Kittredge Elementary School

This week the articles discuss recognizing bullying behavior and actions you can take to prevent it. Remember; please contact the school if you think your child is a victim of bullying.

Sincerely,
Nancy Jukins

Typical bullying behavior includes:

• Frequently HITS, KICKS, PUSHES, OR CHOKES other kids.
• Has been observed name-calling, threatening, taunting, malicious teasing, spreading rumors, or otherwise VERBALLY ATTACKING OTHER KIDS.
• Intentionally EXCLUDES OTHER KIDS or manipulates friendships.
• Makes faces or obscene gestures.
• Hitting, kicking, pushing, shoving, or making someone do something they don't want to.

What can parents of the bully do?

• MAKE IT CLEAR to your child that you take bullying seriously and do not tolerate such behavior in the future.
• DEVELOP A CONSISTENT FAMILY RULES SYSTEM. When they follow the rules use praise and reinforcement. When they break the rules then use consistent, non-hostile, negative consequences.
• SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR YOUR CHILD. If your child observes aggressive behavior by you, they are more likely to act aggressively toward other kids.
• Spend more time with your child. MONITOR AND SUPERVISE your child's activities. Know your child's friends, where they spend their free time, and what they do with that free time.
• Help your child DEVELOP LESS AGGRESSIVE AND MORE APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR. When you see improved behavior, recognize and reward your child.
• MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL. Support the school's efforts to modify your child's behavior. Frequent communication with teachers and administrators is important to find out how your child is doing in changing their behavior.
• SEEK HELP from a mental health professional. Take bullying seriously. Children who bully increase their risk for engaging in other forms of antisocial behavior, such as juvenile delinquency, criminality, and substance abuse. Bullying behavior should be taken seriously.

The district will host a parent information night on Tuesday January 16th from 7-8:30pm at the Atkinson School (snow date Tuesday January 23rd 7-8:30 at Atkinson) regarding the 5th grade human growth and development unit that will be taught in fifth grades across the district in late winter/spring by the school nurses. This evening is an opportunity for parents of fifth grade students from all the elementary schools to learn about the curriculum and review the films that we use during this unit. This is a parent only evening to allow for the free discussion of this material. For more information, contact your school nurse.

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

The results of the EQA Audit (Educational Quality Assurance) will be presented at 6:00pm followed by a School Committee Meeting at 7:00pm.

Wednesday, January 17th at the Atkinson School Cafeteria, 7:00 PM. Interactive presentation with Ann Brady-Lozier, RN, Andover Pediatrics on "Asthma management at home and at school for parents and children." We hope you and your child can attend. Questions? Contact Mary Hadjian, RN at +1 978 794 3849, Gail Munro, RN at +1 978 557 7908 or Linda Sullivan, RN at +1 978 686 1862.

5th Graders - Save the Date... January 19th. Friday Night Movie Night for the 5th Grade of North Andover. The Kittredge 5th Grade Class invites all 5th Graders to a night at the movies Friday, January 19th from 7-9:45pm at the North Andover Middle School. There will be movie trivia, raffles and prizes. Free popcorn and water with soda and candy for sale. As a community service project we are asking for a donation for the MSPCA. Please bring a collar, toys, leads or old towels and blankets. The event will be chaperoned. Tickets will go on sale Saturday, January 13th from 1-4pm at the Youth Center. Please contact Allison MacMillan for more information +1 978 794 1089, ajmacm@comcast.net.

A large gray steel container is in place at the DPW Drop Off area on Osgood Street. It's right near the plastic and glass depositories. A local company "Got Books" accepts all hardcover, paperback and textbooks. Also, Videos, CD's, DVD's, records, LP's, sports trading cards, computer software and games and comic books. The usable and current media will be first offered to schools and libraries. The remaining items are offered for sale for Charity Book Sales that will benefit local non-profits. This is a great alternative to holding on to these items that you will never use again. Plus, it keeps these items out of the waste stream. Please make use of the "Got Books?" drop off box.

Mother Son Jammin Fun, hosted by the Atkinson PTO, will be held March 30th and 31st, 2007 at the High School.

I am looking for photos from the following events for the Memory Book: 1ST Grade Thanksgiving Show, 3RD Grade Plimoth Plantation Trip and any pictures taken of the Kindergarteners. Plus any other pictures regarding a Kittredge event especially chest club, dream imagination and building structures. PLEASE, PLEASE Submit them to Karen Keough via email at mackeough@netzero.com or via backpack Mackenzie Keough 3A. Please have all submissions in by January 19th. THANK YOU

There are still a limited number of tickets left. If you would like to purchase a ticket please contact Dawn Crescitelli at +1 978 688 0724 or Naomi Epps at +1 978 258 2965.

It's that time again to order your 2006-2007 Memory Book - Order forms will be coming home soon via backpack. This year's book is shaping up to be the best ever!

The North Andover Youth Center is interested in starting a girls Black Knights league for High School girls for the months of January and February. Any girl interested should contact Ted Schruender at the center at +1 978 682 9000. The cost of the league will be free for Youth Center members and $75 for non-members. Visit www.nayouth.com for information about North Andover Youth Services and our activities.

The NABCLL will be conducting walk-in registrations at the Atkinson Cafeteria from 6:30PM - 8:30PM on both Wednesday, January 24th, 2007 and Thursday, February 1st, 2007. This registration is for all children between little league ages 5 and 16 (birth dates between 5/1/1990 and 4/30/2002). Please bring a proof of residency (tax bill or utility bill) and birth certificate (new players only). Registration is also available on-line (for returning players only) at: www.eteamz.active.com/NorthAndover.

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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