Enchanting Snowfall...

“The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event.  You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?”

 ~J.B. Priestley

Last week we experienced the first snowfall of the season.  I always try to see the first snowfall through the eyes of the children.  Last week, I was not thinking about the travel delays, the shoveling, and the wet dog feet I have to clean each time he goes outside.  Instead I looked at the snowfall with wonderment.  Was there going to be enough to build a snowman, could I go sledding, was there enough cushion to fall and make a real snow angel?  It certainly brought out my inner child to think that way and made the adult practicalities that go along with snow much easier to bear.  I remembered doing all of those things as a child and the specific memories associated with them made me smile to myself well into the evening.  I hope you are able to associate some fond memories to snowfall as we start this winter a wee bit early.  If not, try looking at it through the eyes of your children and you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.   

Now for the practical winter weather things we need to address…Please make sure your child is coming to school with the proper winter weather attire each day.  Students should have their coats, hats, gloves/mittens, snow pants, boots, etc.  each and every day until spring arrives.  Students at Eagle Ridge Academy go outside for recess until the temperature or wind chill hits zero.  At that point we will have indoor recess.  We do not make the call for indoor recess until just before our first recess each day.  If the temperature warms up as time goes on earlier recesses may stay inside, while later recesses go outside.  Please make sure your child is prepared for recess each and every day.  

In conjunction with our annual Veterans Day programs, we ran poster and essay contests in the Lower School.  Mia J. (3^rd Grade) and Shreya P. (4^th grade) were the essay contest winners.  Their winning essays are noted below.  Mia read her essay at the K-2 program and Shreya read her essay at the 3-5 program.  All poster contest entries were displayed throughout the programs via a slide show.  The winning posters were from Nethra S. (1^st grade) and James W. (2^nd grade).  Pictures of the winning posters are below, as well.  We appreciate all the effort the students put into honoring our veterans on this very special day.  

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier