Principals' Notes - February 28th

Dear Memorial Families,

Welcome back!!! We hope that you have had a wonderful vacation. It seem more like spring with this 50 degree weather. We hope that you have marked your calendar and will be joining us for Spring Fling.

---

NEW NEWS

---

Guidance Messages

Words of the Month: Courage and Perseverance.  As March begins, we encourage students to be courageous by standing up against unkind behavior, doing what is right, and being themselves.  As the month continues, we discuss the importance of believing in oneself, not giving up, and understanding that mistakes are a part of life that help us learn.

Week of March 1:

March 1: Phrase of the Day: “Be an Upstander.  Do the right thing.”  We can have the courage to be an Upstander, by standing up against unkind behavior.  If we see someone being unkind, we can tell them to stop, befriend the person who is targeted, or ask for help from an adult.  When we do the right thing, we will feel proud of ourselves.

March 4: Phrase of the Day: “Be yourself.  Everyone else is taken.”  We all have special and unique qualities to offer the world.  We don't need to be like others, because we have worth in who we are.  It is important to value our unique qualities, have the courage to be true to them, and like ourselves.

 

Bedford ​School District Vote on Tuesday March 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

All voters in Bedford are urged to vote on Tuesday, March 8 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m

​ at the Bedford High School gymnasium​.  These are the key issues to be decided:

• OPERATING BUDGET: The proposed operating budget is $68.3M, a 3.9% increase over this year. The increase is primarily due to personnel, health insurance benefits, and significant building maintenance.  If the proposed budget is voted down, the default budget would be $2.3M lower.  
• SIDEWALK: There is separate article to fund the construction of a sidewalk along Nashua Road from the Bedford High School lower parking lot to the Department of Public Works parking lot. The cost would be $234,000.
• CAPITAL RESERVES: There are two separate articles about our unused capital reserve funds.  One article would discontinue them.  The other would re-purpose those same funds for a building maintenance reserve. The total amount as of June 30, 2015 was $478,518. Together these two article would have no tax impact.
• Additional information can be found here.​

​The total estimated tax impact of a "yes" vote on all articles would be $0.66 per thousand, which would be an increase of $198 for the year on a  $300,000 home. ​

Spring Fling

Our annual Spring Fling will be on Friday, March 18th. Please mark your calendar for this Memorial family experience. We hope you will participate by donating a basket and/or purchase tickets for the raffle and join us for dinner. This is our only school - wide fundraiser where all the money goes to Memorial school.

PTG at Manchester Monarchs

Come join the PTG at Max’s Superhero Birthday Party at the Manchester Monarchs onSaturday, March 12th at 7p.m. Look for Batman, Superman and other heroes, even come dressed up as your favorite! Kids will have a chance to participate in the “high five tunnel” to cheer on the Monarchs players as they take the ice (just let us know on your order form).  The first 4,000 fans will get a superhero bobblehead! Tickets are priced at the reduced rates of $20/adult and $15/children under 12. Click here to download an order form and return to your school office by Friday, March 4th.  Contact Lisa Nash with any questions at lisa@eight-stars.com.

---

REMINDERS

---

Kindergarten and 1st Grade Registration (2016 – 2017)

You may pick up registration packets on Monday, March 7th, and return them on Thursday, March 10th.  K+ packets will also be available on March 7th.  A $500 deposit is required with the K+ registration.  

Kindergarten students who are currently enrolled at Memorial do not need to register for 1st grade.

---

IMPORTANT DATES

---

March 7-10 - Kindergarten Registration

March 8 – District Workshop Day (No School for Children)

March 18 - Spring Fling

March 27 – Easter

April 1 – End of Quarter 3

April 4-7 – Book Fair

April 4-15 – Parent/Teacher Conferences

April 22-30 – Passover

April 25-29 – Spring Vacation

Thanks,

Pam  

Principals' Notes - February 19th

Dear Memorial Families,

Ok, we were dressed for Beach Day today … I think we were wishful about the weather!

Wishing you and your family a restful, fun-filled and wonderful winter break.

---

NEW NEWS

---

Guidance Messages

Week of February 15:

February 17: Random Acts of Kindness Day.  Quote of the Day (by Margaret Mead): “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world.  For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.”  When we do kind things not expecting a reward, we are rewarded anyway, by feeling good about ourselves and by having others feel good about us.  A recent study showed that kids who performed kind acts were better accepted and had more friends.  Random Acts of Kindness Day challenges us to “pay it forward” by helping to spread kindness, and be part of a ripple effect.         

February 19: Quote of the Day: “People will forget what you say or do, but they won't forget how you make them feel.”  Review of friendly and unfriendly behaviors.  The most important friendly behavior is to be a kind and caring peacemaker.   

