Principal's Message: January 23 Wawaloam Updates

Dear Wawaloam School Community,

It seems as though we may be forced to deal with some true winter weather over the weekend and maybe into next week too! WJAR Channel 10 says: A coastal storm may come closer to the area than previously expected for Saturday and Saturday night. Right now specifics are cloudy but there is a chance of accumulating snow for SOME as well as a chance of rain mixing in with the snow at times closer to the coast. Must be time to dig out the sleds and snowpants! Speaking of which, we do try to make every effort to get your children outside for recess. We do feel that it is very important to get hearts pumping and bodies moving! The link below stresses the importance of getting outside to play:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/why-kids-should-play-outside-even-in-extreme-cold-pediatrician-1.2516872

However, at times it actually is TOO cold to do this and we have been creative on some of those days. We have been using the gonoodle.com website and there are actually 15 minute links that are called INDOOR RECESS. We have to set some safety parameters for these days but overall, all of the kids who have recess at that time come down to the cafeteria and spread out and follow the movement prompts to the music while watching the screen. Have your children mentioned this? They seem to be having a GREAT time when it is taking place!

Another great idea for an indoor activity: Family Bingo event this Sunday, from 1-3 pm in the Metcalf cafeteria. We've got about 50 families signed up but have room for more, so walk-ins are welcome. Just $10 per family includes two hours of BINGO (everyone wins a prize!) and refreshments. We'll also have a raffle with great prizes like a $20 gift card to Christmas Tree Shop.

BJ's Membership Fundraiser - The PTA's annual BJ's fundraiser starts today and runs until Friday, February 6th. Fliers and enrollment forms are coming home today with your child. Did you know that your friends and family outside the EWG community can participate as well? Send them to the PTA web site (https://sites.google.com/site/exeterwestgreenwichpta/bj-s-fundraiser) where they can download the enrollment form. You can do a new membership or a renewal, and the PTA receives $5 for every membership. The PTA thanks you for your support!

We are going to be having a FLASH FOOD DRIVE FOR ONE WEEK ONLY NEXT WEEK JANUARY 26-30. Alan Shawn Feinstein has invited schools to participate in this challenge and we are taking it on! He will donate 1.00 for every item we receive next week up to $1000.00 Put this on your calendar, please send in at least one canned food item next week! We will try to send additional reminders out as well and if we get enough participation, we will plan another special assembly for our school!

A message about the EWG Girls softball winter clinic. It is a great introduction for the little ones to see if they are interested in softball and also great exercise during the winter. It is reasonably priced and is geared toward the younger girls. If you are interested, this link will take you to their website: www.ewggirlssoftball.com

Don't forget to check out what is going on at your local library! I know that Shannon at Louttit Library and Diane at Exeter Library are always planning great events for children and families. In fact, I noticed on the Exeter Library Calendar there is a FROZEN party coming up on Saturday January 31 Shannon from Louttit asked me to share this information with you:
Relax and Read With a Dog Saturdays January 31 & February 28 10:30am-11:30am A local 4H group will be here with their dogs for children to read to. This program is great for struggling and new readers to read to dogs in a non-stressful environment. Children can sign up for 15 minute sessions. Please call the library or come in to register. Open to children in Pre-K through 4th grade. Lego Club Thursdays 6-7pm January 8, 22, February 5, 26, March 5, 26 What do we do at Lego club? Lego club is free play for an hour with the library’s collection of Legos~We hope to see you there!

One more upcoming event I want to mention briefly this week is that we are going to be having a SPORTS EQUIPMENT RESALE EVENT. Do you have cleats that no longer fit? Outgrown equipment? Football helmets? Bats? Gloves? Outdoor games? Hobbies that have fizzled (snowshoes, tennis raquets, yoga mats? Stuff that you have no use for taking up space in the garage? Please consider sending these items in to Wawaloam School. We will be saving all of your donations for a special event in March called "Bee A Good Sport". All of the proceeds will be used to support our PE program at Wawaloam School! Bee on the lookout for more detailed information coming soon!