Friday, August 26, 2016

8/26/16

Dear McKelvie Families ~

We have successfully completed the first two days of school!  Despite the humidity, your kids were amazing - kind, enthusiastic, and full of positive energy.  Thank you for sending us such terrific students!  Below are some quick highlights:

First Day Line Up
For those of you who are curious about how the students found their teachers on the first day, click HERE.  

School Picture Day
McKelvie School Pictures are scheduled for Wednesday, September 21st in the AM.

McKelvie Parent Nights
Grade 5 = Tuesday, September 6th @ 6pm
Grade 6 = Wednesday, September 7th @ 6pm
*Details to follow*

Text Message Alerts - ACTION ITEM
If you wish to receive text alerts (late buses, emergencies), via text, please text YES to 68453

Bus Information - IMPORTANT
Please take note of our bus company phone number in the case of en emergency: 668-6651 

Dismissal
Just a reminder that all students are expected to take the bus unless we have a note stating otherwise.  Notes can be permanent (e.g., every Wednesday) or a la carte.  Questions can be sent to Beth Conaton (conatonb@sau25.net) or Denise Roy (royd@sau25.net).  Click HERE for more information.

McKelvie Chorus
If your child is interested in the McKelvie Chorus, click HERE to sign up. Questions can be directed to Mrs. Coughlin (coughlinr@sau25.net).

Job Opportunities
We have two openings at McKelvie that need to be filled.  Please pass along to anyone you think might be interested and would be a quality candidate.

Music Long Term Sub: Certified Music Teacher with background in teaching instrument lessons.  Effective immediately until mid-November.

Before School Program: Monday through Friday at McKelvie from 7:30 to 8:20.  $15 per day.  If interested, please email Jen Asdot (asdotj@sau25.net)

McKelvie & The Jimmy Fund
We are excited to announce that two teams with connections to McKelvie will be participating in the Jimmy Fund Walk to benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on Sunday, September 25

Please mark your calendars.  A fundraising carwash and bake sale will be held on Saturday, September 17(rain date Sunday, September 18).  Please look to future Principal Notes as there will be more information to come on how you can volunteer, donate items, or find another way to help support this important cause.  Thank you! 

Have a great weekend,

Michael Fournier
Principal
McKelvie Intermediate School
108 Liberty Hill Road
Bedford, NH 03110
603.472.3951 (W)
603.472.4503 (F)
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BeBOLD Board Member

Thursday, August 18, 2016

9/18/16

Dear McKelvie Families ~

I hope this email finds you well rested and enjoying the summer!  If you have driven by McKelvie lately, you will notice that we have not stopped working to finish summer projects both inside and outside of the building!  We are hard at work to get everything complete by August 25th!
If your family is like mine, we are beginning to think about the start of school and all that it entails (new clothes, school supplies, summer math packet, etc...).  To ease the anxious minds of students (and their parents), I have included some helpful information below:

When is the first day of school for students?
The first day is Thursday, August 25th

What do I do if my child did not receive or misplaced their supply list(s)?
Supply Lists are located on the McKelvie web page.  If you purchased a PTG Supply Pack, you are ALL SET!

What time does school start?
School starts at 8:50am
.  Busses start arriving on campus at 8:20am and drop students off on the playground where they will meet their friends and teachers. Students who are getting a ride to school can be dropped of starting at 8:25 on the Liberty Hill side of the building. Click here for our arrival map.

Is there a Before School Program?
Yes! If you would like to drop off your child between 7:30am and 8:20am, please click here to register.

How will my child know what to do/where to go once they get to school?
We will have 28 cones set up on the playground where students can place their backpack and supplies.  Each cone will have a teacher's name (homeroom) and room number. Teachers will be available to greet their students.

What happens if my child has a question or needs something?
There will be plenty of adults on the playground with homeroom lists.  They know that kids on the first day of school can be anxious, so they have a smile on their face and will answer any and all questions.  Also - your child's teacher will meet them and they will walk into the building together.

