Elm Hill School Newsletter
September 2024
News From the Principal's Office
Hello Elm Hill School community!!!
These first few weeks have been filled with joy, wonder and learning. We have had fun both indoors and outdoors with the glorious fall weather (up until this week's rain). The first six weeks of school are built on the philosophy of Responsive Classroom where we
Create a sense of belonging
Establish classroom routines, expectations
Introduce school environment
Set academic expectations
Review positive behavior management strategies
We know that getting back into the school routine can be tough. We are seeing positive attitudes, big smiles and eager learners. We are thankful to be working with such great parents that are so supportive and encouraging.
I want to personally thank you for helping with the drop off and pick up lines. They have been moving really well and to date (knock on wood) we have not received a complaint. Your efforts of moving car seats to the right side of the cars and keeping the line moving are really making a difference.
On the horizon we have many fun filled activities coming up. Some of these include a trip to SHS to see a theater production, continuing our monthly Around the World meal and cultural recognition and visits from Riverside Middle School students. In addition, we will be finishing up our first iReady diagnostic in early October and continue our work with Competency-based math and our new math program called Ready Math.
We are welcoming caregivers and extended family members to be volunteers at Elm Hill School. If you are interested in this please send me a note rhunter@ssdvt.org or call the school at 802-885-5154. Volunteers help make events like the Scholastic Book Fair possible.
Please take the time to read the rest of the information in this letter. It contains important highlights from grade level classes, specials and other valuable information.
Thank you for being a part of the Elm Hill School Community!!!
Important Dates
October 9 - PTA Meeting at Elm Hill School 6-7:30 pm
October 14 - No School, Indigenous People's Day
October 15 - No School, In-Service
October 23 - Pediatric Flu Clinic
Lost and Found
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.
Handicap Parking
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.
Ms. McAllister's Second Grade
Our class has enjoyed getting to know each other over the last few weeks. Our “All About Me” share bags and “Find a Friend Who…” activities were a big hit. We have learned a lot of new things about our classmates.
We welcomed three new classmates - Simba, Snowflake, and Super Caterpillar. We have enjoyed watching our caterpillars transform into beautiful butterflies!
October will bring some fun apple activities, new books, math games, and buddy reading.
Ms. Meredith
Second Grade
Ms. Maresa's Second Grade
We’ve had a wonderful start to our year in Miss Maresa’s 2nd Grade! We have been learning about one another and our classroom and school. We are writers who work on memory stories, mathematicians who measure, and scientists who observe! We are so happy to introduce ourselves to you!
Kindred Spirits
Ms. Dodge's Kindred Spirits (2nd grade) were able to nurture 8 Monarch caterpillars into chrysalises, and into butterflies! We also learned how to tell a male Monarch butterfly from a female Monarch butterfly, and as each butterfly emerged from its chrysalis, we learned whether it was a boy or a girl. Students also learned the four stages of a Monarch butterfly's life cycle, and enjoyed watching the butterflies fly away, on their way to migrate to Mexico!
Library News
Exciting New Ways to Explore Reading: Book Checkout at Our School Library!
We are thrilled to share that our school library offers a wide variety of books and resources to encourage your child's love of reading! Whether your student is a fan of adventure, mystery, science fiction, or nonfiction, our library has something for everyone.
How to Check Out a Book:
- Library Visits: Students are welcome to visit the library during their scheduled library time or free periods to explore our collection.
- Online Catalog: Can’t find what you’re looking for? Dive deeper into our online catalog to learn what we have in our collection: https://search.follettsoftware.com/metasearch/ui/63654
Checkout Policies:
- Loan Period: Books can be checked out for 2 weeks, with the option to renew if more time is needed.
- Late Returns: We encourage students to return books on time, but we understand that sometimes life gets in the way. If a book is overdue, reminders will be sent home, and students may be restricted from checking out additional items until the overdue book is returned.
Special Collection: Playaway Audiobooks
In addition to traditional books, we'll soon be offering Playaway audiobooks—portable, all-in-one devices preloaded with engaging stories. Audiobooks provide a great way for students to enjoy books while improving their listening and comprehension skills.
Why Reading Matters:
Reading is a gateway to imagination, knowledge, and creativity. At Elm Hill School, we believe in fostering a love of reading in every student. Our goal is to make reading an enjoyable and accessible experience for all.
Encourage your child to browse our collection during regularly scheduled library visits stop by the library and discover their next great read today! Whether it’s a classic novel, a brand-new series, or an exciting audiobook, the library has something for every reader.
For more information, contact our librarian, Ms. Lora, at lcokolat@ssdvt.org
Happy reading!
Update on the Scholastic Book Fair
The Book Fair generated more than $7,000- in sales and that will yield funds raised for Elm of over $3,500-. WOW!!!!! Thank you Ms. Lora for all you did to make this possible!!!
