West Kingston Elementary School

Weekly Newsletter - February 7, 2007
IMPORTANT DATES… Feb 8 – NAEP Tests for 4th grades Feb 9 – CARES Spelling Bee Feb 13 – School Committee Mtg., 7 pm, HS Library Feb 13 – PTO Meeting, 3:15 pm Feb 14 – Band & Chorus concert, 2 pm Feb 16 – Kaleidescope Presentation, 9 & 10 am Feb 19-23 – Winter Break, NO SCHOOL Feb 27 – School Committee Mtg., 7 pm, HS Library NAEP TESTS… Our school has been selected to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card. NAEP is given in all 50 states including the District of Columbia to 4th & 8th graders. This year, NAEP is conducting three assessments in our state and across the nation: reading, mathematics and writing (8th grade only). Each 4th grade child will be taking only one of these tests. The NAEP assessment will take place tomorrow and will take approximately 1 ½ hours to administer. For more information about NAEP and for NAEP results, you can visit the RIDE web site (http://www.ridoe.net/assesment/NAEP/dafault.htm) or The Nation’s Report card website (http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard. GREAT JOB!... Congratulations to the West Kingston and Matunuck bands and orchestras for their fine performances on Wednesday, Jan. 24th. This was the first time this year that they had played together and their effort provided a flawless concert. Thanks to the parents who continually encourage students to practice. It certainly pays off. Thank you also to Karen Toy and Laurette Vitello for helping students to develop their musical talents and love of music. TARDY/ABSENT… If a student is brought to school after 8:45, they are marked tardy. The adult bringing the child must come to the office and check in and order their hot lunch if needed. Students are to go immediately to class. Please do not drop off students in front of the building and leave. Hot lunches must be ordered before 9:30 when the order is called in to Chartwells. Call the school whenever your child will be absent from school. Parents will be contacted whenever a student is absent, unless we have been notified of the absence. LOST AND FOUND… It’s that time of year where Lost & Found takes on a life of its own. Please encourage your child to check the boxes in the cafeteria by the piano. Unclaimed items are donated to the Jonnycake Center. HELP FIGHT CANCER!... Order forms were sent home for The American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days. Look ahead to the first week of spring by placing an order today for big, beautiful daffodils. Or place an order for a Bear and a Bunch, a bouquet of daffodils plus a limited edition collectible Boyds Bear. Did you know that more than 5,900 people in Rhode Island will find out this year that they have cancer? When someone gets this devastating news, they need the information and services that the American Cancer Society provides. That’s what you’ll be supporting when you join Daffodil Days this year. Place an order for flowers today! Any questions, call the office (360-1130). YMCA SCHOOL’S OUT INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY… This is a reminder to the families of the YMCA’s inclement weather policy: If the children have a late start to the school day, the YMCA does not provide morning care. If the children are released from school early, the YMCA does not provide afternoon care. However, they will do their best to inform families. If both the schools and the YMCA are closed, then the YMCA does not provide care. In the event that the schools are closed and the YMCA is open, the YMCA may provide care. If a family feels that they will need care, they must call the YMCA at 783-3900 by 7:00 am and leave a message on Jen Martin, Child Care Director’s voice mail, extension 121. They will need a minimum of 10 families by 7:00 am to provide a program. The program will begin no earlier than 9:00 am and may even start later depending on the weather. PTO NEWS… Roller Skating Party Our January Roller Skating party was a huge success. Thanks to Deb Sprague for chairing and organizing this great night where over 200 kids (and parents too!) enjoyed a fun night of skating. This terrific West Kingston family event was a community service project as well. Bags and bags of canned goods and cleaning goods and cleaning products were generously donated to a very grateful Welcome House. Thanks to Christy Sheehy for coordinating, transporting and delivering these items on behalf of our school. There were so many items that she had to take the rear seat out of her van to fit