Do parents stay with their kids and wait for the bell?
No.  From time to time we have a mom or dad lingering on the playground (not usually though).  If you think that will be you, please walk up to a teacher and identify yourself so that they know you are safe to be there.

Should I pack a snack or water for my child?
Absolutely.  Teachers will designate a snack time.  The lunch/recess block for 5th grade is 12:00 - 12:50.  The lunch/recess block for 6th grade is 12:50 - 1:40.  If your child forgets a water bottle, we have drinking fountains and water bottles for $1.

When does school end?
School ends at 3:15
.  All students are assumed to be taking the bus unless we are notified otherwise (via a note).  We will dismiss students who are being picked up FIRST, followed by bus dismissal.
- Students being picked up with last name beginning with A-J = will exit the FRONT (Liberty Hill)
- Students being picked up with last name beginning with K-Z = will exit the SIDE (County Road)
*You may park and walk your child to the car OR, your child can walk to you.  We will have teachers on duty to monitor students walking to their car.

Is there an After School Program?
Yes!  New Morning School operates an after school program at our facility that runs from the end of the school day until 5:45pm.  Click here to learn about the program and how to register your child.  

How can I access the nurse if my child has medical needs?
We have a full time BSN on site (Nurse Ruby).  She will be available on August 22nd, 23rd, & 24th to answer questions, receive medication, and schedule trainings.  Feel free to leave her a message at 472-3951 ext. 2214.

Is there a Meet & Greet at McKelvie?
No.  McKelvie does not have a Meet & Greet like the elementary schools.  You will notice that the district gradually makes changes as your child moves from school to school.  These changes help to foster independence and allow students (and their parents) to experience new situations in a safe and welcoming environment.

How do I find out my child's bus number/bus schedule?
Local bus routes are currently available on the district web site. Click here to see them.

When will I know about Clubs & Activities?
We generally advertise Clubs and Activities at the end of the 2nd week of school. Clubs and Activities will be announced at that time.

Important Dates:
Grade 5 Open House: Tuesday, September 6th
Grade 6 Open House: Wednesday, September 7th

Special Note:  If you will be picking up your child at the end of  the day, please review our Arrival and Dismissal Procedures under School Info. on our web site.

Enjoy what is left of this summer!  See you on August 25th!

Michael Fournier
Principal
McKelvie Intermediate School
108 Liberty Hill Road
Bedford, NH 03110
603.472.3951 (W)
603.472.4503 (F)
"Like" us on Facebook!
Mr. Fournier's Website

BeBOLD Board Member

Monday, August 1, 2016

8/1/16

Dear McKelvie Families ~
I hope that this email finds you well and enjoying your summer vacation.  We have been hard at work getting ready for the new school year.  With August here, I know that school preparation is making its way into your planning, so I thought that I would send out some reminders.  Below are some quick hits for you:
- InfoSnap will be sent to you via email on 8/3 mid-day.  Once you complete this process, you can log into your PowerSchool Account and see your child's teacher(s).
- We will post class lists on August 8th so that your child can get a sense of who will be in their pod.  The lists will be posted in the Gym Hallway on the County Road side of the building.  For privacy purposes, we do not post these on the school web site.
- If you already ordered PTG School Supply Packs, they will be delivered to your child's classroom for the 1st day.  If not, please see our school web site for school supply lists.
- 6th grade students do have a Summer Math Packet.  While it is voluntary, we highly recommend that your child practice these skills prior to the start of school.
- We have had a number of new hires this year.  It is likely that you will see some new names and teachers as you browse our web site.
- The first day of school for students is Thursday, August 25th.  School hours are8:50 to 3:15.  More information to follow.
- A copy of our Student Handbook can be found on the school web site under School Info.
- McKelvie does not have a Meet & Greet like the elemntary schools do.  You will notice that with each transition in Bedford, there are changes in expectation and process.  Not to worry, all of our teachers greet their students on the playground.  They give tours and get to know your child.  I promise, we will take care of each and every one!
Until my next email, I wish you an fun-filled, safe summer!
Michael Fournier, Principal