Connect Ed

  Don’t be surprised if you receive a phone call from Dr. Zapantis, Mrs. Wright, Mrs. McGrath or your child’ s teacher.  We now have the capability to reach every family via Connect Ed.  This system allows us to notify you of important information, e.g. P-T conferences, field trips, special events, etc.

J. R. Building Assessment Committee

  Have you received your survey yet?  Look for it in your Municipal Light Bill.  Please return it ASAP…we want to know your opinion.

Public Forum – Nov. 30^th, 6:30 p.m.

Tour, information, discussion

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.

From the Library…

  We will be having a Fall Scholastic Book Fair in the  J. R. Briggs Library from Tuesday, Nov. 29^th through Monday, Dec. 5^th.  The Book Fair will be open during the evenings of parent conferences.  We hope that many parents will be able to stop by before or after conferences.  Proceeds from the Book Fair allow new resources to be added to the library.

  As in the past, students will be given an opportunity to visit the Book Fair with their teacher.  Also, a teacher “wish list” will be posted.  This gives parents an opportunity to make a donation to their child’s classroom library.

  As always, parent volunteers are needed to work at the Book Fair.  If you can help out, please call Mrs. Pinsoneault in the library.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

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

NOVEMBER STUDENT COUNCIL

      This month we are supporting the Heifer Project by raising money for a poor village in Africa, Asia, or South America. We are raffling a three-way soccer net to the winner.  Mr. Engman is setting it up in our lobby…stop in to see it for yourself.

Hopefully we will raise enough money to buy 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! Please help those in need.

Raffle tickets attached…please consider taking a chance on winning this incredible soccer net.  $1.00 EACH

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

Community Wellness

YOGA classes

Offered Wednesday nights, 6:45 – 8:00 p.m.

Steven’s Memorial Library

All levels welcome

Further information available at the Library.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!!