Kittredge Elementary School

Children go outside for recess unless it is snowy, rainy, or below 20 degress. Please make sure your child has appropriate outerwear for winter weather. Mittens, hats and boots should be labeled. A clothespin is a helpful way to keep them from being lost. Children are not allowed to play in the snow without snow pants and waterproof boots. It is advisable to keep an extra pair of shoes, mittens or gloves, and a hat in school.

At this time, we are not closing the drinking fountains, however, students are strongly encouraged to bring their own water bottles to school.

Over the past two weeks, we have seen an increase in illnesses and absences in the school system. At Kittredge, we have had students with the vomiting/gastrointestinal virus, strep throat, prolonged coughs, and colds. Important reminder: Children must be fever free without medication and symptom free (vomiting, diarrhea)for 24 hours before returning to school. If your child is diagnosed with strep throat, 24 hours of medication is required before returning to school. Children must be fever free without medication and symptom free (vomiting, diarrhea) for 24 hours before returning to school. If your child is diagnosed with strep throat, 24 hours of medication is required before returning to school. These are system- wide guidelines sent home with all students in the beginning of the year. If your child vomits at night, please do not send the child to school the following day. Parents need to make the decision even though your child may "feel better." It is also important to identify another individual who may assume responsibility for your child should he or she become ill or injured during the school day and we are unable to reach you.

This is a good time to remind your children about the importance of hand-washing, which is the single most effective way to prevent infection. It is important to review hand-washing technique with your children as well as the appropriate times to wash hands. Hands should be wet before applying soap and the hands should be rubbed together to create friction and lather to remove germs prior to rinsing and drying thoroughly. Please reinforce with your children that hands need to be washed before eating, after using the bathroom, and after coughing, sneezing or using a tissue. Children are now taught to cough into their sleeve to reduce germs on the surface of the hands. Though this information seems basic, children need review and reminders.

The importance of general hygiene principles including cleaning desk surfaces was reviewed with staff. Thank you to all the families who have sent in hand sanitizer products for the classroom or an individual supply for their child. Hopefully, we will all work together to promote a healthy school environment. Thank you for your assistance with this important health issue. Please feel free to call me with any questions or comments.

Mary Hadjian, R.N.
+1 978 794 3949

Collection boxes are located in the lobby for the family-size Hand Lotion (K and 1st), Shampoo (2nd and 3rd), and Conditioner (4th and 5th). This project is running until Wednesday, Valentine's Day and benefits the guests of The People's Pantry. Thank you. Any questions, call Beth Carlson at +1 978 557 5633.

President, VP and Treasurer positions open. Please contact Christine Karelas or Lisa Riedel if interested.

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

Please note the deadline for ordering this year's Memory Book and to place a recognition ad is February 9th. Get your orders in now. You will not be able to buy a book at the end of the year.

We are looking for pictures for the Kindergarten and 1st grade classes as well as any pictures taken at the Winter Jubilee Dance this weekend. If you have any pictures please forward them to Karen Keough at mackeough@netzero.com. Thank you.

Abraham Lincoln will visit 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders on February 13th as part of a North Andover Schools Enrichment Council performance. Historical Perspectives for Children, which presented Amelia Earhart last year, will bring Abraham Lincoln to life through the performance of a character actor. Lincoln's life from childhood through adulthood will be depicted using costume changes, slides and sound effects. Though Lincoln's entire schooling amounted to little more than a year, he became a very successful, self-taught lawyer, developing a reputation for being fair and honest in all his dealings. These qualities led, in part, to his entry into politics and eventual rise to the presidency during one of the most tumultuous periods of our nation's history.

The Atkinson PTO will host grades K-2 on Friday, March 30th and grades 3-5 on Saturday, March 31st. Both dances will be held at the North Andover High School.

The Yearbook Committee is looking for a parent to attend the 2/10/07 Sweetheart Dance (2nd and 3rd graders). We are looking for a group pictures and some candids of the girls with their dads and friends. All arrangements will be made to allow you access to the dance for 20 to 30 minutes. If you are interested please contact Karen Keough at Mackeough@netzero.com. Thank you.

• Snip it's Hair salon
  Snip it's Hair salon is offering a special discount for hairstyles for the dance. Up-do's will be $11.95. Mention the Thomson dance for special discount!
• Fantastic Sams Family Hair Care Salon
  Fantastic Sams would like to offer specials for the upcoming dance. Mention the Thomson dance for special discounts for the whole family.

The High School Cafeteria is currently looking for help. Great Mother's hours, 9:15 - 12:15. Pay rate is $10.93 + per hour. Positions available immediately. Contact Erika F. Murphy +1 978 794 1895 x2.

North Andover vs. Andover: Hello all you Earth Friendly folks!! Have you heard??? Andover has challenged us? It is a friendly competition, they say, and then they come out strong!!!

What: Energy Star's Change a Light Campaign is aimed at educating us about the energy to be saved by compact fluorescent light bulbs. You are asked to take a pledge that you will change at least one light bulb to a CFL (compact fluorescent light).

When: NOW!! Andover has 136 pledges to our 29 pledges. The competition ends at our May Town Meeting.

Why: Less energy consumption means lower electric bills and less greenhouse gas emissions.

How: To pledge and learn more, go to http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=cal.showPledge. The challenge is to sign up as many people as possible. Remember to choose "Town of North Andover, MA" from the Organization list. Or go to www.energystar.gov, look for the image regarding 'taking the pledge' and click on it.

While thinking of what to get your special loved ones you can support the North Andover Youth Center. 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. 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.

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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