Kittredge Elementary School

Dear Families,

We are still trying to streamline the drop off and pick up procedures before and after school. To that end, we have made another change for morning drop off. Please drive to the bottom of the driveway where the sidewalk to the playground begins, between the end of the school and the storage trailer. We tried this last week, and it seems to reduce the congestion on Main Street.

During after school pick up, please remember to stay to the left side of the driveway. This will allow the buses to enter the driveway to the right of the cars. You may continue to form a double line as you enter the playground. Also, please do not block the handicap parking spaces in the pick up line. Thank you for your cooperation!

Last year's 4th grade MCAS scores were sent home in the 5th graders backpacks Monday. Please send home the signed paper indicating that you received the scores. If you did not receive your child's MCAS scores, please call the school office.

North Andover has adopted the Houghton Mifflin Mathematics program in grades K-5. Parents who are interested may borrow a copy of the parent loaner curriculum guide. It provides an overview of the program and the cor-relation to the Massachusetts State Frameworks. There are 2 copies available in the office. Also, you may visit the Houghton Mifflin website at: www.eduplace.com/math/mw. The website provides parent information as well as student homework and support pages. There are also student activities available on the website at each grade level.

Student/Parent Handbooks will be going home some time this week. Please return the signature page indicating that you and your child have reviewed the handbook.

Nancy Jukins Principal

Dr. Harutunian has advised us that the no activities after 6:00pm ban will not be lifted anytime soon. In the spirit of keeping Family Fun alive, we will have Family Fun Sunday, October 2nd from 2-4pm at the Kittredge Playground. Unfortunately, we cannot have the movie, due to the daylight. I know this will present a conflict to some families. Please contact Allison MacMillian, +1 978 794 1089; Teresa McManus, +1 978 682 3235; or Amy Stavros, +1 978 689 3297 if you have send in your money and would like a refund.

I am looking for a volunteer to take pictures throughout the year for the New Kindergarten Class at Kittredge. If you are interested in helping out please contact Karen Keough at Mackeough@netzero.com. Also, if you are interested in donating any pictures you take at Family Fun Day, please forward them to Karen Keough via backpack 2A/5A or place them in the PTO mailbox.

All catalogs and packets will be sent home this Friday with students. Directions are given on how to take orders, collect money, etc. This fundraiser will run for 2 weeks. Any questions please call Lisa Riedel at +1 978 687 1363. Kittredge will make up to 45% of total sales!!

Please join us for the planning meeting of the 5th Grade Activities on Wednesday, September 28th at 8:30 am at Cyndy Donatio's house located at 143 Hickory Hill Road. If you are unable to attend but are interested in volunteering with any events, please call Karen Keogh at +1 978 686 8341 (mackeough@netzero.com) or Cyndy Donatio +1 978 794 8491.

Would you like to be involved in a creative problem-solving program which encourages teamwork and innovative thinking? Come to the organizational meeting for Destination Imagination on Wednesday October 5th at 7:30pm in the Middle School Cafeteria. Students participating in Destination Imagination work together in teams of five to seven to solve one of five challenges. The program is open to students in grades 3 thru 12; parent volunteers are needed to act as coaches and tournament appraisers. The program culminates in a regional tournament in March, with the opportunity to move on to the state and world championships. More information about the program and summaries of this year's challenges are available on the DI website at www.destinationimagination.org. Applications for this year's DI teams will be available at the October 6th meeting. Contact Sarah Friend with any questions at +1 978 687 0238 or at sfriend220@comcast.com.

Languages early, languages for life! Again this year GLOBAL CHILD brings the joys of early foreign language learning to your school: Songs, games, snacks, Motion-filled activities, Home practice CD, Theme classes for continuing students. Watch for registration Forms coming home with your child. Part-time teaching opportunities available, training provided. Classes begin September 28th, 2005. Questions? Call your Regional Coordinator Stacia Tagliaferro at +1 978 447 1862 / staciagc@hotmail.com or your school's Parent Coordinator, Ingrid Marstaller, at +1 978 682 8552 / Imorano@erols.com.

