After School Enrichment Program

Who loves apples??

If you do, then please come to Smilie’s Fall After school Enrichment program.

Activities: Baking, apple building, tin can lights, sack racing

Monday, October 20th

2:20-4:15

Cost: Free

Questions email:  apoor@gmavt.net

Enterovirus-D68 (EV-68) Update

Dear Smilie Parents and Guardians, October 2, 2014

There has been a lot of talk in the news about the Enterovirus-D68. What we hear in the news can sound scary. The Vermont Department of Health has some practical information about EV-D68 and how to help prevent the spread of illness in our community.

EV-68 is one type of virus from a group of very common viruses called enteroviruses. Most people who are infected with enteroviruses have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, but some infections can be serious. In the U.S., people are more likely to get enteroviruses in the summer and fall.
Children who are mildly ill might have:

•  Cold symptoms: runny nose, congestion
• Wheezing: especially in children who have asthma, but wheezing might occur in other children as well
• Cough
• Fever (sometimes, but not always with this infection)

A history of asthma may put children at higher risk for severe illness from EV-68. Children with severe illness might have trouble breathing or severe wheezing, and should be evaluated by a medical provider as soon as possible.

This virus spreads from close contact with an infected person who is coughing or sneezing, or from
contaminated hands and common objects such as toys, bottles and cups and furniture surfaces that are soiled with mucous or saliva from an infected person.

To best protect your family, follow these suggestions for infection control:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers and after coughing and sneezing into your hands.
• Teach children to always cover their cough with a tissue or cough into the crook of their elbow instead of into their hands. 
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Don’t kiss, hug or share cups/utensils with people who are sick. 
• Disinfect surfaces that are touched often, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.

Keep your child at home if she/he appears to be severely ill, or meets general exclusion criteria such as fever with cough, worsening respiratory symptoms (including wheezing), or other symptoms that prevent the child from joining in activities as determined by school staff.

Treat typical cold symptoms such as: stuffy nose, headache, fatigue and sore throat as you normally would, with rest, drink plenty of liquids, use saline nasal drops and run a humidifier in the home. Keep a close eye on sick children, especially those with asthma. If you notice a child is breathing faster or harder than usual, call your healthcare provider right away.

Be aware of the general emergency warning signs in a child, which include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing that persists or worsens 
• Bluish skin color or lips
• Dehydration suspected: No urine output for more than 8 hours AND very dry mouth, no tears AND not taking or able to hold oral fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Symptoms improve then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/enterovirus/documents/EV68_parent_letter_20140915.pdf 

Please refer to the following website from the Vermont Department of Health for further information.
http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/enterovirus/ev68.aspx


Sincerely,


Kristen Taylor, RN
Smilie Memorial School
Tuesdays, Thursday and Friday mornings
434-2757

Open House and Ice Cream Social

Dear Families and Friends,

In conjunction with the Smilie Community Association we will hold our annual Open House Program on October 21st. We will have an ice cream social from 5:30 PM to  6:00 PM followed by visits to various classrooms from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Since I'm new to the school, I'll be out and about meeting and greeting as many people as possible. I have been very impressed with the school culture, support for the school, and the teaching and learning occurring at the school.

Sincerely,

Bernie FitzGerald, Interim Principal

Smilie Community Association Update

Dear Smilie Families,

Here is what the SCA has coming up in early October:

• Fall Festival, Saturday October 4, 11 AM-2 PM: You can look forward to a Bouncy House, crafts, music, games, baked goods, and hot soup during this free event.
• Next SCA Meeting, October 6, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM: Pizza will be provided for free! Bring the kids if you want and learn more about the SCA.

Click here for the fall festival flyer.

More dates to follow, check back shortly.

Advice for Parents: Listening Skills

ADVICE FOR PARENTS: LISTENING SKILLS

It is important that parents be good listeners so children will learn what they have to say has meaning. Often children don’t express their thoughts because they are surrounded by adults. However, when given an opportunity children are very purposeful in addressing personal matters and evolving friendships at school and in the neighborhood.

Here are some ways to encourage your children to communicate at home and to gain confidence in problem solving and conversation:

Be interested and attentive: Children know when you are paying attention. Forget about the telephone and other distractions and maintain eye contact to show you are really listening.

Encourage children to talk: Some children need an invitation to talk. Begin conversations with, “Tell me about your day.” Children are more likely to share ideas and feelings with others when they think they are being heard respectfully.

