Early Learning Press
Welcome to 2002!
 The
year is off to a racing start already. Between the PAC activities,
the winter sports program and planning for the next school year,
the pace has certainly picked up. I hope each of you had a restful,
peaceful and joyous holiday. We are off to a great new year.
AND THE WINNER IS.......Parker Little!
In early December, we asked our Grades 1-5 students to suggest
a name for our newsletter. While we had a hard time making a selection,
"Early Learning Press" seemed to speak to our name and to what we
do. Parker picked it because "it is particular to the name of the
school". Thank you very much Parker. You will be seeing your suggestion
in print each month for the rest of the school year.
Get to Know the School Staff
A new addition to our newsletter for the next few months will be
"Get to Know
the School Staff". Each month we will interview one of the staff
and let you know a few secrets about each of them. By June, we will
be well acquainted.
Teachers Name:
Mrs. Sue Kenney (Oops.. camera software conked out at the
last moment .. see Mrs. K.'s photo next month!!)
Children: 1 Pets: Fish
Birthplace: Watertown, NY
Favorite Hobby: 2 great hobbies that go together - cooking
& exercising
Favorite Food: A super salad & a hot pizza
Year started at AEL: 1988
Why you became a teacher: I love the excitement of the children
and the classroom. I love to watch their faces as they succeed.
A Neat Fact about me: I can't resist a chocolate chip cookie!
Kindergarten - Mrs. Lyons
Happy
New Year to all!
We're off to a great beginning.
Reading is progressing well at all levels. Math will feature readiness
for addition and subtraction. Language will focus on positional
words, classification and sentence structure. Social Science explores
the concepts of food, clothing, shelter, occupations and transportation.
Also a mini-unit will feature Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's life.
Our Zooquarium speaker, scheduled to be in the classroom in November,
was cancelled because of a low number of staff. We hope to have
this back on the schedule by the end of March.
We plan to take our 2nd field trip of the year to the Sportsite
in Sandwich on January 7. Please have the students wear their gym
clothes and sneakers. We will be having a Pizza lunch on that day
(and a box lunch on January 11).
Please …..
-have your students in the classroom by 7:55 am each day.
-encourage your students to return his/her homework regularly. Homework
is related to classroom work and part of their grading.
-assist your child in knowing their full address for safety and
grading reports.
First Grade - Mrs. Kenney
January find us reviewing blends and learning about digraph sounds.
In math
we are adding 3 digits and will soon start place value. We continue
to measure to not only by inches but centimeters too.
Science finds us growing/changing. Bring your baby picture for
an exciting game January 15.
Mark your calendar because winter brings a change in schedule with
some fun events coming up.
Remember….
January 7 - Sportsite
January 25 - Sportsite
Second Grade - Mrs. Coffin
 Happy
New Year! Grade 2 hopes that everyone had a joyous holiday season.
During the month of January, Grade 2 will discuss the change of
seasons from fall to winter, Martin Luther King, the planets and
different kinds of communities.
We will continue working on adjectives and talking about pronouns.
By the end of January, we will be doing a unit on shapes, fractions
and measurement. Parents cahelp by having your child measure using
inches and centimeters and by showing concrete examples of cups,
pints, quarts and gallons.
Third, Fourth & Fifth Grades - Mrs. Rosario
The combination class is so glad to be back in school! We are looking
forward
to having a wonderful year. Hopefully, 2002 will be full of great
things.
We are going to the library on January 8. Please be sure your child
has their books and their library cards. We are planning on finishing
our special quilt this month. We, of course, will also be learning
about Martin Luther King Jr.
Also, we are having a special guest come to our classroom. It is
our friend that we have been writing to in Spain! She is coming
to tell us about her travels and to show us pictures. Please be
sure your child wears a hat, gloves and coat to school. It is getting
very cold! If it is too cold, children won't be allowed outside
if they do not have these items.
Thank you…
Kudos
from Mrs. Lyons to Mrs. Garcia for the great Thanksgiving Art project.
Mrs. Toppin for cutting our Pilgrim Patterns Miss Cooper for the
beautiful "Big Book on Plymouth" and a story book about the "Mayflower"…
with vivid illustrations and very interesting information; the students
were so fascinated with all this new material!
