RAY SCHOOL NEWS FOR PARENTS
www.RaySchool.org

March 14, 2008           
A. Bruce Williams, Principal
Sarah Curtis, Assistant Principal

Ray Writers
Ray Writers meets from 2:45 to 4:15, in the Library.
5th grade Ray Writers will meet on 3/24.
4th grade Ray Writers will meet on 4/7, 4/21, 5/ 5 and 5/19.
(There may be a few spaces available for students who have not yet signed up).  Students in grade 3 who are already signed up for Ray Writers will have an opportunity to meet again in the fall. If you have questions, please feel free to call either Hatsy McGraw or Sherrie Greeley.

Bonjour
Bonjour from 5th grade French class!  The French fashion show this week was a huge success!  If you would like a photo of your son or daughter from the show, please email me and I will email the photo to you!  My email is Kristin.Olmstead@valley.net  Merci bien! 

Cold vs Flu
We have seen many absences over the last couple of weeks.  Children are presenting with fever, headache, and some complaints of sore throat and stomach ache.  So, is it a cold or the flu?  Here are some guidelines to consider in distinguishing between a cold and the flu. 

You can expect 2 to 4 colds in any given year.  Washing your hands with soap remains the most effective way to avoid getting a cold or the flu.  Here's a guide to try to answer the question  "Is it a cold or the flu?":

Symptoms                    Cold                            Flu
Fever                            Rare                            Typical, 102-104 degrees F   3-4 days or more
Headache                     Rare                            Prominent
Cough                          Dry or Productive       Dry, can become severe
Fatigue, weakness       Very mild                    Can last up to 2-3 weeks
Extreme exhaustion     Almost never               Early and prominent
Aches, pains                Slight                           Usual and often severe
Stuffy nose                  Common                      Sometimes
Sneezing                     Usual                            Sometimes
Sore throat                  Common                       Sometimes
Chest discomfort         Mild                              Common

The CDC recently posted the following new recommendations for children and the flu vaccine.  This will be important to keep in mind for next year.  A panel of immunization experts voted to expand the recommended ages for annual influenza vaccination of children to include all children from 6 months through 18 years of age. The previous recommendation was for vaccination of children from 6 months to 59 months of age. The expanded recommendation is to take effect as soon as feasible, but no later than the 2009 ­ 2010 influenza season.

Ray School Parents Invited
Rob Williams, a media educator, will speak at the Marion Cross School multipurpose room on Tuesday, March 25th, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. about children and media issues.  Rob teaches media studies at Champlain College and is the father of two elementary school children. All parents are faced with increasingly complex media issues. As parents we seek to understand and help our children navigate the media maze safely and thoughtfully as they grow and develop. It would be wonderful to have you, our Ray School neighbors, join us for this event.

Calendar Changes
Due to the number of snow days that have been used thus far this school year, the Superintendent of Schools has announced the following calendar changes.  School will be in session on March 17 and May 2.  (Those days had been set aside as Teacher Inservice Days.)  Please make these changes to your calendar.  This means that, barring any further snow/emergency days, the last day of school will be Thursday, June 19.

PTO News
Attention Teachers, Staff, Parents and Community Members:  The Ray School PTO Gift Committee is opening gift proposals to be considered for funding by the PTO.  Proposal forms are in the PTO mailbox.  Proposal deadline will be Friday, March 28th at 3 pm.  Proposals may be submitted in hardcopy to the PTO mailbox or emailed to kseltzer@aol.com.  The PTO will confirm receipt of proposal. The PTO will convene on Monday, March 31st to review proposals and will then present proposals to the School Board at their April meeting.  Funding will be awarded at the end of April. We thank you for your patience in awaiting the renewal of this program and encourage you to apply. Ray School PTO Gift Committee, Karen Seltzer, chair.

Fourth graders are off and running on their March month of food collection for Haven Helpers.  The Haven has made a special request for contributions this month of:  Peanut Butter and Jelly, Baked Beans, and baking mixes.  Thank you to all the parents helping to remind their kids and vice versa!   

Local Activities
Hanover Conservation Council invites you and your family to a Free Volunteer Recruitment Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, March 29, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., at Richard W. Black Recreation and Community Center. Come and learn about volunteer opportunities with the Council.  A few of our dedicated volunteers will be recounting their favorite experiences volunteering with the Council.  RSVP for the event by calling Sarah Peña, Volunteer Coordinator, at 643-3475 or e-mailing spena@sover.net <mailto:spena@sover.net>

Hanover Recreation Department will hold the 30th Annual Egg-Stravaganza Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 22, at RW Black Center, 48 Lebanon Street.  The event will begin at 11:00 a.m.  All children, pre-school through third grade, are invited to attend.   Bring a decorated basket to collect eggs and redeem them for prizes at the end of the hunt.  For more information call 643-5315.

Upper Valley Music Center Summer Camps include: Music Discovery Camp - a half day program for children entering Kindergarten,  Music Explorers Camp- for children in First to Third Grades, and Music Makers Camp for students in grades four to six - campers explore and study the strings, wood winds, brass, percussion and musical theater AND for students in grades seven to twelve - the chamber option lets students be challenged in professionally coached, level-appropriate ensembles, a symphonic orchestra, music history and more.  More information on all of UVMC's summer programming is available at www.uvmusic.org, or by calling 448-1642.

Help the Howe Library win $25,000!  The Finley Foundation is challenging New Hampshire Public Libraries to increase their membership.  The library with the greatest percentage of growth will be awarded $25,000.  Do you have your Howe Library Card?

Reminders from Hanover Recreation: * All spring athletic registrations must be in by March 14th to avoid the $20 late fee.  * Make your own stuffed animal.  Stuff-n-Fluff a cuddly bear, make a rainbow wish, name it, and take it home to love it forever! For children ages five to twelve on Monday, March 17th, from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m., at the Rec center.  Fees:  $10 Hanover Residents/$15 Non-Residents plus $6 material fee paid directly to instructor, Sara Gellerstedt, Noah's Ark Animal Workshop.

Lebanon Ballet School will present Cinderella's Party for Children on Sunday, March 16, from 3:30-5:30 p.m.  Please come dressed for Cinderella's special party designed just for you!  Activities will include making invitations for the ball, getting ready for Cinderella and her friends' (YOU) big night, raffle with great prizes, dancing, and yummy goodies. Come and meet the special City Center Ballet dancers who will be starring in "Cinderella" in April! Tickets are limited, so get yours now at the Lebanon Ballet School by calling 448-5404. Adults tickets are $10.00 and children's tickets are $ 5.00  All proceeds to benefit City Center Ballet  Suggested age for this event is three to twelve.  All children eight and under must be accompanied by an adult.

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