Dear Families,

Enjoy the long weekend and remember we do not have school tomorrow due to the Columbus Day holiday.

This year, the Newton Public Schools will provide interested elementary school families with opportunities, information and resources on talking to children about issues of race, culture, and identity. This work will be personalized to individual school communities, based upon needs and interest.

To lead this work, the district is working with Amy Behrens, a parent coach, diversity educator, and NPS parent. She will support parent volunteers from all schools to help them:

• Identify needs specific to their schools
• Create opportunities, through events and activities, for face-to-face conversations and dialogue
• Provide families with valuable information, tools and resources

If you would like to learn more, please email Amy at amy@amybehrens.com. The first meeting for interested volunteers will be held on Tuesday, October 10th at Angier (1697 Beacon) from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. You may RSVP to the meeting via this link: https://goo.gl/forms/UuRYZbuSgrAamM322

A few reminders from previous weeks:

• Dogs:

Dogs are not allowed on school property but we have come up with a plan that should work for all. If you choose to walk your dog to school at arrival and dismissal times, you and your dog must wait by the Flagpole on the corner of Pearl St and Jackson Rd. Make sure to inform your child’s teacher that you give permission for your child to walk to the Flagpole area on his/her own. It is imperative that you talk with your child to create a plan in case you are late. Make sure to communicate that plan to your child’s teacher.

• In an effort to ensure student safety, we are asking for parents and teachers to remind students NOT to climb through the bushes in the front of the school when entering or exiting the building. Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

• Help Lincoln Eliot earn funds to promote each student’s educational and intellectual growth…register with A+ School Rewards with Stop and Shop at https://stopandshop.com/school-rewards/ Our school ID code is 05887.

• Please mark the following dates on your calendars:
  • Monday, October 9: Columbus Day: No School
  • Tuesday, October 17: Flu Shot Clinic at Lincoln- Eliot (see below for more details).
  • Tuesday, October 24^th and Tuesday, October 31^st: Parent Teacher Conferences
  • Friday, October 27^th: PTO Halloween dance 5:30- 7:30

 Please notify the office if you have a change of address or phone number. It is important to have up to date contact information in the case of an emergency.

 Reminders:

• Fire Lane Parking:

When picking up students at dismissal please refrain from parking in the Fire Lane in the staff parking lot as it causes a safety hazard.

Pizza Tuesdays are back!!

Pizza sales will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Jackson Road entrance starting Tuesday, September 19^th.

All proceeds directly support the 5^th grade camping trip in June 2018.

Thank you in advance for supporting our students.

$2.00 Pizza by the slice

$10.00 for the Whole Pizza (must be preordered)

$1.00 baked goods

To pre-order a whole pizza, please contact Donna Vincenzino, email: donnajohnv@hotmail.com or text: 617-217-1878.

All pre-orders must be placed on Mondays by 6:00 p.m.

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