March 14, 2008

A Note from the Principal

Dear Families,

Spring officially begins this Thursday!! I know I am quite done with winter! Cheerful daffodils and crocuses are just below the ground; sidewalks and yards are becoming clear of ice and snow; and, children are beginning to bring out their bikes to ride in their driveways! I love the bright morning sun and longer days of sunlight! Please continue to encourage your children to dress appropriately. While it may be bright and sunny out, the temperature is still pretty chilly and the March winds can make it quite uncomfortable without a coat, hat, and mittens.

The end of the third quarter has been extended until April 3rd due to the amount of snow days. Parent teacher conferences have also been extended until the week of April 14th. Your child’s teacher will soon be contacting you to set up an appointment. This is a great time to talk with your child’s teacher to discuss the progress your child has made this year.

On that note, we will also begin creating class lists for next year very soon. Teachers will be meeting with me to create balanced classes, which take into account student learning styles, academic needs, friendships, the ratio of boys and girls, and special learning plans. Creating balanced classrooms is a challenging process for sure! We do take into consideration input from parents/guardians as well. While teacher requests are considered, they are not a guarantee. Out top priority is to create balanced classrooms that offer the best learning environments for all students. If you would like to make a teacher request, please make this request to me in writing explaining your educational reasons for the placement. Your request should be sent before April 4, 2008. Again, creating balanced classrooms will remain our top priority. If you have any questions about the placement process, please call me at 582-3612.

Enjoy the beginning of the spring season…especially before the black flies arrive! I hope to see your families out and about as I too begin getting fit again by running about town!

Yours in the service of children,
Karen Moody

Upcoming Events
March
17th: Spring pictures
19th: Early Release - students dismissed at 12:30
26th & 28th: Chewonki visits LER
27th: Superkids Assembly, 8:45
28th: Family Fun Beach Party at RVCS, 6:00 - 7:30
April
1st: GEPTA meeting, 6:00 @ LER
3rd: End of 3rd quarter
19th: Gardiner Music Boosters Craft Fair at LER
21st - 25th: Spring vacation
May
2nd: No kindergarten classes due to k-screening for next year
6th: K-2 Spring concert, 2:00
21st: Early release - students dismissed at 12:30
26th: Memorial Day - no school

School Store
The school store is open in the office on Monday and Wednesday mornings before school.

Kindergarten Registration
It’s kindergarten registration time! If you have a child who will be five years of age on or before October 15, 2008, or if you know of one, please contact the school.

Box Tops and Campbell’s Update
So far, we have collected $695.70 in Box Tops symbols for our school, and a total of 1,234 in Campbell’s points!

GEPTA News
Dr Seuss said, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." LER and RVCS have logged 72,274 minutes of reading! That is more than 50 days! We are definitely going places! We also raised $2000 that will help fund activities for both schools.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, April 1st at 6:00 at LER. Chidcare will be available.

There will be a meeting to discuss the River View playground on Tuesday, March 18th at 6:00 at RVCS. Come help choose equipment and talk about fund raising. Childcare is available. FMI email geptanews@gmail.com

Family Fun Beach Party! Come have some fun in the sun! March 28th from 6:00 - 7:30. Please send in the reply from the flyer sent home to RSVP, or call Helen 582-6492 or Karen 582-0610 or email geptanews@gmail.com so we know how much food to bring to the beach!

Gardiner Main Street Easter Festivities
Meet outside A1 to Go by 11:00 on Saturday, March 22 and take a stroll down Water Street showing off your creations - bonnets, hats & ties. Free framed photos of the winners in the following categories - Most Traditional, Most Outrageous and Most Charming in both Adult and Children's categories. Storefront Easter Egg Hunt 11:00 to
1:00, and more. All children under 12 are winners!

News from Your School Nurse,
Pat fisher, R.N.
We have been notified of a few cases of Strep Throat at school. Strep throat is the type of sore throat caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. It is more common in children than adults.

A child who is diagnosed with a strep infection may return to school 24 hours after starting antibiotic therapy and not running a fever.

Please notify the school if your child is diagnosed with a strep infection. To prevent the spread of infection please encourage your child to cover his/her mouth and nose when he/she coughs or sneezes, and wash hands frequently!

A Note from the Office
Please remember that you must stop at the office to sign your child out if you are picking him/her up from school at dismissal time and at any other time during the day.