Pelham Press

Vol. 20,  No. 2    September 3, 2009

http://www.arps.org./pe/

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Monday,  September  7                                                  Labor Day—No School

Thursday,  September 10                                                            6th Grade Field Trip

Pelham School Committee, 7:00 PM

Friday,  September 11                                                    Ice Cream Social, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Monday,  September  14                                                            Principal Open Office Hour, 5 – 6 PM

                                                                                    Pelham Parent Council/PTO, 7:00 PM

Tuesday,  September 15                                                 Sixth Grade Field Trip

Monday, September 21  to  Friday,  September 25      BOOK FAIR

Wednesday,  September  23                                           First Grade Field Trip

                                                                                    Fall Curriculum Night

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From the Principal: 

            The school year is off to a wonderful start.  I always enjoy seeing the students when they enter in September; their optimism and enthusiasm is contagious!  On Monday the Kindergarten class joined the school for their first full day.  Parents and staff were busy taking pictures of the students on their first day of school, a momentous day in everyone’s life. 

            I want to let the Pelham School Community know that I have added some district duties to my daily schedule.  Several years ago I worked with former Superintendent Jere Hochman on some special projects, and this year I will work with Supt. Alberto Rodriguez on curriculum projects for both Pelham School and the district.  I will continue to fulfill all my Pelham Principal duties and will be a phone call away if any emergency arises while I am out of the office.  When I am out of the building, Paul Lipman will be “on call” to respond to major issues until I can return to the building.  The Pelham School Committee and Supt Rodriguez have worked very closely on this shared position to make sure that Pelham Elementary School continues to provide a safe, caring learning environment for Pelham School children.  Of course you know that Janet Scott will ensure that the office runs smoothly.  Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. 

Pelham School is a very special place, and there are several groups and committees who work many hours to help make Pelham School an enriched educational environment for your child.  It is easy to get all these committees and groups confused, but I will try to clarify them for you.

            The Pelham School Committee members are elected by the Town of Pelham to set policy for Pelham School.  They approve the school budget, approve the school curriculum, and establish general policies for the school.  School Committee meetings are usually the first Thursday of each month during the school year.  There is time on each month’s agenda for open discussion.  The School Committee members are Tracy Farnham—Chair, Kathy Weilerstein, and Debbie Gould.  The Committee’s next meeting is next week, September 10th, at 7:00 PM at the Pelham Library.   

            The Pelham School Parent Council/PTO usually meets each month in the Community Room at the Pelham Library from 7:00 – 8:30 PM.  All parents are members of this organization.  The PTO plans community events for Pelham School and raises funds for Pelham School activities.  Some Parent Council members serve as “room representatives” for the classrooms; while others organize the Halloween Party, Pelham School Fair, gift wrap sale, playground maintenance days, and other events for the school.  The direction for the group is set at the monthly meetings.  Come and share your energy!  The next meeting will be Monday, Sept. 14th, at 7:00 PM at the Pelham Library.

The Pelham School Council was established by the Educational Reform Act of 1993 to serve as a support for the school principal.  This elected group advises the principal, develops the School Improvement Plan, creates and collates the Parent Survey, and reviews the school budget and school handbook.  The School Council consists of a teacher representative—Paul Lipman; Deb McLean, parent representative; and Pat Cahill, community representative.  We will review the MCAS data and draft School Improvement Plan for Pelham School at our next meeting in October.

Other committee meetings you may want to attend are the Pelham Finance Committee and the Pelham Select Board.  All of these meetings are open to the general public, and parents are encouraged to attend.  I usually attend Pelham School Committee, PTO, and the School Council.  I also attend Pelham Select Board and Finance Committee Meetings if there are items on the agenda that pertain to the school.  If you have any questions about these meetings, please do not hesitate to call me.                                                                   Rena Moore

 

 

Pelham School Phone Book   Each year the Pelham Parent Council distributes a phone book for Pelham students.  Please call the school office (253-3595) by September 17 if you do not want your name or number included in this phone book.  If your name, address, or phone number was incorrect in last year’s phone book, please let us know.  Also, let us know if you would like a second copy of the phone book.   We are also thinking of adding email addresses to the phone book.  Please let us know your opinion of this and if you would like your email address included. 

