Testing

An important part of the planning process is student assessment.  Our students are currently taking the NWEA (MAP) tests this week and next.  The test is about an hour and students take it on a computer. The DIBELS assessments for reading fluency are also administered this time of year to all students. (Students were also assessed with the DIBELS in the fall and winter.) The data collected from these assessments help educators set instructional goals for each student.

Placement

As we begin the placement process, please keep in mind that it is very difficult to fulfill requests for specific teachers.  If you feel there is important information we should know about your child’s personality and learning style when making placement decisions, please send in a note to Mrs. St. Pierre, or email rstpierre@sau15.net.  The letters of this nature we have already received have been very respectful and informative.  We appreciate your sensitivity to the delicate nature of placement discussions.

Food at School

There are celebrations at this time of year.  Please remember that due to the number of students in our school with dietary restrictions, we ask that food not be sent to school unless specifically requested for a certain purpose.  We are very fortunate to have so many generous families desiring to share with others. However, bringing food to classrooms can present a serious health risk to many of our students.

Appropriate Footwear

Classes are going outside more with the warm weather. Physical activity is an important part of healthy growth, physically and academically. Please keep this in mind as your child dresses for the school day.  It is important that footwear is safe for running and playing in an area shared with many other children.  Toes should be protected.  Higher healed shoes pose a risk for harm as well.  Sneakers, or like kind of shoes, should be worn to school.

Safety

We want to thank the drivers who bring their students to school for drop-off.  They are very patient when waiting for students to get grab backpacks, kiss moms, pet Fido, and eventually get out of the car.

When waiting for students coming from Memorial at the end the day, please remind your Underhill child to practice safety rules of not running near cars and buses. We also discourage running in the parking lot.  It helps us all stay safe when we adhere to school rules, even when we are with Mom and Dad.

Last Day

For those of you making summer plans, you will want to know that our last day of school is Tuesday, June 19.  It is a half-day. School will be dismissed at 12:50 PM.

BOWL-A-THON FUNDRAISER

Saturday, May 19, 2012
12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Lakeside Lanes
2171 Candia Rd
Manchester NH 03109

Underhill student Ethan Boynton was diagnosed in 2007 with Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD).

Adrenoleukodystrophy is a disorder of the metablosim of a very long chain fatty acids. It is an x-linked disorder that primarily affects males and results in progressive injury to the adrenal cortex and myelin of the nervous system. At this time there isn't a cure for ALD. A therapy used to treat ALD is called Lorenzo's Oil.

Research funding is limited for rare disorders, such as ALD. Grants to support this type of study are extremely hard to come by and at this time funding to support this specific therapy is not available.

Since 2007 Ethan's parents, Randi and Mike, have been diligent in monitoring Ethan's diet in effort to keep his daily fat intake to a minimum. Ethan also participates in the study at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and receives daily doses of Lorenzo's Oil.

Ethan went to Baltimore last month for his annual evaluation which consists of a battery of tests including MRIs. These tests determine if Ethan is still asymptomatic or if he has begun developing symptoms. Thankfully, Ethan passed with flying colors.

While at John Hopkins, Randi was informed that funding of the study was extremely limited and funds would run out very soon. Without these treaments young boys like Ethan will be left without Lorenzo's Oil which could ultimately cause them to become symptomatic. 

Tic-Tac-Tots is in the beginning phases of planning a Bowl-A-Thon to help raise money and awareness for this rare condition. We ask that you take a moment and reflect how this would affect your family if your child was diagnosed with a rare disease. We hope that you will participate in our first annual Bowl-A-Thon for ALD and become a member of TEAM ETHAN. We are asking for donations of at least $50. More information will be posted when available. Thank You!