It was a very busy week for backpack flyers, so we thought we’d provide an end of week summary of the various items that were sent home and a few other messages.

1. It’s time for our 2010 Readathon. 100% of money raised goes directly to the purchase of new books for the Clinton School library.
All details, pledge sheet, and reading log can be found on the Flyers and Forms page.

2. Author Suzy Kline of Horrible Harry fame will be visiting Clinton during the school day on February 26th. To order autographed copies of Ms. Kline’s books, visit the Flyers and Forms page.

There is also a form for a chance for your 3rd-5th grade child to enter a contest to win the chance to have lunch with Ms. Kline during her visit.

3. Our student government’s annual candygram fundraiser is also underway. Pink flyers were sent home this week. This year all proceeds will be donated to the Haitian relief effort. February 10th is the last day to send in candygram orders.

4. Rehearsals for our all school musical revue are well underway and they’re going great! Volunteer parents and student performers are hard at work. Please remember to check the show website for all updated information, dates, and paperwork.

5. The Parenting Center has some great events coming up.
Author and psychologist Jeb Baker will give a talk entitled “No More Meltdowns” at Tuscan School on February 18th.

The Parenting Center is also hosting Lice Information night on February 11th at Clinton School. Please check out the details:

http://www.clintonelementary.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/FlyerLice.pdf

It’s also time for the Parenting Center’s winter workshops.

As always, there is a lot going on at Clinton and throughout the district. We hope you will be able to participate in or attend some of these programs/events.

Our wonderful Storytelling Night will take place in the Clinton School auditorium on Thursday, January 28th, at 6:30 pm. Kids can wear their PJs and bring their favorite stuffed animals.

If you have gently used children’s books that you’d like to donate, we’ll be collecting them that evening for the District’s Parenting Center, who will distribute them to families in our school community.

Also, if your child has lost gloves, scarves, hats, coats, or anything else this year, please walk by the hallway outside of the cafeteria when you visit the school that evening. Lost and Found items will be sorted and on display so they can be reclaimed. If you can’t make it that night, try to stop in at drop-off or pick-up. There are an enormous amount of lost items. Whatever is not claimed, will be donated to the Clinton School account at Other Mothers Consignment Shop.

Join the Parenting Center, doctors, and local lice professionals for an evening of information and demonstrations about Lice.

Thursday, February 11th
6:30 to 8:00 pm
Clinton School Cafeteria
27 Berkshire Road

Our Storytelling Night (which was to take place on January 21st) has been postponed one week. It is now scheduled for Thursday, January 28th at 6:30 pm.

We rescheduled the event to accommodate an outreach program that the school district’s social work program is having for Haitian families at our school next week. In light of the situation in Haiti and the large number of South Orange Maplewood students who are affected, the program has been designed to offer support to these families and bring them together with school district professionals who can help.

The PTA will be supporting this outreach program in whatever way we can, and we applaud the social work department for organizing the outreach evening, which will benefit many Clinton School families.

Please mark your calendar with the new date for Storytelling Night. We look forward to seeing you there.

In response to the crises in Haiti, The Parenting Center is planning an evening gathering to support Haitian families who are affected by or concerned about the earthquake.

Our plan is to invite elementary and middle school Haitian families to Clinton School on Thursday, January 21, from 6:00–7:30pm. Parents and students are invited, as well as high school student mentors who are interested in working with the elementary students.

РWe will first have a buffet dinner – pasta, chicken, salad, etc.
– Students and parents will then divide into separate groups in separate areas (lunchroom and gym)
– Maudjah Frances, a past intern and licensed counselor who was born in Haiti and now lives in South Orange, will lead the adult gathering. The goal is to support parents, share experiences and concerns, and provide information on helping children cope with this crises.
– The elementary and middle school students will meet in a group with their high school “buddies”. The group will be led by our building social workers. The goal of this group is to support the elementary and middle school students and discuss any concerns or issues they might have.

We will be sending a flyer home and social work interns will call specific families to invite them to this event. We welcome your feedback; please let us know how we can best reach out to the families at your school and we welcome ideas, suggestions and support.

We welcome your participation and contributions. Karen Hilton has agreed to coordinate the dinner, so, if you’d like to participate, please e-mail her at karenhilton{at}optonline.net Or you can contact Karen Weiland kweiland@somd.k12.nj.us or 973-762-5600 X1850.

Each year the Parenting Center collects toys for needy children in the South Orange & Maplewood School District and Clinton School is a collection site. Many children benefit from this effort so your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Please drop off an unwrapped toy for children ages infant to 16. We usually get many more toys for little ones than teens, so if you can drop off something that would appeal to teenagers that would be great, but items for all ages are needed.

THE DRIVE RUNS FROM DECEMBER 1ST-14TH.

The collection box is in the front hallway of Clinton School so you can drop the toy off there or have your child bring the toy to school and deposit it in the collection box.

Clinton School has been a great supporter of this effort in years past and we look forward to another very generous season.

Read a nice article about the Toy Drive on Patch.