 

 

Parents, please observe the speed limit on South Valley Road.  There are many students who walk on this street, and there are no sidewalks.  Please drive carefully and watch for children.  Also, the Pelham Library has asked that we keep the library parking spaces open for library patrons.  Thank you for your cooperation.

 

CLASSROOM NEWS

 

Kindergarten:  Wow! It is time to start again. I hope that you all had some time to enjoy your family this summer. Our room is all ready to go, and a new year of learning is about to begin. Even though I have been teaching for a very long time, I still get butterflies in my stomach the first day of school. I am so excited about helping your children learn and grow. I look forward to a year of partnership with you and your children. See you soon,                                            Debbie Jacque

 

Grade 1:  Monarch Magic Moves Millions to Mexico!  It’s great to be back in school and starting another adventure in learning.  I can’t imagine a fall semester without monarch butterflies though this fall has proven to be a tough one for them.  With a wet and cool spring and summer, the numbers are way down so we had to have some caterpillars shipped from Kansas to help us out!  In first grade we won’t let a little bad weather get in the way.  Stop by sometime to witness nature at its best and I look forward to visiting with you at our upcoming Curriculum Night.                             Paul Lipman

 

Grade 2:  Welcome back. It has been great meeting new parents and reconnecting with parents. This first week we have worked on the transition from summer to school by revisiting classroom and school rules, and getting to know how second grade classroom is organized. We have also been talking a lot about friendship; how to be a good friend by what we do and say. We started our bubble unit this week where the children will learn the steps of scientific experimentation. I have an intern from UMASS this semester, Mr. Lo, who is excited to work in the classroom.  Finally, I would like to welcome our new students Gabrielle, Owen, and Saebra. I know we are gong to have a great year and I look forward to meeting all of you at Curriculum Night.                                                                                                               Cindy Corey

 

Grade 3:  Third Grade is an exciting place to be!  The students are curious and full of ideas.  They come with a wealth of background knowledge that is making each discussion stimulating and varied.  We welcome our two new students, Kira Bixby and Aurelia Delaney with enthusiasm!  The class is busy learning the third grade schedule and routines as we complete fall assessments and dig right into some new units and materials.  This should prove to be a fantastic year.      Meg Gallagher

 

Grade 4:  School is off to a great start in the fourth grade!  I am very happy with the enthusiasm of this new group.  We have already begun our explorations in math and science.  Children have been learning about arrays, factors, and dimensions in preparation for work in multiplication and division.  Additionally, students have made simple circuits and are learning about light bulbs.  Our regular homework schedule will begin after September 14.  If you have questions or concerns you can contact me at the school or email me at:   ShawA@ARPS.org.                           Tony Shaw

 

Grade 5:  The fifth grade class is off to an incredible start.  The students are learning the routines of the new class and are rising to the expectations that are being set.   They are a great group of kids whom I look forward to getting to know this year.   The support from the families has been great, planners are getting signed and homework is complete. Students have started off the year with a unit on Effort and the Skeletal System.  In about two weeks we will begin our River and Lewis and Clark study.   We will then proceed to the American Revolution and The Constitution.   This should take us through January.  We will then study Ecosystems, Explorers, Astronomy, and review units to get ready for the MCAS.    As you can see, our curriculum is quite full. Along with the units of study we will be reading, writing, and learning new math skills.  Fifth grade is a time for exciting learning both academically and socially.   I am looking forward to working with all the students and the parents this year.  If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to stop by. The best time to catch me is in the morning, I am here before 7:30 every morning. I truly feel we are a team when it comes to teaching your child, and I hope we will all work together to make this year a great one for everyone.                                                    Suzanne Quinlan

 

