RAY SCHOOL
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 the mornings of May 19th, 20th and
22nd. 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. I would like to thank you
in advance for helping your child be test ready by getting enough rest
and arriving to school on time. Some of the sessions begin immediately
at 8:20 a.m. If you have any questions, please call Sarah Curtis,
Assistant Principal.
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.
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.
From the Nurses Office
Yes, it’s tick season. Do we have ticks? You bet we
do. In fact, I have been removing at least one a day over the
last week or more.
The deer tick is the vector
of Lyme disease. Fortunately, the American dog tick is the most
frequently encountered tick in New Hampshire. Most can be found
within 35 miles of the coast. In western counties of New
Hampshire they are found near the Connecticut River. Ticks often
occur in high numbers right next to roads, paths and game trails and
are most active from May through July in New Hampshire.
Tick bites are painless and go unnoticed so it is important to check
yourself and your children after playing or working outside especially
after having been in areas with tall grass or in bushy or wooded
areas.
To remove a tick it is recommended to use tweezers to grasp the tick,
rather than using bare fingers. Firmly grasp the tick as close to
it’s head as possible, and pull gently, using slow, steady
pressure. DO NOT yank it or pull it sideways, since this could
cause it’s head to be broken off inside the wound. Check to be
sure the head comes out. Clean the area well after removal.
It may be wise to apply an antiseptic to the wound.
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 19th, at 1:00. Auditions will be the previous week -
more details as we get closer to the time.
From the School Volunteer Office
Please help Ray School win a state award for schools with outstanding
volunteer commitment.
You can help by estimating the number of hours you have volunteered and
will volunteer on behalf of the school this year. No amount of
time is too short; no volunteer activity is too small.
You can write your hours in the volunteer notebook (thanks to those who
already do this), send email to Debby.Cromwell@Dresden.us, or call the
volunteer office at 643-3431 x 2124.
Many thanks to all of you who have helped in so many ways this
year. Your time and efforts are very much appreciated and really
do make a difference to Ray School students and programs. Debby
Cromwell, School Volunteer Coordinator
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.
PTO
The PTO Spring Picnic and Dance is TONIGHT, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in
the Ray School gym. Bring your own picnic and a nut free dessert
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 program.
Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult. If
you have any questions, please contact Michele Sacerdote at 643-6034 or
msacerdote@comcast.net.
The PTO Transportation Committee
will be presenting their survey results at the May 21st Hanover School
Board meeting. The meeting will be held in the multi at 7:30
p.m. Ideas for decreasing car traffic and improving bus service
will also be shared.
LOCAL ACTIVITIES
Upper Valley Music Center Summer Camps include: Music Discovery Camp -
a half day program for children entering Kindergarten, Music
Explorers Camp- directed by the Ray School's Becky Luce 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. New this year is a voice
option for students with four + years of chorus or voice
training. More information on all of UVMC's summer programming is
available at www.uvmusic.org, or by calling 448-1642.
PENNIES FOR PEACE fundraiser
- Collection has begun and will continue through to the end of
the school year. A donation jar has been placed in the Ray School
lobby 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. Pennies for Peace encourages American children, ultimately
our future leaders, to be active participants in the creation of global
peace.” If you are interested in sharing any ideas about this
fundraiser, or have questions about the process, please contact Alisa
Brisson directly at 643-6363. Collection jars will also be placed
a the door to the PTO Spring Dance.
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 17 & 24 -- Saturday Bird Watching with Hanover
Conservation Council from 6:30-9:00 a.m. Meet at Hopkins Center in
Hanover and drive to different locations. Bring binoculars.