them. After School Art Club Our new session with Laurie Andrews will be held today and 2/14 from 3:05-4 pm. Prompt pick up is appreciated. This month’s theme is Landscape Design. Spanish Classes The final class of this session is Tuesday, Feb. 13th. Look for a backpack flyer going home soon for the registration of the next session. Yearbook Our yearbook is being assembled and your photos are needed. Thanks to Mary Daly and Deb Sprague for their dedication to this project. The deadline for photo submission is approaching, so get yours in soon. Digital photos can be e-mailed to Deb Sprague at michaelspraguecox.net. Thanks to those who recently sent in photos! PTO Meeting Our next PTO meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 13th, 3:15-4:15 pm in the Library. Babysitting will be provided in the gym. Hope you can join in and hear what is planned for our upcoming events. Come share your ideas. * If you have a middle or high school student who would like to assist with the babysitting for volunteer service hours, please contact Nancy Santucci @ nasantacox.net by Friday, February 9th. Matty Hatty Day Soon we’ll be celebrating Matty Hatty Day – a fundraiser for The Matthew Siravo Memorial Foundation. This foundation was established for Epilepsy research in honor of a 5 yr old South Kingstown boy who died from complications due to epilepsy. The area children wear hats and dance in celebration of Matthew’s birthday. Pledges they collect are donated to the foundation. If you would like to assist in coordinating this project at West Kingston, please contact Nancy Santucci @ nasantacox.net or Celeste Ferguson @ cfergusonskschools.net BoxTops for Education We continue to collect the BoxTops for Education. Please send yours in via backpack express to the office. Thanks to all who have been clipping! CARES Spelling Bee On Friday, Feb. 9th CARES is sponsoring a Spelling Bee fundraiser. Thanks to Tom Moffatt and John O’Brien for volunteering to be part of our West Kingston PTO team. Stop by SKHS at 7 pm to cheer them on! The sponsors for the 3rd Annual Celebrity Spelling Bee are Bluff Head Enterprises, Arnold Lumber, Tase-Rite, Dr. Underhill, Orthodontist, The Washington Trust Company, and Edward Jones, Wakefield. The 6 pm Pre-Bistro will be presented by Belmont Market, Casey’s Bar & Grill, D’Angelo’s Pizza, Italian Village, Main Street Fish, Panera Bread, Sweet Cakes, Tacone Flavor Grill, Town Meats, and Shaws Market. FROM THE MUSIC ROOM… The BAND & CHORUS will be presenting a concert to students and staff on February 14 at 2:00 pm. Performers are reminded to wear WHITE (top) and BLACK (bottom). RECORDER ORDERS – Any 3rd or 4th grade student who is interested in purchasing a recorder needs to return an order form and $6.00 (cash or check payable to West Kingston Elementary School) to Ms. Toy by February 9. PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL – Band & Orchestra students have received notices regarding a Performance Festival on April 10 at Broad Rock Middle School. Registration forms need to be returned by February 16 to Ms. Toy (BAND) or Mrs. Vitello (ORCHESTRA). CHORUS members are reminded to return response forms regarding the Harlem Globetrotters’ performance. CHARACTER ED… The following students were awarded the “Bee Respectful” Award this past week: Maleah G., Samantha M., Thomas C., Justin P., Praeh C., Kennedy M. and Mrs. Kidd’s entire class! Nice job! Keep up the good work! Our new theme starting this week will be CARING. Caring is about how we treat others. Showing concern, being kind, sharing, helping, and giving are all ways that we can show we care. You can say kind things to other people, even people you don’t like very much, or think good thoughts about other people. Other things you can do is to be a good listener, respect all people, property, animals and the earth, include others and forgive others. The Character Ed. Club Leaders will be doing a presentation on the new theme in all the classes. Those students are: Scott C., Nathan C., Blake D., Miranda H., Meredith J., Julianna L., Kayla M., Ashna N., Kiana P., Caitlin P., and Rebecca W. JONNYCAKE NEEDS ITEMS…** The Jonnycake Center needs the following items: Breakfast cereal Juices Spaghetti Sauce Canned spaghetti or ravioli Baked beans If you can help a very worthwhile organization by sending in one or more of the above items, it would be very much appreciated. The items can be sent to the office. Thank you!!
· West Kingston Elementary School · 3119 Ministerial Rd · West Kingston RI 02892 · (401) 360-1130 ·

