Audubon Elementary News
March 2015
From the Principal's Desk
We have finally made it to March and hopefully the Spring weather is right around the corner. Please continue to send your children with hats, gloves and coats so that we can take advantage of any time we can get outside. We are coming in to our busiest months here at Audubon. We have the science fair, 4th grade ASE, Spring Break, PSSA's and much more. We also have kindergarten registration this month. Please see the information included in this newsletter for details. Daylight Savings time began on Sunday. Please keep in mind how disruptive this lost hour can be for children and do your best to maintain a schedule for them as we all adjust.
Kind regards and warm thoughts,
Tara Ricci, Principal
Important Dates
March 2-6 Proud to Be Me Week
March 9-13 Book Fair
March 11 No School- Teacher In-service
March 12 Science Fair 6 PM
March 13 4th Grade After School Event- pick up at 7:00 PM
March 18 Home and School Meeting 9:30 AM
March 19 String Jamboree- Arcola
March 31 Picture Day
April 1 School Day for Students (Snow Make-up Day)
April 2 School for Students- (Snow Make-up Day)
April 3-6 No School Spring Break
April 13- May 1 PSSA Testing
PSSA Testing Information
In the spring of each year we participate in statewide PSSA testing. Our students are well prepared for testing and this should not be a source of anxiety for any child. If your child expresses concerns, remind them that we only ask that they give their best effort. Specific testing dates are listed below. Please be sure your child gets a good night's sleep the evening before, eats a healthy breakfast and arrives at school on time. We thank you for working with us to support our children.
ELA Testing Dates: April 13-17 (Grades 3 and 4)
Math Testing Dates: April 21-23 (Grades 3 and 4)
Science Testing Dates: April 27-28 (Grade 4)
News From The Nurse
USA Today- 1/14/13
Researching doctors have found a common disconnect between a public opinion and the scientific makeup of a cough. According to USA Today, doctors found that most adults assume typical coughs should last about 7-9 days. This estimation is not only the most common, but also incorrect.
“In a new study, doctors who reviewed medical studies found that ‘acute cough,’ sometimes called ‘acute bronchitis,’ lasts an average of nearly 18 days,” said Today.
Because of the misunderstanding among so many people, coughs that linger past a week often prompt patients to request an antibiotic to kick the germs. Doctors say however, that those antibiotics really don’t work.
Researcher Mark Ebell, whose study was published in January in the Annals of Family Medicine, said, “I frequently see patients who come in and have been sick for 4 or 5 days and say ‘boy I really need an antibiotic - I’m just not getting better.” Since most coughs are viral, an antibiotic won’t be able to cure it. Antibiotics are able to treat bacterial illnesses, not viral. Worse still, says the report, is that taking an antibiotic to treat a viral illness can actually do harm to the patient. Antibiotics can cause allergic reactions, stomach problems, and other unpleasant side effects. Beyond that, they can spur “the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can sicken not only the person who took the antibiotic but other people as well.”
In response to the myth that an antibiotic will cure a cough, patient and doctor education is moving through clinics and offices. Ebell advises emphasizing the normal duration of a cough to patients or parents insisting on a prescription, hoping they will begin to understand that three weeks is a normal length of time to hold on to a lingering cough.
How to Treat a Cough Without Antibiotics
Drink plenty of fluids.
Sleep with your head elevated.
Stay away from irritating inhalants. Wear a mask if necessary.
Use cough drops or hard candies to soothe a sore throat.
Use an expectorant to help thin mucus.
Use a cough suppressant as directed by a healthcare provider.
Pennies for Patients
Once again Audubon Elementary will help raise money for
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Our school will participate in the Pennies for Patients program from March 2nd to March 20th. Please dig deep into your pockets and send in any extra money you may find to support this worthwhile cause. With your help, I know we will have another successful year.
Thank you for all you do!
Sincerely,
Pat Belyus
From the School Counselor
We kicked off February with NED and yo-yo tricks! He reminds us to Never give up, Encourage others, and Do your best. Students who exemplified this include: Jimmy Regan, Clara Boone, Philip Caiazzo, Yoshitha Kunarapu, Sal Lopiccolo, Lan Ngo, Michael Tasker, Isabella DeSantis, Ben Warkentin, Chloe Stike, Anthony Foraker, Olivia Proietto, Will VanBuskirk, Marina Karvounis, Antosh Rosinski, Fiona Rudart, Ava Fisher, Patrick Sweeney, Katie Rozinsky, Ben Kurtz, Soleil Bond Johnson, Owen O'Neil, Violet Brower, Jack Schuebel, Varsha Iyengar, Cole Kleger, Erin Stephenson, Lucas Horoho , Kate Thomas, Owen Rovinsky, Emilie Xie, Gavin Botto, Connie Juarez, Chase Wagner, Evander Houck, Shane Baird, Mohit Dutta, Liam George, Avishi Gupta, George Dyer
Kindergarten Registration March 16-20 @Eagleville Elementary
If your child will be 5 on or before August 31, 2015 and they are ready for kindergarten, now is the time to sign up! This year, Methacton will be hosting a central registration for all incoming kindergarteners. Registrations will be held Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20. Parents can go on the district website and sign up for an appointment or contact the Eagleville office to schedule at 610-489-5000 ext. 41200. Children need not be present at registration. Kindergarten screening will take place the first week of June and more information will be coming soon. Please spread the word about registration to friends and neighbors with eligible children.
If you would like to register your child for grades 1 through 4 for the 2015-16 school year, please contact the Audubon office @ 610-489-5000 ext. 42200 after March 20.