We were notified this afternoon that two of our schools (Northside Elementary and Southside Elementary) have students with confirmed cases of Shigella. Shigella causes diarrhea (often bloody), fever and stomach cramps and is easily passed from one person to another when basic hygiene and hand washing are not adequate.

If you are someone in your home has experienced diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps the Grady County Health Department and Southwest Health District medical specialist recommend that you do not use Imodium, or Lomotil, or other similar products unless it is the recommendation of your healthcare provider; that you seek advice from your healthcare provider in the medical community; that you contact the Grady County Health Department if given a diagnosis of Shigella; and that you keep your children at home if they are sick in order to help prevent the spread of Shigella.

It usually takes 5 to 7 days for Shigella to clear up, it is extremely important that students and adults wash their hands frequently and make sure they are using soap. If you have any questions about Shigella infections, please contact the Grady County Health Department at 229-377-2992 or your Healthcare Provider.

Good afternoon,

Due to the fact that we are focusing on Super Storms and informational writing, I am going to postpone First Friday STEM day until either Friday, Dec. 15 or Monday, Dec. 18. I will keep you updated. Also, we will not start a new Reading story after Super Storms. We will focus on an extended text.

K. Stewart

Dec. 4- PTO Pajama Movie (evening)
Dec. 7- Grandparents lunch (11:30-12:00 for second grade)
Dec. 14- Donuts for Dad 7:30 am to 8:00 am
Dec. 15- Deadline to send in unwrapped toys for toy drive
Dec. 19-Junior Beta Powderpuff game ($2.00 admission)
Dec. 20- Classroom Christmas party (2:30-3:00)
Dec. 21- Early release (11:30) and school wide Christmas program @ 9:00 am (No bookbags necessary)
Dec. 21- Last day for 2nd 9 weeks
Jan. 8, 2018-Students return from Christmas break
Feb. 19- President’s Day (WE DO HAVE SCHOOL THIS DAY.)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are back on track and ready to work for the month of December! Christmas will be here before we know it and we have much to do between now and then!

ELA-Today we started our new story, There’s Nothing Like Baseball, and spelling/vocabulary lists were sent home. Tests are scheduled for next Monday, Dec. 4th.

Math-We continue to work on addition math facts 11-18 daily. We are about to begin 2-digit addition with regrouping, a very important grade 2 skill that must be mastered this year.

**Classroom Store**
Today the students began earning money to purchase items from our classroom store. Each day, students can earn money for doing their “job” as a student. Ask your student about how much money they have earned so far! We are very excited about this and have worked hard learning to count money.

I hope everyone has enjoyed their Thanksgiving break and spent some quality time with your family! This week we will begin reading Super Storms. Our test will be Wednesday, December 6. For those who have not completed the PBIS Whigham Way informational writing, we will finish that. Then we will begin an informational writing on storms and weather.
Our spelling words for this week are attached and students will receive a new take home letter Monday.

We will be going tomorrow on the field trip to see Wonder at the Zebulon Theater in Cairo. After the movie, we will eat lunch in the park. We apologize for the short notice but we have been waiting on word from the theater to make sure that this would be possible.
The PBIS incentive dance will be tomorrow from 1:15 to 2:15 in the gym. Concessions will be sold. All items will be $1.
Reminder there will be no school Friday for students. Thanksgiving break is November 20-November 24. Have a wonderful holiday!

Some pictures from our project today! Students may take home their balloons tomorrow if there are no more casualties!