• October 6, 2009

    Message from the Nurse: when to keep your child home from school…

    Influenza Like Illness

    Symptoms: Includes fever of 100 degrees or greater, cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache and feeling very tired; vomiting and diarrhea may also occur.

    If your child is sick: If your child is sick with these symptoms, you must stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil AND at least 24 hours after any nausea, vomiting or diarrhea stops.

    Reporting an absence: When reporting your child is ill, we would appreciate if you would please include specific symptoms such as: temperature, sore throat or cough. When your child returns to school please fill out the Return to School Note ATTACHED.

    More Information: You can obtain more information about H1N1 Influenza from the Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

    Readington Township Public Schools also has information posted on their homepage https://www.readington.k12.nj.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=1.
     
     
    October 7, 2009
     
    Notes from the Nurse:

    Many parents are concerned about this year's flu season. We have been sending out a great deal of information regarding hand washing and keeping your child home when sick. These are very important steps but there are other ways that as parents you can help maximize your child's immune system.

    - Ensure that your child is getting an adequate amount of sleep every night.

    - Maintain a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables for your child.

    - Participate in regular exercise or activity. The CDC recommends children and adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity each day.

    I encourage everyone to visit the new Shaping NJ Website launched today by Governor Corzine. Not only is there a fun 6 week health and fitness challenge for the whole family there is also a wealth of information for parents and kids on nutrition and fitness.

    http://www.shapingnj.com/fitnesschallenge/

    For more information on children's health topics visit:

    http://www.cdc.gov/family/kidsites/index.htm

    http://www.kidshealth.org/

    http://www.kids.gov/
    October 19, 2009
     
    On Friday, October 30th at 2:15 p.m., Holland Brook School will hold its 11th annual Halloween Parade. Students will parade around the bus loop in front of our building, starting with fifth grade and followed by fourth grade. Parking is limited and will be available only in the parent visitor parking lot and along the access road leading to Holland Brook School. Parents are encouraged to carpool and should plan on arriving early to find parking as historically this event has drawn a large turnout. All visitors who arrive early will wait outside until the start of the event at 2:15 p.m. In case of inclement weather, students will parade inside the building. For safety reasons, please do not send your children to school in full costume as they will have plenty of time to put on their costume just before the parade. Students will also be asked to take their costumes off before leaving at the end of the day. I encourage every student to bring a costume that fits easily over their clothing. Face painting is discouraged and masks may only be worn during the parade and not inside the building. These guidelines have been established to ensure the safety of our students during the parade and when transitioning in and out of the building. Parents, please use your best judgment when selecting an appropriate costume and accessories. Costumes should not condone violence, weapons, guns, etc, as they are not appropriate for school. Any student who does not comply with these expectations will not join the parade. I appreciate your cooperation. This is going to be a happy and celebrative event. We look forward to having you join us on the 30th.
     
     
    October 22, 2009

    Picture Retake Day

    The retake date for Lifetouch school portraits is Tuesday, October 27th. Retakes are by PRE-PAY ONLY and NOT by the proof system. The pre-pay method for retakes will help ensure your pictures are received before the holidays.

    Your child will be receiving the attached form via backpack mail. If you were happy with your first proof and have already placed an order, this information does not apply to you.

    If your child is taking a picture on retake day, you must complete the order form and have him/her bring it to the camera. Remember to follow the instructions listed on the flyer:

    1) Pick a Pose
    2) Pick a Color
    3) Pick Options
    4) Pick Package
    5) Include Payment
    6) Return Envelope on October 27th
    Should you have any questions, you may contact Lifetouch at 1-800-280-5388.
     

    Reminder

    Tomorrow, October 23rd, is turn your back on violence day and students should wear their shirts backward in support of non-violence.
     
    October 26, 2009
     
    Red Ribbon Week

    The activities for the week are:

    Monday: Distributed Red Ribbons – Encourage students to wear everyday this week

    Tuesday: Wear Red Day

    Wednesday: Wear Slippers Day (Give Drugs/Alcohol and Tobacco the Slip)

    Reminder: Students who have gym need to bring in proper shoes for class

    Thursday: Distribute Drug Free Pledge Cards

    Friday: Due to Halloween Parade: Dress Up and SCARE Away Drugs/Alcohol and Tobacco

     
    Picture Retake Day

    The retake date for Lifetouch school portraits is Tuesday, October 27th. Retakes are by PRE-PAY ONLY and NOT by the proof system. The pre-pay method for retakes will help ensure your pictures are received before the holidays.

