Reardan Weekly
12.10.22
Creating Meaningful Moments? Superintendent Eric Sobotta
The time together is going to fly by, so I'm here to ask a question - What are the meaningful moments you want to make time for this year?
When my three kids were younger, I remember them squealing in delight as they watched the Norad Santa Tracker bring Santa closer and closer to us on Christmas Eve. (I highly recommend this app - it motivates kids to get into bed early!) Now that my kids are teens, our traditions have changed but the time together is still precious.
Without intentionally setting aside time for traditions and meaningful moments, it's easy to let the days of winter break slide into lots of tech time - whether it's gaming, phone time or streaming movies. Don't get me wrong - there's nothing wrong with tech time if it's in moderation or done as a family. The problem is when it's isolating and excessive. When there are five family members sitting on the couch "together" but each watching their own entertainment for hours - it's isolating and lonely.
Even if they roll their eyes or complain, your kids will benefit from some non-tech time built into their days.
So , how will you help your family make tech the side dish and not the main course?
A few ideas:
· Make family meals at the table a sacred, no-device time
· Plan outings and leave phones behind
· Read a story together (yes, even for teens!)
· Play charades (soooo many kids don't know how to play this yet!)
· Plan gaming time or phone time into parts of the day, but then put them away
· Scatter non-tech activities like board games, books and art supplies around the house
· Put phones on the table and create a "penalty" for whoever picks up their phone first. (One group of teens who tried this decided whoever picked up their phone first should pay for ALL the coffees!)
Middle School Highlights
Parents, please remember to come to our Winter Concert next Wednesday, December 14th at 7 pm in the HS Gym. We are excited to showcase our students’ hard work and effort this year with band. Mr. Goodman has been working on some really fun arrangements and we would love to see you there!
Students really enjoyed their November recognition assembly. We celebrated 34 students who made the “scholar’s list” with a first quarter gpa of 3.7 to 4.0 and 70 students who made honor roll with a gpa of 3.3 to 3.69! We also celebrated students who turned out for fall and winter sports and students who returned their conference passports to the office.
Mid-Quarter grades will post on Tuesday, December 13th and we will print and hand out mid-quarter grade reports on Wednesday, December 14th. Look for these progress reports from your student, OR check Skyward for an updated list of grades and missing assignments. We will end our first semester of school on Friday, January 27th, so students have a little time to bring up those grades that will go in their permanent files. Please reach out to individual teachers if you have any questions or concerns about grades. We appreciate working with all of you to help our students succeed.
High School Book Club
Upcoming Events for HS Students in the 101st Innovation Center
Mario Cart Tournament - Sign up in Innovation Center
- Yarn and Tea - Tuesday December 13th 3-4 Bring your Knitting or Crochet and relax. Tea and snacks provided.
- Book Club - Sign up with Andrea to get a copy of this months book
Elementary Highlights
The Elementary Winter Concert is scheduled for Dec. 14th! 3rd and 4th grade students will have their concert in the Smith Gym at 2:00 p.m. Parents are welcome to attend. If you plan on taking your student home after the concert, please sign them out with their teachers in the gym. They will have sign out sheets available.
The 5th and 6th grade concert will be in conjunction with the middle/high school at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Gym. Look for an email from the band teacher regarding appropriate dress.
Our next Fun Friday is December 16th; red and green or ugly sweater day. Start planning your sweaters soon. Parents, information regarding holiday parties/celebrations should be, or have already gone home with your student. If you haven’t received any information, please reach out to your students’ teacher.
With the weather turning cold and snowy, please have your children dressed appropriately for the weather. Also, please check the lost and found for any missing items.
Picture caption:
Reading Intervention Fun in Mrs. Steege’s classroom
Security Update - Director of Security, Brad Eylar
I am excited to announce Reardan Edwall School District has now partnered with Intrado and is launching our new emergency management app, Safety Shield. This is an awesome new technology we are going to use which will increase student safety. This will increase our communication, effectiveness, and preparedness for things like medical emergencies, threats, natural disasters, power outages, fire evacuation, etc... This tool will allow us better coordination and communication with local first responders.
High School Highlights
Reardan High School Honor Roll 1st Quarter
We had 17 students earn 4.0 for the fall quarter. An additional 76 students earned honor roll status by having a gpa of 3.3-3.9
Students Helping Neighbors
High School Counselor Matt Ballance got a call from a neighbor needing help digging out after the last snowstorm. Mr. Ballance took a group of students to help clean the snow. Thank you Mr. Ballance and students for helping out our community
Respiratory Illnesses Update - Nurse, Shannon Landt
As many of you know, there has been a rise in recent months of the respiratory illnesses, Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Covid-19. The symptoms of these viruses can be very similar but it's important to be able to recognize the subtle differences and know when to seek treatment if needed. Please see the comparison form attached here and also the signs and symptoms to recognize chart as to when to seek emergency care. If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to call your primary care physician for advice.
It is also important during this cold and flu season to recognize the following prevention strategies and to implement good hand washing techniques at home and in public places to minimize transmission of these illnesses.
- Stay home when you are sick
- Frequently WASH YOUR HANDS
- Cover your cough
- Stay up to date on recommended Covid and Flu vaccines
- If you are sick, stay away from infants and elderly that can have more serious consequences to these illnesses.
Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season. Please call with any questions.
Thank you!
Shannon