MEREDITH HILL MESSENGER

See You at Our

Book Fair!

Would you encourage your child’s love of reading if you could? Of course. What’s more – you can!

Scholastic Book Fair comes to our school on Monday, June 2^nd to share exciting books and educational learning products with our young readers. Parents and teachers will also find plenty of items to interest them. The Fair is open each day during school hours.

During June we will be hosting two Family Events. During our Sixth Grade Science Fair on June 2^nd the fair will be open from 6:00 to 8:00. The other Family Event is during the Student Portfolio Celebration on June 4^th. The fair will be open until 6:00. Everyone is welcome!

Meredith Hill has a special offer on a very special book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Through a special pre-sale opportunity students who order their copy at the Scholastic Book Fair receive:

· Collectable Hat valued at $16.95

· An Official Certificate of Purchase, suitable for framing

· Invitation to pick up your book at a special event at Scholastic Book Fairs warehouse on June 21, 2003. Or if you prefer, the book can be delivered to your home! The pre-sale certificate will also be honored at participating bookstores.

The cost is just $29.99 per order (please include tax) and Meredith Hill benefits from each sale!

When you visit the Fair, look for the Classroom Wish List display to see how you can help build your child’s classroom library.

The Book Fair helps us promote learning while raising money for our library. Our goal for this year’s fair is to provide additional titles to our Reading Counts program.

Please note that there is an 8.8% tax on all purchases.

Don’t miss out on the Scholastic Book Fair, June 2^nd-5^th. Call 253-945-3220 for more information.

Parent Effectiveness Leadership Training – P.E.L.T.

Parents are invited to attend this free 3-week workshop designed to help them learn about the tools they can use to advocate for their children. This workshop includes role-play, discussion and detailed information on navigating the system effectively on their child’s behalf.

Location: Enterprise Elementary School

Dates: Saturday May 17, 24 and 31

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30

Cost: Free

Contact name: Trise Moore

Federal Way School District

Family Partnership Advocate

253-945-2273

Summer Health Camps

Camp Leo, July 2003. For children with diabetes. Buck Creek Camp, where having diabetes is the rule and not the exception, is close to Crystal Mountain ski resort near Mt. Rainier National Park. The volunteer staff of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dietitians specialize in diabetes care and education and are on duty 24 hours a day. They lead and help children with diabetes grow and learn to live a healthy life with diabetes. Summer fun is everywhere! There’s swimming, backpacking, hiking, cook-outs, campfires, archery, crafts and games. Camp Leo is sponsored by the Western Washington Lions Clubs. Because of generous donations by the Lions Clubs, scholarships are available. For more information see the school nurse, or contact Carol Malcom (253) 839-5418 or e-mail at emalcom@msn.com. Visit Camp Leo on the internet at www.childrenwithdiabetes.com, click on camps, then click on WA.

Panther Day Camp. For children/youth with diabetes. Panther Day Camp is held at Camp Berachah in Black Diamond near Kent. The camp experience allows children with diabetes to experience a full and active camp experience. The emphasis is on fun, archery, a batting cage, climbing wall, go karts, horseback riding, sports, swimming, hiking, and biking. Diabetes management and education is only a part of the package. Camp is under the direction of volunteers with the Diabetes Association of Pierce County and numerous sponsors. For more information see the school nurse, or contact the Diabetes Association of Pierce County at (253) 272-5134.

Asthma Camp. For children/youth with asthma. The American Lung Association of Washington gives children with asthma a chance to experience summer camp the way it was meant to be: with the emphasis on fun rather than on asthma. One goal of asthma camp is fun; another is to teach children how to better manage their own asthma by offering sessions on asthma, medications, and ways to control asthma episodes. During camp, children participate in camp activities while learning how to manage their own asthma.

Who is eligible for camp? Children ages 6-14 who are on prescribed daily medication for asthma are given first priority for acceptance. Physician approval is required.

How is medical care provided? Each camp has a full staff of medical volunteers made up of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and respiratory therapists with 24-hour medical supervision.

How much does camp cost? The fee for camp is $250.00 with a minimum fee of $20.00. Limited financial aid is available.

How can my child apply for camp? To receive an information packet, see me for a copy of the asthma camp brochure, or call Wendy, Asthma Camp Coordinator at (425) 880-4664. The application deadline for the Western Washington camp at Camp Sealth on Vashon Island is May 29.

Linda Russo, School Nurse

Missing Signs

We have had 12 signs taken from Meredith Hill property this year. Two of each of the following:

No Parking

Gun Free Zone

No Pets

No Skating or Skateboards

Wet Lands

Handicap parking

If you have seen any of these signs or know of their whereabouts, will you please return them to school, no questions asked.

Relay For Life

On behalf of the Meredith Hill Relay for Life Team, we would like to thank all of those parents who have donated to our team this year. We collected $370.00 at the concerts. Thank you for all your help!

Dates to Remember

May

20 – Kindergarten Round-Up, 6:30 pm

22 – Battle of the Books

22 – Honor Choir/Steel Drum Concert, 7:00 pm

23 – Olympia Rally Make-up Day

SCHOOL IN SESSION

26 – NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day

27 – NO SCHOOL – Waiver Day

27-30 – 5^th Grade to Camp Thunderbird

28 – Steel Drum Exchange

29 – Long’s Class to Federation Forest

30 – SLT, 7:30 am

30 – Steel Drum Tour

June

2 – No School 5^th grade only

2-6 – Book Fair

2 – 6^th Grade Science Fair

3 – 3^rd Grade to Seahurst Park

5 – Steel Drum Tour

5 – Ice Cream Day

5 – 4^th Grade to Point Defiance/Fort Nisqually

6 – Steel Drum Tour

10 – Band/Orchestra Concert, 7:00 p.m.

11 – Juggler Assembly

13 – Long’s Class to Federation Forest

13 – SLT, 7:30 a.m.

13 – 5^th/6^th Grade Celebration

16 – Field Day

17 – Last Day of School, 11:10 a.m. dismissal

Thank You Volunteers

We are grateful to our Meredith Hill volunteers for the time they spend helping our students and staff. They gave 312 hours of service in April. Thank You!

Reminder – there will be school on Friday May 23^rd. No school on Monday May 26^th and Tuesday, May 27^th.

ECEAP/Head Start

ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) and Head Start are currently accepting applications for the 2003-2004 school year. ECEAP and Head Start are free preschool programs serving eligible four-year-olds from low-income families. Priority is given to children turning four prior to September 1, 2003. Both programs provide free preschool education, health and nutrition services and family support.

If you would like additional information or an application, call Nancy Baker, Family Support Specialist at Thomas Jefferson ECEAP at (253) 945-5716, or the Head Start/ECEAP information line at (253) 945-2379.

Free and Reduced Lunch Program

If your children are on the Free and Reduced Lunch program in June 2003, they will be carried over for the first month of the next school year. You will still need to submit a new application, but it does not have to be done the first day of school. Also, remember that if you have children in more than one school, you only need to fill out one application, listing all students and their schools. If you are receiving food stamps you only need to submit the form that DSHS mails to you, noting which schools your children attend. You do not need to fill out an application for children listed on the DSHS form. Medical coupons alone do not qualify your family for Free Lunch; you will need to qualify on family income. If you have any questions regarding the Free and Reduced Lunch Program, you can call 253-945-5555.

Janine Walker

Secretary

Nutrition Services