Friday, September 25, 2015

Dear PWS Families,

Another exciting week at PWS.  Be sure to ask your students about Officer Phil and what they learned. We also ran our first fire drill this week and exited the building in 1 minute 30 seconds. When I was in the hallway this week I happened to have my hair up and pulled back.  One of the students stopped me and said "Wow, you look like Mrs. Daley."  I explained to her I was Mrs. Daley just with my hair up.  I love children!  

PWS Happenings
PWS Fundraiser
A reminder that the Meadow Farms Fundraising Forms are due Friday, October 2nd.

PWS Art at The Deerfield Fair

Several PWS students will have their artwork exhibited at the Deerfield Fair. The Fair will be held on October 3rd and 4th.   Find more information here.

Community Info
Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride

The Bedford School District Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride program is available to anyone interested! Our program’s designated night is Friday, beginning the first Friday after New Years and running for 5 consecutive Fridays. Your passes will be available for pick up in December, just in time for gift giving!  For more information, contact Isabelle Grenier at isabelleg@comcast.net.

Bedford Fire Department Open House

October is fire prevention month and the Bedford Fire Department will be having their annual Open House on Oct. 6th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Join the firefighters for a memorable night of fire truck rides, fire safety activities and information, food and drinks including Papa Gino's Pizza, and an exciting live fire demonstration. All activities are free and take place at the Bedford Safety Complex at 55 Constitution Dr.

Important Dates
Friday, October 2nd-Room Parent Luncheon

Tuesday, October 6th-Picture Retake Day

Thursday, October 8th- Coffee with the Principals at BCTV

Wishing you all a great weekend!

Mrs. Cheryl Daley           Mr. Dan Mitchell
Principal                          Assistant Principal

Friday, September 18, 2015

Dear PWS Families,

It has been a wonderful week at PWS!  Please ask your students about the Zones of Regulation Rap!  Another great story....As I walked around the school yard today a couple of Kindergarten students came up to me and gave me flowers.  This is why I love my job! Thanks for sharing your wonderful children with us everyday!-Mrs. Daley
In order to better organize the messages that are included in this blog we will be using the section headlines that are highlighted green this week. From now on you can expect the blog to start with a quick message from us and then be followed by PWS News, Community Info, and Upcoming Dates.

PWS News

Shopping Rewards

It's that time a year again to help earn money for our school. There are several ways to do this. Two ways to earn money for our school are Hannafords Rewards and Target Rewards. At Hannaford, buy 4 participating products and you will get 3 reward dollars for the school. Take the reward certificate and drop it in the provided box with the school's name before you leave the store. At Target, you can link your credit or debit REDcard on the Target website for the school and every time you use them 1% is given back to the school. 

Box Tops For Education Program!

PWS participates in the Box Tops For Education^TM program - which technically means that we get money for our schools by sending in lots of little teeny- tiny rectangles.  Last year, we earned $2444.80, which went directly to the teachers to purchase items for their classrooms.  The program cuts two checks per school year, and our next deadline is Friday, October 16.

What you can do to help:

1.     Clip and Bring: We encourage you to look for pink Box Tops on products, clip them, and send them to school in your children's Go Binders.  (Be sure to also include any special Box Top Codes or Bonus BoxTops!) 

2.     Ask your Neighbors/Family: Send a note out to your neighbors that don't have school-age kids; they may not be aware that they are throwing away money.

3.     Become a BTFE Member: If you become a member on www.BTFE.com, you can submit PWS into ongoing raffles for more Box Tops, and get exclusive great coupons to products.

For more information on the Box Tops for Education program, including a list of participating products and our school’s progress, visit www.BTFE.com.

Destination Imagination - Parent Info Night
Parent Info Night for Destination Imagination in all Schools K-8th Grade will be held on September 21st or September 24th at 6:30 pm in the Peter Woodbury School Library.   To learn more about the program and how to provide your child with this enrichment opportunity, please come and meet our District Co-ordinator, Marie Russell, in the PWS Library at 6:30 pm.or email Marie at bedfordrocksdi@gmail.com. For more information and to find out what Destination Imagination is all about, check out  www.idodi.org.

Trading Cards
Many students like to bring in various game type cards to use at recess time. These cards include Pokemon, baseball cards, and other games. While we allow these cards to be brought in for gaming, we do not allow the trading of these cards. We find that trading always leads to issues. If you allow your child to bring these cards in to school please reiterate this message with them. It is our hope that these cards do not present a problem and can continue to be enjoyed by the students at recess.

