Thetford Elementary

News and Views

 September 21 2007                                                                   Issue 3

 

 

FROM THE PRINCIPALŐS DESK:

 

TES Parent Curriculum Night

Thursday September 27th

5:30-6:30         Kindergarten: Presentation and Questions.

5:30-6:00         New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP):

Presentation for parents of children in grades 3-6 who are interested in learning more about this program in the art room.

6:00-6:30         French Program Presentation in the art room

6:30-7:00         Grades 1-3: Presentation and Questions

7:15-7:45          Grades 4-6: Presentation and Questions

 

We welcome you to the TES Parent Night on Thursday September 27th for parents of students in grades K-6. This is an opportunity for parents to learn about classroom expectations from our faculty and to have questions answered about the classroom program. Updated Course of Studies pamphlets will be sent home before the event. In addition you will notice an opportunity to learn about the upcoming NECAP assessment and our new French program. Parent Night is the first of several opportunities to learn about TES programs.  This particular event is one that will be for adults only. An Open House on October 11th (6:30-7:30) will be a time for your children to share their classroom and work with you. We look forward to seeing you on these dates.

 

School Announcements:

 

Hike for Hunger: We are pleased to once again participate in The Vermont Campaign To End Childhood HungerŐs Hike For Hunger. This is our fourth year taking part in this program which, thanks to the generosity of TES children and families , has raised money for the program and food products for the Thetford food shelf. We think this is a good opportunity to introduce our students to community service. The hike will take place this Monday September 24th from 1:15-2:45 as part of our TES Kids Club program. Parents are invited to join in this event.

 

TES library hosts Natalie Kinsey-Warnock:  This Tuesday, September 25th Vermont author Natalie Kinsey-Warnock will be visiting our school. Natalie is an award-winning author from the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. She will be speaking to the whole school in 3 separate presentations:

9-9:45am (K-2)

10-11am (3-6)

11:15-12:15 (6th grade writing workshop)

Please consider joining the staff and students for this exciting event.

At 12:15 we have invited Natalie to Latham Library to view a quilt of her book:  As Long As There Are Mountains (created last spring by this year's 6th grade students). A luncheon will follow at Latham Library for parents of 6th graders and community members. If you plan to attend the luncheon would you please contact Mary Wunderlich at mwunderlich@thetfordschool.org

 

Ruby Bridges comes to talk with TES students: In 1960, Ruby Bridges entered the William Frantz Public School in New Orleans as the first African American student to attend a formerly all-white public elementary school.  Accompanied by Federal Marshals, she was the first student to abide by the landmark decision that mandated the desegregation of public schools. Her attendance had a pivotal impact   on the Civil Rights Movement. On November 7th Ruby Bridges will visit TES to share her historical involvement in the Civil Rights Movement with our children and to provide a model to students of the importance of standing up for oneŐs beliefs. A TES planning Team of teachers and Diversity Forum members has been preparing for this visit since last spring by planning learning opportunities, including our spring Diversity Celebration, for TES students.  We will keep you informed as we move forward both through classroom and this newsletter so that you may participate in conversations at home with your child. 

 

School Garden: Our first school garden has been a bountiful success and foods have been incorporated into lunch program meals.  Thanks to all who helped make this a reality!

 

Emergency Phone Tree:  The parent phone tree for school closings and emergencies is in the works.  If you DO NOT WANT to be included, please contact Wendy Cole in writing at TES by Wednesday, 9/26.

 

From the Health Office:  Headache Treatment Guidelines

                           

One of the most frequent visitors to the Health Office is the child (or adult) with a headache. As you know, headaches can be caused by many things: illness, dehydration, lack of sleep, stress, reading fatigue, hunger, etc. Because headaches interfere with our sense of well-being and our ability to concentrate, many of us more than readily turn to Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Motrin (Ibuprofen) to relieve us of our discomfort.  We are concerned about the use of such medications and are discouraging regular administration in the Health Office.

 

While Tylenol has been assumed to be a fairly benign medication in the medical and general publicŐs mind, recent studies indicate that taking Tylenol for days at a time, even at recommended doses, as well as Tylenol at higher doses, can cause liver damage. In addition, Tylenol, labeled as acetaminophen, appears as a main ingredient in many over-the-counter medications treating colds, allergies, sinus congestion. It is apparently common for people to take both Tylenol and an over-the-counter cold medication, unaware that they are ingesting excessive amounts of Tylenol.

 

Given the new findings regarding Tylenol, we thought it would be a good time to clarify guidelines for handling headaches at the Health Office.

 

1.           No student will be given Motrin or Tylenol without parental permission.

2.          Both Tylenol and Motrin will be given sparingly.

        a. Unless the headache is severe on the first visit to the Health Office, we will interview the child, attempt to find a reason for the headache, such as hunger, fatigue, etc, that may be correctible by food, water, or even a little nap.

         b. If the headache is not severe, we will also encourage the child to tolerate the discomfort. We believe continuing with activities despite minor discomfort helps develop resilience and long-term self-confidence.

              c. We will send the child back to class, usually with a bottle of water, and have the teachers observe the child for improvement.

              d. If the child returns with the headache unabated or unable to tolerate the headache, we may recommend lying down or resting. At any rate, we will reassess the headache and take further action as needed.

3.          If we feel it is appropriate to give a child medication for the headache, we will use Motrin, before Tylenol, unless otherwise indicated on the health card. Parents will be notified, either by phone or note, of the time, dose and reason for Motrin or Tylenol administration.

4.          Though childhood headaches are common, we will notify parents by phone or conversation if a student seems to be suffering from more than the occasional headache.

 

Thank you for attention. We appreciate information on this issue and welcome your input, either for your own child(ren) or the school in general. Please feel free to give us your thoughts and suggestions.

 

Community Calendar and Announcements:

Jaguars Football Games (from Pete Sonnhalter):  Sunday 9/23  1:00 at TES.  The season is off to a great start; the 4-6th grade teams record is 3-1.  Please come support and cheer on your classmates and friends at this Sunday's games against Merrimack Valley starting at 1:00 pm.

 

Giving Bowls Open Studio Tuesdays Sept  25th and Oct 2nd, 7-9pm  Marion Cross School Art Room.  Anyone who would like to MAKE A BOWL or glaze a bowl to contribute to the Giving Bowls Project is welcome to join us!  Materials are provided.

Bowls will be used to serve soup at the Giving Bowls soup and bread supper  (Sunday, Oct 14 3pm-6pm on the Green). This community event will benefit Africare