Mr. McPherson is National Board Certified!
Congratulations to our own Brian McPherson, Visual Art Teacher! He is now officially National Board of Professional Teachers Certified. This is an incredible honor. To become National Board certified, a teacher engages in a rigorous, two year, national standards-based process, that involves a great deal of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and portfolio work; followed by an intense examination. Mr. McPherson has successfully met and exceeded these standards. We are so proud of Mr. McPherson and honored to have him teach at Woodside School!

Lunch Reminder
You can apply for free or reduced lunches ANYTIME during the school year. Pick up an application at the school office or call Maurice St. Pierre at 725-0902 and he will mail you an application.

JUST A REMINDER: Some children are being dropped off at school before 8:40 in the morning. Unfortunately, there is no supervision for students prior to that time. Please bring children to school between
8:40 and 8:55.

AMAZING MAZES FUNDRAISER
Do you know someone who likes mazes, puzzles, crosswords or a challenge?? Then these hand drawn poster sized laminated mazes are for them!! These mazes make great gifts for children, as well as, adults. You will find the mazes on display in the school lobby and lunchroom. Place your order before December 7.

There are 13 different mazes and three different difficulty levels. Each maze comes with a dry erase marker so, you can wipe it off use it over again. In addition, there is a math book of 50 addition and subtraction mazes. An example of the math book is in our school office.

All students in grades 2-5 have received the order forms. There is also an order form in the school. Mazes will be in for pick-up the week of December 17th. Please make checks payable to Woodside School. All proceeds to benefit field trips. **Mazes $12.50 - Math Books $9.00**

Healthy Practices That Help Children Learn - Staying Well.
Cold and flu season is off to a solid start at Woodside. Many children and staff have had the headache and coughing over the past few weeks. Some have developed fevers and ear or throat infections as diagnosed by the physician. We want to take this opportunity to thank the parents who have made the sacrifice, missed work and put their children first in order to take care of them. In our society of 2 working parents or single parent households the pressure is on to be at work. We appreciate and recognize the courage it takes to keep your child home when sick. Not only does your child recover more quickly, but it prevents the spread of germs at school. Children are much more available to learn when they feel well enough to be in school.

Some mornings it is a hard call whether or not to keep your child home. If the child does not have a fever, is not vomiting or has not the night before, is able to manage coughing and nasal secretions independently - they are generally okay for school. However, if your child has been feverish, coughing and up at night, vomiting or having diarrhea, and unable to manage nasal mucous - they are generally contagious and not available to learn. Sometimes children have vague complaints of a stomach ache and just don't want to attend school on a particular day. In the absence of fever, vomiting or diarrhea, the child's job is to be at school to learn. Often the stomach ache resolves as soon as the child is engaged in the classroom.

There are some communicable diseases such as chicken pox, influenza and strep throat that the Public Health Department provides specific periods of time to be away from school. Please feel free to contact Naomi Mullane, the school nurse, if you have any questions at 725-1243.

Midcoast Hunger Prevention
Dear Woodside Families, For the month of December we will be collecting baby items for the Woodside Hunger Prevention Project. We are really making a difference, but need your help! The food bank is in need of diapers, baby food and formula. Any items you can send in will help us make a difference! Thank you!

EVENING WITH MATT LOOSIGIAN
Enjoy an evening of music with artist Matt Loosigian, performing in the gymnasium at 6 pm, Friday, December 7. Donations will be gratefully accepted at the door to benefit the school field trip fund. There will be a bake sale at this event .

Destination Imagination
Woodside has formed a Destination Imagination Team which will be led by a parent coach. Additional teams are welcome to be formed and would require parent volunteer coaching. If you or your child are interested in more information, please call the main office at 725-1243.

December's EarthCare Tip:
If every household in the U.S.
* replaced just one roll of virgin paper towels (70 sheets) with 100% recycled ones, we could save 544,000 trees.
* replaced just one package of virgin fiber napkins (250 count) with recycled ones, we could save 1,000,000 trees. Or consider buying and reusing cloth napkins to save more trees.

CHILD FIND NOTICE
As a resident of SAD 75 or a non-resident of SAD 75 whose child may attend a private school in SAD 75, you are NOTIFIED that you are entitled to certain rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004 (PL-108-446). SAD 75 includes the towns of Harpswell, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham and Topsham.
Under Federal law and State regulation, SAD 75 is responsible for locating, identifying and evaluating all resident students in public schools or home school settings, and all resident and non-resident students in private school settings who are or may be in need of special education services. This responsibility is called “Child Find” and includes this notification.
If you are a parent of a resident student in public schools or home school settings, or resident and non-resident student in private school settings or you know of any resident student in public school settings who does or may have a disability which may require special education, please contact either the SAD 75 Director of Special Services at 729-1557, or the Principal of your local public school. SAD 75 will initiate a referral process for an individual comprehensive evaluation to determine whether a student is eligible to receive special education. All contacts are kept strictly confidential.

Are we ready for the weather?
Please send warm coats, mittens and hats with your child to school. You know how important recess is to students! We want to make sure everyone can enjoy their time outside. Students not properly clothed for the weather may have to stay inside.

