NEWS/NOTES FROM THETFORD ELEMENTARY

THURSDAY MARCH 1ST

 

FROM THE PRINCIPALÕS DESK

            Individual results for the fall administration of the NECAP for grades 3-6 go home this week along with a letter from me explaining the assessment and including information about how the school performed both this year and last.  If you donÕt see this, please check your childÕs backpack.

 

            The students did a fantastic job performing skits and a variety of music yesterday in the 4th Annual TES Talent show. IÕm sorry I was unable to attend the evening show; I am currently taking a Word Study Course and it met last night.  Many thanks to Bette Nunez and Jennifer Yocom who planned the event and to all of the coaches who supported the children.  What a talented bunch!

 

            Please be reminded that in order to provide a safe environment at school we ask that all those who visit the school between the hours of 8:30 and 3:00 report to the office when they arrive and wear a visitor or volunteer badge so that we can identify you while you are in the building. We appreciate your continued support.

 

MUD SEASON MADNESS – Class assignment forms go home Thursday (3/1) with students.  Although many classes are full, there are still a few openings.  Please contact Wendy Cole or Darla LaRoche at school if interested.

 

PTO NEWS - BOX TOPS:  From the PTO:  Last year our boxtops drive was so successful we decided to do it again.  This year we have set our sights a little higher.  We would like to collect 3,700 boxtops between March 1 and May 18.  We will set up a 'thermometer' next to the collection envelope in the lobby so we can track our progress.  Last year we exceeded our goal of 3,500 so 3,700 shouldn't be hard to do.  To celebrate we will hold another ice-cream social this spring.

            COFFEE HOUR:  PTO Coffee Hour, Friday March 2nd, 7:45 to 8:45AM in the TES lobby.  Please join us.

 

 

 

 

 

FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE:

            The bad news is that the Vermont Department of Health has confirmed the first two cases of influenza (flu) this season, one in Windsor County, and one in Orange County. The good news is that Vermont is the last state in the nation to report a laboratory-confirmed case of influenza. Flu season typically begins in December or January and may, according to the Vermont Department of Health, continue through April.

            Flu symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and body aches. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea can occur but are more common among children than adults. The common cold shares the same symptoms; but fever, body aches, extreme tiredness and dry cough are more common and intense with the flu and can possibly be life-threatening. Each year over 36,000 people in the U.S. die from complications of the flu.

            Please note that the period when an infected person is contagious depends on the age and health of the person. Studies show that most healthy adults may be able to infect others from 2 days prior to being sick and for 5 days after first developing symptoms. Some young children and people with weakened immune symptoms may be contagious for even longer than a week.

            Below is a list of actions described by the Vermont Department of Health to stay healthy and prevent illness from spreading. Teaching children these principles of hygiene should happen  both at home and in school.

         1. Wash hands well and often with soap and water.

            2. Use a hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available.

            3. Keep hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to avoid germs.

            4. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue every time you sneeze or cough.

            5. Put the tissue in the trash.

            6. Stay home from school, work or public places.

            7. If you hadnÕt had your flu shot yet, check with your physician; it may still be             possible to get one.

           

And, of course, get plenty of rest and pamper yourself whenever you get the chance!

 

 

LITTLE LEAGUE SIGN-UPS:  Little League sign ups are scheduled in the Thetford ElementaryÕs lobby as follows:  Wednesday March 7 from 7:30 – 8:30AM and 4:30 - 6:00PM  Cost:  $35.00 baseball and softball; $20.00 T-ball; $6.00 hat   Anyone interested in trying out for the majors should leave his/her name and phone number on a separate sheet at sign ups.  Tryouts will be in mid-March.  Questions?  Call Ted Levin at 333-4443.

 

KINDERGARTEN FALL 2007 - We are starting to gather names of students for our incoming Kindergarten, September 2007.  If you have a child who will be 5 years old before September 1st, 2007, and plan on sending him/her to Thetford Elementary School for Kindergarten, please contact the school at 785-2426 and give us the following information:  childÕs name and birthdate, parentsÕ names, mailing address, residence address if different from mailing, and telephone number.  AND, if you know of a friend or neighbor whose child will be eligible for Kindergarten next fall, please share this information with them.  Thank you.

 

SPRING BOOK FAIR - TES library is happy to announce our Spring book fair. This year we will be one of the first 2 schools in Vermont (Woodstock Elementary is scheduled the same week) to host a book fair with a small independent book store out of Winchester, MA. The book fair will begin on Tuesday, March 20th through Monday, March 26th. If you would like to volunteer to help during the book fair- early morning or after school, please contact Mary Wunderlich: mwunderlich@thetfordschool.org

           

If you would like to read more about Book Fairs by Book Ends in Winchester, MA please visit their website:

http://www.bookfairsbybookends.com

           

Dress as Your Favorite Book Character is scheduled to kick off our book Fair on Tuesday, March 20th at 9am. Please come and join the parade!

 

 

SATURDAY, MARCH 10: AUCTION!~ (from Priscilla Hall)

Hundreds of great items for home, garden, and gifts, plus fun events and services:~ Glassware, artisan bread every month for a year, deluxe professional massager, cross country ski lessons, dog trainer sessions, ceiling fan, beautiful wool jacket, Chinese dinner for 4, and much much more!  Saturday March 10  First Congregational Church in Thetford (on the hill)  Silent Auction 12-3:30  Live Auction at 1:00  Lunch and Bakery served all day.

 

FAMILY CONTRA DANCE and CHILI COOK OFF at TES~- All proceeds go to support PTO contributions to Thetford Elementary School including class trip funding, classroom budget supplements and school supply purchases. Questions? Call Cathee Clement at 785-2668.

Friday, March 16th Dinner from 6 - 7pm  Potluck Style – No Charge! Dancing from 7 - 9pm  Admission to dance - $4/adult, $2/child.~ Musicians:  "The Thetford Hill Footstompers" including the talented Andy Stewart, Mary Jo Slattery and Rick Barrows from Northern Spy, and Bernie Waugh (and Rick Barrows!) from Cuckoo's Nest.

NO CHARGE for DINNER! Bring your own chili to share, or eat what others contribute!  WeÕll have chili, corn bread, maple syrup, salads and drinks in the cafeteria~- potluck style!  Snacks, desserts and drinks will be on sale during dance time!  Come on out for this fun community event!!~

 

SCRAP-FOR-A-CURE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH  Sunday, March 18, 2007  12:00PM – 5:00PM  Thetford Elementary School Cafeteria  $10.00 donation at the Door Bring your own supplies.  Some tools availableSpace is limited.  R.S.V.P. to Elizabeth Darlington 785-2042 or Ginni Balch 785-4315

 

SUMMER ROBOTICS PROGRAM - The Office of the Provost and the Department of Computer Science at Dartmouth College would like to announce the 2007 Summer Robotics Program for the Upper Valley Youth.

            There is no charge for this program( selection is by lottery) and we encourage interested and eligible students (middle school and high school) to apply. More information and applications are available at the program website:  http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/robotcamp

 

            Applications need to be postmarked by 3/15/2007.

 

HAVE AN ALOHA SUMMER - The Aloha Foundation still has openings in our many summer camps – Aloha and Hive residential camps for girls in grades 1st-10th, Horizons Day Camp for K – 6th grade graduates, or Choose Your Adventure with Hulbert Voyageurs 1 & 2 week outdoor adventure trips for coed campers ages 10 – 16. We offer many exciting camp activities, ranging from backpacking and canoeing to archery and camp crafts.

            For more information, call the Aloha Foundation at 802-333-3400 ext. 107 or email ellen_bagley@alohafoundation.org.