Art News from Ms. Farrell
We are off to a creative start in the art room at Elm Hill. We have opened up the drawing, sculpture and painting centers. The collage center will be the next center to open up. In our art studio classroom we learn about artistic behaviors—generating ideas, setting up our workspace, learning new skills, creating and reflecting on our work. The child is the artist and they make artistic choices about the materials they use and what they make. The teacher offers guidance, suggestions, resources, and demonstrations for supplies and tools.
Choice Based art education:
Allows students to choose topics and materials for exploration
Provides relevant and brief instruction
Covers a broad range of topics in art history, techniques, and materials
Creates a collaborative learning environment
Optimizes students' intrinsic motivation to learn
Fosters artistic behaviors: creativity, innovation, independence, decision making, perseverance, problem-solving and reflection
Health Office
A big “Welcome” to all Elm Hill families!
Health and Safety Guidelines: ❤️🩹 Conditions that indicate that a student should stay home include:
A child should stay home if he/she has had any of the following 12-15 hours before school:
Fever (100.4 F or greater)
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Profuse runny nose
Persistent Cough
Pink Eye
Open, infected sores (such as impetigo) which cannot be covered
Blister-like rash
**2024-2025 Student Handbook
For more in depth coverage regarding health and safety guidelines, please refer to pages 5-6 of the Student Handbook.
Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease: There have been several cases of this disease reported.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is not serious, but is very contagious. It is a very common illness that occurs in daycare centers and schools. Symptoms include: a fever and flu-like illness 3-5 days after contracting the virus; mouth sores, and a rash, (red, flat lesions, some that include a white center) usually of the mouth, hands, and feet. The disease usually lasts 7-10 days. If you suspect that your child has Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, it is best to have your child seen by the primary health care provider prior to returning to school. Good handwashing is one way to prevent the spread of this virus.
Here is a link with some additional information from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control):
https://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/index.html
Updated COVID-19 Guidance 😷 :
The VT Department of Health has recently issued updates for COVID. Briefly, if someone tests positive for COVID, he should be at home for 24 hours and return to work/school if fever-free x24 hours without using fever-reducing medications, and symptoms are improving overall. VDH also recommends wearing a mask for 5 days after testing positive to prevent the spread of the virus. For more in- depth updated COVID-19 information, see https://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/covid-19/covid-19-symptoms-treatment.
If you are in need of a COVID-19 test kit, please contact me or Alanna Parker, new Elm Hill Health Secretary, at 802-885-5314 or 802-885-5315. These tests are good until 3/25. Other sources of COVID-19 test kits include pharmacies , health care providers, the Springfield Public Library, as well as several other sources. See: https://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/covid-19/covid-19-testing for more information. The VT Department of Health encourages testing if you or anyone in your family develop any symptoms of COVID-19, even if you have previously tested positive for COVID-19
**COVID-19 tests can be ordered once again from the federal government at the end of September; 4 tests per household.**
Immunization Records 💉: A big “Thank you” to all Kindergarten families who have submitted immunization records for their students. If you were informed that your student was in need of receiving any immunizations last year and has received them, please submit a copy of the updated immunization record to Nurse Mary. She will once again be checking student’s immunization records this Fall. If you have been informed by a health care provider that your child has a medical condition that does not enable your student to receive a vaccination or vaccinations, or you choose your student not to receive immunizations because of religious beliefs, contact the Elm Hill Health Office at 802-885-5314 or 802-885-5315 and a specific form will be sent home or mailed to you. It would be appreciated if these special forms could be completed and returned in a timely manner. Thank you for your cooperation!
The VT Department of Health recommends everyone 6 months and older receive one dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine if it has been at least 2 months since your last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
Medications 💊: For safety reasons, (at this age level) it is requested that any medications, either prescription or over-the-counter, be transported to and from school by a trusted adult. Thank you!
Dental Care Has Returned! 🦷🪥: Lisa Watson, Dental Hygienist is once again providing dental cleanings/care for those students who have received permission from parents/guardians. Lisa began to provide services the week of 9/23. She will be visiting Kindergarten classes soon.
Vision Screenings for All Kindergarten and First Grade Classes (Pediavision) 👁️/👓: All Kindergarten and First Grade students are eligible to receive free vision screenings from our local Lions Club. Trained volunteers from the Lions Club will be at Elm Hill School on Wednesday, October 16th and Thursday, October 17th, to screen students using the Pediavision machine. This process does not involve medications, and is a very quick procedure. Participants sit in a chair and look at a device for approximately 1 minute or less. It is a great tool that screens for several different visual conditions. Letters will be sent home with all Kindergarten and First Grade students very soon. If you wish your student not to participate, it is best to send a brief note at the bottom of this letter and return it to the Health Office before 10/16. If your student does not pass the vision screening, a letter will be mailed home. Thanks very much! (The VT Department of Health and Agency of Education require vision and hearing screenings for all K and first grade students.)
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.” Thanks very much!
Clothing Donations: We would appreciate any girls leggings and both girls and boys sweatpants, sizes 5T- 14. Thanks very much!
Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and safe Fall! 🍁
Warmly,
Nurse Mary