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.

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…(first initial last name@awrsd.org... i.e. cwright@awrsd.org).  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).

AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

Updated information…

·      February 20-24 Winter Vacation – No Program

·      February 27    After School Program Resumes

·      March 6          No School – No Program

·      March 7 – 10  Last Week of Enrichment Program

·      March 15 & 16 Early Release – PT Confer.

* Instructors will notify parents regarding rescheduled classes. 

“Music to Ponder” by Kelly Seager, Music Teacher

We all know that music has the power to influence and create change in our society.  Sometimes this change can be for the better; but often it’s not.  The notion that music can be an adverse, or bad influence in a child’s life, is not exactly new.  Even when I was growing up there were surely artists who were harshly considered to be the “bad boys” of music, with dreaded long hair and plenty of innuendo.  Nowadays, it’s not so subtle anymore.

This became increasingly clear a few weeks ago, as a friend and I were returning from a light-hearted evening of holiday shopping.  Once in awhile, I find it important (and hopefully entertaining) to tune in to the radio station to which many, if not most, of the kids in my music classes listen – exclusively – “Jammin’ 94.5 F.M.”. After about ten minutes of listening, both my friend and I were left with our mouths agape, in awe of how remarkably vulgar the lyrics were to songs we were hearing.  We could only listen to a few songs before we had heard enough.

I felt perplexed.  I wondered, are parents truly privy to what their kids are listening, as the kids constantly tell me, or was I simply being duped by kids eager to find someone with whom to relate and validate their musical interests?   Remarkably, I often hear kids say to me, “But Mr. Seager, my parents know I listen to this music, and let me listen to it anyway!” or, “My parents listen to this also!”.

Music is a powerful medium, perhaps more so than television, given that a t.v. program is often only viewed once, whereas a song can be played over and over, creating a long-lasting legacy.  The most obvious question here is, what can we do?  Adults in our children’s environment have an opportunity to teach the kids about the potential effects of these negative influences.  I believe that kids need to have an adult nearby who will stick up for what is right, or at least, show strong disapproval of what is wrong; in this case, the lyrical content of the kinds of songs mentioned earlier.  Can we protect our kids from these influences by attempting to ban children from listening to these songs?  Not likely, as most of us can attest that this kind of adult/child interaction can often result in rebellion and hostility, and a breakdown in communication, and not the intended – understanding and change.  However, we can stress our disapproval of the lyrical content, and open up a dialogue with our children regarding the topics being discussed in the music, and what might be the motivating factors for the artists to be choosing such topics and language, and why the kids find it appealing.  Perhaps, the most crucial step in this whole process is for the adult to actually know the content of what the kids are listening to, and to make an attempt to understand what it is that attracts the kids to these songs.  This requires actually listening to the music.  Once we are prepared with the knowledge of what our kids listen to, we will likely be one step closer to relating to our children in a positive manner, without undue judgment, and with a greater understanding of the energy and forces that go into our children’s choices.  

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.

Magazine Drive

Our Magazine Drive has begun.  We are off to a slow start.  This is our schools main fundraiser.  The funds raised from the magazine drive are used for school wide activities such as presentations and Enrichment classes.

LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION

Feb. 4^th & Feb. 11^th  at the Town Hall (Back Door)

8:00 am – Noon

Bring birth certificate and proof of residency.

For more information: Bob Poulin 978-827-5976

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

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

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.

STEVENS LIBRARY—The Friends of Stevens Memorial Library will be offering a series of events through the month of February, starting with a Friday Night Flicks featuring the movie “The Incredibles” (popcorn and beverage will be provided) on February 10^th at 7 p.m.  There will be a variety of presentations and activities for children and adults during February Vacation (Feb. 20-24). 

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.