From the Principal’s Desk
Season 1, Volume 2
Research shows that background knowledge is an important concept. It increases a student’s ability to learn. Think of background knowledge as a child's mental backpack filled with all the things they've learned, seen, and experienced. It's the information and ideas they have in their brain from listening to stories, visiting new places, talking with family, or even watching a show. When a child has a full backpack, it's easier for them to understand new stories and ideas at school. We can help fill these backpacks even if we don't have a lot of money. You can do this by reading books from the library, talking with your child about your day, cooking together, or even pointing out and naming things you see on a walk. These simple activities help build a strong foundation for learning.
Some ideas around Lima that are inexpensive but can help your child develop through experiences - Activity Days for young learners at the college campuses (OSU/Lima, Rhodes State, Bluffton College and Ohio Northern), the Allen County Museum, The Lima Public Library, Johnny Appleseed Parks (Hermon Woods - walks in nature), and Faurot Park (playgrounds). These are just a few.
Eating together as a family has numerous benefits that extend beyond simply sharing a meal. It's a powerful way to foster communication, improve health, and create a sense of connection. Simply talking with your child during meals, without the distraction of phones, helps them build their vocabulary and understanding of the world. These conversations about everything from what happened at school to what's for dessert create a strong foundation for their learning.
Upcoming Events:
October 3 Fire Safety Assemblies (All Grades)
October 10 2nd Grade to Lima Symphony Concert
October 20 PTC Fundraiser Begins
October 24 Whole School Daily Mile
End of 1st Quarter
October 27 Begins Red Ribbon Week- Themed Days
October 30 Character Parade
October 31 No School For Students- Professional
Development Day for teachers/staff
Red Ribbon Week Themes:
Monday, October 27: Wear Red to show your support for a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Tuesday, October 28: Wear RED and BLACK or your favorite Shawnee spirit wear.
Wednesday, October 29: Wear clothes inside out to show what’s on the inside.
Thursday, October 30: Your true character is what matters, not what you wear. Wear an appropriate Halloween costume! No weapons or masks.
A Message From the Nurse:
Kindergarten and 1st grade students will soon complete their state required routine vision and hearing screenings. If you wish to opt out of this screening for your student please send an email to
The Daily Mile:
Elmwood students complete the Daily Mile with their class every school day. All teachers participate and choose the time that works best for the students in their daily schedule. Our PBIS team created multiple 1/10 mile routes around our school grounds as well as indoor routes to provide more flexibility.
Each quarter the entire school, along with parents, celebrate the quarter with a Whole School Run on the Elmwood school grounds. These runs are themed so students dress for the occasion. October 24th is the School Spirit Run where students dress in school colors and participate in a pep rally at the end of the run. January 23rd is our Resilience Run. Students go back to their classroom to warm up with hot chocolate and ‘chat’. March 27th is our St. Patrick’s Day run. Our M.C. reinforces our Indian Expectations for Leadership as it relates to the Daily Mile throughout the entire event while local INEOS employees, Fire, Police and National Guard come to high five and support our kids!
If you are a parent of an Elmwood student and would like to sign up to volunteer for our first quarter Whole School Daily Mile on October 24th, please complete this google form Daily Mile Volunteer Sign Up. The rain date for this event is October 27th. Volunteers will be notified on October 24th by 8:15 AM if the event will be moved to the rain date. Please visit The Daily Mile’s webpage to learn more about their mission https://www.thedailymile.us/.
October is Anti-Bullying Month:
During guidance classes this month, students are learning what bullying is, the different roles people can play, and the main types of bullying—physical, verbal, social (relational), and cyberbullying. They’re also practicing positive strategies to stand up for themselves and others. Our goal is to build kindness, empathy, and confidence so every student feels safe and supported at school. Encourage your child to share what they’re learning—it’s a great way to reinforce these lessons at home
Is it bullying?
The STOMP acronym: Several Times, One-sided, Mean, and Purposeful: What is Bullying.pdf
Defining other incidences that are not bullying. Here are some examples of unkind behavior that is not bullying: Is It Bullying.pdf
Types of bullying:
Physical bullying is harming someone or someone’s things in a physical way such as: shoving, hitting, kicking, tripping, or ruining someone’s things.
Verbal bullying is harming someone with spoken or written words such as name-calling, making threats, making rude or inappropriate comments, or writing hurtful comments.
Social bullying is harming someone by trying to damage their reputation or relationships such as ignoring or excluding someone, spreading rumors, embarrassing the person, or manipulating/controlling the person.
Cyberbullying is harming someone using technology such as text messages, social media, etc. Examples include: posting inappropriate photos, sending mean or threatening messages, or making a fake account.
Roles students play in bullying situations:
Bully- Someone who repeatedly hurts, frightens or is mean to another person
Target- someone who is being bullied
Bystander- a person who watches someone being bullied
Upstander- someone who helps the person being bullied
Bully Blocking Strategies:
If You Are Being Bullied:
Tell a Trusted Adult: This is the most important step. A parent, teacher, counselor, or another adult can help make the bullying stop.
Use the "Stop" Strategy: Look the bully in the eye, speak in a calm, loud voice and say "Stop!" Then walk away.
Stay Calm: Try not to show that the bully's actions upset you, as this is often what they want. You can practice "cool down" techniques like taking deep breaths or counting to ten.
Walk Away: Don't fight back. If you feel unsafe, or if the bully doesn't stop after you say "Stop!", simply walk away and find an adult.
Use the Buddy System: Stay with friends on the bus, in the hallways, and at recess. Bullies are less likely to bother you when you're with other people.
Ignore Them: Sometimes, if you act like you don't care, the bully will get bored and stop.
Avoid Risky Places: If you know where bullying happens, try to avoid those spots, but don't let it stop you from doing things you enjoy.
If You See Someone Else Being Bullied:
Be a "Buddy": Help your friend by staying with them and not letting them be alone with the bully.
Tell a Teacher: If you see someone being bullied, tell a teacher or other adult right away.
What Adults Can Do:
Open Communication: Keep the lines of communication open with your child and listen to them without blame.
Build Confidence: Encourage your child to participate in hobbies and activities they enjoy, which can boost their confidence and help them make friends.
Work with the School: If bullying occurs at school, work with the school staff to create a plan to address the problem.
Teach Empathy: Help your child understand others' feelings.