Walnut Bits and Pieces December 19, 2014 Coming Together..to learn..to grow..to succeed!!

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1 Walnut Bits and Pieces December 19, 2014 Coming Together..to learn..to grow..to succeed!! Lyndsay Marron, Principal Walnut Hills Elementary School th Street, Urbandale, IA Phone: Clint Prohaska, Assistant Principal Fax: ATTENDANCE Phone: DATES TO REMEMBER December 22 nd Jan. 2 nd Winter Break NO SCHOOL January 5 th Classes Resume January 7 th - EARLY DISMISSAL AT 1:40PM January 19 NO SCHOOL January 21st- EARLY DISMISSAL AT 1:40PM Please remember that students go outside for recess every day unless the wind chill is zero or below.

2 Our Walnut Hills family certainly will be spreading LOTS OF JOY throughout the holiday season this year!! Pictured is fifth grade student, Kennedy Walters assisting in gathering up the many gifts. Thank you all for your generosity this year!! Tons and tons of new toys were donated by many Walnut Hills families!! Pictured are Ashlyn Hatch and Ally Scheid packing up many of the presents.1 of 2

3 K-3 Literacy Update for Parents by LYNDSAY MARRON / December 16, 2014 As many of you know, the early literacy legislation, enacted by IACode , requires all school districts in Iowa to administer a universal screening for all K-3 students three times per year. This screening is intended to identify students in need of additional literacy support and requires intervention and progress monitoring for those students. Iowa school districts must use one of the assessment tools approved by the Iowa Department of Education. The Waukee Community School District selected the FAST assessments to meet these requirements. All students in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade take the areading assessment in the fall, winter, and spring. Kindergarten students take the early Reading assessment in the fall, winter, and spring. Parents will be notified if their child needs additional support according to the FAST assessments. Waukee has a comprehensive literacy program that provides quality instruction, assessments and interventions for our students. The FAST assessments will add one additional data point to our existing program. We appreciate your support of early literacy at home as well. The attached letter is from the Director of the Iowa Department of Education, Dr. Brad Buck. It provides additional information related to the state law, the focus on literacy, and resources for you to utilize with your child.

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5 CERTIFICATE FROM THE CITY OF URBANDALE! Thank you to all who participated in the Reuse a Shoe project! We were able to raise $ with the donated shoes. We also received this certificate from the City of Urbandale.

6 NURSE NOTES Birthday Treats Please remember that ALL TREATS must have intact ingredient labels so the school can check for any allergy products that maybe in the food. Unfortunately, parents will have to be called if there are treats with no labels and another treat item will be provided. If you have any questions about this information, please do not hesitate to call the nurse extension at Medications in the Health Office Any medication turned into the nurse s office has to be in the original container and has to have a school medication consent filled out and signed by the parent/guardian (this includes cough drops). This is extremely important because all medication given to the students requires parent permission. For any ongoing medication (longer than 10 days) a physician must sign a request, which then needs to be turned into the health office. Virus/Illness Please remember to keep kids home that have a fever of 100 degrees or higher. Students need to be fever-free for 24 hours without taking any fever reducing medication before returning to school. In addition, kids that are vomiting and/or have diarrhea need to be free from either for 24 hours before returning to school. **Please note our exclusion regarding health criteria for students hasn t changed (PLEASE review page 21 of the Elementary Parent Handbook under Health and Safety ). **Please visit the following website for further information regarding Flu Season: **Please visit the following website for further information regarding the stomach bug (which is different than the flu):

7 COLD OR FLU???? Why not try to avoid both this year by following these helpful tips below: Here are just a few tips to help you avoid coming in contact with the viruses that show themselves in the common cold and flu. Wash your hands - Some viruses can survive on doorknobs, keyboards, desks, pens, books, papers, and other objects. Touch them, then touch your nose or mouth and you ve got it. Keep your distance - If you know someone has a cold or the flu, give him or her plenty of space! The virus is spread through airborne transmission or personal contact. Don t take a chance of exposing yourself to their germs. Cover all coughs and sneezes with elbows, tissues, or hands and avoid touching your face. Avoid sharing mugs, cups, glasses, or eating utensils. Your friend may not look sick today, but who knows about tomorrow. Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke. It makes it easier for the virus to invade the lungs. Drink plenty of water - Dehydration invites virus invasion. Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet and get a good night s sleep! Get a flu shot. Clean surfaces regularly. Again, wash your hands! J Health Blog Don t forget to check out my blog if you have questions or are looking for health information such as snack lists, health forms, etc. Donations Thanks to all the families who have donated to the health office this year. It is much appreciated! I m still looking for more donations on the following items: Leggings/jeans (size 5-7 for girls/boys). If you are able to donate, please stop by the health office to drop off the items. Please return items that have been borrowed to the health office. Thanks!