Principal Update for the week of September 25, 2017

Dear Families,

We are in need of some indoor recess games/activities (ex: Uno, Connect Four, Guess Who, markers, etc.). If you have any games that are not being used at home, please considering donating them to the school. Donated items can be dropped off at the main office.

Please mark the following dates on your calendars:
o Wednesday, September 27: Picture Day
o Wednesday, September 27: Early Release day: 12:30 dismissal
o Thursday, September 28: Open House 6:00pm- 7:00pm
o 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

Reminders:
Open House: Open House will be taking place on Thursday, September 28th from 6:00pm – 7:00pm. Grades K-2 teachers will be presenting for families from 6:00- 6:20, grades 3- 5 teachers will present for families from 6:25- 6:45. Specialists and Title One staff will be located in the Library please stop by and say “hello” and learn about their programs. Please note childcare will not be provided and families are responsible for their students while onsite. An adult family member should accompany students at all times.

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.

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.aspxhost=newtonps.schoollunchapp.com&a pply=1

Pizza Tuesdays are back!! Pizza sales will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Jackson Road entrance starting Tuesday, September 19th . All proceeds directly support the 5th 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