Principal Update for the week of September 10, 2017

September 10, 2017

Dear Families,

We had an amazing first week of school! Thank you for your help in making the week a success.Our scholars were busy making new friends, learning routines and building classroom communities. It was nice to see so many happy, smiling faces after the summer break.

Please mark the following dates on your calendars:

  • Wednesday, September 13: PTO Back to School Picnic from 5:30 -7:00 on the playground. Rain date will be September 14th. Pizza, water and desserts will be available for purchase.
  • Tuesday, September 19: First PTO meeting of the year. Meetings are held in the cafeteria from 6:30pm- 7:30pm
  • Thursday, September 21: No School: Rosh Hashanah
  • Wednesday, September 27: Picture Day (details to follow)
  • Thursday, September 28: Open House 6:00pm- 7:00pm
  • Friday, October 6: Safe Routes to School Day; please walk or ride a bike with your child. Check out the link below for more details: www.walkbiketoschool.org

 

Lunch

The cost of lunch is $3.30 and milk is .75. More information about the lunch program can be found here https://newton.sodexomyway.com/menus/index.html
Below is the link to the Free and Reduced Lunch Application
Please call the Lincoln Eliot Office if you need help completing this form.
https://www.schoollunchapp.com/Terms.aspx?host=newtonps.schoollunchapp.com&apply=1

Shoo Flu:

Get the flu vaccine at school, not the flu! Seasonal flu vaccination clinics will be held during the school day at the Newton Public Schools beginning in late September. Students in Kindergarten through grade 12 may receive vaccine.

The Lincoln-Eliot clinic will be on October 17, 2017. Each student to be vaccinated must have a parent/guardian complete two forms:

  1. Consent/Screening form
  2. Vaccine administration record/Insurance form.

Forms are available in the school nurse’s office, or may be downloaded at www.newtonma.gov/flu. Forms are due to the School Nurse October 13, 2017.

The flu shot is the only vaccine available this year due to continued CDC guidance against using Flumist, the nasal spray flu vaccine. The Vaccine Information Statement about the flu shot, and additional information for families including tips on preparing kids for a shot is available at www.newtonma.gov/flu or in the school nurse’s office. There is no cost to receive the vaccine, but insurance information is requested. All students, regardless of insurance status, are invited to receive vaccine with parent permission.

Students are not required to receive flu vaccine, however the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu vaccine for all people age 6 months and up. There are many places to get a flu vaccine including at school, your primary health care provider or community clinics. For additional clinic dates for the whole family, visit www.newtonma.gov/flu.

In addition to vaccination, it is important to practice good hand hygiene and cough etiquette by washing hands often; covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the arm; and staying home when sick.

For more flu prevention tips, talk to the school nurse or check out these websites: www.newtonma.gov/flu and www.cdc.gov/flu