Girl-s

The Primary News

Lynne Jermunson, Principal

October 2009   Volume 13  Issue 2

 

Irene Reither Primary School Mission Statement:

It is the mission of the IRPS staff to

promote a community of educational excellence.

 

Website:          www.meridian.wednet.edu/irps

Office Phone:  398-2111          Bus Garage:    398-2707

Calendar of Events:

    11/16-17  Vision and Hearing Screenings

    11/18   School Board Mtg. @ MMS Library – 7PM

    11/19-24  Parent-Teacher Conferences – Early Release – 1:15PM

    11/23   Picture Day for Mrs. Post’s Monday-Thursday kindergarten class

    11/23   Picture Day for Mrs. Graham’s pre-school class

    11/23   Picture Re-take Day

    11/25   Early Release – 1:15PM

    11/25   Mrs. Post  Monday-Thursday class in session 9:00AM-1:15PM

    11/25   Mrs. Post and Mrs. Graham Tuesday-Friday session – NO SCHOOL

    11/26-27  Thanksgiving Break – No School

    12/8     PTA General Meeting – 6:30 @ IRPS

    12/18   IRPS Holiday Program

  

 

ORAL READING CREATES fluent readers

READ 15 MINUTES PER DAY

Student responsibility plan page 10 and 11

COUNSELOR’S CORNER

Dear Meridian Families,

Pros and Cons of Video Games

What are the non-violent video games teaching our children?  It’s not what you may think.  We know and understand that exposing children to repeated violence, real or on a screen, increases the likelihood of disrespectful behavior towards others.  Children are more likely to push, shove, hit, or kick and say mean words.  Some researchers suggest that non-violent video games, i.e., SIMS, sports related or Star War games teach the scientific method and through trial and error, players build a model of the underlying game.  These games adapt itself to each players ability and they in turn work at the peak of their own learning curve.  Completing the activity requires discipline, problem solving, and decision making.  Adversely, games do not always permit innovation so the players quickly learn that the best course of action is always to accept the system and work to succeed within it.  Children become stronger and more compliant, but less flexible and creative.  Finally, interact with one another in learning collaboration.  Video games may teach independence but ignore cooperation.

Respectfully,

Virginia Malmquist, M.Ed.

ILLNESSES

It is recommended that students stay home when they are sick until symptoms have resolved and they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.  Vaccination, respiratory etiquette, frequent hand washing and staying home when sick are our best prevention methods

HEAD LICE

It is that time of year when head lice becomes more evident.  Head lice can be spread from one child to another, usually by head-to-head contact.  One symptom could be that someone has lots of itching on their head and at the hairline of the neck.  Check your child’s hair for signs of head lice throughout the school year.  Any child with lice or nits (eggs) must be treated with an effective product, such as Nix (permethrin 1%).  After treatment, lice and eggs must be removed daily, using either a special lice comb (with fine teeth, included with lice products), and/or by hand.  The student can return to school with the parent once the product has been used, including combing.  Staff will check the child privately on the day of return.  After the child returns to school, continue to check the child’s head at home every day, and use a lice comb daily to comb all hair and remove anything that looks like a louse or a nit.  (No product will kill all lice or eggs.)  Remind your child not to share combs, brushes, hats, caps, or headbands with others.  If there are still lice or nits present after two rounds of treatment, contact your physician.  If you have any questions, please contact the school nurse, or your own health care provider.  Thanks for helping with this.  A helpful website is headlice.org.   

 

FLU SYMPTOMS

Fever, coughing and/or sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and/or body aches, chills, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea.



3RD GRADE STUDENT MONITORS

Our third grade students are our hall monitors.  They monitor heavy traffic areas within our building.  The monitors wear a safety vest for identification purposes.  These students are a great asset to our school and we appreciate their assistance.  Our hallway monitors for October and November are:  Jeremy Holz, Jesus Rivera Mendoza, Bianca Tovar, Ellie Lukes, Makayla Belik, Harley Stuit, Mali Mack, Rico Martin, Najib Sadat, Martin Orta, Enrique Gomez, Anika Watson, Elizabeth Wilson, Sarah Lagerwey, Mikhayla Boyd, Katherine Reyes, Nichole MacMillan, Gabe Hughes, Shelby Appel, Dawson Logan, Montanna Klander, Diana Castillo, Cedar Penson, Rubijean Stuit, and McKenna Holz

 

GOOD WORKERS

Tell Short, Miraya Ultreras, Ella Carpenter, Shawn Bash, Rachelle Swope, Allison Fox, Isaac Iredale, Alexis Francois, Evan VanderYacht, Sydney Zandstra, Sebra Heiniger, Madison Klander, Neila Vicente, Kayla Terpsma, Margarita Gonzalez, Kevin Galiano, Sophia Dennis, Jennasea Gray, Harry Truong, Jeremias Galvan Powell, Isaac Giffin, and Andraya Cardona are Good Workers for October.  Good Worker papers are displayed on the Achievement Wall in the front lobby of school.

