MEM Principal's News: February 2018

Friday, February 23, 2018

Principal's Notes 2/23/18

Principal’s Notes

February Messages

Peace Message: Managing our Feelings

Brain Message: I can ask for help. Feedback is a gift.

Invention Convention 2018

96 students from grades 3 and 4 participated in the Memorial School Invention Convention this year. The thoughtfulness and creativity of their creations were incredible. Thank you to all of the students who participated and the families who supported their efforts. The judges had many challenges as they deliberated, and it took them quite a long time to decide on the winners in each category. Congratulations to the following students who qualified to participate in the NH State Invention Convention which will occur on March 25, 2018. Good Luck!
Invention Convention Winners

Grade 4

General Invention - Team - Madeline Cole and Izzy Montgomery

General Invention - Solo - Brianna West

Challenge - Team - Miley Cunan and Lilly Sartorelli

Challenge - Solo - Phaedra Brown

Rube Goldberg Team - Anna Buxton and Isabelle Johnson

Grade 3

Rube Goldberg Solo - Teagan Monaghan
Rube Goldberg Team - Dominic Juric/Parker Beauchemin
General Invention - Team - Leah Manley/Grace Krause
General Invention - Solo - Heidi Laird
Challenge - Team - Isabelle Farris/Payton Griffin
Challenge - Solo - Charlie Moutsioulis

Book Fair News

Thank you making the All for Books coin drive we had this past week a success! We will reveal the winning grade at the next All School Meeting. Happy reading over the break.

Spring Fling

We’re looking forward to a fun filled evening!

Date: Friday, March 23rd from 5:00-8:00pm

Spring Fling 2018 - Important Information

BEEP Open Enrollment

It is time for Open Enrollment for our Bedford Early Education Program. You can find the information HERE.

Important Reminder From the Health Office

Please send in any updated annual physicals to the nurse.

The New Hampshire state law requires written documentation of vaccines being up to date and on file in the nurse's office as well a physical on file at the start of preschool, start of kindergarten and if new student to school. See the NH Department of Health and Human Services web site for more information at: http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dph/immunizations/school.htm

Health Screening

The school nurse conducts vision and hearing screenings each school year. Grade 1 will have both hearing and vision screening. Grade 2nd and 4th will have vision screenings. The 3rd grade will have hearing screenings. If you have a concern about your child's vision or hearing please contact the health office. If you do not want your child screened please contact the health office.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I can be reached at 627-1776 extension 23204 as well as via email cooka@sau25.net

Anna Cook, School Nurse

Bedford PTG

PANERA & PTG – Take a night off from cooking and join us at our Bedford PTG Night at Panera (Colby Court) on Thursday, March 1st anytime between 4-8pm. Be sure to bring your Panera Flyer with you.

COLOR BLAST 2018 COMMUNITY EVENT…Save the date Sunday June 3rd! Get Ready for the Most Colorful, Fun-Filled Day of Your Life as PTG hosts another Color Blast Fun Run. Stay tuned for more exciting details.

STAY CONNECTED to PTG: Please visit our PTG WEBSITE and be sure to “like” our FACEBOOK PAGE to see all the exciting things happening at our schools.

Thank you for your support!

The PTG and BeBOLD ARE EXCITED TO CO-SPONSOR A PRESENTATION FOR ALL PARENTS & GUARDIANS

Wednesday, March 28th from 7-8:15pm at BHS Auditorium

“Understanding How to Parent So that Children Can Succeed:

Addressing Childhood Anxiety and its Potential Pathway towards Substance Abuse”

Special guest speaker Jessica Lahey veteran teacher, journalist, and author of The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed.

Jessica Lahey will provide insight on how to raise kids who are happy and healthy and less likely to turn to destructive coping strategies, including ways to prevent childhood addiction. Lahey will also share research on the most effective ways to parent and support the psycho-social and emotional needs of our children. Additionally, she will outline risk factors, explain which positive interventions can overcome those risk factors, and offer parents and teachers actionable, useful tools for raising happy, resilient children who will be less likely to turn to unhealthy behaviors when faced with the increasingly toxic stress and anxiety they face at home, in school and in our society. This event is open to all parents/guardians.