The council is hosting Roots Music Collective's "Roots of American Music" at the Kittredge School on October 5th for an all-school assembly. Three musicians will play music including blues, jazz, country, spirituals and rock. Students will explore the global influences and social forces that have shaped American music. The students will learn how the musicians draw from distinct musical backgrounds to compose and play music together. The program culminates in a group songwriting experiment as the musicians take suggestions from the student audience to create an original work. Many thanks to the Kittredge PTO and the North Andover Enrichment Council for making this program possible!

Welcome back! Please join us on Wednesday, September 28th in the Atkinson Elementary School Cafeteria at 7:00pm for a presentation by Dr. Bonilla, an allergist from Children's Hospital on "Ears, Nose, Throat, Chest: The Connection Between Infections, Allergies, and Asthma." RSVP/Questions? Contact school nurses: Mary Hadjian at +1 978 794 3849, Gail Munro at +1 978 557 7908, or Linda Sullivan at +1 978 686 1862.

The North Andover Parent Advisory Council For Children With Special Needs (NAPAC) is presenting a film called: "Look What You've Done!" Building Confidence and Self Esteem in Children with Special Needs by Dr Robert Brooks. This award winning PBS video is recommended for parents and staff working with children. It provides valuable insight and practical advice for parenting and teaching a child that learns differently. Dr. Brooks is a highly acclaimed national speaker and author on the topic of self -esteem and resilience in children. This film is a great resource for all parents (not just special needs). All are welcome.

Ages Pre-K to 5th grade. Door opens at 1:45pm, costume parade at 2:00 pm. Join the celebration! Theater Show - Activities - Snacks - Prizes - Harry Potter Room - Games! Watch your school newsletters and local cable channels for more details.

"Dunkin" is a very friendly, 3 yr. old black lab/retriever. He has long hair, a red collar with tags and weighs about 100lbs. If you think you've seen him, or have any information that may help us find him, please call Ginny Burns +1 978 686 9541, or contact the Animal Control Officer/North Andover Police. Thank you!

Send in Your Box Tops!

Visit our Kittredge website at http://www.northandover.k12.ma.us/Kittredge/.

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.

The Youth Center will be open to all North Andover 4th and 5th grade students from 1 pm - 4 pm, Saturdays, for a fee of $2. There will be organized activities like basketball, flag football, arts and crafts, dancing and more as well as loads of free time in the Youth Center! The first Saturday at the Youth Center for 4th and 5th Graders is on September 24th. See you there!

The North Andover Schools Enrichment Council (NASEC) has an exciting year of programs planned. The shows will begin with "Roots of American Music" for grades K through 5th. Other performances during the year will include: A Museum of Science program entitled "Electricity and Magnets" for K - 2nd; Amelia Earhart (a character actress) from Historical Perspectives for grades 3rd - 5th; ArtQuest's "Regions of America" for grade 4; Techsploration's "Ways to Keep Things Moving" with hands-on workshops for grade 5; and Fossils and Dinosaurs for K - 2nd grade.

These shows offer your child an exciting opportunity to learn and to experience cultural arts in a variety of formats. In a time when the arts have been severely cut back due to budget woes, these performances are more essential than ever. Working with the school administration, NASEC serves Kindergarten through grade 12 by bringing high-quality enrichment programs into the schools. We are not a political action committee, but a group of volunteers committed to enhancing the education of our children.

Your support is needed. Soon a letter will arrive at your home asking for your contribution. 100% of your donation goes directly toward programs. NASEC receives no financial support from the town or schools, monies come from the PTOs and your direct contribution.

We welcome new volunteers, and are especially in need of additional NASEC representatives at the Franklin School and Middle School. Anyone interested should contact Sandy Gleed, chairperson, at sjgleed@yahoo.com. Thank you for keeping NASEC alive and growing as we celebrate our upcoming 20th anniversary of serving the children of North Andover!

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