Friday, April 24, 2015

Friday, April 24, 2015

Dear Parents,

What an exciting week!  Students enjoyed dressing up for each theme day.  Thursday we had a Jump Rope Assembly and today John Farrell came.  Ask your child about what Mr. Mitchell was today!


School House Rock Play-McKelvie School
Good Morning PWS 4th Grade Families ~
I wanted to let you know that April 24 and April 25 is McKelvie's production of School House Rock.  Our 5th and 6th grade students have been working with Nate Sawyer, of the Palace Theater to develop this production.  Please know that you are very welcome to attend. Visiting McKelvie might help reduce anxiety (seeing kids they know having fun), give your child a sense of opportunities here, or just be a fun night out.
Show times are 4/24 @ 7:00 pm and 4/25 @ 1:00 PM and 7:00 pm.  Tickets can be purchased at the door.  If you attend, feel free to introduce yourself.  I will be thrilled to meet you.
Michael Fournier
McKelvie Prinicipal

Fairy Houses
The Faerie Folk Festival is just around the corner and preparations are underway.  This wonderful community event features author Tracy Kane and the Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater in addition to a fairy house tour, Mother Nature, games, crafts, and building your own fairy house!  Come, join us June 6th on the PWS School Yard, for a time of “earthy” connections and imagination. All proceeds benefit the sustainability of the PWS School Yard!  Get your tickets early by clicking HERE  For more information, go to our website www.thefaeriefolkfestival.com

You are invited to submit fairy houses for out Faerie House Tour!!  Build as a family or advertise your business! Use your imagination and natural materials to create a one of a kind masterpiece. Visit the Faerie Folk Festival website at www.thefaeriefolkfestival.com or click ​​HERE for directions.

DI Fundraiser
PWS has a box in the lobby collecting shoes, bags and belts for a DI fundraiser through Ecosmilth Recyclers.  Year round, all clothing can be placed in a bag then put in the special Ecosmith bins in the parking lot of all our schools.  Ecosmith credit us per pound and this money has been very helpful for the DI program.

Scholastic Book Fair
We raised $15, 924.98 from our Scholastic Book Fair.  Thank you so much for the continued support. Teachers were really appreciative of the books they received and the children were all talking about the new books they were reading...

Superintendent Feedback Survey
You may recall that I recently asked you to complete a survey on my performance this year. The purpose of the survey was to gather feedback to improve.  Here are the results. Thank you to the respondents (107 employees, 321 parents, 4 students, and 14 community members).  One competency where I was rated relatively high was "listens, analyzes and responds to issues related to the needs of the community (including students, teachers, parents and residents)."  One competency that was relatively low was “recognizes diversity and promotes acceptance and tolerance within the school district community.”  I appreciate all the feedback and will work, in particular, on doing a better job recognizing diversity and promoting acceptance and tolerance. 

Grandparents Day
Remember that Grandparents Day is on Friday, May 8th.  It begins at 8:30 am with Arrival and Check In. 
Please contact samanthajfarrow@gmail.com for any questions.

Take Care,

Cheryl Daley               Dan Mitchell
Principal                      Assistant Principal

Friday, April 17, 2015

Friday, April 17, 2015

Hello PWS Families,

We hope you all are having a great week.  I was talking to a fourth grader about his report card today and I asked why he thought this quarter was better than the last.  He explained to me because he was reading more.  These are the moments we love!  When we were out for Kindergarten pick up today one girl looked at me and said, "You look old."  I  also love those honest moments.   
Cheryl

Grade 4 to 5 Parent Information Night



Parent Information Night
For Next Year’s 5th Grade Students
May 27, 2015
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
McKelvie School Cafeteria


Parent Information Night is for parents of students who will be transitioning to McKelvie Intermediate School from Peter Woodbury, Riddle Brook, and Memorial schools.  The evening is designed to provide parents with a general overview of McKelvie Intermediate School.  The presentation will include:


  • A Day In the Life of a 5th grader
  • What is a “pod”?
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Meeting the 5th grade team
  • A tour of the facility


Prior to attending this meeting, please take a moment and visit the McKelvie Intermediate School web site at www.sau25.net.  Here you will find our Student Handbook that contains information that may be helpful for you and your child as you prepare for the transition from elementary to intermediate school.


For parents/guardians of students who will participate in SUCCESS, who have a 504 plan, or have an Individual Education Plan (IEP), we are offering a time to meet with staff prior to the general presentation.  These sessions will provide information about these specific programs.  The sessions will begin at 6:00 p.m. and finish by 6:30 p.m. when the general presentation will begin.