Community Info

Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride

The Bedford School District Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride program is available to anyone interested! Our program’s designated night is Fridays, beginning the first Friday after New Year’s and running for 5 consecutive Fridays. Your passes will be available for pick up in December, just in time for gift giving!  For more information, contact Isabelle Grenier at isabelleg@comcast.net.

Bedford Fire Department Open House

October is fire prevention month and the Bedford Fire Department will be having their annual Open House on Oct. 6th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Join the firefighters for a memorable night of fire truck rides, fire safety activities and information, food and drinks including Papa Gino's Pizza, and an exciting live fire demonstration. All activities are free and take place at the Bedford Safety Complex at 55 Constitution Dr.

Upcoming Dates:
Tues. Sept. 22nd-4th Grade Chorus begins-pick up is at 3:00 pm

Thurs. Sept. 24th-Officer Phil 

Fri. Oct. 2nd-Room Parent Luncheon 

Wishing you all a great weekend,

Mrs. Cheryl Daley         Mr. Dan Mitchell
Principal                        Assistant Principal

Friday, September 11, 2015

Dear PWS Families,

This morning after we finished saying the Pledge of Allegiance we had a moment of silence to commemorate 9/11.

We have many updates for you this week:

BEF Fall Fundraiser - Shake it Up for Education

Featuring Performances by the BHS Cast of Shake it Up!

Live Auction

Friday, November 7, 2015, 7PM @ Manchester Country Club

For more information about BEF please check our our website, www.befnh.org.

For tickets to this FUNdraiser, please go to: http://www.seatyourself.biz/befnh

PTG Support
Please remember to return your PTG Support Envelopes at your earliest convenience. 

We want to take a moment to introduce our Parent Teacher Group (PTG) liaison Missy Pettigrew We also want to welcome Kim Beekman and Amanda Underwood as our volunteer coordinators.  Their emails are listed below if you have any questions.  

missy-pettigrew@comcast.net
Amandaaund@gmail.com
Kimbeekman@comcast.net 

Youngest and Only
We continue to strive to be a paperless school,  however there are times that where using paper is unavoidable. For these times we will only send home one flyer per family.  The student who is the youngest or only in the family will get the flyer(s).  Please let us know if you have any questions about this.


Joppa Hill Announcement

The Educational Farm at Joppa Hill (www.theeducationalfarm.org) is offering two great opportunities for families to experience the fun and challenge of life on the Farm.

September 20 (2-4 PM):  Preserve the Fall Harvest! Learn how to make and preserve pickles (dill and bread & butter) and bring home a jar!  All material provided. Donation: $10 per family or $5 per individual. Reserve your space by phoning 472-4724, or email to info@theeducationalfarm.org.

September 27 (2-6 PM) Fall Fair *   Games!  Food!  Music!  Hay Rides!  Pony rides!  Bake Sale!  Good times with good people!    *Rain date: October 4 Oc

Halloween Costume Collection and Exchange

Bedford Girl Scout Troop 10569

Is hosting a

Halloween Costume Exchange

Saturday, Oct 3rd

Bedford Old Town Hall

9am – 2pm

All costumes are $5 (cash only please) or bring one in to donate and get one for ½ price!

*100% of our profit goes to our community projects and local charities*

Come join the fun!  Choose some costumes and accessories for Halloween or dress-up fun and support the Bedford Girl Scouts!

We are still in NEED of new or used costumes.  Please donate them to the below locations before Oct 2^nd.

1)   Bedford Town Library (Lower Lobby)

2)   3 Cottage Walk, Bedford (Greenfield Farms) – front porch bin

3)   15 Dunlap Drive, Bedford (Dunlap Woods) – bin at front door

4)   Peter Woodbury School (bin at near the office area)

Hosted by Bedford Troop 10569.  Contact Linda Dinndorf at kandl.dinndorf@comcast.net or Vivien Lin at vwlawlin@myfairpoint.net. 

New Morning School
Please see the link below if you are interested in attending the New Morning After School Program.  

New Morning School Registration 2015-2016

We hope you all have a great weekend,

Cheryl Daley                    Dan Mitchell

Principal                           Assistant Principal

Friday, September 4, 2015

Dear PWS Families,

During this week we were able to get around to introduce ourselves to each classroom of students. We gave each class two messages.  The first and one we give every year is that it is our responsibility to make sure that everyone is SAFE at school.  We remind them of the school rules and how to show respect for each other.  Our second message this year was that "It is ok to make mistakes and that is part of learning."  We find that students and adults some times have a difficult time with this.  We are encouraging the students to keep trying when they make a mistake because that is how we all learn.  

