Sylvio J. Gilbert Elementary School 

Monthly Newsletter

 

Mrs. Sue Dionne                                                                                                                                                        February 3, 2010

Principal                                                                                                                                                                     Volume 5

       

Principal’s Pen

Dear Gilbert Family and Friends,

 

I hope you are enjoying the winter season with your children. It is hard to believe that winter break is in a couple of weeks. Even though it is vacation we encourage students to read as much as possible and to continue practicing math facts.

 

Internet Safety

Many students are on the computer daily. Listed are some very important things that they need to keep in mind when they are on the computer at home, school, or at a friend’s house. 

  • First, remember never to give out personal information such as your name, home address, school name, or telephone number in a chat room or on bulletin boards. Also, never send a picture of yourself to someone you chat with on the computer without your parent's permission.
  • Never write to someone who has made you feel uncomfortable or scared.
  • Do not meet someone or have them visit you without the permission of your parents.
  • Tell your parents right away if you read anything on the Internet that makes you feel uncomfortable.
  • Remember that people online may not be who they say they are. Someone who says that "she" is a "12-year-old girl" could really be an older person.
  •  

Students are doing an amazing job collecting “Pennies for Peace”, to help people in Afghanistan and Pakistan build schools and supply items for the children to use. This is being done by Ms. Neilson and several of her G/T students.

Every Friday until the end of the year students will be allowed to wear a hat to school. They are being asked to donate a quarter if they wear a hat. The money collected will be sent to Haiti. The theme is “Quarters for Quake Survivors”.  The idea to help earthquake survivors was initiated by fourth grader Marcus S.

As always please feel free to call, e-mail or stop by the office to discuss any concerns. I hope you have a wonderful February.

Educationally yours,

Mrs. Dionne

 

 

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS to the following students who auditioned and have been accepted to perform at the Maine Music Educator’s District 3 Sixth Grade Honors Festival to be held March 19th at Mt. Ararat Middle School in Topsham:

Representing Gilbert School in the Honors Band will be Elizabeth D., flute and Patrick G., trumpet.

Representing Gilbert School in the Honors Chorus will be Josie P., Kayla M., and Tiffany M.

 

 

 

                      

 

Pre-K and Kindergarten Screenings for 2010 /2011

We are now taking names of Pre-K and Kindergarten students who will be enrolling in school next fall. Please call Gilbert’s School office at 626-2491 if you would like to register a child for either of these programs. To enroll in Pre-K your child should have turned four years old by 10/15/10. To enroll in Kindergarten your child must live in the Gilbert School area and have turned five years old by 10/15/10. Please mention this to friends or family who may not have received this newsletter. Feel free to call if you have any questions concerning screening

 

 

* * * * * * * “FIND THE FISH” CONTEST * * * * * * *

 

Find the FISH hidden somewhere within the text of the newsletter and return the tear-off sheet at the bottom of this page with your child’s name (first & last), homeroom teacher, and the location of the hidden FISH. We will draw two names from each week’s entries. The winner will receive 50 FISH POINTS for their classroom. THESE TEAR-OFF SHEETS MUST BE RETURNED THE DAY AFTER THE NEWSLETTER IS SENT HOME. DRAWINGS WILL BE HELD ON THAT DAY AND THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED DURING AM ANNOUNCMENTS THE FOLLOWING DAY.

 

Student (first & last name)                                                            Homeroom Teacher                                   

 

I found the FISH on (page #)                 in (title of article)                                                                               

 

 

Parent Signature                                                                                                                                            

 

 

Notes from Mrs. Konieczko, School Counselor:

 

I would like to write a few words about anger.  Anger can be a very difficult emotion for children (and some adults) to express in constructive ways. 

It is often hard for children to understand that it’s OK to be angry but not OK to hurt other people with words or actions because they are angry.

Some children begin to tantrum when they are frustrated.  The worst response you can make to a child’s tantrum is to give in.  It teaches the child that a tantrum is an effective tool to get what they want.

Instead, you can let your child know that you will wait until he or she calms down.  You can say something like, “I know you are angry, but I can’t talk with you when you are acting like that.”  This lets your child know that you respect his or her feelings but there are more appropriate ways to be heard.

At Gilbert School, I often present classroom lessons with a goal of teaching children appropriate ways to deal with anger.  One way is the tried and true method of counting to 10 in your head.  Another is to take some deep calming breaths. 

I also teach the children about positive self talk.  When they feel angry, they can remind themselves that giving in to frustration in harmful ways will result in consequences for themselves. 

They can use positive self talk statements like “Stay calm,”  “This feeling will pass,”  “I can handle this,” “I’m OK,” or whatever might work for them.  The important thing is to practice these strategies in advance so when they are faced with a frustrating situation, they are ready to deal with it.

I always stress to children that anger is a normal human emotion we all feel at times.  It is not wrong to get angry.  What is wrong is hurting people’s feelings or bodies when we are angry. 

It’s also important to remember as parents that if you can’t control your own temper, how can you expect your children to control theirs.  If anger is a problem in your household, please talk with your children about ways to improve how your family handles conflict. 

 

 

  

 NOTES FROM NURSE ELLIE

 

The snow maybe going away but head lice wants to stick around.  Please check your child’s head daily.  Encourage your child not to share hats, brushes, or combs.  Any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to call me.

