DATES TO REMEMBER:
Thursday, March 6, 6:30 - 7:30 pm Parenting Discussion
Tuesday, March 11, 6 pm - Partnership Meeting
Friday, March 21, 5:30 - 7:30 pm - Evening in Tuscany Dinner
Friday, March 21, 9:20am - 12:45 pm - Book Fair Begins
Monday, March 24, 9:20am - 7pm - Late night Book Fair
Thursday, March 27, 9:20am - 7pm - Late night Book Fair
Thursday, March 27, 6 pm - Playground Committee

Important MEA Testing Reminder
Maine Education Assessment testing begins for Grades 3, 4 and 5 on Monday, March 3. Please help your child to be successful by making sure students get their rest, have a good breakfast, and arrive at school on time.

It is critically important that all students in Grades 3, 4, and 5 take this required test. We are able to make up short absences in a very small testing make-up window. Any anticipation of two or more missed days during MEA testing needs to be reported to the principal. One of the school’s and district’s success measures is attendance for the entire test. Absence by even a few numbers of Grade 3, 4 or 5 students could jeopardize our school’s MEA Adequate Yearly Progress scores.

Important Dates from the Music Department
3/27 Chorus and Maine Refrain Spring Concert 7:00 PM
4/30 Variety Show Tryouts 3:15-5:30
5/14 All-District Band and Chorus Concert 7:00 PM
5/30 Variety Show 6:30 PM

Woodside School students in grades 2 through 5 should start practicing their acts for the Variety Show. This year, the big show will take place on May 30th. Auditions will happen on April 30th. Please take note of the following guidelines as you begin to prepare your acts.

* Performers should be prepared for their tryouts. To prevent the show from being too long, only well-practiced and entertaining acts will be accepted into the show. If your act is not chosen for the show, you will have the option of joining a comedy act that will be organized by Mr. O. P.
* Some possible variety show acts include: singing, playing instruments, dancing, karate, gymnastics, skits, juggling, magic tricks, or comedy routines. If you are unsure whether your act is appropriate, talk to me before the try-outs.
* No lip-synching, karaoke or singing along with recorded music is allowed. Students will be accompanied by live musicians only! I will work with singers to make sure their performance sounds great. For tryouts, students can sing along with a CD or tape, but they may be asked to sing the song without the CD.
* Dancers can dance to recorded music that is school and age appropriate.
* Acts should be under 5 minutes in length.
* Students from different grades can perform together and family members who are not Woodside students can join the act.
* If you have any questions about your act, or if you need help putting together an act, please talk to me before the try-out dates.

Library News - March Book Fair
The Woodside Elementary School’s annual “Buy One, Get One Free” Book Fair (buy one book at the regular price and get a second book of equal or lesser value free) will be held in the library starting March 21. This is a not-for-profit event to encourage literacy. Students will have a chance to preview the Book Fair during class visits and may make purchases at that time. Please make sure that any checks are made out to “Woodside Elementary.” The Book Fair schedule will be as follows:

Fri., March 21 9:20 - 11:45 am, 12:45 - 3:00 pm
Mon., March 24 9:20 - 11:45 am, 12:45 - 7:00 pm
Tue., March 25 9:20 - 11:45 am, 12:45 - 3:00 pm
Wed., March 26 10:10 - 11:45 am, 12:45 - 3:00 pm
Thurs., March 27 9:20 - 11:45 am, 12:45 - 7:00 pm

Please note, the Book Fair will remain open until 7:00 pm on both Monday 3/24, and Thursday 3/27, if you would like to visit with your children. If you wish to volunteer your time and talents to help with sales or setup, please contact Sandi Door, our Volunteer Coordinator, at 725-1243.

Thank you for your support. We hope to see you there!
Gina Stokes, Librarian
Melissa Patrick, Library Assistant

Woodside Partnership Notes from 2/12 meeting
Superintendent Michael Wilhelm spoke on the consolidation and answered parent questions. The regional planning meeting minutes can be viewed on the district website @ www.link75.org.

Other items discussed:
This years Dessert Auction on 2/1 earned $612 for the school in spite of the early dismissal that snowy day. The Sock Hop is being planned for April 11, to benefit the grade 5 Boston trip. Our Evening in Tuscany Dinner coordination continues. That date is coming up Friday, March 21. The next Partnership meeting is on Tuesday, March 11.

Specialist Night- Join the Fun
It’s Tuesday Night Live !! The Teachers of ART, Music, Library, and Physical Education, are having their annual Open House/Curriculum Night on April 1, 2008 from 6 - 7 pm. All parents and families are welcome to come to school to:
Listen to a story Watch the band rehearse
Play a game Read a book
Create art Move and made music

EVENING IN TUSCANY DINNER
- Enjoy a wonderful dinner on March 21, 5:30-7:30 pm here at Woodside. There will be raffles, family photos and more. Volunteers are still needed, call 725-1243

Watch for information coming home.