Winter Games Live! » South School
Rockland, Maine | Knox County
Grades PreK-5
Meet the School
Weekly Updates
Week 1
Physical Activity
January 12-16, 2026
Students are telling their parents and families about all the fun experiences, games, and even prizes that they are doing and or will win during Winter Kids. Teachers, community members, and other outside organizations are reaching out to be a part of Winter Kids during these Weeks.
This has been an amazing experience so far and it is only Week 1 of Winter Kids. My favorite quote from a student, “I need to be at school today so I can get my stopwatch!”
Week 2
Nutrition
January 19-23, 2026
Moment of the Week
Reflections
This week was packed with more activities outside because of the beautiful weather and tons of snow. The 4th graders went skiing at the Camden Snowball again this week and many students improved so much that they got to go down the ski lift. We did the 5, 2, 1, 0 relay race outside on the playground and students loved getting fresh air while learning about the 5, 2, 1, 0 program. Tons of students enjoyed sledding with me and various other teachers this week, and we even got the assistant superintendent to join in on the fun as well.
The nutritional guest speaker was amazing and such a big hit. She came on Tuesday and Wednesday. The kids loved the food groups relay race and learned so much about what they are eating and what other foods they can try to eat to stay healthy. She also brought in her own snack pals stuffys for the kids to pass around in one of the eat healthy games.The Hannaford snack pals was a huge hit this week as well. We went with a tropical trail mix (coconut flakes, chex (cereal) corn mix, raisins, granola, craisins, dried mango slices, dried pineapple slices, dried apple slices, and both white and black chocolate chips.) Students also got hot chocolate during lunch time as well, so they all were happy with the Hanaford snack pals trail mix and hot chocolate.
Lastly, every student was so eager to get their pedometers. They instantly started using them and counting their steps. They were a big hit for sure. Students have been loving all the free items they have been giving through the Winter Kids. The stopwatches are still big hits as well. Everyday a student comes up telling me they are timing themselves at home and also counting their steps to see how many they can beat the next day. Thanks again to all the sponsors and Winter Kids people for this amazing experience. All the students are loving this program and experience. I can’t wait to show them all the new games/activities we have planned next.
My favorite quote of this week was, “Mr. V did you see me go down the ski slope!”
Week 3
Family
January 26-30, 2026
Local Schools Get Outside With Winter Games
Two local schools are participating in the annual WinterKids Winter Games programs to promote outdoor winter activities and earn cash prizes for the winning schools.
South School in Rockland and Miller School in Waldoboro are two of 14 Maine schools in the 2026 Winter Games “competitive track” with schoolwide participation. >> READ MORE
Moment of the Week
Reflections
This week was packed with events and tons of extra people and staff helping out. We had a very cold week at school mixed in with some snow days but we were able to accomplish all the fun and exciting activities planned for us by the Winter Kids booklets. Students absolutely loved the Morse Code activity with the flashlights. Some days at school it was too cold to go outside, so we did some of the Bingo activities in the gym like flashlight tag and flashlight hide en seek. The students loved the games and can’t wait to play them again.
Additionally, we were so excited as a school and district that the Midcoast villager had our school in an article about Winter Kids and the exciting times we have been having already with all the events and activities. Shout out to Miller School as well because they were in the article too. Moreover, the wonderful Miranda Belcher helped me get our school into Winter Kids this year. Good Luck to them in the next couple of weeks.
We had roughly bout 75 students and much more parents and staff members show out to the very cold family event evening that we had on Friday after school. Students enjoyed sledding down the sledding hill, dancing to music outside, snowshoeing on the back playground, building snow forts and just enjoying the snow as well. We also had our Hannaford sponsor come and make a table of hot cocoa and snack pals snacks for students and families who needed to warm up inside from the chilly weather.
Quote of the week, “Mr. V (from tons of other teachers in the building) how can I help out and help us get the score of a 4 for our school” This week has shown me what a great community, school, and staff group we have because many people are asking me how we can move up in the Winter Kids standings and what they can do to help out. Thanks again for another great week of Winter Kids activities.
Week 4
Winter Carnival
February 2-6, 2026
Moment of the Week
Reflections
This last week of Winter Kids was so exhausting, exciting, and so cold. We planned out all the activities in the Winter Kids workbook. All the students loved the Art project and the Beach Ball Mini Golf. We did even more beach ball activities after we finished our Winter Kids activities. The students loved the beach ball prizes this final week.
There were so many sad faces because this was our last week. I can’t tell you how many students were so excited for each day. They were excited for the new activities and being outside for the day.
One of our sponsors Aroma Joes donated hot cocoa for the students for our very exciting and fun Winter Field Day/Carnival. They also donated coffee and creamer for the staff for the very cold day.
One of our sponsors, Aroma Joes, donated hot cocoa for the students for our very exciting and fun Winter Field Day/Carnival.Students loved the outside half day of our Winter Carnival/Winter Field Day. Students loved all the activities. We did a beach ball relay race, the 5, 2, 1,0 relay race in the snow, snow shoeing, sledding, walking in the snowy nature trail, and playing on the two playgrounds in the snow. There were many snow forts and tunnels built as well. Our Superintendent and even assistant superintendent came out to join the fun and help students at the stations.
Also, shout out to Liam Nickerson, the photographer and newsman for Winter Kids. A few students from the Student Leadership at our school were so nervous but excited to be interviewed by him and were so happy in showing Liam around the school and around the stations outside.
Staff, parents, students, and the whole community is so excited for next year Winter Kids. We are all starting to plan that out already on how we can involve more people in our community and our sponsors too.
The WinterKids Winter Games is a four-week outdoor learning challenge that inspires thousands of Maine elementary students to move, learn, and explore during the HEART of winter.
