Pelham School Press

It is parent-teacher conference time at Pelham School. Before your conference with your child’s teacher, I encourage you to think about the following and share your and your child’s responses with the teacher:

2. What do you want the teacher to know about your child or about your goals for your child?

5. What do you want to know about your child’s work, learning, or interactions at school?

6. What concerns, if any, do you have that you and the teacher can address together?

Of course, the teachers will also be thinking about what they want to tell you and ask you, and they will share the results of their fall assessments of your child’s academic progress. Even with this somewhat lengthy agenda, we ask that you help teachers keep these conferences to no more than 30 minutes. This is important because teachers also have their full load of planning and teaching responsibilities during the weeks when conferences are occurring. We value your partnership with us in your child’s education, and we hope these suggestions will strengthen that partnership. Rena Moore

REMINDER: Parents, please note that students will be dismissed at 1:20 PM on October 22 and October 27, so teachers can hold their fall parent-teacher conferences. If you did not sign up for a conference at Curriculum Night, please call or send a note to your child’s teacher to schedule one.

The Amherst A Better Chance Fall Foliage Walk will return this year on Saturday, October 17h with all of the fitness fun it has provided for over 40 years. A tradition in Amherst, the Walk is the ABC program’s most important fundraiser. People of all ages and from all parts of the community come out to support the scholars who are seeking better educational opportunities at Amherst Regional High School. Registration will begin at the Mill Amherst Town Common at 10 AM. It’s OK if you don’t do the whole Walk; even if you can’t walk at ALL on that day you CAN still participate by seeking pledges for an alternative activity. Pledge forms will be available to Pelham students and families from Meg Gallagher after permission slips go home. To learn more about the A.B.C. Program, go to amherstabetterchance.org or to the national website, abetterchance.org.

	Enchanted Forest Animals in Disguise
Don’t miss the Hitchcock Center’s Enchanted Forest! This non-scary Halloween family event takes place *Friday, October 23* and *Saturday, October 24* from *5-8:30p.m.* Adults and children of all ages will enjoy meeting our magical “Animals in Disguise” as you are guided along the pumpkin-lit trail. Walks leave the Center every 15 minutes and last 45 minutes. Enjoy crafts, games, and snacks for sale. Pre-registration required. Register early as this event fills fast! Call 413-256-6006.

Box Tops for Education	Campbell Soup Labels	Printer Cartridges	A+Bonus Bucks at Stop and Shop	BIG Y Education Express
Found on General Mills products, please cut and send to Pelham School	Please cut and send to Pelham School office	Send your used cartridges to the Pelham School office.	Our School ID is 05202	Our school ID is 6258

This is my first Pelham Press of the year and I am happy to welcome everyone back to school, (if not belatedly) and report that our school year is going quite well so far. I, of course, am coming from the perspective of the “feelings teacher” which is what the children call me.

We began this year by introducing the kindergarteners to their bears, re-introducing the kindness tree to the entire school and visiting each class to discuss the school climate. I am continuing with the curriculum about bullying and teasing as well as working with other social and emotional classroom curriculums.

Pelham School has been known throughout the years for its extensive work against bullying and teasing. We emphasize the importance of the bystander role and talk very openly about problems that may be occurring within our school environment. This week happens to be National Bullying Awareness Week so I am looking at new curriculum tools and pledges that children may take to commit themselves to be accountable for their behavior.

The particular pledge put out by the Center for Social and Emotional Education in New York teaches students about being upstanders rather than bystanders. They conclude that upstanders is a less passive term. We may start to integrate that term into our Pelham School anti-bullying and teasing language.

Each day when I enter your children’s classes and speak with them during the day, I am impressed by their commitment to have a safe, socially responsible climate in Pelham. They work hard to show they care about each other and during our class discussions, the children use the vocabulary that they have learned through the bullying and teasing curriculum. Please try to continue these discussions at home. Kindness and caring about each other is a community value which we encourage within our school community.

Children may visit my room when they have personal or social concerns by leaving a message outside of my door. I get personal messages throughout the week and try to see the children as soon as possible. If you as caretakers also want to set up an appointment to discuss concerns about your child, please call the school or leave a message outside of my room.

My days are filled with your children’s stories…. They make my days incredibly enjoyable and meaningful. Thank you for sharing your children with me and I continue to be so grateful for your support and feedback.

