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Thursday,  October 16                                                                Pelham School Committee, 7 PM

Monday,  October 20                                                                  Principal Open Office Hour, 5 – 6 PM

     Tuesday, October 21, Wednesday, October 22, and Thursday, October 23     1:20 Dismissal

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From the Principal:

            Yesterday, K – 6 teachers met to score and review writing samples from Pelham students in grades 2-6.  Each year the amount of time devoted to writing and the importance of writing across curricular areas increases.  On last spring’s MCAS tests (grades 3-6) writing was an area of need for many Pelham students.  At Pelham School we are currently using two programs to support classroom writing—the Write Traits Program and Great Source writing materials.  In two weeks, Deb Fulcher, primary grades special education and Reading Recovery teacher, and Tony Shaw, 4^th grade teacher, will participate in additional training in the Teachers’ College Lucy Calkins Writing Program.  This emphasis on writing will help develop all students’ written communication.  At your upcoming parent conference, please ask your child’s teacher how writing is taught in your child’s classroom.                                                                                                                                            Rena Moore

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Church Buffet:  The United Church of Pelham at 142 Amherst Road will hold a buffet meal on Saturday, October 25 at 6 PM.  The menu includes appetizers, home-baked beans, kielbasa, casseroles, and salads.  The charge is $6.00 for adults, children under 12, $3.00, and preschoolers—free.  To reserve a spot, call 253-3792 or 253-2616.

 

 

A BETTER CHANCE FALL FOLIAGE WALK OCTOBER 18, 2008

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The Amherst A Better Chance Fall Foliage Walk will return this year on Saturday, October 18th with all of the fitness fun it has provided for the past 40 years, but with a new, accessible 5K Anniversary route.  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 Amherst Town Common at 10 AM and ends with an After Walk Party on the Common at noon featuring the Charles Neville Quartet. 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.  To learn more about the A.B.C. Program, go to amherstabetterchance.org or to the national website, abetterchance.org. 

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AGENDA FOR THE PELHAM SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING, October 16, 2008, 7:00 PM, Pelham Community Room

Welcome, Announcements, and Public Comment—7:00 PM

Superintendent and Principal Update—Ballot Question #1, State Budget Cuts, MCAS/AYP Report

Unfinished/Continuing Business—Lunch/Breakfast Program Prices

New Business:  Apointment of New School Committee Member, Vote on Policies

 

ALL GIFT WRAP ORDERS WERE DUE 10/10/08. 

If you did not return yours—please do so tomorrow.  Thanks, Debbie Shepard

 

 

Third Grade Food Drive of the Survival Center

          Hi, my name is Kira Gallagher, and I am a sophomore at Amherst High School.  I am helping the third grade at Pelham School collect food for the Survival Center in Amherst. 

          The Center is looking to stock their shelves with the following items:

Peanut butter

Jelly

Pasta

Cans of tomato sauce

Soup

Cans of tuna fish

Canned meat

Baking goods (Cake mixes, Cookie mixes, etc.)

Other nonperishable food

We wish to thank two volunteers from the PTO who have offered to transport the food to the Survival Center.  Thank you very much   Elaine Fronhofer and Elise Stromgren.

          Donated food may be dropped off outside the Pelham School office from now until November 5^th.  Thank you for any donations that you may be able to contribute. 

 

 

AMHERST TRIVIA BEE *

Thursday, October 30, 2008, 7:00-9:00pm

Middle School Auditorium

 

*FOR TEAMS*

To sponsor a team or play on a team contact Linda Rotti at Jones, Town and Country, 549-3700

Proceeds to benefit the Amherst Education Foundation, Inc.

 

Currently there are 20 plus teams registered, we need 10 more teams to fill the stage.

Teams, which are comprised of area business or 4 individuals form a group.

For instance 4 elementary school principals who are out to prove they are "Smarter Than a 5th Grader".

 The entry fee is 125.00 per team.

The committee will also pair up a 4-player teams with a sponsor if the team does not have one.

 

We get our sponsors from area businesses, who support the Amherst Education Foundation's

mission and see it as an opportunity to participate in a community wide event!

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THE QUESTIONS*

We have a team of trivia bee question makers who are hidden away in a sealed room

grinding out secret questions in all different categories (Ha, ha).

This year we are adding a special flash round of Amherst area trivia in

preparation to Amherst's 250-year celebration next year!