Weekly Newsletter - February 7, 2007

IMPORTANT DATES…

Feb 8 – NAEP Tests for 4th grades
Feb 9 – CARES Spelling Bee
Feb 13 – School Committee Mtg., 7 pm, HS Library
Feb 13 – PTO Meeting, 3:15 pm
Feb 14 – Band & Chorus concert, 2 pm
Feb 16 – Kaleidescope Presentation, 9 & 10 am
Feb 19-23 – Winter Break, NO SCHOOL
Feb 27 – School Committee Mtg., 7 pm, HS Library

NAEP TESTS…
Our school has been selected to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card. NAEP is given in all 50 states including the District of Columbia to 4th & 8th graders. This year, NAEP is conducting three assessments in our state and across the nation: reading, mathematics and writing (8th grade only). Each 4th grade child will be taking only one of these tests.
The NAEP assessment will take place tomorrow and will take approximately 1 ½ hours to administer.
For more information about NAEP and for NAEP results, you can visit the RIDE web site (http://www.ridoe.net/assesment/NAEP/dafault.htm) or The Nation’s Report card website (http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard.

GREAT JOB!...
Congratulations to the West Kingston and Matunuck bands and orchestras for their fine performances on Wednesday, Jan. 24th. This was the first time this year that they had played together and their effort provided a flawless concert. Thanks to the parents who continually encourage students to practice. It certainly pays off. Thank you also to Karen Toy and Laurette Vitello for helping students to develop their musical talents and love of music.

TARDY/ABSENT…
If a student is brought to school after 8:45, they are marked tardy. The adult bringing the child must come to the office and check in and order their hot lunch if needed. Students are to go immediately to class. Please do not drop off students in front of the building and leave. Hot lunches must be ordered before 9:30 when the order is called in to Chartwells.
Call the school whenever your child will be absent from school. Parents will be contacted whenever a student is absent, unless we have been notified of the absence.
LOST AND FOUND…
It’s that time of year where Lost & Found takes on a life of its own. Please encourage your child to check the boxes in the cafeteria by the piano. Unclaimed items are donated to the Jonnycake Center.

HELP FIGHT CANCER!...
Order forms were sent home for The American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days. Look ahead to the first week of spring by placing an order today for big, beautiful daffodils. Or place an order for a Bear and a Bunch, a bouquet of daffodils plus a limited edition collectible Boyds Bear. Did you know that more than 5,900 people in Rhode Island will find out this year that they have cancer? When someone gets this devastating news, they need the information and services that the American Cancer Society provides. That’s what you’ll be supporting when you join Daffodil Days this year. Place an order for flowers today! Any questions, call the office (360-1130).

YMCA SCHOOL’S OUT INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY…
This is a reminder to the families of the YMCA’s inclement weather policy:

If the children have a late start to the school day, the YMCA does not provide morning care.
If the children are released from school early, the YMCA does not provide afternoon care. However, they will do their best to inform families.
If both the schools and the YMCA are closed, then the YMCA does not provide care.
In the event that the schools are closed and the YMCA is open, the YMCA may provide care. If a family feels that they will need care, they must call the YMCA at 783-3900 by 7:00 am and leave a message on Jen Martin, Child Care Director’s voice mail, extension 121. They will need a minimum of 10 families by 7:00 am to provide a program. The program will begin no earlier than 9:00 am and may even start later depending on the weather.

PTO NEWS…
Roller Skating Party
Our January Roller Skating party was a huge success. Thanks to Deb Sprague for chairing and organizing this great night where over 200 kids (and parents too!) enjoyed a fun night of skating. This terrific West Kingston family event was a community service project as well. Bags and bags of canned goods and cleaning goods and cleaning products were generously donated to a very grateful Welcome House. Thanks to Christy Sheehy for coordinating, transporting and delivering these items on behalf of our school. There were so many items that she had to take the rear seat out of her van to fit them.

After School Art Club
Our new session with Laurie Andrews will be held today and 2/14 from 3:05-4 pm. Prompt pick up is appreciated. This month’s theme is Landscape Design.

Spanish Classes
The final class of this session is Tuesday, Feb. 13th.
Look for a backpack flyer going home soon for the registration of the next session.

