S.A.D. #4

Elementary Schools Newsletter

October 20, 2006

 

Bus Safety Week

Oct. 16-20 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 sent thank you notes and a poster to the bus drivers. Guilford Primary sent donuts, coffee and cards.  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. If you are unable to get a fire detector, there are a few available at the Guilford Town Office.  Call 876-2202 to inquire.

 

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 another 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. 

 

5th Annual Guilford Area Kiwanis Walk

On Oct. 29 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, children,

Christmas Program for SAD #4 children, Scholarships, 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@localnet.com).  If you email. please put “Kiwanis Walk” in the subject line.  Come join the fun!

 

Going On A Tree Hunt

            The Maine Community Foundation has approved a grant for kindergarten students at the McKusick School.  The grant project, written by Mrs. Kelly, is called Going On A Tree Hunt.  Funds from the grant will allow students to travel to a variety of tree farms to see many kinds of trees and learn about the different uses of these trees.  Classroom projects will include journaling, making leaf rubbings, and forming twig castings. These activities will follow along with what the children are learning on their field trips to the tree farms.  Living in rural Maine helps our students understand the important role that trees play in our lives.  We are all very excited about this great opportunity for our students.

 

Exxon Mobil Grant

Guilford Primary has received a $500 grant from the Exxon Mobil Educational Alliance program to support activities at our school.   Tom McDonald of Triangle Service Center in Guilford worked with school officials to secure the grant, which is one of 4,000 available to schools across the country served by Exxon or Mobil stations.  The grants were made possible by funding from the Exxon Mobil Corporation.  Guilford Primary would like to thank Exxon Mobil and Triangle Service Center for supporting our school!

 

 

School Pictures

On October 24th, LifeTouch Photography will be at both schools for pictures.

 

 

HUGS Meeting

The next HUGS (our parent group) meeting is on Nov 13 at the McKusick School at 6:00.  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. 6 & 15.  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 schoolwork 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 are 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.

 

Field Trip To Guilford Memorial Library             

All second grader students at GPS will be going on a field trip to the Guilford Memorial Library on Thursday October 26 at 10:30 with our librarian Mrs. Violette. They will be given a tour of the facilities and hear a story. We hope once your child(ren) are acquainted with the library you will go to visit as a family. Remember that all SAD 4 students are eligible to receive their own library card free of charge!

 

Black & Orange Day

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

 

November Birthdays

McKusick- Jacob N., Bailey L., Maia S, Cody R., Makayla P., Hope A., Madison D., Ethan W., Bailey G., Owen B., Madison F., David M.

 

Guilford Primary- Nikos E., Rylea R., Brooke D., Haley B., Megan B., Cristal M., Katie B., Miriah C., Megan S., Nicholas E., Mrs. Orton, Mrs. Charette

 

Specials Schedule for Guilford Primary School

 

Monday, Oct.23                                       Day 3

Tuesday, Oct. 24                                     Day 4

Wednesday, Oct. 25                                 Day 5

Thursday, Oct. 26                                   Day 6

Friday, Oct. 27                                       Day 1

 

Monday, Oct. 30                                      Day 2

Tuesday, Oct. 31                                     Day 3

Wednesday, Nov. 1                                   Day 4

Thursday, Nov. 2                                     Day 5

Friday, Nov. 3                                         Day 6