Dear Memorial Families,
We hope that you have an opportunity to enjoy the wonderful Fall foliage this weekend ... it sounds like the long weekend is going to bring us great weather.
NEW NEWS
Guidance Messages
October is National Bully Free (Safe Schools) Month. The Words of the Month are Responsibility and Being Bully Free, because it the responsibility of everyone in the school to help keep bullying and unkind behavior from happening. At the elementary level, kids often call unkind behavior “bullying”. Usually at this young age however, it is a result of kids trying to solve a problem and choosing an unkind response, rather than a deliberate act to bully others. If we let unkind behavior go without stopping them, kids might think they are acceptable, and they could “grow into bullies”. We want to stand up to unkind behavior before it becomes bullying. Throughout the month, students will learn about the things they can do to stop unkind behavior, before it “grows” into bullying.
October 2: Introduction to the Words of the Month, Responsibility and Being Bully Free. On October 2, Mrs. Pleat defined responsibility as the things that are our job to do. One responsibility we all have at Memorial is to keep bullying and unkind behavior from happening in our school.
Important - Parking out Front
Chip McGee and I met with town officials today to discuss the area in front of Memorial adjacent to the road. We have used this area for the past few years for parking though it has never been an official parking area. The town will be putting a curb there and ultimately a sidewalk. The good news is that it will provide a safe area for people to walk. The BAD news is that as of Tuesday, October 13th, we will no longer be able to park out there. We will keep most of the marked spaces out in the front open for parents to park and look at parent pick-up at the end of the day to determine what alternatives we have. I am also communicating with the church across the street to see when we will be able to park there. I know that this will be an inconvenience and ask for your patience as we adjust to this change.
Destination Imagination Meeting at Memorial School
Please consider this rich enrichment opportunity for your child!
The Destination Imagination program is a fun, hands-on system of learning that fosters students’ creativity, courage and curiosity through open-ended academic Challenges. These Challenges are based in the fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), fine arts and service learning. Each team needs an adult Team Manager that helps students stay on track but cannot help the team develop their solution to the DI Challenge. You are invited to come meet our District Coordinator next Tuesday,Oct. 13th at 2.45pm at Memorial School in the Library. Teams will be formed at this meeting, as registration is closing.
For more information, contact Marie Russell at bedfordrocksdi@gmail.com
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.
Ski Program - Crotched Mountain
Attention Skiers and Riders! Registration for the BedfordCrotched Mountain Ski and Ride program is OPEN!
To get your discounted lift passes to a mountain full of great skiing, 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.
IMPORTANT! Season Pass prices increase Monday, October 12, 2015!
Club Passes increase October 31, 2015!
The Bedford 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 at isabelleg@comcast.net.
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.
Backpack Safety Awareness Day
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!
Picture Re-Takes
There will be picture re-takes on Wednesday, October 14th. If you want your child to have a picture re-take, please have them bring back the picture packets you already received.
Annual Pet Month
For many of us at Memorial School, our pets are an important part of our families. During the month of October we'll be celebrating how animals enrich our lives through a variety of pet-themed events.
Starting on Monday, October 5th and ending on Friday, October 30th, we will be accepting donations for the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire. The donations can be sent in with students and placed in the bins which will line the front hallway of our school. Some of the most needed items at the shelter include:
· Plain chicken or turkey baby food (for kittens)
· Kitten food (both canned and dry)
· Adult dog food canned and dry (Iams, Purina One, Pedigree, etc.)
· Clay cat litter
· Laundry detergent, high efficiency
· Hand Sanitizer
· Toilet Paper
· Disposable Non-Latex Gloves
· Gift cards to any pet store
We will also be displaying pictures, stories, and drawings of students and their pets. Feel free to send in a picture of your little ones and their pets to be displayed in the Pet Howl of Fame.
Finally, we'll be welcoming several guests throughout the month of October who will talk to the students about topics like being a responsible pet owner, children with therapy dogs, and the impact a seeing eye dog can have on the life of a blind person.
We look forward to a great month and to seeing those bins fill up with goodies to help our furry friends in need!
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
Note from School Nurse...........
Dear parents / guardians,
Missing immunization and physicals:
Health Information (Missing immunization and physical forms): If you've received a call and/or paper work regarding missing physicals or immunization records, please get back to me. If your child has an upcoming physical let me know the date and I can mark them as conditionally enrolled. If I don't hear back from you by Oct. 15th, they will need to stay home until information is provided. If you do request a religious exemption form for immunizations, I do need that form returned and notarized. You will also need to provide a copy of their current physical. It is state law that all children attending public schools have current physical and immunizations. This information is needed if child is new to the school and/or when entering Kindergarten, grade 6 or when turning 11 years old and then high school. Thank you to all of you who have responded to my messages and provided me with the information I needed.
Medication: Many children have a diagnosis of asthma but do not have rescue inhalers at school. With the change of weather, I often see the need for this medication. If your child needs this medication at home, they should have it available at school.
Allergies: If your child is diagnosed with an allergy to food and you feel they do not need medication at school, I need a note from physician stating that the medication is not necessary at school. Any physical that states that an Epi-pen is ordered means that an Epi-pen needs to be available at school. When supplying medication to school, please make sure to check the expiration date. I cannot accept expired medication.
Sincerely,
Rachel Higgins, RN
School Nurse
IMPORTANT DATES
October 12 - Columbus Day - No School
October 14 - Picture Re-Takes
October 16 - Field Trip to Apple Orchard (Kindergarten)
October 16 - Grade 4 Assembly - Randy Pierce and his Guide Dog, Autumn
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
November 3 - No School (District Workshop Day)
November 9 - 20 - Parent Teacher Conferences
November 11 - No School (Veterans’ Day Observance)
Thanks,
Pam
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