PRINCIPAL’S PEN Dear WCS Parents, Guardians, and Friends – How wonderful it is to step out in the morning without scarf, or mittens, or boots! The crocuses are about an inch tall in my garden, right next to the last six-inch snow pile on my lawn; spring has S-P-R-U-N-G!! I feel as though I have finally come out of hibernation, when winter meetings and budget preparation demanded my time and attention – and Niki faithfully created wonderful newsletters with no messages from yours truly. The addition of student photos to our newsletter has been a great window into how we spend our days here at WCS and I look forward to more news from classrooms as projects and activities come to a close – be watching! With warmer weather and the lure of afternoon sunshine, it seems appropriate to provide a reminder to us all to attend to the safety of our young people as they come and go from school. Please remember that parents need to come into the building to pick up their youngsters after school and escort them across the bus lane to our parking lot. This week we had a scare when a youngster ran across the bus lane and parking lot to a waiting car. One of our staff saw what happened from a distance and hurried over to check that the student was united with a parent; the student had been alone when he ran in front of the bus. A scary sight for that staff member and the other parents who witnessed this enthusiastic, but dangerous, departure into the afternoon sunshine! Also related to student safety, please know that our playground will be “Off Limits” during April vacation, as further repairs and improvements are made. It was possible to schedule the work while school was not in session, which is great for future recesses, but it will be unfortunate for vacation playground-users. Please abide by the caution tape indicating closure of the structure. Worthy of great celebration is the springtime “blossoming” of our PTF – Parents/Teachers/Friends of Warren Community School. After several meetings of folks interested in becoming involved with student and staff life at WCS, parents have taken the lead and formally organized the group, establishing several standing committees and electing officers at the last meeting. Congratulations to our new parent leadership: • Jennifer Boynton, President • Kyle Ruffner, Laura Ruffner, Julie Schumann, Vice Presidents • Erika Stone, Jen Overlock, Secretaries • Marla Jarvis, Treasurer I encourage all parents to join this growing enterprise and find some small way to participate in the active life of our school. The group has many positive, creative ideas and is looking for folks to give a day, an evening, or an hour to making WCS a great place for kids, staff, and learning. Stay tuned for more on the daily lives of our students and the many, many learning activities that are in the works for this spring. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or any of us in the office should you have any questions or concerns about your child’s school experience. Yours in Education, Deb Howard Deborah F. Howard Deborah Howard, Principal Justin Kangas, Asst. Principal Niki Willis & Sue Overlock, Administrative Assistants Please send submissions for newsletter by Wednesday to [email protected]. Dates to Remember April 14th -PTF meeting at WCS 6-7pm in Art Room April 14th-18th - Spirit Week (see below for details) April 18th- Early Release Day 12:00pm dismissal April 21st-25th- Spring Break May 2nd - Fun Night Grades 4-6 (see below for more info!) Warren Community School April 11, 2014
Transcript
PRINCIPAL’S PEN
Dear WCS Parents, Guardians, and Friends –
How wonderful it is to step out in the morning without scarf, or mittens, or boots! The crocuses are about an inch tall in my garden, right next to the last six-inch snow pile on my lawn; spring has S-P-R-U-N-G!!
I feel as though I have finally come out of hibernation, when winter meetings and budget preparation demanded my time and attention – and Niki faithfully created wonderful newsletters with no messages from yours truly. The addition of student photos to our newsletter has been a great window into how we spend our days here at WCS and I look forward to more news from classrooms as projects and activities come to a close – be watching!
With warmer weather and the lure of afternoon sunshine, it seems appropriate to provide a reminder to us all to attend to the safety of our young people as they come and go from school. Please remember that parents need to come into the building to pick up their youngsters after school and escort them across the bus lane to our parking lot. This week we had a scare when a youngster ran across the bus lane and parking lot to a waiting car. One of our staff saw what happened from a distance and hurried over to check that the student was united with a parent; the student had been alone when he ran in front of the bus. A scary sight for that staff member and the other parents who witnessed this enthusiastic, but dangerous, departure into the afternoon sunshine!
