Bulletin Moving To School Notes

Hello everyone, our BSS online Bulletin will be MOVING! Yes, we are now up and running on the new schoolnotes website. We believe that this will make your life even easier. Remembering to check us for updates will no longer be an issue. Just go to our school notes account, sign up to be notified via email as changes and updates are made and you will have all the BSS info. at your fingertips, all the time! Three pages have been created. BSS Notices will have a running calendar at the top of the page. Below will be all important information and notices. We have created a flyer page. Here you will be able to find numerous flyers that have been sent home. Thirdly, we have a Nurse Notes page. Here you will find any information that our school nurses have sent along. Please make sure to pass this message along to all BSS families that you know. A hardcopy notice will be coming home to everyone early next week. As a PTO we continually strive to keep ALL of our families updated and aware. Your patience through this change has been greatly appreciated.

• Go to new.schoolnotes.com
• click the parent tab
• under last name... BSS PTO
• under zip code... 19808
• or... save the below link to your desktop or favorites.

http://new.schoolnotes.com/parents/searchTeacher

PTO MEETING

Please remember to join us for the Ocotber PTO meeting.
Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7:00pm

** KN and 1st Parents that pick up... please come at 6:45pm for a brief meeting with Mrs. Armstrong. **

Messages From BSS Nurse

Head Lice
Remember to do nightly lice checks!
Early detection at home is key!

For more up-to-date information, please refer to the below websites:

http://cdc.gov/lice

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/headlice.html

Cold and Allergy Symptoms

Please remember to treat your children’s cold and allergy symptoms at home to help them be as comfortable as possible during the school day. The nurse’s office does not have any medications to dispense other than Tylenol. If you want your child to use cough drops/throat lozenges during the school day, please send in just enough for his/her personal use for that day. Students are also encouraged to carry their own lip balm for chapped lips as well.

Show The Soldiers That We Care

We are collecting goodies for the 5th Annual Christmas Stockings for Soldiers program for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. We want to show the soldiers that they are appreciated and remembered during the holiday season.

Suggested items to donate:
Candy, such as gum, fruit roll-ups & gushers(no chocolate please), cracker jacks, beef Slim Jims, pretzels and drink mixes (lemonade and flavored fruit drinks), individual flavored teas, hot drink mixes, commercially packaged trail mix, nuts, cookies, chips, Ramen soup, small cans of tuna, lasagna, Beefaroni, and canned fruit. Pocket games & puzzles, DVD movies, music CD's, paperback books, current magazines and Beanie Babies are also appreciated. Small sizes of toiletries & lotions, white crew socks, hand and foot warmers, fly swatters, AT&T phone cards, decks of cards, disposable cameras, and a holiday greeting card with your messages of support & friendship are also needed. If you include your return address (email or snail), you might hear back from the soldier who receives your stocking. (Please no baked goods or soap products).

Please place your donations in the boxes outside the gym by November 7, 2008.

Financial donations are appreciated to cover the cost of postage. Please put monetary donations in the box in the school office.

Thank you for your generosity.
Girl Scout Troop #784

If you have any questions, please contact Angela Geist at (aargeist@verizon.net) or 235-5958.

PARKING

Please remember that BSS parking is NOT allowed in the St. Barnabas Church parking lot. Thank you in advance for your help.

Library Help Needed

Mrs. Hodges is looking for volunteers in the library. Please contact her if you are available to lend a hand! BSS office 636-5681.

October PTO Meeting

PTO Meeting... Tuesday, Oct.28th at 7:00pm in the art room.
Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.

Agenda

• Principal's Report
• Election of PTO Secretary
• Spirit Walk update
• Treasurer's Report
• Fundraising Efforts
• Winter After School Programs

Pump It Up and Sunday Breakfast Mission

BSS has found a way to incorporate our health initiative, bring in some extra cash and helping the community! Remember to purchase your tickets for the BSS time slot at Pump It Up! You may send in a ticket request through your child and have the tickets sent back to you in their book bags! How easy is that?

