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Principal: Michael Foxall
Phone: 603-298-8202
September Newsletter 2010
Dear Parents:
In keeping with the district improvement/compliance schedule, this summer has seen Mt. Lebanon School outfitted with a new heating system, and being readied for our new front entrance foyer. The new boiler will use wood pellets to generate steam. The building in the back, and the silo have been installed, and while we have lost some playground space, weíve gained an efficient system that will use renewable wood pellets, and a new synthetic green top playing area. The project in the back of the school will be completed by mid-September. The front foyer will add a new level of security, and increase our energy efficiency.
With Board approval, the district is moving to an all PC platform. We anticipate this will take two years. In year one, we are installing PCís into our lab. We welcome Dawn Blaylock as our new computer lab paraeducator who will work Monday - Thursday.
There have been no changes in room assignments this year, though several teachers have changed grade level assignments. We have added to our list of special education paraeducators: Deb Evans, from part to full time, Andrea Jovanovich, part to full time, and Bethany Thomson from part to full time. We have one more part time position in the kindergarten to fill. We also welcome back Caren Whaley to our AM kindergarten session.
The Mount Lebanon School has been a "responsive school"for over fourteen years. Responsive Classroom is a structured, socially oriented curriculum based on the premise that children can only be academically successful in the classroom and school when social behavioral expectations are clearly articulated, understood, modeled and practiced. Our classroom and school rules are based on kindness, courtesy and respect toward ourselves and one another. At Mt. Lebanon teachers and children create classroom rules together. Teachers help children practice the rules, and they respond to inappropriate behavior with consequences that help children learn self control and responsibility. Another RC strategy is daily Morning Meeting. Morning Meeting is designed to promote social skill
building. Morning Meeting has a formal structure and includes four components: a) Greetings, b) Shaing, c) Group Activity and, d) News and Announcements. It is of utmost importance to have your child to school by 8:00AM every day so that he/she does not miss Morning Meeting. The first six weeks of school focus on laying the groundwork for a productive year of learning.
Playground Rules: On the first day of school all children participated in a playground orientation. We divided our playground into five areas and teachers described behavioral expectations for the children based on safety and respect for others. For safety reasons, and maximum student participation in all outdoor activities, we ask you send your child to school in sturdy shoes or sneakers. We discourage Flip-flops, crocs, and "dress"shoes on the playground, as they do not provide adequate support or traction for active play, and increase the
likelihood of injury. You are welcomed and encouraged to leave alternative/appropriate footwear in the classroom, should you desire. Please see attached "Playground Rules".
Lunch and Snacks: For students to perform and learn optimally they need adequate sleep (8.5 -10 hours / night), outdoor exercise and play, and nutritious food. Please send a healthy snack daily. Fruits and veggies sticks are great and cheese and nuts provide energy and protein. And we encourage the children to drink lots of water. District guidelines do not permit microwave ovens in the classroom and so we ask that you do not send snacks or lunches that require heating. And, inform us immediately if your child has any food or medical allergies.
Outdoor Health: The parking lot is a busy place especially before and after school. We are encouraging parents who live close by to have the students walk or ride bycicles. (Helmets and permission slips for bike riders required.) You'll see "No Idling" signs as a reminder turn off your car engine while you wait pick up your child.
From Mr. Samuel of CafÈ Services: "For K - 6 students, I have attached a notice that will be sent to the room of teachers who had students order snack milk without payment or having sufficient balances in their accounts to pay for the milk. We will send the milk that day to avoid putting the teacher in a compromising situation and/or embarrassing the student in front of other students but we will not send milk to the room thereafter unless their is payment enclosed or a deposit has been made into the students account. Please note that snack milk is not covered in the school lunch assistance program."
On a personal note, I encourage you all to become fully engaged in your childís education. While this is our calling, we cannot be completely successful without your help. Get involved, stay involved. Your feedback on our school web site is welcome. http://lebanonmles.learningnetworks.com Our door is always open and I am happy
to meet with you should you have any questions, concerns or suggestions.
Sincerely,
Michael Foxall
"The best way to get a sure thing on a fact is to go and examine it for yourself, and not take anybody's say-so." Mark Twain
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