The 45-minute presentation will be followed by a 30-minute question and answer session.

Jump Rope For Heart

Each year Memorial Elementary School teams up with the American Heart Association to jump into the fight against America's leading causes of death – heart disease and stroke! Students take part in a school-based fitness/education program called Jump Rope for Heart which teaches the value of cardiovascular fitness, promotes heart healthy habits, and seeks to raise funds for critical research and educational initiatives.

If you and your child would like to take part in the American Heart Association’s fundraising efforts, please refer to the attached form. Friends and family are welcome to support students by making contributions, however we ask that children do not go door-to-door or ask strangers for donations. This year all donations are to be made using the online portal or by check. Please NO CASH DONATIONS.

Visit heart.org/jump and find Memorial School if you wish to raise funds online.

Checks should be made payable to the American Heart Association.

As students help to raise money they may be eligible for ‘Thank-You Gifts.’ The ‘Thank-You Gift’ structure for contributions is outlined on the back of the donation form.

The Jump Rope for Heart Donation Deadline is March 14th.

Thank you for your support. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Taylor Scull, 603-627-1776 ext: 23272 or scullt@sau25.net.

Important Dates

February 26-March 2- School Vacation
March 2-8- Completed Kindergarten and First Grade registration forms to be returned
March 13- District Workshop Day no School for students
March 23- Memorial Spring Fling 5-8pm
March 30- End of Quarter 3
April 2-6 Memorial’s Scholastic Book Fair
April 4- BINGO Night 4:30-6:00pm
April 23-27 Spring Vacation
May 4- Memorial's Small/Tall Dance
May 10- Grandparents Day
May 25- District Workshop Day no School for students
May 28- No school for observance of Memorial Day
June 3- PTG Color Blast Fun Run
June 21- Tentative last day of school

Friday, February 16, 2018

Principal's Notes 2/16/18

Principal’s Notes

February Messages

Peace Message: Managing our Feelings

Brain Message: I can ask for help. Feedback is a gift.

Spring Fling 2018!

We hope you can join us for Spring Fling this year!

Date: Friday, March 23rd from 5:00-8:00pm

Spring Fling 2018 - Important Information

BEEP Open Enrollment

It is time for Open Enrollment for our Bedford Early Education Program. You can find the information HERE

Scholastic Spring Book Fair

All for Books coin campaign NEXT week!

Each day we will collect a different type of coin. Each grade will have their own container.

Monday (Feb. 19) - Penny

Tuesday (Feb. 20) - Nickel

Wednesday (Feb. 21) - Dime

Thursday (Feb. 22) - Quarter

Friday (Feb. 23) - Any Coin

Winning grade will be recognized at the next All School Meeting. Donations go toward purchasing more books for the Memorial School and classroom libraries.

Important Reminder From the Health Office

As many of you are aware from the news, flu season is here. If your child is showing symptoms of the flu, it is important to consult with a doctor. If your child is diagnosed with the flu/and or shows flu symptoms such as fever, it is important to keep him/her home. This helps ensure that they do not spread their illness to others. This includes days that there are special school activities- it can be hard to miss these special days but it’s important to follow the guidelines and not spread germs.

Symptoms of the flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Please remember, when students are sick with fever or vomiting or diarrhea- they need to be out of school for at least 24 hours after they are symptom –free without using fever reducing medications such as tylenol or advil.

Please take a look at this link from the CDC for helpful information about the flu:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/updated/a-flu-guide-for-parents.pdf

If your child has been diagnosed with a contagious illness, please notify the school nurse. Please also notify nurse if your child has strep throat. The child should stay home on antibiotics and fever free for at least 24 hours. This is very important because some students must notify their doctor of any exposures. It is helpful to inform nurse on absentee line as to what symptoms your child is exhibiting. The nurse tracks trends of illness to help keep school healthy.

Thank you for helping to keep Memorial School healthy!

Anna Cook, School Nurse

Bedford PTG

PANERA & PTG – Take a night off from cooking and join us at our Bedford PTG Night at Panera (Colby Court) on Thursday, March 1st anytime between 4-8pm. Be sure to bring your Panera Flyer with you.

