Appropriate Clothing
Thank goodness we have had some warmer days! REMINDER—Please send your child to school in appropriate jackets for the weather. If the temperature is above 32 degrees, we line up outside, have outdoor recess and possibly have fire drills. Children are upset when they have outdoor recess and they have to stay in because they do not have appropriate clothing.

Kindness and Generosity
Thank you to those families who sent donations for the people of Haiti. What great lessons we can teach our children about helping others who are in need. The lesson from one young first grader who donated all her saved “vacation” money speaks volumes of how her parents are raising her. Some of the families in our district lost loved ones in Haiti.

PTO Thank you for providing the Pro-Kids show for our families on Friday, January 15, 2010. It was good to see so many of our families enjoying the music, magic and laughter. A special thank you to our very talented Dads: Andres Knuth, Matt Gibbs and Marco Paiz. You were all terrific!

VALENTINE’S DAY We are holding our 2nd annual “Heart Healthy Week”, from February 8th thru 12th. Many activities including “Jump for Your Heart”, will be provided for Parker’s students. This event was a great success last year and we raised almost $700.00! Money raised at the event supports lifesaving heart and stroke research as well as educational programs and physical fitness initiative. On February 12th, we will also celebrate the event by having our annual “Healthy Heart Feast”.

Thank you to our PTO and Class moms for making this possible.

ACCELERATED READER

We are so proud of our Parker Students. “Accelerated Readers really do rule at Parker School”. We are close to 3,400 books read and tests passed.

Those students in grade 2 and 3 who met (and most exceeded) their reading goal will enjoy a pizza party on Friday, February 5th at the end of the day.

Theme: Readers Rule At Parker School

We would like to welcome new students and families to the Parker School community.

Mrs. Maureen Hughes, Mrs. Laura Rosenberg,
Dr. Baker

“To provide a safe and nurturing environment, enriched by diversity, where students excel in a love of the arts, math, science, reading, and writing.”

Click the following link in order to check individual teacher websites that will provide information regarding class activities and student assignments.
Parker Teachers

You are provided with 4 resources to check for activities, half days, etc.

1. District Calendar
2. Monthly Parker Calendar
3. Lunch menu (lists 1/2 days)
4. Outside sign (near door #2)

We still have many students not picked up on time. Remember, the drop in rate for After-care, is not only for those not picked up, but also for parents who need extra childcare on 1/2 days.

Should you require Before Care service, registration forms can be found in the front office. If you would like to participate in the breakfast program, (8:10 AM—8:30AM) you may send your child to school with $1.00. Students who attend the breakfast program must eat breakfast.

If you need to pick up your child early, for a doctor’s appointment etc. , please send a note to your child’s teacher. To interrupt the teacher in the middle of a lesson, to stop and gather books and homework is very disruptive to the rest of the class. It would be better to make appointments after 3 PM so your child does not lose important instructional time!

Don’t Forget to visit our district website at www.middlesex.k12.nj.us and click on the link for each teacher’s webs

You receive a calendar menu each month if you wish your child to buy lunch.

It is VERY IMPORTANT that money is in an envelope, or plastic bag. I have even seen small money pouches that children wear around their neck. First graders especially find it difficult to handle money. Please practice with them at home.

You can also pay ahead of time by check. Then your child has a “debit” card for lunches.

Please explain carefully about purchasing snacks. We have found that some children “save” part of their lunch money to buy a snack. Then the parent gets a bill that they owe money.

I have instructed the lunch that:
1. If a child owes money for lunch he/she may not buy snacks.

2. If a child throws their lunch away without eating it, then they do not have room for snacks.

Please explain to your child what is for lunch and what is for the classroom snack.

Middlesex Public Schools

The Middlesex Public Schools, in partnership with the community,
believe
all students have the capacity to learn,
and resolve to provide
the knowledge and skills for students to become
confident in their abilities to face challenges,
compassionate and respectful of themselves and others, and
committed to overall excellence in a diverse world.

“Confident, compassionate and committed to excellence”

Now available for your child’s at home use!
Enrichment, skill reinforcement, and learning games are all available in Math, Reading, and Writing
Log on to www.studyisland.com or click link.
Students know their logon name and password.
If they forgot or need help please contact
Mrs. Logue, Elementary Technology Coordinator
e-mail: loguem@middlesex.k12.nj.us

Students are doing great and having fun with technology! In Kindergarten, students are learning parts of the computer, mouse manipulation and simple computer vocabulary. In first grade, students focus on learning parts of the computer, the mouse and computer vocabulary. In grade 2, students focus on learning basic programs. In grade 3, students are continuing to work with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Every grade uses the internet to compliment classroom lessons. There are so many terrific websites available for the students that are fun, engaging and packed with learning! During winter break, try visiting -kids National Geographic animals and their habitats, or have an actor/actress read a book to you and your child at www.storylineonline.net These and more grade appropriate websites can be found on my school website, which can be found by clicking on the link Mrs. Logue's Webpage
Technology Teacher-Mrs.Logue

PARENTS-PLEASE REMEMBER TO COME TO THE OFFICE AND UPDATE ANY PHONE NUMBERS THAT MAY HAVE CHANGED. WE CANNOT CONTACT YOU IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY WITH A PHONE NUMBER THAT DOES NOT WORK...THANK YOU

We do have outdoor line up and recess during the winter months. Please make sure your child has a hat and gloves, besides a warm jacket.

Middlesex, NJ -- Move Over Famous Artists! Parker School artists are taking over the spotlight! Maria Depasque, the school's Art Teacher, has teamed up with Artsonia, www.artsonia.com -- the world's largest online kid's art museum -- to display the students' artwork.

Anyone can view the school gallery online at: www.artsonia.com/schools/parker. Visitors can browse the artwork in the school gallery by grade level, or by specific exhibits. Parker students join thousands of students from over 100 countries whose artwork is showcased on Artsonia. "This program is a wonderful way to get parents and family members more involved in Art Education," said Maria Depasque.

All of Artsonia's one million pieces of artwork are viewable online, and any teacher or parent can create an online art gallery for their child or school. Artsonia provides several online features such as fan clubs and personal guestbooks, as a way for families to encourage the creativity and imaginations of their young artists. In addition, family members can purchase keepsakes imprinted with the child's artwork, with Artsonia donating 15 percent of their annual product revenue back to school art programs.

Headquartered in Gurnee, Ill., Artsonia was established in 2000 as an online kid's art museum providing free, educational resources for kids, families and schools to create art projects. Since its inception, Artsonia continues to integrate technology in the classroom, develop multi-cultural understanding through art and increase family involvement in children's education. To find out more, visit www.artsonia.com.

Thank you!! To all the parents who have made the extra attempt to cross with the crossing guard and not in the middle of the block, and those respecting the teacher/staff parking lot and not entering. Some of our teachers work in other schools and come and go throughout the day.

ADDITIONAL NOTES - I often tell children who “misbehave”, to think about the message that goes home to the families of all the students in their class. “Mom, Dad, guess what ___________ did today”?
I’m a mom-when I heard the same name over and over again, the “mom in me” told my 3 children to “stay away from______”.
Make sure to talk to your child about the “message” that the children they want to be friends with, take home about them.