Grade 6:  We’ve started the sixth grade curriculum with the Real Me unit, a focus on who we are and how to take care of ourselves. We’ve already talked about our learning styles, and will learn more about nutrition, exercise, and stress management through various projects, including building ourselves three dimensionally in paper, reading novels, and visiting the Norman Rockwell Museum. We’ll start weekly spelling and vocabulary groups on September 8th. Our writing program has begun with sentence work, to be followed by writing paragraphs, and then various process pieces. Our math curriculum is ready to start with a review of place value. This year we’ll tackle many topics, including algebra, ratio and proportion, percent, geometry, and probability, and we also have on-going problem solving books. The reading program includes both fiction and nonfiction work, sometimes in groups and other times individually, as we build reading and comprehension skills. We will read biographies and write reports during the Election Unit, which will start at the end of September. After the election in November we’ll study Maps and Globes for several weeks, to be followed by our first science unit, Measuring Time, in January. In February we’ll grow plants and conduct various experiments, and this will coincide with writing research reports. In the spring we’ll read and write poetry, and learn about health and safe behavior. In June, I expect we’ll perform the annual 6th grade play, and visit Nature’s Classroom in Rhode Island. In addition to the subjects we study, we address organizational and social skills. Our sixth graders are training for the greater independence that will be required of them in the following years. Our goal is that each Pelham student is a successful learner, with the skills and knowledge they need for the next step in their education.                                           Margaret Light

 

String and Band Programs:  Over the next week, Laurie Rabut, String and Orchestra Teacher, and Bob Castellano, our Band Instrument Teacher, will meet with new students in the upper grades to tell them about these music programs at Pelham.  They will also have additional forms for any other students who may want to sign up for orchestra or band.  If you would like more information, please contact the school office (253-3595). If you are unable to buy or rent an instrument, the school has some available to loan.

 

Reminder:  Some members of our staff suffer from chemical sensitivities that can cause serious health issues.  When they are exposed to chemical fragrances in shampoos, detergents, soaps, lotions and perfumes, they can become physically ill (asthma attacks, migraine headaches, etc.) and are debilitated for hours and even days.  We all can be aware of this issue and try to make Pelham School as “fragrance-free” as possible.  Please help us create an environment where each staff and student can participate fully in all of the activities at school.  Thank you for your consideration.

 

 

Reminder:  You may send in a “standing note” to let us know your child’s after school plans, particularly if they change on a daily basis.  This will help us develop our dismissal lists.

 

 

THE PELHAM LIBRARY

AND

THE PELHAM CARBON WATCHERS

PRESENT

MOVIE UNDER THE STARS

                THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 10     7 – 9 PM

 

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FEATURING THE LORAX

A Movie Based on the Book by Dr. Seuss

Refreshments provided by the Pelham Carbon Watchers

Bring a chair or blanket  - Information at Pelham Library (413) 253-0657

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amherst Education Foundation announces the

15th Annual Trivia Bee

 

 

Amherst’s “Not to Miss” Fall Event!

 

 

 

Thursday October 29th, 2009

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Amherst Middle School Auditorium

 

 

 

 

The Amherst Education Foundation proudly announces the date for their Fall fund-raiser.  This has become the Amherst fall event “not to miss”! Sponsor a team for only $175.00, or join a team and test your trivia IQ.

 

Under the direction of Ellen Story, over 30 teams will vie for bragging rights to be “Trivia Bee Champion”.  Citizens Bank was the 2008 Champion. The fun evening will include refreshments, lots of trivia and a raffle.

 

 

 

Admission is free with donations to AEF welcome.

 

 

 

See our website for details

www.amhersteducationfoundation.org/

 

or contact

 

Mary Donoghue at 253-7016

Aj.donoghue@verizon.net

 

 

We look forward to your support!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action Steps for Parents to Protect Your Child and

Family from the Flu this School Year

August 7, 2009 9:00 AM ET

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 4 main ways you and your family may keep from getting sick with the flu at school and at home:

  • Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder; not into your hands.
  • Stay home if you or your child is sick for at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine). Keeping sick students at home means that they keep their viruses to themselves rather than sharing them with others.
  • Get your family vaccinated for seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu when vaccines are available.

