December 14, 2007
Principal’s Notes
Dear Families,
How appropriate that December’s SuperKid’s skill is “Caring”! Every morning during announcements I remind children what it means to show kindness to others. They can use their words to be kind by giving friendly greetings to each other, by giving compliments to someone, and by saying “I accept your apology” when someone does something to them that was not kind. Children are also encouraged to show kindness with actions. This includes sharing and taking turns and helping someone who may need help with reading or understanding directions to an activity. I love it when I visit classrooms and walk through the halls and children share with me how they have shown caring to others!
Showing caring to others starts at home. You are your child’s first teacher and make the biggest difference in developing the person they will grow up to be. Showing your children how to be kind to others by visiting an elderly family member or friend, giving to the needy, volunteering at a community supper, or saying friendly greetings to others, models kindness for children. Another way to model kindness to your children is by forgiving family and friends who may have offended you. This is so very difficult, but it does make a huge impact on how your children will build and keep relationships with others.
At this time I wish to send my best wishes for love and happiness to you and your family! I hope you enjoy the December break with your family and friends. Stay safe and rest!
How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a weary world.
~William Shakespeare
Yours in the service of children,
Karen Moody
Upcoming Events
December
14th: GEPTA Holiday Family Fun Night at LER, 6:00 - 7:30
17th: Sing-a-long, 2:00 - Parents are welcome to join us!
18th: Reindeer visit, 9:15 - 11:30 - Please note the new date
19th: Early Release Day, students dismissed at 12:30
21st: Grade 2, Holiday caroling, 1:45
24th: Winter break begins. Have a safe & cozy vacation!
January
2nd: Students and staff return.Welcome back!
8th: GEPTA meeting, 6:00 at RVCS
21st: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - no school
Walking School Bus
Our Walking School Bus has been postponed for the winter. We look forward to starting again when the warmer weather returns. Be watching the newsletter for more information!
Box Tops for Education
Have you filled the snowflake sheet that came home with your student for this month’s contest? Each Box Top for Education symbol is worth 10 cents to our school. Students are encouraged to fill as many sheets as they can and return their completed sheets to school. Each grade level classroom collecting the most Box Tops each month will win a prize!
Star Students
Each week, our teachers choose a Star Student from their classroom who has demonstrated the character skill of the month. Each Star Student receives a certificate, a special pencil, and has his or her picture taken for our Star Student bulletin board in the lobby. Stop by and check it out! December’s skill is caring. Congratulations to all of our Star Students!
Host Family Needed for AFS Teacher
LER will be welcoming AFS teacher Zhi Zhang from China, who goes by the name of “Big John.” He will be at LER sharing his language and culture with our students and staff from January 2nd through February 15th.
We are in need of a host family for Mr. Zhang. If you would like information on this wonderful opportunity for your family, please contact our AFS coordinator, Larry Ralph at 626-0779.
No School Announcements
In the event that schools are unable to open due to inclement weather, announcements will be broadcast on TV stations channel 6, 8, & 13 and by radio stations WABK and WMME as early as possible. Cancellations are also posted on WABI’s StormWatch at www.wabi.tv. Please listen for the announcements and do not call the schools, principals, superintendent, or teachers. Occasionally, school is dismissed early during the day, which would also be announced on these radio and television stations.
Bundle Up ... It’s Getting Cold Outside
Now that cold weather is here, students need to dress appropriately for outside recess - including hats and mittens or gloves, boots and snow pants. When there is snow on the playground, students who are not wearing boots and snow pants will need to stay on the paved areas.
Each student should have a complete change of clothing to be kept at school or in his/her backpack. Be sure to label all of your child’s belongings.
We continue to hold recess outdoors throughout the winter unless the weather is exceptionally cold. All students are expected to participate in outside recess unless there is a health reason accompanied by a doctor’s note.
