Parent Newsletter
January 2006

In this month's newsletter:

PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Grades 3-5 physical education classes will venture outside for their snowshoeing unit in mid-February. More information will be sent home about the starting date. An opportunity for first-timers to try snowshoeing and cross-country skiing for free is being offered at nearly 100 locations nationwide. It is available on January 7 through a “Winter Trails” initiative. More information on this event and other winter sports can be found at www.winterfeelsgood.com. Living in Vermont --- It’s important to know how to recreate in winter!

HEALTH MATTERS

Taste Testing Data Reports: 87 % of some-300 student and staff tasters loved the pumpkin muffins! Nutrition questions were asked in the muffin survey as well. We are pleased to share that 47% of students surveyed knew that oranges are a better source of vitamin C than fruit juice, fruit leather and white rice; and 90 % knew that skim milk is a better source of calcium than chocolate milk, ice cream or pudding.

FLU Season: The "sicker season" is upon us. Please note the following "Five Fast Flu Facts" from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

1. Flu symptoms include fever, headache, chills, body aches, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion.
2. Flu is spread when a person who has flu coughs, sneezes, or speaks and sends the flu virus into the air. The virus enters the nose, throat, or lungs of a person and multiplies. Flu spreads less frequently when a person touches a surface that has flu viruses on it.
3. If you get the flu: rest, drink plenty of liquids, and avoid alcohol and tobacco.
4. Antibiotics like penicillin will not cure the flu. The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot. Over-the-counter medications may relieve symptoms of the flu. The National Institute for Allergies & Infectious Diseases recommends acetaminophen (Tylenol) for children; aspirin or acetaminophen for adults. Decongestants, cough suppressants, and use of a humidifier can provide symptomatic relief.
5. In addition to flu shots, three antiviral medicines are available by prescription that will help prevent flu infection: Tamiflu, Fumadine and Symmetrel.

HEALTH EDUCATION ADVANCES

The Barre Town School Health Advisory Committee is pleased to announce the continuation (year 3) of a health education consultant. This year Kathy Lord, a Barre Town parent and health educator by profession, will work with our health education committee and teachers to further investigate and develop a “stream-lined” plan for health education at Barre Town School. Kathy has a degree in health education, elementary teaching experience, and curriculum development. We anticipate lots of activity and progress this year.

FROM THE FAMILY SCHOOL CONSULTANT

Milk and Cookies @ The Aldrich Public Library: Wednesday, January 25, 2006; 6:00-7:00 p.m.  Sponsored by Barre Area Success by Six Team. Tim Crowley, Principal at Barre Town Middle and Elementary School, and James Taffel, Co-Principal at Barre City Elementary and Middle School, will be the readers. More information will be sent home about this event.

Promoting Your Child’s Thinking Skills: Wednesday, January 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m., New Leaf Family Child Care Center, 260 Beckley Hill Street, Barre. Food and childcare provided. Please call Dawn Johnson at 476-14480, extension 308, to sign up and/or for information.

Dabble Day: Saturday, February 4. More information to follow.

Beth Campo

VINS North Branch Nature Center

VINS North Branch Nature Center Preschool Discovery Program: Preschool children are invited to attend a morning of exploration, games, and crafts. All programs are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Activities are repeated for each theme. The fee for the program is $7 members, $8 nonmembers. Please call 229-6206 to pre-register.

Tuesday, January 3, and Wednesday, January 11 - Snow’s My Home.
Tuesday, January 17, and Wednesday, January 25 - Mighty Mice.
Tuesday, January 31, and Wednesday, February 8 - Life Underground.
Tuesday, February 14, and Wednesday, February 22 - Chipmunks and their Cousins.

VACATION DAYS:

Nature Crafts From Around the World – Ages 6-10.
Monday, February 27, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Members $35, nonmembers $45; Aftercare $8.
Take an imaginary trip around the world as we make nature crafts from distant cultures. We’ll fly across the ocean to Africa to make beaded necklaces, to South America to make ceremonial rain-sticks, and to the American Southwest to make colorful Navajo sand paintings. We will listen to music and sample foods from each culture in this fun-filled and educational adventure.

Can You Survive? – Ages 8-12.
Tuesday, February 28, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Members $35, non-members $45; Aftercare $8.
Learn how to make a fire without matches, build a shelter out of snow, and even use a reflective oven to bake a batch of brownies! During this mock survival scenario, kids will learn basic wilderness skills and how to avoid getting lost in the first place.

Exploring the Winter Woods – Ages 8-12.
Wednesday, March 1, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Members $40, nonmembers $50. Aftercare $8.
Put on a pair of snowshoes and find out what’s happening in the winter woods! We’ll hike into the wilds of the Worcester Range as we search for signs of moose, bear, and other forms of wildlife on an all day winter excursion! Transportation and snowshoes are provided