 

*THE AUDIENCE*

What a great family evening out.

 Only $3 admission per audience member.

Baked goods and lots of fun for all ages.

Come join us, the bigger the crowd the more fun!

All proceeds benefit Amherst Education Foundation.

 

 

	Enchanted Forest Creatures of the Forest
The Hitchcock Center, Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25, 5:00 – 8:30 Don’t miss the Hitchcock Center’s Enchanted Forest!  This non-scary Halloween family event takes place Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25 from 5-8:30p.m.  Adults and children of all ages will enjoy meeting our magical “Creatures of the Forest” 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.

 

 

Minutes of Pelham School Committee Meeting

September 4, 2008

 

 

Present:            Tracy Farnham, Chair                 Maureen Ecclestone                  Supt. Helen Vivian                      Rena Moore                        Fred Vanderbeck—Pelham Finance Committee     James Huber—Selectman         Rob Detweiler

 

Call to Order	Tracy Farnham called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
Minutes	Minutes of June 17, 2008 were approved as written.
Announcements & Public Comment	Pelham Selectman Jim Huber announced that the Town is conducting an Energy Audit of all Town buildings.  The elementary school will be included in the audit, and the Pelham School Committee will receive a copy of the report/findings.
Superintendent and Principal Update	Interim Co-Superintendents’ Entry Plan:  Tracy Farnham welcomed Supt. Vivian to Pelham and her first Pelham School Committee meeting.  Supt. Vivian shared the entry plan for the interim co-superintendents and noted that they had enjoyed working with such a dynamic staff.  She also shared a list of over 70 district goals, which she and the whole school district will address.  However, the following are the high priority issues which required immediate attention:  energy projections for FY09, clarification of curricula development activities, and initiation of new contract provisions, including professional development and new evaluation plans. Principal Report:   The opening of school went well with even the bus routes running smoothly.  Two new students with significant special needs enrolled, and resources are being re-allocated and increased to meet the needs.  Jill Orro, special education teacher, and Margaret Light, 6th grade teacher, are adjusting to their new positions.  Cathy Neale is mentoring Margaret Light, and Joan Levy is mentoring Jill Orro.  In addition Judy McNamara will be working part time for Pelham School to facilitate the sixth grade transition process for special needs students.  The only negative report was that two L’s have been stolen from the Pelham Elementary School sign; this is the second such incident.
Unfinished Business	School Policy Update:  Policies were tabled until the October meeting.  FY08 End-Of-Year Budget Reconciliation—Rob Detweiler presented the end-of-year budget reconciliation, which showed a surplus of $318.00.  Positive balances were in special education, support services, and facilities management accounts, while negative balances were in substitutes, fuel oil, electricity, food service, and administrative services—new equipment (computers) accounts.  Tracy Farham requested that the minutes show that the Pelham Board of Selectmen had voted at their May/June 2007 meeting to share technology funds with the school.  General and School Choice Enrollments—As of August 28, 2008, there are 117 students in Pelham School—81 Pelham students and 36 school choice students. Six of the seven new school choice seats were filled.
New Business	Lunch Program Prices:  The Pelham School food service account was over budget by $2,426, along with the food service accounts in Amherst and the Region.  There may need to be an increase in the price of lunch from its current $2.25.  Tracy Farnham and Maureen Ecclestone said that they remembered an increase to $2.50 being discussed at a school committee meeting last year.  Rena Moore said that she would check the minutes from last year’s meetings.  Rob Detweiler said that this issue will be reviewed by all the committees and will be on the October agenda.
Reports	None
School Committee Planning	A.  Calendar Review—Meetings for FY09  Sept. 4; Oct. 2,  Nov. 6,  Dec. 4,  Jan. 8,  Feb. 5,  March 5,  April 2,  May 7,  June 4—(May need to reschedule, depending on graduation/award night dates) B.  Items for Upcoming Meetings:   Lunch Program, Policies, Energy Audit for Town and School C.  Sub Committee Reports
Adjournment	Tracy Farnham adjourned the meeting at 8:45 PM.
Next Meeting	Thursday, Oct 2, 2008 at 7:00 PM in the Pelham Community Room.

Amherst

 

 

 

UPCOMING PTO EVENTS  

 

 

Friday, October 31^st    HALLOWEEN PARTY !!!       

 

Pelham PTO sponsors an annual Halloween Party for all Pelham families.

