Thursday, December 5, 2019

December to Remember!

December 2, 2019

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to December! How quickly the school year is flying by. Before we know it, 2020 will be here!
Thank you for attending your child’s conference last month. It was wonderful to see students sharing their work with families, and talking about what they have been learning in school. Many parents told me how proud and impressed they are with all that their children have learned since September.  If you were not able to attend your child’s conference, it is not too late! Please call the office at 874-8210 and schedule a conference time with your child’s teacher.
Cultivating Community and FoodCorps have partnered with our cafeteria to run taste tests of the new vegan lunch options throughout the school year. Students have the opportunity to taste a sample and give feedback when they are in the cafeteria for lunch. In October, students tasted falafel, a new lunch item that is vegan and high in protein. Vegan means there is no meat, eggs, or dairy. Protein keeps our students full and ready to learn all day. Of the 291 students that tried the falafel, 148 of them said that they loved it! Ask your student if they tried the falafel and check out the school lunch menu to see the next time it is offered.

The next taste test is on December 18th and students will be tasting tofu, another new lunch item that is vegan and high in protein. Students will have the opportunity to try a sample in addition to their school or home lunch. Please encourage your students to participate and share their feedback.

The office has recently implemented an automated robocall system for when students are marked absent from school without a notification from a parent/guardian. Parents/Guardians are expected to call the school office at 874-8210 or email Andrea Manuel manuea@portlandschools.org prior to 8:00 A.M. if their child will be absent or tardy.  Parents/Guardians who have not called in for an absent or tardy child will receive the automated phone call as a reminder to call the office to provide the reason for the absence. Excused absences are defined by Maine State Law and the Portland School Board of Education as:

  • personal illness;
  • an appointment with a health professional that must be made during school hours;
  • observance of a religious holiday;
  • a family emergency; or
  • a planned absence for a personal or educational purpose that has been approved in advance by the principal/assistant principal. 

If your child has a doctor’s appointment, you are encouraged to bring them to school after the appointment so they only miss a portion of their learning time, rather than the whole school day.

Maine Law (20-A MRSA 5001- A) requires that children attend school.  In cases of excessive unexcused absences (7 or more!) for which the parent is responsible, the school department may refer to the Department of Human Services and law enforcement.  Therefore, it is extremely important to notify the office whenever your child is absent from school. 
Finally, the snowy weather arrived early this year, and we know there will be many more cold days ahead. We urge you to do your best to send your children appropriately dressed for recess outside during the winter months. We have students go to recess outside every day throughout the winter, unless the temperature drops below 13 degrees with wind chill. Students need jackets, hats, snow pants, boots and gloves/mittens in order to be safely protected from the cold when they are outside at recess. If you need help getting these items for your child, please contact the office at 874-8210.  We are also continuing to accept donations of new or slightly used winter clothing, especially snow pants, socks, mittens, and gloves for students in need. Thank you for your generous support!

Please see the  library newsletter  here. 
Special Reminder - December Break is coming. There is no school from Dec 23 - Jan 1st. Classes resume Thursday, January 2nd.  All the best over the holidays and Happy New Year!

Upcoming Events:
December 4: Grade 5 to Portland Stage
December 4: Early Release Dismissal, 1:50
December 10, 11, 17,18 NWEAs, grade 5
December 11: Early Release Dismissal, 1;50
December 13: Spirit Day!
December 13: Grade 5 to Portland Museum of Art
December 13: PTO Movie Night, 5:30
December 16, 17: NWEAs, grade 3
December 16,17,18, 19, NWEAs, grade 4
December 17: Math Meet,
December 18: Early Release Dismissal, 1;50
December 19: PTO, Media Center, 5:30
December 20: Whole School Community Meeting, 8:45
December 20: Mr. Turner’s last day!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ann Hanna, Principal

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