Windham Elementary School Newsletter

December 11, 2020

Habits of Mind: “Safe, Responsible, Respectful, Ready to Learn”

Meadows Bee Farm

We are excited to announce that our Windham students will begin to work with Meadows Bee Farm Young Farmers Program. Although due to Covid-19 we still will not participate at the farm directly, they have come up with a Sewing Badge that the students will work on.  Each student will have three projects they will complete to earn their badge. We are so grateful for Meadows Bee Farm for finding a way to keep the partnership going with WES, now entering the sixth year.

Extra Layers

Please consider having your student bring in a sweatshirt or sweater to leave here at school for the days when they find that the school temperature is not warm enough for a t-shirt or the item of clothing they decided to wear that day. Each student has a cubby or a hook that they can use to place this extra item of clothing. 

Winter Weather Tips

Here we are at the beginning of winter weather! The fresh snowfall is so beautiful and fun to play in, however, being prepared to stay safe during these cold, brutal months will help us all endure and survive the winter. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have published tips to help us stay safe during winter.

What to wear

• Dress infants and children warmly for outdoor activities. Layers work well and will help keep children dry and warm. Warm socks, boots, gloves, mittens, warm coat, snow pants, and a hat.

• The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions. 

• Blankets, quilts, pillows, bumpers, sheepskins, and other loose bedding should be kept out of the infant’s sleeping environment because these items have been associated with suffocation deaths. 

Frostbite

• Frostbite happens when the skin and outer tissues become frozen. This occurs most often in fingers, toes, noses, ears, and exposed skin. The area will become pale, gray, blistered and will hurt, or become numb.

• If Frostbite occurs bring the child indoors and place the frostbitten parts in warm water (100 degrees F).

• Do NOT rub the area-this will further damage delicate tissues

• After a few minutes, dry and cover the child with clothing or blankets-give them something warm to drink.

• If numbness or discoloration continues, call your PCP.

Hypothermia

• Hypothermia develops when a child’s temperature falls below normal due to exposure to colder temperatures. 

• Shivering may set in, the child may become lethargic and clumsy. Speech may be impacted and be slurred

• If you suspect hypothermia take the child indoors, remove any wet clothing, wrapped in blankets and warm clothing, and call 911.

There is great information on the CDC.gov website search Preparing for a Winter Storm, and https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/AAP-Winter-Safety-Tips.aspx. 

Upcoming December Dates

December 16 - Remote Learning Day

December 23 - Remote Learning Day

December 24-January 1st - Holiday Break

Upcoming January Dates

January 1 - New Year’s Day - No School

January 4 - School resumes after Holiday Break

January 6 - Remote Learning Day 

January 13 - Remote Learning Day 

January 18 - No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 20 - Remote Learning Day

January 25 - Teacher Inservice Day - No School - Report Cards

January 26 - Teacher Inservice Day