I hope that everyone is prepared to have an enjoyable and rest-filled weekend! This year’s flu season is proving to be exceptionally harsh, and our efforts to keep students’ healthy begins with frequent and proper hand washing. I enjoy listening to podcasts, and I thought this NPR One episode from yesterday was timely and helpful: As Flu Season Strains Hospitals, Doctor Offers Advice For How To Stay Healthy
This is the Center for Disease Control’s main Flu site, for anyone interested: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/index.html
School Choice Week
Returning students should wear their yellow school choice scarves next week with pride, to celebrate National School Choice Week! Ms. Rachel has been helping our students learn a special dance, which will follow flag raising (8:45) next Friday, 26 January, on the turf field. Families are invited to watch our students perform – it should only take a few minutes.
All-School Meeting
Our second important All-School meeting of the year will take place next Wednesday, January 24th @ 6:00 pm. These meetings are mandatory for May Sands School families, but I make every effort to honor your time and will do my best to keep it to an hour or less.
School Lunch
The free school meals option will end on January 31, 2018, but families who continue to be affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Irma can be supported in these ways:
- Families that requested Disaster Food Stamps are automatically qualified to receive free meals through the remainder of this school year.
- Families may now qualify for free meals through the rest of the school year, if:
- they are living with relatives or friends, they are considered homeless and need to fill the residency form and automatically qualify
- their household income has changed in a negative way
All families should fill out an application online, and those who have had a change in status should reapply: https://frapps.horizonsolana.com/welcome
Space Pirates!
Led by our Music and Extended School Day Director, Ms. Rachel, our After School Theater Club had a successful performance of “Space Pirates”! The following link is a recording of the show, thanks to the efforts of Florence, Elsa’s mom (Mahi class). https://vimeo.com/251219730?ref=fb-share&1
7-mile Bridge Run
All students attending Monroe County School District schools are eligible to participate in the 37th Annual 7-mile Bridge Run, which takes place Saturday, April 14th @ 7:20 am. Our school has applications for students, only, and we will mail all completed applications on the morning of 26 January. Forms are available in our school office.
Community News
The 47th Annual Florida Keys Health Fairs are scheduled for Saturday, February 3rd, 2018 from 9 AM to 2 PM, in Marathon, Big Pine, and Key West. Pre-registration will be available at the following locations: Switlik Elementary (Marathon), Big Pine United Methodist Church & First Baptist Church (Big Pine), and Key West High School (Key West) on January 20th, 2018, two weeks before the fair (flyer attached).
Free lacrosse clinic for youth and parents
January 20, 2018
11 am – 1 pm
Fort Street Fields
Bring water, your lacrosse stick, if you have one (we will supply, otherwise), and a desire to learn!
Boys and girls, ages 5-15: It’s time to dust off your gear and get onto the field! Bring your friends! No experience? NO PROBLEM! This free lacrosse clinic will introduce you to the fastest growing sport in the Keys!
Parents: Experienced coaches will also hold a free parent’s clinic while the children play. All are welcome, whether you are interested in coaching/refereeing or simply wish to learn more about the game.
Equipment handout and registration
January 27, 2018
Girls Equipment Handout: 10-11 am
Boys Equipment Handout: 11am – 1pm
HOB Fields
Meet your coaches and learn more about practice and game schedules. Equipment handout for those who reserved equipment. Registration forms will also be available for those who haven’t registered online yet.
You will also have the chance to dust off your stick–or try lacrosse for the first time. Pass the word and bring your friends!
Parents Clinic
January 27, 2018
1-2:30 pm
HOB Fields
Immediately after equipment handout/registration, experienced coaches will demonstrate the basics of lacrosse to parents. Whether you are interested in coaching/refereeing or simply learning more about the sport, this clinic is for you. All experience levels welcome! Sticks provided if you don’t have them.
