Dear Memorial Families,
You can tell we live in New England … this week feels more like fall. It has been great seeing many of you as you come in for parent conferences. The students are covering the walls by the library with statements about what they are thankful for. When you visit, please stop and read them.
NEW NEWS
Guidance Messages
Week of November 9: We will continue with our month of Kindness and Gratitude.
Nov. 9: Kindness Challenge: Pick up your toys at home.
Nov. 10: The phrase for the day is “Have an attitude of Gratitude.” When we have a thankful “attitude of gratitude”, we feel happier about our lives. Gratitude Challenge: Think of all the things you are grateful for. Kindness Challenge: Invite someone new to play.
Nov. 12: Kindness Challenge: Smile at 10 people throughout the day.
Nov. 13, World Kindness Day: The students will learn about World Kindness Day and how, although people are different in many ways, they are similar in many ways also. Kindness Challenge: Write a kind post-it to a classmate that you usually don't play with.
Memorial’s Chorus Schedule Change
Next week, chorus practice will be on Tuesday, November 17th, not on Thursday. The following week chorus practice will be on Tuesday, November 24th because there is no school on Thursday. We will be back to our Thursday schedule in December. For planning purposes, the winter concert will be in January.
BHS Fall Musical
“C’mon Everybody” and join us for Bedford High School’s Fall Musical, “All Shook Up”. This hilarious, jukebox musical features 25 of Elvis Presley’s greatest hits and tells the story of how a hip-swiveling, motorbike riding roustabout comes to a small, Midwestern town and transforms it with love and rock n’ roll. It’s family friendly and fun for people of all ages!
Show dates are 14 @ 7 p.m.; November 15 @ 2p.m.; November 20 @ 7 p.m. and November 21 @ 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults and can be purchased online at seatyourself.biz/bedfordhigh or at the door.
Substitute Opportunity
Have you ever thought about subbing, but have not been brave enough to take the plunge? Well, it's time to take that plunge. We are looking for people who can be confidential, patient, kind, and follow a lesson plan. AND - do that in a supportive environment with amazing students. If you are interested, click here and start your application process.
Smarter Balanced Assessment Results
Last spring, schools throughout New Hampshire (and in many other states around the country) administered a new test known as "Smarter Balanced." The tests, in language arts and math, were taken by students in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11. Smarter Balanced Assessments are computer-based tests that replaced the annual NECAP assessment, although the Science NECAP remains.
The New Hampshire Department of Education released the results this week. You can expect to see summary results by school district on the news and in the local papers. Our schools mailed home individual student results on Thursday. Parents of students in grades 4 through 9 and grade 12 will receive individual score reports and letters from NH Education Commissioner Barry and the principal of your child's current school. Questions can be sent to the current school principal.
Math and Literacy Night - Thursday, November 19th
It’s that time of year again!
Memorial Elementary is having its annual Math & Literacy Night along with every kid’s favorite game:
THE CAKE WALK!
We are asking for cake donations (homemade or purchased) for the cake walk game taking place during Memorial’s Math & Literacy Night on Thursday, November 19th.This is a definite favorite for the children and certain to be a highlight of the evening! Last year we had a record number of cakes donated. It was so much fun to see all the creative cakes and have so many winners!
*Please Deliver your cake donation to the office during the school day of the event*Thursday, November 19th
For you convenience we have two volunteers collecting cakes the morning of Thursday, November 19th during student drop off (7:30am - 8:00am).
Book Fair Volunteers NEEDED
Hello book lovers!!!
This year's FALL book fair is quickly approaching and we NEED your help! The event will take place at Memorial School November 16th – 20th, the same week as Math and Literacy night (Thurs, Nov 19th)... fun fun fun!!! We are looking for volunteers to help set up and/or man the book fair at various times throughout these days. Please follow the link below to sign-up where you are available!
Thank you for your help!
PTG CORNER
The holidays are just around the corner, are you looking for the perfect gift for a friend, neighbor or teacher? The PTG Gift Card sale is now underway. We have lots of retailers including local businesses such as The Purple Finch, Canvas Roadshow, T-Bones, Zin Zen Yoga, Copper Door and Wicked Good Butcha! How does it work? For every gift card you buy, a percentage of the value of the card is donated by the sponsoring retailer to our schools while 100% of the value of the card that you purchased is available for you to spend! Click here to download an order form today. ORDERS DUE: Friday, December 4, 2015 for Pre-Christmas Delivery.
Looking for gift wrap or other gift items? The Gift Wrap & More fundraiser will be ongoing online through December. Simply go to www.meadowfarms.com and enter code 1032028 to start shopping.
