On Thursday, February 9, the school will celebrate our wonderful library with a fun birthday party. The celebration includes student entertainment, opening gifts, and delicious cupcakes. If you would like to send a gift, but are like me and wait until the very last minute, you might want to consider a gift certificate from a bookstore or a check. A wish list can be viewed online at the Library Page. Village Square Booksellers in Bellows Falls has a special display of books from the wish list plus some great paperbacks. Books may also be ordered online at http://www.villagesquarebooks.com/grammar-school-library-52nd-birthday-wishlist, and I'll make sure that they are delivered to the library in time for the party.  

A big thanks to to everyone who volunteered to bake cupcakes for our celebration. I believe we have enough coming. (A special note to these cheerful bakers: Alyson, Ann-Michele, Michelle, Nancy, Jan, Beth, Carlotta, Emily, Christy, Jen, Juliet, and Laura, please leave the cupcakes in the faculty room in the morning. Thanks.)

As always, we are grateful for the generous support you give to the library. If you have any questions, please contact me at school, home (869-1467), or by email at pderby@thegrammarschool.org.  

Thank you, Ponnie

The second and final parent fundraiser for the 2011-2012 school year will be the Spring Dinner Auction on the evening of Friday, May 18, following Grandparents Day. The event's focus may be parent fundraising, but it is also a fun-filled evening and a great community-building opportunity. This event is very important to the school, as all proceeds directly impact tuition assistance programs, teacher salaries, and school programming. Parents are invited to an informational and committee signup meeting on Thursday, February 16 at drop off time (approx. 8:30am), location TBD. Committees in need of your talents and resources include: Silent auction, live auction, food & beverages, decorations, marketing, and set-up/clean-up. Please RSVP your plans to attend the 2/16/12 meeting to Pauline O'Brien @ 387-5364, ext. 106, or pobrien@thegrammarschool.org.

OUR G.E.T. THEME CONTINUES! On Wednesday, 2/15/12 at an All School Meeting, TGS Buddies will face a Maasai challenge: Many of the toys a Maasai child plays with are made from found materials that are NOT purchased but found or reused. TGS Buddies will work together to create a toy or game using this model.

WE NEED: USED clean materials that could be made into a toy or game for our 2/15 all school meeting. Egg cartons, twist ties, used string, recycled containers, boxes, items that roll, etc. are all welcome and needed. Please, between now and February 15 , collect and send to school (your child's homeroom teacher) found/used materials.

Many thanks!

The Student Council meets over lunch at the Upper School every Friday. The members of the SC have organized themselves into smaller committees, where much of the group's business is accomplished. Currently there are five main committees: Valentine's Dance, Community Service, Sledding Party/Community Potluck, Cancer Awareness, and Healthy Snack and Lunch Options. A typical SC meeting starts with introducing the student Moderator, appointing a timekeeper, and hearing reports from each committee regarding its goals, objectives, and progress so far.

Aly Silbey moderated last week's meeting, in which the SC received an update from HOS Steve regarding plans for the exciting TGS Solar Energy Project. We also spent time planning the annual TGS Talent Show (to be held on Wednesday, April 11). Like last year, the Student Council will coordinate this year's show, from advertising and sign-ups to auditions and running the show itself. Finally, we spoke about the possibility of hosting a get-together with the Putney Central School Student Council sometime this spring. Several committees then broke off to finish some business before the meeting adjourned.

The agenda for next week includes revisiting the list of activities, tasks, and ideas generated by last year's SC, as well as updating plans for the upper school Valentine's Dance, the Sledding/Community Potluck (Friday, February 24), our Community Service efforts, Cancer Awareness week, and the Healthy Lunch option (see the Wednesday Notice!) that will be available soon.

Respectfully submitted for the Student Council,

Ken Brautigam

Reminder: There will be a parent meeting on Thursday, February 16 at 8:30am in the Library with general information and sign-up opportunities for the Spring '12 Dinner/Auction. This is the final parent-driven fundraiser for the 2011-2012 school year. The 2/16 meeting will be another opportunity for our new parents to learn about this event and become better connected with other parents and the school.  Anyone planning to attend the 2/16 meeting is asked to please RSVP pobrien@thegrammarschool.org or 802-387-5364, ext. 106.

