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I’m delighted to report on a very healthy week! Several classes have had 100% attendance. There’s no doubt that we may still see some cases of pertussis but we think the worst is over. We will continue to be vigilant about cleanliness. Handwashing is clearly critical to fighting germs.

Have you signed up for your parent conference? Gail has schedules for Ellen, Judy, and Jodi. Please call or drop by the front office. David, Tim, and Rachel will be holding conferences at a later date.

Have you checked out the school website recently? On Tuesday we received a call from David who is on Cape Cod with his class. They were about to appear on the webcam on the beach in front of the Coast Guard Station. Gail logged on to the site and there they were! Our kids on the beach waving and sending greetings to all of us. And that clip is now on our website. We are definitely part of this incredible expansion of technology.

I’m excited to announce the launching of the Marlboro Healthy Snack Program! For several years we’ve explored different ways of providing healthy snacks with an emphasis on kids learning about nutrition and healthy eating. Starting in January we will offer a healthy snack to the whole school community. We will do this with the support of the Vermont Department of Education Division of Child Nutrition. This means that your child will receive a free snack or a snack at a reduced price if your family is eligible for a “free and reduced price school meal”. We’ll send home forms for this next week. For now, I want to introduce Celena Colgate, mom of Olivia in kindergarten, who will staff this program. Celena is a graduate of MES and, more importantly, has 12 years of experience in food service. Her husband, Eric, has been a chef for 17 years. Nutritious food is their business! Celena is very interested in integrating snacks with the classroom curriculum. As the Junior High prepares for their April trip to Costa Rica, she will include Gallo Pinto on the snack menu. Celena is in the midst of planning for our program and welcomes your input. Please call her at 257-1322 or e-mail at willolive2 (at) yahoo (dot) com. She will send out a menu for January in a few weeks.

Halloween is almost here. Lisa and company are planning a fun family dance from 7-9pm on Saturday, October 27. I hope to see you there in costume!

And come earlier in the afternoon to work on the next stage of the Playground Project. On Saturday, 1-4pm, we’ll be installing the framing for our new structure. Call Gino Redfield for more information - 348-9899.

And speaking of the Marlboro After School Program - there are great activities planned for your children. Yes, the rates have gone up this year, but childcare subsidies are easily available. Lisa will gladly help you with the paperwork. And check out the programming. On Tuesdays children are invited to bring in their favorite books for read aloud time. Fridays will find them engaged in baking projects. On any good weather day they may be out in the woods with their Nature Journals. Closer to the holidays, there will be a special day for printmaking where they will make their own holiday cards. So, don’t be put off by the new rate structure. Call MASP, 246-6277, and sign your child up for an afternoon of fun and learning.

Finally, the parenting class can accept a few new participants as they meet for the second time next Monday. Please call Wendy Webber for more information - 257-5833.