Listen patiently:

Because their vocabulary and experience are limited, it may take children longer to express themselves. Allow them to take their time.

Hear children out:

Avoid the temptation to jump to an opinion or reject what they have to say before they have finished speaking. Respect their right to have and express their opinion.

Look for nonverbal messages:

Listen to the tone and take note of his/her facial expressions, energy level and posture. Often you can tell more from the way a child says something than you can tell from what is said.

You don’t have to be a genius:

Children don’t necessarily expect you to have a solution to their current dilemma but they need to be heard. They will often work problems out for themselves or dismiss them once they have had a chance to verbalize their perspective.

Try to keep that communication door open as it will build confidence and trust as children become more self directed.

Sincerely,

Bernie FitzGerald

Interim Principal

CESU Proposed School District Unification Vote on November 4, 2014

CESU Proposed School District Unification Vote
on November 4, 2014

Dear Community Members,

Over the course of the past 11 months, the Chittenden East Voluntary Merger Planning Committee (VMPC) has been studying and discussing unifying Chittenden East Supervisory Union’s (CESU) eight school districts into one unified school system.  As part of its work, the VMPC has prepared a Report and Articles of Agreement outlining the framework of a proposed unified school district.  The report and articles were submitted to the Vermont State Board of Education on July 29, 2014.  After review and an affirmative recommendation from the Vermont Agency of Education, the State Board of Education approved the report and articles on August 19, 2014.  The action of the State Board of Education established a date for the electorates of Bolton, Huntington, Jericho, Richmond, Underhill Incorporated and Underhill Town School Districts to vote on unifying CESU’s eight districts.  This vote will take place in conjunction with the state and federal elections on November 4, 2014.  Per state statute, the unified school district can look different depending on how many towns approve the unification article.  If the unification article passes in all of CESU’s member municipalities, a Unified Union School District will be formed.  If the article passes in a majority of CESU’s municipalities (i.e. four out six), a Modified Union School District will be established.  Under a Modified Union School District, one or two towns that do not pass the unification article will continue an independent elementary district and have proportional representation on the new Modified Union School District Board. 

As specified in state law, elections of board directors must take place on the same date that the unification article is voted.  Community members interested in serving on this new union school board can pick up petitions at their local town office.  Residents of the following school districts can find petitions at these locations:

School District	School Director Positions	Petitions Available at:
Bolton:	One 3-year term	Bolton Town Office, CESU Website
Huntington:	One 2-year term One 3-year term	Huntington Town Office, CESU Website
Jericho:	Two 1-year terms One 2-year term One 3-year term	Jericho Town Office, CESU Website
Richmond:	Two 1-year terms One 2-year term One 3-year term	Richmond Town Office, CESU Website
Underhill ID:	Two 2-year terms	Underhill ID Elementary School,CESU Website
Underhill Town:	One 1-year term One 3-year term	Underhill Town Office, CESU Website

Please take note: Petitions must be returned to the Town Clerk no later than 5pm on September 29, 2014. 

For more details on the work of the Voluntary Merger Committee and contact information for committee members, please click on the following link: CESUVoluntary Merger Committee.

A number of informational meetings regarding the proposed unification will be held throughout CESU.  Click HERE to find a meeting in your town/municipality.

Important Dates

DATES TO REMEMBER in September and October 2014   

Our first Smilie Community Association (SCA) meeting will be on Saturday, September 6, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Please consider attending and learning how you can volunteer to continue to help make Smilie school a vibrant community of learners. Welcome Preschool Parents!! We’d love to have you join us! The SCA's mission is to enhance and enrich the educational and social experience of Smilie School students and to support the Smilie School staff and our community through fundraising and volunteerism for events and activities.

                                                        
          

Picture day is on Friday, September 12 for all of our students Preschool through grade 4.  We will be holding the bus for the a.m. 3 year old preschool program so that we can have an all school picture taken. The bus may be a little late that day getting your child home.

On Wednesday, September 24, we will have an Ice Cream Social from 5:30 p.m. To 6:00 p.m., on our playground. If it is raining, we will move the festivities into the gymnasium. Our Open House will be from from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please join us for a fun filled evening.

                              

On two Wednesdays, October 1 and October 29, there will be Informational Talks on the MERGER. Please join us at Smilie school beginning at 6:00 p.m. and have your questions answered.  Other dates for MERGER discussions are listed on the CESU website (www.cesu.K12.vt.us).