Project Connect

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 Glen Geike, LICSW who will speak on 'Conflict Resolution".  Mr. Geike will address the basic steps of conflict resolution that can be utilized at home and in the classroom.  This presentation will be held on Tuesday, December 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.

Rubber Bracelets…HELP!

We need your assistance regarding the wearing of the rubberized wrist bracelets.  They are becoming problematic…trading (broken hearts)…distracting (excessive playing with them in the classroom…safety (getting caught on playground equipment).  Please monitor the wearing of these bracelets.

It’s So Much Work To Be Your Friend

Monday November 28, 2005

Family Health Room (#113)

Overlook Middle School

7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

There will be a PBS video presented by Rick Lavoie.  Mr. Lavoie has devoted more than thirty years to highlighting the link between learning disorders and social incompetence and isolation.  In his work, Mr. Lavoie found that neurologically based problems with attention, memory, organization, language, and impulse control have a tremendous impact not only on academic achievement but also on social proficiency and acceptance.  Making use of techniques he developed during his long career, Mr. Lavoie now gives the parents, teachers, coaches and care-givers expert advice on teaching learning-disabled children how to interact successfully and happily in social situation, including proven strategies for:

• Joining groups of peers engaged in a team sport or shared activity
• Establishing and maintaining friendships
• Resolving conflicts with classmates and siblings
• Tuning into social cues, including reading unwritten rules and conventions

Childcare arrangements for AWRSD parents ~ Dorene Francis at 978-827-1412.

For more information: Ann Berube 978-874-0172 or Special Ed. Dept. 978-874-6170.

NOVEMBER STUDENT COUNCIL

      This month we are supporting the Heifer Project by doing a raffle to raise money for a poor village in Africa, Asia, or South America. We are giving away a three-way soccer net to the winner of the raffle. Hopefully we will get a nice animal for those in need; maybe a flock of chickens, a sheep, a llama, or a goat.  We can do it with your help! When they get the animal then they can use it for food or to increase their herd. They will be so surprised when they get it! So give $1.00 for each ticket. Look all around the school for more information. There will be posters hanging up on the walls. Please help those in need. We can do it! 

PTO Info

It’s Grade Level Basket Raffle Time

This year’s themes are:

Kindergarten:  Arts and Crafts

1^st Grade:  Scrap Booking

2^nd Grade:  Automobile Travel

3^rd Grade:  Mama Mia that’s Italian

4^th Grade:  A Touch of Chocolate

5^th Grade:  Bath, Body and Spa

Specialists:  Snow Day

If you wish to participate, please send in one item for your child’s grade level and/or specialist theme basket by Wednesday, Nov. 23^rd.  Remember, all monies earned in this raffle go directly to the grade level teams. 

Thank you for your support!

Box Top for Education

  From now until Dec. 31^st, our school can earn an extra 50 cents for each new person who joins the Box Tops Booster Club.  All you have to do is sign up at www.boxtops4education.com

TARGET – “Take charge of Education”

  Sign up for a Target Visa RedCard.  Target will donate 1% to our school.  Visit:  www.Target.com and designate JRB – VMS School. 

Holly Berry Fair

Saturday, November 19^th

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

First Congregational Church

Main Street, Westminster, MA

Coffee Shop – Corn Chowder Luncheon

Reminders:

Don’t forget to order your Poinsettias for the holidays from the Oakmont Booster Club.

Oakmont Pop Warner

Oakmont will be hosting the first round of the New England Regional Play-Offs on Saturday November 12^th at 2 p.m.

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.

Mrs. Davis & Mrs. Pinsoneault
Technology Teachers

INTERNET SAFETY INFORMATION NIGHT FOR PARENTS

Monday December 12, 2005

7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Oakmont High School, Alumni Auditorium

Ellen Miller of the District Attorneys office will be the speaker on this important subject.

ALL ADULTS ARE WELCOME

Holiday House Fair

Saturday November 19^th

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Ashburnham Community Church

Main Street Ashburnham

Highlights include:  Santa’s Cookie Bag, Auction, Country Pantry, Jewelry Boutique, Café Noel, Morning Muffins, Christmas Corner, Nana’s Bread, Pies, Music, Attendance prizes every half hour, pictures with Santa and/or his elves, a concert by Pat Frederick at 12:30 p.m. and much more.

W.A.V.E.

Westminster Ashburnham Value Education

ARTISAN’S FAIR

Saturday, November 12, 2005

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

A variety of artisans, a perfect opportunity for HOLIDAY shopping!

Art, Pottery, Textiles, Jewelry, Primitives, Music, food, refreshments and much more!!

Westminster Elementary School

1 Academy Street

Westminster, MA

Free Admission

  W.A.V.E. is a non-profit organization with the purpose of promoting and enhancing educational opportunities in Ashburnham and Westminster.

  Consider becoming a member of our group for more information; contact – Mary Durkee, 978-827-4522.

Way to go!!!!

Congratulations to Ashley, a fourth grader here at Briggs, for having a very unusual birthday celebration.  Instead of asking for a party for herself, she used the opportunity to help abandoned and neglected animals.

Ashley asked that all invited guests bring gifts for pets.  Ashley and her mother then chose to donate all the gifts and cash to the Winchendon dog pound.

We are proud of your generosity!!