[Spofford Times] September 22, 2008

Dear Spofford Pond Community,

The second week proved to be even better than the first. Our picture day went smoothly with our new photography company. I think you will find the quality of the photography to be far better than recent years. Coffee Pond is dedicated to making sure that every family is happy with the photos.

Our first fire drill was smooth and fast. The Boxford Fire Department was pleased with our exit time and our increased accountability procedures. We will drill throughout the year.

I was thrilled to see a large turn-out at last Thursday's 3-4 Open House. This Thursday will be the Grades 5 & 6 Open House at 6:00 pm. I hope to see a large turn-out again.

Looking for Steps to Respect Parent Volunteers - especially 4th grade - contact Bob or Julie

Have a great week.

Sincerely,

Larry Fliegelman
Principal
lfliegelman@boxfordschools.org

Some reminders...

Dress Code
From Handbook, page 12

It is not appropriate to wear clothing to school that is designed for beachwear (i.e., halter and tube tops, bare midriffs, short shorts & skirts, and flip-flops).

Apparel with "double meanings" is inappropriate for school wear, such as concert T-shirts depicting illegal or anti-social behavior and buttons or pins with profane or vulgar words.

Parents will be notified by the principal if a student's clothing does not meet school expectations.

Students will be asked to change their clothing or put something over if needed. Also, I keep a clean t-shirt in my office if parents cannot come to deliver more appropriate clothing. Thank you for your cooperation.

Spofford Pond Calendar Online.
Just click here (also in the Quick Links box on the left).

Boxford Elementary Schools Calendar Changed!
In June, the Boxford School Committee voted to cancel school on Tuesday, November 4, so that the National Election will not interfere with the safe operation of the school day. We will instead hold a full day on October 31. There is an updated calendar available at the link in the sidebar.

Publication Notes
The Spofford Times will be published each Monday for the entire school year. There may be special editions as warranted. If you would like your school related messages included in future issues of the Spofford Times, please email me by 5pm on Thursdays. Plain text in the body of an email is the simplest. I reserved the right to edit or deny publication of any submissions.

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From the Health Office

Dear Parents/Guardians:

There have been several reported cases of strep throat.
Please note the following precautions:

1. Watch your child for signs of sore throat and other signs of strep (headache, fever, stomach ache, rash , swollen and tender neck glands).
2. If your child develops a sore throat and any of these other signs, please see your health care provider.
3. Please let us know if your child has been diagnosed with strep infection.

Information about strep throat:

What is it? Strep throat is an infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. People with strep throat usually have a very red, painful throat, often with fever, and sometimes with headache, abdominal pain, and nausea and/or vomiting. Most sore throats, however, are caused by viruses and are not treated with antibiotics.

How do your get strep throat? Strep throat can affect persons of any age but is most common in children. The bacterium is spread person-to-person through secretions and is easily passed in households. It takes 2-5 days to become ill. People with strep throat are generally most infectious when they are sick. They continue to be infectious until they have received treatment for a day or so.

How is it diagnosed? A laboratory test, such as a throat culture or a rapid test is needed to confirm a strep infection.

How is it treated? Strep infections are usually treated with an oral antibiotic.

Children with strep infections may return to school after taking medicine for at least 24 hours and their fever is gone. To stop the spread of strep throat you should wash your hands and your child's hands after wiping noses and before eating or preparing food.

Please contact the health office with any questions: 978-352-8616.

Thank you ,

Kim Ciampa BSN
Cindy FioreBSN

From the Guidance Counselor

Dear Parents,

My name is Julie Benson and I am the guidance counselor in your child's school. Many of you may not have had a guidance counselor when you were in elementary school. For those of you who did, there is a good possibility that guidance counselors now have different functions than they did 10 or 20 years ago.

First and foremost, it is my responsibility to help your child get the best possible education. A good education includes not only learning to read, write, and do math, but learning strong social skills. This means, among other things, learning how to get along with other children, making good decisions, controlling anger, accepting responsibility, and being aware of strengths and weaknesses. Many of these skills are taught at home and so it is my intent to supplement learning that takes place at home with individual, small group and classroom guidance.

I am also in the building to help students who are facing particular difficulties that impact their learning experience. Such family disruptions as an illness, death, or divorce may affect children in school. Although I don't do the same type of counseling as an outside therapist/psychologist would do, I can be a support within the school setting to help them emotionally as well support progress academically. If your family is experiencing anything out of the ordinary, please let me know. If I am aware of any special problems your child might be facing and you feel it is impacting them academically, I can meet with your child and help both of you with difficulties that might surface.

One of my major functions is to be of help to parents. If you have a particular concern about your child please don't hesitate to call me at school, 978-352-8616 ext. 143.

Thank you,
Julie Benson
Guidance Counselor

From the Math Office

Online Math League

This is the second year of the Online Math League at Spofford Pond. This year we are looking to recruit many more students at each grade level. Any student who would like a fun math challenge may join. Each grade level will have a team and meet six times before school during the school year. Students will take three multiple choice math tests consisting of 15 problems and attend three practice sessions. The test will be printed out on paper for each student and will not be taken online. I will correct the tests after each contest and enter the results online. Students will be able to view individual and team results for their school online. To learn more about the Online Math League and read frequently asked questions go to www.AcademicLeagues.com.

Time: 8:00- 8:30, Location: Art Room

Practice = P Test = T

Grade 5, Mondays
Oct. 27 P
Nov. 17 T
Jan. 12 P
Feb. 2 T
March 2 P
March 16 T

Grade 4, Tuesdays
Oct. 28 P
Nov. 25 T
Jan. 13 P
Feb. 3 T
March 3 P
March 17 T

Grade 3, Wednesdays
Oct. 29 P
Nov. 19 T
Jan. 14 P
Feb. 4 T
March 4 P
March 18 T

Grade 6, Fridays
Oct. 31 P
Nov. 21 T
Jan. 16 P
Feb. 6 T
March 6 P
March 20 T

Please email me at byando@boxfordschools.org or call me at school if you have questions or would like to sign your child up for the team. Each student will be required to sign a permission slip to have their test scores entered online. A permission slip will be sent home this week with all students or you may use the one below.

Please stop by and visit the Online Math League information table at the Fall Fundown!

Beth Yando
Math Instructional Support Specialist
Boxford Elementary Schools

Upcoming Events	Wed. 9/24, 4:00pm - Fall Fundown Mon. 10/13 - No School, Columbus Day Tue. 10/14, 7:00pm - PTO General Meeting
Check out the complete Online Spofford Calendar - http://tinyurl.com/294h36