PTO Corner 

Don't Forget!
The Volunteer Appreciation Tea and the General PTO meeting are on Thurs., May 10th at 9:00am in the Multipurpose Room. We look forward to seeing you there!

Lisa Solinger and the carnival committee for a wonderful event.

Don't Miss Your First Grader's Music Informance 

First Notice 

The first grade "Informances" are informal, musical presentations to share with parents/family/friends what musical skill and concepts are worked on throughout the year. Looking forward to seeing you there! These will take place in Room 100 on the following dates/times:
Wed., May 9 2:15-3:00pm/Ms. Ostenson's class
Thurs., May 10 1:30-2:10pm/Ms. Erstad's class
Thurs., May 10 2:15-3:00pm/ Ms. Moore's class
Fri., May 11  1:30-2:10pm/ Ms. Sullwold's class
Fri., May 11 2:15-3:00pm/ Ms. Groen's class

Second Day of Concord Yard Clean-Up Planned
First Notice 

This Sat., May 12 there will be another courtyard clean-up day. The Family Service Night achieved a lot in the courtyard. In spite of the rain and cold we had a small but determined group that diligently "tamed the jungle" but there is still some work to be done. Please, any able-bodied and available folks, join us in weeding, trimming and spreading mulch. Many hands make light work and the kids that have participated have really enjoyed their time helping in the yard. We will be working from 8:30am to 12:00 noon, come for any amount of time that you are available. Bring gloves, a water bottle and your favorite time-saving yard gadgets! Any questions or concerns, please contact Stacy Sternberg at 612-819-1002 or stacy@sternbergmail.com 

Concord's Barnes & Noble Book Fair - Saturday, May 19th

First Notice

Don't miss Concord's 'Stock-Up for Summer' Book Fair and Author Visits at the Galleria Barnes & Noble on Saturday, May 19th. 

TWO author events have been planned especially for Concord students!  At 11:00am, author Jacqueline West will read and sign books from her new middle grade series, The Books of Elsewhere.

Then, at 1:00 pm, author & illustrator Chris Monroe will read, sign and teach us to draw monkeys just like Chico Bon Bon, star of her Monkey with a Tool Belt books.  Chico is a favorite in our early grades, so this author event will be of special interest to our K-1 crowd.

Purchase In Store: Sat, May 19th

On Saturday, May 19th from open to close, Barnes & Noble will donate to Concord a percentage of any sale made at ANY Barnes & Noble store when our voucher is presented at checkout. The required voucher is available here, on the Concord homepage, in the school office, and will be provided at the event. In-store sales of Nooks are included.

Purchase Online: Sat, May 19- Sun, May 27

Concord will also earn a portion of online sales made from May 19 through May 24 when Concord's bookfair ID is entered at checkout. See where and how to enter Concord's ID# here. (The online offer includes Nooks, but excludes sales of ebooks).

If you know you will be buying books for summer, please consider buying them during Concord's Barnes & Noble Book Fair. Not sure what to buy?  Check out the lists of recommended summer reading next week on Concord's homepage.  Then join us at the bookfair!  

Variety Show Previews
Students that can sing, dance, play an instrument, create a comedy skit or share some other creative talent are welcome to join in this year's Concord Variety Show held during the afternoon, Fri., May 25. Girls and boys can demo their 1-minute acts next week. Previews are held during recess: 
May 15, Grades 1 & 4 , Room 200
May 17, Grades 2 & 5, Room 100
May 17, Grade 3,  Room 200
Rehearsals will be held afterschool on May 21 (Grades 1 & 2) and May 24 (Grades 3, 4 & 5). Parents, please help your child time his or her act and join the fun by volunteering for one or more of the days as we put on a great show for the student body! Contact Judy Brenner at judy22rocks@gmail.com or call 612-599-3303 with any questions.