Spare Shoes or Sneakers at School
Students should bring a pair of shoes or sneakers to school each day, or leave a spare pair in their locker or cubby, to wear during the day instead of boots. Please note that slippers are not permitted.
Emergency Contact Information
Please remember to notify the school whenever you have a change in phone numbers, address, or other contact information for you or the people you have listed on your child’s emergency form. We sometimes have difficulty reaching a parent or guardian because contact information has changed and we have not been informed. It is very important that the school be able to reach you in case of emergency.
Ongoing Fundraisers- LER participates in these ongoing programs which will help us to raise funds for our school:
Box Tops for Education - “BoxTop” labels are a great fundraiser for our school. Each label is worth 10 cents. The money goes to purchasing items for our school. We hold monthly BoxTop contests with prizes for the classroom that collects the most!
Printer cartridges - We participate in two different programs to collect printer cartridges of all types and sizes, which are redeemed for cash. Please send your empty cartridges to school. We can also provide collection boxes for your office.
Campbell’s Labels for Education -Collect UPC codes and logos instead of front labels from Campbell’s products as well as many other products with the “Labels for Education” logo. Remember that Campbell’s no longer accepts the front labels for redemption. Please send us only the UPC code and logo.
Reindeer & Fallow Deer Visit
LER will be hosting some very special visitors on Tuesday, December 18th from 9:15 to 11:30. (Please note the new date!) We have a reindeer and fallow deer coming with their caretaker. Pre-K students, kindergarteners, and first graders will get to walk through and pet a very friendly European Fallow Deer. Second graders will be having a very special half-hour presentation with more in-depth information about deer. The visits will take place on the paved area near the big playground.
9:30-10:00: Pre-K and kindergarten.Afternoon Pre-K families are welcome to bring their student for this half hour to walk through and pet the deer!
10:00-10:30: Grade 1
10:30-11:30: Two half-hour presentations for second graders (Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Canning will visit at 10:30, Ms.Brown and Mrs. Murphy will visit at 11:00.)
Notes from the Office
If your child will be absent from school, please call the office to let us know or e-mail the secretary at shoudlette@msad11.org. If your child arrives to school late, be sure to sign them in in at the office so that they are not marked absent for the day.
If your child will be leaving school at the end of the day other than in their usual manner, please send in a note or call the office. Remember that we can only release students to the people you have listed on the blue emergency contact form.
Please note that if your arrives after 8:25 he or she is considered tardy. If your child is signed out before 2:55 it is considered a dismissal. All tardiness and dismissals are part of your child’s permanent attendance records.
Thank you for respecting our learning time by making sure your child arrives on time each day, and by not dismissing your child early unless it is an emergency!
Head Lice
There have been a few cases of head lice found at LER. Whenever a child is found to have live lice or viable nits (nits less than 1/2 inch away from the scalp) the child will need to go home for treatment. The child may return to school after being treated. Once you have treated your child you are encouraged to check his/her head every day for the next few weeks. It is helpful for all parents to check their children’s heads for lice off and on through out the year.
The treated child can be reinfested by lice, which were hiding in the seams of clothing, blankets or from brushes and combs. A thorough cleaning of these objects is necessary at the same time the child is treated. The backs of upholstered furniture, car seats, etc., should be thoroughly vacuumed.
Remember, the best way to control this problem is for parents to examine their child’s head frequently for lice or nits (eggs), and if they find that their child has become infested, please call the school immediately so we are aware of the problem.
For more information on the prevention and/or treatment of head lice, please call your health care professional, our school nurse, or visit our website. There is a link under “School Nurse.” !
Spare Clothing
We cannot stress enough how helpful it is for each student to have a complete change of clothing to be kept at school or in his/her backpack. It is sometimes not convenient for parents to bring clothing in if a child spills a snack, falls in the slush, or needs extra clothing during the school day for any reason. This time of year finds us spending a great deal of time each day trying to reach parents to bring clothing to school. This also means lost class time for your student!