November 2016

With Appreciation:
Many thanks to Mr. Lemaire, Mrs. Swain and Ms. Howard for all they put into preparing for our 5th grade students for a spectacular production of Monster Madness!  The cast was incredible and the students in the audience seemed to have as much fun watching as their classmates performing on the stage. Bravo!

Turkey Trot:  Wednesday November 23rd
One of our most beloved school traditions is only a few weeks away!  We are thrilled to be hosting our 27th Annual Turkey Trot on Wednesday November 23rd from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.  The Turkey Trot is a non-competitive fun run, which begins with a pep rally in the gym and ends with students chasing “Tom the Turkey” through the Thoreau School Neighborhood.

While the pep rally is reserved for students and staff members, parents are invited to show their support for the students outside along the route.  Because this event ends so close to our dismissal time on the 23rd (12:30 PM), in the past, many parents have opted to dismiss their students between 12:00 and 12:30.  In an effort to ensure a safe and less chaotic dismissal, this year, all students will be dismissed from their classrooms and not from the field.   If you choose to pick up your student before our scheduled dismissal time, please let the teacher know in advance and go directly to the classroom.

Upcoming Events:
November 11th                  Veteran’s Day:  NO SCHOOL
November 18th                  PTG Meeting, 9:00 AM
November 22nd                  Picture Retakes
November 23rd                  Turkey Trot, 11:00 AM
                  Early Release, 12:30 PM
November 24th and 25th  Thanksgiving Recess:  NO SCHOOL

Forgotten Lunches, Instruments, Homework, Books, Sneakers, Etc.:
In an effort to keep interruptions to learning to a minimum, we seek your support in reducing the number of students who need to leave class to call home to request that items be brought to school.  Please help students learn to be responsible (especially in our upper grades) by reminding them to check to be sure they leave home with any necessary items.  If it is absolutely necessary to drop something off, please leave it in the main office.

Changes to Dismissal Plans:
Please send in a note to your child’s teacher if you need to change his/her dismissal plans for that day. If possible, all play dates should be arranged prior to your child’s arrival at school. If you need to change your child’s dismissal plan unexpectedly, please notify the office by 2:30 PM.  Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

Dismissal/Arrival Parking:
During arrival, please reserve the van accessible spaces for vehicles with handicapped placards. During dismissal, please be sure not to block the crosswalk or fire lanes.  Because the back parking lot is reserved for faculty, parents are encouraged to park along both sides of West Street and on the right side of Pleasant Street or Chase Road.  If it’s not raining or snowing, parents picking up their students should meet them behind the building near the basketball court.  In the case of inclement weather, pick up is in the cafeteria.  Thank you!