Volume 24, Issue 4 Thursday, October 16, 2014
NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Greetings,
The PTCA is putting the final touches on Fall Fest and it looks like the weather will shine on us for the day! I’ve been looking forward to this event since last year! The Fall Fest is truly a community event that is enjoyed by all age groups. You’ll find me helping out in the kitchen with all the delicous crock-pot meals families have donated. Be sure to join the Mustache Dash at 9:15 AM! Walkers, joggers, and runners are all encouraged to participate in this fun run. All donations to the fun run will support The 100 Mile Club. We are hoping to raise enough money to buy outdoor speakers for the track.
Speaking of the track…thank you to all the families that are participating with their children during the afternoon running club. It is very motivating to hear the music and listen to the laughter of the children walking and running around the track three days a week. I’ve enjoyed catching up with students and parents during my walks around the track.
Mr. K, our physical education teacher, will be hosting a walking/running program on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings through the Fuel it Up and Grab and Go grant we received. Students may join him at 8:00 AM in the gym for warm ups and then head out for some walking or running. Mr. K will add other activities depending on students’ wants and needs. Please look for a flyer for more information.
I want to remind all families that it is important to call Nan Mead, our school nurse, in the morning when your children will not be present at school. You can reach her at 978.544.6926 ext. 220. If we do not hear from you by 10:00 AM we will be calling to confirm your children’s absence.
It’s hard to believe our first semester is about half over and parent teacher conferences are on the horizon. We will be conducting them on October 22, 23, 29 and 31. To accommodate parent teacher conferences we will have early release days. Please make sure to check the Backpack Express (your children’s backpacks) for confirmation of conference times. If you haven’t made an appointment, please consider doing that right away as conferences are a valuable part of your children’s education and they keep the lines of communication open.
I want to encourage all of you to come for Community Sing on Fridays at 8:45 AM and to join us anytime for lunch. See you at Fall Fest!
Fondly,
Kelley
Early Dismissal
For Parent and Teacher Conferences
Thursday, October 23 at 1:10 pm
Friday October 31 at 1:10 pm
I MUSTACHE you to run with me!
Saturday, October 18 at 9:15 a.m.
Swift River School
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
or pre-register with the attached form
This event is FREE to all. We are happy to accept donations to our 100 Mile Club.
Mustache Dash
Superintendent Search
The search for the new Superintendent is beginning. As a first step, the search committee will need input from the school community regarding the qualities and skills of our next school leader. A survey has been created to gather that information. Please go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QSF762S to view the survey which will take approximately five minutes to complete. The deadline for the survey is October 25, 2014.
Thank you in advance of your efforts to assist in this process.
ENCHANTED FOREST NEWS
Conference Days: During the next two weeks, we will have parent teacher conferences at Swift River. The days are Wednesday, 10/22, Thursday, 10/23, Wednesday, 10/29 and Friday, 10/31. All of these days are early dismissal day when school ends at 1:10 pm, just like a regular Wednesday.
Enchanted Forest will open at 1:10 each of these days and we have planned special activities as follows:
Wed., 10/22 Making Cornbread
Thurs., 10/23 Decorating Small Pumpkins
Wed., 10/29 Science Experiments
Fri., 10/331 Decorating
Each of these activities will end by 3:15. Your child may attend only for the activity for a cost of $8; or they may attend for the whole afternoon ($18); or they may drop in for an hour or so while you attend a conference ($5/hour).
Space is very limited at EF this year. If you wait until the last minute to sign up your child, we may not be able to accommodate you. Please return the flier that is going home today promptly!
How to Stay Healthy This Flu Season
With viruses in the community and flu season on the way, here are steps you and your family can take to stay healthy. Talk to your health care provider about getting an annual flu shot, they are recommended for everyone over 6 months of age.
Perhaps the simplest and most effective way is to wash your hands often - with soap and warm water. Rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces. Wash for at least 20 seconds. (Tip: have your children sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice while washing.) It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that helps dislodge and remove germs. Use regular soap. Antibacterial soap is not necessary. These soaps may contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using a gel, rub the gel in your hands until they are dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in the gel kills germs that cause colds and the flu. However, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers do not remove dirt and hands should be washed with soap and water as soon as possible.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when people touch something that is contaminated with germs and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs cause illnesses like the flu (influenza). The flu usually spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes and the droplets from the cough or sneeze move through the air and are deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. So, always cough or sneeze into your elbow, or a tissue and then throw it away. Then, wash your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
If you feel ill, stay home from work and keep sick kids home from school or daycare. Children must be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication (Tylenol or Advil) before returning to school. And keep in mind; most people with flu will recover just fine.
For more information, please call the school nurse, Nan Mead R.N., or visit www.flu.gov or www.mass.gov/handwashing.
Field Trip Fundraiser
Tomorrow, Friday, October 17 is the last day to return orders for the Genevieve’s Fund Raiser. Payment must be included with orders. Thank you for participating in the fund raiser.
Bits and Bites from the Cafeteria
Hello from the Swift River School Cafeteria!
Smoothies:
We introduced breakfast smoothies and they are a hit! Some of our many different flavors include Raspberry Banana, Strawberry Surprise, Blueberry Banana, Raspberry, Blueberry, Mango, and Cantaloupe.
Soup and Salad:
For lunch, we offer soup with salads during the cold months. Please order ahead; we only make salads to order.
Menus:
We hope that everyone is getting comfortable with the new menu format. By letting us know what your child/ren are having for lunch, you are helping to keep our costs down and reduce waste. Please review the menu with your child/ren and discuss what foods they like or don’t like. Be sure your child’s name is on the menu when you return it. The menu does not need to be returned in the envelope. We will send home menus for two weeks at a time, copied back to back along with two envelopes, every Thursday when the Current goes home. The menu is also published in the Current, so you can keep a copy at home. It can also be found on the school’s website.
Envelopes:
The envelope provided with the menu is for money. If you are not sending money, you do not have to fill out the envelope. You may return them unmarked and we will recycle them.
Free/Reduced Meals:
If your child receives Free or Reduced price meals ,you must order a meal in order for the school to be reimbursed for the cost of lunch or breakfast. If your child brings a home lunch and buys milk, your cost is 50¢. Your child can, of course, get the school lunch which includes the milk and bring other foods from home to go with the school lunch.
If you have any questions related to breakfast or lunch, please call Debbie Emmett at 978-544-6926, ext 208.
MOBILE DENTIST VISIT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO LOW ENROLLMENT.
If you need assistance finding a dentist or scheduling an appointment for your child, please call me at 978-544-6926, ext.220.
Nan Mead R.N.
[email protected]
Fall Festival Basket Raffle
It’s not too late to pre-order your tickets! Use the attached order form to purchase your raffle tickets. Please be sure to return the form and payment no later than 3:00 pm tomorrow, October 17th. Tickets will also be sold at Fall Festival on Saturday, October 18th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, with the prize drawing at 2:00 pm. Please contact Nan Mead at the school if you have any questions.
Community Sing
Fridays, 8:45 - 9:15 a.m.
Please join us any Friday morning for songs and sometimes a dance with Mr. Hines.
This is also the time that we acknowledge 100 Mile Club milestones. Tomorrow we will celebrate our first students reaching 25 miles this year and receiving their shirts!
The New Salem/Wendell School District assures that all programs, activities and employment opportunities are offered without regard to race, color, gender, age, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, economic status, homelessness, sexual orientation and physical or mental disability.