November 6, 2020

From the Elementary Principal

The holiday season is going to be here very soon.  With the onset of the holidays comes the winter weather that can cause school delays and closings.  The school district always tries to make a call on the school day by 5:45 a.m.  Please make sure you have alternative arrangements to have your children picked up for school if there is a delay.  Also make sure you have alternative drop-off arrangements for your child if we have an emergency early dismissal.  Planning ahead is the best way the school can get your children to school and home from school safe and sound.

Also with the change in weather please make sure that your child has appropriate outdoor recess clothing/gear.  Here are the guidelines for outdoor recess:

Dress
Snow-pants must be worn when snow is present or students must stay on the cement.

Students must follow the temperature guidelines as follows:

• 65-55: Long sleeves strongly recommended
• 54-50: Long sleeves required/coat recommended
• 49 and below: Coat, hat, and gloves required

Boots must be worn when mud and snow is present or students must stay on the cement.

I extend all of you my best for a great Thanksgiving Holiday and weekend.

School Picture Information

 NOW Elementary will be receiving a donation from Lands End of winter clothing for kids. If you are in need, please let Dr. Luebke or the elementary office know and we will try to accommodate

Book Fair Information

Even though we are having virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences and you won’t be in the building, we are still having our book fair –  ONLINE! You’re invited to shop our Scholastic Book Fair online from    November 2 - 15! All purchases benefit our school and connect kids with new books, favorite characters, complete series, and more. You’ll love the NEW option to shop for Book Fair exclusives directly from the interactive booklist and enjoy these special online shopping features:

 Over 6,000 items, including new releases, best sellers, and value packs

 All orders ship direct to home

 FREE shipping on book-only orders over $25*

 All purchases support our school and earn 25% in rewards

Visit our Book Fair Homepage and click “Shop Now” to get started:

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/norwalkontariowiltones2 

Mrs. Schmitz

From the School Nurse

I am happy to report that we have completed required screenings for the year for elementary students and sealants for 4K- 8th grade for a record number of students! Routine wellness screenings and care is still so very important to continue and should not be skipped during this time.  Frequently following Halloween, I tend to see many more sick students in the health office. Now more than ever it is so important to work to boost up your immune system. Here are some ideas for the whole family:

1. Choose seasonal fruits and vegetables. A balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, vitamin C and antioxidants helps boost your immune system and prevent disease.
2. Enjoy immune boosting super foods. Eat a wide variety of fresh foods for a good balance of gut bacteria including: whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, leafy green vegetables, kale, onions, garlic, asparagus and berries.
3. Moderate exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking can help boost the immune system.
4. Exercise outdoors if possible. Any dose of the sun and nature does wonders for the immune system. Vitamin D can also be taken as a supplement for an immune boost. Ask a health professional if you have questions on dosing. 
5. Exercise even when you don’t feel like it! It strengthens the immune system and helps us create “happy” hormones and lower cortisol, the stress hormone.
6. Use deep breathing to stimulate lymph flow. Lymph nodes are the body’s first line of defense against disease. Breathing is directly related to lymph flow and lymph flow is directly related to immunity. Breathe with your diaphragm.
7. Get enough rest. Elementary school aged children should get 9-11 hours of sleep per night.
8. Rethink breakfast. How much sugar is your child getting? It should be less than 10 grams. Read labels. This will help kids avoid an energy drop. 
9. Keep in touch with friends and family. Loneliness and depression have negative effects on the immune system. Facetime and phone calls are safe ways to visit. We should all be making more phone calls.
10. 10. Make lasting lifestyle changes, not quick fixes. Establish good healthy habits. 
       Please continue to follow our guidelines of masking, distancing and handwashing given to us by the health department, and keep your child home if they are sick. This includes siblings, too. Please contact me if you have symptoms to report, questions or concerns. My email is cpeterson@now.k12.wi.us. Also, feel free to call me anytime at the school.

Reducing the transmission of COVID-19 in schools and their surrounding communities hinges on carefully following the recommended school exclusion criteria. We understand the challenges that isolation and quarantine can place on families and schools, but the challenges will be even greater if the recommended steps are not taken to control transmission in schools. People with symptoms of COVID-19 and people who test positive must be isolated as quickly as possible, and their close contacts must be identified and quarantined to minimize additional spread of the virus. Failing to control transmission in schools could increase transmission, potentially affecting how schools deliver curriculum and leading to increased hospitalizations in the surrounding communities.For more information refer to DHS’s Returning to School After COVID-19: Information for Parents and Guardians.

Emergency School Closings

Please listen to the following TV and Radio Stations if inclement weather comes our way. 
School is usually delayed or cancelled no later than 6:45 a.m.

Television

WXOW TV 19                    WKBT TV 8

Radio

WCOW 97.1 FM               WIZM 93.3 FM

WVRQ 102 FM                  WBOG 94.5 FM