Also related to student safety, please know that our playground will be “Off Limits” during April vacation, as further repairs and improvements are made. It was possible to schedule the work while school was not in session, which is great for future recesses, but it will be unfortunate for vacation playground-users. Please abide by the caution tape indicating closure of the structure.
Worthy of great celebration is the springtime “blossoming” of our PTF – Parents/Teachers/Friends of Warren Community School. After several meetings of folks interested in becoming involved with student and staff life at WCS, parents have taken the lead and formally organized the group, establishing several standing committees and electing officers at the last meeting. Congratulations to our new parent leadership:
• Jennifer Boynton, President• Kyle Ruffner, Laura Ruffner, Julie Schumann, Vice Presidents• Erika Stone, Jen Overlock, Secretaries• Marla Jarvis, Treasurer
I encourage all parents to join this growing enterprise and find some small way to participate in the active life of our school. The group has many positive, creative ideas and is looking for folks to give a day, an evening, or an hour to making WCS a great place for kids, staff, and learning.
Stay tuned for more on the daily lives of our students and the many, many learning activities that are in the works for this spring. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or any of us in the office should you have any questions or concerns about your child’s school experience.
Yours in Education,
Deb Howard
Deborah F. Howard
Deborah Howard, PrincipalJustin Kangas, Asst. Principal
Niki Willis & Sue Overlock, Administrative AssistantsPlease send submissions for newsletter by Wednesday to
The Giving Treeʼs Wish List - updated 4/01/14! !Some of our teachers are in need of the following items:Ms. Freeman: Colorful/Patterned Bits of ClothMrs. Chamberlinʼs Class: Headphones & TissuesMrs. Newellʼs Class: Blunt Tip Sharpies, Washable Markers, Board Books,Color/Black Ink for Printer HP 60Ms. Tardifʼs Class: Colored Oaktag(cardstock)Ms. Hoxieʼs Class: Headphones, Tagboard(white), TissuesMrs. Ardmanʼs Class: Colored Pencils, Board Games(that can be played in a short amount of time)Mrs. Shuman: Competitive Games (ex: Jenga, Farkle,Outburst,Skip Bo,Connect Four,Headbandz, In a Pickle,etc.)! Ms.Clark: Headphones, Dry Erase MarkersMrs. Genthner: Glue Sticks, Whiteboard Markers, HeadphonesMrs. Constantine: Tissues
Thank to the families that have donated!!
WALKING SCHOOL BUSJoin the Walking School Bus starting Friday, May 2nd and each Friday this spring! Start your day off with some great exercise! The walkers will leave the parking lot behind the
Baptist Church on Main Street at 8 am, weather permitting, and go down Main Street and across Rt. 90 to the school.
Students can join the group anywhere along the route. Adults are welcome too. Each time that they walk students will
receive a small colored foot to put on a keychain.
Box Tops!A reminder to check expiration dates...a lot of the box tops will be expiring in June of this year, so please be sure to turn them in so we get credit for them. THANK YOU to those who have been trimming on the lines!!! This job has gotten easier with your help! PLEASE keep it up!!! The month of March yielded our smallest contributions, so let's try to boost the totals for April! Turn in your current, trimmed Box Tops for our school! Thank you!
Kindergarten Parents Only:There will be NO SCHOOL for kindergarteners on
Wednesday, April 30th. Teachers will be using this day to screen incoming kindergarteners. We apologize for any
inconvenience this may cause to families and we appreciate your understanding. Thank you!
WCS SPIRIT WEEK!!!!!!April 14th- April 18th
All proceeds to benefit The Bread For The Journey Food Pantry!
IMPORTANT NOTICE:The PLAYGROUND at WCS will be CLOSED during the
week of school break (April 21st-25th) for repairs!
Learn Something New this Spring with RSU 40/MSAD 40 Adult Education!!!
View classes & pay online at www.msad40.maineadulted.org or call 832-5205.