Final Shopping Day at the Concord Store

First Notice 

The Concord School Store will be open during lunch on Fri., May 18 outside the cafeteria. This is the last chance to support the school through the school store this year! All kids are welcome to stop by during their lunch and stock up on pencils, erasers, sharpeners, folders and many other fun things that kids love. Most items are priced from $0.25 to $1.00 each with new items each month.

5th Grade Graduation Ceremony and Reception
Second Notice

Save the Date! 5th Grade Graduation will be held on Wed., June 6th at 1:00pm in the main gym with a reception following in the Courtyard. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Cindy Voss ( voss.cindy@gmail.com) or Roisin Laskin (rglaskin@hotmail.com). Please consider space limitations for this event as you think about how many family members to include. See you there!

School Supplies for 2012-13 School Year 
Second Notice 
Concord has partnered with 1stDaySchoolSupplies.com to help you shop for the teacher requested school supplies for the 2012/13 school year. It's easy, convenient and prices are competitive. Just click on the banner below and enter zip code 55424 to get started. School supplies will be delivered to Concord and distributed at Open House on August 30th and the first day of school. Please note that a computer is available in the main office for parents to use if needed. Please contact Lisa Boss with any questions at 952-920-7658 or by email at lboss1@comcast.net.

Mother's & Father's Day Gifts from Artsonia

Second Notice
Order mugs, T-shirts, canvas prints, ceramic tiles, and greeting cards showing off your young artist's creations! Students in grades 1-5 have an online portfolio of their creations on artsonia.com. 15% of each purchase comes right back to the Concord Art Department. http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=27023

New product this year: "Art Snapable Jewlery." The magnetic pendant allows you to rotate your "necklace gallery," which features your child's artwork. Contact your art teacher if you need log-in information (Kari Hagen: 1st, 3rd-5th, Kathleen Hartman: 2nd).

Health Office Highlights  

With the onset of spring we have seen students with Fifth disease in the health office. Fifth disease is a common, mild illness that is caused by a virus. It is seen in pre-school and school aged children during late winter and early spring. Early in the illness, children may have a sore throat or a low-grade fever. After the sore throat or mild fever, children may develop a rash that causes a "slapped cheek" look. The rash may then move to the arms, upper body, buttocks, and legs and have a "lacey" appearance. It usually fades in 3 to 7 days. Some children have no symptoms.
 
It takes anywhere from 4-21 days from the time of the infection until symptoms begin. Children with Fifth disease are most contagious before they have a rash. When the rash appears they are no longer contagious.

Fifth disease is spread by coughing or sneezing and by touching contaminated hands, surfaces, and objects. The best way to prevent the spread of Fifth disease is to use good hygiene habits.

• Cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. Use a tissue or your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues.
• Wash hands after touching anything that could be contaminated with secretions from the nose or mouth. Your child may need help with handwashing.
• Clean and disinfect any objects that come in contact with secretions from the nose or mouth.

Call your Healthcare Provider:
If your child has a weakened immune system, sickle cell anemia, or other blood disorders and has been exposed to someone with fifth disease.
If you are a pregnant woman who is exposed to Fifth disease. Your doctor will decide if a blood test is needed.

Communicable Illnesses:  Reporting communicable illnesses to the health office helps us control the spread of illness. When your child is ill, please make sure that you leave information about the illness on the absence line or call the health office. The communicable illnesses reported to the Concord health office for the week of April 30th-May 4th are:
Conjunctivitis (Pink eye)    2
Strep throat                     2
Pneumonia                      1

The Green Scene
For more information or previous articles go to: www.edina.k12.mn.us/gogreen.

The Edina Public School District's Go Green Committee is looking for Green Team Representatives. Are you interested in promoting 'green' practices? You can be a green team liaison for your school; you can join the Organics Committee; you can work with Concord student Green Teamers; and/or you can join the EPS District Go Green Committee or a Subcommittee. There are opportunities for small projects or bigger projects. Contact your current school representative, Liz Sherod at elizabeth.sherod@gmail.com, or Cathy Groat at cgroat@comcast.net for more information.

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