Shaffer Times November 2009 Principal’s Perspective For the month of November, we are working on the theme “Responsibility.” Please reinforce our theme with your child at home. In addition, we are also working on Anti-Bullying Education.Each morning during announcements,your child recites the Anti-Bullying Pledge with me.We are also beginning to strategize and plan our approach for making sure we are well prepared for PSSA test in April. Remember,together, we can ensure that your child gets the best of what we have to offer. As always, keep the lines of positive communication open. Yours in Education Excellence, Principal Leonard PLEASE DON’T FORGET FUNDRAISER DISTRIBUTION ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 TH FROM 3:00PM-6:30PM IN SHAFFER ALL- PURPOSE ROOM.

Shaffer Times Shaffer IDOL is Here! Please come out and support the 50+ students who are participating in our annual talent showcase! The show will start promptly at 7pm on Tuesday, November 3 rd at the Woodland Hills High School on Greensburg Pike! Admission is $1 or TWO non-perishable food items. PTO Meeting Time Children are welcome and feel free to bring a snack to share! At our November meeting, on Tuesday, November 10 th at 7pm, our special guest will be Superintendent Dr. Walter Calinger. Come and get the whole WHSD scoop from the source! There will plenty of time for questions and open talk. Mrs. Tomko’s Time ‘Tis the season for colds and flu!! Mrs. Tomko is asking for Kleenex, soap, hand sanitizer, and Lysol to keep the germs away. Also, Mrs. Tomko would like to give a great big shout out to my class superstars, Jocelyn O’Neil and Jessica Smeltzer. She would also like to recognize Room 104 for their hard work and excellent behavior. “Keep it up class, I am so very proud of you!!” Thanks Mrs. Tomko!

Notes from the Nurse The H1N1 flu can be easily spread from person to person, the same as the seasonal flu. We are taking steps to reduce the spread of flu at Shaffer Elementary. We are working closely with the Allegheny County Health Department, Pa. Dept. of Health, and the Center for Disease Control to monitor flu conditions and following their recommendations such as: *thoroughly cleaning classrooms daily by the custodial staff *posting fliers to demonstrate proper hand washing and coughing techniques *being vigilant with our students regarding hand washing techniques *classroom presentations by our nurse and guidance counselor regarding proper hand washing and coughing techniques and personal space and respect for others. We are asking your help to ensure a healthy environment: *reinforce with your children the need to wash their hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer *reinforce with your children NOT to share personal items such as drinks, food or unwashed utensils *reinforce with your children to cover a cough or sneeze into the fabric over the elbow or arm to prevent spread by hand contamination *reinforce with your children avoid touching their T-Zone – eyes, nose and mouth as these are areas in which germs can enter the body and cause illness *know the signs and symptoms of the flu: a fever of or higher, cough, sore throat, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, headache, feeling very tired. *keep sick children home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever without using fever-reducing medications. *DO NOT SEND CHILDREN TO SCHOOL WHO ARE SICK; especially if available transportation home will be a concern. *inquire with your family physician about immunizing your child with the H1N1 vaccine and seasonal flu vaccine. CONTINUED NEXT PAGE

... Nursing Time Continued For more information, continue to monitor the: Pennsylvania Dept. of Health website and Just a reminder: Kindergarten and 6 th grade physicals are currently due. Kindergarten and third grade dentals are due currently. If your child has had a physical over the summer, a new physical examination is not necessary. Send a copy of your child’s physical examination to Mrs. Walter, School Nurse, or have the doctor fax to: to the attention of Mrs. Walter. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of the above, please call Mrs. Walter at any time at extension It’s Lunchtime! Want to put a huge grin on your child’s face? Join them for lunch! Kindergarten has lunch from 12n-12:30pm. First and Second graders have lunch from 12:30pm-1:00pm. Third and Fourth graders eat from 11:30am-12Noon, and Fifth and Sixth graders dine from 11am-11:30am. Bon appetit!

Guidance Time October was a busy month in the guidance office working on Red Ribbon Week to promote drug and alcohol awareness and safety through making good choices, and helping to spread the anti bullying messages by which our school stands. Students worked on the theme of “respect,” through which they could earn rewards at the “GREAT” program. We are working on the theme of “responsibility” during the month of November, and students will be incorporating all themes into the anti-bullying program. I am excited that as we near Thanksgiving and the holiday season we will begin our annual food drive to support our local community. Shaffer will begin collecting cans the week before Thanksgiving break and will end the day before the holiday break. As in the past, students will be able to turn in their cans to be charted and can see the progress that the school is making. This time of the year is a very busy time, and one in which students can really shine. Thank you for all of the staff and parent support of guidance activities! Sincerely, Mrs. Jessica Cohen

Coming in December... Holiday Shoppe first week of month. Sing-a-Long on Friday, 12/18!! November Events: PUT ON FRIDGE!! 3 rd Shaffer IDOL at WHHS. 7pm Curtain Admission $1 or TWO non-perishable food items 4 th FUNDRAISER DISTRIBUTION from 3:00pm- 6:30pm. Items MUST be picked up that day 10 th PTO Meeting with Dr. Calinger at 7pm 11 th Veteran’s Day Tribute Program 12 th Parent Teacher Conferences 12:30pm-8:00pm NO SCHOOL 13thSchool Picture Re-Takes 23 rd Staff Appreciation Luncheon 11am-1pm 26 th -30 th Thanksgiving Break – NO SCHOOL