West Kingston Elementary School

Weekly Newsletter for February 6, 2008
IMPORTANT DATES… Feb 9 – SK CARES Spelling Bee, Elks Lodge, 7 pm Feb 11 – 5th grade orchestra recital at Peace Dale, 7 pm Feb 12 – Sch Comm Mtg, HS Library, 7 pm Feb 13 – PTO Meeting, 3:15 pm Feb 13 – Matty Hatty Dance-a-Thon Feb 14 – SIT Meeting, 3:30 pm Feb 18-22 – WINTER RECESS, NO SCHOOL Feb 26 – Sch Comm Mtg, HS Library, 7 pm Feb 29 – PTO Ladies Choice Dance, 6-8 pm MATTY HATTY DANCE-A-THON… The annual Matty Hatty Dance-A-Thon for epilepsy will take place on Wednesday, February 13. This is a fundraiser in honor of the birthday of Matthew Siravo, a five year old boy who passed away unexpectedly on Mother’s Day. The event will raise money for epilepsy research. All proceeds will go to the Matthew Siravo Memorial Foundation for Epilepsy. Parents should have received a pledge envelope for donations for the event. Please return the envelopes by the day of the Dance-A-Thon, February 13th. If you did not receive an envelope, please contact the school and we will send home another one with your child. On the Matty-Hatty Dance-A-Thon day, children are asked to wear their silliest hat, and get to dance for a five-minute period. We encourage everyone to participate in this worthy cause! KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION AND SCREENING… Kindergarten Registration & Screening will take place on April 8, 9, 10, 22, 23 & 24. Appointments are 45 minutes long and may be made at the following times: 9:00 am, 9:45 am, 10:30 am, 11:15 am and 1:15 pm. It will take place at the Neighborhood Guild, located at 325 Columbia Street. Please call the South Kingstown School Department at 360-1307 or 360-1308 to schedule your appointment. READ-A-THON… The West Kingston Elementary School is going to have a Read-A-Thon to Benefit the Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (WRARI) of RI. The WRARI is a non-profit clinic, located in Wickford, and takes care of orphaned and injured wildlife across the state. You can help by reading at least one animal book and sending in a small donation. Please help sponsor too! Look for a flyer to go home. SOUTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER… Two students at WKES, Anthony M and Tim J. are asking for your help to bring in animal supplies for the South County Animal Shelter. Some of the items you can bring in are canned cat food, canned dog food, Kongs tough and rugged dog toys and pet shampoo. There are also more items listed in the office, the gym and the library. There is a blue box in the office where you can leave the animal supplies. We will be collecting until February 14th. Thank you for your help! PTO NEWS… Important upcoming events: PTO Meeting Join us on February 13th at 3:15 in the Library for our monthly PTO meeting. We need new ideas and would love to see some new faces, as the decisions we make at these meetings ultimately affect your children. There will be childcare available for your convenience. Hope to see you there! Ladies Choice Dance February 29th, 6-8 pm Attention girls of West Kingston… Don’t miss out on this great event being held for the first time at West Kingston Elementary School. There is going to be a DJ, photographer, refreshments, dancing and even a disco ball!!! Each girl who attends must be accompanied by one adult of their choice, and must be a student at the school. Please look for the flyer going home in the backpack this week. The forms need to be returned to school via backpack express by Monday, February 25th, so that we can have a total count. If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer, please contact Melissa Cromack at mcromack1@cox.net. CHORUS NEWS… The Chorus will be performing “America, the Beautiful” at the opening of the Providence Bruins game on Friday, March 28, at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Flyers were sent home last week. