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News and Views November 8, 2007
Issue
6 From The PrincipalÕs Desk: Ruby Bridges Visits TES: On Wednesday Ms. Ruby Bridges visited TES and conducted an
amazing interactive session with the children beginning with a two hour
presentation for the 1st-3rd graders at 9:00 and ending
with a presentation to the 4th-6th graders at
12:30. In between Ruby was able
to tour the school and visit with the kindergarten children. Her message of
opening oneÕs heart and mind to others even if they are different from you,
set in the context of her own experiences, really touched the children and
spurred wonderful questions and dialogue throughout the day. This visit was a rare gift. Ruby was genuinely impressed by our
students and the work they have done to celebrate diversity as well as
recognize the challenges of persevering in the face of adversity. I hope all
TES families can view the students' writing, which is up on the walls in the
Òprimary wingÓ and the corridor outside the art room and library. Your kids are amazing. During the presentation they were
thoughtful, insightful, polite and patient. I was very proud of them. Their work is a testimony not only to the quality of their
thinking and writing but to our dedicated staff who has worked at helping the
students understand RubyÕs message. Congratulations to the~two TES First LEGO League teams! This fall two teams were developed at
TES to explore the science of robotics, including designing, building and
programming. This after school program was created and supported by parent
volunteers, and the students have done an amazing job coming together and
working collaboratively to investigate challenges and produce solutions. It
has been fun and rewarding. On Saturday, team ÒMindbreakersÓ and team
ÒMunchkinsÓ competed in the Dartmouth Area Robotics Tournament (DART)~and did
an amazing job!~ Dartmouth College hosted the event that brought 17 Upper
Valley teams together to compete throughout the day in 4 main areas of
judging - Robotic Challenge, Project Presentation, Technical Knowledge and
Teamwork. This year's Energy Puzzle challenge required that the teams design
and build their LEGO robot to perform certain missions all having to do with
energy use, transfer, and disposal.~ Their presentation was a result of an
energy audit each team performed on a community building of their choice and
required research in energy use, alternative energy, and energy sources to
come up with their list of recommendations to save energy for that building.
~The Mindbreakers won the Presentation Award for their research and skit
based on their energy audit of TES. The Munchkins were awarded the Caught in
the Act of Teamwork Award, which goes to the team that was (unknowingly)
observed and caught acting as a team. The team members worked hard in getting
their challenge and presentation together, working with/around the obstacles
at the competition, and having FUN!~ It was truly amazing to see the
abundance of excitement, energy, and teamwork that shone throughout the day.~
Thanks to all the parents that came to volunteer, corral, cheer, and support
their children and teammates. Team members include: Matt Borst, Camille
Celone, Cole Chapman, Ella Chapman, Jack Fordy, Josh Graber, Liam Gundlach,
Kippy Haviland-Hack, Eric Lavik,
Ethan Levine, Eleanor Patten, Wylie Seace, Andrew Sharp, Henry Vansant,
Gannon Walsh, and Christopher Wells. A special thanks to the parent coaches, Bob, Jean, Bryant and
Greg. Keep Kids Safe: In keeping with our constant vigilance
around student safety, IÕd like to remind parents that staff supervision of
children at TES begins at 7:30 AM and ends at 3:15 PM. Please do not drop children off in
the morning before an adult is on the playground. At 3:15 we expect that all
children have left the school grounds either on the bus, with a parent, or
with another designated adult when written consent has been received by the
teacher (please refer to page 5 of the 2007/08 School Handbook). We also release
students to coaches when practice or play is beginning immediately after
school. We cannot accept
requests written or otherwise to permit children to remain on school grounds
without parent supervision. Children should not be unsupervised between the end
of the school day and the start of sports or other after school activities.
We appreciate your help with this. Please enjoy your long weekend with your families. School is closed this Friday for parent teacher conferences and on Monday the 12th
for regional inservice events for teachers. School Announcements: The Annual PTO Book Fair begins Friday Nov. 9.~ Stop in before
or after your parent/teacher conference, we will be open from 8-1 pm. We will
continue the bookfair the following week Nov. 13-16. The students
will have a chance to visit the book fair during their library class.~ We
encourage you to visit the book fair with your child as well either before
school (8-8:30), after school (3-4) or during our SPECIAL
FAMILY EVENT WED. NOV 14.~ That day we will be open from 3-7:30 pm and Simon
Brooks will be joining us at 6:30 pm to tell stories. It should be a
fun evening, so please stop by. Besides building your childrenÕs home libraries, another goal of
our Book Fair is to increase classroom libraries. One way is with the
Classroom Wish List, which allows you to donate books to your childÕs
classroom in your familyÕs name. Be sure to look for the Classroom Wish List
display when you arrive.~The PTO book fair is the biggest fund raising event
of the year for the PTO.~ All purchases made benefit TES by supporting
projects sponsored by the PTO. PTO tote bags will also be on sale at the book
fair. If you have any questions or want to volunteer to help at the fair
please contact Stacey Glazer at sglazer@valley.net or 785-2415.