Dates To Remember:
June 3rd @ 6pm  – Health Night “Growing Up For Boys/Girls”
(Letter from Health Teacher to Follow)


June 4th – Band Rental Night
(McKelvie Cafe – 6:00pm – Letter to Follow)


Tuesday, September 8, 2015 – 5th Grade Parent Night by Pod

(Tentative – Confirmation to be sent via email in August)



Safety Concern
If you drop off or pick up your children from school please remember they should have a seatbelt on.  We have observed students standing up in an unsafe manner.  The law states "Children who are under 7 years old AND 57 inches or shorter must ride in a federally approved car seat or booster.

School Entrances
Starting when we return from vacation on May 4th, you might notice a change at the schools at the start of the day.  The main entrance will remain locked throughout the morning.  If you wish to enter, you will simply need to press the buzzer so a staff member can let you in.  We are making this change at the three elementary schools and at McKelvie. The suggestion came from our recent school security review and was recommended by the District Emergency Planning Team.  Hopefully, everyone will understand that those few extra moments will go a long way towards keeping our students safe.

Spirit Week
Next week is Spirt Week.  Here are the themes for each day.
Monday 4/20-Sports Day
Tuesday 4/21-Beach Day
Wednesday 4/22-PJ Day
Thursday 4/23-Fairy Tale Day
Friday 4/24-School Spirit Day


High School Leadership Class
  • What: Mr. Pepper’s Leadership class will be hosting a MARVELous Disney Day at the high school.
  • When: Saturday May 16th 9:00am-12:00pm
  • Who: Students in Kindergarten through Fourth Grade
  • More Information Coming Soon!!
Have a Great Weekend,
Cheryl Daley Dan Mitchell
Principal Assistant Principal


Friday, April 10, 2015

Friday, April 10, 2015

Hello PWS Families,

It has been great to see all the parents at school this week for conferences.  We really appreciate you coming in so we can tell you about the progress of your child.  The book fair also happened this week.  We hope your family got a chance to get some books and posters.  It is so great to see the students so excited about seeing new books!  Information is listed below about how you can access the book fair items on line.


Book Fair Online 
If families were unable to attend the Scholastic Book Fair at PWS or they couldn't find what they were looking for, they can visit the PWS Book Fair online at www.scholastic.com/fair.
The online fair is available from Thursday 4/9 through 4/18 and offers an expanded selection of books for the whole family.
All orders ship to school for FREE and each purchase benefits PWS.
Online orders will be delivered to students after April vacation.

Candlelight Vigil Information
WHAT:  A family oriented, Candlelight Vigil of Remembrance for Lizzy & Katy Obukhov
WHEN: Monday, April 13th 7:30 pm to 8:15 pmday, April 13 at 7:30pm to 8:15pm
*WHERE: Bedford Town Common Park located on Bell Hill Road, Bedford, NH 03110 (directly behind the Bedford Public Library at 3 Meetinghouse Rd. Bedford, NH 03110)

*The Candle Light Vigil will be moved to the steps of the Bedford Presbyterian Church (located at 4 Church Rd, Bedford, NH 03110)

Should mud be a factor at the park on Monday morning Parking will be available at the following locations:

Bedford Presbyterian Church located at 4 Church Rd., Bedford, NH 03110
Bedford Youth Performing Company (BYPC) located at 155 NH-101, Bedford, NH 03110
*Benedictine Park located on Wallace Rd., Bedford, NH 03110

There will be two shuttle busses running before and after the vigil to transport attendees from the Benedictine Park parking lot to the drop-off/pick-up location in front of the Bedford Town Hall.

The candlelight vigil is being planned and organized by Katy's classmates and friends.

Volunteer Coordinator: Marc Murai • 603.203.5221 • marcmurai@gmail.com
Media Contact: Sharron McCarthy 603.620.6106  mccarthy027@comcast.net


PTG Presents "Does Your Child's Homework Disappear?!"
Do you think your child is disorganized?  Do you KNOW they have completed their homework, yet it never seems to get in the hands of the teacher?  If so, click HERE for a FREE workshop to help!

First and Kindergarten Registration
A reminder to parents of incoming Kindergarten and First Grade students:  Please remember, if you have not already done so, to register your children for next school year. It is important to have the number of student, as soon as possible, so we can determine the amount of teachers at each grade level.  Thanks for your support with this.

