Winthrop School November 7, 2014 Family Newsletter If your child is going to be absent or tardy, please call the Safe Arrival Line at 978-468- 5344. You may leave a message 24/7. Upcoming Events: Tues., Nov. 11 No School (Veterans Day) Thurs., Nov. 13 Picture Retakes Fri., Nov. 14 Friends of Winthrop Meeting, 8:30 Wed., Nov. 19 Gr. 3, 4, & 5 Family Music Day 8:45-9:45 Wed., Nov. 26 Early Release 11:15 No lunch Thurs., Nov. 27 Fri., Nov. 28 No School for Thanksgiving Holiday Hello Winthrop Families, We had a busy week here at Winthrop School. As I visited various classrooms this week, I saw evidence of the great learning taking place within our building. In a fourth grade math class, I observed evidence of students demonstrating mathematical reasoning in a variety of ways. Students used our ipads to create visual models as a strategy for understanding 3 and 4 digit division problems. The students were actively engaged as they worked through their understanding of division concepts. This developing skill is supported through traditional and new media usage. The kindergarten classes experienced a wonderful enrichment opportunity by Pat Bade. Ms. Bade has designed a wonderful Native American program, where she communicated the local Native American s respect for nature and showed the children many artifacts connected to her culture. Her rich storytelling of traditions and history will have a lasting impact on our Kindergarten students. This program directly connected to one of the District s core beliefs of helping our students to develop respect for other people and cultures. Also this week, professional storyteller, Tony Toledo, entertained a captive audience of first graders with his colorful, animated storytelling. We thank the Friends for the many programs they have scheduled this year to enrich our curriculum! On Tuesday, our faculty participated in an intense professional development day with district wide teams focusing on Mathematics and English/Language Arts. This work will help further extend our curriculum and bring about greater district- wide practices. Just a reminder that there is no school on Tuesday as we honor Veteran s Day. Have a great weekend! Christopher Heath The Hamilton- Wenham Regional School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or homelessness in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Chapter 622 of the Acts of 1971.
ACORD FOOD PANTRY PUBLIC SAFETY FOOD DRIVE Please help support the Acord Food Pantry during the annual Public Safety Food Drive on Saturday, November 8th. Place non-perishable food items in a bag by your mailbox by 8:30 am. Please check expiration dates. A public safety volunteer will pick up your donations and deliver them to Acord. Our most wanted items include canned tuna or chicken, hearty chunky soups, brown rice, canned vegetables and fruit, cereal, 100% juice, healthy snacks, peanut butter and baked beans. In addition, our clients enjoy receiving coffee, tea, cocoa, baking mixes, cooking oil and personal care items. If you would prefer to make a financial donation, please visit www.acordfoodpantry.org. We appreciate your support. CANDY DONATIONS Please consider donating your leftover Halloween candy to the Friends of Winthrop! FOW volunteers will repackage the candy and sell it at the upcoming Holiday Boutique in December to raise money for Winthrop school. Please drop all donations in the box outside of the front office of your school. Thank you in advance for your support!
Karyl Hayes, Temporary Art Exhibit Karyl Hayes, an artist and resident of Hamilton, will be showing her watercolor paintings at Winthrop School during the months of November and December. Karyl is a 26 year member of the Saltbox Gallery, a fine arts partnership in Topsfield. She is an exhibiting member of the Copley Society of Boston and North Shore Art Association. She has had many one person shows on the North Shore and has also exhibited in several Mother- Daughter shows with her daughter, Lori. She taught in Hamilton- Wenham s Afterschool Program from 1986 until 2003. For the past 18 years, she has taught watercolor painting to adults, in a Road Scholar program conducted on the Isles of Shoals. Writing a statement about my art would have been much easier 40 years ago. Everything used to seem so simple. In the 1970 s, I wanted to take an art class, learn how to paint, and then I would be all set, with another skill, for life! Now I realize that there is never- ending learning to pursue and that learning to see is a truly a lifelong process. Having grown up on the coast of Maine, I especially love the ocean and the coastline and the way the light of the sky influences everything it touches. My strong preference is to paint on location in the out- of- doors, despite the challenges brought by wind, sun, rain and the ever- changing light. It is under these conditions that I sometimes lose myself in time and space while working out the putting together of a watercolor painting. This exhibit at Winthrop School primarily features landscapes and seascapes which I hope might convey my love of Maine coastal and island life. Karyl Hayes
A Note From The School Nurse Dear Parents, Please be aware that ticks are still very active this time of year. After outdoor activities please check your children for ticks. Head lice are another nuisance and survive by feeding on human blood. Head lice DO NOT carry infectious diseases, but can cause unpleasant symptoms and can be difficult to treat. Please do your best to check your children often for ticks and head lice. Please see the documents at the end of the newsletter for more information. Thank you, Jessica Baker School Nurse More examples of our fifth grade artwork using tints and value scales!