And from all the staff to Mrs. Goldin for the wonderful Hanukkah
presentation, delicious food and gifts
Mr. Curry for his special musical gifts during our holiday season.
To all the parents for making the effort and taking the time to
come to their students' Holiday Program - the children especially
and all the staff greatly appreciate this
School Closings
During the winter months, inclement weather may cause the disruption
in regular
school operations. The decision to close school is usually made
around 7AM. Be sure to check the radio (WQRX, WCOD, WKPE) or
TV stations (7 News) for the most up-to-date information.
Parking Lot Safety
Parking lot safety is very important to us.
- Please.. ·
- Do not leave your cars running when you drop of your children.
- Slow down. We have had some very close accidents with the children.
- Space is limited and, especially after any snow, be especially
of aware of the children and where you are parking or driving.
Eye Examinations
 Pediatric eye
and vision examinations, while routinely done in public schools,
are not part of our school program. Alternatively, most complete
physicals do not include a complete vision and eye screening. Therefore,
it is important for you to make sure optometric appointments are
made on the recommended schedule.
The goals of a pediatric eye and vision examination are several:
Evaluate the functional status of the eyes and visual system, taking
into account each child's level of development
- Assess ocular health and related systemic health issues
- Establish a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan
- Counsel and educate parents regarding their child's visual, ocular,
and related health care status, including recommendations for treatment,
management, and preventive care.
An estimated 17 to 25 percent of school children have vision problems.
Many of these problems may interfere with what a child learns and
his/her potential in school since much of what a child learns comes
through vision. Therefore, all school-age children should have comprehensive
eye and vision examinations before the first grade and periodically
thereafter.
Proper eye care can help a child in a number of ways. First, it
evaluates the progress of vision. Like the rest of a child's body,
the eyes grow and develop rapidly through use. Second, it detects
changes and problems. Because children's eyes change rapidly, parents
need to be alert for signs of possible eye problems.
Proper eye care can indicate need for treatment. Most children's
eye problems can be treated effectively if they're detected early.
More serious problems can be prevented by routine care.
Have your child's eyes checked if they are crossed; red-rimmed,
encrusted or swollen; bloodshot or watery; or often affected by
sties.
Take notice if your child rubs his eyes often; squints or frowns
when looking; blinks more than usual; shuts or covers one eye; tilts
or turns his head to look; cannot see distant objects clearly; or
stumbles over small objects.
Get help if your child complains of eyes that itch, burn or feel
scratchy; has poor, double or blurred vision; or suffers frequent
headaches or problems at school.
The American Optometric Association recommends examinations by 6
months old; at 3 years old; and before first grade and every two
years thereafter until age 18. Some children may require more frequent
care depending on the nature of the diagnosed eye or vision disorder.
The attached article written in 1997 is still very applicable to
today and the vision health of our children. " Air Education
and Training Command News Service
Remember, many eye problems have no symptoms. Professional care
is the only way to detect some problems. Early diagnosis and treatment
is the most effective way of treating and correcting any out of
the ordinary situations.
Please remember to have your children's eyes examined.
Lost and Found / Tuition / Your Comments
LOST AND FOUND
Missing your child's well-worn sweatshirt, most expensive jacket
or other piece
of clothing? Take a look in the box located in Main Office Bathroom.
During the last week of every month, all lost and found items will
be displayed in the Main Office.
Please stop by and take a look to see if anything belongs to your
child.
Clothing which remains unclaimed by the end of the school day on
the last Friday of every month will be donated to charity.
TUITION
Questions regarding tuition and other financial matters should be
directed to:
Mr. Al Eaton
Saunders, Walsh & Eaton
Tel: (508) 945-0031 X 11
Mr. Eaton will be here to review new and existing tuition policies
and answer questions at our Parent's Meeting, January 10.
YOUR COMMENTS
Let us know what you would like to see covered in the newsletter
either about the school, about a special teaching project or anything
that might be of general interest to our students and their families.
Questionnaire - Please complete and return to the Main Office by
Monday, January 7.
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