J. R. Briggs Elementary School

Briggs At Large Newsletter

The Voice of John R. Briggs Elementary School

February 10, 2005 Volume 23, Number 19

Upcoming events…FEBRUARY

Feb. 10     PTO Meeting cancelled-rescheduled

Feb. 15     School Committee w/Public Hearing Meeting at 7 p.m. at Overlook

Feb. 17     PTO Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 17     School Council Meeting, 6:15 p.m.

Feb. 17     Spelling Bee, 9:00 a.m.

Feb. 21 – 25    School Vacation

Mar. 4       Read Across America

Mar. 8       School Committee w/Public Hearing & Budget Certification, 7 p.m. at OMS

News from the Office

• Red Sox World Series Trophy Tour

The Boston Red Sox World Series Trophy Tour is stopping in Ashburnham on Friday, February 11, 2005.  The trophy will be showcased from 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. at Overlook Middle School.  During this time, the trophy will be available for viewing for students only – the general public will not be allowed in at this time.  However, the trophy will be displayed for the general public at Oakmont Regional High School in the hallway outside the new gymnasium from 2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Parking is available in the back of the school, behind the gym.

• Parent-Teacher Conferences

It is now time to think about the upcoming parent-teacher conferences.  They are scheduled for Tuesday, March 15^th and Thursday, March 17^th, from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  This is an excellent opportunity for parents and teachers to work together for the betterment of each of our students.  Connecting with your child’s teacher shows the importance of fostering a close home-school allegiance.  Open communication of student growth and weaknesses helps to improve student learning.  Parent-teacher conference forms will be sent home very soon, please be sure to return them in a timely manner, so we can schedule a conference time that works best for everyone.

• Please be sure to see “Unity” on the reverse.

Nature’s Classroom 

Due to the possibility of severe weather the parent meeting scheduled for Thursday February 10^th will be rescheduled for a later date.

Unity

I dreamed I stood in a studio

And watched two sculptors there,

The clay they used was a young child’s mind

And they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher; the tools he used

Were books and music and art:

One a parent with a guiding hand,

And a gentle loving heart.

Day after day the teacher toile,

With touch that was deft and sure,

While the parent labored by his side

And polished and smoothed it o’er.

And when at last their task was done,

They were proud of what they had wrought,

For the things they had molded into the child

Could neither be sold nor bought

And each agreed he would have failed

If he had worked alone,

For behind the parent stood the school,

And behind the teacher, the home.

Cure the chore blues…

Getting your child to do chores may feel like a chore itself!  Use these tips to end the chore wars with your youngster.

Be Specific about your child’s chores – explain how and when chores should be done. 

Limit the chores you assign – make sure your child has time for all the chores.  When children feel overwhelmed by responsibilities, they may not do any of them.

Keep track of chores – notice when your child completes his chores, and reward with praise!  If chores are neglected, privileges may need to be taken away.

Give your child a say – talk about jobs that need to be done.  Asking rather than telling can make all the difference.

HOME SCHOOLING POLICY

We are looking for a small group of interested parents and school employees to be part of an ad hoc committee to develop a home schooling policy with corresponding regulations.  Drafted documents which are developed will be delivered to the School Committee’s subcommittee on policy.  The Policy Subcommittee may edit or revise the documents as necessary and then take final recommendations to the full school committee for further action. 

If interested in serving on the ad hoc committee, please call the Office of the Superintendent at 978-827-1434.  Thank you.

Help us celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday

                        March 4, 2005

Kindergarten:  11:00 – 11:30 a.m.

1^st Grade:         2:00 – 2:30 p.m.

2^nd Grade:       1:15 – 1:45 p.m.

3^rd Grade:        11:45 -12:15 p.m.

4^th Grade           9:30 – 10:00 a.m.

5^th grade            9:00 – 9:30 a.m.

More information has been sent home with all the children.

Poster Contest:

ATTENTION ALL ARTISTS!

The Massachusetts Medical Society and Alliance are hosting an Anti-Tobacco Poster Contest.  The themes for this year are:  Grades 1 & 2- Tobacco is Bad for Your Body, Grades 3 & 4- Tobacco Affects Other People, and Grades 5 & 6- Why I Won’t Start Smoking.  Mrs. Richard and Miss Cook have the contest directions/entry forms for all those who are interested.  Please submit any entries to either Mrs. Richard or Miss Cook by Friday, February 18^th.  Good luck!!            

YEARBOOKS

There are several 5^th graders who have not ordered yearbooks at this time.  Fifth graders are not getting free yearbooks this year.  If you wish your 5^th grader to receive a yearbook, you will need to place your order as soon as possible.  Thank you.

Girls Softball Clinics

There will be softball clinics for girls ages 7-9, 10-12, and 13 plus on Sundays February 27, March 6, 13, 20, and April 3^rd.  The clinics will be held at the Mount Wachusett Community Fitness & Wellness Center and they are sponsored by the Galaxy of Greater Gardner.  For more information, please call the Fitness Center at 978-630-9212.

OAKMONT POP WARNER

Oakmont Pop Warner Football and Cheering will be holding registration on Saturday February 12^th from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., for girls and boys ages 7 (must be 7 as of July 31^st) and up. 

Registrations will be at both Overlook Middle School and Clark Memorial in Winchendon.  Please bring a birth certificate for your child.

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