HTS Newsletter of May 7, 2009
Principal’s Corner
A parent and I were e-mailing one another about all the activities, programs, and things that are stacking up on our “to-do” lists and calendars. As an educator, I often chalk it up to the school year winding down while the busyness (and students) seem to be winding up! The months of May and June are nonstop for us in edu-world.
I shared one of my mom’s sayings and then decided to track down the owner of that line. Surprisingly, it is attributed to Lucille Ball! The quote? “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do.” (The underlined part was Mom’s rendition.) I guess a woman who starred in a sitcom, ran her own production company, raised two children and gained worldwide fame should know something about being busy! Perhaps busy people just know how to prioritize things. Maybe they can multi-task. Perhaps they just know that time is fleeting so they learn to focus and complete tasks instead of wandering around. Whatever the reason, I will tell you that we have busy people here at HT doing tons of neat things.
So, as we see the finish line of this year, let’s continue to work as a team, doing what is right for our children. Let’s make sure our busyness counts for something - helping where help is needed, reaching out to others, making life a bit easier for someone, offering a hand up or a pat on the back. Let’s be do-ers, not just dreamers and talkers. No wonder so many people loved Lucy....
Donna McGibney
Dates to Remember
May
8th: Summer Fun Night, HTS Gymnasium, 6:30 - 8:00, to benefit DI.
9th: DI bake sale & raffle at WG Transfer Station beginning at 7:00
12th PTA meeting in HTS library, 6:30 pm
10th: Happy Mother’s Day!
13th: All raffle tickets, money, and unsold tickets due!
16th: Peter Pan Fair, 10:00 - 2:00
19th: Fifth graders to Chewonki
20th: Early Release Day, students dismissed at 12:30
20th: 5th grade band to GAHS for rehearsal, 9:00 - 10:30
25th: Memorial Day observed, no school
27th: 5th grade band to GAHS for rehearsal, 9:30 - 11:30
27th: All-Bands concert, GAHS gym, 7:00 pm
28th: Fifth graders to Gulf of Maine, 11:00 - 1:00
29th: District Art Show, GAHS cafeteria, 3:30 - 7:30
June
5th: Kindergarten to Maine Wildlife Park
11th: REACH Showcase at GRMS, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
15th: Field day, a.m.
17th: Last day of school
Just a reminder…
If you need more Peter Pan Fair raffle tickets, please let us know so we can get them to you before time runs out. Please return the sold AND UNSOLD raffle tickets by Wednesday, May 13th.
Thank You!
Helen Thompson PTA
Gifts for the Troops
Our bus drivers are collecting food, letters from students, and other useful items for the troops. If your child is interested, please give your contributions to your bus driver or send them to school by Thursday, May 28th. The Bank of America will send the items for us at no cost! If you have any questions, please contact our transportation department at 582-6663. Thank you for any donations!
Early Release Day
Please mark your calendars -
Wednesday, May 20th is an Early Release Day.
Elementary school students will be dismissed at 12:30. There is no Pre-K on Early Release Days. Pre-K students will attend school on
Friday, May 22nd instead.
Title I Game Night
Title I students and parents had a most pleasant time playing games on the evening of May 4th. Playing games, you say? Yes, reading and math games! From BINGO to QUIDDLY, we had fun and practiced skills at the same time. Thanks to the parents who attended--it means a lot to your children, and your time is such a gift.
A joke from one of our students:
"What's the difference between a piano and a fish?"
**(Answer after the next paragraph)
Humor uses language in creative ways, often taking advantage of the sounds of words, or a double meaning. So good jokes can actually sharpen the mind--especially when one has to memorize it in order to pass it on to another person. Besides, a good laugh is therapeutic, so share a joke with your family today!
Mrs. Oakley
Literacy Specialist
(**You can tune a piano, but you can't tunafish!! )
A Teacher Appreciation Week
Thank you!
A great big “thank you” to the wonderful PTA for all that they did to make us feel so special during Teacher Appreciation Week!
PTA News
May is Here! Not only are the tulips up and the azaleas in full bloom, our PTA is revved up and are we blooming! Members are asking for help with this year's Peter Pan Fair. Anything from baking a cake (or a few) to volunteering some time at the hot dog stand. Got a favorite dessert you want to share, or want to learn face painting? We invite you to join us May 12th at 6:30 in the library for our monthly meeting and the final wrap-up of ideas for this year’s fair. You do not need to be a member to help. ALL AND ANY HANDS are welcome to make this work lighter. Our PTA has done and continues to do wonderful things for our school and its students and staff. Please consider becoming a part of our team and become a member. June will be our last meeting and we would love to recap this year’s events with you and make some plans for next year. Thanks for all you do for our kids.