Bulletin Notification

Hello Everyone! I wanted to take a minute to provide you with some BSS Online Bulletin details. When this blog was originally announced, parents were told that if they signed up, they could be instantly notified when the bulletin was updated. We have come to realize that this information is NOT correct. Our Online Bulletin is a website that you will have to just get in the habit of checking every 2-3 days or so. Just add us to your "favorites" and try to remember to click on us every now and then and you will have all the information at your finger tips! We apologize for any inconvenience.

Literacy Program

Join us each month at Winterthur Museum & Country Estate for a new literacy program for children ages 3 – 6 and an adult caregiver. On the first Wednesday of each month, enjoy a special experience with a story relating to the Winterthur collection or garden. Our family programming specialists will help you inspire a love of reading in your child through music, movement, and exploration of real historic objects in a warm and welcoming setting.
The series begins on Wednesday, November 5 at 10:15 a.m. in the Winterthur Visitor Center with the story William’s House by Ginger Howard. Visit Winterthur.org and click on “Family Programs” to learn more. Free for Members. Included with admission.

And for older girls (in grades 4-6) join us for the new Mother & Daughter Book & Craft Club at Winterthur. Monthly on Thursday evenings, we’ll discuss a young adult historical fiction book, enjoy refreshments, and make a book-related craft to take home. For girls in grades 4 – 6 and a female caregiver. Visit Winterthur.org and click on “Family Programs” to learn more.
First Meeting: Thursday, November 13, 2008. 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Registration Required. Call 800.448.3883 to register. Free for Members. $35 per mother/daughter pair for 7-month series. Books should be purchased and/or read prior to each month’s meeting.

Reminder

Just a quick reminder of the following:

This week opens the fall book fair. Try to come shop with your child. It is a wonderful experience!

Monster Mania is now underway!

Friday night is the first K-8 BSS Dance of the year. An adult must be present with children.

Next Tuesday, 10/28 at 7:00pm. October PTO meeting in the art room. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. We can not do it without YOU!

BSS and Sunday Breakfast Mission

A great way to stay active, help your school and provide a service for your community! BSS week at the Pump It Up! Tickets are $6.00/plus a food item. BSS gets back $1.00 per ticket and the Sunday Breakfast Mission will receive the food to fill their pantry!

Tuesday, Nov. 4th K-2
Wed., Nov. 5th 3-5
Thur., Nov. 6th 6-8

Choose your time slot---- 4-5pm, 5:30-6:30pm, 7-8pm

Tickets will be sold before and after school. Look for a volunteer walking through the pick up line selling tickets!

Flu Shots

Fall is here and it’s time for your flu shot. Join us in a relaxed, friendly setting as Dr. Richman hosts a clinic for flu shots at our school for your convenience and good health. Open to ages 6 months and up. The cost is $25.00. Medicare B recipients can present their card in lieu of payment. See you there!

TIME: Monday, October 27
3:45 p.m.

PLACE: BSS Nurse’s Office

School Dance

Fall BSS K-8 Dance! Friday, October 24th, 6:30-8:30pm. $2.00 per child
All students MUST be accompanied by an adult!
Come out for music...dancing...fun!
Facing Painting, .50 tattoos, Bake Sale, $1-$2 glow in the dark bracelets and necklaces! (these funds will benefit the drama department)

Monster Mania

Monster Mania
Pretend you’re Dr. Frankenstein and create your own monster!


A contest for all Brandywine Springs K-8th grade students.

Contest Rules
1. Create an original Monster out of junk you find around the house. DO NOT USE ANY MATERIALS THAT WILL OOZE, DEGRADE, OR LEAK SUCH AS FRESH FRUIT.
2. The monster must sit, stand, or lie on a 9”x12” piece of paper. Larger entries will be disqualified. It can be tall.
3. The monster must be constructed from materials of at least 3 different textures.
4. Attach a 3x5 index card to the monster. On it write:
~ your first and last name, grade and room number
~ your monster’s name
~ a unique description of your monster
for example, what it likes, dislikes, eats, where it lives, etc.

