Due to the unexpected days off, report cards will not be coming home on Friday. The district has decided that all report cards will be sent home on Monday. Thank you for understanding.

Good news is heading our way next week! We were pleased that our Board of Education approved the Elementary Physical Education teachers to return. Mrs. Schenker and Mr. W will be teaching all the gym classes beginning next week. Please make sure your child wears tennis shoes on their gym day. Some classes have changed their assigned day due to scheduling conflicts. Wednesday: Mrs Hay, Mrs Resch, and Mrs. Metzger. Thursday: Kindergarten Friday: Mrs. Hoover, 2nd Grade, and 4th Grade.

Mrs Wittenauer's 2nd graders were busy with an activity to conclude their latest Reading story. The students read a folktale about a tiger called Nine-in-One Grr...Grr. They learned facts about Siberian tigers, such as they can grow up to 9 feet long and 4 feet tall. The tiger they made was about 7.5 feet long and one that I would not like to see walking through our hallways!!

I always enjoy sharing good news. Last night, I picked up new basketball rims and nets for our school's gym. A huge "Thank You" to the anonymous Poland resident who donated these basketball items. It is just another example of a Random Act of Kindness. I shared this news with the students and explained ways for them to "pay it forward" in their own act of kindness. It is about treating others kindly and not about receiving the acknowledgement for your kind act.

Tonight at 6:30 is our January PTO meeting. We will be discussing the upcoming Book Fair and re-capping our Winter Fest. We look forward to seeing everyone!

We have been discussing our monthly Character Trait during our morning announcements. The month of January focuses on "Determination". As one of our students explains: "Not giving up when you are in the middle of doing something." The students gave many examples of how they showed determination. Some included: learning how to ride a bike, rollerskating, and multiplication facts. I shared a story of a girl today who showed her determination to go to college after she had an accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down. Not only did she attend college, but graduated from Harvard University. Tonight at dinner would be a great time to share your own determination success stories with your child.

Happy New Year! Today we spoke about all the outdoor activities the kids did over break. Many enjoyed sledding, building a fort, and even having snowball fights! Unfortunatley, the students did not go outside for recess due to the cold weather. The temperature, with the wind chill, has to be above 20 degrees. Please keep in mind, that when the temperature is above 20, we will be going outside and the students need to dress for the weather. If you want them to wear boots, I would suggest they bring those in a seperate bag as to not get their papers and folder wet. Our 4th Grade has been introducing the 3rd graders to our indoor Bulldog Fitness Trail. Please ask your child about this if they are in the upper grades.