Kittredge Elementary School

Dear Families,

Last week a copy of the Kittredge Handbook was sent home with your child. Our hope is that you will keep this handbook for the duration of time that your child is at Kittredge. In the interest of saving paper, we will only send handbooks to new families each year. We will send updates as needed at the beginning of the year and throughout the year. If you lose your copy or would like a second copy for whatever reason, we are happy to give you another one. However we will not be reproducing them each year unless there is a major change in the existing handbook.

Thank you for your continued support of the Kittredge School Community.

Last week North Andover elementary schools welcomed their first Enrichment Council performance for the year, Epic Brass. This five-piece brass band performed many familiar songs for first through fifth graders. The students enjoyed learning about the different sounds and qualities of the French horn, trumpet, tuba, and trombone. One teacher reported, "The children loved it! (After the performance) we talked about instruments that their parents or siblings play and what they would like to learn to play."

During the first week of November, students will hear another musical performance. David Coffin, a musician, performer and educator, will present a Sea Chantey program for first and second graders and a Wind Ensemble program for third and fourth graders. He is a 25-year veteran of the Cambridge-based Revels, teaching and leading audiences in song. The younger children will take a pretend whaling trip with sailing songs while the older children will learn about early wind instruments like the recorder.

Please turn in your reservation forms for Primo Pasta Night by November 9th. This is a major fundraiser helping to offset the cost of 5th grade activities including, yearbook, outings and T-shirts. Your support is greatly appreciated. We look forward to serving you!!! Fifth grade parent volunteers are still needed for this event.

Due to great response we are extending the ordering deadline to Thursday, 11/4. There are order forms and a sample t-shirt hanging in the Kittredge School lobby for anyone interested in seeing the shirt in person. The cost of the shirt is $10 and Kittredge receives $2.00 from every sale. Any questions, call Lynda Roberts at +1 978 683 9874.

The Andover Hockey Association is sponsoring a girls-only entry level hockey program serving the Greater Merrimack valley. Our goal is to teach girls with 0-2 years of experience the fundamentals of ice hockey - skating, stick-handling, passing, and shooting - while emphasizing skill development, cooperation, fair play, fitness, safety and, most importantly, fun. The program is for girls 4 to 10 years old who have 2 or less years of experience - newcomers to skating and ice hockey encouraged and welcome. The games will be played at the Harrison Rink at Phillips Academy. The season will begin on November 13th and end February 28, Saturday and Sundays. Questions, contact Liz Cahn at +1 978 975 1227 or e-mail at lizcahn@comcast.net. Registration forms available in the lobby of Harrison Rink at Phillips Academy or at the Andover Hockey Shop.

Registration is open to all students in Grades 3-8. You can register on Tuesday November 9th, 2004 from 6-8 PM at the NAMS Cafe B. For more info or for questions, please contact Debbi Raffalli at +1 978 687 3174.

The Kittredge School Council is looking for a member of our community would be interested in giving us some feedback about our school issues at our monthly school council meeting. If you are interested in this position or know of any good candidates, please call Kristen Huberdeau at +1 978 686 8196.

A Grade 2 parent representative is needed, your main responsibilities would be to help in November Holiday Food Drive. Please call Kristen Huberdeau at +1 978 686 8196 for more information or to volunteer.

The school lunch program gladly accepts prepayment for school lunches on a weekly or monthly basis. Should you wish to exercise this option, please send your payment in on a Monday with your child. Once we have received your payment, we will issue your child prepaid tickets to be used at lunch instead of money. It would be helpful if you included with your check, your child's name, their grade and which meals you are prepaying for (regular, alternate or enhanced). Please be reminded that the regular and alternate meal is $1.75 and the enhanced is $2.75.

The North Andover Parent Advisory Council for Children with Special Needs (NAPAC) will present Chuck Clark from Occupational Therapy Associates at its monthly meeting on November 4th at 7pm at the High School Library. Please join us for an overview of sensory integration from a theoretical and functional perspective.

The North Andover Recreation Department will hold registrations for the Saturday Morning Basketball Program for boys and girls in Grades 2, 3 and 4 on Wednesday, November 10th, at the Atkinson School Cafteria from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Grades 2 and 3 will be an instructional program and Grade 4 will be a league with an eight game schedule and playoffs. Schedules of times and gyms will be given out at registrations. The cost is $30 for Grades 2 and 3 and $50 for Grade 4. Any questions or anyone interested in coaching, call Bill McCarthy at +1 978 975 3783.

The North Andover Coalition For Teens is sponsoring Human Relations Expert, Jack Agati, who will present an informative and dynamic program entitled: "The Art of Encouragement: Raising Responsible Teens." Tuesday, November 9th at the North Andover High School Cafeteria from 7:00-8:30pm.

Registration for the 2005 spring season has initiated using the popular on-line registration system found on our website www.nasoccer.com. Returning or new members may register for the spring season via this link or may register at the walk-in registration on Wednesday November 3, at the Middle School from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm. After November 6, NASA will only be accepting late registrations (with late fee for returning families) until team rosters are filled. Please do not wait, as NASA has needed to turn away many last minute interested players in the past. Current NASA information may be found on the NASA website or contact registrar@nasoccer.com for questions.

The North Andover Cultural Council has two openings for volunteers. This committee distributes state money through a com-petitive grant process to members of our community involved in artistic or cultural pursuits. The Council helps support school field trips, events for seniors, events at the library, concerts on the common and more. The Council meets 3-5 times per year with the most important meeting in November. For info, call Nancy Egan at +1 978 557 0172 or Joanne Parrill at +1 978 689 4452.

Visit our Kittredge website at http://www.northandover.k12.ma.us/Kittredge/. Plus if you misplace your Newslink, don't worry -- the current and previous week will be available for your reading pleasure.

Please send via email to kathy.eastwood@comcast.net (please put Newslink in the subject line) or call Kathy Eastwood at +1 978 794 3025 by Friday at noon.

We are looking for a motivated individual to help us with our technology lab at the Youth Center. We are hoping someone with a background in computer technology will step forward to chair our committee and help us out. If you are interested or have questions call Susan Scandore at +1 978 683 3042 or email scandore@comcast.net.

You can now recycle ALL plastics curbside in North Andover! On the bottom of every plastic container is a raised triangle with a number inside of it. The town used to collect only plastic with a number 1 or 2. Now, ANY NUMBER is picked up. You cannot recycle styrofoam and plastic bags have to be returned to the grocery store.

The Holiday Gift Drive organizes sponsors to donate gifts for children in need. Sponsors can choose any number of children they wish to provide gifts for, or even a family. To be a part of this event, please call Amy at 978-682-9000, ext. 231 or email at sbs@themellmans.com. To become a sponsor, please respond by November 15th. Thank you for your support.

The Youth Center is again looking for volunteers for the front desk. This includes answering the phones, directing visitors, and general customer service. This is only a two hour commitment and your choice of once or twice a month. If you are interested please contact Denise Dionne at +1 978 685 9082 or Jen Neill at +1 978 687 1990.

Don't miss out, supplies are limited. Last year Kittredge published a school cookbook. The book is a collection of over 200 favorite Kittredge family recipes. Allison Macmillan's Pork Loin w/Apples, Laura Biermann's Linguine w/Tomatoes, Basil & Cream & Angela Jennings' Almond Toffee Butter Crunch are just a few of the wonderful recipes you will find. The cost of the book is $5.00. To order, please contact Lynda Roberts at +1 978 683 9874.

I still need 5th grade parents to help out with the Adopt-a-Family program. Please call Beth Carlson at +1 978 557 5633 if you are interested in helping with this community program.

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