5. Monsters must be entered by only one person.

Prizes will be awarded to each grade for the most original monsters in these categories:
*Scariest
*Most creative
*Best monster name
*Most interesting description
Bring your monster to the lobby no later than Thursday morning at 9 AM, October 30th

Newark Halloween Parade

Dear Halloween Parade Participant,
Thank you for submitting an application to participate in the City of Newark's 61st Annual Halloween Parade. This year's event promises to be filled with the fun and excitement.The event is scheduled for Sunday, October 26th. Please plan to have all group members and vehicles arrive no later than 2:15pm and must be in costume. Vehicles and floats should proceed to Newark High School. All walkers or marching participants will be lined up at George Read Park. The two parade sections (vehicular and pedestrian) will be merged prior to stepping onto Main Street at 3pm. Please see the attached map and reminders. If you are unable to read those documents, please click here to be directed to the Community Events Section of the City of Newark's website http://www.cityofnewarkde.us/index.asp?nid=162 <http://www.cityofnewarkde.us/index.asp?nid=162> Brandywine Spring School is assigned to the number 47 spot

Spirit Walk Donations

Please remember to send in your Spirit Walk Donations. Our success in our Fundraisers is what provides our students with the BEST!

Book Fair

Hello BSS Families, our annual fall book fair begins this week. All profits go directly back to our library. Please make sure to come out and check out the wide variety of selections. Below are links to both the elementary and middle school book fair sites.

http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/brandywinespringselem

http://bookfair.scholastic.com/homepage/brandywinespringsmiddle

Red Clay Board Meeting

Please be aware of the Oct. 15th board meeting. An item that the agenda will share is choice bus stops. Come out to hear more information regarding this important topic.

Teacher Phone Extensions

Room No. Extension Name
Cafeteria - Office... 307... Aguanno, Danielle
113-D... 135... Andrzejewski, Kathy
106... 304... Armstrong, Stephanie
8... 143... Ayers, Bonnie
110... 110... Bailey, Diane
111... 111... Bernstein, Allen
104... 104... Bilecki, Deanna
211... 211... Borgese, Heather
1... 136... Brown, Lori
100-I... 130... Butcher, Irene (Art)
108... 108... Connor, Kristin
Main Office... 303... Cooke, Buzzy
100-G ...128... Cox, Cheryl (Gym)
113-F... 134... Cristello, Peggy
120... 120... Danz, Kim
216... 216... Davis, Lisa
101... 101... Dean, Jodi
212... 212... Dean, Tammy
100-X... 124... DiJulio, Lynda
219... 219... Duffy, Martha
Main Office... 301... Eachus, Kathy
6... 141... Emerick, Jeanna (Spanish)
8... 143... Emmons, Bob
Nurse... 306... Englehart, Debbie
109... 109... Flynn, Nancy
221... 221... Francisco, Bill
5... 140... Grant, Leslie
203... 203... Hagedorn, Megan
202... 202... Hall, Jean
7... 142... Health Room
113... 113... Hodges, Judy (Library)
201... 201... Hurtt, Kelly
100-G... 129... Hussar, Chris (Gym)
201... 201... Jeffers, Patti
205... 205... Johns, Peggy
Custodial Office... 305... Kellam, Darin
100-U... 126... Kelleher, David (Art)
200-B... 223... Kelly, Peter
Cafeteria - Kitchen... 308... Kitchen
113-E ®... 132... Latocha, Diane
218... 218... League, Jill
113-A... 131... League, Kari
100-X... 125... Lupinski, Sharon
122... 122... MacAllister, Mary
Main Office... 302... Main Office - 3rd Phone
200-C... 224... Maloney, Holly
115... 115... Malvestuto, Debbie
3... 138... Marioni, Toni
117... 117... McDermott, Melissa
217... 217... Metrinko, Pete
105... 105... Milligan, Laura
Main Office... 300... Morgan, Brenda
204... 204... Naughton, Ann-Marie
113-E (l) ...133... Oberly, Karen
116... 116... O'Connor, Theresa
107... 107... O'Dwyer, Cindy
119... 119... Palucci, Doreen
4... 139... Pressman, Norma (KN Hall)
100-Y... 127... PTO office
215-A... 215... Risner, Lisa
102... 102... Robinson, Deb/Rosaio, Denise
210... 210... Ruocco, Tom
118... 118... Saunders, Sonia
209... 209... Savage, Patti
121... 121... Scott, Jane
103... 103... Sheaffer, Elle
206... 206... Smith, Shannon
200-D... 225... Starrett, Brian
214... 214... Szymanski, Jill
113-A... 131... Thomas, Julie
220... 220... Townsend, Heather
123... 123... Trivits, Kathy
215-B... 200... Trivits, Kylee
208... 208... Upstairs Copy Room
213... 213... Wallace, Vicky
2... 137... Watson, Katie
114... 114... Winslow, Heather
200-A... 222... Wood, Justine
207... 207... Zutz-Cummings, Diane

PARENT OPEN HOUSE

Parents.... remember that Monday & Tuesday nights are BSS' Parent Open House. Monday night will cover grades K-5. Tuesday night is devoted to grades 6-8. Come out and see what is in store for your child this academic school year. PTO memberships will be for sale!

