From the Library

  Spring will be here in less than one 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 the Office…

  Spring is in the forecast and with it comes MCAS testing.  We will conduct our annual MCAS testing during the months of March, April and May this year for students in grades three through five.  As mandated by the Education Reform Law of 1993, the statewide testing program is designed to evaluate how well students are meeting the state’s new learning standards in the curriculum frameworks as well as how well our local curriculum aligns with the state frameworks.  This year the curriculum areas that will be tested include; Reading, English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science/Technology, and History/Social Studies. 

  The standards in the curriculum frameworks are rigorous and form the basis for the new state tests.  Students who meet these new standards should be well prepared for higher education or the world of work in the 21^st century.    Schools must help students understand the purpose of the tests and encourage them to try their best.   A report will be sent home in the fall explaining the testing results.  These scores will become part of the student’s permanent school record. 

  We are asking all students in Grades 3 – 5 come to school well rested (every day) but particularly during our testing period, March 27 – April 7 and May 15 – June 2. 

Attn:  5^th Grade Parents

April 4, 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.

March is National Nutrition Month

The American Dietetic Association designed a campaign called National Nutrition Month in 1980 to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.  At Briggs this month and through out the school year, students will be able to explore the different food groups and healthy habits in both physical education and health class.  We believe it is important to educate students to make life long healthy choices.  Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states 16% of all children and teens in the United States are overweight and 65% of all people age 20 and older are overweight and obese.  These numbers are increasing and are a growing threat to our nation’s health.  The United States Department of Agriculture in 2005 created MyPyramid to replace the existing Food Guide Pyramid.  The MyPyramid symbol represents the recommended proportion of foods from each food group and focuses on the importance of making smart food choices in every food group, every day. Physical activity is a new element in the symbol.  For more information log onto:

http://mypyramid.gov, www.eatright.org, www.cdc.gov or contact Miss Cook (PE) or Mrs. Lenart (Health)

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.

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.

Student Council

Our March Student Council is underway…this month we have selected two worthwhile projects.  We are working with Officer Ahearn, School Resource Officer, and Mrs. Clark, JRB School Adjustment Counselor to create posters promoting a local “Anti-Bullying” campaign.  We will also be assisting our local animal shelter through donations of dog and cat food, pet toys, and blankets.  MORE DETAILS TO COME!

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.

Indoor Flea Market

First Congregational

April 1, 2006       9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Tables available…$15/space

Contact:  Karen Brighenti, 978-874-0632

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.

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 your child is missing something and you can’t come in, send in a note and we will help your child look through the lost and found.

Live JRB Broadcast with Dr. Z

March 22, 2006

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Tune in…..Channel 8 for a question and answer session with Mrs. Wright, Mrs. McGrath, and Student Representatives from our 5^th Grade.

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. 

A message from Mrs. Lenart, Health Teacher

All health classes are currently completing their first unit on germs.  Have your children been washing their hands more often?  Nutrition will be our next unit beginning soon.  Look for nutrition materials coming home in your child’s backpack.  Please help out by providing healthy snack for them at school.  Fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, yogurt, 100% juice, milk, or water are all part of a healthy diet and will teach your child good eating habits that will last a lifetime.

Steven’s Public Library

March 13-24, Town Hall Basement, BOOK SALE

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

                   Plan to share your favorite book!

YOGA for every “body” – Wednesday evenings, 6:45 – 8:00