Hello Windham family! Post-Labor Day in Bomber Country always seems to be a turning point or symbolic start of a new year. Some of us feel a bit restless – anticipating the change of season, but not really feeling it yet (because the weather has still been hot), and many of us feel energized – ready to embrace the coming autumn and feeling a sense of renewal.
September has a back-to-school/New Year vibe that is hard for me to ignore. Author Gretchen Rubin first remarked that “September is the other January” in her book “Happier at Home.” Gretchen noted that “each year, Labor Day was a milestone that provoked self-evaluation and reflection.”
That happens for me, just like it does at the (calendar) beginning of the new year. I find September to be a great time to reflect on my year so far, to recommit to (and sometimes to even remind myself of) goals and intentions I set for myself back in January, and maybe even to set some new intentions for the remainder of the year before the hustle and bustle of the holidays. I really do see it as a chance to renew myself. How about you? Any plans in Bomber Country for the last couple weeks of September, the “other January?”
2024 Windham Bomber Homecoming Festivities
The 2024 Windham Bombers Homecoming game will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 vs. Mathews.
The annual Homecoming Parade will line up at the Renaissance Family Center (RFC) and head down East Center Street at 5:15 p.m., ending at the high school. If you’re interested in having a float in the parade, line-up will be prior to parade kick-off. Be there to cheer on our sports teams, band and Homecoming Court members. Don’t forget to bring a bag for candy! Following the parade, the Homecoming Court and their families will be presented at approximately 5:30 p.m. on the football field. Crowning of Homecoming King and Queen will be at halftime of the football game.
The Homecoming Dance will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 in the junior high gym. Tickets for all high school students are on sale now through Sept. 25 for $12. NO TICKETS will be sold the day of the dance. Prior to the dance, our long-honored tradition of photos will be at the Township Green Gazebo on North Main Street.
Homecoming Week Spirit Day Information:
High School Spirit Week (grades 5-12): Information about specific days will be given out by classroom teachers and displayed in the hallways. Prizes will be awarded for the best spirited outfits throughout the day!
– Monday 9/23 – Bikers vs. Surfers: Are you dressed to ride the highways or ride the waves?
– Tuesday 9/24 – Twinning Tuesday: You and your bestie can show off your similarities! Twin with someone in the building – a student, a teacher, a coach. Who will you look like?
– Wednesday 9/25 – Superheroes vs. Supervillains: Are you good or evil? Let your outfit show us! Heroes and Villains come in all shapes and sizes from all walks of life!
– Thursday 9/26 – Color Explosion: How much of your grade’s color can you wear? Freshman: GREEN, Sophomores: PINK, Juniors: PURPLE, Seniors: BLUE.
– Friday 9/27 – Bomber Day: “Every day is a great day to be a Bomber!”
KT Elementary Spirit Week:
– Monday 9/23 – Beach Day: Dress up in beach gear and accessories!
– Tuesday 9/24 – Twin Day: Dress like a friend, teacher or coach!
– Wednesday 9/25 – Superhero Day: Wear a superhero shirt or dress up like a superhero!
– Thursday 9/26 – Class Color Day: Preschool: Pink, Kindergarten: Green, First Grade: Purple, Second Grade: Red, Third Grade: Blue, Fourth Grade: Black.
– Friday 9/27 – Bomber Day: Wear your Bomber gear! Go Bombers!
It Takes a Village!
Every year, our sixth-grade Bombers take the three-day trip to North Springfield, Pennsylvania, to Camp Fitch. The Camp Fitch YMCA offers year-round outdoor education programs for schools in the Erie, Youngstown, Cleveland and Pittsburgh areas. The camp provides experiential learning in a nature-based environment supporting emotional, behavioral and intellectual development. This trip is chaperoned by sixth-grade staff and volunteer Windham High School juniors and seniors; this has been a fun and educational tradition for many years. Often, this could be the first experience our students have being away several nights from home. This year, our school has received many donations from Windham residents, alumni and local community organizations for our Camp Fitch Fund. Due to the very generous donations, our sixth-graders will be able to attend Camp Fitch at NO COST to their families! The Windham Exempted Village School District sincerely thanks all of those who donated! It truly takes a village, and ours is amazing!
