Save the Date for Pumpernickel Puppets:

All preschool and kindergarten age children and their families are invited to a free performance of the Pumpernickel Puppets on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. at Meetinghouse School Cafeteria, Westminster. Come hear this well-loved puppeteer as he delights young and old with some entertaining stories.

The Westminster Cultural Council sponsors this free event. For more information please call 978-874-7312.

From the Library

  Spring will be here in less than three weeks and our annual Spring Book Fair will be here even sooner!  In order to coincide with parent conferences, the Spring Scholastic Book Fair is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, March 14^th and end on Monday, March 20^th.  As always, your help and support in the form of purchases and volunteering would be most appreciated.  New and replacement books and other library materials used to support our curricula , or borrowed for enjoyment, have been purchased thanks to your support of our book fairs. 

Anyone who is able to volunteer to help set up on Monday afternoon, March 13th, take down on Tuesday morning, March 21st, or work at the Spring Book Fair, should call Mrs. Pinsoneault in the library at 827-5750.            Thank you!

NEWS FROM FOURTH GRADE…

As spring approaches and the 3^rd trimester begins, the fourth grade continues to prepare for our upcoming MCAS tests.  We are practicing the sample Math questions on a daily basis and continue to review and reinforce English Language Arts skills.  The ELA Long Composition Test will take place on March 28^th.  Other testing will follow shortly there after.  Exact dates will be sent home.

Each fourth grade recently completed a poetry book for publication.  The books contain collections of individual poems written and illustrated by each child.  Much hard work, creativity and enthusiasm went into these books and we anxiously await their arrival.

The third trimester book report/project has bee assigned and is due on April 4^th.  The students will be creating a board game based on a nonfiction book of their choice.  The classes will enjoy the opportunity to play these games during the month of April.

We would like to thank all of the volunteer readers who participated in Read Across America in our classrooms on March 3^rd.  Your willingness to share your time and love of reading was appreciated by both teachers and students.

Attn:  5^th Grade Parents

March 14, 2006

6:15 p.m. – JRB Faculty Room

Join us for an informal meeting of any 5^th Grade parents interested in discussing the end of the year celebration for our 5^th Graders.

Kindergarten Registration

      On April 4- 6, 2006 children will be screened for hearing.  Parents are asked to call the John R. Briggs School Office, 978-827-5750, after March 13^th to make an appointment for one of these days.  At this time parents will complete forms for registering their child for kindergarten September 2006. 

      Parents of children in Ashburnham may call the Special Education Office, 978-874-6170 to make a separate appointment for screening of any three or four year olds that they feel may have a disability.

Ashburnham Historical Society

The Ashburnham Historical Society is sponsoring a live Maple Sugaring exhibit.  A presentation by Ashburnham resident, Rick Ahlin will be held Saturday, March 18^th at 10:00 a.m., at 60 Russell Hill Road.  Bring the family to enjoy the early spring weather and learn about this New England tradition.

Food Service Department

Just a reminder, if your family is having a difficult time paying for their child’s lunches due to a family emergency (job layoff, medical hardship, etc.) application forms are available for free and reduced lunches at each school or by contacting, Victor Pulnik, food Service Director, 978-874-7320.

Student Council

Great job, February 5^th Grade Student Council!  We raised $120 for the benefit of the Connors Family.  And, congratulations to Dalton – 2Lo, Madison – 3M, and James – 5J for their excellent estimation of the number of treats in our jars (356 items).  We hope their classes are enjoying the classroom treats!

Our March Student Council is just getting underway…stay tuned for their community project.

And, don’t forget to check out the US Map created by the January and February Council Members.

SAVE THE DATE –

Monday, March 20, 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, David Haddad who will speak on "The Power of Connection."  Dr. Haddad will provide parents and teachers with strategies for developing and maintaining connections during challenging times.   This presentation will be held on Monday, March 20 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.

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.

Indoor Flea Market

First Congregational

April 1, 2006       9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Tables available…$15/space

Contact:  Karen Brighenti, 978-874-0632

LOST & FOUND

We have a tremendous amount of lost and found items.  Most children don’t even realize that something of theirs is missing.  We had donated three large bags of sweaters, sweatshirts, pants, and jackets during the Christmas break and still we have more.  If you think you are missing something and can’t come in, send in a note and we will help your child look through the lost and found.

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.

Steven’s Public Library

March 10^th, 7:00 pm – Friday Night Flicks, “Robots”

March 13-24, Town Hall Basement, BOOK SALE

March 15, 7:00 pm – Ireland in Pictures

March 21, 10:30 a.m. – Book discussion group

                   Plan to share your favorite book!

5^th Grade Parents---------

Your children will be having posture screening starting March 7^th.  Ask your children about the information they were given today.  If you have any questions, please call Rose Lawrence at 978-827-5750.

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.