 

The festivities begin at 5:30 PM. Parents/guardians bring their children to the school gym which has been transformed into an arcade. The children appear in their costumes and play a variety of games. 

 

The 6^th graders create a “Haunted House” on the stage – there is usually a ‘scary’ and ‘non scary’ way to go through it.

 

The PTO provides free cider and donuts. Pizza is on sale for $1 per slice.

 

Don’t forget your FLASHLIGHT!

After enjoying the games and activities families venture out to trick-or-treat together on the South Valley/Jones/Cadwell loop around the school.

 

Children in grades K-6 all love to participate.  A wide range of costumes are on display – from princesses (complete with gowns and crowns) to pirates (complete with swords) to superheroes (with their accessories).

 

It is wonderful to see all the children having fun and being kind to each other.

 

We look forward to seeing you all there!

 

 

Tuesday, November 4^th – Election Day BAKE SALE

 

Donate a baked good to support the 6^th Grade end-of-year trip to Cape Cod - while making voters happy! 

 

Simply bring your donation (home made or store bought) to the library on the day of voting. (You can just drop it off, and 5^th and 6^th grade representatives will sell the treats.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL

 

 

The cold weather is coming and along with it will come the flu, colds and various other illnesses.  Please use the following guidelines to help you determine when to keep your child home from school.

 

Your child must be free of a fever for 24 hours before he/she may return to school.  Please check your child’s temperature in the morning before giving Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen).  Children should not come to school if they would have a fever without medication.

 

If your child has had diarrhea or vomiting, he/she must be free of all diarrhea and vomiting for 24 hours before he/she returns to school.

 

If your child is not well enough to sit in class for a full school day and be productive, please keep him/her home.

 

Children who are diagnosed with strep throat must be on antibiotics for a full 24 hours and fever free before they return.  Replacing your child’s toothbrush after 24 hours of antibiotics will reduce the risk of reinfection.

 

If your child has a cough which is frequent and persistent and would interfere with his/her learning, please keep him/her home. 

 

Please remind your child to wash their hands frequently.  This helps to reduce the incidence of illness.

 

Please keep this sheet for future reference. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Dear Parents,

            Last year at my house there were only two trick-or-treaters. You probably would be upset to not see children in costumes at your house on Halloween night.

I think that children should visit their own neighborhood if they want to go for candy on Halloween. If your children want to go trick-or-treating at the Pelham school party, that’s ok,  but they should still go to their neighborhood too. If you don’t go on your road, all the candy your neighbors bought will be wasted. I think last year a lot of my neighbors had to throw out the candy! That’s not good.  Our neighbors said they were very sad because people were not coming.  They probably remembered their children when they were young and were hoping to see more kids dressed up.                                               

So, I would like to ask you to please trick-or-treat on your own road.   Your neighbors will be happy to see you, and even if you don’t know them, you’ll get to know them and you could become friends. 

Happy Halloween.

                                                          Sincerely     

                                                             Sarah Blatz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pelham Parent Council/PTO Meeting Minutes

Monday, October 6, 2008

7:00 p.m., Pelham Community Room

 

OPENING/INTRODUCTIONS

Meeting began at 7:08 PM, In attendance were Rena Moore, Elaine Fronhofer, Elise Stromgren, Amy Wasserman, CherylNina Choquette, Kathy Weilerstein, Diana Zahradnik, Lynn Smith, Shari Reydak, Jessica Wolff, Alicyn Mindel, Carla Chaisson, Deb Shepard, Ellen Leuchs and Giulia Giovanelli.

Cake of the Month - German Chocolate, thank you Lynn!

UPDATES

Principal’s Report (Rena Moore) – Rena reports that Picture Day was a success, the children looked beautiful.  It is noted that last week’s bus accident had a significant impact on the school and community.  Rena would like to remind everyone that even if your child does not ride the bus to school every day, children ride the bus for field trips; please remind your children to be very safe around the bus, listen to driver instructions and follow bus rules. 

Parent Conferences:  Rena would also like to remind parents to sign up for classroom conferences.

Treasurer’s Report (Diana Zahradnik) – Current fund balance is $10,772.14.  It was agreed that the PTO should continue to discuss fundraising and come up with a mission/plan for fundraising and use of funds.

School Committee Report – no report this week.