Hope to see you there!~ VSO visits TES: On October 30, three members of the
Vermont Symphony OrchestraÕs brass section performed for our school
community. Our own trumpet
students, 5th graders Annaka Balch and Elyse Lindahl, introduced Alan
Parshley on French horn, Jim Duncan on trumpet, and Lori Salimando-Porter on
trombone. The musicians
explained how horns were first created out of shells or hollowed-out bones to
communicate to others too far for voices to reach. They demonstrated using a conch shell and even a simple
garden hose. We heard a variety of pieces that highlighted the
instruments. Our guests were
impressed with our studentsÕ attentiveness during the 45-minute assembly, and
they particularly noted the high quality of questions asked. The PTO is looking for two important volunteers!~ First, we need a person to check the supplies (coffee, cups,
etc.) each month to make sure we have enough for the monthly Friday coffee
hour. This can be done anytime during the month.~ Next, we need someone to coordinate the Staff Appreciation
Breakfast in December. This is a wonderful thank you to the staff before we
all head out for the winter break. There are lots of folks interested in
helping with this event; we just need someone to step forward and take the
lead organizing the event. If you are interested in helping with either of
these roles,~please contact Stacey Glazer at HYPERLINK
"mailto:sglazer@valley.net"sglazer@valley.net or 785-2415. TES Lost and Found: Please be sure to check the Òlost and
foundÓ when you are at the school.
We will continue to leave items on the table in the lobby through
parent conferences and book fair time. Items that are not picked up before
the Thanksgiving break will be donated to the Listen Center. TES Newsletter Contributions: If you have a
school or community calendar event which you believe is appropriate for the
TES Newsletter, please send information to Wendy Cole wcole@thetfordschool.org no later than
Tuesday before publication.
Newsletters are published generally every two weeks, with a electronic
announcements going out weekly in between. Please do not request that special
flyers be sent from the office. COMMUNITY
ANNOUNCEMENTS: FRIDAY,
NOVEMBER 9: Legendary Irish storyteller, Richard Marsh, will be coming to the US
and gracing the doors of Latham~ Library.~ Cancel any dances, any
travelogues, any other plans and mark your calendar for this free 7:00 pm
entertainment~ (from Simon Brooks) FRIDAY,
NOVEMBER 9: Soup and Dessert Sale, 2:30 - 6:30 pm, at the First
Congregational Church on Thetford Hill. Let someone else do the cooking for
you -- stop by to pick up some delicious soup or chili and dessert next
Friday on your way home from work (from Christina Robinson) SATURDAY,
NOVEMBER 10: The Post Mills Congregational Church is having a
Christmas Bazaar from 9 am-2 pm.~ For more information contact Jen at
802-785-3110 (from Jen Piper) MONDAY,
NOVEMBER 12: Cub Scouting for boys grades
1-5 @ Thetford American Legion
5:30pm. Questions: Chris Loyer (802)-598-6684. Flyers in school office. SATURDAY,
NOVEMBER 17: 21st Annual TAAA Christmas Craft Bazaar, Anderson Hall at
TA, 9 am-3 pm.~ $1.00 admission, children free.~ Lunch, wagon rides, great
gifts, and more (from Jessica Eaton) SATURDAY,
NOVEMBER 17: 13th Annual TOP OF THE HILL SALE, 10 am to 2 pm, at the First
Congregational Church on Thetford Hill.~ Something for everyone -- fine
collectibles, plants, baked goods, games and toys, sponsored by the Ladies
Benevolent Society (from Christina Robinson) ~ SUNDAY,
DECEMBER 2: Thetford Ski and Winter Gear Consignment Sale.~ Proceeds from
this sale go to support the Thetford ski and snowboard program for children
in grades 1-6. ~ We need volunteers to help out on the day of the sale, as
well as to help plan activities in the few weeks leading up to the sale.~ If
you have a few hours available to help, please contact Julie Mullen at
785-2961 or Julie.M.Mullen@Hitchcock.ORG"Julie.M.Mullen@Hitchcock.ORG (from Lisa Celone) |