STAY CONNECTED to PTG: Please visit our PTG WEBSITE and be sure to “like” our FACEBOOK PAGE to see all the exciting things happening at our schools.

Thank you for your support!

The PTG and BeBOLD ARE EXCITED TO CO-SPONSOR A PRESENTATION FOR ALL PARENTS & GUARDIANS

Wednesday, March 28th from 7-8:15pm at BHS Auditorium

“Understanding How to Parent So that Children Can Succeed:

Addressing Childhood Anxiety and its Potential Pathway towards Substance Abuse”

Special guest speaker Jessica Lahey veteran teacher, journalist, and author of The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed.

The 45-minute presentation will be followed by a 30-minute question and answer session.

Jump Rope For Heart

Visit heart.org/jump and find Memorial School if you wish to raise funds online.

Checks should be made payable to the American Heart Association.

As students help to raise money they may be eligible for ‘Thank-You Gifts.’ The ‘Thank-You Gift’ structure for contributions is outlined on the back of the donation form.

The Jump Rope for Heart Donation Deadline is March 14th.

Thank you for your support. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Taylor Scull, 603-627-1776 ext: 23272 or scullt@sau25.net.

Growth Mindset

Worth viewing. In this animation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl9TVbAal5s, , Carol Dweck gives a brief and compelling synopsis of the theory of fixed and growth mindset.

Important Dates

February 21- BEEP Playdate at Nutin' But Good Times from 3:00-4:40pm

February 26-March 2- School Vacation

March 2-8- Completed Kindergarten and First Grade registration forms to be returned

March 23- Memorial Spring Fling 5-8pm
March 30- End of Quarter 3
April 2-6 Memorial’s Scholastic Book Fair
May 10- Grandparents Day

Friday, February 9, 2018

Principal's Notes 2/9/18

Principal’s Notes

February Messages

Peace Message: Managing our Feelings

Brain Message: I can ask for help. Feedback is a gift.

Save the Date!

Friday, March 23rd is the date for our annual Spring Fling at Memorial School from 5:00-8:00pm. We look forward to a fun filled evening.

Jump Rope For Heart

Visit heart.org/jump and find Memorial School if you wish to raise funds online.

Checks should be made payable to the American Heart Association.

As students help to raise money they may be eligible for ‘Thank-You Gifts.’ The ‘Thank-You Gift’ structure for contributions is outlined on the back of the donation form.

The Jump Rope for Heart Donation Deadline is March 14th.

Thank you for your support. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Taylor Scull, 603-627-1776 ext: 23272 or scullt@sau25.net.

Growth Mindset
Worth viewing. In this animation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl9TVbAal5s, Carol Dweck gives a brief and compelling synopsis of the theory of fixed and growth mindset.

From the Health Office

Medication in school:

Students may have medications in school, given from the health office, with the necessary paperwork. This paperwork includes a new doctor’s order each school year as well as signed parent permission. Medication brought in by parent must be in labeled container. Please remember to check expiration dates on medication labels and bring in up to date medications.

Breakfast, lunch & snack and hydration:

It is important for students to fuel their bodies in the morning with a healthy breakfast to start their school day. It is also important to send your child with a water bottle each day as well as a healthy snack and lunch.

Clothing:

Please send your child with snow gear each day. It is also helpful for students to pack an extra pair of socks and pants in their bag as they do manage to get wet at times and ask to change to be more comfortable. If your student borrows a change of clothes from the health office – it’s helpful to wash and have them return to the health office.

Bedford PTG

YANKEE CANDLE: Yankee Candle fundraiser ends February 16th.

Renowned for their quality and true-to life scents, Yankee® candles are America’s Best Loved gift to give and get! Full color brochures should have come home in backpacks (K-6) or are available in the front offices at Lurgio and BHS. Visit Bedford PTG Yankee Candle for more information and to order online to have it ship directly to your home, 40% of sales go back to the schools!

COLOR BLAST 2018 COMMUNITY EVENT…Save the date Sunday June 3rd! Get Ready for the Most Colorful, Fun-Filled Day of Your Life as PTG hosts another Color Blast Fun Run. Stay tuned for more exciting details.