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets may return their order forms to Ms. Toy. FROM THE NURSE… Too Sick for School? Winter is here and so are winter colds and other illnesses that attack young children. You don’t want your child to miss school; but neither do you want to send a sick child to school and endanger him or her and other children as well. When should your child stay home from school? Here are a few guidelines you might wish to follow: > A runny nose, or “leaky faucet”, is the way many children respond to pollen, dust, chalk or simply a change of season. If it isn’t common cold, then it’s an allergy and allergies aren’t contagious. Don’t keep the child home. > A bad cough or cold symptoms can indicate a severe cold, bronchitis, flu, or even pneumonia. Some children suffer one cold after another all winter long and a run-of-the-mill cold should not be a reason to miss school. But if your child is not acting “right”, has difficulty breathing, or is becoming dehydrated, it could be serious. Check with your pediatrician right away. > Diarrhea and vomiting make children very uncomfortable, and being near a bathroom becomes a top priority. If your child has diarrhea or vomiting, please do not send him or her to school. If the vomiting or diarrhea are accompanied by fever, a rash, or general weakness, then consult a doctor. If your child has been vomiting, please make sure they are eating regularly for one day before returning to school. > Fever is an important symptom; when it occurs along with a sore throat, an earache, nausea, listlessness, or a rash, your child may be carrying something very contagious. Most pediatricians advise parents to keep children home during the course of a fever and for an additional 24 hours. > Strep throat and scarlet fever are two highly contagious conditions caused by streptococcal (bacterial) infection. They usually arrive with a sore throat and high fever. Some 12 to 48 hours after the onset of scarlet fever, a rash will also appear. A child with either strep throat or scarlet fever should be kept home and treated with antibiotics, as prescribed by a physician. After 24 hours on an antibiotic, a child is usually no longer contagious and may – with a doctor’s permission – return to school. > Chicken pox, a viral disease, is not life-threatening to children, but is very uncomfortable and extremely contagious. If your child has a fever, is itching, and begins to sprout pink or red spots (with “watery” centers) on the back, chest, and/or face, the chances are good it’s chicken pox. Please tell us if it is; it’s important that schools know this information. Keep your child home for at least a week from the time you first noticed the symptoms and at least two days after the last spot has appeared, whichever period is longer. > Conjunctivitis or pink eye is highly contagious and uncomfortable, so take heed when your child complains of an eye or eyes burning, itching, and producing a whitish discharge. Minor cases (caused by a virus) and severe cases (caused by bacteria) require treatment with prescription eyedrops. Keep home for a full 24 hours after antibiotic eye drops and eye is no longer draining. > Ear infections are also contagious and, unless properly treated, can cause permanent hearing damage. Here again, you should follow the 24-hour rule for fever and antibiotic therapy. Is your child’s emergency information up to date? Are your daytime telephone numbers accurate? PBIS… The following students were recognized for following the West Kingston Hawk’s Expectations. Congratulations to Nicole M., Harry K., Emily D., Gabriel H., Matt J., Connor L., Frank K., Rae T., Sarah L., Tyler M., Abby C., Kate D., Andrew B., David D., Alyssa P., Dylan H., Maggie M., Elissa A., Elizabeth A., Molly B., Josh D., Aiden B., Cheyenne W., Robbie M., and Emily D. Thank you for helping WK School be a respectful school. On Fridays we pull 5 names from all of those students who were recognized for the week and they are then able to pick a prize from our prize box. They were: Connor L., Molly B., Frank K., Kennedy M. And Connor S. CONGRATULATIONS… Katherine F of Mrs. Nolan’s class won third place with her Daughter’s of the American Revolution essay titled, “I Spy – Espionage During the American Revolution: My Life as a Spy”. Katherine will be honored at a lunch next Wednesday. Keep writing! LUNCH TICKET CHECKS… If you are writing a check to “SK Schools” for your child’s lunch, please indicate the child’s name in the memo section of the check. If you have more than one child, please write both names so the money can be divided and put into each child’s account. Thank you! PARKING IN FRONT OF BUILDING… Please do not park your car in the front lane of the building (this is for buses only). Thank you!!
· West Kingston Elementary School · 3119 Ministerial Rd · West Kingston RI 02892 · (401) 360-1130 ·

