Friday, September 18, 2015

Principals' Note - September 18th

Dear Memorial Families,
How wonderful to see so many of our families at Open House. Thank you so much for your patience with the paving and parking situation at Memorial. The children were so excited to show you around.



NEW NEWS



Guidance Messages
Week of September 14:
September 15: Part or being respectful toward others is to have good manners.  Peacemaker Challenge:  To practice saying please, thank you, excuse me, as well as sharing, taking turns, and waiting to speak when others are finished.
September 18: Introduction of the phrase good face, good voice, good words.  We are respectful when we address someone with a kind face, a caring tone of voice and kind words.  When we have a good face, good voice, and good words, even when things aren’t going our way, we are being respectful, and others will respond more positively to us.

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.


Destination Imagination - Parent Info Night
Parent Info Night for Destination Imagination in all Schools K-8th Grade will be held on Monday September 21st or Thursday September 24th at 6.30pm in the Peter Woodbury School Library.   To learn more about the program and how to provide your child with this enrichment opportunity, please come and meet our District Co-ordinator, Marie Russell, in the PWS Library at  6.30pm or email Marie at bedfordrocksdi@gmail.com. For more information and to find out what Destination Imagination is all about, check out  www.idodi.org.

Memorial Chorus
The first Memorial Chorus practice is scheduled for September 24th from 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm in the Music Room. Sean McConnell, our new music teacher, is looking forward to working with your children. Please be sure to return your child’s permission form at your earliest convenience.
Infosnap – Please complete as soon as possible!
Any family that has not completed the online registration for your child(ren) needs to do so as soon as possible.  The online process replaced all the paperwork we have required in the past. It is important for us to have updated information on your child(ren). Please complete the registration as soon as possible. If you have questions about this, please call Deb Gelinas at 627-1776.

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 more information about BEF please check our our website, www.befnh.org.
For tickets to this FUNdraiser, please go to: http://www.seatyourself.biz/befnh

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.

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


Educational Farm JOPPA HILL
The Educational Farm at Joppa Hill (www.theeducationalfarm.org) is offering two great opportunities for families to experience the fun and challenge of life on the Farm.
Sept 20 (2-4PM):  Preserve the Fall Harvest! Learn how to make and preserve pickles (dill and bread & butter) and bring home a jar!  All material provided. Donation: $10 per family or $5 per individual. Reserve your space by phoning 472-4724, or email to info@theeducationalfarm.org.
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

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’s 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



September 22 - Kevin Skarupa (GR. 4)
September 23 - Bat Presentation (GR. 3)
September 24 - Chorus Practice - Grades 3 and 4
September 25 - Officer Phil (K and 1ST)
October 12 - Columbus Day - No School

Thanks,
Pam  

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