Thank You

BSS PTO wants to thank everyone for participating in the 9th Annual Spirit Walk! It appears the students had a wonderful time. Please make sure your collected donations are in next week. Go Bobcats!

Have A Microwave?

Do you have a microwave that you are not using? The BSS staff has grown considerably this year and unfortunately the school does not have enough microwaves to heat everyone's lunch at the same time. And we all know it is never fun waiting when your are hungry! If you have a microwave that you are willing to donate to the school, please contact the office at 636-5681. Buzzy thanks you very much!

BSS Recess Jumpers

Skill building will take place every last Thursday of the month.

Your first practice will take place on:
Thursday, October 30, 2008
3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
BSS Gym


Thurs., October 30 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Thurs., November 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Thurs., December 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Thurs., January 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Thurs., February 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Thurs., March 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Thurs., April 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Thurs., May 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Family Picnic

For more information contact
Cheryl.cox@redclay.k12.de.us

Parking at BSS

Important Reminder.... please refrain from parking in the St. Barnabas Parking lot. This is private property. It does not belong to Brandywine Springs. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

BSS Scholastic Book Fair

Dear BSS Families,
Brandywine Spring’s Scholastic Book Fair will be held October 16 to the 24th. Our Book Fairs connect students to books they want to read. To help your child find the best books, he or she will visit the Book Fair during library class time (K to 5th grade). The 6th, 7th and 8th grade students will have a separate area and will be able to visit the library during specific times according to their schedules. Students will be allowed to purchase books during their visit, but we also encourage you to look over the Book List being sent home some time the week of October 6th with your child. If you cannot attend, you may use the Book List order form and send it back to school with your child or you may send in a check with the amount you want them to spend. You may also buy a book for the teacher or buy the teacher a gift certificate and they can purchase what they want.
Mark your calendar. Our Family event is on Friday, October 24th. Your family can shop together, participate in activities, and enjoy refreshments. During the event, we also invite you to help build our classroom libraries by purchasing a gift certificate for your child’s classroom.
Thank you for encouraging your child to read. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at the Book Fair. We need many volunteers, so please, if anyone would like to volunteer their time in the am or pm, please fill out the attached form or contact one of us. We need your help to make this a success. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Pat Merritt at tazpatty@juno.com, Phone 995-1197

Reminder

Just a quick reminder for everyone that is parking in the side parking lot during "pick up" time... once exiting the lot, please use the bus exit to leave the BSS Campus. This makes your life easier and it also helps in the safety of the children.

Save Our Fish and the Environment

BSS is starting a recycling program for printer and laser cartridges. All types of laser and printer cartridges will be accepted. The money we make will go towards the upkeep of our fish tank! If we make additional money, it will go towards field trip support, special student activities and supplies.

Did You Know?

1. It takes about a gallon of oil to make a new laser cartridge.
2. Approximately 70% of used printer cartridges are currently being thrown away and many of them end up in our landfills.
3. A laser cartridge thrown into a landfill can take up to 450 years to decompose.

How it works:

Just bring in used cartridges from work, home, or businesses to the main lobby where there will be a collection area for them. Help the environment! Help the school!

Box Tops For Education

We are back up and running with our Box Tops for Education. Start cutting the box tops out of all of your favorite products. Place them into a zip lock bag and make sure to include your child's name and homeroom. Lets see how many we can collect!

PTO Secretary Needed

Our PTO is in need of a Secretary. If interested please contact Lisa Barndt, 892-2336 or wbarndt@comcast.net. Nominations close on 10/21/08. Voting will take place at our next PTO meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 28th at 7pm.