Weekly Newsletter for February 6, 2008

IMPORTANT DATES…
Feb 9 – SK CARES Spelling Bee, Elks
             Lodge, 7 pm
Feb 11 – 5th grade orchestra recital at Peace
               Dale, 7 pm
Feb 12 – Sch Comm Mtg, HS Library, 7 pm
Feb 13 – PTO Meeting, 3:15 pm
Feb 13 – Matty Hatty Dance-a-Thon
Feb 14 – SIT Meeting, 3:30 pm
Feb 18-22 – WINTER RECESS, NO
                     SCHOOL
Feb 26 – Sch Comm Mtg, HS Library, 7 pm
Feb 29 – PTO Ladies Choice Dance, 6-8 pm

MATTY HATTY DANCE-A-THON…
    The annual Matty Hatty Dance-A-Thon for epilepsy will take place on Wednesday, February 13. This is a fundraiser in honor of the birthday of Matthew Siravo, a five year old boy who passed away unexpectedly on Mother’s Day. The event will raise money for epilepsy research. All proceeds will go to the Matthew Siravo Memorial Foundation for Epilepsy.
    Parents should have received a pledge envelope for donations for the event. Please return the envelopes by the day of the Dance-A-Thon, February 13th. If you did not receive an envelope, please contact the school and we will send home another one with your child.
    On the Matty-Hatty Dance-A-Thon day, children are asked to wear their silliest hat, and get to dance for a five-minute period. We encourage everyone to participate in this worthy cause!

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION AND SCREENING…
Kindergarten Registration & Screening will take place on April 8, 9, 10, 22, 23 & 24.
Appointments are 45 minutes long and may be made at the following times: 9:00 am, 9:45 am, 10:30 am, 11:15 am and 1:15 pm.
    It will take place at the Neighborhood Guild, located at 325 Columbia Street. Please call the South Kingstown School Department at 360-1307 or 360-1308 to schedule your appointment.

READ-A-THON…
    The West Kingston Elementary School is going to have a Read-A-Thon to Benefit the Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (WRARI) of RI. The WRARI is a non-profit clinic, located in Wickford, and takes care of orphaned and injured wildlife across the state.
  You can help by reading at least one animal book and sending in a small donation. Please help sponsor too!   Look for a flyer to go home.

SOUTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER…
Two students at WKES, Anthony M and Tim J. are asking for your help to bring in animal supplies for the South County Animal Shelter. Some of the items you can bring in are canned cat food, canned dog food, Kongs tough and rugged dog toys and pet shampoo. There are also more items listed in the office, the gym and the library. There is a blue box in the office where you can leave the animal supplies. We will be collecting until February 14th. Thank you for your help!

PTO NEWS…
Important upcoming events:
PTO Meeting
Join us on February 13th at 3:15 in the Library for our monthly PTO meeting. We need new ideas and would love to see some new faces, as the decisions we make at these meetings ultimately affect your children. There will be childcare available for your convenience. Hope to see you there!

Ladies Choice Dance
February 29th, 6-8 pm
Attention girls of West Kingston…
    Don’t miss out on this great event being held for the first time at West Kingston Elementary School. There is going to be a DJ, photographer, refreshments, dancing and even a disco ball!!!
    Each girl who attends must be accompanied by one adult of their choice, and must be a student at the school.
    Please look for the flyer going home in the backpack this week. The forms need to be returned to school via backpack express by Monday, February 25th, so that we can have a total count. If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer, please contact Melissa Cromack at mcromack1@cox.net.

CHORUS NEWS…
The Chorus will be performing “America, the Beautiful” at the opening of the Providence Bruins game on Friday, March 28, at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Flyers were sent home last week. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets may return their order forms to Ms. Toy.