    Your child will be receiving the attached form via backpack mail. If you were happy with your first proof and have already placed an order, this information does not apply to you.

    If your child is taking a picture on retake day, you must complete the order form and have him/her bring it to the camera. Remember to follow the instructions listed on the flyer:

    1) Pick a Pose

    2) Pick a Color

    3) Pick Options

    4) Pick Package

    5) Include Payment

    6) Return Envelope on October 27th

    Should you have any questions, you may contact Lifetouch at 1-800-280-5388.
     

    Board Briefs

    Attached from October 20th BOE meeting.
    Board Briefs
     
    October 27, 2009
     
    Parent/Teacher Conference Letter

    Parent/Teacher conference letters were distributed today to your child's homeroom teacher and will be sent home via backpack mail. The HBS Fall Conference Parent Response form is due by November 2, 2009.

    Halloween Parade and Parent Pick Up Procedure

    The Halloween Parade is Friday, October 30th from 2:15pm – 2:45pm. If you plan to take your child home with you after the completion of the parade please fill out the attached permission slip. Return the completed slip to your child's homeroom teacher by Thursday, October 29th. Parents choosing to take their child home early will be asked to wait in the cafeteria.
    Halloween Parent Pickup Permission Slip
     
    Please read the attached information about our new emergency calling system.
    School Messenger Parent Info
     
     
    October 30, 2009

    The Hunterdon County Department of Health (H.C.D.H.) has informed us that they have found increased flu activity in our county, most likely due to the spread of the H1N1 virus. I have included the H.C.D.H.'s press release and their “When to Consult Your Physician” guidelines for your review. We are also seeing increases in absentee rates at some of our schools. Our custodial staff remains vigilant in disinfecting desktops, doorknobs, common surfaces, etc. Hand sanitizers remain available in all classrooms and offices, and we continue to focus our students on practicing good health habits. Hand washing and covering all coughs and sneezes are very important to stem the spread of any virus. The most important way that we can reduce the spread of infection is to make certain that sick children return to school only after being fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

    Our school nurses are noting a rapid onset of symptoms particularly with students who are coughing or complaining of headaches. In the event that your child is ill, when you report your child absent, it would be helpful if you state whether your child is out sick due to flu-like symptoms.These symptoms could include fever of 100 degrees or higher, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue.

    We are keeping in close contact with the Hunterdon County Executive Superintendent and the Hunterdon County Health Department as we continue to follow guidelines for schools as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (C.D.C.). Please remember, the CDC does not recommend closing school in response to student absences during this flu season.We are following this recommendation and will remain open. The C.D.C.'s research shows the benefits of closing school often are outweighed by negative outcomes. However, closing school remains an option as we continue to monitor our absentee rates. In addition, evening and other social events at each school may be limited or canceled. These practices remain consistent with other area schools; and we are working to ensure that we respond appropriately to the needs of our children, staff and learning community.

    I appreciate your cooperation as we work together to keep our students and staff healthy. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at 534-2195 ext. 1.

    Sincerely,

    Jorden Schiff, Ed.D.
     
     
    November 3, 2009
     

    Family School Connection Meeting

    The first meeting of the HBS Family School Connection (FSC) is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10th, 6:30 pm, HBS Library.  RSVP to FSC chair, see attached for details. 

     
    FSC Meeting 11 10 09
     

    Invite Your Parents to School Day

    Holland Brook School will join thousands of schools nationwide in celebrating American Education Week. As part of the celebration, we will be organizing “Invite Parents to School Day” on Wednesday, November 11, 2009.

    Open visitation times are:

    Grade 5 – 9:10 -10:00am

    Grade 4 – 10:30 -11:20am

    If you are going to participate, please complete the attached form and return to your child's teacher by November 9th.
    Invite Your Parents to School Day
Last Modified on October 21, 2009