S.A.D. #4 Elementary Schools Newsletter

October 21, 2005

 

 

Bus Safety Week

Oct. 17-21 was Bus Safety Week.  Students were able to learn about bus safety through a new program featuring Disney character puppets.   Thank you to the PCHS students in Theater Arts for acting out the plays.  The students also practiced bus evacuation procedures. 

 

Friday was Bus Driver Appreciation Day.  Students at the McKusick School provided gave each bus driver a special t-shirt. Guilford Primary sent donuts, coffee and cards for the bus drivers.  School Bus Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility!

 

Fire Safety

The Guilford Fire Department gave a presentation on fire safety as part of Fire Prevention Week. Thank you to the fire fighters for visiting and teaching us all about fire safety. 

 

The Oral Health Program

The fluoride rinse program has started for children in grades K-5 and a free dental screening and sealant program will be offered again this year. If you have a child in second grade, you will receive information about sealants.  Your child can receive free sealants to protect those back molars from developing cavities.  We are very pleased to be able to offer this program for a second year, through the help of a state grant.  Please continue to do your part to protect your children’s teeth by having them brush twice a day and limiting the number of times a day that they eat a sugary/starchy food or drink. 

 

Building Temperatures

Because of the price of fuel this year, the schools are going to be kept a bit cooler this year.  Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately. 

 

4th Annual Guilford Area Kiwanis Walk

On Oct. 23 at 1 pm there will be a walk from the Guilford Recreational Field to the Riverbend Housing.    The walk benefits many projects like the United Methodist Food Cupboard, Ski Program, Christmas Program for SAD #4 children, SAD #4 Scholarships, Boy Scouts and many other important community projects. 

For the enjoyment of the residents of Riverbend Housing, we invite you to wear a costume.  There will be prizes for the most money turned in that day and free t-shirts to all who collect $50 or more in pledges.  For an information pack and Pledge Form, please contact Shannon Hersey at 876-4970 (landshershey@verizon.net) or Michelle Patterson at 876-2053 (delcait@midmaine.com).  If you email. please put “Kiwanis Walk” in the subject line.  Come join the fun!

 

School Picture Retakes

On November 2nd, LifeTouch Photography will be at both schools for picture retakes.

 

HUGS Meeting

The next HUGS (our parent group) meeting is on Oct. 24 at Guilford Primary at 6:30.  We hope to see everyone there!

 

School Cancellations and Delays

When school is cancelled or delayed, please listen for the announcement on Q106.5 first.  WDME and the television will also carry the information, but might not have the news as quickly.

 

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled from 3:00-6:30 pm at McKusick and Guilford Primary on Nov. 9 & 16.

Information regarding conferences has been sent home.  If these days are not convenient, please call your child’s teacher to schedule a different appointment time.  It is important that parents and teachers meet to discuss their child’s progress.  It is our goal to meet with 100% of our parents. Conferences should be no more than 15 minutes.  If more time is needed, we will be happy to schedule an additional meeting on another date.

 

Here are some tips on how to have a successful conference.

1.        Before the meeting, write down the questions you would like answered.  Think what it is you really want to know and focus on those questions.  If you are checking your child’s school work regularly, there should be no major surprises at the conference for you or the teacher.

2.       Begin the meeting by sharing something positive your child likes about school.  It is important to set a good tone in order to have a productive meeting.

3.       Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions.  If there is something you are not sure about, ask.  Sometimes what appears to be an issue is merely the result of a lack of understanding on someone’s part.

4.       See the meeting as an opportunity to receive information about your child’s performance in school.  If issues at home or in the community are affecting your child’s performance in school, then share these with the teacher.

5.       End the meeting on a positive note.  State your appreciation for what is going well.  Reaffirm your commitment to work together with the school to help your child succeed.  Parents who are positively involved in education benefit their children and their schools.  Parents and educators working together is in the best interest of all children.  Parent-Teacher Conferences are excellent occasions to work side by side in a positive manner.

 

Attendance

Please remember that it is important that your child get to school on time.  Breakfast is served at both schools at 7:45.

 

Movement Classes

Please be sure that your child is dressed appropriately for movement classes.  This means no dresses or skirts.  Every child must have sneakers on.  Thank you for helping us keep your child safe in movement class!

 

Parking

Please remember that you must park in the parking lot not directly in front of the building in the morning and in the afternoon.  The buses need the space to safely transport the students.

 

Fund Raising

The Box Tops for Education collection box is in the lobby.  Please send in all specially marked

General Mills box tops with your children.  A list of qualifying products has been sent home and

can also be found at www.boxtops4education.com.

 

The Hannaford Helps Schools program has begun.  McKusick and Guilford Primary Schools are working together on this project, so please send any certificates you earn to either school. 

 

The bottle for collecting the tabs off soda cans has arrived.  Please send your tabs to school to benefit the children at the Shriner’s Hospital.  Thank you for all of your support!

 

Message from the Kitchens

Parents are again reminded to send their child to school each Monday with their lunch money in an envelope with their child’s name on it. 

 

Halloween

On Oct. 31st, both schools will be wearing black and orange. Seasonal activities will take place in the afternoon.

 

Fundraiser

The HUGS Fall fundraiser (candy/gift wrap) was a success!  Together we raised $5000.00!!!  We would like to thank everyone for their participation!

 

November Birthdays

McKusick- Katie B., Miriah C., Megan S., Ashley D., Nicholas E., Jacob N., Bailey L., Maia S., Collin G., Cody R., and Ethan W.

 

Guilford Primary- Machaela K., Mrs. Orton, Jennifer S., William W., Mrs. Smith, Rylea R., Brooke D., Aaron P., Mrs. Panciera, Zachary F., Haley B., Megan B., Whitney K., Ashley B., Mrs. Charette, and Christal M.

 

Specials Schedule

Monday, Oct.24                                       Day 3

Tuesday, Oct. 25                                     Day 4

Wednesday, Oct. 26                                 Day 5

Thursday, Oct. 27                                   Day 6

Friday, Oct. 28                                       Day 1

 

Monday, Oct. 31                                      Day 2

Tuesday, Nov. 1                                       Day 3

Wednesday, Nov. 2                                  Day 4

Thursday, Nov. 3                                     Day 5

Friday, Nov. 4                                         Day 6