Munhall Bulletin
February 12, 2021
Munhall Elementary School
Email: heather.miller@d303.org
Website: http://munhall.d303.org/
Location: 1400 South 13th Avenue
Phone: 331-228-2600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Munhall-Elementary-1459358344296891/
Twitter: @MunhallD303
Principal Note
One Book, One Munhall—Companion Read Aloud on Sundays!!!
We are coming to the conclusion of week 2 of our One Book, One Munhall novel, Charlotte’s Web! As a reminder, weekends are used for families to catch-up on any reading that may have been missed during the week.
Also, I was thrilled to see fifteen Munhall families join us last Sunday for our Zoom Family Read-Aloud of the companion book, Some Writer! Mrs. Dainko and Mrs. Kaye from the LRC are reading this book aloud each Sunday in February at 4:00 pm. Here is the Zoom link for Sunday’s virtual read-aloud: Sunday, February 14th Read Aloud Link
Friendship Parties
All Munhall students will be engaging in Friendship Parties to end their day today. I have been impressed with how creative our classrooms have been in celebrating within our current safety guidelines. The focus of our celebrations is Friendship and Community. Above all, this afternoon marks a time when our classrooms can take a collective exhale and enjoy each other’s company!
Human Growth Development—5th Grade Parents
Each year our 5th grade students engage in learning around human growth and development. Please see the note below from the D303 nurses, which shares information about the curriculum, helpful links for parents, as well as insight on how the content will be delivered in order to adhere to COVID safety guidelines:
Your child is scheduled to participate in the Fifth Grade Human Growth Development program entitled Always Changing® Fifth-Grade Puberty Education Program during the following dates February 16-19, 2021. This presentation will be completed virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. This presentation includes a narrated slide presentation and a short video followed by an opportunity for students to submit their questions to the Elementary Certified School Nurses. The boys and girls’ programs are similar in content but presented separately. This virtual program is presented and facilitated by your building School Nurses.
The Always Changing® Program meets Illinois State Standards and is based on national research and consultation with school nurses, health educators, parents, fifth-grade students and medical professionals. It is designed to provide fifth-grade students with a broad overview of the beginning stages of puberty and will cover:
- The physical and emotional changes experienced during puberty with an emphasis on these changes as a normal part of growth and development
- The physiology of changing bodies and correct terminology for parts of the reproductive system
- Personal hygiene as each individual’s responsibility
- In addition, The Always Changing – Girls Program will highlight:
- The menstrual cycle and feminine hygiene products
- What to expect during a menstrual period
- How to manage your menstrual period while continuing with normal activities
We believe that students will leave with a positive understanding about the puberty experience. Upon completion of this program students should also be able to identify the major components of the reproductive system and explain ways they can take care of themselves to stay healthy during this important developmental stage.
Students often have questions about topics that are not included in the 5th grade Human Growth and Development program. These questions are acknowledged, but deferred to parents for further discussion and explanation. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to talk to your son or daughter about the changes that accompany puberty.
We invite you to preview this program by going to https://www.pgschoolprograms.com/Educators and selecting For Educator or For Parents in the drop down menu. The videos we will present are the updated versions (not the original versions) of Always Changing – Boys and Always Changing – Girls. There are many downloadable materials available on the PG School Programs website to help assist you in providing a better understanding for your child.
As a parent, you have the right to request that your child not participate in this presentation. If after previewing the information you would prefer your child not participate, please let your elementary principal know by Friday February 12, 2021. The following page contains a list of principal emails.
Sincerely,
St. Charles CUSD#303 Certified School Nurses
Calendar Change—March 25th
March 25th will be a full day for elementary students (8:00am-1:40pm). Originally, this date was scheduled as a half-day in order for elementary teachers to conduct spring parent-teacher conferences.
President’s Day—NO School on Monday
There is no school on Monday in observance of President’s Day.
Have a wonderful three-day weekend and Happy Valentine’s Day on Sunday!
Jarrod Buxton, Principal
Nurses Corner
Well it’s February in Illinois which means it is going to be very, cold especially this next week.
I have included a links for information on cold weather safety, frostbite and hypothermia below. Please remember to dress you children in layers next week. Please make sure to sign the luggage tag and complete the online self-certification form daily. We want to be able to get the children indoors quickly.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Cold-Weather-Safety.aspx
https://www.cdc.gov/cpr/documents/hypothermia-frostbite_508.pdf