always work with us through winters in Maine, but what we can control is our preparation for the worst while hoping for the best!
Please remember my door is always open - feel free to call and leave me a message if I am unavailable or send me an email at mwood@auburnschl.edu. I look forward to our collaboration.
Sincerely,
Meghan Wood
Washburn Principal
Save the Date!
- 1/15 No School - MLK Jr. Day
- 1/17 Full Day Wednesday
- 1/22 Teacher Workshop Day - No School for Students
- 1/24 Full Day Wednesday
- 1/30 NAEP testing for 4th Graders ONLY - families will be informed individually
- 1/31 Early Release Wednesday
- 2/7 RESCHEDULED Family Math Night - 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- 2/12 - 2/16 SPIRIT WEEK - schedule to come soon!
- 2/15 Family Literacy Night 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
School Counselor's Message
From the Desk of Mrs. Luce
School Counselor's Message
With the start of a new year, many people make goals and resolutions, but often those goals fall to the wayside and leave people feeling like they have failed. Here's a healthy alternative. Ask Yourself:
- What would I like to do more of?
- What would I like to stop doing, and what you would like to start doing?
- Create a bucket list of things you want to do this year or things that are already planned, but that you are looking forward to doing! As you do those things, you can "check them off your list", which will leave you feeling accomplished and happy!
Attendance Matters
Daily attendance plays a vital role in your child's educational journey. Being chronically absent (even at the Elementary level) can have a significant impact on a student's ability to read at grade level, perform academically, and graduate on time. If your child needs to miss school, please contact the office or teacher as soon as possible so that every effort can be made to support their continued learning.
PTO News
February Vacation is just around the corner! How is that even possible?! To gear up for it our Student Council and PTO is heading a Penny War and Family Movie Night, starting on Friday, February 9th! All are welcome and encouraged to come out and join us for some free family fun.
Our 5th graders enjoyed a well earned pizza party for demonstrating their Lion Pact - being Safe, Respectful, Responsible, and Persistent - in the presence of Leo over the month of December. Now it's our 1st graders turn to celebrate all of their hard work for January!
Our first graders sent Leo over to 2nd grade for being so responsible in the hallway for this upcoming month of February - I wonder what Leo will see during his time there?!
Miss Duym's 1st grade class enjoys their hard earned pizza party!
Ms. Smith's 1st grade class celebrates their success with following the Lion Pact this month!
Thank you PTO for supporting our students!
Class Colors!
Student Council has worked hard to determine classroom colors as a way of celebrating each grade level individually in our school community. Class colors are the following:
School T-Shirts
The votes are in! Student Council has vote on the logo for t-shirts that PTO will be providing for each and every Washburn child.T shirts will read ' Washburn Lions' and will be arriving in the next few weeks! Thank you PTO for supporting our school community!
Following our Lion Pact: We Are Safe, Respectful, Responsible, and Persistent!
Mrs. Thayer's Lion of the Month for January!
When we follow our Lion Pact...
Writing Celebration in Second!
School Nurse News
Tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season:
* Eat Healthy- with lots of fruits and vegetables
*Exercise- recommendation is at least 30 min 3 times a week.
*Get adequate sleep- it is recommended that school age kids get between 9-12 hours of sleep a night.
* Washing hands frequently and using hand sanitizer.
* Stay hydrated with water.
*Avoid smoke and secondhand smoke.
Ways to boost immunity:
* Eat foods that are high in Vitamin C- Such as citrus fruits, oranges, grapefruits. Vegetables such as red bell peppers, broccoli, spinach and tomatoes.
*Elderberries-There are many ways to add elderberries to your diet.
*Adding Zinc to your diet.
*Getting vitamin D is especially important for people in the winter. This can be found in milk and fish.
Kindergarten Writing Celebrations
5th Grade Buddies
Our 5th Graders came down to cheer on and celebrate their hard working kindergarten friends who have persevered writing an entire book to share with others!
Writing Celebrations are a BIG DEAL at Washburn!
Congratulations to all of our Kindergarteners!
A job very well done to all of our Kindergarten friends along with our Kindergarten Teachers - Ms. Fisher and Miss Smith as well as our Literacy Coach Stephanie Hathaway for putting together such a celebratory event for our students to take pride in.
Food Pantry
Our Partner Agency collaboration with the Good Shepherd Food Bank has gotten off to a great start this year! If all goes well, the bags of food go out the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month. If your child is new to Washburn this year, or you have found yourself in a different situation and would like to participate in the program, please let us know. The team will get a bag of non-perishable food to your child/children twice a month.
We are pleased to announce that starting this year, we have a refrigerator slated for this program. Already we have ordered some refrigerated items, including butter and different cheeses. Let us know if we can help you in any way!
Family Support and Community Opportunities
Calling All Volunteer Grand Parents!
Fit Your Child for Winter Gear!
Washburn Elementary School
29 Lake Auburn Avenue
Auburn, Maine 04210
207-784-5467