Backyard Chickens with Bridgette KinneyEver wonder what it would be like to have fresh eggs every day? Learn about raising your own 8lock with tips on how to keep them healthy and how to keep the costs down by building your own feeder, waterer and coop. The 8irst class will be a classroom question and answer session, and the second class will be an on-‐site visit to see the chickens in action. There will be an option to purchase your own chicks at the end of the class! Class meets Tuesday, 4/15 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at MVHS and Saturday, 4/19 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at Depot St. in Warren. Fee: $24/$29 non-‐resident.Lebanese Sumac Salad & Spinach Pies with Datvik DeirkrikorianFattoush is a traditional Lebanese salad made of fresh vegetables, lemony garlic dressing and sumac served with pieces of pita bread. We will also make Fatayers, Lebanese spinach pies that are spiced and then baked in dough – yum! A materials fee of $15 is payable to the instructor at the class. Class meets Tuesday, 4/15 from 6:00 – 8:30 pm. Fee: $19/$24 non-‐resident. MVHS Room 1.Organizing Your Home – Tips from a Professional Organizer with Diane SmithLearn practical tips on how to organize a closet, a room or your entire home. Receive customized solutions for your own organizational challenges in a supportive environment. NEW DATES: class meets on Wednesday, 4/16, 5/7 & 5/14 from 6:00 – 8:30 pm. Fee: $39/$44 non-‐resident. MVHS Room 26.More reasons to celebrate spring! Look for more info on these upcoming classes soon!!!Spring WildXlowers of Maine with Naturalist Wanda GarlandGet out and explore local nature preserves and identify the plants and wild8lowers there! Begins Saturday, 4/26 from 9:00 – 11:00 am for 6 weeks. Fee: $54/$59 non-‐resident.For the Marginally Competent – Going Beyond the Computer Basics with Teresa JohnsonIf you have mastered the basics of PC use, come and delve a little deeper and learn more advanced topics! Begins Thursday, 5/1 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm for 2 weeks. Fee: $29/$34 non-‐residentIntermediate Photography with Curtis AdamsThis class will focus on a more detailed study of the elements that make a good photograph. Begins Monday, 5/5 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm for 6 weeks. Fee: $59/$64 non-‐resident.Rubber Stamping 101 & Beyond with Kay ManleyLearn the basics of stamping and create three cards with your newfound knowledge! Materials fee of $5 payable to the instructor. Class meets Wednesday, 5/7 from6:00 – 9:00 pm. Fee: $19/$24 non-‐resident.
Songbird IdentiXication – Class and Field Trip with Ron JosephJoin wildlife biologist Ron Joseph and learn to identify birds by sight & sound. A classroom presentation will be followed by a 8ield trip. Class meets Saturday, 5/10 from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. Fee: $24/$29 non-‐resident.Pork Barbeque Two Ways with Chef Michael Greer at the Badger Café in UnionLearn to make great pulled pork as well as some classic sides such as coleslaw and baked beans! Materials fee of $15 payable to the chef. Class meets Monday, 5/12 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Fee: $19/$24 non-‐resident.Foraging for Wild Plants with Registered Maine Guide, Naturalist and Author Tom SeymourThis class includes a classroom session with a narrated photographic presentation of native edible plants and an outdoor 8ield trip at Rowan Tree Farm in Union. Class meets Saturday, 5/17 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at Union School and from 12:15 – 2:30 pm at Rowan Tree Farm. Fee: $34/$39 non-‐resident.Prepare for the new High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) in 2014! Start the process of earning a high school equivalency diploma in 2014! Maine and many other states have switched from the GED tests to the HiSet (High School Equivalency Test) Exams. High school equivalency diploma preparation classes meet every Wednesday at MVHS from 6 – 8 pm (with the exception of school vacation weeks and when school is canceled due to inclement weather). This program is FREE of charge for Maine residents. If you have already begun taking the OfBicial GED Tests, there is a grace period of one year (2014) to keep your GED scores and Binish testing with the HiSET Exams!!! Call 832-5205 for more info today!
MVHS Playerspresents
This year's Dessert Theater production of:Fractured Fairy Tales
Spin offs of the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show
Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12, 7:00Admission $8, at the door.Ronald Dolloff Auditorium
Pies will be provided by Moody's Diner.
