Murdock Newsletter - December 21, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I hope your holiday season is full of laughter and friends. Make new memories and relive the old ones. Indulge in behaviors you may not always allow yourself the time to enjoy. Smile more, laugh more, slow down and listen more. Offer your hand, your heart and your time to someone you may have brushed quickly passed before. Linger over small talk, say a prayer for a stranger, pet the dog, let the dirty dishes set. Play some cards, take a picture, eat some chocolate, do a puzzle, read a book, hug your mom, dad, husband, wife, kids, neighbor. Find a reason to be thankful and find a reason to make someone else thankful. We are truly blessed...pass it on.

Josoffs

WELCOME HOME, TOM BREWER!

It is so good to have you back in Nebraska safe and sound!

For information about Tom's latest close call click here!

Tom Brewer

church

Dec menu_breakfast

Dec menu_lunch

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Dec 22 – School will be dismissed at 1:15 p.m. We met our goal and more!

Jan. 4 - School resumes – beginning of 2^nd semester.

AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE

We have been discussing ending our After School Childcare Program because of the low numbers of students using the program, thus causing financial hardship to the program. We consulted the Board of Education at Wednesday’s Board Meeting and have decided to try and continue the program the rest of the school year. We will need to raise our prices to $5.00 per hour per child beginning January 4, 2012.

Our goal is to try and get through the school year and then end the program in May. However, if our numbers continue to decline we may need to end the program before the school year ends. At this time, we are not planning to offer the program for the next school year. Please contact Principal, Bruce Friedrich, if you have any questions regarding the After School Childcare Program.

FOOD DRIVE

At the time of this writing, we have nearly 3800 items counting money and food! We have met and surpassed our goal of 2500. Thanks for all of your donations!

CANDY FOR COATS

Because of the overwhelming response, we are ending our coat drive on Monday, December 19^th. The coats will be displayed on Tuesday, December 20^th. At that time students may choose a coat to take home. The rest of the coats will be donated to Goodwill. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR DONATIONS OF COATS!

FOOD ALLERGIES

We have had some students identified in our school with peanut and tree nut allergies. We have sent letters home to the classroom parents explaining the allergies and the kinds of treats/foods the students can and can not have. We have also identified some areas in our lunchroom that are peanut and tree nut free. We are also eliminating peanuts and tree nuts from our school menu.

A food allergy is an immune system response to a food that the body mistakenly believes is harmful. Although an individual could be allergic to any food, such as fruits, vegetables, and meats, there are eight foods that account for 90% of all food-allergic reactions. These are milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.

(Continued)

A small amount of the offending substance triggers the reactions, which commonly occur in the respiratory tract, digestive system or skin in the form of a rash.

A more severe reaction to the allergen that is life threatening is an anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a sudden severe, potentially fatal, systemic allergic reaction that can involve various areas of the body (such as the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system.) Often students with peanut or tree nut allergies can go into anaphylactic shock from ingesting any form of peanut or tree nut product. Some students have such a severe reaction that just breathing in peanut or tree nut dust can cause a reaction.

Due to these concerns and the potential of other food borne diseases or allergens, we are directing parents not to send homemade treats to school. All snacks and treats must be unopened store bought items. If fresh fruit or vegetables are brought as a snack, please do not prepare or cut at home. We also encourage parents not to bring peanuts or tree nuts as snacks. These restrictions include treats and foods for birthdays and other parties.

Bakeries such a Eileen’s in Lincoln can not guarantee their products to be nut free because of cross contamination. Please check with the bakery before items are brought to school for students.

Parents may bring baked items for activities that are not during the school day. These activities would include soup suppers, concessions, or other activities that are hosted outside of the regular school day.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

CUB SCOUT NEWS

There will be a Cub Scout meeting on Monday, December 19^th at 6:30pm at the Elementary School.

Community Sustaining Sponsors 2011

2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor