In her November newsletter to parents, Laurie Flower, principal of the Farmington River Elementary School, wrote that a highlight for the month was the Veterans Day Assembly and Brunch.

She wrote, "We came together as a school to honor and celebrate the veterans in our community. It was heartwarming to see our students show such respect and curiosity as they learned about service, sacrifice, and gratitude. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, contributed, and supported this meaningful event, including the PTA, who provided a grant to purchase supplies - it left a lasting impression on us all."

Also to parents, she added a note about how to encourage their student to excel in school:

"Reading at home is one of the most powerful ways to support your child's learning and growth. Research shows that students who read at home perform better in school, develop stronger vocabulary, and are more likely to enjoy reading as they grow.

"Even a few minutes of reading together each evening can make a big difference, fostering a love of stories, new ideas, and learning that lasts a lifetime. Whether it's a picture book, a chapter book, or an interesting article, reading helps children strengthen their skills and opens up a world of possibilities."

And it's not just "readin' and writin'," it's also " 'rithmatic."

The principal described how kindergardners are becoming math aware. "In math," she wrote, "Early K students have been learning about and exploring with 10 frames and number lines. These visual tools help students develop number sense by providing a visual representation of a number to show its value. Students had fun using several different types of manipulatives to help practice using their 10 frames and number lines"