Dachshund Digest - News Just for You!

WES Families

Happy New Year 2026, Wiesbaden Elementary School Community!

I hope you all enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing winter break. We ended December on a high note with our Holiday Shop and a fun-filled December to Remember Month. Our staff would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the WES PTO for their continued dedication and support of these events—and so much more. We are truly fortunate to have such a supportive and involved school community.

This month, our students will have the opportunity to participate in classroom spelling bees, with winners advancing to compete against their schoolmates to represent Wiesbaden Elementary School in the Europe Region Spelling Bee, with hopes of moving on to compete in the United States of America.

We are also excited to celebrate our students who continued learning over the break by participating in the WES Winter Break Reading BINGO. This optional activity encouraged students to engage in literacy-based fun while enjoying their time off.  Reminder: all Bingo cards are due by January 8, 2026.  Students who return their cards will be invited to a special reward: Cozy Reading Time, where students may bring a blanket or something snuggly and enjoy free reading time in front of a digital fireplace later in January.

January is a wonderful time to reflect on our successes from the past year and to set goals for continued growth. Below are some helpful tips to support students as they begin the New Year with a positive mindset:

• Attend school regularly and arrive on time.
• Get plenty of sleep. Research shows that students who do not get enough sleep may have difficulty focusing and performing academically. Elementary students typically need 8½ to 11 hours of sleep each night.
• Eat healthy foods such as fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily, and limit sodas and snack foods.
• Exercise both your body and your mind every day.
• Follow the Golden Rule: treat others—both children and adults—the way you want to be treated.
• Time + Effort = Achievement. Take time to carefully complete assignments at school and at home, ask questions when something is unclear, demonstrate perseverance (keep trying even when work is challenging), and eliminate the word “can’t” from your vocabulary.
• Make it a goal to do your personal best every day at school.
• Read, read, read! Success in school depends heavily on students’ ability to read and comprehend what they read. Encourage reading a wide variety of materials—folktales, poetry, biographies, fiction, and nonfiction. Read for information, read for fun, read with family—just read!
• Write a Plan for Success. This plan may include goals such as improving grades, making new friends, studying harder, or staying out of trouble. Share the plan with someone who can help support you along the way.

As we approach the end of SY 25–26 Quarter 2, please check with your child’s teacher for information regarding progress and next steps.

Reminder~ Wiesbaden Elementary SAC Meeting: Jan 12, 2026, 3–4:30 p.m., Computer Lab

Let’s work together and make 2026 a fantastic year at Wiesbaden Elementary School! Step up, get involved, and help us create the best possible experience for our students.

Principal Harwell