Kittredge Elementary School

Dear Kittredge families,

Last year I wrote this letter in the Newslink, and was asked to put it in the Newslink again this year. I hope it is helpful. I am frequently asked by parents and staff, why we are no longer allowed to celebrate the holidays in public school. There are guidelines, of course, established by the Department of Education, and even an eight-page brochure of the guidelines published by the Anti-Defamation League. But, perhaps this reflection will help you all understand a little better. As a very little girl, I remember riding through the Merrimack Valley with my family at least once a season to see the Christmas lights. I have one memory of being very little, not yet old enough to read. While driving into Methuen Square, I would read aloud to my family the Seasons Greetings sign that hung across the road in the middle of the square. It seems that even 50 years ago we were using inclusive language. In 4th grade, I was chosen to hold the "Seven Swans Are Swimming" ornament during our school pageant. I don't remember learning about other December holidays. I was unaware that other holidays were being celebrated.

In high school, because we were seated alphabetically, one of my Jewish friends always sat in front of me. Each year about this time of year, she would tell me about Hanukkah. She told me how she asked her parents why they didn't have a Christmas tree, and thought they could call it a Hanukkah bush. Even though I was old enough to understand our differences, I really could not wrap my brain around the idea of not having a Christmas tree. We did not learn about diversity in school back then. I wonder today how she must have felt as a glee club member, singing only Christmas songs.

As a young teacher, I remember the Christmas plays we produced each year in December. One year one of my little Jewish second graders was Santa Claus! As the years went by, we began to teach about Hanukkah, and then Kwanzaa. But the emphasis was always on Christmas, and although we tried to be inclusive, it seems that the menorahs and dreidels we hung on our bulletin boards were only tokens of our attempt to be inclusive. I wonder how the non-Christian children felt when we placed presents wrapped in Christmas paper under a classroom Christmas tree, to be exchanged on the last day before the holiday break.

Today it is very different. We are faced with difficult questions about how to appropriately acknowledge the December holidays, while complying with legal standards and respecting different points of view. And of course, we want to share the spirit of the season with our students simply because it is as the song says, "the most wonderful time of the year". Hopefully our students will not only learn a bit about the December holidays, but also about the importance of respecting and celebrating both our diversity and our commonalities.

In the spirit of the season, I'd like to wish those of you who celebrate Christmas, a Merry Christmas, those who celebrate Hanukkah a Happy Hanukkah, and those who celebrate Kwanzaa, a Happy Kwanzaa. Finally, I wish you all a new year filled with health, happiness and peace.

Sincerely,
Nancy Jukins

Visit our Kittredge website at http://www.kittredge.northandoverpublicschools.com/.

Noon Attendants Still Needed - We are still in need of Noon Attendants at the Kittredge School. Noon attendants are responsible for supervising the students in the cafeteria and at recess. They work between 2 and 3 hours a day, between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The noon attendants who work 3 hours may also do some clerical work for their teachers or tutor one or two students. If you cannot work every day but are willing to work one or two days a week, we may be able to team you up with another person willing to share the week. Please contact the office if you are interested. Thank you!

We need a home for the Primo Pasta supplies, if anyone is even considering the chair, I have consolidated it to 3 large Tupperware boxes, but they need a home, so they will not become displaced over the summer. If anyone is willing, and has space, I can deliver them. Thanks, Meg Gross, +1 978 557 5423 or calmac@comcast.net.

A huge thank you to all who participated in the North Andover Youth Service's gift giving program. We transported about 15 very full boxes to the Youth Center. Fourteen North Andover children will have a little brighter holiday because of your generosity.

Thank you for all that you do to make this program the success that it is. It is a pleasure working with you each year.

Ticket sales will be held at the North Andover Middle School, January 6th and 13th from 9:00am til 12 noon. Cash or check accepted. $25.00 per couple.

Dances will be held at the Middle School!
Winter Jubilee (4th and 5th Grade Girls) January 28th
Sweetheart Dance (2nd and 3rd Grade Girls) February 10

January 19th is Friday Night Movie Night for the 5th Grade of North Andover. Come see a movie with all your 5th grade friends. Enjoy movie trivia, prizes, raffles and of course refreshments! Bring an item to donate to the Nevins Farm MSPCA. Tickets go on sale in January. The Event will be held at the Middle School.

Do you like to see outstanding performances that support your child's curriculum? The NASEC is looking for new members. Meetings are the first Thursday of every month at the Youth center Conference room at 9:00 am. Volunteers are needed to suggest performers and help monitor shows at Kittredge. Come join this great group of parents to make the arts come alive for our students! For more information, please contact Kristen Hollenbeck at +1 978 681 1894 or vinter145@aol.com.

The North Andover Foundation for Education is pleased to announce supporting efforts of local community businesses. Smolak Farms is offering a $5 donation to the Foundation for every tag and cut tree purchased this holiday season. In addition, we are launching a partnership with Georgetown Savings Bank called the PEACH program (partnership for educational assistance and community help). For every new checking account opened at the bank that mentions the PEACH program, they will make a $100 donation to the foundation. For more information, contact Rosalie Schniederjans at Georgetown Savings Bank. For information on the Foundation please visit our website at www.northandoverfoundation.org.

It's not too late to avoid those parking lots and hop online to do that holiday shopping. While doing that you can support the North Andover Youth Center at no cost to you. Visit www.northandoverkids.com and click on any of the over 140 online stores including Amazon.com, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Toys 'R Us and many more. Many stores allow you to purchase on line and pick up locally to save shipping costs and time. Any purchases result in commissions that are 100% donated to the Youth Center. The experience is the same as going to the web sites directly yourself. This site is owned and operated by a Thomson parent (don.romano@northandover.org) and you may contact the North Andover Youth Center (www.nayouth.com) or Don if you have any questions. Forward this link to your friends and family to help!

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 Monday at noon.

There's a new way to help our school! As of this fall, Kittredge is signed up with the Campbell's "Labels for Education" program. What we do is save labels or UPCs (those black and white bar codes) from participating products such as Campbell's soup, Prego spaghetti sauce, Franco American pasta and many more. We send them in and get credit for school related items such as sports equipment, books, software, classroom accessories etc.

The official website is www.labelsforeducation.com, there you will find details about which products participate, which labels or UPCs to save and much more. Watch your kids' backpacks for a flyer that will detail all eligible products. Any questions? Call Ingrid Marstaller at +1 978 682 8552, or e-mail Marstaller@rcn.com.

The Parent Information meeting on the topic of Human Growth and Development for parents of 5th grade students is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16th, 2007 from 7:00 to 8:30 at the Atkinson School. (Snow date is January 23rd).

The hockey league currently has 2 programs open for registration to all boys and girls. Learn to Skate designed for first time skaters and teaches skating fundamentals. Learn to Play Hockey is designed to teach basic hockey skills and further develop existing skating skills. Both programs run through mid March at Brooks School Skating rink. For more info, try our website at www.knighthockey.org or Lou Capobianco at lkcap@aol.com.

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 Monday at noon.

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