Save the Date!

The eighth annual Young Children’s Festival will be held on   Saturday, April 8^th from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Overlook Middle School, Ashburnham. The Ashburnham-Westminster Community Partnership celebrates the Week of the Young Child at this exciting festival. This free festival provides fun, hands-on activities and crafts for young children, various entertainers, a family raffle, a family show, snacks, valuable resources for families and much, much more.

This event will be free to the public and promises to have surprises and exhibits of interest to families of young children. It will be held in conjunction with the JRB – PTO Easter Bunny Breakfast to be held from 8-11 a.m.

NEWS from the 5^th Grade…

Beginning the week of March 27^th and continuing through the week of April 14^th,           the fifth grade classes will be focusing on The Water Cycle in preparation for the Science and Technology, Reading, Math and Social Studies portions of MCAS. Students will be spending time in each fifth grade classroom reviewing skills and strategies in science, math, language arts and social studies and how they relate to The Water Cycle. Mrs. Bennett will focus on science, Mr. Foster will focus on math, Mrs. Robichaud will focus on English/ language arts, and Mrs. Jackson will focus on social studies. Students will start off in their own homeroom and rotate to a different fifth grade classroom each week for approximately 50 minutes, three times a week. This project was a great success last year and we are looking forward to another positive learning experience. If you have any questions or comments, please ask your fifth grader or drop your child’s teacher a note. Thank you.

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.

We will hold Kindergarten Orientation on May 1^st from 9-10:30 a.m.  There will be no Kindergarten classes for current Kindergarten students on that day.

It is time for our Lost and found to be donated.  Last chance to claim a lost item!  We need to make room for spring items….we still have many unclaimed boots, hats, mittens, ski goggles, sweatshirts, etc.

FROM THE LIBRARY

Thanks so much to everyone for contributing to a very successful Scholastic Book Fair.  Special thanks go to those who volunteered to help set up, take down, and work at the Book Fair.  It was great to see some new faces.  We had a wonderful turnout of volunteers.  You are each very much appreciated! 

Funds generated from the Book Fair are used to purchase replacement and new resources for the library, which services the entire school.  Thanks again for all your purchases!

Illnesses in school

In recent weeks we have seen an increase in illnesses in school. We are concerned that children may be returning to school before they have completely recovered from their illnesses causing them to spread to their classmates and teachers.

Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin or Advil (Ibuprofen) make people feel better but do not cure illnesses.  They mask symptoms.  So if your child requires any of these to keep their temperature down or to make them feel better they don't belong in school. When in doubt about sending your child to school, check with the school nurse.

Children should be fever free (temp below 100 F) for 24 hours (temps tend to go down in the AM and return later in the day) without the aid of fever reducing products such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen to keep it down.

A doctor should be consulted for persistent fevers or any fever accompanied by a sore throat, earache, listlessness or a rash.

Children with diarrhea or vomiting should not be around other children.  Please make sure they are able to keep down food and have no diarrhea stools for 24 hours before sending them to school.

Excessive, uncontrolled coughing can be quite disturbing in the classroom.  You may be asked to come get your child if the coughing is excessive.  If your child has a persistent cough, please have your doctor check him/her and ask what he/she recommends to control the cough.  Teach your children to cough into their elbows or sleeves rather than contaminate their hands by coughing into them.

Thank you for your help to reduce illnesses in school.  We are trying our best to keep your children healthy!

                                                            Sincerely, Rose Lawrence RN

                                                                                        School Nurse

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.  Please consider donating dry dog food, pet toys, blankets, or a cash donation to help defray the cost of veterinarian care.

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.

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.

Youth Art Month Exhibit

At the Worcester Art Museum

Students K – 12 from 35 towns are exhibiting their art work now through April 5^th.  The show is free and all are welcomed to attend!

Viewing Hours:

Tuesday-Friday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Sunday, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Congratulations:

          Meghan, Gillian, Arden, A. J. & Emma

American Girl Doll Luncheon

Sunday, April 2, 2006

Ashburnham Community Church

12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

  Bring your favorite “American Girl” doll and learn a little about some of American’s “girls” throughout history as we enjoy Samantha’s and Felicity’s luncheon treats, participate in some of Josephina’s, Addy’s and Kirsten’s craft activities and view a historical skit with Molly. 

American Girl Doll Prizes and a raffle for a new American Girl Doll!

More information, contact:  Deb Mercier, 978-8927-5393

Tickets:  $15.00, c/o Brenda Brown, 97 Hunter Ave., Ashburnham, MA                   978-827-5492.

All proceeds will benefit the Ashburnham Historical Society.

Steven’s Public Library

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

Reminder…Book Sale going on now!!! Downstairs of the Ashburnham Town Hall.

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.