8 Fun Facts About Groundhogs – Brookwood School District 167

How much do you know about this creature? Do you think he’ll see his shadow? Have fun with the tongue-twisters at the end of this article!

Groundhogs Whistle

Brookwood

Groundhogs whistle when they get scared.

They also whistle during the courting process.

Groundhogs Stay Pretty Healthy

Brookwood

Groundhogs are resistant to germs and bacteria, such as those that create plagues.

Insects pretty much leave them alone too.

They live in underground burrows.

Groundhogs Live For About 7 Years

Brookwood

Groundhogs are related to squirrels.

The average lifespan for a groundhog is between 6-8 years.

Babies are called [kits] or cubs.

They are born in mid-April to May.

The average litter is 4-9 kits. (The caretakers of Punxsutawney Phil tell us that he drinks “groundhog punch” every summer. One sip adds another 7 years of life. He turns 131 years old this year!)

Groundhogs Truly Hibernate

Brookwood

Hibernation is more similar to being in a deep coma versus being experiencing a deep sleep.

During hibernation, the body temperature drops to just a couple degrees above freezing, breathing nearly stops, and blood flow severely slows.

Groundhogs Love To Eat Healthy

Brookwood

A groundhog’s diet consists of veggies, greens, and fruits.

However, they drink very little water.

They get most of their liquids through dewy leaves.

Unfortunately, farmers can find them to be a nuisance.

Groundhogs love cabbage, soybeans, and your backyard garden.

Groundhog Day Evolved From The Early Germans Who Lived In Pennsylvania

Brookwood

These early settlers brought with them the legend of Candlemas Day: “For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far the snow swirl in May.”

The Germans found groundhogs to be a much cuter example to carry on the traditional saying.

Groundhog Specifics

Brookwood

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania held its first Groundhog Day on February 2^nd, 1887.

Punxsutawney [Phil] was named after King Philip.

Before being christened Phil, the groundhog was called Br’er Groundhog.

Celebrate Groundhog Day With These Two Tongue-Twisters

Brookwood

How much ground can a groundhog grind if a groundhog could grind wood?

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Parent Update - Return To In-Person Learning Begins February 23, 2021

Dear Parents/Guardians/Families:

The purpose of this message is to share with you the learning options that Brookwood School District 167 is offering for the remainder of the year. Beginning February 23, 2021 parents will have the option to send their child(ren) back to school for in-person learning for full-time instruction. However, parents may choose to continue the remote learning model for the remainder of the school year.

Option #1: In-Person Learning: This option provides students with full-time learning at their school. In order to provide in-person learning, Brookwood School District 167 is committed to implementing all required safety and cleaning protocols outlined by IDPH/CDC. If schools should be required to shift back to Remote Learning (due to current health metrics/increased positivity rates), students can expect to return to the remote structure they have been receiving since the start of the school year. In the event this learning option is not meeting your child’s needs, you may revert back to the Remote Learning Model by notifying your child’s Principal.

Option #2: Remote Learning: With this option, parents are choosing to have learning delivered 100% on-line/remotely. Students who are enrolled in this option should expect to engage with their teachers during normal school hours on a daily basis and receive live (synchronous) instruction for 2.5 hours per day. This matches the current format. All students who are enrolled in Option #2 will experience all subject areas and the current online tools and resources will remain in place. By selecting this option, you will not be able to change your selection and your child will remain in remote learning for the remainder of the school year.

*Please Note: For both options, devices will be provided to all Brookwood School District 167 students. Also with both options, students can rely on Brookwood School District 167 for food service, social-emotional wellness, and special education services. Furthermore, both options emphasize safety, educational quality, and parental choice. Please take time to complete the enrollment form so we understand the option that best meets your child needs. We will register your child, for the remainder of the school year, in the specified learning option you select.

Sincerely,

Bethany A. Lindsay, Superintendent

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