STAY CONNECTED to PTG: Please visit our PTG WEBSITE and be sure to “like” our FACEBOOK PAGE to see all the exciting things happening at our schools.

Thank you for your support!

Scholastic Spring Book Fair

Love books? Love helping students and faculty? We need you on the Scholastic Spring Book FairTeam! We are looking for team members to help organize and run the Spring book fair. This is a fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity. Please contact Sonya van der Meer (psvdm617@gmail.com) for more information.

Kindergarten and First Grade Registration

Registration packets are now available for parents to pick up at school between 7:15 am and 3:15 pm. Return your completed forms along with your child’s birth certificate, two (2) proofs of residency, a current copy of your child’s physical and immunizations to the school between Friday, March 2nd and Thursday March 8th. A child must attain his/her fifth birthday on or before September 30th, 2018 to be eligible for kindergarten. A child must attain his/her sixth birthday on or before September 30th, 2018 to be eligible for first grade.

New Hampshire law requires all new students to present an up-to-date record of immunizations upon admission to school. In addition, record of a physical exam, done no more than one year prior to entrance, is required.

Each of the three elementary schools provides a fee based extended day Kindergarten program. Information about this program will be available at the district website www.sau25.net.

Important Dates

February 19- 3rd Grade Invention Convention
February 21- BEEP Playdate at Nutin' But Good Times from 3:00-4:40pm
February 26-March 2- School Vacation
March 2-8- Completed Kindergarten and First Grade registration forms to be returned
March 23- Memorial Spring Fling 5-8pm
March 30- End of Quarter 3
May 10- Grandparents Day

Friday, February 2, 2018

Principal's Notes 2/2/18

Principal’s Notes

February Messages

Peace Message: Managing our Feelings

Brain Message: I can ask for help. Feedback is a gift.

Student Handbooks

Over the course of this fall, the Bedford School District made several additions to our student handbooks.

Notice of Rights under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)
Teaching about Human Sexuality
Volunteers in the Bedford School District
Use of Personal Vehicles for School Business
Student Use of Electronics on Buses (in the T ransportation Handbook)

The handbook for each school can be found on the school website under School Info.

Bedford School District Deliberative Session February 6

All registered voters in Bedford are invited to participate in the Bedford School District Deliberative Session on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 7:00 pm in the Bedford High School Theater. Voters will discuss the Bedford School Board's Warrant, which included the proposed budget and a special article that would authorize an Energy Efficiency Feasibility Study of all six schools in the district. There is also a Citizen’s Petition Warrant Article regarding school lunch trays. The voters will either affirm or revise the School Board Warrant at this meeting. For reference, here is the full budget webpage.

From the Counselor's Desk
During the month of February, announcements and classroom guidance lessons will focus on learning to control strong emotions, instead of having strong emotions control us. Students will learn about the Zones of Regulation, a program that helps kids recognize when their bodies and emotions are in a heightened state, and learn ways to manage them. The Brain Message reinforces concepts of growth mindset. Students will learn that asking for help and getting it, causes neurons in our brains to grow and connect. In addition, students will learn that feedback is a gift to be heard and appreciated, again helping our brains to grow.

News from the Health Office
Illness

As many of you are aware from the news, flu season is here. If your child is showing symptoms of the flu, it is important to consult with a doctor. If your child is diagnosed with the flu/and or shows flu symptoms such as fever, it is important to keep him/her home. Please remember, when students are sick with fever, or vomiting or diarrhea- they need to be out of school for at least 24 hours after they are symptom –free. This helps ensure that they do not spread their illness to others.
Please take a look at this link from the CDC for helpful information about the flu:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/updated/a-flu-guide-for-parents.pdf

If your child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease, please notify the school nurse. Please also notify nurse if your child has strep throat. The child should stay home on antibiotics and fever free for at least 24 hours. This is very important because some students must notify their doctor of any exposures. It is helpful to inform nurse on absentee line as to what symptoms your child is exhibiting. The nurse tracks trends of illness to help keep school healthy.Medication in school:
Students may have medications in school, given from the health office, with the necessary paperwork. This paperwork includes a new doctor’s order each school year as well as signed parent permission. Medication brought in by parent must be in labeled container. Please remember to check expiration dates on medication labels and bring in up to date medications.

