Next week will more than likely be our shortest week of the school year, with students and staff members attending school for just two days--Monday, November 19th, and Tuesday, November 20th - with the remaining days of the week being put aside for the Thanksgiving break.  Whether you are traveling near or far, please accept our best wishes for an enjoyable and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday. When students and teachers return to school on Monday, November 26th, we will be in the final week of our first marking trimester with grades closing on Friday, November 30th, and with report cards going home to families on Friday, December 14th.

As colder temperatures and wintry weather become the norm, I want to remind everyone that we go outside for recesses when the temperature reaches at least ten degrees Fahrenheit with the wind chill factor included. We have used this temperature cut-off for many years, and I need to reinforce the importance of having children dress appropriately when they leave home in the morning and to be prepared for any weather event that Mother Nature sends our way. Since snow, ice, or extreme winds can arrive very unexpectedly; children should come to school daily with a hat, gloves or mittens, and a very warm outer garment. Now that we have received our first snowstorm, children should also be wearing boots. If children want to play in the snow, they must be wearing snow pants and boots.

Following the Thanksgiving Vacation, there will be a variety of events and activities at Clark-Wilkins for families and students to participate in. “Take Back Your Calm” is an event for parents and students (grades 1-4) and will focus on developing coping strategies and tools to manage stress at school and home. Dr. Lisa Femia-Hou and Lindsey Veiga will lead participants through different activities that don’t just tell, but also show you how to take back your calm. We hope to see many families participate in this free event on November 28th from 6:00-7:00 PM in the Wilkins school library.

See below for a list of other upcoming events –

• Friday, November 30th - PTA Holiday Story Time @ Clark School 6:00 PM – come in your pajamas and enjoy holiday time stories with friends.
• Tuesday, December 11th – Late Start
• Wednesday, December 12th – PTA General Meeting 9:00 AM @ AMS
• Friday, December 14th – Polar Express – Clark School daytime
• Thursday, December 20th – Classroom Holiday Parties – Wilkins
• Monday, December 24th – Tuesday, January 1st – Holiday Recess, No School

Due to the shortened week next week, I will not be sending out an edition of The Villager. I would like to wish all of our students, families, staff and the full school community a happy and restful Thanksgiving.

Respectfully submitted by Nicola Fraley, Principal