Dear Parents,          Welcome November!   The weather has certainly began to remind us that the cold weather is definitely on the way.      Flames of Fall     Thank you to all that attended our jack-o-lantern extravaganza and for all of you who added to the flames by creating a jack-o-lantern for the evening!  A special thank you goes to our chair people, Lynn Farren and John & Pam Pozzi for all their hard work and creativity!  Thank you also to the fifth graders and parent volunteers who made this family event another Aitken success!        Yankee Candle Fund Raiser     Thank you to everyone that supported our recent fund raiser!  Kelly Pagano volunteered to chair the event and did an excellent job coordinating the sale with such short notice!      1st Quarter ends!     First quarter ends for students in grades 3-5 on Friday, Nov. 6th.  Our students in grades K-2 have trimester marking periods of which, the first trimester will close on Dec. 2nd.       Parent – Teacher Conferences – Nov. 17 & 18      New this year – Parent teacher conferences will be scheduled for all students in grades K-5 during the days on November 17 & 18 as well as in the evening on Nov. 18!  This is one of the changes in our reporting policy that will keep you better informed as parents.       Nov. 17 & 18 will be early release days for students in grades 1-5.  Students will dismissed at 12:45 (the same time as the day before Thanksgiving.)  Kindergarten students will not have school on Nov. 17 & 18.     Veterans Day    There is no school on Wednesday, November 11th, in observance of Veterans Day.        Book Fair and Reading Is Fun Night    Our annual fall book fair will be held during Nov. 16-20.  This is a wonderful opportunity to purchase low cost books and support the PTO Reading Is Fundamental Program.  On Tuesday evening, November 17, we hope you will be able to join us at our Reading Is Fun Night and learn about the Accelerated Reader Program. Many thanks are extended in advance to Sue Rutter and Dana Silveira for chairing the Family Reading Night and to Kelly Pagano for chairing the book fair.          Feinstein Grant & Doorways Food Drive      Thank you to all of the families who contributed to our food drive during October.  Each of the canned/boxed goods will be counted and matched with $1 per item by Mr. Feinstein.  A special thank you is extended to Kelly Accardi who coordinated and extensively publicized the food drive.        Swim Classes for Grades 3-5      From November 30th through February 5th, swim instruction began for students in grades 3-5 during their regularly scheduled physical education classes.   Mr. Raymond Grant, a certified swim instructor, follows the American Red Cross Program beginning with Level 1 in grade 3, Introduction to Water Skills.  Mr. Earl Queenan II, Aitken’s physical education teacher, is a certified life guard and assists with the program.  In addition, one of our supervisory aides is also present to assist with supervision.  Only one class is on the bus, in the pool or in locker room during the class period.  High school students do not have access to pool area during elementary instruction.      Compliance notification     The Seekonk Public School System complies with the provisions of 603 CMR section 46.00 dealing with restraint of students in the public schools.  To that end, the policy developed pursuant to those regulations is available upon request form the principal, the Director of Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services and the Superintendent’s office.  Further, the policy is posted in the main bulletin board of the school near the office.      Thanksgiving recess     Wednesday, November 25th is an early release day for students in grades 1-5.  Dismissal will be at 12:45 following lunch.  Morning kindergarten students who take the bus will also be dismissed at 12:45 unless parents make arrangements to pick them up at 11:30 A.M.     There will be no school on November 29-31.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!      Birthday and other party invitations     Children are not allowed to distribute invitations at school unless the entire class is being invited or all of the girls/boys are being invited.  The Aitken School Directory was distributed on October 20th for your convenience.     As always, please feel free to call or drop by if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns.                                                                       Yours truly,                                                                       Nancy Gagliardi                                                                      Principal