February Newsletter

Just a quick reminder that Thursday, January 14^th, the Vermont Department of Healthy will hold Flu Vaccination Clinic #2 for Northwest children whose parents have previously completed the Vaccination consent form. In an effort to alleviate some of the anxiety of the children, we have also designated the day as “Stuffed Animal Day!”

For those who have children participating in the clinic on this day, please be sure that children are aware of their participation in the clinic prior to their arrival at school. In addition, should you have made separate arrangements for the 2^nd vaccination of your child, apart from the NW clinic, please contact our School Nurse, Heather Perkins at 786-1752 to share this information to avoid duplication and potential issues.

Please have your child wear short-sleeves on the day of the vaccinations!

Upcoming Events

January 11 – NW PTC meeting @4pm

January 14 – H1N1 Vaccination Clinic

January 14 – Stuffed Animal Day

January 18 – No school for Martin Luther King Day

January 22 – School Spirit Day – Dress like your favorite real-life person!

January 29 – Progress Reports go home

February 5 – Therapy Dogs read with Grade 2 students

February 26 – Multicultural Day and Student Concerts (Grades K-2) – more information will be coming home soon!

March 1-5 – Dr. Seuss Week

March 5 – Family Movie Night @6pm

March 11- Grocery Bingo

Today we introduced poetry as a genre of literature. We will read lots of poems this week! New books arrived for our classroom libraries and children enjoyed checking out the new selections during SSR (self-selected reading) We used books as resources to learn about the life cycle of a pumpkin.

Email: aswift@rutlandhs.k12.vt.us

Dear Parents and Families,

I hope that this letter finds everyone happy, healthy and enjoying what sunshine you can find in between the raindrops! Our uninterrupted time with our children is much too short, and I encourage each of you to make the most of your time with one another.

School begins for 1^st and 2^nd grade students on Wednesday, August 26^th. Kindergarten students should receive notification from their teachers about their start date (August 26, 27, or 28). I encourage and welcome parents to set up a time to meet with me if you have any questions or concerns that you would like to cover before the school year officially begins – or, if you would just like to say hello! Please call Mrs. Dayton at 773-1946 to arrange a meeting if you wish.

• Opening day is Wednesday August 26, 2009. All Northwest grade 1 and 2 parents are invited to meet their teacher on the playground at 8:50 and then join students in the classroom until 10:00am. If you drive, please plan to park in the visitor’s lot or on Pierpoint Ave.
• There will be an afternoon assembly with Principal Hubert for all grade 1 and 2 students in the NW gym at 2:30pm.
• Kindergarten student/family orientation will take place at Northwest on August 26, 27, and 28th. Please watch for mail from your teacher.
• Traffic and Buses – all car riders should be dropped off and picked up in the traffic and parking area at the south end of the Northwest School building. The entrance to the building is clearly marked, and school staff will be available to greet students and families as they come in. If your child rides the bus, you will receive a bus letter from central office with times and location. Please understand that the times listed are only approximations, and some flexibility should be allowed during the first few weeks of school. Students will be greeted by school staff as they arrive in the morning.

There are many new faces joining us at Northwest this year; please look for and welcome the following faculty members:

• Summer Lambert, Kindergarten teacher                        Shawn Dayton, Lunch/Recess
• Tammi McGee, Kindergarten teacher                            Soroya Rios, paraeducator
• Annsunee Swift, 1^st grade teacher                                 Jamie Gero, paraeducator
• Phoebe Guevin, 2^nd grade teacher                                 Katherine Barker, paraeducator
• Matthew Jensen, Special Educator                                Mark Melvin, Planning Room
• Catherine Troy, Special Educator
• Richard Dow, Math Tutor
• Nancy Temple, Reading Tutor

Once again, we are very excited about the 2009-2010 school year, and the chance to meet all of our children and families. Northwest Primary is a fantastic school, brimming with dedicated educators and capable children. I consider myself fortunate to work in this school community! Please note that our Open House is scheduled for Thursday, September 17^th at 6pm.

Welcome Back!

Greetings from Mrs. Hubert

With a new school year underway, some families may be noticing the stress of this transition affecting their child. New students are faced with new faces and new expectations, while returning students are hit with new teachers and a more challenging curriculum. Each academic transition has its own rite of passage whether it’s socialization concerns or “new kid jitters.” Transitional periods can be difficult, but are normal (rest-easily) and typically short-lived.

To help your child deal with his or her frustrations, it is important to offer comfort as you try to understand where they are coming from. Socially, children at this level are learning to be friends with both boys and girls. Academically, this is a time when children are moving from learning to play and communicate effectively to playing and learning with the goal of seeking new information. Children will increasingly need consistent routines, which they will be granted in the form of their daily school schedule. It is important that parents also help make routines and schedules a part of daily home life as well! WELCOME BACK!

Upcoming Events

Save the Date! Save the Date!

September 7– No school for Labor Day Holiday

September 8 – Kindergarten students begin full day schedule

September 10 – Grades 1 & 2 travel to VT State Fair.

September 16 – Fundraiser Assembly for students @2:30pm. Fundraiser begins today!

September 17^th – Parent Night @ 6pm

• Parents meet their child’s teacher, while children play (supervised) on the NW playground. Refreshments and Dessert will be served at the end of the classroom presentations!

September 18^th – School Spirit Day – Hat Day

October 1 – EEE Picture Day

October 2- NW (K-2) Picture Day

October 20 – Early Release Day for students. Parent Conferences. Book Fair.

October 21 – Parent/Teacher Conferences. Book Fair. No school for students.

October 22-23 – No school for students. Teachers’ Convention.

October 26-30^th – Red Ribbon Week at schools

October 30^th – Northwest Halloween Parade at 2:30pm. More information will be sent home.newsletter – aug 28