Yearbook
Our yearbook is being assembled and your photos are needed. Thanks to Mary Daly and Deb Sprague for their dedication to this project. The deadline for photo submission is approaching, so get yours in soon. Digital photos can be e-mailed to Deb Sprague at michaelspraguecox.net. Thanks to those who recently sent in photos!

PTO Meeting
Our next PTO meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 13th, 3:15-4:15 pm in the Library. Babysitting will be provided in the gym. Hope you can join in and hear what is planned for our upcoming events. Come share your ideas.
*** If you have a middle or high school student who would like to assist with the babysitting for volunteer service hours, please contact Nancy Santucci @ nasantacox.net by Friday, February 9th.

Matty Hatty Day
Soon we’ll be celebrating Matty Hatty Day – a fundraiser for The Matthew Siravo Memorial Foundation. This foundation was established for Epilepsy research in honor of a 5 yr old South Kingstown boy who died from complications due to epilepsy. The area children wear hats and dance in celebration of Matthew’s birthday. Pledges they collect are donated to the foundation.
If you would like to assist in coordinating this project at West Kingston, please contact Nancy Santucci @ nasantacox.net or Celeste Ferguson @ cfergusonskschools.net

BoxTops for Education
We continue to collect the BoxTops for Education. Please send yours in via backpack express to the office. Thanks to all who have been clipping!

CARES Spelling Bee
    On Friday, Feb. 9th CARES is sponsoring a Spelling Bee fundraiser. Thanks to Tom Moffatt and John O’Brien for volunteering to be part of our West Kingston PTO team. Stop by SKHS at 7 pm to cheer them on!
    The sponsors for the 3rd Annual Celebrity Spelling Bee are Bluff Head Enterprises, Arnold Lumber, Tase-Rite, Dr. Underhill, Orthodontist, The Washington Trust Company, and Edward Jones, Wakefield.
    The 6 pm Pre-Bistro will be presented by Belmont Market, Casey’s Bar & Grill, D’Angelo’s Pizza, Italian Village, Main Street Fish, Panera Bread, Sweet Cakes, Tacone Flavor Grill, Town Meats, and Shaws Market.

FROM THE MUSIC ROOM…
The BAND & CHORUS will be presenting a concert to students and staff on February 14 at 2:00 pm. Performers are reminded to wear WHITE (top) and BLACK (bottom).
RECORDER ORDERS – Any 3rd or 4th grade student who is interested in purchasing a recorder needs to return an order form and $6.00 (cash or check payable to West Kingston Elementary School) to Ms. Toy by February 9.
PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL – Band & Orchestra students have received notices regarding a Performance Festival on April 10 at Broad Rock Middle School. Registration forms need to be returned by February 16 to Ms. Toy (BAND) or Mrs. Vitello (ORCHESTRA).
CHORUS members are reminded to return response forms regarding the Harlem Globetrotters’ performance.

CHARACTER ED…
    The following students were awarded the “Bee Respectful” Award this past week: Maleah G., Samantha M., Thomas C., Justin P., Praeh C., Kennedy M. and Mrs. Kidd’s entire class! Nice job! Keep up the good work!
    Our new theme starting this week will be CARING. Caring is about how we treat others. Showing concern, being kind, sharing, helping, and giving are all ways that we can show we care. You can say kind things to other people, even people you don’t like very much, or think good thoughts about other people. Other things you can do is to be a good listener, respect all people, property, animals and the earth, include others and forgive others.
    The Character Ed. Club Leaders will be doing a presentation on the new theme in all the classes. Those students are: Scott C., Nathan C., Blake D., Miranda H., Meredith J., Julianna L., Kayla M., Ashna N., Kiana P., Caitlin P., and Rebecca W.

JONNYCAKE NEEDS ITEMS…
The Jonnycake Center needs the following items:

Breakfast cereal
Juices
Spaghetti Sauce
Canned spaghetti or ravioli
Baked beans

If you can help a very worthwhile organization by sending in one or more of the above items, it would be very much appreciated. The items can be sent to the office.
Thank you!!

· West Kingston Elementary School · 3119 Ministerial Rd · West Kingston RI 02892 · (401) 360-1130 ·