Peter Pan Fair
Saturday, May 16th
10:00 - 2:00, rain or shine!
Raffles, food, Dessert Cafe, white elephant table, plant room, games, and a special raffle involving Ms. McGibney, ice cream, and a ride in a side-car!
Please help with any or all of the following-
Donations for the white elephant table - Get a start on your spring cleaning!
Cakes for the Cake Walk - Cakes can be small, single layered and decorated any way you like. If you plan to make cakes for the fair, please turn in your slip or send a note to school saying how many you can bring in. Cakes can be dropped off Friday, May 15th in Mrs. Jessop’s room or Saturday at the 8:00 am set up.
Grocery items for the annual grocery raffle - the class that brings in the most items will win a prize.
Plants for the plant room - share some perennials from your yard!
Volunteer - We are still looking for people to help set up, clean up, and work the day of the fair.
Destination ImagiNation headed for Tennessee!
Congratulations to our HTS students who WON the State Championships and are bound for the Global Finals in Knoxville!
The fifth grade HTS Destination ImagiNation team is off to the GLOBAL FINALS being held in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 19th, 2009. The team has worked very hard to get this wonderful opportunity to represent the State of Maine, MSAD#11, and Helen Thompson Elementary School in West Gardiner at this global event. However, in order to make this dream a reality, we must raise thousands of dollars...
Please drop off your bottle returns to Fuller's Market, Tiger Town, or Randolph Redemption Center and tell them it is for the Helen Thompson DI Team! Please have bags clearly marked with a tag or tape with our name, and all proceeds will go to our fundraiser.
Pizza Hut discount cards and candy bars are available for sale from a DI student near you!
If you are interested in making a donation (or know a business or individual who may be), please make checks payable to HTS DI Team and mail to: HTS DI Team, c/o Sue Glazier, 22 Mary Street, West Gardiner, Maine 04345.
Get Ready for Summer
Recreation Night
Friday, May 8th, 6:30 - 8:00, HTS Gym
Come join us for a family night of summer fun at HTS. Wear your flip flops, sunglasses, summer shirts and shorts because we are going to have a blast dancing to some of your favorite songs…Cha-Cha Slide, Macarena, YMCA, Cotton Eyed Joe, Chicken Dance and much more! There will also be a limbo contest. Fun is guaranteed! Spread the word and bring your friends.
The cost: $3.00 per person, $10.00 family limit. Popcorn and water will be sold along with glow in the dark necklaces!
Bake Sale & Raffle
West Gardiner Transfer Station
Saturday, May 9th beginning at 7:00 am
50/50 raffle, and drawing for an
autographed Kevin Youkilis photo!
The HTS DI Team THANKS YOU for your support!
REACH Showcase
The Student Showcase for REACH and enrichment students in grades 3-8 will be held at the Middle School on Thursday, June 11th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
Skills and Drills
FIELD HOCKEY CLINICS
at Gardiner Area High School
Saturday, July 11th
Grades 2-4, 9:00 - 12:00
Grades 5-8, 1:00 - 3:00
Featuring: Ross Gorham, UNH Staff, U19 Mens Team, USFHA Futures Coach, Seacoast United Coach, Courtney Allen, Husson University, MFHA Lunt Award winner, and other current and former GAHS field hockey players.
The cost is $25.00. More information and registration forms are available in the HTS office. (Not an MSAD#11 event)
Central Maine
GIRLS LACROSSE CLINIC
at Capital Park in Augusta
July 13th - 17th
8:30 am - 11:30 am
Join a week of fun learning lacrosse, the fastest
growing girls sport in the state. This clinic
designed for girls in grades 3 through 8, will teach the fundamental skills, rules, and concepts of the game. Clinic participants will receive a sports package, as well as breakfast (optional) and lunch each day. Clinic participants should bring a stick,goggles, and a mouth guard to camp. The cost is $75.00. For more information, please call Sharon Gallant at 623-6334 or Gretchen Livingston at 215-8393. Registration forms are available in the HTS office. (Not an MSAD#11 event)
Kindergarten & Pre-School Registration
It’s kindergarten registration time! If you have a child who will be five years of age on or before October 15th please contact the school at 724-3930.
The Four Year Old Program is still accepting applications for the 2009 - 2010 school year. Children must be four years of age on or before October 15, 2009. Please call 582-5346.
Remember to save your empty printer cartridges, Box Tops for Education, and Campbell’s logos and send them in to school for our ongoing fundraisers! Continue saving over the summer!