News From the Principal - December 17, 2008

NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL – December 17, 2008

 

Parent-Teacher Conferences:  It was nice seeing so many parents attending Parent-Teacher Conferences during the last couple of weeks.  This is a good way of finding out how your child has adjusted to school after the first trimester and is progressing academically, socially and behaviorally.  Remember that if you have any questions or concerns during the year, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher to set up another conference.

 

Holiday Concert: On Tuesday, December 23^rd Bartlett students will be visiting GHS for a holiday concert featuring the high school band, chorus and strings students.  Buses will be leaving Bartlett around 9:30 and students will be returning in time for lunch.  Please contact the school if you do not want your child to attend this concert.

 

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Judy Pancoast!  On December 20^th, Judy Pancoast will perform her festive “House on Christmas Street” concert at the Derry Flagship Cinemas.  The concert will be at 11:00 am followed by a showing of a Christmas classic (either Santa Claus is Coming to Town or Rudolph).  Admission is $7 per person.  Children under 3 are free!  The first ten students requesting tickets will receive a free Judy Pancoast CD!  Please call Sharon Galatas (666-3000) or Carolyn Blanchard (627-4431) with any questions.  You may purchase tickets until December 17^th.

 

School Assembly:  The students will be given the opportunity again this year to enjoy a presentation by Dance Visions Network.  This dance group will be visiting our school on Monday, December 22^nd to perform a program on numerous types of dance. 

 

Vacation News:  Vacation starts at the close of school on Tuesday, December 24^th, which is a full day of school.  School will reopen on Monday, January 5^th.  During the week of vacation, the building will be closed.  You may leave messages on the school’s voice mail or on my web page (dbousquet@goffstown.k12.nh.us).  I will be checking my emails during the vacation.

 

Bartlett Addition Dedication:  We will holding the official dedication of our new addition on Wednesday, January 14^th at 6:00.  Please join us for a ribbon cutting ceremony and refreshments and the chance to tour our new office space!

 

Reminder:       Please send shoes to school when your child is wearing boots.  As long as the temperature is reasonable, students go out for recess.  If they don’t have shoes to change into, they are stuck wearing wet boots all day. The students enjoy going outside and having a few minutes to run around and get some fresh air.  They need boots, hats, mittens and snowpants to keep them warm and dry.

 

School Visit Reminder:  Anyone visiting the school must enter through the front doors and sign in at the office.  Visitors must also wear Visitor Stickers whenever in the building or on the playground.

 

Reading Suggestion:  A good book is almost anything that interests a child, as long as it's age appropriate.  With Christmas coming soon, here are some tips you may want to consider for choosing books.

                  Think about your children's interests.  If they love movies, for example, find a book about filmmaking.  Try nonfiction if your kids don't like novels.

                  Talk to librarians.  They know the kind of books that kids love to read.  Describe your child' interests and they'll be happy to help.

                  Challenge children's curiosity.  Discuss puzzles, mysteries, and such questions as, "Why i the sky blue?"  Challenge them to find answers and additional information through reading.

                  From Principal, Vol. 81 #3, January 2002.

 

News From the Principal - November 20, 2008

Kids Voting: During the November 4th’s elections, students were given the opportunity to participate in the Kids Voting program at Bartlett Elementary. Pinardville students were able to come to school to vote for president and some items that pertain to them. The results of the election were:
Who do you want for our next president? Barack Obama
What is your favorite lunch? Fun Fish Nuggets
What is your favorite thing on our new playground? Infinity Web
What was your favorite Jennifer Ericsson picture book? She Did It!
What color do you want the 100-day reader t-shirt to be? Lime Green
What is your favorite sports team? The Red Sox

Reminder: Next Wednesday, November 26th, is an Early Release Day, in which students will be dismissed at 12:45. This will give families a head start to enjoy their Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Lunch: I would like to thank our cafeteria staff, Cheryl Nault, Denise Ouellette and Jennifer Kaminski and their volunteers for serving the students a delicious Thanksgiving meal yesterday. Each student was given a free meal that included turkey, sweet potato, mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, gravy, rolls and pie for dessert. We are truly thankful for everything our cafeteria staff does for the students each and every day.