Hamilton- Wenham Regional High School presents Working The students of HWRHS will be performing the newly adapted musical Working based on the book by Pulitzer Prize Winning author Studs Terkel. Called A Chorus Line for the working man." Working explores an American workday through the eyes of 26 people from all walks of life as they sing and talk about their jobs, their regrets and their aspirations. This genuinely funny and at times touching musical features songs from all- star composers such as James Taylor, and was adapted for the stage by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell). Tickets prices are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors payable by cash or check at the door. For your convenience, advance tickets are available to purchase and print at home via hwfota.org. Working Friday, November 14, 8:00pm Saturday, November 15, 8:00pm Sunday, November 16, 2:00pm
PUBLIC HEALTH FACT SHEET Head Lice (Pediculosis) Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 305 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 What are lice? Lice (singular louse) are tiny, wingless insects that survive by feeding on human blood. They cannot jump or fly, and they do not burrow under the skin. Adult head lice or their eggs (nits) are found in the hair and are most often found behind the ears and at the base of the neck. Head lice usually lay their eggs on strands of hair about 4 mm or ¼ of an inch from the scalp. Who gets head lice? Anyone can get head lice, but in the United States, head lice are most common in children 3-12 years of age. Having lice is referred to as an infestation. An infestation with head lice does not mean someone is dirty. Head lice have special claws on their legs to help them cling to the hair. Washing with plain soap and water does little to disturb them. How are head lice spread? Head lice are most commonly spread by direct head-to-head contact with hair of other people who have head lice. Head lice are less commonly spread through contact with an infested person s personal items, such as hair brushes and combs, hats, unwashed clothing, bedding or towels. Head lice are commonly spread within households. Children often spread head lice to each other during close contact while playing. Head lice can crawl from an infested person or object to a non-infested person. People with head lice can continue to spread head lice to other people until they complete a course of treatment that kills all of the head lice and their eggs. Pets cannot spread head lice. What are the symptoms of head lice? A person who has head lice may feel itching caused by a reaction to the louse s saliva and feces, but many children have no symptoms. Head lice are not known to spread infectious diseases from person to person and should not be thought of as a medical problem. However, there is some risk of skin infection from scratching. Head lice are certainly a nuisance, but they are not generally considered a health hazard. How are head lice diagnosed? The best way to determine if someone is infested with head lice is to find a living adult louse. However, adult head lice are rarely seen because they are fast and hide well. Identification of a head lice infestation is usually made by detecting nits attached to the hair close to the scalp. Nits are tiny, grey, oval specks that do not come off of the hair easily like a speck of dandruff would. Behind the ears and near the hairline at the base of the neck are common places to find nits. Nits found within ¼ of an inch from the scalp usually mean the nits are alive and treatment is needed. If the nits are more than ¼ of an inch from the scalp, you should ask your doctor if treatment is necessary. How do you prevent head lice? Children should be checked regularly and treated when head lice are found. Parents should learn to recognize head lice and teach their children not to share hats and scarves or personal hair care items, such as brushes, combs and hair ties.