Bedford ​School District Vote on Tuesday March 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

All voters in Bedford are urged to vote on Tuesday, March 8 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m

​ at the Bedford High School gymnasium​.  These are the key issues to be decided:

• OPERATING BUDGET: The proposed operating budget is $68.3M, a 3.9% increase over this year. The increase is primarily due to personnel, health insurance benefits, and significant building maintenance.  If the proposed budget is voted down, the default budget would be $2.3M lower.  
• SIDEWALK: There is separate article to fund the construction of a sidewalk along Nashua Road from the Bedford High School lower parking lot to the Department of Public Works parking lot. The cost would be $234,000.
• CAPITAL RESERVES: There are two separate articles about our unused capital reserve funds.  One article would discontinue them.  The other would re-purpose those same funds for a building maintenance reserve. The total amount as of June 30, 2015 was $478,518. Together these two article would have no tax impact.
• Additional information can be found here.​

​The total estimated tax impact of a "yes" vote on all articles would be $0.66 per thousand, which would be an increase of $198 for the year on a  $300,000 home. ​

Spring Fling

Our annual Spring Fling will be on Friday, March 18th. Please mark your calendar for this Memorial family experience.

---

REMINDERS

---

Kindergarten and 1st Grade Registration (2016 – 2017)

You may pick up registration packets on Monday, March 7th, and return them on Thursday, March 10th.  K+ packets will also be available on March 7th.  A $500 deposit is required with the K+ registration.  

Kindergarten students who are currently enrolled at Memorial do not need to register for 1st grade.

---

IMPORTANT DATES

---

February 22-26 – Winter Vacation

March 7-10 - Kindergarten Registration

March 8 – District Workshop Day (No School for Children)

March 18 - Spring Fling

March 27 – Easter

Thanks,

Pam  

Principals' Notes - February 12th

Dear Memorial Families,

Cold enough for you? Brrrrrrrrr!!! Needless to say the children had indoor recess today … I think they were having fun celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Wishing you and your family a happy Valentine’s Day! Mr. Eagle wishes you a happy Valentine’s Day, too.

_________________________________________________________________________________

NEW NEWS

---

Guidance Messages

Week of February 15:

February 17: Random Acts of Kindness Day.  Quote of the Day (by Margaret Mead): “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world.  For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.”  When we do kind things not expecting a reward, we are rewarded anyway, by feeling good about ourselves and by having others feel good about us.  A recent study showed that kids who performed kind acts were better accepted and had more friends.  Random Acts of Kindness Day challenges us to “pay it forward” by helping to spread kindness, and be part of a ripple effect.         

February 19: Quote of the Day: “People will forget what you say or do, but they won't forget how you make them feel.”  Review of friendly and unfriendly behaviors.  The most important friendly behavior is to be a kind and caring peacemaker.   

Bedford ​School District Vote on Tuesday March 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

All voters in Bedford are urged to vote on Tuesday, March 8 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m

​ at the Bedford High School gymnasium​.  These are the key issues to be decided:

• OPERATING BUDGET: The proposed operating budget is $68.3M, a 3.9% increase over this year. The increase is primarily due to personnel, health insurance benefits, and significant building maintenance.  If the proposed budget is voted down, the default budget would be $2.3M lower.  
• SIDEWALK: There is separate article to fund the construction of a sidewalk along Nashua Road from the Bedford High School lower parking lot to the Department of Public Works parking lot. The cost would be $234,000.
• CAPITAL RESERVES: There are two separate articles about our unused capital reserve funds.  One article would discontinue them.  The other would re-purpose those same funds for a building maintenance reserve. The total amount as of June 30, 2015 was $478,518. Together these two article would have no tax impact.
• Additional information can be found here.​

​The total estimated tax impact of a "yes" vote on all articles would be $0.66 per thousand, which would be an increase of $198 for the year on a a $300,000 home. ​

Bingo Night

Thank you to all our families that came Thursday Night. Special thanks to the Memorial staff that helped make the night such a success. We hope you had as much fun as we did!

Spirit Day - February 19th

For your planning: Friday, February 19th is Beach Day. A great day to get those sunglasses out!

Spring Fling

Our annual Spring Fling will be on Friday March 18th. Please mark your calendar for this Memorial family experience.

---

REMINDERS

---

Kindergarten and 1st Grade Registration (2016 – 2017)

You may pick up registration packets on Monday, March 7th, and return them on Thursday, March 10th.  K+ packets will also be available on March 7th.  A $500 deposit is required with the K+ registration.  

Kindergarten students who are currently enrolled at Memorial do not need to register for 1st grade.

Educational Farm at Joppa Hill

The First Annual Snow Ball will take place at LaBelle Winery on Feb 13, 2016, 7-10PM to benefit Bedford's Educational Farm at Joppa Hill. Featuring a live band, hearty hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, and silent auction, this event is your chance to spend a romantic evening out and also support the Farm. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased by visiting www.theeducationalfarm.org or calling Drew Cline at 661-8383.