Early Release (Dec. 3) & Delayed Opening (Dec. 4) for Parent-Teacher Conferences: Please remember that we will be having Parent-Teacher Conferences the week after Thanksgiving. This is a good way of finding out how your child has adjusted to school after the first trimester and is progressing academically, socially and behaviorally. If you haven’t already, please contact your child’s teacher to schedule your conference. And remember, if you have any questions or concerns during the year, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher to set up another conference.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

News From the Principal

Author Visit: On Wednesday, author Jennifer Ericsson visited Bartlett Elementary School. The kids were so well behaved and were very engaged in her presentations. Her visit was made possible from a grant through the CLiF Foundation. The children enjoyed her visit as much as she said she did.

Blue Ribbon Ceremony: On Monday, October 27th, Bartlett Volunteer Coordinator, Lisa Lambert, and I accepted the New Hampshire Partner in Education’s Blue Ribbon Award at the Center of New Hampshire for Bartlett Elementary’s exemplary Volunteer Program. We appreciate all of our volunteers and the hard work they do to help make our school a better place.

No School: Because there will be voting at Bartlett Elementary School next Tuesday, November 4th, there will be no school for students. Polls are open from 7 am – 7 pm. Remember to vote! Also…
Kids Voting: During the November 4th’s elections, we will once again be having Kids Voting at Bartlett Elementary. Pinardville students will be able to come to school to vote for president and some items that pertain to them. So, remember to bring your children when you come to vote on the fourth!

Mountain View Drama Company: The Mountain View Drama Company will be performing at Bartlett Elementary on Tuesday, November 25th. They will be performing the play, Once Upon a Shoe by Joseph Robinette. If you are able to catch one of the Mountain View Drama Company’s performances, you will not be disappointed!

Goffstown Network News: The Goffstown Network is proud once again to be offering the holiday food basket programs to help families in need. The food items collected have assisted in providing help to Goffstown area families each year during the holidays. Filling baskets requires numerous donations of non-perishable food items.
This is truly a community effort and volunteers are needed to make these programs a success. We will be participating in the collection effort by accepting food through the month of November. Suggested donated items include canned vegetables and soups, pasta, tomato sauce, peanut butter and jelly, tuna and canned meats, canned fruits and juices, rice and cereal. So bring in your non-perishable food items and help in this worthy event.

Picture Retake: School pictures went home last week. If you are unsatisfied with your child’s school picture or if your child was absent on picture day, a picture retake day has been scheduled for Thursday, November 6th. In order to have pictures retaken, the complete original packet needs to be returned. If your child’s picture was not taken and you need a new order form, please let us know and we will get one to you.

Hannaford Help Schools: Hannaford Helps Schools is a program that provides schools an opportunity to raise money for playgrounds, assemblies, etc. When customers purchase participating products at any Hannaford Supermarkets, now through December 4th, they will receive “School Dollar” certificates at the register. Just bring these certificates to the school by December 12th and help support the school. Ask your friends and family to give you their certificates to bring in. We will be using the money raised for assemblies and other student activities. We appreciate your support.

Bartlett News

Bartlett Renovations: During the past couple of weeks, the renovations to the school have been flying! The new administrative area is nearing completion and we are expected to move into this area within the next couple of weeks. Then the current administrative area will be renovated to make a new nurse’s office (with a bathroom!), reading classroom, kitchen storage, and an adult bathroom.

Reading Incentive Program: Bartlett Elementary School’s library will be organizing a yearlong, school-wide reading incentive program again this year. The kickoff for this program will be at our next All-School Meeting on October 14th.

Visiting Author: We are pleased to announce that author Jennifer Ericson will be visiting Bartlett Elementary School on Wednesday, October 29th. She will meet with each class to discuss writing children’s books. More information will be coming home soon.

Halloween Parade: In keeping with tradition, the students of Bartlett Elementary School will participate in the Halloween Parade on Wednesday, October 31st in Goffstown Center. The students will be transported by bus to Maple Ave. School and the parade will begin around 1:15. The students will march through the center of Goffstown to St. Lawrence Church and then return for the bus ride back to school. Students will return to Bartlett around 2:30. We ask that students who wish to dress up should bring their costume in a bag with their name on it. Costumes that can be worn over regular clothes are easier for students to put on. Changing time and space is limited. We also ask that no weapons such as fake guns, knives, swords, etc. be included in school costumes.