SCHOOL CLOSURES - SNOW DAYS
Determinations for school closures are made by the Superintendent and the Transportation Supervisor after consultation with Road Commissioners and the Police Department. The decision to cancel school will be announced on local radio and TV stations early in the morning.

Physical Education News: JUMP ROPE FOR HEART
Recently Woodside was honored by the American Heart Association for our efforts in raising $3286 during the 2006-07 school year. Students in grades 2 through 5 participated in the Jump Rope or Hoops For Heart fundraiser. Over the past six years, we have raised over $10,000. This money goes directly to the American Heart Association for education, research, and assistance. This year will be holding the event in March and the goal will be to raise over $3500!

Request from the PE Department:
Any tennis players out there can send any used, unwanted tennis balls to Woodside. They can live out their post- tennis lives with students here at school.

A Mentor and Hero in Our Community
On November 14th, Woodside's Grades 3, 4 and 5 took part in a special assembly with Mr. Ed Webster. Mr. Webster, a Topsham resident, is a well-known mountaineer and author. Most notably, he climbed Mt. Everest and charted the steepest route to the peak. Mr. Webster brought slides and climbing gear from his famous climb. He was an incredible storyteller and included important learnings about geography, geology, culture, diversity, goal setting, team work, perseverance, good decision-making and friendship. Students were fascinated by his heroism and bravery. Mr. Webster is also a well-published author and photojournalist. His recently published book Snow In the Kingdom was available for students to see. Upper grade students have taken an interest in his book and have begun to read it. Mr. Webster pledged to return in the spring to sponsor a student book discussion. To find out more about Mr. Webster, purchase his book or see photos of his famous Mt. Everest climb, go to http://www.mtnimagery.com/.

Woodside Parent / Teacher Partnership Update
The last meeting was held on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Nine people were in attendance.

The meeting began with introductions and welcome back to Sandy Trach, the Principal, who has been on maternity leave. A big thanks to Rick Dedek, the Assistant Principal, for doing a fantastic job filling Sandy's shoes in her absence!

The group discussed new report cards which have been simplified in response to district-wide parental feedback. Partnership will provide group feedback at the next meeting regarding conferences and new report cards.

We next discussed the upcoming, new Playground Committee. Meetings will be the last Thursday of each month beginning Nov. 29th, 6-7:30. WE NEED A LOT OF PARTICIPATION! There will be three subcommittees:

1. Design & Construction 2. Communication and 3. Fundraising. Sandy Trach will send home a notice asking for volunteers to commit to helping with playground planning and needs.

The group reviewed recent and upcoming fundraisers. . .
* Magazine Drive profited $2733.52 (455.59 for each grade!)
* Romeo's Night profited $271.89! Next one will be Mon
12/3/07!
* Harvest Ball profited $584.61 (97.44 for each grade!)
* Wreath Sale orders wrapped up at time of this meeting. Delivery & pick up will be Nov. 29 & 30.
* Book fair volunteer needs were discussed.
* School Dessert Auction will be Feb. 1st. We will start planning for this at next meeting.
* School spirit store. We discussed which items to add. We also discussed offering embroidered blankets, hats, totes.

Student Activity Accounts were reviewed, as well as upcoming grade level needs for future field trips and presenters. The Partnership also decided to sponsor singer Matt Loosigan on Fri. Dec 7th at Woodside School. This will be a performance for all ages and will be a donation only event. All proceeds to benefit the Woodside Student Activity Grade Level Funds.

Next meeting will be Tues., Dec 11, 2007 from 6-7:30 in the Woodside Library. Children welcome. Snacks provided. Returning and new - please join us! Group will discuss...

*Sock Hop / Disco planning - looking for a volunteer parent to spearhead this event
*Dessert Auction planning - have a volunteer parent to lead the event
*Recent Fundraiser profits (wreath sale, book fair, etc.)
*New report cards and conference feedback from parents
*Update on playground committee and happenings

Upcoming Music Events
Tuesday, December 4th 3:15-4:00 there will be an Informational Meeting for the Annual Woodside School Musical. Any 4th and 5th grader who is interested in performing in the musical this year should attend this informational meeting. Students will learn about this year's play and they will get valuable tips to prepare for auditions. Students should bring a note from home if they plan to stay for this meeting.
On Wednesday, December 12th 3:15- 5:30 Auditions for the Musical will be held. Also, on Thursday, December 20th at 7:00 pm please join us for the Winter Concert with the 4th and 5th grade chorus and Maine Refrain Chorus performing.
Mr. Olsen Pietrowski.

ANNOUNCEMENT
Our Woodside family has grown! Our Assistant Principal, Rick Dedek and wife Sara have a new baby son, Finn Revere Dedek. He was born on Friday, November 23rd at 2:28 a.m. The baby weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz. and is 21 in. long. Congratulations to the Dedek family and welcome Finn!

PIZZA NIGHT AT ROMEOS
Remember to order dinner out on MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, at Romeo’s Pizza in the Topsham Fair Mall. Any order placed that evening between 4 pm and 9 pm earns Woodside 20% of the total! Last month this event was a big success, we received $278! Don’t forget, it’s Monday night football, what a great night for good food and raising money for Woodside at the same time. Thanks to our friends at Romeo’s Pizza.