We hope this weekend's update finds you well.

This Monday we have a special STEM challenge day planned for all grade levels. Some of these challenges include: Tallest Tower, Great Chain Race, What Can You Build With 3 Things, Teddy Bear Bridge, and Airplanes. Feel free to ask your children about their grade level's challenge. We will share highlights via Twitter and next weekend's update.

Valentine's Day parties are this Wednesday, February 12th. All classroom parties will take place at varying times during the afternoon (1:15 PM to 3:35 PM) with the exception of morning Kindergarten. We appreciate all our PTA Room Reps and assigned party volunteers for planning and supporting these celebrations. As a reminder, if your children are bringing Valentine's Day greetings for all their classmates, they cannot have any candy or food attached or accompanying them.

Students have a shortened attendance week with Parent-Teacher conferences on Thursday and Friday. We emailed this letter (click on link) back in January with all teachers' conference sign up links. Conference sign up links will close this Monday 2/10 at 12:00 PM. Conferences provide teachers and parents another valuable opportunity to discuss each child’s progress. Teachers frequently have several conferences back to back, as do some of our parents with more than one child. Keeping schedules on time always requires the effort and cooperation of teachers and parents alike. We thank you in advance for arriving on time and understanding when teachers need to end a conference to remain on schedule.

We look forward to seeing many of you this week! We appreciate your ongoing support and partnership.

Sincerely,

Piper Boston, Principal @PrincipalBoston

Lindsay Anastacio, Assistant Principal @lindzana

Congratulations to all our students and families who participated in this year's fair. There were many wonderful projects. We were so impressed by all that this learning experience and event offers the children. It happens with a great deal of family and community support. Here is the list of all our participants! Our Twitter page includes more highlights from the evening!

Many thanks to all who supported last week's Windsor PTA Book Fair. It is not only a fun opportunity to pair families and teachers with books, it is also a valued fundraiser helping our PTA to support Windsor Elementary School in various ways. Families can still purchase books online through February 14th. https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/homepage.do?method=homepage&url=windsor

Please be sure to label your children's snow gear as best as possible, including the bag they use to carry them. It is helpful to always send children to school carrying their own bags instead of dropping them off to the office. However, we definitely need bags to be clearly labeled and identified if you do need to deliver them to the front office.

During the month of February, the children are encouraged to "Move More", "Be Kind", and "Be Ready!" We will be doing fun activities all month to reinforce and promote those three things. Families can also get involved by registering on the site and checking out the different features. http://www2.heart.org/goto/windsor25 Families can choose their challenge. Donations are optional. There are many different ways for children and families to participate, learn, and give back.

Registration is open for the 9th Annual ABC/25 Get Burbed Challenge on April 25, 2020! Choose the 5K or 1 mile and walk or run with friends and neighbors who are coming together to raise funds for the ABC/25 Foundation. All proceeds are put directly back into our schools and classrooms through teacher grants for innovative teaching methods and materials. Register by March 22nd to receive early registration perks including a $5 discount on the entry fee, a guaranteed race t-shirt and the option to have your race packet delivered to your D25 school. REGISTER HERE!

Nominating Committee Needed - We are in search of several people to serve on our nominating committee, which is forming now. The Nominating Committee is elected for the sole purpose of seeking qualified individuals to become the nominees for each office to be filled in the upcoming year. The time commitment for this committee is very flexible, so it's a great opportunity to get involved. Contact Heather Lepold <heatherlepold@gmail.com> and/or Lauren Stump <lstump10@gmail.com>.

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• FEB 10 - Green Team Meeting, LMC, during lunch recess.
  
• FEB 12 - Classroom Valentine Parties
• FEB 13 & 14 - Spring Conferences (PTA provides Teacher Dinner on Thurs)
• FEB 18 - Club/Group Yearbook Pictures
• FEB 25 - PTA Board & Committee Meeting, 9:10 AM

Our District 25 Parent-Student Handbook is always shared as part of each year's online registration process. Typically, we will highlight sections throughout the school year. Here is a link for families to reference anytime. https://www.sd25.org/cms/lib/IL01904427/Centricity/Domain/24/2019-2020%20-%20UPDATED%207-23%20936am.pdf

We value our Windsor community that is strengthened by diversity, inclusion, and a growth mindset.

• We believe in a kind, safe and responsible community because our students are important.
• We believe in designing lessons that promote inquiry, academic risk taking, and flexible thinking.
• We believe in supporting cultural, emotional, social, and academic diversity.
• We believe in working collaboratively as a school community for continuous improvement in a trusting environment.