IN ATTENDANCE: Paul Lipman, Ruth Carolan, Diana Zahradnik, CherylNina Choquette, Elise Stromgren, Sharrie Reydak, Lynn Smith, Tracy Farnham, Karen Ribeiro, Barry Parker, Kristen Maddocks, Regis Paris, MaryAnn Zimkowski, Deb McLean.

Principal’s Report
Rena Moore

Rena could not attend as she was not feeling well, Paul Lipman gave the report on her behalf and requests a piece of cake be saved for Rena. First, the school welcome back assembly was held last week, new staff and students were introduced. The kindergarten students were introduced. This is the second year with the Acts of Kindness Tree, at the assembly the tree was reintroduced to returning students and introduced to the new students. Students record acts of kindness on slips of paper that become leaves of the tree. This was a successful program last year. The other activity at the assembly was circle of hands; the entire school held hands and sang songs moving around a circle. The students and staff enjoyed the assembly. Other news, Margaret Russell, the new computer and Spanish teacher, is coming up to speed. She has no previous teaching experience but is a very quick study and is doing a great job. We also have a new band teacher, Bob Castellano, has been with the district for years and things are off to a good start. Deb King has been out; she is at a funeral for a family member to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Last, Paul noted that Rena is seeking PTO’s support in a “Buy a Book” program to help fund the deficit for the library. We will move this to later discussion.

Treasurer’s Report
Diana Zahradnik/Lynn Smith

Diana and Lynn made the transfer; Lynn is now officially the custodian of the checkbook. Deposits were made for Coffee Fundraiser and the Book Fair. $35 from a recycling item…unclear exactly what. No checks written this month. Current Balance is $12,900.

