Eagle Express
October 21, 2018
From Your Plank South Leadership Team
Plank South Families,
It was so great getting to partner with so many of you at Parent-Teacher Conferences this month. We do have one more half day this coming Friday, 10/26 when once again buses will leave at 11:20am. Please make sure that the office knows well in advance if your child is being picked up or has an alternate plan/destination this Friday!
The big highlight for this week is that it is Red Ribbon Week! Red Ribbon Week is a way for people and communities to unite and take a stand against drugs. It is meant to provide an opportunity to start conversations with children about making healthy choices and staying drug-free. At Plank South, we will talk about “Life is Your Journey, Travel Drug-Free.” Students are encouraged to show their commitment to making healthy choices by wearing the following:
- Tomorrow! Monday 10/22 - Hat Day: “Put a cap on drugs.” Use your brain to make healthy choices and stay drug-free.
- Tuesday 10/23 - Wear your favorite team’s clothing or Plank South spirit wear:
- “Team up against drugs.” Team up with a friend and encourage each other to make choices that will keep your body strong and healthy.
- Wednesday 10/24 - Sweatpants Day: “Choosing to be drug-free is no sweat.” It is important to get exercise every day.
- Thursday 10/25 - Crazy Socks Day: “Sock it to unhealthy choices.” Wear mismatched or crazy colored socks today.
- Friday 10/26 - Wear Red Day: “Wear Red from Head-to-Toe.” You only live once, so take care of your body from head-to-toe.
Parent resources: Here are a few sites that offer ideas about how to start a conversation with your child about making healthy, drug-free choices:
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/substance-abuse/preparing-young-children-drug-free-parents.pdf
https://www2.ed.gov/parents/academic/involve/drugfree/drugfree.pdf
Be sure to read below in the PTSA section about other upcoming events such as the upcoming Trunk or Treat and the Fall Book Fair!
Have a great week!
Your Plank South Leadership Team
Scott Wilcox & Jen Sullivan
Halloween!!!!
Below are our guidelines for costumes on Halloween. As a general rule, if you’re not sure if it is school appropriate it probably isn’t!
Halloween will be a lot of fun, but we do have kids as young as 4 & 5 in kindergarten and having our children feel safe at school is our highest priority, so please avoid anything that might scare our youngest learners!
Safe footwear (kids still have PE and recess!) is required.
No blood.
No weapons. Also, we know that things like sticks, pool noodles,and plungers make great pretend swords or guns at home, but please make sure your child doesn't bring these pretend weapons to school, either!
No costumes that are in conflict with our CARE behaviors or that make fun of others are allowed.
Also, please do not have your child bring in any food to share with others unless it is part of a teacher/classroom-approved activity! Most of our kids will have plenty of candy after the school day ends, so we are fairly sure none of our kids will be too deprived!
Halloween Parade: We will have an in-school Halloween Parade on Wednesday, 10/31. This parade is designed to be an in-school event for the kids to see all the other kids in costume, but we will arrange for parents to be able to see the parade in the cafeteria (9:15 start time). If this is your only chance to see you child dressed up or if you have an in-class event right afterward by all means come and join us. If not, this might be an event to pass on. You will likely only see your child for a few seconds and parking will be very difficult as Plank North also has a parade.
From the PTSA
Trunk or Treat – Sunday, October 28th 2:45 – 4:00pm
Get ready for some spooky fun at Plank South and Plank North. We will be parking our cars in the schools parking lot and opening our trunks so the children can “trick-or-treat” from car to car.
Each family should bring candy to distribute from their trunk. Each child should be dressed in their costume and carry a bag/bucket to put their goodies in. One adult must stay at your trunk and another adult should accompany your children as they walk around. If this is a problem, families may certainly combine to do a trunk. We want everyone to have fun and be safe!
There will be a contest and PRIZES for best decorated trunks!!!
Please remember: all costumes/trunk decorations should be school appropriate and child-friendly. We hope to see you there!
Fall Book Fair – November 13th – 15th
Our Fall Book Fair will be here before you know it. Please start thinking about what book needs your children may have…all proceeds go to our school's library! We also need a lot of help to hold such a large, school-wide event so be on the lookout for a volunteer sign-up soon!
School 17 Gift Giving Project
Your students recently received an invitation to be a part of a Plank South Holiday Tradition. Many of our families generously donate a gift to a student at City School 17 in Rochester. A small group of Webster School faculty, students, and volunteers then deliver the gifts accompanied by Santa and Mrs. Claus! Keep an eye out for more information and sign up to be part of something great!
Current Volunteer Opportunities
- We have open positions on the steering committee and for coordinator positions. Click here for more information.
Upcoming Events
- Tuesday, 10/16 – 5th Grade Roller Skating
- Tuesday - Wednesday, 10/16-10/17 – School Pictures
- Thursday – Friday, 10/18-10/19 – ½ Day for Parent Teacher Conferences
- Friday, 10/26 – ½ Day for Parent Teacher Conferences
- Sunday, 10/28 – Trunk or Treat 2:45 – 4:00pm
- Tuesday, 11/6 – 2nd Grade Roller Skating
- Thursday, 11/8– PTSA Meeting 7:00pm
- Tuesday – Thursday, 11/13-11/15 Book Fair
- Thursday, 11/15 – Evening Book Fair 6:30-8:00pm
- Thursday, 11/15 – Open House 6:30-7:30pm
WCSD Proposed Capital Improvement Project Up for a Vote December 11
Included in this proposal are state-of-the-art media centers at all elementary schools, Willink Middle School, and Webster Schroeder High School. There are also proposed renovations to the technology education wing at Webster Thomas High School, improvements to playing fields at both high schools, and the purchase of the Town of Webster’s field at Basket Road. WCSD’s transportation center will also see improvements and expansion as part of this proposed project.
Please click HERE for more information regarding the proposed capital improvement project. Be sure to check the website throughout the fall as it will continually be updated with additional details about the project. Below are two videos with information on capital improvement project.