Boght Hills November Newsletter

Dear Boght Families,

It has been a busy and exciting start to the year. Previously, I have written about ongoing growth and change in our school. Construction continues, as evidenced by the unfinished area at our entrance door, while our library and new classrooms are filled with discovery and learning each day. Although we are growing and changing, Boght Hills retains traditions and events that make it one of the hallmarks of the community. This last month we celebrated success at the annual Elementary Cross Country Meet. We also welcomed the fall season at a fantastic family event put on by our PTA, and inside classrooms during fall parties.

Cross Country

Boght Hills’ 4th, 5th, and 6th graders participated in the district elementary Cross Country Meet at the start of October. Congratulations to our medal and ribbon winners whose names appear in this issue. Overall Boght Hills represented very well! We also want to extend thanks to Coach Ahl and Coach Williams for everything they do to help make the annual competition a success.

Fall Festival and Book Fair

The family fall dance was enjoyed by all, and is a reminder of how fortunate we are to have a dedicated, creative, and involved PTA. I am so thankful for all of their efforts. The book fair was well attend-ed and the children were very excited to peruse and choose titles. Thank you to our volunteers and our coordinators! Their organization and planning resulted in a very successful fair. Also, thank you to Ms. Wallace and her library helpers who collaborated to set up the fair.

November Dates

November is busy month with multiple adjustments to the normal routine. Elementary students will have a half day of school on November 1st, 5th (which is also Election Day) and 20th for parent-teacher conferences. School will be closed on November 11th in honor of Veterans’ Day. School will close November 27th-29th for Thanksgiving.

Reminders:

• If you have not been receiving School Messenger updates, visit your parent portal through Infinite Campus to ensure your contact information is correct. I use this tool to reduce the number of paper sent home and communicate important building and district events and reminders.
• As the year moves along, more afterschool activities begin. Doors lock following dismissal and adults picking up students from afterschool activities such as math league or rehearsals should wait at the front doors; teachers will escort children once activity has concluded.
• With cold weather quickly approaching, we suggest that you do not arrive to pick up your child prior to the time their activity concludes. Again, adults in charge of the activity will bring the students to the lobby for pick-up at the conclusion of their event and hand your children off to you at that time.
• Please continue to follow all posted rules in the parking lot (follow arrows, no parking at curb, do not pass bus-es). This is important to keep everyone safe.

Sincerely,

Mr. Marcus Puccioni
Principal

Health Office News

To the Parents of 6th grade students:

All students in 6th grade need to submit proof of the Tdap immunization soon after their 11th birthday per NYS health law. Please call today to make the appointment for your child, so there is no issue with them receiving their shot within a timely manner. Please feel free to call me at any time with questions. I appreciate your cooperation.

Cough Drops

As of September 11, 2012, our school district physician has written a standing order authorizing the school nurse to administer Halls Cough Drops (or its generic equivalent) to children 5 years of age and up. As with all other prescription and over the counter medications, the nurse also is required to obtain written permission from the parent. Without this permission the nurse is not authorized to administer the cough drops. Please do not send cough drops to school without including a permission slip. The cough drops need to be kept in the health office and not with the student.

If sore throat is severe, persists for more than 2 days, is accompanied or followed by fever, headache, swelling, rash, nausea, or vomiting, consult a physician promptly. Thank you for your cooperation.

Physical Exams

New York State Education Law requires that each student receive a physical exam when entering a school district for the first time and again in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. This law also requests a comprehensive dental exam. While the physical examination can be administered by the school physician, and we can offer you names of dentists in the community; we urge you to use your family physician/dentist for this purpose during your child’s summer vacation. In this manner, a pattern of consistent, optimum health care can be established.

A message for Kindergarten & First Grade Parents

Although I have been very fortunate to have received clothing donations of various sizes, sending an extra set of pants and underclothes in your child’s backpack would be most helpful. If your child is seen in the Health Office and needs to borrow items from the closet, please take a moment to wash and return them as soon as possible. They need to be available for the next child that needs to borrow something.

Cold Weather

With “Summer” finally leaving us and the chill of Autumn and frigid temperatures of Winter just around the corner, PLEASE make sure your child is dressed appropriately for outside recess days. Coats, hats and gloves are a must. All students go out for recess every day. Fresh air and exercise are beneficial to growing children. Remember, students must have a doctor’s note to be excused from going outside.

Counselor’s Corner

Dear Boght Hills Families:

The holiday season is fast approaching and your help is needed. Mrs. Van Sleet, our school counselor, and the PTA are teaming up again and will be having a food drive for families in our own Boght Hills school community. We will be collecting various non-perishable food items for distribution this Thanksgiving. Any extra items will be distributed before the holiday break. Your generosity as a school community is always overwhelming and we are so grateful.

We are asking each grade level to contribute a different food item. Food can be donated starting on Friday, November 15. If your family is able, please have all contributions in by Monday, November 25.

• Kindergarten – Stuffing mix
• Grade 1 – Canned vegetables
• Grade 2 – Brownie, Cake, and/or Bread mix and/or Frosting
• Grade 3 – Cranberry Sauce
• Grade 4 – Instant Potatoes
• Grade 5 – Gravy
• Grade 6 – Apple juice, Fruit juice, or Juice boxes

The PTA will be providing families with gift cards to purchase any perishable items they will need.

As always thank you for your support. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. VanSleet at school (518-785-0222) or at svansleet@ncolonie.org.

Kindergarten 2020

We are currently compiling a list of incoming Kindergarten students for the fall of 2020. If you have a child or know of a new family in your neighborhood who may have a Kindergarten-age child, please call our Central Registrar at 518-785-8591 ext. 3135. To be eligible for kindergarten in September, 2020, a child must be five years of age on or before December 1, 2020. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Picture Retake Day

Picture Retake Day is scheduled for Friday, November 22.

Absences/Tardies/Early Dismissals

It is VERY IMPORTANT that we are able to account for students. When a child does not come to school and a parent has not called to report the absence, we become concerned about the safety of the child. There-fore, please call the school at 518-785-0222 to report your child’s absence or tardiness.

It is in the best interest of all of our students that they arrive at 8:05 a.m. each morning (unless, of course, they are sick or have a doctor’s or dentist’s appointment). If a student arrives after 8:25 a.m., the student will be marked tardy. The school day is very busy, and all students benefit from being in homeroom to start all of their morning work on time. A parent/guardian must sign in a student who arrives at 8:25 or later.

Parents should be reminded that a student who is late to school and arrives AFTER 10:30 a.m. will be count-ed as a half-day a.m. absence. Parents should be reminded that a student with an early dismissal who leaves before 12:30 p.m. will be count-ed as a half-day p.m. absence. New York State Education Department regulations require that we record absences, tardiness, and early dis-missals more carefully than ever before. As such, please be sure to include the reason for your child’s absence, tardiness, or early dismissal on their attendance note.

Category: Archive, Boght Hills