The Beating Drum      March 5, 2010 Chester-Andover Elementary School caes.wswsu.org/beatingdrum DATES TO REMEMBER Winter Sports Dates - March 11 – THIS IS THE LAST DAY OF WINTER SPORTS 3/5 – PTA Movie Night, 5 to 8:30 p.m., Multipurpose Room 3/8 – CAES Board Meeting, 5 p.m., Library 3/17 – PTA Meeting, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Library 3/19 – Parent Teacher Conferences – No School 3/23 – Arts Night, 6 to 8 p.m. 5/3-5/4 - Kindergarten Orientation, No School For Kindergarten 5/24 – 5/28 – Keewaydin Camp for 5th and 6th graders ONGOING ACTIVITIES  @ CAES Tuesdays:       Tae-Kwon-Do, 3 -4 p.m                 Homework Club, 3-4 p.m. Thursdays:      Winter Sports Fridays:        Respect Club, 3-4 p.m. Everyday:       ASPIRE, White House School Focus Groups Seeking Community Input on Education Parents, Teachers and Community Members of Chester-Andover Elementary School and Green Mountain Union High School please join us for a Focus Group Meeting on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at Green Mountain Union High School from 6 to 7:15 p.m. to obtain your input about our schools for the WSWSU Curriculum Management Audit. The purpose of the Focus Groups is to identify perceptions about the status of the school district, how that status compares to community expectations and to gather information about community perceptions and opinions regarding education. We will address the following issues and questions during the session: 1.    What are your expectations for the programs and services of the Windsor Southwest Supervisory Union?  In other words, what skills, attitudes, abilities, knowledge, and characteristics do you want the district to produce in its graduates and or students? 2.    How well is the WSWSU addressing the expectations you mentioned in question number 1?  In your opinion, what needs are being fully met and what needs are not being fully met by the education program of the district? 3.    What information do you get from the district that enables you to answer question number 2?  What additional information would you like to receive from the district that would help you better assess the progress and performance of the WSWSU? KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION Chester-Andover Elementary School has begun the process of registration for children who will be eligible for Kindergarten in the fall (for the 2010/2011 school year).  Children must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2010. Please stop by or call the office at 875-2108 Ext. 0 to let us know your child will be attending. SIXTH GRADE GRADUATION DVD The class DVD is a collection of three photos from each graduate – a baby photo, a young child photo and a contemporary photo. Please bring these photos to the office as soon as possible. FINAL WINTER SPORTS DAY We will not be making up the winter sports day that was cancelled. Next Thursday, March 11th will remain the last winter sports day. REMINDER All 5/6 parents please remember to return the completed Keewaydin Camp yellow health form to our school nurse before April vacation. If you need an extra form you can come to the school office to pick one up. APPROPRIATE CLOTHING We are all anxious for spring but it is not here yet.  Please make sure your children come to school prepared to go outside.  This includes gloves, hats, boots, a coat as well as snowpants. Chester-Andover Elementary School Board Meeting Monday March 8, 2010   5 p.m, Library                    AGENDA 1.       Call to Order 2.       Re-Organization of Board          A.  Election of Officers               1.   Elect Chair               2.   Elect Vice-Chair               3.   Elect Clerk          B.  Set Meeting Date and Time 3.       Approval of Minutes of February 1, 2010        4.       Personnel:          a)  Resignations (2)          b)  Planning Room – Para Educator Appointed 5.       Respect Club Request                     6.       Contracts/RIF                    7.       Policies First Read:           a)  F-43 – Pupil Privacy           b)  E-25 – Tobacco Prohibition          Policies to be Rescinded:           a)  D-8 – Prohibition of Employee Smoking           b)  F-3- Student Use of Tobacco           c)  H-5- No Smoking at Public Functions           Policies to be Amended           a)  D-2- Professional Development           b)  F-38 – Limited English Proficiency           c)  F-6 – Educational Records 9.       Reports:                   a)   Superintendent                    b)   Principal             c)    Board   10.     Public Comments 11.     New Agenda Items 12.     Executive Session - Negotiations/Personnel 13.     Other Business 14.     Adjournment THANK YOU! Mrs. Sheere and all the budding artists at CAES would like to thank Kirk Kehoe for his expertise in getting our kiln up and running.  He very generously volunteered both his time and the necessary materials.  We would also like to extend our much overdue and heartfelt appreciation to the PTA for purchasing the kiln for the Art department.  We are so excited to begin sculpting!!    TUCK WUNDERLE GOES TO THE STATE GEO BEE Congratulations to Tuck Wunderle, grade 6, for qualifying to represent our school and participate at the state level of the National Geographic Bee. The state Bee will take place on Friday, April 9th, at Middlebury College.  Good luck Tuck! RESPECT CLUB PLAN AHEAD - TALENT SHOW - MARCH 12th Everyone has a talent; we are asking kids and their families to share theirs. There are several ways to do this. You can be part of the talent show - magic tricks, singing, dancing, play an instrument, tell great jokes, juggle etc.  OR we will be having a silent auction during the intermission.  You can make items or give certificates for items.  Do you draw well, bake great cookies, babysit or do yard work, bead bracelets, make scarves.  Everyone kindergarten to old age has something they do wonderfully.  The talent show, silent auction and refreshments during intermission will also help the people of Haiti.  Start thinking now about how you can help.  If you already know how you would like to participate you can call or email Becky Plunkard or speak with any Respect Club member.  bplunkard@wswsu.org or 875 2108 ext 142 COMMUNITY NEWS SPAGHETTI DINNER HGA Alexanders Tae Kwon Do  will host a spaghetti dinner on March 20th at the Second Congregational Church in Londonderry with 5 and 6 p.m. seatings.  The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children 11 and under. Please contact a Tae Kwon Do student for tickets. WILDERNESS FIRST AID (offered through the Wilderness Medicine Institute-  http://www.nols.edu/wmi/) Attention skiers, hunters, hikers! If you spend time in the outdoors, you need to be prepared. This two-day course is fast-paced, hands-on, and covers a wide range of wilderness first aid topics for people who travel, work, and play in the outdoors. This course is approved by such organizations as: the American Camping Association, the United States Forest Service, and other governmental agencies. Certification is good for 2-years.   Dates: Saturday & Sunday, March 27-28, 2010 , Location: Charlestown, NH, Cost: $175.00 Contact: Doug Caum at dcaum@juno.com or 802 952-9239. PIANO CLASS FOR ALL CHILDREN! Enroll your child for private piano class at CAES and improve reading music skills, and the joy of playing  a beautiful instrument. This will help develop both sides of your child’s brain, bringing potential to express emotions encourage creativity, socializations skills, and much more. Please call Elise for more information at 843 2886.