IMPORTANT DATES…

Nov 16 – Report cards go home
Nov 17 – Student Recognition Assemblies
Nov 17 – Deadline for Shopping/Gift Card order
Nov 20 – NO SCHOOL   
                Parent/Teacher Conferences
Nov 21 – Picture Make-up Day
Nov 21 – SIT Meeting, 3:30 pm
Nov 23, 24 – NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving
Dec 1 –  Vendor Night, 6-9 pm

REPORT CARDS…
    Report cards will be going home with students tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 16th.  Please keep an eye out for them.  Take time to sit down with your child and go over the report cards together. 
    Those of you who have children in first or second grades are going to find that the report cards look different than in the past.  The district is moving toward standards-based report cards in all grade levels.  At this time we are using them in kindergarten and as of this report card, also in first and second grades.  Third, fourth and fifth grade report cards will be revised in the near future.
    These standards-based report cards reflect progress students are making towards what they are to know and be able to do at the end of the school year in that grade (GLEs or standards).  Accompanying first and second grade report cards this quarter will be a “Family Guide to Standards-based Reporting for grades 1 and 2”.
    Please watch for the booklet and read through it to help understand the report card more clearly.  Also, again this year for grades 3, 4 and 5, you will find a more in-depth report for math.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES…
There will be no school for students on Monday, Nov. 20th to allow parents and teachers to meet.   If you have not already scheduled an appointment with your child’s teacher, please call the West Kingston School office at 360-1130 to set up an appointment.

PICTURE MAKE UP  DAY…
Tuesday, Nov. 21st at 9:00 Lifetouch will be here to take pictures of those students who were absent on the original picture day in September, or those students who are returning their original pictures to have them re-taken.  Students who want their packet replaced must return the original packet.  For students who were absent in September and want a packet taken, we have the forms available in the office.

PTO NEWS…
PTO Meetings
Thanks to all who attended our PTO meeting last night.  We had a great turnout!  Our next meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 12th from 3:15-4:15 pm.  Babysitting will be provided.

Math Night was very well attended!  Thanks to all who came out to hear about the unique ways that our kids learn math concepts throughout the year.  Thanks to district math coaches Mariann Hayward and Kim Mather for an enlightening presentation.

BABYSITTERS NEEDED – Do you have an older child who needs service hours for scholastic or religious projects?  Please contact Nancy Santucci at nasanta@cox.net if you have someone who would like to earn hours by babysitting at our December or February afternoon meetings.

Shopping/Gift Cards
We’ve extended the deadline to Friday, Nov. 17th!  Get yours in as soon as possible.  Please remember that the person who writes the check must pick them up (with an ID) on the distribution date.  If you have family and friends who would like to order, have them write the check to you, you deposit it and you write a check to the PTO.  Orders will be filled in by early December.  Pick up date and time to be announced in a future newsletter.  Any questions, please call Patty Reardon 789-5111.

Hawk-A-Thon
Our sincerest thanks to Julie Smith, chairperson of this event!!!  Julie did an outstanding job.  Thanks to her efforts and the tremendous school participation.  Please send in your pledges for the Hawk-a-thon as soon as possible.  We are hoping that we can give a final grand total by next week.  Thank you for all the generous donations.  Everyone did such a great job and we sure hope to make this an annual event at West Kingston.

Hawk Gear
It’s time to show your school spirit!  Order forms are being distributed today for our WKES Hawk gear sale.  You may order short or long sleeve t-shirts and crew or hoodie sweatshirts with our new hawk logo.  Order forms and payment to WKES PTO should be returned by Tuesday, Nov. 21st.  Delivery is expected in early December.  Special arrangements can be made for delivery other than backpack if you’re planning any holiday shopping.  There is a place listed on the form for you to indicate this request.  Please call Deb Sprague at 792-9131 with any questions.

Vendor Night
The big night is quickly approaching.  WKES 1st annual Vendor Night will be held Friday, December 1st from 6-9 pm in our cafeteria and gym.  Save the date and bring your friends.  This will be a great opportunity to support local vendors, to do some special holiday shopping or buy a great gift for yourself!  Many local vendors will be on hand to sell beautifully crafted crystal beaded and sea glass jewelry, Wildtree Herbs, handcrafted note cards, specialty shirts, handcrafted items and much more!  Don’t miss this great night.  Vendors will be donating one item each to the PTO for a raffle and we’ve received a most generous donation of a painting valued at $400 for our raffle!  Join us for a wonderful night.

Spanish Classes
Our Spanish class is full and up and running.  The next session will take place beginning in mid January.  Watch for a sign up in early December.

Box Tops and Hood Tops
Keep clipping those box tops for education and send them in via back packs.

We would like to thank AnnMarie Mahoney for her work on the HOOD SOX TOP project.  We’ll be receiving $35 for the 700 tops that were collected.  Thanks, too, to Broad Rock Middle School PTO for their donation of their unused TOPS that were added to ours.

Art Club
The November Art Club runs thru Wednesday, November 29th.

Sign ups for the December Art Club will be going home shortly.  The December Club will run for two weeks – Dec. 6 & 13.  Participants will be crafting something special that can be used for holiday gift giving.

Yearbook
Our yearbook is in the process of being assembled for this year.  Please submit any candid photos from field trips or class events.  These pictures are a great addition to make our book special.  Chairperson, Mary Daly, is doing most of the yearbook on line with Lifetouch.  If you have photos on disc or a hard copy, please send them in or drop them off in the office.

CHARACTER ED…
    A big thanks to Mrs. Peckham and Mrs. Lenoce-Walsh for the beautiful Character Ed display case in the front lobby.  Check it out!
    Those students who were given the “Bee Respectful” award this past week were Kennedy M., Joseph S., Rachel C., Ashley C., John H., and Ms. MacNeil’s entire class.  Congratulations and thanks for your efforts to make WKE the best it can be.

STUDENTS AS MEDIATORS…
The Student Mediators completed their 2nd day of a 2-day training last week.  They worked hard and are continuing further training at some of their recesses.  We hope to have the program up and running soon.  The mediators are:  Peter B., Felicie C., Obed D., Lindsey F., Anthony H., Reilly M., Lea N., Sophie O., Alexa P., Ariana S., Justin S., Christina Y., Lauren Z., Chy E., and Kaitlin R.  Thanks for all your hard work!  Mrs. Vannoy

MOVIE CLUB IS HERE!!!
Attention 4th and 5th graders only!!
    Movie Club begins Nov. 27th after school in the library.  We will work on laptops to create our own feature films.  We will learn basic movie techniques, animation and imagination.  This class is limited to 4th and 5th graders with a max capacity of 14 students.
    If you have a digital camera and a USB cable, please bring it with you.  Any questions, call Laurie Andrews at 782-9172.
    Please fill out the form below and return it to the school office.