Band instruments needed!
From the Windham High School marching band: Band instruments needed! If you have band instruments that you no longer use, please consider donating them to the Windham band! We have our largest band in years, and the instruments will be used by our students. If you are interested in donating, you can simply drop off the instruments at the school board office. K-12 Music Director Sydney DiCenso is inviting the community to the Windham Bomber Band Bash at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19. Tickets for adults are $8 and students are $5.
Honoring our Current and Former Service Members
Big Jeff and Tim Lally Chevrolet sponsored Military Appreciation Night on Sept. 13 at Windham’s Ed Liddle Field. Active military and veterans were warmly invited to attend with free admission. The event included a raffle offering outstanding prizes, including heated and cooled stadium seats, a cooler on wheels and a 55-inch TV. The event also featured representatives from various military branches and a halftime ceremony that honored current and former service members, with additional surprises planned. It was an exciting night to honor them and watch the Bombers face off against Tuscarawas Central Catholic. Thank you Big Jeff and Tim Lally Chevrolet for an amazing evening!
Village of Windham Updates:
– Trick-or-Treat: Windham Village Trick-or-Treat will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Halloween night, Oct. 31.
– The Village of Windham’s upcoming September Meeting Schedule: 6 p.m. Sept. 24. All public meetings are held in Council Chambers at 9083 N. Main St.
Chipotle Windham Bombers Youth Football & Cheer Fundraiser:
You’re invited to a Chipotle fundraiser from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Ravenna Chipotle, with 25% of sales going to Windham Bombers Youth Football & Cheer! Order online for pickup using code KAFVJ8N, or show the code or flier on their Facebook page in the restaurant if you order in person.
RFC Food and Nutrition Education
Beginning Sept. 25, the Renaissance Family Center (RFC) will host the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. Join them every Wednesday for several weeks to learn how to make healthier choices concerning nutrition, food prep, physical activity, meal planning, food safety and saving money. The lessons are interactive, fun, family-centered AND FREE! Look for more information coming soon.
Upcoming Portage County Library Events – Windham Branch
– Tuesday, Oct. 1, 11 a.m.-noon: Fall Storytime – Come read stories with Miss Marian
– Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2-3 p.m.: Windham Mysteries & More Book Club – “The Kamogawa Food Detectives” by Hisashi Kashiwai
– Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2-3 p.m.: Fall Afternoon Storytime – Come read stories with Miss Marian
– Tuesday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m.-noon: Fall Storytime – Come read stories with Miss Marian
– Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2-3 p.m.: Fall Afternoon Storytime – Come read stories with Miss Marian
– Friday, Oct. 11, 1-2:30 p.m.: Kids Crafts – Slime Pumpkins
– Friday, Oct. 11, 3:30-5 p.m.: Renaissance Collage Club – Cracker Box Book Nooks
– Tuesday, Oct. 15, 11-noon: Fall Storytime – Come read stories with Miss Marian
– Wednesday, Oct. 16, 1-2:15 p.m.: Hooks & Books – Social Knitting, Crochet and Handcraft Circle
– Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2-3 p.m.: Fall Afternoon Storytime – Come read stories with Miss Marian
– Friday, Oct. 18: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Homeschool Club – An All-Ages Learning Community
– Friday, Oct. 18: 4:30-5:45 p.m.: Common Threads Fiber-Craft Club – Spider Web Dream Catchers
WINDHAM/CAMP JAMES A. GARFIELD VETERANS DAY HALF MARATHON/5K
The 4th Annual Windham/Camp James A. Garfield Veterans Day Half Marathon/5K will take place at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 10. This is a race to honor and to benefit America’s veterans, and proceeds from the race benefit Veterans Haven and Windham Schools Food Pantry. Early bird registration for the half marathon is $50, and cost on race day is $60. The entry fee for the 5K is $25 in advance and $30 on race day. Online registration is available at www.gopherarun.com.
I look forward to keeping the Windham community up to date with all the information I receive! Please contact me with anything you may like featured for the end of October/beginning of November. The Around Windham column runs on the third Friday of each month, and I will need all the information the week prior.
You may contact me via text/call at 330-283-2711 or email at [email protected].
