Week 22 – Monday, February 8 through Friday, February 12, 2010

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back after yet another weekend where we have avoided a storm that slammed other areas of the east.  While I wish we had a little more snow on the ground for skiing and snow shoeing, I continue to be thrilled that we have only had one snow day this year! The week before February break is typically a busy one as is the case this year!

The Student Recognition Assemblies will be held on Tuesday in the Memorial gym.  As always, parents, guardians and friends are invited to join us.  The times for the assemblies are:
8:00 – 8:40 a.m. – Grade 8
8:55- 9:30 a.m. – Grade 7
9:50 -10:30 a.m. – Grade 6

Our annual Talent Show will be held this Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.  The Talent Show, which is run by the students in our REACH program, is an annual fundraiser.  Each year, students identify a charity to which the proceeds from the event would go.  The students have identified charities related to the relief efforts in Haiti and have aptly titled this year’s Talent Show, Have a Heart for Haiti.  Tickets for the event are $5 for adults and $3 for students.  This is always an exciting and entertaining show and parents and friends are encouraged to join us!

On Thursday, we will come together again for an end-of-the-day assembly to celebrate some of the students’ accomplishments so far this year.  The students gathered more than twice the targeted number of used backpacks to donate to refugee students in Maine.  The two homerooms with the greatest number of donated backpacks won a chance to play in a game of “Spy” against the teachers and staff.  This game will be followed by the much anticipated kissing of the pig.  Students have continued to fund raise for the Haiti relief efforts and, in so doing, they have earned the chance to vote for staff members to kiss the pig at Thursday’s assembly.

Friday is the Job Shadow day for our 8th grade students.  8th graders have been working with their teachers and guidance staff to explore different careers that are of interest to them.  They have also researched colleges and universities that provide training for these identified careers.  The job shadow experience is a culminating activity for this study of careers.  Students have either set up their own job site placements or have been assigned to one of the sites we have identified for exploration.  Upon their return to school, students are assigned a writing assignment as well as a “thank you” note assignment.  In previous years, students have reported that these visits have been enjoyable and enlightening.

Students involved in the Career Unit utilized the Career Cruising program.  This program is a web-based program that allows students to examine careers, colleges, and career interest inventories.  Parents can log in to explore this very cool website, http://www.careercruising.com. 
    Login:  Wildcats
    Password:  Memorial
You are invited to explore the website.  You may also want to ask your child about his/her login.  6th and 8th grade students have already created logins and have begun to explore the different modules on the site.  Their profiles are saved and will be able to continue to be accessed in the future when the students head off to high school.

The February break is next week and when we return, the School Board takes up what is expected to be a very difficult budget process this year.  Included with this memo is a letter from the Superintendent, Mrs. Godin, which outlines some of the challenges of this year’s budget process.  It also includes information about the upcoming School Board Budget Workshops.  Parents and community members are invited and encouraged to attend these workshops.  Please take a few minutes to read this important and informative letter.

Have a wonderful week and a safe and restful break (if it is a break for you).

If you are receiving this newsletter and would like to be removed from the list, please send an email to Janet Flynn (flynnja@spsd.org) in the Main Office. 

Sincerely,
Megan Welter

Other Announcements:
High School Musical – The South Portland High School Musical this year will be, Bye, Bye Birdie.  It opened on Friday, February 5. 
Performances will be: February12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. & 14 at 2:00 p.m.

The Box Office will be open Monday – Friday starting January 18 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

This Week:
Monday, February  8– Day #1
2:15 p.m. – Homework Club – Room 302 for students on 6th grade 2-person team & for 8th graders
2:15 p.m. – Homework Club – Room 108 for students on 6th grade 3-person team & for 7th graders
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Swim practice at pool (Kids take bus 4 or 14 right after school) – 4 p.m. pick up
2:45 p.m. – Science Club – Room 104
2:45 – 4:00 p.m. – Indoor Track practice
7:00 p.m. - School Board Meeting – City Council Chambers

Tuesday, February 9– Day #2
Student recognition assemblies
2:15 p.m. – Homework Club – Room 302 for students on 6th grade 2-person team & for 8th graders
2:15 p.m. – Homework Club – Room 108 for students on 6th grade 3-person team & for 7th graders
2:15-3:30 p.m. – Beginning Jazz Band
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Swim practice at pool (Kids take bus 4 or 14 right after school) – 4 p.m. pick up
2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Indoor Track Practice

Wednesday, February 10 – Day # 3
2:15 p.m. – Homework Club – Room 302 for students on 6th grade 2-person team & for 8th graders
2:15 p.m. – Homework Club – Room 108 for students on 6th grade 3-person team & for 7th graders
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Swim practice at pool (Kids take bus 4 or 14 right after school) – 4 p.m. pick up
2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Indoor Track Practice
6:00 p.m. - Talent Show in the café

Thursday, February 11 – Day # 4
7:00 a.m. – Civil Rights Team meeting
1:00 p.m. – Staff vs Student Spy Game in the gym
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Swim practice at pool (Kids take bus 4 or 14 right after school) – 4 p.m. pick up
2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Indoor Track Practice
6:30 p.m. – Secondary Facilities Committee meeting – SPHS library

Friday, February 12 – Day # 5
8th grade Job Shadow Day
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Swim practice at pool (Kids take bus 4 or 14 right after school) – 4 p.m. pick up
2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Indoor Track Practice

Activities on the Horizon
Budget Workshop Schedule
Wed., Feb. 24, 2010     Board Budget Workshop         7:00 pm        Memorial Middle School
Thurs., Feb. 25, 2010    Board Budget Workshop        7:00 pm        Small Elementary School
Mon., March 1, 2010    Board Budget Workshop        7:00 pm        Skillin Elementary School
Tues., March 2, 2010    Board Budget Workshop        7:00 pm        Mahoney Middle School

Tentatively Scheduled
Wed., March 3, 2010    Board Budget Workshop        7:00 pm        Dyer Elementary School
Thurs., March 4, 2010    Board Budget Workshop         7:00 pm        Kaler Elementary School

Mon., March 8, 2010    Board Budget Adoption        7:00 pm        City Council Chambers
Mon., March 29, 2010    Board Budget Presentation     7:00 pm        City Council Chambers
to City Council
Mon., April 26, 2010    City Council School Budget Vote    7:00 pm        City Council Chambers
Thurs. May 6, 2010    School Budget Referendum            SP Community Center