Increase Miller Elementary School

November 19, 2018

 Dear IM Families,

 November has been a very busy month at Increase Miller!   Parent-Teacher Conferences, the PTO Book Fair, Grade 5 Pasta Night, and the Grade 1 Thanksgiving Celebration represent some of the happenings here at IMES.  We look forward to some of our future events as well including SEPTO’s Differences Day toward the end of the month.  Please continue to check our school website http://imes.klschools.org/home for more information about Increase Miller. 

 Character Education

Our Character Education Committee continues to promote our year-long school theme, Kind, Responsible, and Safe. This month, our school-wide theme is empathy. During our morning announcements, classroom activities and our school assembly next week, we continue to define and discuss the meaning of empathy, identify their own and feelings of others, notice and respect same and different feelings, and show compassion. This month’s assembly features actor-storyteller Lou Del Bianco as he portrays Abraham Lincoln as President, frontiersman and storyteller. Lincoln’s values - empathy, honesty, love of family, and sense of justice are highlighted in this interactive presentation next week. We are grateful to the PTO for funding this well-received performance for our K-5 students.  

Compact Team

The school Compact Team, comprised of administrators, teachers, and parents, are continuing to focus on wellness.  We are happy to share that we have partnered with Northern Westchester Hospital this year to provide educational experiences about how to stay healthy.  This month, both our kindergarteners and first graders benefitted from a Handwashing Program that taught our students how, when, and why to wash up so that they can be “germ busters!” Later this month, all fifth graders will also participate in a workshop titled Reframe Your Perspective:  Reflect, Respect, and Rekindle Your Relationships.  The focus of each workshop will be developing and sustaining healthy relationships through communication strategies, conflict resolution, and understanding multiple perspectives.  In addition we look forward to planning future workshops related to anxiety and healthy eating.

Recess

Our chilly weather is already upon us!  As stated in our Family Handbook on our school website, please be sure your child comes to school in clothing that is appropriate for outdoor play.  If the temperature, including the wind chill, is below forty degrees, students should be prepared to play outside wearing the following:

• Warm coats
• Long pants

On snowy days in order to play in the snow (including sledding) students will also need:

• Snow pants
• Boots
• Hats
• Gloves

Please be aware that if a student is not dressed appropriately, he or she will be unable to attend outdoor activities (including recess). If the temperature including the wind chill falls below twenty degrees, the students will stay inside for recess. Dr. Louis A. Corsaro, the school district physician, has also advised us in these matters. 

Attendance

As a reminder, please call the school attendance line at 763-7150 if your child is absent from school. Additionally, please send in a written excuse with your child when he/she returns to school.  This information is also outlined in our Family Handbook on our school website imes.klschools.org. 

Mark Your Calendar

November 22 & 23                    Thanksgiving/Schools Closed

Tuesday, November 27^th            Pre-K Panel at IMES for the Katonah-Lewisboro District

Thursday, November 29^th          SEPTO Differences Day for Grades 2 and 5

December 4^th – December 6^th   PTO Holiday Boutique during lunch periods                            

December 24^th – January 1^st      Winter Break –School Closed

January 2^nd                               School Resumes

*Not all grade level events, such as field trips, are listed above. 

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and friends, we would like to wish you and your families a very Happy & Healthy Thanksgiving!           

Sincerely,

Kerry Ford & Andy Galotti