Fall is here and cold and flu season is upon us and we are seeing students with cold and flu symptoms. To prevent the spread of these common viruses in the close confines of the classroom, we are cleaning daily and encouraging handwashing in the class. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines.

Consider keeping your child at home for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:

· Very stuffy or runny nose and/or a cough

· Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)

· Headache

Definitely keep your child at home and consider seeking medical attention if he or she has any of these symptoms:

· Fever (greater than 100 degrees by mouth. Your child may return to school only after his or her temperature has been consistently below 100 degrees, by mouth, for a minimum of 24 hours without medication)

· Vomiting (even once)

· Diarrhea

· Chills

· General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches

· Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough

· Shortness of breath

· Lots of nasal congestion with frequent blowing of nose

To help prevent the flu and other colds, encourage good hygiene habits:

· Wash hands frequently

· Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth

· Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands

· Avoid close contact with people who are sick

The flu shot is one of the best ways to prevent illness from the seasonal influenza virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults and children receive the flu vaccine each year. Yearly flu vaccination is needed because immunity against the flu wears off over time. In addition, the flu virus strains often change, so the vaccine also changes from year-to-year in order to match the flu viruses expected to be circulating in the community.

Mr. McDermott is excited to get our Chess Club up and running again this year. Last year's club had students either learning how to play the game or refining their strategic skills. In both cases, students had a fantastic time!

Chess Club is geared toward interested students in Grades 4, 5, and 6, and the first club meeting is set for Thursday, November 3.

Chess Club Flyer and Sign-up Form

The Reading Games will return for its ninth year on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at O'Neill Middle School. The Reading Games is a fun and friendly reading competition open to District 58 students in grades 3-8.

Start forming teams now! Team and individual registration is open now through Nov. 2. Please click here for general Reading Games information, including team and individual registration links. Visit www.readinggamesdg58.com for detailed information.

The Reading Games also seeks question writer volunteers! Click here to learn more information and to sign up to volunteer.

Many of our students are already brainstorming costume ideas, and it's been fun hearing about so many options.

We are looking forward to hosting Halloween at Belle Aire School, and I have some very general and initial information to share today.

If they so choose, students will be able to wear a costume to school on Monday, October 31. The key to this is that the costumes need to allow the students to participate in classroom activities as they would on a typical day. While costume masks may be worn for the all-school parade, they won't be worn during the school day.

As an alternate option, students can wear part of their costume (sweatpants, shorts, leggings, shirt, etc.) and then slip the remaining pieces of the costume over that later in the day. There will be a very short amount of time to allow this to take place before our parade.

I'm excited to see the final costumes that each student chooses, and I ask for your help in making sure that the choices remain free from references to violence, drugs, and alcohol.

Any desired make-up, hair color, hair spray all need to be applied at home prior to the start of the school day. Any accessory or play weapons (axe, arrows, swords, etc.) that go along with some really great costumes need to stay at home.

The costume parade will be held outside of the school and really makes for some great photo opportunities. Classroom parties are scheduled to take place after the parade, and Mrs. Yoho (THANK YOU) is looking to identify up to four parents to facilitate a party in each classroom. Be on the lookout for information from her, and check the PTA website to volunteer!

As of now, we are planning the parade to start at 1:00 p.m. with classroom parties concluding at 1:45 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, we will have an indoor parade for students/staff only.

District 58 has a rich and diverse population in our learning community. District 58 staff members recognize that many families have different beliefs; and because of religious, cultural, or personal reasons, some families may choose to not be involved in Halloween activities. If you would not like your child(ren) to participate in Halloween activities, please communicate this with your classroom teacher and with me. We will then find an alternative location and activity for your child during the Halloween activities.

StarNet is a great state agency that offers quality professional learning for staff and families, free of charge.

These events are being presented thanks to a generous grant from the TJ Maxx Foundation. Please feel free to join any of the following as your schedule and interest permit.

Understanding Exposures and Extinction Learning

in Selective Mutism

November 9, 2022 - 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

When working with your child with selective mutism, it may help to understand the extinction learning process behind doing speaking exposures so that, as a parent, you can understand how to maximize extinction learning and keep the new learning accessible for your child’s continued growth and generalization of speaking across people, places, and activities.

Presenter: Dr Carmen Lynas

Transforming Aggressive Behaviors [Conscious Discipline]

December 5, 2022- 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

In this workshop you will gain a toolbox of skills necessary to identify, meet, and manage your most difficult children

Presenter: Jill Molli