Volume 25, Issue 17 Thursday, May 12, 2016
Important Dates
May 13: Spring Spectacular
June 3: PK Field Day
June 7 – 10: Scholastic B1G1 Free Book Fair
June 10: Field Day for Grades K – 6
June 17: Talent Show and last day of PK
June 21: Last day of School
June 21: Grade 6 Graduation
NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Greetings,
A big thank you is in order to the New Salem and Wendell Fire Departments for the informative fire safety presentation they gave last night for parents. Although we had a small turnout, there were lots of questions about how to keep our children safe at home and key ideas for families to keep in mind when discussing fire safety. The Fire Fighters also shared with us what they teach our students when they visit our school. I highly encourage parents to attend next time! The Fire Fighters will host another Parent Night during Fire Safety Awareness month in October.
We can’t wait for the Spring Spectacular tomorrow night! The Silent Auction has many interesting items available. Thank you to All States Asphalt for their donation of four Red Sox tickets against the Chicago White Sox, to Danika Tyminski for the Spa Basket, to Tracey Carroll for the Jamberry Basket, to Sarah Cadran for the Replay Music Gift Bag, to Lori Flye and Lori’s Baskets for the beautiful handmade baskets, and we also have Dog Training, Maple Syrup and a Dozen Fresh Eggs for the rest of the school year. We are thrilled to showcase Mr. Cortina and the students’ music at this event. We have had the opportunity to listen to some of their songs, and we’re sure you will be delighted with their performance. We will start the evening with a Potluck Dinner beginning at 5:00 PM, and complete the evening with the Silent Auction. We look forward to seeing you there.
Please notify the Office no later than Wednesday, June 1st if your child is in PK-Grade 5 and will not be returning to SRS for the 2016-2017 school year, as we need to make arrangements for the transfer of student records. If you have any questions, please call the Office at (978) 544-6926.
We have many events coming up in the next five weeks, so please mark your calendars! We look forward to seeing you.
Fondly,
Kelley
PTCA News
We have exciting upcoming events for PTCA!
NEW!!! Spring Spectacular on Friday, May 13 from 5:00 - 7:30 PM. Come join us for our annual Potluck Dinner and Silent Auction. This year, we will incorporate a Spring Concert conducted by Mr. Cortina and performed by Swift River students!
***Potluck items are needed!***
Please join us for our next meeting on Thursday, May 19 at 6:30 PM. Officer elections for the 2016-2017 school year will be held.
There are only a few more Supermarket Sweep tickets available before the drawing on Friday, May 20. ONLY 100 WILL BE SOLD! Let us know if you would like a ticket by sending an email to [email protected].
Look for Swift River sweatshirts and tee shirts on sale soon...order forms are on the way!
Nurse’s Notes
Postural Screenings: The annual postural screenings of students in Grades 5 and 6 will take place on Tuesday, May 17, during PE classes. Girls are asked to wear a halter top, bathing suit top or sports bra under their school clothes for that day. Referral for a followup examination by your family physician will be made only if I have a concern regarding your child’s posture. Most curvatures of the spine that we see are minor, are due to rapid growth, and often correct themselves with little or no treatment. However, all need to be monitored by a doctor. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires postural screening of all school children in Grades 5 through 9. Please contact me if you have any questions.
-Nan Mead, R.N.
SCREEN-FREE WEEK 2016
Congratulations to all of the successful SCREEN-FREE WEEK participants! We had 55 students who signed up for this challenge. I am enjoying all of the Activity Logs that have already come in. They are hanging by the Library for all to see. If your child completed Screen Free Week and has not yet turned in an Activity Log, please make sure we receive one by Monday, May 16, so your child can be recognized with a prize package. Thanks to everyone for making this event such a huge success!
-Nan Mead, RN
Basic Rights in Special Education
Annual Workshop
Sponsored by the Erving School Union
Special Education Advisory Committee
with Prudence Marsh, Director of Student Support Services
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Leverett Elementary School Parent Room
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Please join us for this opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable information about the special education process.
