From the principal’s desk
A few weeks ago, I wrote about a meeting held in Rockland with the superintendents of the regional school boards to discuss the possibility of changing the start times of the district schools. The decision to consider a later start is in light of sleep research that indicates adolescents benefit from a later start time for school. No decisions were made at this meeting, but discussions will continue in order to collect information and opinions from district stakeholders.
One can go to startschoollater.net for information on this issue. RSU 40 will be asking parents’ opinion soon to gauge interest in this change. Changing the high school and middle school start times to a later time would mean an earlier start time for the elementary schools. Again, nothing has been decided and the opinion of parents is important. I encourage everyone to read why this is being discussed and what the research has to say about the impact on students. Feel free to stop by or call the school for more information on this issue.
Happy New Year!
One of my 2017 New Year’s goals is to write in the Miller School newsletter at least once a month. With the holidays over, we are all adjusting to getting back to school. No more late-night movies, sleeping in without an alarm, and unstructured time at home. Winter break is over and it is time to get ourselves and our kids back into routines — earlier bedtimes and wake-up times. Time should be set aside in the evenings when new toys are put away and we ask our children to focus on homework or reading. Teachers are reviewing with students the school expectations and procedures practiced this past fall. A pep talk at home is always a useful reminder. Parents should feel free to call me if they need support helping their children return to school successfully.
Winter concert dates
Friday, Jan. 27, 2 p.m.: Kindergarten through third grade
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2 p.m.: Fourth- through sixth-grade band and chorus
Important dates
Wednesday, Jan. 11: Early release day — dismissal at 1 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 16: No school — Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Wednesday, Feb. 8: Early release day — dismissal at 1 p.m.
Monday-Friday, Feb. 20-24: No school — winter break
Wednesday, March 8: Early release day — dismissal at 1 p.m.
Boxtop winners
Congratulations to boxtop winners Cadence and Liam! They should stop by the school office to pick a prize from the treasure chest.
Winter weather is here
Now that winter has arrived, all students should be coming to school with a coat, a hat, and mittens. Once there is snow on the ground, children should be wearing snowpants and boots.
All students go out to recess each day unless the wind chill is 10 degrees or below. It’s a good idea to send in an extra hat and pair of mittens for children to keep in their cubbies at school.
When children wear boots to school, it is very important that they bring a pair of shoes to wear while they are at school. This is extremely important on the days that a child has physical education or music, as it is not safe for them to be running or dancing with boots on, not to mention the fact that it is not a good idea for their feet to be in sweaty boots all day.