 
THANK YOU TO THE PTA AND THE MANY VOLUNTEERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE JOGATHON AND THE WESTERN ROUNDUP

JOIN THE FUN DURING P.A.C.K. WEEK

NOVEMBER 16TH-20TH

 

 

Pack Assorted Colors for Kids

P.A.C.K. week is all about packing more colorful fruits and veggies into children’s diets.  If you pack a snack or lunch for your child, please pack a fruit or vegetable based on the color of the day. 
Monday is pack purple day

Tuesday is pack white day

Wednesday is pack red day

Thursday is pack yellow/orange day

Friday is pack green day

For children who buy lunch, be sure to encourage them to include a fruit and vegetable in their meal.  For more fun, have your child wear something to match the color of the day!  Pack more colorful fruits and vegetables into each day!!  www.welchs.com or www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org

 

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

We cordially invite all parents/guardians to attend our conferences to be held November 19th, 20th, 23rd, 24th, from 1:30-4:00.   Conferences provide an opportunity to talk about the progress your child has been making.   To use the 20 minute time allotment most efficiently, you may want to jot down and bring along specific questions about school.  It is important that the conferences begin promptly, so no one will be kept waiting.  Please make arrangements for child care while you attend the conference.  School will be dismissed at 1:15PM on conference days. 


MERIDIAN BLANKETS

Attention Shoppers!  The class of 2013 is currently selling Meridian blankets.  These blankets are waterproof on one side and fleece on the other.  They are especially great for all those who spend their Saturdays at the Northwest Soccer Park trying to stay dry.  Blankets make great gifts for the upcoming holidays, or just buy one to enjoy.  A blanket is on display in the front hallway of our school and the cost is $30.00.  If you are interested, please call Lori Routhe at 398-8206, or visit the TMCE office. 

MERIDIAN UMBRELLAS

The rain is here!  The senior class of 2010, are selling golf umbrellas to keep you dry!  They are 60” wide, with a wood handle, and with black and white panels with the Meridian M on one of the panels.  They sell for $28.  You can purchase them at IRPS from the librarian, Jane Holland.  They will also be sold at future Meridian events or you can contact Julie Wasilewski at jwaz5@comcast.net or by phone at 398-2266. 

 

CHEERLEADER CRAFT FAIR

The MHS Cheerleaders 4th Annual Treasures and Trinkets Holiday Craft Fair will be held on November 21st from 9AM to 4PM in the old gym at the high school.  We are featuring a clown and a sno cone vendor this year and many wonderful crafters and vendors.  Come enjoy the fun!!

 

EXTRA CLOTHES NEEDED

Extra clothing is needed throughout the school year to meet special needs of students.  If you are able to donate outerwear as well as underwear that would fit kindergartners through 3rd graders, we would gladly welcome the donation. 

GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

The Community Toy Store is a way you can provide toys for your children at Christmas.  They collect brand new toys and sell them to you for 75-90% off the sticker price.  The proceeds from the toy store go to Rebound of Whatcom County and The Whatcom Dream.  Complimentary refreshments, gift-wrapping and child care will be provided.  Community Toy Store Hours and Location:  Friday, December 11th from 6:30PM until 8:30PM.  Saturday, December 12th from 9:00AM-Noon at Birchwood Elementary 3200 Pinewood Ave.  For more info please call 714-0700 or email Jessica@reboundwc.org.  Also visit their website:  www.communitytoystore.org

 

HOLIDAY GIFT BASKETS

We are starting our annual Holiday Gift Basket Fundraiser and Giving Tree.  Gift tags will be hanging on our Christmas Tree in the school library beginning next week, November 23rd.  Take a tag, purchase a gift, and return it to school unwrapped and with the tag attached no later than December 16th.  We are collecting the following for the food baskets:  canned fruits and vegetables, stuffing mixes, gravy mixes, instant mashed potatoes, soups, and peanut butter.  Monetary donations can be made to purchase the following:  perishable food items, and gift cards for coats and shoes.  Checks may be made out to the Meridian PTA.  Please return your donations by December 16th.  Your donations can be dropped off at either IRPS or TMCE.  Last year, we were able to provide over 20 families with a happy holiday.  All of this is made possible by our community and local businesses.  We thank all of you for your support.  Happy Holidays.


COMMUNITY RESOURCE INFORMATION

Dental Care for Children:
Interfaith Dental Clinic  676-6177  752-7410
SeaMar Dental Clinic  738-3016

 Childcare:
Rebound of Whatcom County   714-0700
Washington State Child Care Resource & Referral Network         1-800-446-1114
Head Start                   734-8396

 Clothing & Winter Coats:
Operation School Bell     318-2576
Laurel Baptist Church     398-1761
Interfaith Coalition           734-3983 

School Supplies:
IRPS school office           398-2111

 

Parenting Classes:

Catholic Community Services     676-2164