FROM THE NURSE…
Too Sick for School?
Winter is here and so are winter colds and other illnesses that attack young children. You don’t want your child to miss school; but neither do you want to send a sick child to school and endanger him or her and other children as well. When should your child stay home from school? Here are a few guidelines you might wish to follow:
> A runny nose, or “leaky faucet”, is the way many children respond to pollen, dust, chalk or simply a change of season. If it isn’t common cold, then it’s an allergy and allergies aren’t contagious. Don’t keep the child home.
> A bad cough or cold symptoms can indicate a severe cold, bronchitis, flu, or even pneumonia. Some children suffer one cold after another all winter long and a run-of-the-mill cold should not be a reason to miss school. But if your child is not acting “right”, has difficulty breathing, or is becoming dehydrated, it could be serious. Check with your pediatrician right away.
> Diarrhea and vomiting make children very uncomfortable, and being near a bathroom becomes a top priority. If your child has diarrhea or vomiting, please do not send him or her to school. If the vomiting or diarrhea are accompanied by fever, a rash, or general weakness, then consult a doctor. If your child has been vomiting, please make sure they are eating regularly for one day before returning to school.
> Fever is an important symptom; when it occurs along with a sore throat, an earache, nausea, listlessness, or a rash, your child may be carrying something very contagious. Most pediatricians advise parents to keep children home during the course of a fever and for an additional 24 hours.
> Strep throat and scarlet fever are two highly contagious conditions caused by streptococcal (bacterial) infection. They usually arrive with a sore throat and high fever. Some 12 to 48 hours after the onset of scarlet fever, a rash will also appear. A child with either strep throat or scarlet fever should be kept home and treated with antibiotics, as prescribed by a physician. After 24 hours on an antibiotic, a child is usually no longer contagious and may – with a doctor’s permission – return to school.
> Chicken pox, a viral disease, is not life-threatening to children, but is very uncomfortable and extremely contagious. If your child has a fever, is itching, and begins to sprout pink or red spots (with “watery” centers) on the back, chest, and/or face, the chances are good it’s chicken pox. Please tell us if it is; it’s important that schools know this information. Keep your child home for at least a week from the time you first noticed the symptoms and at least two days after the last spot has appeared, whichever period is longer.
> Conjunctivitis or pink eye is highly contagious and uncomfortable, so take heed when your child complains of an eye or eyes burning, itching, and producing a whitish discharge. Minor cases (caused by a virus) and severe cases (caused by bacteria) require treatment with prescription eyedrops. Keep home for a full 24 hours after antibiotic eye drops and eye is no longer draining.
> Ear infections are also contagious and, unless properly treated, can cause permanent hearing damage. Here again, you should follow the 24-hour rule for fever and antibiotic therapy.
Is your child’s emergency information up to date? Are your daytime telephone numbers accurate?

PBIS…
    The following students were recognized for following the West Kingston Hawk’s Expectations. Congratulations to Nicole M., Harry K., Emily D., Gabriel H., Matt J., Connor L., Frank K., Rae T., Sarah L., Tyler M., Abby C., Kate D., Andrew B., David D., Alyssa P., Dylan H., Maggie M., Elissa A., Elizabeth A., Molly B., Josh D., Aiden B., Cheyenne W., Robbie M., and Emily D.
Thank you for helping WK School be a respectful school.
    On Fridays we pull 5 names from all of those students who were recognized for the week and they are then able to pick a prize from our prize box. They were: Connor L., Molly B., Frank K., Kennedy M. And Connor S.

CONGRATULATIONS…
Katherine F of Mrs. Nolan’s class won third place with her Daughter’s of the American Revolution essay titled, “I Spy – Espionage During the American Revolution: My Life as a Spy”. Katherine will be honored at a lunch next Wednesday.   Keep writing!

LUNCH TICKET CHECKS…
If you are writing a check to “SK Schools” for your child’s lunch, please indicate the child’s name in the memo section of the check. If you have more than one child, please write both names so the money can be divided and put into each child’s account. Thank you!

PARKING IN FRONT OF BUILDING…
Please do not park your car in the front lane of the building (this is for buses only). Thank you!!

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