ONGOING BUSINESS

Book Fair (Ellen Leuchs)  Ellen reported that we had $2250 in sales, and the library received about ½ of that amount to spend on books and supplies through Scholastic. $204.28 was used for gifts to the classroom teachers, and Deb King received a portion to provide for particular students.  Ellen says after school sales were down about $700 from last year.  Ellen would like to thank the parent volunteers.  Special thanks to Kathy W for recruiting the UMass volunteers.

Ice Cream Social (CherylNina Choquette) CherylNina said we actually ran out of Ice Cream this year.  About 180 dishes of ice cream were sold for a total raised of about $120.

Halloween Party (Diana) - Jessica tried to get volunteers for the Haunted House at the Ice Cream social, did not have any luck getting volunteers (Pelham 6^th Grade Parents).  Kathy W. reports that Chris Gould might assist with organizing parents and kids.  Suggestion from Jessica that we put an advertisement in Pelham Press to get volunteers to work with Chris Gould.  Rena reports that things could be set up on the stage the weekend prior, and could stay there all week, volunteers should check with Lennie or Rena to get a key to the building the week prior.  Alicyn Mindel volunteers to help organize along with Chris Gould.  Suggestion made that PTO fund $100 toward purchasing re-usable supplies for the Halloween Party.  Seconded and approved.  Diana left a message for Lion’s Club to assist at the party.  Diana will contact Ruth Carolan to purchase donuts and cider.  Diana says she will set up the popcorn machine.  Last business is to contact families in the neighborhood surrounding the school and see if they want to be part of the Pelham Halloween.  Suggestion that we contact people by telephone, Elise, Ellen and Lynn will take this on, Kathy W. says she will distribute candy to the neighbors who say they would like to participate.  Lynn will get the party pizzas from Big Y for sale at the party.  Set up starts at 4:00 on Halloween.  Lindsay Stromgren will pick up the games at Virginia Servos’ again this year.  Diana will bring the hay this year for the prize pile, Rusty Rowell will bring the lights.  Diana contacted Ed Fluery to get Pelham PD on board to patrol the neighborhood during Trick or Treating.  There was a discussion about children’s costumes with toy weapons and scary/gory costumes; and it was decided that the notice regarding the party should provide a brief statement describing the event (and that costumes are part of the event).

 “Savings Makes Sense” (Diana Z) Started Wednesday, new children signed up this year.  This is an excellent and convenient way to reinforce the importance of savings. 

Pre-Ordering of T-Shirts (Diana Z) Diana reports that we are just making the minimum from the T-Shirt sales, and there was a discussion about purchasing T-Shirts ahead of time so that they are available to sell on the spot at community and school events, rather than having T-Shirt orders taken at events.  There was another discussion about having a school contest for T-Shirt design for Pelham, Diana explained that we would incur an expense each year to get the design ready for the shirt, so we may not want to do this with the Pelham shirt, but perhaps for the Bullying Prevention program T-Shirt?  Amy Wasserman will get in touch with Deb King about the Bullying Prevention program shirts.

Deans Beans Coffee Sale (Amy Wasserman) Amy reports that we made $63 profit on the first order, would like to be able to make enough money to pay for the staff appreciation lunch ($500).  Other possibilities for selling beans are on Election Day during the bake sale. 

Election Day Bake Sale - PTO seeks volunteers to donate baked goods for sale.  Items for sale may be dropped off at the Library as the polls open and throughout the day.

Arts Project – Lynn reports that they have finished the art work in the classroom, parents should look for the order forms to come home in the coming weeks.

6^th Grade Trip/PTO involvement – (Kathy W)  Discussion about PTO’s partial funding per student for the trip, and Pelham students’ volunteer involvement (while in 5^th and 6^th grades) at the Halloween Party, Lasagna Dinner and the School Fair in return for the PTO contribution.  It was suggested that the efforts toward the trip and information/awareness about student volunteer events begin as each class enters the school.  The amount of funding toward the trip that is to be provided by the PTO will be resolved at next month’s meeting.

Parent Volunteers –Suggestions are sought to recruit more parents and to get the word out to the school community about the need for parent participation.

Upcoming Event Review – Movie Night will be Friday 11/14, “Nanny McPhee” (Diana Z has it)

Hand Washing Suggestion from Alycin regarding washing hands as children come into school each day.

CLOSING

Next Meeting Date – Monday, November 3^rd 7:00 p.m.

 

Meeting minutes respectfully submitted 10/15/2008

Elise Stromgren, PTO secretary

 

moorer@arps.org

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