THE PRIDE PRESS
Essex Elementary School Newsletter
April 11, 2020
PRINCIPAL NEWS
Over the past several years there has been a bevy of research highlighting the health benefits of gratitude. As the article linked here states, realizing and expressing gratitude helps a person focus on what they have, rather than on what they lack. In times like these (and let’s hope this is the only time like this) it can be especially easy to focus on the struggles and the trials, and lose sight of all that we have to be thankful for. It is in the spirit of gratitude that I am writing the following list of many of the wonderful things in my life:
A healthy and loving family
Being part of two caring communities; one where I live, and one where I work
Living in a place where I can go outside and walk for hours without ever really needing to think about social distancing
The ability to read, which allows me to still travel without leaving home
The amazing group of teachers and staff I am proud to call my colleagues
A leadership team that is second to none
A school community that is deeply invested in the health, safety and education of children
My job, which allows me (someday soon!!) to work and interact with those children on a daily basis
I would encourage each of you to take a few moments at the end of each day to if not write down, at least reflect on what in your day you are thankful for. Though it may feel odd at first, I believe it can eventually become an enriching habit. Thank you for reading this!
CLASSROOM NEWS
Mrs. Rotach's Class
First graders in Ms. Rotach's class have been sharing and solving word problems together.
Here is a video from a first grader. She made a subtraction problem about pine cones.
Great problem solving First Graders!
SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Dear Families,
There is no question that times are uncertain right now. What we have to keep coming back to is that we are ALL doing the best we can and to recognize that feeling anxious about life in this moment is normal. We wanted to share a NY Times article that addresses anxiety in children and some practical ways to help you and your children cope with these feelings. You and your children may also enjoy the “Calm” App which has a “Calm Kids” section filled with simple breathing exercises and calming bedtime stories. May you all continue to be healthy and well.
Kim, Brea & Sarah
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/01/parenting/coronavirus-help-anxious-kid.html
Sarah Buhl: sbuhl@ewsd.org (Mon.-Fri.)
Office Hours 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Mon.-Fri.)
Supports: Acanfora, Clark, Day, Heppner, Robbins, Seligman, Spillane, Synnott, Tracy, Yandell
Brea Heaslip: bheaslip@ewsd.org (Mon., Tues., Thurs. AM)
Office Hours 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Mon., Tues., Thurs.)
Kim Horton: khorton@ewsd.org (Mon. AM, Thurs., Fri.)
Office Hours 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Mon. AM, Thurs., Fri)
Brea and Kim work together to support the following classrooms: Allardyce, Ayers, Badore, Epstein, Little, Meehan, Pariseau, Rotach, Rowley, Thayer, Waldo
CHILD NUTRITION NEWS
HEALTH OFFICE NEWS
Tick season is here!
With warmer weather comes more outside activity and our friends in the brush, ticks.
Be sure to do daily tick checks if you or your children have been outside in the grass, bushes, or woods. Remove ticks right away. Instructions for removal can be found on the Vermont Department of Health link below. Watch for signs and symptoms of lyme disease (fever/chills, rash, headache, joint pain, muscle aches, or fatigue). You do not always see a bulls eye rash. If symptoms occur notify your child’s pediatrician right away so that they can get treated.
Enjoy the beautiful sunshine!
If you have questions, I can be reached at kbullock@ewsd.org
Your EES Nurse,
Kimberly Bullock, BSN,RN
ART
LEARNING CENTER NEWS
Need Books?
Our EES Library has a large collection of electronic books that can be accessed through our library website: www.ewsd.org/eeslibrary Sora is the app through which you can access Overdrive, a large database of audiobooks and ebooks. Students log in with their school username, which is usually their first initial and their last name (but some students have a slightly different username to differentiate from another student in the district). First and second graders might already know theirs (hint: it's not their password, eg. ees123ab). Once logged in, click on the Explore button at the bottom of the page, and use the categories to search for good books to read. If you have any questions, please contact me at cscrimgeour@ewsd.org.
ESSEX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
We take care of each other
We take care of our school
Email: dsturgess@ewsd.org
Website: https://www.ewsd.org/EES
Location: 1 Bixby Hill Road, Essex Junction, VT, USA
Phone: (802)-878-2584