Dear Memorial Families,
What an incredible weather week! The children have really enjoyed being able to be outdoors for recess. We are still a construction zone and I will update you as we know more.
NEW NEWS
Guidance Messages
Week of September 21:
September 22: We will discuss being respectful toward ourselves. Phrase of the Day: “Like yourself enough to be yourself.” Each person has wonderful things that make them special and unique. We don’t have to copy others and be like them; rather we can discover and appreciate the wonderful things about ourselves. Peacemaker Challenge: Discover the wonderful things about you!
September 25: Phrase of the Day: “Accept others for who they are.” The differences in people is one of the things that make our world such an interesting place. We can be peacemakers by noticing the positive attributes of others. Each person has “treasures” that make them wonderful. We can go on a “treasure hunt” and discover the good things in others. Peacemaker Challenge: Search for and discover the great things about others.
Main Office - New Intercom
When you come to the main office at Memorial, you will notice that there is a new intercom system to communicate with the office. As you face the main office, there is an intercom box to the right on the brick wall. Please press the button which rings in the office so that either secretary can answer you. The old system was not working so we are hoping that this will help communication be clearer.
Paving at Memorial
It is great to see the area in front of the school finally paved … it has been a major inconvenience! We are not sure when the project will be complete and wanted to thank you again for your patience. As we know more, I will update you.
Bedford Fire Department Open House
October is fire prevention month and the Bedford Fire Department will be having their annual Open House on Tuesday, October 6 from 5pm-8pm. Join the firefighters for a memorable night of fire truck rides, fire safety activities and information, food and drinks including Papa Ginos Pizza, and an exciting live fire demonstration. All activities are free and take place at the Bedford Safety Complex at 55 Constitution Dr.
Memorial Chorus
We had our first Memorial chorus practice yesterday. How exciting !!! 65 third and fourth graders participated. We are looking forward to their concert in December. Thank you to all the parents for picking up the children so they can participate.
Bedford PTG’s “2015 Gifts, Wrap & More Fundraiser!”
Orders Due: Friday, October 2, 2015
Help support the programs PTG brings to your school such as It’s a GAS and Math Superstars! Place your orders for gifts, wrap, goodies and more to be delivered right to your home, simply by returning both copies of the Order Form with your payment. A copy of the form will be returned with your order. Checks made payable to the “Bedford PTG”. Your family and friends can also order online at http://www.meadowfarms.com using the codes found on your child’s order envelope.
Students earn prizes by selling as little as one item. The top three sellers in each grade level will win gift cards too! Did you know teachers win prizes too? Every class with a 50% participation rate earns their teacher a special gift from Meadow Farms. So get those forms in! And thank you for your support.
Healthy Snack List - From the office of the School Nurse
Children in school should have healthy snack choices that allow them the best opportunity for learning and growth. These are some ideas for healthy snacks. Many children are forgetting to bring snack to school so please help your child remember to pack it the night before.
Fresh fruit: apples, bananas, grapes, melons, kiwis, oranges, pears, berries,
cups in light syrup, applesauce, dried fruit.
Fresh vegetables with dip or low fat salad dressing
Healthy grains
Dry cereal: whole grain cereals like, Cheerios, raisin bran, mini wheat’s
Crackers: wheat thins, triscuits, goldfish, rice cakes, graham crackers, animal crackers
Pretzels
Popcorn
Whole grain granola bars or cereal bars
Low fat dairy
Yogurt, low fat cheese, low fat pudding snacks, hard boiled eggs
Low fat deli meats
Note: Cookies, snack cakes and chips should be saved for occasional treats, given their poor nutritional quality.
Absent student:
You will receive an automated phone message even if you have called the school to report the child’s absence. If your child is absent please remember to call the absentee line or my office and let me know the reason. I am looking for specifics; colds, fevers, nausea / vomiting, diarrhea. If they are diagnosed with any infection please let me know. We have several children in school that have immune deficiency issues and parents need to be made aware of exposure to strep infections.