Open House	Open House – Each classrooms’ rep spoke to the class and introduced general PTO activities – Rena did note to Paul that there was a very high turnout this year, she was very pleased to see such attendance, she felt this showed a very strong, active, school community.
Archive of PTO Events Diana	Diana is working on getting these together, as she does them she is handing them out to chair people to be filled out as the event happens – if you have info about a previous event, please feel free to approach Diana to fill out an archive memo.
Harvest Night 6^th Grade Parents	Pumpkin Carving and dessert event to be held October 22 Friday at 6:00 p.m. Bring your own pumpkin to carve, or purchase one at the Harvest Night, desserts will be available for purchase.
Ice Cream Social Cheryl	Cheryl notes that she will update the archives with information about this event.
Gift Wrap Diana	Diana sent the packages out on Tuesday. Some feedback from parents and confusions because no letter went in with the packets. Diana will see that the letter goes in the Pelham press to tell folks what to do with the packet. The packets need to be returned by October 14. We make 30-40% profit from this fundraiser. Room reps can assist by making parents aware of the deadlines…
Halloween Party Diana	Diana has made phone calls – Lions Club will be there with treat bags, acting Chief of Police has agreed that officers will be out in the Loop, PPD will also provide glow sticks for the children/trick or treaters. Diana called about apples but has yet to hear back, and says she still needs assistance with organizing the pizza, the donuts and the letters and phone calls to Pelham residents in “The Loop” and someone to purchase the candy. Ellen Leuchs let Diana know that UMass student volunteers are ready and coordination of the volunteers is all set. Elise will take care of the letters and phone calls to residents along the Trick or Treat route and find out who would like candy. Barry and Kristin will handle the donuts and pizza coordination, and Barry will take care of purchasing the candy. Lindsay Stromgren has agreed to transport the games.
Deans Beans Amy Wasserman	Ruth (on behalf of Amy) reports $90.00 profit last month
Library Fundraiser Paul Lipman	Rena seeks PTO support in soliciting $10-$20 per family to cover the cuts to the school library program, “Buy a Book.” PTO generally supports participating in the program; there was considerable discussion about how PTO can best contribute. Tracy will follow up with Rena.
Mad Science Diana	Mad Science is an independent group that does science programs at schools (current program at Fort River School) they also run science summer camps. Mad Science company will run an assembly for all the grades, science demonstration prior to program start up. The cost is $79 per child, need 12-14 children to run a six-week, hour long program. Diana spoke with Rena and she has approved using the Art classroom on Friday if PTO decides to do the program. We would need to donate some scholarships for this program; Mad Science will donate a scholarship only if more than 12 students participate. 12 students at a minimum need to enroll in order for Mad Science to run the program. After much discussion, item is unresolved but further discussion is planned at the next meeting.
Book Fair (Ellen Leuchs)	$2770.20 made, ½ that amount in credit for books materials supplies etc. $1614.27 in credits from Scholastic to the library – librarian noted she did not have a fund for new books. Random donations were given during the fair, totaling $47.31. It is decided that these donations will be given to the library. Paul expressed on behalf of the teaching staff that Ellen does a fabulous job organizing the students, the teachers, the parents, the volunteers, etc.; the teaching staff note that she’s very gracious when she comes to the classrooms. She manages to make this work. $225.13 from fair went to students in need. Ellen reported that she got an excellent response from parents to volunteer, 13 parents in total volunteered to help out (Ellen’s note in last week’s Pelham Press recognized the volunteers). Paul did note that all the teacher’s wishes were granted; teachers got everything on their wish lists.
Organizing college and parent volunteers *Ruth*	UMass student volunteers have been used at our events, Halloween Party, Book Fair and Spring Fair. Ellen Leuchs will organize the volunteers; let her know what we need. Karen suggests that we ask the students if they would coordinate Junior Achievement presentations to classrooms that would like that presentation. Junior Achievement does different, age-appropriate presentations that are business-based. Paul says the first grade presentation works well with the social studies unit he does. Homework club is another idea – maybe get in touch with Tony Shaw, Ms. Quinlan and Ms. Light or Lennie Ware at After School programs to see if they could use UMass volunteer help.
Classroom Reps	Ruth would like everyone’s email addresses so that we can keep in touch with them. Room Reps communicate from PTO teachers and school to get hold of parents in classroom and seek support. Discussion about what the room reps’ role is or should be. It is suggested that we complete an archive doc for room rep role. Room Reps are: K Nora Maroulis , Toni Gleason 1 Anita MacDonald, Kathy Griffin, Diana Zahradnik 2 Carol Wilson, Sue Hall 3 Leanne Hasbrouck, Tracy Farnham 4 Deb McLean, Christine Casagrande 5 Cherylnina Choquette, Diana Zahradnik 6 Cherylnina Choquette, Sharrie Reydak, Tracy Farnham
Computer Club David Shanabrook	Ruth gives an update on behalf of David. David does have two programs he would like to purchase. Also, he’s decided to split up the club, meet twice a month on Fridays, one Friday will be Kindergarten—3, other Friday 4-6. This way he feels he will be able to keep the children engaged. David did have a parent volunteer to help him out, anyone else interested please let Ruth or David know. “Plop” draw figures foreground and background then make them 3-d $20 per computer, could we do 10 seats at $200. Another program called “Hyperscore” more expensive $50 per computer, Jodi uses it and loves it. Would we be able to use these programs in school as well or maybe there are funds through the school to purchase these licenses? Tracy will ask Rena about getting money through the town for computer programs.
Pelham PTO Sign	Karen is doing a great job with the sign and it looks good. Next event? School pictures Oct 19?
Big Y and Stop & Shop school programs Lynn	Big Y and Stop and Shop give money/credits to schools based on recorded amounts from people who shop there. A+ is the name of the program. Parents, families, friends, sign up your store card to begin accruing money or credits for the school. Last year we only had 35 people enroll their cards with Stop & Shop A+, and we made $800 for the school. Discussed getting more parents to enroll cards and getting volunteers to go to the stores and ask people to enroll their cards on behalf of the school. Date discussed for an initial store visits to solicit people to enroll cards. Also discussed getting room reps to ask if parents would give their card # over the telephone and we can add to the list. “We are seeking 100% participation!” Our school code for Stop & Shop is 05202. You can enroll your card online at: http://www.stopandshop.com/our_stores/bonus_bucks/index.htm
Savings Makes Sense Diana	Started this Wednesday – turnout was light. Diana reminds folks that children can put as little or as much money they want to deposit (if they want to deposit .05 they can).
Next Meeting	Monday, November 9 - 7:00 p.m. (Elise will reserve room with Adam N)
Art Fundraiser	Kristin and Amy are going to meet next weekend to coordinate the rest of the fundraiser.