RAY SCHOOL NEWS FOR PARENTS
www.RaySchool.org

September 21, 2007

A. Bruce Williams, Principal
Sarah Curtis, Assistant Principal

From the Health Office
Food allergies have been a growing concern in our schools. The cause of this nationwide increase is under study but not at all understood. Currently, there are no medications that cure food allergies. Strict avoidance is the only way to prevent a reaction. Please check with the classroom teacher, or me, before sending food items in to be shared with the class. This is especially important if there is a food allergy concern in your child’s classroom.

Health Screening will begin on Monday, September 24. We will be screening all students in grades 1 - 5 for vision, hearing, height, weight, and blood pressure. We are busy filling the last slots for volunteer help but would still welcome your call if you might have time to help out.

School Picture Day
School Picture Day has been scheduled for Thursday, September 27. Prepay picture envelopes were sent home. If you did not receive one, please contact the school office.

NECAP Testing: As part of federal legislation under No Child Left Behind which aims to ensure adequate yearly progress for each child, we are required to administer the state assessment program. Sometime during the testing window of Oct. 1-23, children in grades 3 through 5 will take assessments in reading and math, additionally grade 5 students will be tested in writing.

The New England Common Assessment Program is one of the important tools available to parents and educators to determine how well our schools are helping students meet standards and grade level expectations. In every assessment, scores are only as meaningful as the effort students put into the tests. Encourage your child to take the tests seriously and to give his or her best effort. You can best help your child prepare for the assessment by making sure that she or he is rested on the days the tests will be given. And, as with every day, it is critical that students have a good breakfast before heading off to school. Thank you for supporting your child and our school during the testing period. More information on these assessments, including practice items can be found at www.ed.state.nh.us/assessment

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Sarah and Bruce

PTO News
The PTO Fall Family Picnic and Dance is on Friday, September 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ray School. The Universal Playground III ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 5:30. Bring your own picnic and nut-free dessert to share, and then take the party inside to dance to the music of The Flames, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., in the Ray School Gym. Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact Ann Malenka at 643-0134 or ann.malenka@dartmouth.edu with any questions.

Local Activities
Whaleback Mountain Ski/Snowboard Teams - Whaleback Mountain and the Upper Valley Ski & Snowboard Association (UVSSA) have begun sign ups for Whaleback’s alpine and freestyle, ski and snowboard teams. Sign ups will continue through the fall. For more information contact Whaleback team director Evan Dybvig at evan@whaleback.com, or call 603-448-1489 ext. 202, or visit www.whaleback.com. In addition, season passes are on sale at a 20% discount until this Sunday, September 23.

Ford Sayre: Registration for all Ford Sayre programs will be at the Montshire Museum on Sunday, October 21 and Wednesday, October 24. A brochure with more detail on the programs will be out shortly. The alpine racing program has an equipment night on Thursday, October 4, at 6:30 p.m., at Omer and Bob’s. Coaches and various vendor representatives will be there to help in equipment choices.

Razziatazz® French Morning Class Registration and Information forms will be in the plastic information holders in the Ray School Foyer. Please email the Rassias Foundation at rassias.foundation@dartmouth.edu for more news on the program!

Will your child be 3 by December 31, 2007? Hampshire Cooperative Nursery School has openings in its 2-day class. Class meets Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:30 to 11:30 am. For more information, call Bruch Lehmann at 643-4757. Limited openings available in our 4-day class (child must be eligible for kindergarten in their own school district for the '08-'09 school year).

Upcoming programs and events at the Upper Valley Events Center include: Music Together (for ages birth to K), Beginning and Intermediate Level Fiddle Classes, Kumon Math & Reading, SAT Preparation Classes, Math & Science Enrichment Group (for motivated 5th, 6th and 7th graders), Rock School Music Ensemble Classes (for individuals and existing bands in a purpose-built performance hall and sound studio), Kids Spanish (for ages 3-4, 5-6, and 6-7.) For more information contact the center at bruce@uvevents.org or (802) 649-2772.

2007-2008 HopStop Family Series - HopStops are FREE, entertaining, hands-on programs designed to introduce young audiences to the wonders of the performing arts. These hour-long performances highlight music, theater, and dance in ways that are interactive, engaging, and exciting for young children and their families. At each HopStop you can chat with the performers, meet other Upper Valley families, and enjoy a family-friendly show in a relaxing environment. HopStops are offered one Saturday each month throughout the school year in Alumni Hall, at 11:00 a.m. On Saturday, September 29, Tamasha la (Celebrate!) African Dance will be the presentation. For more information on this and other events go to http://www.hop.dartmouth.edu/outreach.

Back to Pink Sheets Main Page