Dreamer News December 18th
Findley Elementary School - 2020-2021
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Principal's Post
Winter Wonderland
It’s winter! What do you notice outside? What do you wonder when you look at the sky? First grade students are noticing patterns and movement in the sky while they are learning about the sun, moon, and stars.
Monday, December 21 is a special time in the sky. This day is called the winter solstice, when the Northern hemisphere is tilted farthest away from the sun and appears low in the sky. Go outside at noon and notice your shadow. It will be the longest shadow you cast the entire year! December 21 is also known as the shortest day of the year because the least amount of sunlight reaches our part of the world. The good news is that every day after the winter solstice will be a little longer, until we reach the day with the most hours of daylight. Called the summer solstice, it occurs around June 21.
This year’s winter solstice brings us not only the shortest day and longest night, but also a rare and exciting event in the night sky. It’s called the Jupiter and Saturn Great Conjunction! Think of Jupiter and Saturn orbiting our sun like runners in different lanes on the North High oval track. As Jupiter and Saturn travel in their own orbits, they will appear to be in the same spot before they pass each other in the sky. Even though they will be the closest they’ve been in centuries, Jupiter and Saturn will still be hundreds of millions of miles apart.
Step outside this winter break. Choose a sunny day at noon or a clear night just after sunset. What do you notice? What do you wonder?
Winter Break Dates
NO SCHOOL for Winter Break December 23 - 31.
Classes will resume on January 4.
Virtual Learning Extended
Mr. Miller's Message
Health Update with Nurse Lori
Everyone Can Make Winter Break Safe
Wear a mask
- Wear a mask with two or more layers to stop the spread of COVID-19 to protect others and yourself.
- Wear your mask over your nose and mouth, secure it under your chin, and make sure it fits snugly against the sides of your face.
- Wear a mask indoors and outdoors.
- In cold weather, wear your mask under your scarf, ski mask, or balaclava.
- Keep a spare mask in case your mask becomes wet from moisture in your breath or from snow or rain
- Indoors or outdoors, you are more likely to get or spread COVID-19 when you are in close contact with others for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
- Remember that people without symptoms or with a recent negative test result can still spread COVID-19 to others.
- As much as possible, avoid crowds and indoors spaces that do not offer fresh air from the outdoors. If indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible.
- The flu shot can help protect you and your family, friends, and community from getting and spreading flu.
- By getting a flu shot, you can also help lower hospital visits and serious health problems from flu.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing and before eating.
- Make sure to dry your hands completely using a clean towel or by air drying.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your mask, eyes, nose, and mouth.
Kindergarten Dental Health
Dental health is an important part of overall health, and regular dental screenings/care can help with early detection of problems.
Iowa requires all students in kindergarten to submit proof of a dental screening. In a normal year, we help out with this process by bringing the Smile Squad into school to screen students. However, with schools affected by the pandemic we have not been able to screen in the usual ways.
If have not already submitted a screening for your kindergarten student, please do so now. Our audit will be in early January. Any dentist you have seen within the last couple of years can complete the form on your behalf (see attached). They may email the finished copy to lori.griffith@dmschools.org or fax it to (515) 323-8617.
If you have difficulty accessing or affording dental care for your student or family, please contact our community partner Dental Connections at (515) 244-9136.
Lori Griffith BSN, RN
Nurse
Findley Elementary
lori.griffith@dmschools.org
P-515-242-8407
F-515-323-8617
Next Week's Observances
December 21st-Winter Solstice: Marks the first day of the season of winter. The length of time between sunrise and sunset is the shortest of the year with the sun shining closest to the Southern Hemisphere and the farthest from the Northern Hemisphere.
December 25th- Christmas • Western Christian: Commemorates the birth of Jesus.
December 26th-January 1st: Kwanzaa: A seven-day celebration honoring African American heritage and its continued vitality. “Kwanzaa” means “first fruits (of the harvest)” in Swahili.
December 29th: Wounded Knee Day: On December 29, 1890 more than 200 Lakota Sioux were massacred by U.S. troops at Wounded Knee in South Dakota.
December 31 New Year's Eve: In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve, the last day of the year, is on December 31. In many countries, New Year's Eve is celebrated at evening social gatherings, where many people dance, eat, and have fun!
PTO Virtual Fundraiser Update!
Please bring all PTO FUNDRAISER packet orders to Findley on Thursday December 17 and Friday, December 18. Mrs. Huyser will be at Findley Elementary both days from 7:30 until 3:30 to collect the packets. There will be directions on the school's front door. DO NOT ENTER THE BUILDING. You can call Mrs. Huyser at (515) 371-9834 when you arrive at school for curbside drop-off on Oxford Street. NO ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER DECEMBER 19. All web orders must be entered by the 19th as well. If you cannot be there on those days or if you have any questions, PLEASE CALL MRS. HUYSER. Thank you for understanding and thank you to all families who have been able to support us with this Club's Choice Fundraiser!
Thanks for all of your support!
Updated 12/18 for the Winter Break
No Food Service at the Schools December 23-January 3rd
Food Pantry Updated 12/18 for the Winter Break
Highland Park Community Church
4101 Amherst St, Des Moines, IA 50313
Distribution: Wednesdays- 3:00-6:00pm
Serving families with students at North High School
New Beginnings Discipleship
530 NE 46th Avenue, DSM, 50313
Distribution: Thursdays 4:00-6:00pm (Open December 24th from 12-3pm)
Serving families from Harding Middle School and Findley Elementary School
Harding Middle School
203 E Euclid Ave. DSM, 50313
First and Third Thursdays
4-6pm
Our Lady of Americas
Second and Fourth Tuesdays,
4-6pm
1271 E. 9th St. DSM 50316
Wishing you Safety and Happiness!
Findley Elementary
Website: findley.dmschools.org/
Location: 3025 Oxford Street, Des Moines, IA, USA
Phone: (515) 242-8407
Facebook: facebook.com/findleydmps