Meredith Hill Messenger
Volume 6, Issue 7	http://www.fwps.org		February 2001

Dear Parents,

Meredith Hill observed Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday with an all school assembly on January 18th. Students from many classes shared their learning and their work with the assembled student body. The assembly began with all of the second grade students performing two poems chorally. Then Mrs. Rushton's class shared a poem, followed by a presentation of writing about Dr. King by students from Mr. Nelson's class. Miss Denton's class and Mrs. Schneider taught the assembly participants the words to the song, "We Shall Overcome". Volunteers from Mr. Rea-Smith's class read cinquains that they had written, and Mrs. Appia's class showed us a marvelous group effort portrait of Dr. King while students explained how the portrait had been created. The assembly concluded with students from Mrs. Drouet's class sharing the "Living the Dream" pledge. The student work presented was thoughtful and impressive, and the assembly was a wonderful learning opportunity for all who participated.

February is Black History Month. Students will be sharing the biographical research that they have done of African Americans over the intercom each day during morning announcements. We believe that providing students with a wide variety of opportunities to present their learning to others is valuable educationally both to the presenters and to the audience.

Lynn Hancock, Principal Intern

Mark Your Calendar

FEBRUARY
2 - P.T.A. Beach Party, 5:30-8 p.m.
5 - Recycling Assembly, K-2, 9:30
7 - GATE Testing for grades 3,4,5
8 - 3rd and 4th Grade Concert
2:40-3:20 - Dress Rehearsal
7:00-8:00 - Concert
12 - P.T.A. Teddy Bear, Food and
Coat Drive begins
14 - Valentine's Day
19-23 - Mid-Winter Break
NO SCHOOL
27 - Spring Picture Day

GATE Nominations

GATE nominations for children in the 2nd grade are now available in the school office. Three forms must be completed and returned by February 14th. These forms consist of a nomination folio, parent evaluation and teacher evaluation (to be completed by teacher).
Choice Enrollment

The application period for the 2001-2002 Choice Enrollment begins February 1st and runs through April 16th (May 31st for incoming Kindergarten students). Forms will be available in all schools, the Community Resource Center (CRC), and the reception desk at the Education Service Center (ESC) beginning February 1st. Applications must be mailed or hand delivered to the student placement office at the CRC, located in the SeaTac Mall, by the deadline. Lotteries for available space will be held at the CRC on Monday, April 23rd beginning at 5:00 p.m. for students entering grades 1-12 and Wednesday, June 6th beginning at 5:00 p.m. for students entering kindergarten. Placement or Waiting List letters will be mailed to parents by May 1st and June 15th, respectively. For further information, please contact Linda Elder at (253) 945-2264.

Charge Your Lunches

Federal Way Nutrition Services is now accepting Master Card and Visa for lunch tickets. Please call 253-945-5555 to take advantage of this new program.

Talent Show

Meredith Hill has held a talent show in the past. This event will not be held this year as the staff is busy with our literacy focus. We will be scheduling a meeting for next fall to discuss continuing this event.

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds aren't as scary as they look. Don't be frightened by the amount of blood. It only looks like a lot. The majority are not serious. They're often caused by dryness, overzealous blowing, picking, allergies, or trauma. Usually they are caused by blood vessels that bleed when they dry out. Nasal allergies add to the problem by enlarging blood vessels. That makes the nose itch, increases the rubbing or blowing, and increases the incidence of nosebleeds. Contact your health care provider for specific recommendations.

What to do:
- Stay calm.
- Sit upright and tilt your head forward.
- Gently pinch nostrils below the bridge with your thumb and forefinger for 5-10 minutes. (Anything less and the bleeding may begin again.) Don't peek.
- Breathe through your mouth.

When to worry:
- If the bleeding is hard to stop or happens frequently.
- If it lasts more than 15-30 minutes.
- If it's the result of a blow to the head.
- If there's bleeding from another place, for example, the gums.
- If there's difficulty breathing.

How to prevent:
- Treat nasal allergies.
- Keep fingernails short.
- Following a nosebleed: Avoid blowing or rubbing your nose, discourage strenuous activity, and apply petroleum jelly sparingly inside the nose to prevent dryness.
- Keep nasal membranes moist with a saline nasal spray, humidifier, or moist air from a running shower.
- Don't use aspirin.

Linda Russo, Meredith Hill Nurse