Click below to view more of the letters!

2010 Book Fair: 7MB PDF
2009 Book Fair: 5.75MB PDF

This is a super fun way to support our schools. Tickets are $40 in advance and include a delicious dinner prepared by Fernando himself. (Check out Fernando’s website and read for yourself what an amazing chef he is – he has lots of fans! And, view photos of the lovely Bed and Breakfast where we will be holding this event.)

There will be a silent auction and a live auction both with a fantastic selection of items.

This is a really fun event and we hope you will join us.

More info to follow!

Perhaps most exciting is discussion of this years auction. Some preliminary details are: the auction will be held on Rt 1 at a bed and breakfast ranch with a western theme. (Round ‘em up!) We are working to secure a date and will send out details soon.

Our next meeting is set for January 11th with an on-site meeting at the proposed auction site somewhere prior to that.

It was tough to follow in the footsteps of last years Book Fair Team but we came close to matching our book sales and rewards. Many thanks to the crew from last year for all their advice and council.

If there are folks out there that would like to run a second, springtime book fair, you can! The spring theme is a Aloha, Hawaii style!

Our school benefits from this Ark sponsored event thru the acquisition of books for our library and classrooms and it also serves to stimulate and inspire the kids and the community to READ!

For every book sale we make, our school gains points in the form of Scholastic Dollar. We can then purchase books at a fraction of the price they would normally be. On top of that, we get points when we achieve the goals that Scholastic sets for us. Some of this years goals are: the 100,000 Minute Reading Challenge, the Family Event, the Online Book Fair Page and more.

We will also participate in the One for Books drive which will serve to get books into the hands of kids who may not have the chance otherwise. If you see the One for Books donation buckets around, go ahead and toss your spare change in. Scholastic Books will help us turn it into great reads!

We need more volunteers to help run the store, which will be open before and after school, so click over to the Ark Calendar page and sign up if you can.

Potato Sorrel Soup

Ingredients:

4 stalks of green garlic,sliced
3-4 pounds of freshly dug potatoes, scrubbed
1T salt
3T veggie soup broth or 2 boullion cubes
1 bunch greens (Red Russian Kale, Rainbow Chard or Spinach), cut into small pieces
10 French sorrel leaves cut into small pieces
6 cups of water

Put on water to boil. Cut potatoes in half. Place flat surface of potatoes down and slice into small chunks.Add oil to soup pot and cook green garlic. Add potatoes and salt and cook for about 5 minutes.
Cover with hot water and bring to a simmer. Add greens and cook until potatoes are tender. Add sorrel. Taste. You can add more sorrell if you want more tang. You can puree 1 cup of soup to make it thicker.
Enjoy!

No matter what time of year they come, they are not welcome. Our school sees it’s share of these little bugs and when they invade your child’s head, they demand a great deal of time and focus to get rid of them. If your child gets lice, please research the issue. Being informed is the first defense.  Nancy, the school nurse, can help with treatment suggestions. She may also be able to provide lice-killing shampoo and nit combs.

Do Not Come to School

If your child has lice she/he must be kept at home! Do not send your child to school while in any stage of having lice! When you believe you have gotten rid of all living lice and their eggs, you must have your child checked by Nancy before she/he can return to class. Don’t be afraid to ask around: there are many success stories in our community of those who have successfully rid themselves and their households of these irritating bugs.

Be Diligent: You Can Do It!

Probably the only upside to having lice is that when it’s all said and done, your house will be very clean. That’s the good news. Besides having solvent-based and oil-based potions on hand, you’ll need: patience, good lighting, a fine-tooth nit comb, a washing machine and a dryer and a vacuum. Books on tape are good too. For natural remedy support try: Natural Medicine Research Blog and Safe Natural Cures. For information on using Goodsense Lice Killing Shampoo, see Drugs.com.

Don’t be ashamed if lice come into your life. Lice happen. Do your best to get rid of them and let your friends and family know if you’ve had recent contact. Good luck!

We discussed the budget and plans for this years fundraisers. Renee, our principal, gave an update on the plans that are in the works for a more robust after-school program.

For all who are interested, join us for our next meeting: September 14th. 9am in the Kurt Erikson room. (Someone bring coffee, okay? To better enjoy those pastries with.)