Student Council Winter Event/International Theme Parent Potluck - The Student Council will be hosting a Winter Event on Friday, February 24 from 3-5pm that will consist of (weather permitting) skating, sledding, and skiing, with a bonfire. Chris Harlow is helping the Student Council organize their afternoon event. Following the winter activities for students, our parents will host a potluck dinner at 5:30pm in the gym/auditorium with an International theme. Parents are encouraged to bring a dish from their national ethnicity.This will be a great opportunity for our new parents to be welcomed into the TGS community. We will need 5 parents to volunteer for the potluck setup and 5 more for cleanup. Please RSVP to pobrien@thegrammarschool.org or 802-387-5364, ext. 106.

Information Evenings for Parents - Steve has worked out a schedule for parent information nights.  The first evening, featuring a general discussion with our counselor, Karen Blumberg, on Monday, February 27th, 6:30 - 7:30pm. April 8 and May 21 have also been reserved for parent information evenings and discussion topics for those evenings will be proposed at the 2/27/12 meeting.

Thanks!

Pauline 

Please continue to support our local families by donating non-perishable items. Emily and her fourth graders are collecting donations in a basket outside their classroom, and there also is a box outside the main office.  THANK YOU!

After School Circus Arts Opportunity at TGS for 8 Mondays from March 19 through May 7, 3:15-4:15 pm. Ages 8-15 years, cost $120. 

Do your kids like to jump around, climb things, and throw stuff? Sounds like a circus! With experienced instructors from the New England Center for Circus Arts, kids will learn group pyramids, solo tumbling, aerial skills, juggling, and more, all while learning how to work together, be strong, and have physical confidence. This is special class held on site at the Grammar School in Putney. The enrollment deadline for priority to Grammar School Students is by February 15; after that date other students may register for remaining spots in the class.  For information, contact NECCA at (802) 254-9780.  Register online at www.necenterforcircusarts.org. 

Strep Throat and Whooping Cough

We have had several cases of Strep Throat at TGS in the last few weeks and there is a local outbreak of Pertussis, commonly called Whooping Cough. In light of this, I just wanted to remind everyone about ways to prevent the spread of bacteria, as well as signs and symptoms of these two conditions. Click here for more information.  

To help prevent the spread of viral and bacterial illnesses:

• Keep yourself healthy by getting proper rest, regular exercise, and eating a healthy diet.
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your arm when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often and well with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. (Especially after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose and before preparing foods or eating.)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• If you are sick with a fever or flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)

For more information about Strep Throat and Pertussis, please visit www.cdc.gov and/or www.healthvermont.gov. If you believe that your child has strep throat or pertussis, please keep him/her home from school and see your healthcare provider then notify the school as soon as a diagnosis is confirmed.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Sara Dunbar, RN

sdunbar@thegrammarschool.org

In cooperation with Swix and NENSA, West Hill Shop is hosting a special event designed to give women practical hands-on cross-country ski waxing instruction.  Our "coach" will be Sabra Davison, Nordic marathoner for Swix/Atomic/VTXC, ski tech rep for Swix, two time Mountain Bike US World Championship Team Member and founder of Little Bellas. We ask for a $12 donation as a benefit  for Little Bellas. This is going to be really fun so register for WWW or call 802-387-5718 with payment info. Yes, this will be an opportunity to shop in our shop, too!

The Bluebird Orchestra features Donald Saaf and Matthew Sharff, [Grammar School parents,] and draws it's influences from diverse corners, including the Carter Family, The Incredible String Band, Kurt Weill, and Thelonious Monk, while always keeping one foot in traditional American roots music. In any particular tune, you may encounter elements of folk, rock, early Jazz, Klezmer or even Polka music.

To celebrate Valentine's Day, the Bluebirds will be presenting material off their new C.D, and dusting off some obscure and beautiful love songs of yesteryear. Admission for the show is a suggested donation of $10.00, but no one will be turned away. A beer/wine cash bar will be open. For further information call Main Street Arts at 869-2960.

 

The Brattleboro Figure Skating Club presents its annual ice show as part of Brattleboro's Winter Carnival.

Come join us at Living Memorial Park on February 19th at 2pm. The entire club will be showcasing their skills to the theme of "An Afternoon at the Movies." Many TGS students are performing! Please dress warmly - the rink is a balmy 30 degrees. Any questions, please contact Alyson Opsahl nh.opsahls@gmail.com.

TGS Sports Page and Calendar