Dismissal From School

  Just a reminder…our school policy requests ALL parents notify our school if their child is being dismissed to an adult rather than attending Ext. Day or taking a school bus home. 

  On the day of dismissal, the parent/guardian is asked to send a note (or telephone call, 978-827-5750) to the school office indicating the time of the dismissal and who will pick up the child. 

  The authorized adult must report to the school office upon arrival to sign out and dismiss the child.

Don’t forget...we have communication pads of dismissal notes available in our school office.

STUDENT COUNCIL

  This month our January Student Council has taken on a new, exciting project.  We have created a wall-size United States of America map for our main hallway.  The excitement of all of our students has been building as the US is “coming together”. 

  We are looking for wall paint to complete our masterpiece.  If you have small amounts of colorful latex paint or small paintbrushes (1/2” – 1”) that you no longer have a use for, please consider donating them to our project.                                THANK YOU

Wanted…Fabric scraps are needed for puppet making for Grade 3 Art Classes.  If anyone has material they no longer need, please drop it off at the office.  Thanks, Mrs. Richard (Art Teacher)

For Your Information…

  Beginning January 27^th, we will welcome Mrs. Laurie Lenart, Health Teacher to our staff.  Mrs. Lenart will be teaching health education to all students in Kindergarten through Grade 5.  At that time, Ms. Davis and Mrs. Pinsoneault will become library/technology integration specialists working directly with classroom teachers and students on project based curriculum.  You will be learning more information from Mrs. Lenart and our health program in upcoming newsletters.

              WELCOME, MRS. LENART!

News from the Specialists

January 27^th will mark the half-way point in the year, which means that all Briggs students will switch from having technology as a special to having health class. We will be trying out a more integrated approach to technology during the second half of the year. Students will continue to come to the computer lab, but rather than coming on their own during special time they will come with their teachers, and we will work on activities that are co-planned and co-taught by the classroom teachers and technology teachers. Students will focus on projects that tie together technology, research, and core curriculum skills. For example, third grade students might come to the library and computer lab to find information about a famous MA person, using print and online resources. Then each student will work in the computer lab with the technology teacher (who will focus on keyboarding and word processing skills) and the classroom teacher (who will focus on writing skills) to write a report on his or her historical figure.

Mrs. Davis & Mrs. Pinsoneault

Technology Teachers

Nature’s Classroom Info…

All deposits and registrations forms are due by January 30^th.  FYI…Hebert’s Chocolate Bars are still available.  Contact Mrs. Savoie in writing.

 LOST AND FOUND

We have gathered MANY items during the vacation.  There is a very big display of items in the front lobby.  PLEASE come and look!  Time is running out…they are GOING soon!

Harlem Wizards vs. Ash-West, Muggles

  The Wizards are coming back this Sunday, January 22^nd to take on the teachers and staff from J. R. Briggs, Westminster Elementary, Overlook, and Oakmont.  The basketball game will begin at 2:00 pm in the new gym at Oakmont.  Doors will open at 1:15 pm and tickets will be available at the door.

  As there will be no coat rack and we expect the gym to be filled to capacity, please consider leaving heavy coats in your car or use your coat as a seat cushion.  Thank you in advance…we want as many people as possible to comfortably watch this GREAT show. 

Tickets:  $8 students, $10 adults.  Refreshments and souvenirs available.

Magazine Drive

Drive begins:  January 26, 2006 and will end on Monday, February 6, 2006.

LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION-Overlook M.S.

Saturday, Jan. 21^st, Jan. 28^th, Feb. 4^th, Feb. 11^th

8:00 am – Noon

Bring birth certificate and proof of residency.

Parent Volunteer Coordinator

  Thank you, Mrs. Becky Pillsbury for stepping forward and offering to coordinate volunteer opportunities for parents wishing to help out in our school.  A survey will be formulated to help gather volunteer information. 

John R. Briggs Communication Survey

Thank you for the overwhelming response to our survey.  We received ninety-one returns from approximately three hundred and fifty families.  We appreciate everyone who responded to our questions.  The School Improvement Council will analyze the results to help us meet the communication needs of our school community. 

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART

On Wednesday, February 1, 2006 J.R. Briggs students in grades 1-5 may volunteer to participate in the Jump Rope For Heart Program.  This fun event raises funds for the American Heart Association.  Our efforts help other children and adults who may suffer from heart disease/stroke.  The event will take place during the day at school.  All of those students who would like to participate need a signed permission slip given from Miss Cook by Friday, January 27^th.  Parent volunteers are welcomed to help.  Please contact Miss Cook for any further information or to volunteer.

Extended Day News

Spring Gymnastics Class w/ Ariana LeBlanc

– starting February 6 and running through the end of May.  Each group meets twice a week for an hour – (24 classes). CLASS SIZE LIMITED.

Grades 1 & 2 on Mondays & Tuesdays (3:30-4:30 p.m.)

Grades 3-5 on Tuesdays  (4:45-5:45) & Wednesdays (3:30-4:30)

Cost:  $120.00

Contact Extended Day – 978-827-1412 –to register or for more information.

FOB/PTO Grade Level Baskets

  A big THANK YOU to everyone who made the Grade Level Basket raffle such a success.  We made a total of $1700 for the grade level and specialists teams.

Kindergarten–Arts and Crafts–Archangelo family

Grade 1 – Scrapbooking – Pillsbury family

Grade 2 – Automotive Travel – Kublbeck family

Grade 3 – Italian – Haring family

Grade 4 – Chocolate  - Hayes family

Grade 5 – Bath and Body – Garnett family

Specialists – Snowy Day – Maguy/Thrailkill family

Upcoming Parent Programs…

SAVE THE DATE -Monday, Feb. 6, 3:30-5:30 or 7-9pm 

Project Connect is entering its second year, with the continued goal of promoting mental health in young children.  Once again, we are offering a teacher and parent workshop series.  Our next training will feature the well-known speaker, Jeanine Fitzgerald who will speak on "Beyond Begging, Bossing and Bribing".  Ms. Fitzgerald will provide parents and teachers with strategies for raising, teaching and disciplining children.  .   This presentation will be held on Monday, February 6 at Overlook Middle School.  There will be an afternoon session(3:30-5:30) for Education and Child Care Professionals and an evening session (7-9pm) for parents.  This presentation is free and open to the public.  No registration is required.  For more information, please contact Jana Harrison at 978-874-7312 or Karen Feeney at 978-874-6427, x1. 

*  Asperger Syndrome

    January 25, 2006  7pm–9pm, Overlook Middle Sch.

                             Family Health Room #113

*  Six Active Parenting Classes at Perkins

Take one Sunday a month to find our how to really talk to your kids, so they listen!

  Feb. 12-  Strengthening Your Child’s Character

  Mar. 12 –Side Stepping the Power Struggles

  Apr. 9  -  Teaching Responsibility in Children

  May 21 -  Active Communication With Your Child

  June 4  - The Magic of Family Meetings

                 Time:  3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

                 Place: Perkins School

                            971 Main Street

                            Lancaster, MA

                            Janeway Education Center

* Register for this free series and/or more information, Terri Philbrick, 978-368-6496.

Briggs Web Page

You can find the Briggs At Large newsletter, PTO meeting minutes, and other important school announcements at the school's web site. Our address is: www.awrsd.org/jrb.