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

HEALTH WITH MRS. LENART ..................

Because of the snow day on Monday (1/23/06) the start of Health class was pushed by one day. It will begin Monday January 30th.

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 donated a large number of Lost and found items to charity, BUT have replaced those items with newly found clothing items.  Check out the display in the lobby….EVERYTHING will be donated by Feb. 3^rd.

News from Speech and Language

The Speech and Language Department along with the Kindergarten Staff have recently become trained to use the Telian Lively Letter Program. Telian is a multisensory mnemonic letter card program. The lively letters are used to develop phonemic awareness, letter sound associations, phonetic decoding and encoding of words.

These skills are taught through the use of imagery, mnemonics and oral kinesthetic cues. The students are taught the 44 sounds of the English language which are presented as lively characters with personalities. Letters and letter combinations are embedded into a colorful picture of characters that show what the mouth is doing to produce awareness skills such as blending, segmenting and sound manipulation. The children enjoy the songs that are associated with each letter and sound. It really has made learning a whole lot of fun.

Need to get a hold of us???

A number of people mentioned the need to communicate with school personnel via email in our communication survey.  We welcome the opportunity to expand our communication capability. To email a staff members use that person's first initial last name@awrsd.org... i.e. cwright@awrsd.org), or use our online staff directory. Please allow for 24-48 hours to receive a response as our staff members are busy teaching and do not always have immediate access to a “working computer”.  We will do our best.  If you encounter any problems, please notify Mrs. Wright or Mrs. McGrath (ahill@awrsd.org).

Magazine Drive

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

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.

LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION-Overlook M.S.

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

8:00 am – Noon

Bring birth certificate and proof of residency.

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

If you need childcare on Wed. Feb. 1 (early-release day), please call 978-827-1412 by this Friday.  We will not be able to accommodate any last minute requests.

February vacation plans have been set:
Tuesday, Feb. 21 - Sledding at Overlook (weather permitting)
Wednesday, Feb. 22 - Movies at CinemaWorld in Fitchburg
Thursday, Feb. 23 - at school day
Friday, Feb. 24 - Disney on Ice - Monsters, Inc - at DCU Worcester
Please call for more information or to reserve a space.
978-827-1412

                                      Thank you! J

Help Wanted…

The Food Service Department of the AWRSD is looking for substitute school cafeteria workers. 

GREAT MOTHER’S HOURS!!!

If interested, please call Vic Pulnik, Food Service Director (978-827-7320) or pick up an application at the Superintendent’s Office at Oakmont Regional High School.

March Madness Indoor Flea Market

Vendors…Guests Wanted!

Ashburnham Community Church

Saturday, March 4, 2006

8:00 am – 1:00 pm

Tables available…$15/space

Contact:  Brenda Brown, 978-827-5492

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. 

*  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.

The Responsive Home

A program for parents of young children

Presented by Spencer Riley

Join us at no cost for this popular series and find out:

·          How to help children develop the social skills of cooperation, responsibility, empathy, assertion, and self control

·          How to hold family meetings, and other strategies to build healthy family relationships

·          How child development affects behavior

·          How to communicate effectively with children

March 10-May 16, 2006

Tuesday, 5:30 – 8:00 pm – 8 weeks

Reingold Elementary School Library

70 Reingold Ave., Fitchburg, MA

Free on-site childcare and refreshments are available.

To register or for more information about other parenting programs call:

Early Childhood Dept./Community Partnership Program, 978-353-6727.

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.