December Events

A Note from the Principal!

It’s hard to believe the Fall is almost over! October and November have flown by and it’s time to begin our first Winter activities. Please keep in mind these important dates between now and the end of the year:

December 6-10 OPT Santa Shop
Wednesday, December 8 Volunteer Training, 5:30 p.m.
OPT Meets, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 16 Student of the Month Assembly, 10:15 a.m.
Friday, December 17 Coffee with the Principal 1:30 p.m.
Progress Reports for the 15 Weeks go home.
Tuesday, December 21 Last Day of Classes before Christmas Vacation
December 22 – January 3 Christmas Vacation

Specific information about classroom Christmas parties and special activities for your child’s classroom will be sent home from his or her teacher.

December Celebrations. Our first milestone, our annual winter concert took place on December 1 and we hope all of you enjoyed that special evening. Another favorite event, Holiday Shoppe, will be held from December 6-10 in order that students may purchase special little gifts for Christmas.
All of our students will attend a performance of the Hampstead Players on Monday, December 6. This talented little theater group visits our school twice a year. Their presentation for this visit is an interpretation of The Prince and the Pauper. We will also celebrate our students of the month for the character trait of caring on Thursday, December 16 at 10:10 a.m. Our program will be presented by Grade 1.

Special Events for Parents. We will again offer volunteer training for any parents who have not been able to attend previous sessions. As usual the training will take place on Wednesday, December 8 at 5:30, just before the OPT meeting.

I am also very excited about our next coffee session for parents. This time our Coffee with the Principal will include a tour of the school. In response to our parent surveys last year we will be working together to help make the school more inviting to parents and visitors. We’ll do a tour around the public areas of the school and conduct a visual audit. Each “tour” participant will receive a special note sheet to complete and review. We’ll look at the things we’re doing well and make suggestions for things we can improve. We already have several suggestions for decorating the public areas that will be included in the audit. Mr. Harold Simmons, our building and grounds manager will join us to assist with practical suggestions, and some of our staff members may also attend. I’m excited to see the results!

Outdoor Recess. We have several faculty members who will take advantage of recess outdoors when the temperature and weather permits. At the beginning of the year we sent home a form for you to give consent for your child to go outdoors and your agreement to provide the clothing necessary. It’s time to prepare to send these items to school, because the snow’s just around the corner. If you’re new to the school and would like your child to have outdoor recess in the winter months, please make certain you’ve completed the form and returned it.

Looking Ahead and a Special Note. Although I’ll write again soon, it’s also good to plan ahead and I’ll take the opportunity to remind you that there will also be no classes on January 17th in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.s birthday. Look to the end of the month for our January student assembly on January 27 and for report cards to come home at the end of the month.

The holiday “rush” is always demanding of our time and energies as we strive to celebrate the joy of the season. We wish a happy healthful holiday to all, and the time to experience the peace and spirit of this special season.