PUBLIC HEALTH FACT SHEET Lyme Disease Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 305 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 What is Lyme disease? Lyme disease is caused by bacteria (germs) that are spread by tiny, infected deer ticks. Both people and animals can have Lyme disease. Where do cases of Lyme disease occur? In the United States, Lyme disease most commonly occurs in the Northeast and mid-atlantic regions and in the upper Midwest. In Massachusetts, Lyme disease occurs throughout the state. How is Lyme disease spread? Lyme disease is spread by the bite of an infected deer tick. The tick usually must be attached to a person for at least 24 hours before it can spread the germ. Deer ticks in Massachusetts can also carry the germs that cause babesiosis and human granulocytic anaplasmosis (also known as human granulocytic ehrlichiosis). Deer ticks are capable of spreading more than one type of germ in a single bite. When can I get Lyme disease? Lyme disease can occur during any time of the year. The bacteria that cause Lyme disease are spread by infected deer ticks. Young ticks (nymphs) are most active during the warm weather months between May and July. Adult ticks are most active during the fall and spring but may also be out searching for a host any time that winter temperatures are above freezing. How soon do symptoms of Lyme disease appear after a tick bite? Symptoms of early Lyme disease, described below, usually begin to appear from 3 to 30 days after being bitten by an infected tick. If untreated, symptoms of late Lyme disease may occur from weeks to years after the initial infection. What are the symptoms of Lyme disease? Early stage (days to weeks): The most common early symptom is a rash (erythema migrans) where the tick was attached. It often, but not always, starts as a small red area that spreads outward, clearing up in the center so it looks like a donut. Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, stiff neck, sore and aching muscles and joints, fatigue and swollen glands may also occur. Even though these symptoms may go away by themselves, without medical treatment, some people will get the rash again in other places on their bodies, and many will experience more serious problems. Treatment during the early stage prevents later, more serious problems. Later stages (weeks to years): If untreated, people with Lyme disease can develop late-stage symptoms even if they never had a rash. The joints, nervous system and heart are most commonly affected. About 60% of people with untreated Lyme disease get arthritis in their knees, elbows and/or wrists. The arthritis can move from joint to joint and become chronic. Many people who don t get treatment develop nervous system problems. These problems include meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord), facial weakness (Bell s palsy) or other problems with nerves of the head, and weakness or pain (or both) in the hands, arms, feet and/or legs. These symptoms can last for months, often shifting between mild and severe. The heart also can be affected in Lyme disease, with slowing down of the heart rate and fainting. The effect on the heart can be early or late.
Is there treatment for Lyme disease? People who are diagnosed with Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. Prompt treatment during the early stage of the disease prevents later, more serious problems. What can I do to lower my chances of getting Lyme disease, or any other disease, from ticks? Prevention begins with you! Take steps to reduce your chances of being bitten by any tick. Ticks are most active during warm weather, generally late spring through fall. However, ticks can be out any time that temperatures are above freezing. Ticks cling to vegetation and are most numerous in brushy, wooded or grassy habitats. They are not found on open, sandy beaches, but may be found in grassy dune areas. When you are outside in an area likely to have ticks (e.g. brushy, wooded or grassy places), follow these simple steps to protect yourself and your loved ones: Use a repellent with DEET (the chemical N-N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) or permethrin according to the instructions given on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear, and should not be applied to skin. Wear long, light-colored pants tucked into your socks or boots, and a long-sleeved shirt. This may be difficult to do when the weather is hot, but it will help keep ticks away from your skin and help you spot a tick on your clothing faster. Stay on cleared trails when walking or hiking, avoiding the edge habitat where ticks are likely to be. Talk to your veterinarian about tick control options (tick collars, repellents) for your pets. More information on choosing a repellent and how to use repellents safely is included in the MDPH Tick Repellents fact sheet at www.mass.gov/dph/tick. If you can t go online, contact the MDPH at (617) 983-6800 for a hard copy. After spending time in an area likely to have ticks, Did you know? You don t have to be a hiker on Cape Cod to worry about ticks. In Massachusetts, you may be bitten in your own backyard. There are lots of things you can do around your own backyard to make it less inviting for ticks! Visit the MDPH Tickborne Disease Website at www.mass.gov/dph/tick for suggestions. check yourself, your children and pets for ticks. Young ticks, called nymphs, are the size of a poppy seed. Adult deer ticks are the size of a sesame seed. Both nymph and adult deer ticks can spread the bacteria that cause Lyme disease; however, nymphs are of more concern. They are aggressive feeders and so tiny that it can be difficult to see them on the body, unless you are looking carefully. When doing a tick check, remember that ticks like places that are warm and moist. Always check the back of the knees, armpits, groin, scalp, back of the neck and behind the ears. If you find a tick attached to your body, remove it as soon as possible using a fine-point tweezers. Do not squeeze or twist the tick s body, but grasp it close to your skin and pull straight out with steady pressure. Know the symptoms of Lyme disease as described in this fact sheet. If you have been someplace likely to have ticks and you develop symptoms of Lyme disease, or any other disease carried by ticks, see your health care provider right away. Where can I get more information? Your doctor, nurse, or health care clinic or your local board of health (listed in the telephone directory under local government) The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at (617) 983-6800 or toll-free at (888) 658-2850, or on the MDPH Tickborne Diseases website at www.mass.gov/dph/tick Health effects of pesticides, MDPH, Center for Environmental Health at 617-624-5757 Updated: March 2011