RECYCLING FUNDRAISER
Please help to protect the environment by donating your used and unwanted cell phones and ink jet cartridges. We do not accept laser printer toner cartridges. Your used item(s) may be tax-deductible and will be recycled in accordance with EPA regulations. 100% of the proceeds will help fund our School.
Please drop off any items you would like to recycle at the drop box on the bench in the front entrance of the school.
We greatly appreciate your support!
REMINDER
When you have a telephone number change, please let us know immediately. Numbers are quickly dispersed to appropriate personnel and updated in our emergency forms, nurse’s records and Parent Reach program. Thank you!
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
These announcements and events are not school-sponsored.
New Salem Library Teen and Tween News
What are you missing by not coming to the Teen and Tween group at the New Salem Library?
- Archery!
- Making survival kits in mint tins!
- Agar.io play-offs!
- Sign up NOW for Modding in Minecraft on June 15. We have only a few spaces left!
Every Wednesday from 1:30 to 5:30 PM. Call (978) 544-6334 for more info or to sign up.
Mahar Music Concert
The Friends of Mahar Music are holding a benefit concert on Saturday, May 21, at 7:00 PM at the 1794 Meetinghouse, on the New Salem Town Common. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $5 for students, and may be purchased at the door or in advance from any Friends of Mahar Music member.
The concert will include opening performances by the Mahar High School Chorus and Mahar Jazz Band, both directed by Thomas Randall. Featured performers will be the popular Pioneer Valley Band, The Retroverts, who play a lively mix of classic rock’n’roll songs from the 60’s and 70’s. Baked goods and other items will also be on sale. All proceeds benefit the Friends of Mahar Music, a nonprofit group of music faculty and parents who support choral and instrumental music programs at Ralph C. Mahar Regional School in Orange.
For more information, or to purchase advance tickets, please contact John DeWitt at 978-544-1866 or [email protected] or speak to any member of FoMM.
This is not a school-sponsored event.
New Salem Library News
On Wednesdays, May 18 and 24 from 1:30 – 5 :30 PM, we will have Teens and Tweens at the New Salem Public Library.
On Thursdays, May 12, 19, and 26 from 10:30 – 11:30 AM, we will have PRESCHOOLER and TODDLER Story Time featuring local readers. Snacks will be provided. People who wish to volunteer as readers for this program may call the Library at (978) 544-6334.
On Saturday, May 14 from 12:30 – 2:00 PM, we will have the LEGOS program. This program is offered at the same time on the second Saturday of each month.
Wendell Community Chorus Concert
Sunday, May 22 at 5:00 PM
The Wendell Community Chorus will perform at the Wendell Town Hall with a family-friendly concert. Bringing an eclectic evening of music to inspire and entertain you including selections from the Beatles, Ruth Pelham, Carole King, and gospel with Moonlight Davis. Directed by Morning Star Chenven. Refreshments will be served after the show.
WRATS NEWS—FREE BULKY WASTE DAY
May 14, 2016
The WRATS will sponsor a FREE Bulky Waste Day for all Wendell residents with a valid WRATS permit. (NO contractors please.)
Items to be accepted for FREE on that day only will include:
Electronics: television sets, computers, laptops, and anything else with a screen.
Freon Items: air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers.
Tires
Furniture: upholstered and un-upholstered, mattresses, box springs, and carpets
Fixtures: sinks, tubs, and toilets.
LP Tanks
Appliances
We will accept construction and demolition materials from home owners only; no businesses please!
NOTE: Hazardous materials are NOT part of this collection. Household Hazardous Waste Day will be on October 1, 2016 at the Orange Transfer Station. Pre-registration is required in September through the Solid Waste District. Check out their site at
www.franklincountywastedistrict.org/hazwasteday.html or contact them by phone at (413) 772-2438.
Regular fees for household waste will still apply on May 14.
The New Salem-Wendell School District assures that all programs, activities, and employment opportunities are offered without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, economic status, homelessness, religion or sexual orientation.