School Supply Survey…
The PTG is looking for feedback on offering families the option of purchasing school supplies online. The survey will take approximately 3 - 5 minutes to complete. Click here to participate. We value your feedback. Thank you!
“PTG ANNUAL SKI & SKATE SALE EVENT” SATURDAY, NOV. 21st
Get ready for the PTG’s biggest fundraiser and stock up on all your winter sports gear needs for the entire family! Proceeds from this tremendous consignment sale fundraiser provide a variety of wonderful programs supporting Bedford students across all six schools. Please consider supporting this important event in any way that you can by selling your used equipment, purchasing equipment, donating, or volunteering!
Go to www.bedfordptg.org for all the details and add your equipment to the sale using our easy online scanning system!
(Drop off for selling your equipment is Friday, November 20, 2015 between 5:00pm – 8:00pm at BHS.)
Is there a Star Wars fan in your home? Grab your family & friends and get ready for episode VII, The Force Awakens, by joining the PTG for a fun night out at "Star Wars night with the Manchester Monarchs”on Saturday, December 5th @ 7p.m.. All your favorite characters will be there too! The PTG is offering discounted tickets for adults and children $20/$15 (normally from $17 - $34) AND an opportunity for any student to participate in the “ HIGH-FIVE tunnel”. *Though the PTG will be receiving a small portion of the ticket price we hope this will be a fun community event for our families. Click here to download and print an order form (please return to your school office by December 1st).
REMINDERS
Parking Spaces
We have some good news! On a temporary basis, parents and visitors are again allowed to park in the informal spots in front of Memorial. A big thank you to the Town of Bedford Department of Public Works and the Police Department for allowing this flexibility. The small amount of soil and new grass should not be a problem, but it may be a little muddy on wet days (as it was before, of course). A team from the Department of Public Works, the Police Department and the School District will be working together in the meantime to figure out a plan for the future.
Parent Forum on
Cyberbullying & Unwise Social Networking
As a part of the annual NH Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference,
Sameer Hinduja, the co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, is presenting a FREE Parent Forum titled.
Cyberbullying & Unwise Social Networking: The Role of Parents.
Date: Monday, November 30, 2015
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Salon A, Radisson Hotel, Manchester, NH
Designed for parents and community partners, this presentation provides a broad overview of adolescent technological concerns, including cyberbullying and social networking sites. Foundational information on the way adolescents use the Internet and cell phones is provided first before examining cyberbullying, sexting, and unwise social networking in detail. Strategies for identification, prevention, and response are then discussed in a conversational format to allow for input and Q&A from the audience. Attendees leave equipped with an increased ability to promote safe and responsible participation in cyberspace among the youth they care for and with numerous resources to assist them towards those ends.
Parents are asked to RSVP for this FREE event at www.nhcmtc.org by Friday, November 20th.
Epi-Pen Recall
Parents - As a courtesy, our school nurses have asked all principals to pass this announcement along to parents. Sanofi US is voluntarily recalling ALL Auvi‑Q® (epinephrine injection, USP).The products have been found to potentially have inaccurate dosage delivery. More details can be found here.
Ski Program - Pats Peak
Bedford students in grades 1 – 12 are invited to take advantage of discounted ski/snowboard lessons at Pat’s Peak Ski Area in Henniker, NH. This parent run program is geared to give kids the opportunity to learn to ski and snowboard at a ski area perfect for all levels. This five-week Friday night program includes 1-hour lessons and free ski time until closing each week and costs less than the price of a regular lift ticket. Discounted lift tickets are available for students who do not need lessons. The 2016 Bedford Ski Program begins on Friday, January 8th and runs for 5 weeks. Go to www.patspeak.com. Click on “Learn to Ski & Ride Program”, “Register Here”. The username for the 3:30 lesson is bedfordski330 and for the 4:30 lesson the username is bedfordski430. The password is “carpool”. More details are available at www.patspeak.com. Please contact Carolyn John at ekkoswife@comcast.net if you have questions.
Recreational Basketball
This is a friendly reminder that the 2015-2016 Recreational Basketball is NOW open for registration for Boys and Girls in grades 1st through 8th. Bedford Recreational Basketball focuses on FUNdamentals of basketball and learning through game play. This is a great way to keep busy during the winter and allow your child to learn the great game of basketball! To register go to: www.bedfordbl.com. We look forward to seeing everyone on the court! Also be sure to check your email regarding our “clinic series” that will be hosted on Saturdays leading up to the season! Once registered you will receive emails on clinic schedule and times.
IMPORTANT DATES
November 9 - 20 - Parent Teacher Conferences
November 16-20 - Book Fair
November 19 - Math and Literacy Night
November 20 - December 21 - “Stuff the Turkey” Food Drive
November 25-27 - Thanksgiving Recess
Thanks,
Pam
