RAY SCHOOL NEWS FOR PARENTS
www.RaySchool.org

May 9, 2008           
A. Bruce Williams, Principal
Sarah Curtis, Assistant Principal

Noon Dismissal next Wednesday May 14
If you plan to pick your child up, please be sure that you are here at 12:00 noon so that staff may get to their workshops on time.  Also, a reminder that, due to the noon dismissal, there will be no Sing-a-long on May 14. 

4th Grade Science NECAP testing: Test Window May 19th to 28th
As part of the state's assessment program, Grade 4 students will participate in a science assessment during the week of May 19th. The assessment consists of 3 sessions in which the students will be asked to complete a series of multiple choice, short answer questions in addition to collaboratively conducting a scientific investigation. This test attempts to assess student understanding of scientific concepts and process skills. To learn more visit the state department website at www.ed.state.nh.us/NECAP and look for Science materials. Thanks for helping your child be test ready by getting enough rest and arriving to school on time. If you have any questions, please call Sarah Curtis, Assistant Principal.

Final Mini and Maxi-recitals
The last mini-recital of the year is quickly approaching!  Auditions will be next week at the following times...please sign up for a time BEFORE showing up:  Monday: before or after school,  Tuesday: before or after school, Wednesday: lunchtime or after school. Thursday: before or after school; lunchtime, Friday: before or after school  The recital is open to students in First to Fourth grade and will be on Friday, May 23rd, at 1:30, in the music room. 

The fifth grade maxi recital will be on Thursday, June 20th, at 1:00. Auditions will be the previous week - more details as we get closer to the time.

A History In The Making
Thanks for the response to the Ray School History project, which will be presented in both CD and hardcopy form for now, with plans of later finding a home on our Web page.  People have remembered several events, concerts, initiatives in the evolution of the Ray School.  This history, if not recorded, will be lost in time: Colonial House, Halloween, Annual Themes, Artists In Residence Programs, (for example, the Peaceable Kingdom and Face Space), Play Spaces, Maple Tree by Colonial House, Sunapee Crafts Fair, bronze sculpture of boy reading, Vegetable Soup Garden, Ray Bunny, Willy Black--1979 national Teacher of the Year, April Fools Day, Recycling, Green up Day, Pumpkin Patch, Nature Trail, Laura Bridgman, “Here In My House”, Fifth Grade Musicals, Festivals--Medieval, Mexican, Japanese, Odyssey Rock, Trojan Horse, Second Grade Circus, Olympics of Mind, Garden of Hope, Brianna’s Garden, Reading Buddies-Learning Buddies, Ray School Band, Field Day, Second Grade Holiday Craft Sale, Family Pod, grand piano, framed picture of astronaut and flag, Ray Cafe....and...any more ideas?  Please email Deborah.Franzoni@Rayschool.org or Michelle.Landry@Rayschool.org.  Thank you!

From Ray Cafe
It is time once again to check your child’s lunch account balance.  He/she should be bringing home reminders if a balance is due.  Take a look through backpacks on a regular basis as we get closer to the end of the school year. Payment can be made by attaching a check, made out to the Hanover School District, to a deposit form that can be found outside the Ray Cafe and dropping it in the drop box provided.

Ray Writers
4th grade Ray Writers will meet on 5/19, from 2:45 to 4:15, in the Library. If you have questions, please feel free to call either Hatsy McGraw or Sherrie Greeley.

2008-2009 FALL OPEN HOUSE
We will hold our school-wide Open House on August 25 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.  This is a change from past years. At the Open House, new and returning students will be able to locate their classrooms and meet their teachers, and see new and old friends.  In order to provide time for staff meetings and classroom preparations, the school building will be closed, except for scheduled appointments, August 25 and 26. 

PJ Collection
Needed -- gently used long-sleeve/long-pant PJs.  Ms. James' and Mrs. Eakin's K-1 Classrooms are collecting gently used long-sleeve/long-pant PJs for Roteang Orphanage in Cambodia.  Sizes 12 months through 9 are needed.  The collection will continue through May 16.  Look for the collection box in the Ray School Lobby.

PTO News
The PTO Transportation Committee will be meeting in the Ray School office conference room at 8a:00 a.m. on Tuesday., May 13, to discuss transportation survey results.  Contact Karen Wahrenberger at kwahrenberger@comcast.net if you have questions.