Spring Time Fun Night Friday, May 2ndFrom 6:00-‐8:00
At the Warren Community School
For 4th, 5th, 6th Grades of MSAD #40Admission is $3.00
Music, Dancing & Fun in the GymPizza, Snacks, & Drinks (for purchase) in the Cafeteria
Board Games
Fun Items for Sale!!
Glow in the Dark Necklaces & Bracelets
Reminder: All school rules (including dress code) are still in effect. Students need to be picked up by an
adult inside the school. Students will NOT be released outside. If you drop your child off on school grounds early, know that they are unsupervised until the start
of the dance.
If you would like to chaperone, you must be an approved volunteer. Please call the school ahead of time to sign up!
Please call the school of8ice with any questions at 273-‐2001.
It seems that we’ve become a “plugged in” society these days: Headsets for laptops, mp3 players, ipods… etc. It is important that while enjoying our music & learning, that we take a careful look at how we use electronics, especially when it comes to our hearing.
Hearing plays an essential role in communication, speech and language development, and learning. Even a small amount of hearing loss can have profound, negative effects on speech, language comprehension, communication, classroom learning, and social development. Studies indicate that without proper intervention, children with mild to moderate hearing loss, on average, do not perform as well in school as children with no hearing loss. This gap in academic achievement widens as students progress through school.
An estimated 12.5% of children and adolescents aged 6–19 years (approximately 5.2 million) and 17% of adults aged 20–69 years (approximately 26 million) have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from excessive exposure to noise.
Hearing loss can result from damage to structures and/or nerve fibers in the inner ear, that responds to sound. This type of hearing loss, termed “noise-induced hearing loss,” is usually caused by exposure to excessively loud sounds and cannot be medically or surgically corrected. Noise-induced hearing loss can result from a one-time exposure to a very loud sound, blast, or impulse, or from listening to loud sounds over an extended period.
Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sound is preventable. To reduce their risk of noise-induced hearing loss, adults and children can do the following:
* Understand that noise-induced hearing loss can lead to communication difficulties, learning difficulties, pain or ringing in the ears (tinnitus), distorted or muffled hearing, and an inability to hear some environmental sounds and warning signals * Identify sources of loud sounds that can contribute to hearing loss and try to reduce exposure. * Adopt behaviors to protect their hearing: - Avoid or limit exposure to excessively loud sounds. - Turn down the volume of music systems. - Move away from the source of loud sounds when possible. - Use hearing protection devices when it is not feasible to avoid exposure to loud sounds or reduce them to a safe level. * Seek hearing evaluation by a licensed audiologist or other qualified professional, especially if there is concern about potential hearing loss
References 1. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Effects of Hearing Loss on Development External Web Site Icon. Rockville, MD: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Good ShepherdFood Mobile
Where: AIO Food Pantry70 Thomaston St Rockland
When: Tuesday April 15th
10:00-12:00
Any Knox County residence in needof emergency food assistance is invited
This distribution is made possible throughDEAD RIVER COMPANY
You must bring your own bags or boxes to transport your food
The Rockport Parent Support Group & Workshop
The Rockport Parent Support Group has the following topics slated for the next 3 months:
Thursday, April 17 topic will be “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren”Thursday, May 15th topic will be “ADHD 101”
Thursday, June 19th topic will be “Do you Speak Teen?”
Note: The group meets from 5:30-7:30 pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month @ Pen Bay Medical Center, Physicians Building, Conference Room D (Ground Floor), 4 Glen Cove Drive in Rockport. Please use the parking lot behind the
building for ground floor entrance.
Washington Area Youth LacrosseLacrosse season is coming right up. Equipment will be supplied by Washington Area Youth Lacrosse (except cleats). Beginners are
welcome! Sign-‐ups will be on Thursday, April 10th, from 5-‐7 p.m. at the Prescott Memorial School in the lobby nearest the gym. If you have any questions, please call Amiee Gess at 706-‐6524 or Amy Micklich at
701-‐1147.
Medomak Valley High School Class of 2014 is sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Sunday, April 13 from 7 AM to 1 PM at the Waldoboro VFW Hall. The cost is $6.00 for adults, $4.00