 

If flu conditions become MORE severe, parents should consider the following steps:
  • Extend the time sick children stay home for at least 7 days, even if they feel better sooner. People who are still sick after 7 days should continue to stay home until at least 24 hours after symptoms have completely gone away.
  • If a household member is sick, keep any school-aged brothers or sisters home for 5 days from the time the household member became sick. Parents should monitor their health and the health of other school-aged children for fever and other symptoms of the flu.

 

Follow these steps to prepare for the flu during the 2009-2010 school year:
  • Plan for child care at home if your child gets sick or their school is dismissed.
  • Plan to monitor the health of the sick child and any other children in the household bychecking for fever and other symptoms of flu.
  • Identify if you have children who are at higher risk of serious disease from the flu and talk to your healthcare provider about a plan to protect them during the flu season.
  • Children at high risk of serious disease from the flu include: children under 5 years of age and those children with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma and diabetes.
  • Identify a separate room in the house for the care of sick family members.
  • Update emergency contact lists.
  • Collect games, books, DVDs and other items to keep your family entertained if schools are dismissed or your child is sick and must stay home.
  • Talk to your school administrators about their pandemic or emergency plan.

 

 

 

For more information:

Visit: www.flu.gov

Contact CDC 24 Hours/Every Day

1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)

TTY: (888)232-6348

cdcinfo@cdc.gov

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action Steps for Parents of Children at High Risk for Flu Complications

August 7, 2009 9:00 AM ET

 

Children with chronic health problems such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, metabolic conditions, neurologic and neuromuscular disorders, or who are pregnant are at higher risk of having complications from flu. In addition, all children younger than 5 years old are at higher risk of flu complications compared to older children. If you are not sure if any of your children are at higher risk for flu complications, please check with a doctor.

 

Keep children at high risk for flu complications from getting sick with the flu

  • Make sure your child’s hands are washed for 20 seconds with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often and especially after coughing or sneezing.  Have your child cough and sneeze into a tissue or into his or her elbow or shoulder if a tissue is not available.
  • Keep your child away from people who are sick.
  • Clean surfaces and objects that your child frequently touches with cleaning agents that are usually used. When there is flu in your community, consider your child’s risk of exposure if they attend  public gatherings. In communities with a lot of flu, people who are at risk of complications from flu should consider staying away from public gatherings. If flu is severe in your community, talk to your doctor and child’s school to develop a plan on how to handle your child’s special needs.
  • Get your child vaccinated for seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu when vaccines are available.

 

Recognize if your children are sick:  Some children may not be able to tell you about their symptoms, which can result in a delay in responding to their illness. It is important to watch carefully for the signs and symptoms of flu or unusual behavior that may be a sign your child is sick. Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, and fatigue. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius). If you are not able to measure a temperature, your child might have a fever if he or she feels warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.

 

Watch for emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention. These warning signs include:

  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish or gray skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not urinating or no tears when crying
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

 

Please share this information with your child’s teacher or other caregivers, so they can tell you if they notice your child is not feeling well.

 

Tips for taking care of high risk children with the flu

  • Contact your doctor immediately if your child is sick. This is important because the antiviral medicines used to treat flu work best when started within the first 2 days of getting sick. Your doctor will tell you what special care is needed for your child.
  • Keep your sick child at home until at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine). Keep your child home unless they need to go to the doctor.
  • Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants, Pedialyte®) to keep from being dehydrated.
  • If your child has a fever, use fever-reducing medicines that your doctor recommends based on your child’s age. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) should not be given to children or teenagers who have flu; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.
  • Keep your sick child in a separate room (a sick room) in the house as much as possible to limit contact with household members who are not sick. Consider designating a single person as the main caregiver for the sick child.

 

For more information:

Visit: www.flu.gov

Contact CDC 24 Hours/Every Day   1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)       TTY: (888)232-6348           cdcinfo@cdc.gov

moorer@arps.org

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