School Wide Field Trip
Rescheduled
On Thursday, November 20, the entire school will be traveling to GMUHS at 8:30 to see “Fiddlesticks!” String Trio from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. This is rescheduled as one of the musicians took ill last week and the program needed to be postponed. Students will be introduced to various string instruments and learn the mechanics of sound production, as well as the differences and similarities among the members of the string family. They will hear both some classical and popular selections during the assembly. This program is supported through mini grants from the Arts in Education Committee of the Green Mountain Festival Series written by Polly Westcott and Art Branton. Thank you Polly, Art and the Green Mountain Festival Series for bringing this group to our schools.
Fundraiser Items Arrive
We had a delivery from American Fundraising this morning with the products that were purchased through the recent campaign. The items should have gone home with the students. We hope that the customers will receive their products in a timely manner. We are grateful to all who helped make this fundraiser a success. Students are already benefiting from the money we raised with some of our assembly programs.
Apple Blossom Cotillion Children
Elementary school children in grades Kindergarten through 4th are invited to participate in the 53rd annual Apple Blossom Cotillion. These younger performers, always a real crowd pleaser, are introduced in couples, just like the high school participants and escorts, and they perform several singing and dancing numbers.
The theme of this year’s Cotillion, which is on Friday and Saturday, May 1 & 2, is “A Legendary Night” featuring songs by musical legends. The directors of the Cotillion are Carrie Patch and Pam Church.
Applicants who submit a completed application by the due date of December 10 are eligible to participate unless the number of applicants exceeds the capacity of the production. In that case, a random public drawing will be held to determine the participants.
This year, according to Larry Kraft, Director of Springfield Hospital Foundation, and emcee of the Cotillion, “We encourage children to apply in couples – a girl and her male escort – just like the high school participants.” If a public drawing is held to determine participants, Kraft explains, “preference will be given to children who apply as a couple”.
Parents who would like their children to participate may obtain an application form from Larry Kraft, Springfield Hospital Foundation, 885-7644, lkraft@springfieldhospital.org .
Drumming Program Coming to CTES
Next Monday and Wednesday, November 17 and 19, the students will have a very exciting experience at CTES. Hafiz Shabaz, a professional drummer from Dartmouth College, will be working with all of the students. We have borrowed some drums from Chester Andover to add to the ones we have, so we will have enough African Drums for each student to have their own instrument to play upon instruction. This is a great follow up to an assembly that we had earlier in the year with the group Jeh Kulu. The program is supported by a grant from the Green Mountain Festival Series written by Mrs. Bonang.
Thanksgiving Recess
We will begin our Thanksgiving break with the close of school on Tuesday, November 25. School will reopen on Monday, December 1st. We hope you enjoy this time with your children, eat lots of turkey and have some fun. They are all ready for a break and time to relax, and it will also help keep the colds at bay.
Regular Attendance Important
Parents often wonder, “Is it okay to take my child out of school for an appointment or a vacation? Could this really affect his success? New research on kindergartners through third graders answers that question. It suggests “chronic absence” (missing 10% or more of days in a school year) is linked to: *Low performance in school. It’s also connected to dropping out, substance abuse and more. *Lost learning time for kids who are at school. When absent kids come back, teachers must help them catch up. Show your child that your family cares about learning by making sure he is at school on time every day. Attending school is his responsibility. Of course, if your child is sick, he should stay home. (Elementary Parents make the difference! September 2008, p.4)
Principal’s note: It is equally important for children to get to school on time. When children are tardy they miss opening announcements, our school community time and morning meeting in the classrooms. It takes time for them to settle into the classroom routine and it often is distracting to the other students. For everyone’s sake please get the kids to school on time.
Snowsports Program
Just a reminder, that the sign up for the winter ski and snowboard program is this Monday, November 17 from 2:30 – 7 PM at CTES. It is necessary for parents to come to the school to sign up their children. Look further in the Cavendish Corner for more information.
PTO Meeting Wednesday
The November PTO meeting will be on Wednesday, the 16th at 6 PM in the Arts Center. We will be planning for December activities and the Holiday Fun Day. The meetings usually last about an hour and refreshments are served. Please join us as we plan for activities for the remainder of the year.
Save Your Shaw’s Receipts and Box Tops
Please save your Shaw’s receipts and box tops! We collect them at school and are able to submit them for cash back. Thank you to Lori Jones for adding all of these up for us!
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