HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2007

January Student

Council

Stay tuned…new project on the way.

We will continue to collect used cell phones during January.   Every cell phone collected will earn us at least $5 to be used for The Nature’s Classroom Scholarship Fund. 

This fund helps those fifth grade students that need financial assistance for this educational experience.  If you know any friend or family member that has an old or broken cell phone at home please consider donating used phones.

LOST & FOUND

We have a new collection growing in the front lobby.  Please stop in and check it out.  Without a name on an item we are unable to return items to the owner.

STREP THROAT

Our school is experiencing many Strep throats.  Please take these precautions:

1.  Watch your child for signs of a sore throat and other signs of Strep (headache, fever, stomach ache, swollen and tender neck glands).

2. If your child develops a sore throat and any of these other signs please see your health care provider, tell them that other children in school have Strep and ask to have your child tested for Strep throat.  If Strep is found, your child should receive treatment. 

Information about Strep throat

What is Strep throat?  Strep throat is a sore throat caused by Streptococcus bacteria that are passed around through nose and mouth droplets.  It is very common in children.  Most sore throats, however, are caused by viruses and are not treated with antibiotics.

Why is it important that your child receive treatment?  There are three main reasons:

1.  Treatment reduces spread. If not treated or not treated long enough, your child may continue to spread the infection to other members of your family or to other children.

2 Treatment with antibiotics can usually prevent rheumatic fever. Rarely, some children with Strep throat later develop rheumatic fever— abnormalities of the heart valves and inflammation of the joints.

3 Treatment will also prevent other rare, but possibly dangerous complications.

When can your child come back to school?  Children with strep infections may return to school after taking medicine for at least 24 hours and fever is gone.

What should you do to prevent the spread of strep throat?

1.  Thoroughly wash your hands and your child’s hands after wiping noses and before eating or preparing food. 

2. Wash dishes carefully in hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher.

3. Do not allow the sharing of food or allow children to share cups, spoons, or toys that are put into the mouth.

4. Teach your child to cough into a tissue or into their sleeve if a tissue is not available, and again wash their hands after using the tissue.

4^th Grade News…

                The fourth graders recently had a visit from Gardner resident, Helene Vautour, and her dog Eugene. Mrs. Vautour, a friend of Mrs. Fredette, is legally blind. After reading the story, Mom’s Best Friend, from the fourth grade reading series, the students were eager to meet a person who had actually been to the Seeing Eye. The Seeing Eye is a training center for guide dogs in Morristown, New Jersey. The biography, Mom’s Best Friend, is based on the real life experiences of Sally Hobart Alexander and her guide dog, Ursula. The children were given the opportunity to ask Mrs. Vautour many questions about her life and the daily responsibilities of her dog, Eugene. After a question and answer period, the students were allowed to pet Eugene.

Colonial B & B

March 30, 2007

Informational letter and brochure coming home soon!

Fifth Grade News

PTO Dance

January 26, 2007

7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Pirates Welcomed!

Join your friends and neighbors for the annual Mother-Son Event.  Dress as your favorite pirate if you wish.  Of course, land lubbers are welcome, too.

$15.00 per couple, each additional son, $8.00. 

HELP is needed for this event.

Don’t forget the Father/Daughter Valentine Dance will be held Friday, February 2, 2007.

More information to follow.

Thank You, A-W Rotary

A special thanks to the Ashburnham-Westminster Rotary for their generous donation of dictionaries to every third grade student at both the John R. Briggs and Westminster Elementary Schools.  This was a wonderful surprise for our students.  Each student is encouraged to make a new word part of your vocabulary on a daily basis.

Is it an Ear Infection???    

Many parents recognize their child’s earache symptoms — fussing, crying, loss of sleep and appetite and a tugging at the ear. Ear infections can result in hearing loss, though doctors say that’s usually temporary.

Antibiotics only work against bacterial infections, though some of the many bacteria that can cause ear infections have grown resistant to certain antibiotics. Doctors have no way of knowing if a virus or bacteria is causing each individual infection.

A visit to the doctor is advised if a child is sick for a few days and suddenly develops a fever, along with those other symptoms like ear-tugging and awaking at night.

A Message From

 Officer Ahearn

Parents, Teachers, and Staff,

I have received several complaints of cars entering the horseshoe when there are buses dropping off/picking up children. Please DO NOT enter the horseshoe when the cruiser’s lights are turned on at the entrance of the first driveway. Once buses arrive, no cars will be permitted to use this entrance. Please use the far entrance as a means to the back parking lot. Passing buses while red lights are on is unlawful and could result in a fine up to $2,000.Thank you for your cooperation in helping to ensure the safety of our students.

Music News

 Last updated 1/06/07  by Tiffany Davis.