Local Author Debuts at JRB

March 7, 2006

  Shilo Ann is a newly published author and lifelong resident of Massachusetts.  She began writing poetry over 20 years ago and turned her craft to children’s stories when her first child was born.  Her first two stories, “Silly the Selfish Shellfish” and “Clara the Clumsy Clam” are the first two of a series of ten stories based on moral lessons learned by her friends under the sea.

  Shilo resides in Ashburnham with her husband Thomas and their four daughters; Ericka, Tara, Jessica, and Samantha.  Samantha is currently a student in Mrs. Munroe’s 3^rd grade class.  Pre-ordering this colorful and humorous book is available by using the form included with this newsletter ($20.00).  For every book ordered, $1.00 will be donated to our school library.

  For a sneak preview, an excerpt of the book is available at www.authorhouse.com.  Go to:  bookstore. Type in Shilo Ann.

Student Council

  This month the February Student Council will be selling estimate tickets for a chance to win a huge delicious jar of treats for the winning estimator’s class. The money we raise will go towards the Connor Family whose house was recently lost in a fire. The estimate tickets will be priced at 25 cents per ticket. There will be two jars, one for the lower grades and one for the upper grades. The tickets will be drawn at the end of February. It would be very thoughtful if you participated in this event. The Connor family needs our help. Thank you for helping with our February Student Council project.

NEWS FROM FIRST GRADE…

Published Author’s from First Grade

All first grade students have been involved in a very exciting writing project this year. All of the children are in the process of completing their own book. Each child will receive his/her very own individual book at no cost. Additional books may be purchased and those purchase slips will be sent home with your child. Some classes are also involved in writing a “classroom book,” where each child has made an individual contribution. Your child will not receive a “free” copy of the classroom book, but will have the opportunity to purchase one. These purchase slips will also be sent home with your child. We hope you will get as much enjoyment as the children have had in creating and reading their own published work.

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. 

Oakmont Class of 2006

Do you have cans and bottles left over from your Superbowl party?  The Oakmont Class of 2006 will hold a bottle and can drive on Sunday, February 12^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wine and Roses parking lot in Westminster.  All returnable cans and bottles will be accepted.

Are you missing a dish, tray or pan?

      We have several items left from the Father/Daughter dance with no names on them.  Did you send or bring in food items?  If you call the office, we can send some items home with your child.

Magazine Drive

Our Magazine Drive has ended.  We finished with a bang!  Thank you to everyone who supported our school’s main fundraiser.  The funds raised from the magazine drive are used for school wide activities such as presentations, Nature’s Classroom Scholarships, After-School Enrichment classes, and Enrichment Programs.

LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION

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

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…

*  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.