Playground time can be a matter of debate before we head outside this time of the year. Now that it is getting warmer, the kids do not want to bundle up in heavy winter coats during recess. If they have a spring jacket or sweatshirt they can leave here during the week to wear on warm days they will be more comfortable running around. It is also very important that they have boots or outside shoes. Thank you.

Notice: The children have finished or are almost finished with their poetry books. We would like to have the kids share some of their poems next Friday, April 7. Please join us for a potluck breakfast at 8:00AM, followed by a poetry reading. We should be done by 9:00AM.

Graduation for Windham Elementary will be Thursday, June 15^th. Mark it on your calendar.

The week of April 10th, local artist Christine Mix is here working with students on the history of the town of Windham.    We have inserted a few paragraphs from Wikipedia about Windham: Windham was part of Londonderry until after 1792 and was "duly organized" in 1796. The first settler of what was to become the village was Benjamin Pierce circa 1783. Pierce was from Westmoreland, New Hampshire.^[3]Being such a small and dispersed mountain village, relatively few men from Windham served with the Union Army during the Civil War. Windham County itself contributed heavily to manning the 4th Vermont Infantry and most of the village's sons joined either Company C or K of that regiment. The 4th regiment saw heavy combat throughout the war.^[4] One of Windham's soldiers, Captain Charles G. Gould of Company H, 5th Vermont Infantry, won the Medal of Honor for bravery under fire.

I dropped a line to The Grafton Nature Museum to see what was happening during April vacation week: For those of you who have never been, it is a great experience.  Every program is very well planned and executed. If you do go, allow yourself and the children time to putter around downstairs and upstairs.  There is so much to see!!

• Fall in step with the unhurried pace of nature with The Nature Museum! Find simple ways to relax and recharge at these colorful events while engaging with fantastic speakers and kindred spirits. We are dedicated to providing programs for everyone, from preschoolers to adults, related to biology, earth science and natural history. Most importantly, the museum fosters discovery-learning programs to engage people in the wonders of nature and develop more earth stewards. As such, the museum is delighted to offer multiple programs in April. The Museum will be open from Tuesday, April 18 through Friday, April 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more info and to register in advance, please visit: www.nature-museum.org or call 802-843-2111.
• Sat. 4.15.17: Earth Day Party: Mike Clough from The Southern Vermont Natural History Museum presents “VT Wildlife & Working Landscape” 10am @The Grafton Inn, Phelps Barn, Grafton. For families and kids 6 and up. Adults $8 advance/$10 door, kids free. Enjoy a multi-media program complete with live music and live wild animals! Discover how the history of farming and forestry has changed the landscape and the species that live on it. Savor some Earth Day cake before exploring The Nature Museum’s exhibits and interactive displays.
• Tues. 4.18.17: Earth Day is Every Day: Join our Environmental Educator for hands-on pro-planet activities, nature games and creative eco-art. “Fur, Feather & Bones” @11 a.m. For families, by donation.
• Wed. 4.19.17: Earth Day is Every Day: Join our Environmental Educator for hands-on pro-planet activities, nature games and creative eco-art. “Blabbing About Birds and Talking About Turkeys” @11 am. For families. By donation.
• Thur. 4.20.17: Earth Day is Every Day: Join our Environmental Educator daily for hands-on pro-planet activities, nature games and creative eco-art. “Now You See Me, Now You Don’t” @ 10am–11:30am. For preschoolers and families. $5