 

Ellie Lutrzykowski RN BSN

Gilbert School Nurse

626-2491 ext.3658

 

 

 

Attendance

Please remember Maine State Law requires that every child attend school each day that school is in session unless unable to because of illness or some legitimate reason. Having children attend school on a daily basis, and on time, is critical to their success in school. We would appreciate a call if your child is ill.

 

 

 

 

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to our January Students of the Month!  They are: Andrew W., Cooper S.,  Ryelynn H., Courtney B., Derek T., Joselyn H., Emma C., Keyanna M., Tierra C., Kaleb D., Adrianna M., Falicia Marie H., Jackson H., Kylie O., Aaron L., Abigail P., Jareth P., Catherine T., Clarissa L., Nicholas T., Jayson J., Gabriella M., Markus S., Marina S., Wesley H., Zachary C., Ryan M., Kayla M., Michael N.,

Alexis L., Elizabeth D., and Zachary W.

 

 

Reminders:

 

Ø       The school bell rings at 8:20 for students to go to class & get settled. Classes begin at 8:30. It is very important that your children be here on time. It is very disruptive for the classroom and the teacher to have students coming in late on a regular basis.

Ø       Parents, please do not send candy for your children’s snack or in their lunchboxes.  We have a no candy policy at school.  We appreciate your cooperation in enforcing this policy.  Thank you.

Ø       Attendance:  If your child is ill or will be late, please call the school at 626-2491 to notify the office.  We appreciate hearing from you first thing in the morning.  You may call and leave a message before the school day starts if it is more convenient for you.  Please include your name, your child’s first and last name, and the date in your message.

 

 

 

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION  

 

Ø       Please remember to notify the school if there is any change in transportation for your children. A note should be sent to the homeroom teacher if there is a change in transportation.  Please include on the note your child’s first and last name and the name of your child’s teacher.  This is the best way to be sure your child gets to the correct location.  Of course, a phone call is always acceptable in an emergency. To avoid confusion it is best to let your child go home the same way every day. Frequent changes make it difficult for bus drivers, school staff, and especially children.

 

 

PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS

 

Any family who goes into Play It Again Sports and mentions Gilbert School receives a 10% discount off any purchase.

 

 

SCHOOL STORE

 

 

 

                                                                 

 

The School Store is open every Monday morning at 8:00.  Come and see what is for sale!

 

 

 

BOTTLE DONATIONS

 

You can now donate your bottles and cans to a good cause – Gilbert School!  We have accounts at Capitol Container Redemption at 150 Mt. Vernon Avenue, and at Neighborhood Redemption Center at 329 West River Road. Just take your returnables to either of these places and tell them they are for Gilbert School PTC.  The money will go to our PTC.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

2/8              Chocolate Bunny Assembly – Sale begins

2/9              PTC Meeting @ 6:30

 2/15 -219    February vacation

2/26            Chocolate Bunny Sale ends

 3/2             Spring Pictures

3/2              Report cards

3/4              Parent-Teacher Conferences

3/9              5th Grade to Portland Symphony

3/17            Early Release         

3/9              PTC Meeting @ 6:30

4/13            PTC Meeting @ 6:30

5/11            PTC Meeting @ 6:30

5/12            6th grade to NASA program in Bangor:  10:00 – 4:00

 

                   

 

 

 

 

BOX TOPS

We are still collecting Box Tops for Education to earn money for Gilbert School. Earn cash for our school every time you clip a Box Top coupon, shop online at the Box Tops Marketplace, or order books through the Box Tops Reading Room.  See attached sheet for our Webkinz Contest! 

 

 

CAMPBELL’S SOUP LABELS

 

Please continue to send in your Campbell’s Soup labels!  The next deadline is February 22.

 

 

 

SHAWS REWARDS

 

Sign up with Shaw’s and earn money for Gilbert School! It is online and it is very easy!  Your Shaws Card must be linked to Gilbert School in order for us to receive the 1% credit for each dollar spent on the designated days at Shaws. In order to link your card to Gilbert School, register at www.shaws.com/neighborhoodrewards (this must be done annually). Any purchases made on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will automatically be credited to Gilbert School. Gilbert’s Neighborhood Rewards ID Number is 49001019211. You will need this number to link your card to Gilbert School.

 

PTC MEETING

 

The next PTC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9, at 6:30 at Gilbert School.  As always, new parents are welcome to join us.  Please put on your calendars the following dates for this year’s meetings: 

 

Tuesday, February 9

Tuesday, March 9

Tuesday, April 13

Tuesday, May 11

 

 

 

GILBERT T-SHIRTS AND SWEATSHIRTS FOR SALE

 

 

Gilbert School T-Shirt/Sweatshirt Order Form

This year’s T-shirt/sweatshirt selections are as follows:

Grey with Navy Logo          Navy with White Logo          Light Pink with Navy Logo

Large Logo on front – Gilbert School & Falcon

Pocket size Logo on front – Falcon Logo & “Soaring to Success”

***PLEASE BE SURE TO CIRLCE YOUR COLOR AND LOGO SELECTIONS***

 

6/8

(Med)

10/12

(Lg)

14/16

(X-lg)

S

M

L

XL

2XL

$2.00 EXTRA

3XL

$2.00 EXTRA

TOTAL

Long sleeve tee

$15.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short sleeve tee

$12.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crewneck sweatshirt

$20.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hooded sweatshirt

$25.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Name                                                         Phone Number                          

Teacher Name                                                

Circle one:             Please send it home with my child.

                                            Please call me to come get it.