Clothing
Please send your child with snow gear each day. It is also helpful for students to pack an extra pair of socks and pants in their bag as they do manage to get wet at times and ask to change to be more comfortable. If your student borrows a change of clothes from the health office – it’s helpful to wash and have them return to the health office.

Lice
The AAP (American Association of Pediatrics) no longer recommends mass screening for head lice. Since most cases are found by parents, here is some information to help you determine if your child has head lice.
The primary symptom of head lice is an intense itching, caused by louse bites to the scalp. The areas of the scalp most affected are the nape (back) of the neck and behind the ears. Adult lice are grayish brown wingless insects that are as tiny as a sesame seed. They shy away from light and are very hard to see. Nits (eggs) are tiny but they are firmly glued to the hair shaft, most often near the scalp. They appear as shiny whitish ovals. Their centers get darker as they mature. After they hatch, empty nit casings look transparent. Nits hatch in just 7-10 days. To check for nits, use natural light or bright light. Begin by lifting and separating hairs behind the ears and at the nape of the neck. It is virtually impossible to remove nits from hair without a fine tooth comb or by pulling with tweezers, unlike dandruff. If you suspect your child does have head lice, notify the school nurse for verification and treat with an over the counter treatment recommended by your doctor. Your child will also need to be checked by the school nurse prior to returning to class.
Services website: https://sites.google.com/a/bedfordnhk12.net/bsd/departments/health-services

Scholastic Spring Book Fair

Safety Educator

Please click HERE for the January/February edition of Safety Educator.

Bedford PTG

THANK YOU From PTG: Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy stories read by our Principals and Assistant Principals at Principals Winter Reading Night, and to those who stopped by Barnes and Noble last weekend to listen to story time with staff from our elementary schools, enjoy an amazing art show, and hear the sounds of singers and musicians from our schools.

YANKEE CANDLE: Yankee Candle fundraiser starts today, February 2nd and ends February 16th
Renowned for their quality and true-to life scents, Yankee® candles are America’s Best Loved gift to give and get! Full color brochures should have come home in backpacks (K-6) or are available in the front offices at Lurgio and BHS. Visit Bedford PTG Yankee Candle for more information and to order online to have it shipped directly to your home, 40% of sales go back to the schools!

COLOR BLAST 2018 COMMUNITY EVENT…Save the date – Sunday, June 3rd! Get Ready for the Most Colorful, Fun-Filled Day of Your Life as PTG hosts another Color Blast Fun Run. Stay tuned for more exciting details.

STAY CONNECTED to PTG: Please visit our PTG WEBSITE and be sure to “like” our FACEBOOK PAGE to see all the exciting things happening at our schools. Thank you for your support! Candle – Our Yankee Candle fundraiser is coming soon! The sale starts today, February 2nd and 40% of sales go back to the PTG! Visit Bedford PTG Yankee Candle for more information and be on the look for the full color brochures coming home soon (K-6) or in the front offices at Lurgio and BHS.

Kindergarten and First Grade Registration
Registration packets will be available for parents to pick up at school starting on Monday, February 5th between 7:15 am and 3:15 pm. Return your completed forms along with your child’s birth certificate, two (2) proofs of residency, a current copy of your child’s physical and immunizations to the school between Friday, March 2nd and Thursday March 8th. A child must attain his/her fifth birthday on or before September 30th, 2018 to be eligible for kindergarten. A child must attain his/her sixth birthday on or before September 30th, 2018 to be eligible for first grade.

New Hampshire law requires all new students to present an up-to-date record of immunizations upon admission to school. In addition, record of a physical exam, done no more than one year prior to entrance, is required.

Each of the three elementary schools provides a fee based extended day Kindergarten program. Information about this program will be available at the district website www.sau25.net.

Important Dates

February 5- Kindergarten and First Grade Registration packets available
February 26-March 2- School Vacation
March 2-8- Completed Kindergarten and First Grade registration forms to be returned
March 30- End of Quarter 3
May 10- Grandparents Day