---

IMPORTANT DATES

---

February 15 - Invention Convention

February 22-26 – Winter Vacation

March 7-10 - Kindergarten Registration

March 8 – District Workshop Day (No School for Children)

March 18 - Spring Fling

March 27 – Easter

Thanks,

Pam  

Principals' Notes - February 5th

Dear Memorial Families,

We have certainly seen some winter today … hope you and your family are enjoying the snow day! On Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil has promised us an early spring. I guess we will have to wait and see.

---

NEW NEWS

---

Guidance Messages

Week of February 8:

February 10:  Phrase of the day: “Talk little.  Listen much”.  Being a good listener is an important friendly behavior.  We need to hear what others think, and work things out when we disagree, using Kelso.  If we are angry, we need to “wait and cool off” before talking it out.  We need to have a good face, good voice, and good words.

February 12: Phrase of the Day:  Quote by Henry Ford, “My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.”  Good friends help us to be our best and make good choices for ourselves and others.  Unfriendly behaviors are those that cause us to lose friends, such as being bossy, tattling, lying, cheating, bragging and showing off.  In addition, Baby Behaviors don't help friendships.  Baby Behaviors are the ones babies do, such as hitting, punching, poking and pinching, since they haven't yet learned how to solve problems peacefully.

Bingo Night - February 11th

Memorial will be hosting our second annual Bingo Night on Thursday, February 11th.  We hope that you will join us on Thursday, from 5-6:30 to play Bingo. If last year is a predictor, it should be a lot of fun. There is no cost for this event.

Spirit Day - February 19th

For your planning: Friday, February 19th is Beach Day. A great day to get those sunglasses out!

Spring Fling

Our annual Spring Fling will be on Friday March 18th. Please mark your calendar for this Memorial family experience.

Kindergarten and 1st Grade Registration (2016 – 2017)

You may pick up registration packets on Monday, March 7th, and return them on Thursday, March 10th.  K+ packets will also be available on March 7th.  A $500 deposit is required with the K+ registration.  

Kindergarten students who are currently enrolled at Memorial do not need to register for 1st grade.

Educational Farm at Joppa Hill

The First Annual Snow Ball will take place at LaBelle Winery on Feb 13, 2016, 7-10PM to benefit Bedford's Educational Farm at Joppa Hill. Featuring a live band, hearty hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, and silent auction, this event is your chance to spend a romantic evening out and also support the Farm. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased by visiting www.theeducationalfarm.org or calling Drew Cline at 661-8383.

---

REMINDERS

---

Reminder - Toys at School

Toys of financial or emotional value should stay at home.  Cards or toys should not be traded at school anytime and any toys that do come into school must stay in bags until recess or after school. Toys can be a distraction to the students, can get lost and can cause hurt feelings. During indoor recess teachers have games and activities that students can do, so that bringing in toys is not necessary.

Health Alert

Please report any of these infections to Rachel Higgins, our School Nurse:

Strep Throat Infection                  

Signs and Symptoms:

 Rapid onset of throat pain

Throat pain that is worse when swallowing

 Appetite loss

 Stomachache

 Headache

 Fever

 General ill feeling

 Ear pain when swallowing (sometimes)

 Tender, swollen glands in the neck

 Bright red tonsils that may have specks of pus

It is caused by streptococcal bacteria, which are spread from person to person via drops of saliva or nasal secretion. (Sneezing and coughing)

Treatment:

If you suspect strep throat infection, call your child’s physician and have a throat culture done. If culture is positive, they need 24 hours of antibiotic treatment and to be fever free before returning to school.

Scarlet Fever

Is a form of strep infection which presents as a skin rash. The rash is usually red with fine bumps and feels sandpapery and is most noticeable on the neck, chest, groin, or on the inner surface of the knees, thighs or elbows. Often children will have a fever and sore throat prior to the rash, but not always.

Treatment:

If you suspect scarlet fever contact your child’s physician.  After 24 hours of antibiotic treatment and being fever free he/she may return to school.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a superficial infection of the skin, caused by streptococcus or staphylococcus bacteria. Impetigo is quite contagious, it usually involves the skin of the face, arms and legs. Impetigo is a red rash with many small blisters.  Some blisters contain pus, and yellow crusts form when they break. The blisters don’t hurt but may itch. If you suspect your child may have this rash contact your child’s health care provider. After 24 hours of antibiotic treatment your child may return to school.

---

IMPORTANT DATES

---

February 8 – School Board Meeting – 7:00 PM – SAU

February 9 – NO SCHOOL – Presidential Primary Day

February 10 - Homework Club

February 11 - Chorus Practice

February 11 - Bingo Night (Memorial Cafe - 5:00PM - 6:30PM)

February 15 - Invention Convention

February 22-26 – Winter Vacation

March 7-10 - Kindergarten Registration

March 8 – District Workshop Day

March 27 – Easter

March 18 - Spring Fling

Thanks,

Pam