We will continue to send out a weekly blog to let you know about upcoming events.  We will highlight the items that need particular attention.  

Lunch Messages

On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays we have a lunch message for the students in the dining hall.  We talk about the Zones of Regulation (blue, green, yellow, red, ask your child about it), our school motto:  Community, Inspiration and Engagement, and Executive Functioning (how to stay organized and focused).  These  are great topics to talk to your children about.  Below is an example of a message.

Hello Students,

Do you know what an executive is? An executive is a boss, or a person who is in charge. One of the most important things students learn is how to be their own boss and how to be in charge of themselves. This year we will have weekly messages to help us with this important skill, so be listening for your “I want to be the Boss of me!” message and tool every week.

Keep Learning,

Mrs. Daley and Mr. Mitchell

Infosnap

We only have 30 families left that need to complete their Infosnap information.  Please go to sau25.net,  click on parents,  then student registration.  Thanks for all your help with this. 

PTG Support Envelopes & Volunteer Forms

The Bedford Parent Teacher Group (PTG) sent your child home with Support Envelopes and Volunteer Forms this week.  If these did not make it to your kitchen counter, please check the backpacks!  Your financial support is appreciated and greatly needed in order to fund the various educational programs provided to the Bedford School District through the Bedford PTG.  Simply complete the front side of the envelope and enclose your tax-deductible contribution.  No contribution is too small nor is it too large!

The on-line (PayPal) system is not available this year.  Our goal is to streamline this process to an on-line program for next year.  Forms are also available on our website at www.bedfordptg.org

If you are interested in volunteering at school, please complete the volunteer form and send it back to school with your child.

Returning the support envelopes and volunteer forms by Friday, September 11^th will be greatly appreciated.  Let’s all help to make the “P” significant in the Bedford PTG.

Thank you in advance for your support.  Any questions, please contact the Bedford PTG Presidents:

Greg Girard                                                                           Lisa Nash

gmgirard@gmail.com                                                           lisa@eight-stars.com

School Pictures
This past Wednesday was our school picture day. It was great to see all the students come to school in their finest picture day outfits. If you were absent or unable to get pictures taken on Wednesday, don't worry. Picture retake day will be October 6th.

Dates to Remember:

Open House Tues. Sept. 15th   6:00 pm-7:00 pm Grades K-2

                                                  7:00 pm-8:00 pm Grades 3-4

PTG Coffee with the Principals Fri. Sept. 11   BCTV    9:00 am

Picture Retake Day  Tues. Oct 6th

Have a wonderful, relaxing, fun long weekend.

Mrs. Cheryl Daley          Mr. Dan Mitchell

Principal                         Assistant Principal

Friday, August 28, 2015

Hello PWS Families,

It has been a great start to our school year!  Thank you for getting up and getting to school on time. A couple of cute stories...."The Kindergartner".....so sweet.  At lunch they face all different directions to see what is going on.  On the school yard today, a first grade boys asked, "Did you see the orange dinosaur over there?"  A third grader shared in a proud voice, "I am wearing deodorant today!"  A group of girls in the second grade showed me a gem they found on the school yard.  And our fourth graders, well they are just so proud to be the oldest in the school, they have already showed their kindness by helping younger students to their lines in the morning.  

Morning Drop Off/Afternoon Pick Up
Morning drop off begins at 7:30 am at the back of the building.  There are two staff members there to greet students and get them to the school yard.  A red flag is put up at 7:50 a.m.  Parents who arrive after this have to go around to the front of the school, park their car, and walk their child(ren) in. Any student who arrives after 8:00 a.m. needs to be walked and signed in to school.

Afternoon pick up is in the gymnasium.  Please put your child(ren)'s name on a a green slip and hand it to the adult on the way out the gym door.  If you are taking another child it is the same process only with a pink slip.  We are going to work on getting laminated slips for parents/family who regularly pick up their children. 


Garden Club Volunteers Needed
Soon there will be volunteer opportunities through sign up genius, but 
the Garden Club could really use some help starting next week. 

This summer, the garden club was able to harvest 8 bushels of food 
for 2 different charities; Caregivers of Bedford and a charity for 
Mothers and Children. Students love being able to join Garden Club 
as a choice during recess. This year even the first graders will be 
able to participate at their recess times. 