The PTO Spring Picnic and Dance is on Friday, May 16, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the Ray School gym.  Bring your own picnic and a dessert that is easy to share (please avoid foods with nuts) and then dance to the music of The Flames from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.  Also, please bring a nonperishable food item for the Haven Helper Food Drive.  Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult.  Please contact Michele Sacerdote at 643-6034 or msacerdote@comcast.net with any questions.

Local Activities
Alisa Brisson, one of our Ray School parents, has decided to embark on a PENNIES FOR PEACE fundraiser throughout the Upper Valley.  Collection has begun and will continue through to the end of the school year. As reported on their website “Pennies for Peace educates American children about the world beyond their experience and shows them that they can make a positive impact on a global scale, one penny at a time. Our best hope for a peaceful and prosperous world lies in the education of all the world’s children.  Through cross-cultural understanding and a solution-oriented approach, Pennies for Peace encourages American children, ultimately our future leaders, to be active participants in the creation of global peace.”  Please visit penniesforpeace.org, to access an abundance of information about this project.  Donation jars will be placed in schools and businesses in the area and will be picked up next month and sent to Pennies For Peace.  If you have read  Three Cups of Tea, this is an extension of Greg Mortensen’s work.  For those of you who have not had the chance, this is an excellent read and is well stocked at the Howe Library.  If you are interested in sharing any ideas about this fundraiser, or have questions about the process, please contact Alisa directly at 643-6363.
Open a city child’s eyes to the wonders of a life in our more rural setting.  Become a Host Family for a New York City youngster through the Fresh Air Fund, for 2 weeks from 7/22 to 8/1. Contact Upper Valley Chairpersons, Cathy and Jim Darling at (603) 298-5852.  There is a special need for a host family for a 15-year-old boy who has come to the Upper Valley for several years but whose host family is unable to have him return this year. 

Two groups of local upper valley students are planning to film a public service announcement for TV to promote reusable shopping bags and reduce the environmental problems with disposable plastic and paper shopping bags.  "Kids for a Cooler Planet" and "Change the World Kids" are teaming up with a professional director to produce a TV commercial that would feature hundreds of kids carrying reusable bags and reminding adults to "bring their own bag!"  The large group shot is scheduled to be filmed on Saturday, May 17 Check in 9:30 , filming from  10 AM to 12 PM at the Dartmouth Rugby field on Reservoir Rd, across from the Ray Elementary School,  in Hanover NH. Parking is at the elementary school.  Any child is welcome to be a part of this exciting event.  Any questions email:  marjorie@kidsforacoolerplanet.com.  Bring your smile and a signed parent/guardian permission form-available on the website.  Wear a t-shirt and shorts/pants no clothing with writing.  Note:  Rain date is Sunday May 18 from 1-3 PM; check in 12:30 PM.  For more information see www.kidsforacoolerplanet.com website.

"Basketball Spring Clinics"  Hanover Girls Basketball, defending class I State Champions, will hold basketball skills clinics from May 16th to June 19th every Thursday afternoon at the Ray School.
3:15 to 4:30 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders.
4:15 to 5:45 5th, 6th, 7th graders.
Cost: $30  Make checks payable to:  Basketball Spring Clinics
For further information contact: Daniel.J.O'Rourke@hitchcock.org or Gema.M.Pushee@dartmouth.edu

Hanover Conservation Council Offerings - Call 643-3433 for more information 
May 10 -- Saturday Bird Watching from  6:30 to 9:00 a.m.  Meet at Hopkins Center in Hanover (2 West Wheelock Street) and drive to different locations.  Bring binoculars.  

May 10 --Kite Flying at Balch Hill from  2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Meet at the Summit of Balch Hill. Please bring your own kite. Parking is available by trail heads near the end of Hemlock Road or at intersection of East Wheelock Street and Trescott Road.  

May 11 -- Sunday Mother's Day Woodland Walk with volunteer leader Alice Schori from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Look for spring flowers, plants, wildflowers and ferns.  Great for families.  Meet at the Brook Road entrance to the Mink Brook Nature Preserve in Hanover.  .

Spring is All Aflutter at the Montshire Museum!  On Friday, May 9th, at 6:00 p.m., join us for a great evening of light dining, live and silent auction bidding, and lots of fun.  Proceeds benefit Montshire's education programs.  Register and learn more online at www.montshire.org/auction or call 802.649.2200.

Applications are now being accepted for the Bob Whalen Baseball School.  The school, which is located at Dartmouth College Leverone Field House, offers 3 sessions this summer.  For further details see the poster in the Ray School lobby and/or call 646-2477.
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