Please feel free to call if you have any questions or concerns.
Rachel Higgins, RN
School Nurse
627-1776 ext. 3204
BackPack Safety Awareness
The American Occupational Therapy Association in conjunction with OT’s around the country are partnering to spread awareness of backpack safety. As children and students head back to class whether preschool or the college campus backpack safety must be reviewed. Here are some tips to consider:
Size: Make sure your child’s backpack fits them correctly. It should fit comfortably over the shoulder, using the straps to adjust its placement to sit near the hip bones, two inches above the waist. Too many students have their backpacks hanging off one shoulder and do not adjust the straps to hold the heavy load comfortably.
Weight: Your child’s backpack should not weigh more than 10-15% of your child’s body weight. if your child weighs 100 pounds that means his/her backpack can weigh 15 pounds tops. If your child weighs 50 pounds it can only weigh 7.5 pounds. Adjust accordingly!
Straps: Wide, cushioned shoulder straps are best and make sure your child uses both of them to evenly distribute the load. Make sure they buckle the waist strap to help distribute the load.
Load it properly: Show your child how to put the heaviest items closest to their back with lighter items farther out. Make sure they lift properly as well...using their legs to assist as much as possible. young backs are growing and we don’t need injuries!
Heavy Load?? Consider alternatives such as rolling backpacks or purchasing two copies of a heavy textbook to leave one at home!
Taking action to reduce the risk of backpack injuries is important! if you have questions please do not hesitate to contact the OT staff at school. We would be more than happy to assist!
REMINDERS
BEF Fall Fundraiser - Shake it Up for Education
Featuring Performances by the BHS Cast of Shake it Up!
Live Auction
Friday, November 6, 2015, 7 PM @ Manchester Country Club
For tickets to this FUNdraiser, please go to: http://www.seatyourself.biz/befnh
Educational Farm JOPPA HILL
Sept 27 (2-6 PM) Fall Fair * Games! Food! Music! Hay Rides! Pony rides! Bake Sale! Good times with good people! *Rain date: October 4
After School Program
If you are interested in the after school program, click on the link below for a registration form. The program provides after school care from the close of school to 6PM.
Bedford School District Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride program
Attention Skiers and Riders! Registration for the Bedford School District Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride program is now OPEN!
Check out Crotched Mountain website, www.crotchedmountain.com, and navigate over to Groups & Clubs, then click on School Programs. After logging on (using BSD Ski & Ride Club as the club name and bsdmember as the password), you can click on “go shopping” to see the options offered this year. Options include the 7-pass program, for children ages 6 – 18 and/or for adults, kids programs, junior racing, and season passes. Rentals and lessons are also available!
IMPORTANT! Season Pass prices increase Monday, October 12, 2015!
School Passes increase October 31, 2015!
The Bedford School District Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride program is available to anyone interested! Our program’s designated night is Fridays, beginning the first Friday after New Year’s and running for 5 consecutive Fridays. Your passes will be available for pick up in December, just in time for gift giving! For more information, contact Isabelle Grenier atisabelleg@comcast.net.
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. They are computer-based tests that replaced the annual NECAP assessment.
We have recently learned that the public release of the assessment results will occur in November. This is a later release date than originally announced. The delay was caused, in part, by the need to hand score those few tests that were taken using paper and pencil. The results will include both school and state-wide summaries and individual student level results. We will send more information as it becomes available to us.
IMPORTANT DATES
October 1 - All School Meeting
October 2 - Fire department Safety Trailer (Grades 1 & 2)
October 14 - Picture Re-Takes
October 16 - Field Trip to Apple Orchard (Kindergarten)
October 23 - Field Trip to Mount Kearsarge Museum (Grade 3)
October 26, 27, 28, 29 Field Trip Little Brick Schoolhouse (Grade 4)
October 30 - Third Graders walk to Nursing Home for Halloween
October 12 - Columbus Day - No School
Thanks,
Pam