The coordinators: Peggie Hart, Jess Ferenc and Kasey Meisner are flexible with whatever time you can commit. Come help the children enjoy fun discoveries in nature all around our school yard including harvesting, weeding, drying the seeds for next year's harvest and more.

Garden Club will be a choice at recess times on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays from September 1- October 8.

1st gr. 11:00-11:30
2ndgr. 10:30-11:00
3rd gr. 11:30-12:00
4th gr. 12:00-12:30

If interested, please contact either
Peggie Hart at hartm@bedfordnhk12.net  or
Jess Ferenc at ferencj@bedfordnhk12.net

Go Binders
This is the second year we are implementing Go Binders.  Please make sure you read the teacher's message about this. It really helps to keep us all organized.  

Infosnap – Action Item

If you have not already done so, please take a few minutes to complete the Infosnap process.  If you do not have the email with the link/snapcode that was sent to you please contact the school office. 

Automated Attendance Call

Again this year families in the Bedford School District will receive a phone call confirming their child's absence via our "School Messenger" system.  Once we have taken attendance, a message will be generated confirming your child's absence.  The elementary calls will go out at approximately 9:30 AM, McKelvie and Lurgio will go out at 10:30 AM and the BHS at 11:00 AM.  If this call comes to you in error, please contact the Main Office so that we can correct the attendance report.

Principal/Parent Communication

As my primary form of communication, I will be sending you an email update every week—typically Friday afternoon/evening.  The email will include a link to the weekly blog posting. The blog will contain action items (highlighted in yellow), reminders, and other important information. Parents, it is vital that you review these principal notes each week and take action on the action items, when necessary.  I appreciate your partnership in this.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Results

Last spring, schools throughout New Hampshire (and in many other states around the country) administered a new test known as "Smarter Balanced."  The tests, in language arts and math, were taken by students in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11.  They are computer-based tests that replaced the annual NECAP assessment.  

We have recently learned that the public release of the assessment results will occur in November.  This is a later release date than originally announced.  The delay was caused, in part, by the need to hand score those few tests that were taken using paper and pencil.  The results will include both school and statewide summaries and individual student level results.  We will send more information as it becomes available to us.

New Traffic Pattern at the BHS/RAL Complex

Please read Superintendent McGee’s blog for important information on this new traffic pattern.

http://nhbsdnews.blogspot.com/2015/08/new-traffic-pattern-bhsral-complex.html

Have a great weekend,

Mrs. Cheryl Daley      Mr. Dan Mitchell

Principal                     Assistant Principal

Wednesday, June 17th

Hello PWS Families

Happy last day of school!  There was a lot of excitement in the air during the fourth grade clap out.  The fourth graders all waved to their parents as they went off to their McKevlie visit.  During move up day students were very happy to meet their new teacher and see the other children that are in their classroom.  It all went smoothly.  

Destination Imagination says Thank You

The Sounds of Silence team from Ross A. Lurgio would like to thank the community for all their support during their recent fundraisers to help fund their trip to Knoxville, TN.  These 7 kids and 2 Team Managers are so appreciative and could not have make this journey without your help. DI will be back in the fall, so until then, have a wonderful summer everyone and find time to use your imagination and be creative!

Summer Water/Weed Club

We are asking for some assistance this summer in maintaining our gardens.  Our vegetables are donated to the Caregivers Association in Bedford.  If you are interested in helping with this please see the link below.  

Water and Weed Club Sign Up

Camp Invention

Looking for a summer experience for your rising 1st through 6th grader that is both innovative and active? Register your child for Camp Invention - Illuminate. Camp Invention is taught by NH state certified, and Bedford School District teachers. This year participants will spend time pushing the limits during high-energy games, working with teammates to construct a freestyle racing cart and taking apart electronics to assemble something one-of-a-kind. Get a glimpse of the program here! Camp is hosted at McKelvie School, July 29th to July 2nd from 8:00 am-3:00 pm. Click HERE for a link to the online registration page, download our paper registration, or visit us at www.campinvention.org for more information. For more information or questions, e-mail, Courtney Cheetham, Camp Director,  (cheethamc@bedfordnhk12.net). 

In closing, some of our favorite memories of this year were....students trying to find a four leaf clover on the school yard,  cheering as they walk out of their next year teacher placement, kindergarten graduation-"Born to be an American", fourth grade clap out, challenges, successes and growing.  Thank you for sharing your wonderful children with us. Have a restful and happy summer!

Cheryl Daley                 Dan Mitchell
Principal                        Assistant Principal