December 6, 2007

A Letter from Ms. Heffron December 6, 2007

Having snow is fantastically fun here at school. District personnel plow the blacktop for safety and the snow is pushed into large piles at the edge of the fields. Endless fun ensues with the possibilities for building forts/structures, snow chairs and otter-like slides. Students of all ages join in, with students in successive recesses adding to buildings that were started by others.

To maximize snow fun and safety, and to help students smoothly transition back to learning after recesses, the following procedures are in place:

• Students in all grades must wear boots and snowpants to leave the blacktop. This includes going to the play equipment areas. Boots and snowpants provide protection and reduce the chances that students will come back in with wet pants or socks, both of which distract from learning.
• Structures can be built. There is to be no active stealing of snow balls/boulders allowed between groups/structures.
• No one owns a structure. All are community property to be shared.
• No tunnels are allowed for safety reasons.
• Sliding down the snow hills is ok, feet first only.
• King of the Hill is not allowed because of the danger resulting from the pushing.
• No throwing snowballs. Anyone who does is sent immediately to the office. The student spends the next recess in the office. If repeat offenses, students will lose recesses for several days.

If you have a chance to stop or drive by during lunch recesses, you will see even from afar the loads of fun that students have outside during the winter. Scholarship funding for outerwear is available for families in need. Contact me directly if you would like to be considered.

Our Winter Festival Concert is a week away! The all-school concert will be held on Friday, December 14 at 9:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. All-day kindergarteners and 1st-5th grade students will perform at both concerts. Morning K4 and K5 classes will perform @ 9:45am. Afternoon K4 and K5 classes will perform @ 1:30pm. To accommodate all parents and visitors, please try to attend the concert at your designated time:

• Families with last names beginning A-M, please try to attend the 9:45 a.m. performance. Families with morning kindergarteners should attend this performance.
• Families with last names beginning N-Z, please try to attend the 1:30 p.m. performance. Families with afternoon kindergarteners should attend this performance.

Of course, if the designated time does not work with your schedule, please attend the performance that will work best for your family. The gymnasium doors will open for audience members 45 minutes prior to each performance. The gymnasium doors will open at 9:00 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. for the performances.

We look forward to seeing you at the Winter Festival concert on December 14th!

Notes:

• PTO Cougar Callers (the Cumberland telephone directory) were distributed to PTO members last week through Thursday folders. If you did not receive a Caller and you think you should have please direct questions to PTO Membership Chair, Beth Matkom by calling 967-9770 or by email ematkom@wi.rr.com. Also, if you are a PTO member and have not received a district calendar please contact Beth as well.
• Late Start for students: December 12^th. All students begin class at 9:15
• Reminder: December 7^th is a half day for students. Dismissal at 11:50