This week we spent some quality time in classrooms.  This is what we saw and heard.  

Kindergarteners are so sweet and get so excited about everything!  We went in to give them a pink certificate for great behavior in the month of March.  All their hands went up to wave a silent cheer.  

First graders were talking about what what it means to practice.  In addition, what happens when you practice something.  Students gave examples of practicing jump roping, hula hooping, math and reading.   
One classroom was talking about the season of Spring.  One first grader stated "You know it is Spring time because birds fly up here."

Second graders were learning about vertex.  In addition, why some objects roll and why some objects do not.

Third graders were working in small groups to determine a fraction of a number.  

Fourth graders were talking about the Scientific Process and what it means.  
In another class, students worked in partners having a discussion about what rubric score the writing piece should receive.   

It is hard to believe how we have seen your child(ren) grow over the year. Each child has such a unique personality that we cherish.

New Sound System
We are currently working on the final purchase for our new sound system in our multi-purpose room.  We want to thank everyone for the help with the Masquerade Ball Fund Raiser. These funds are what made this purchase possible.  

Shorty's Fundraiser 

The Lurgio team going to Destination Imagination Global Finals in TN next month, is hosting a fundraiser at Shorty's, Thursday, April 16th.  Whether you eat in for lunch/dinner or take-out, please let your server know that you are there for the DI Fair Share event and don't forget to drop your receipt in the envelope on your way out at the host stand.   Thanks so much for your support.WW

Have a great weekend,

Cheryl Daley         Dan Mitchell
Principal               Assistant Principal

Friday, April 3, 2015

Friday, April 3, 2015

Hello PWS Families,

We are pleased to say that for the most part our Smarter Balanced Assessments are complete. We still have a few make ups to do but for a majority of our third and fourth graders they are done. We are so pleased with how hard the students worked on these assessments. We wish to extend a special thanks to the students, parents, and other students who made this process run so smoothly and successfully: Thank you all for everything you did!

Lost and Found
A reminder that all Lost and Found is going to be cleaned out on April 22nd (the day before vacation).  If you want to claim any items please do so before that time.

Destination Imagination - Bake Sale
Bedford DI are holding a Bake Sale Tomorrow, Saturday, April 4 outside Harvest Market from 10:00 to 2:00.   The Sounds of Silence, 8th Graders from Lurgio, took 1st place at the DI State Tournament last weekend, and are fundraising to attend the Global Finals in Knoxville, TN in May.  The team are planning a variety of fundraisers and appreciate  all your support.  

Does Homework Disappear?
SMALL IMAGE (PNG)Public Domain


Would you like to know what you can do at home to help your child be as successful as possible at school?  There are subtle changes you may choose to make at home to provide your child with more tools and skills to be successful in life as they grow older.  You may be surprised that those skills can prepare your student to be ready for academics at home and they don’t involve studying!  


The Bedford PTG is sponsoring this event in  the McKelvie Intermediate School cafeteria on April 14th at 6:00pm.  Bedford educator, Rachael Ramsey,  will share some simple and easy changes you can make at home to help a student of any age become more organized and successful during the school day.  This presentation is designed for parents with children of all ages.

Presentation is from 6:00pm to 7:30pm with Q & A from 7:30pm to 8:00pm

Scholastic Book Fair
Here's some important info:
The theme this year is Book Fair Under the Sea
The fair runs Monday 4/6-Thursday 4/10  Thursday 4/9

The fair hours will be: Monday 8:00 am-3:30 pm, Tuesday-8:00 am-7:00 pm, Wednesday-8:00 am-7:00 pm and Thursday 8:00 am-3:00 pm.

Our Promise to Nicholas Easter Egg Hunt:
There may still be snow on the ground, but searching for eggs is a sure sign of spring!  This popular charity event will be held on Saturday, April 4 at the NH Sportsplex, from 8:30 - 11:00 AM.  While not actively hunting for eggs, spend the morning enjoying live entertainment, games, face painting, bounce houses & much more! Tickets are $8 per person or $30 per family.  Cash or check will be accepted at the door.  The Foundation, named for Nicholas Dainiak of Bedford, raises funds to fight a rare and fatal brain illness called Batten Disease.  It is the spirit of hope and community togetherness that makes this event so special.  For more information visit ourpromisetonicholas.com.

Have a Great Weekend!

Cheryl Daley          Dan Mitchell
Principal                 Assistant Principal