HT Newsletter of March 28, 2008

Principal’s Corner
MSAD # 11 is in the budgeting process for the 2008-09 academic year. As is true everywhere, money is tight, times are tough, and painful decisions must be made. I have been attending these meetings (that can run up to 10 pm on “school nights”), and I have these insights to offer.

1. I want to publicly thank our school board members for their work. They spend hours reading, listening to townspeople, and preparing for the meetings. The meetings are not only time consuming, but can also be heart wrenching.
2. If I had to choose between being on a school committee and walking on hot coals, I’d probably take the coal-walking. (Blistered feet often heal quicker than scorched emotions.) Thank goodness our schools have people who are willing to face the more difficult choice and represent their towns on the school committee!
3. Trimming a budget is never easy. Every position usually represents a person, a family, and various contacts with children. That person has usually given much more than he/she has received.
4. I feel like a momma bear, trying to protect MY cubs. I want to fight and scratch and growl and do anything I can to protect my school. Because I am also a member of a bigger community - MSAD #11 schools - I also have to be willing to see (and support) the big picture instead of my little corner only. It’s a difficult balancing act.
5. Coal walking anyone?

Donna McGibney

Dates to Remember
March
28th: PTA Spaghetti Supper, 5:00 - 7:00

April
1st: Spring pictures
3rd: End of third quarter
3rd: Mrs. Hicks’ class to GRMS, 10:00 - 12:30
4th: Ms. Wise’s class to GRMS, 10:00 - 12:30
15th: PTA meeting, 6:30 in library
15th: Parent-Teacher conferences, 3:30 - 7:30
16th: All Chorus rehearsal, a.m.
16th: All Chorus Concert at GAHS, 7:00
17th: Parent-Teacher conferences 3:30 - 7:30
19th-27th: Spring Vacation
29th: No kindergarten classes

PTA 5th Annual Cabin Fever Night
Spaghetti Supper
Friday, March 28th
5:00 - 7:00
Students’ work on display, basket raffles, and more!

It’s Parent-Teacher Conference Time!
Conferences will be held on
Tuesday, April 15th
Thursday, April 17th

3:30 - 4:30 & 5:30 - 7:30

Please call the school at 724-3930 to schedule conferences.

PTA News
In the PTA we are often reminded to say our please and thank yous! Thank you to all of you who will join us for the Spaghetti Supper this Friday night and especially to those who have volunteered their time and energy to make it successful. We will announce the lucky basket raffle winners next time, and appreciate all contributions that have come in.
These special events really do make a difference in our school community. The proceeds from the dinner and from the raffles will be put to good use by the PTA to support student field trips and enrichment activities and your generosity is appreciated. Another thank you goes to these local businesses for making a donation towards the Spaghetti Supper: Hannaford, Huhtamaki Packaging, Associated Grocers, Shaw's, Wal-Mart, Goggin’s IGA and Dunkin Donuts.

Speaking of enrichment activities, we are excited to host Pablo Paredes Goche on April 15th. Pablo is a visiting ceramic artist from Mexico coming to us through the Margaritas education outreach program. HTS students will have a chance to meet him, see his artwork and hear about his culture and craft. These opportunities are available because of the funds raised by the PTA, so thanks to you for your support.

Save the date - May 17th for the Peter Pan Fair! Planning is underway and we welcome your participation. Please join our efforts to put together a terrific fair this year. We also need volunteers to help run the spring Scholastic book fair and contribute to the teacher appreciation activities we are currently scheming. Contact Susan at 582-8658 or jscaldwell@gwi.net to volunteer or to find out more.

Kindergarten Registration
It’s time to register for kindergarten! If you have a child who will be five years old on or before October 15, 2008 and you would like your child to start school in the fall, or if you know of any child who will be starting kindergarten this fall, please contact the school at 724-3930

A Note from the Art Room
If you have empty egg cartons or clean styrofoam meat trays, please send them in to our art teachers who will put them to good use!

Hannaford Helps Schools
Thank you to everyone who collected Hannaford School Dollars and to Mrs. Bossie for coordinating this effort for us. This year, Helen Thompson School raised $870.00!
A big thank you to Hannaford for providing schools with this wonderful fundraising opportunity!
  
Ongoing Fundraisers
HTS continues to participate in these ongoing programs which will help us to raise funds for our school -

Box Tops for Education - BoxTops are a great fundraiser for our school. Each label is worth 10 cents, which goes directly towards purchasing items for our school. Please take a moment to clip these valuable BoxTop logos and send them in to school.

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. Please note that Campbell’s is now accepting ONLY THE UPC CODE AND LOGO for redemption. Please do not send the front labels to school.

Printer & Toner 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.

Important Attendance Notes
If your child will be absent or tardy for any reason, please be sure to let the office know. This includes absences due to illness and appointments as well as times that your child might be away for a few days. Please call the school at 724-3930.

Any student who arrives after 8:25 is considered tardy. If your child is signed out before 3:10, it is a dismissal. All tardiness and dismissals go onto your child’s permanent attendance record.

Thank you for respecting our learning time by making sure that your child arrives at school on time each day and by not dismissing your child early unless it is an emergency.