I am very happy to be here at the Thomson School.  I look forward to getting to know your children and to be working with them throughout the year.

I want to thank the children and staff for a wonderful start to the school year.  The teachers have commented on how smoothly things have gone and how responsive the children have been from the first day of school.  It has been a very pleasurable beginning.  It is nice to welcome back students who were here last year and to greet so many new faces that have joined us for the first time.  We all look forward to a productive and enjoyable school year.

Please be aware that children arriving to school by car should be dropped off at the back entrance to the school on Saltonstall Street.  The teachers are on duty at this door until 8:20 AM.  We ask that children arrive to school between 8:00 AM and 8:15 AM.

All students have an established plan for getting home at the end of the school day.  Any changes to their dismissal plan must be put in writing and given to the classroom teacher.

Hello to all and Welcome Back!

We hope everyone had a fun filled summer.  We want to extend a warm welcome to all our new staff and students.

The Thomson PTO will be meeting on Wednesday evening at 7pm in the school cafeteria.  Please join us as we welcome our new principal, Mr. John McAleer and plan for the upcoming year!  Agenda items include: Fundraising, 06-07 Budget and Enrichment updates. PTO meetings are the 2nd Wednesday of every Month at 7pm, unless there is a Holiday.

The Thomson PTO will be holding our annual fall BOOKFAIR the week of September 18th.  If you can help out and volunteer, please call MaryEllen Kupiec at 978-686-6244 or Dawn Crescitelli at 978-688-0724.  We will need help from 9 – 2 on Monday – Thursday and we'll need help on the back to school open house nights.

Many thanks to Suzie Reiderer for volunteering to coordinate the school directory.  Be sure to get your form filled in and returned on time!

Diane Camire is our new Tickler coordinator.  We are very happy to have her time and energy!

Check out the Thomson school web site.  Our Webmaster, Don Romano, has kept things updated and access is very easy.  Some of the new features include 'Class Web Pages' and the ability to 'opt out' of the paper Tickler that will help the school and the environment by reducing paper use and copying expenses.  You can go to www.thomsonelementary.com/subscribe.html to subscribe to the electronic Tickler that is mailed out weekly and contains the same information as the paper version with the addition of any useful web links associated with the information of the week.   You can always view and print at home the weekly Tickler (and a year's worth of archives) in PDF format from the site as well.  Check out the site and if you have any comments on improvements just drop a line to webmaster@thomsonelementary.com .

Check out our newly updated playground area! Lot's of painting went on this summer.  Thanks to the Batsimm Family, Albrecht Family, Victoria Deshaies and Joey Crescitelli for their hard work.

Many thanks to the Batsimm, Costa and Gleed families for the many hours of landscaping over the summer.  The Thomson grounds look much improved!

Once again,  we will be collecting Box tops and Ink Cartridges…turning trash into cash.  More info to follow on these programs.  Thanks to Dawn Saraceno and Lynn Langton for taking the time to coordinate.

A PTO info packet will be coming home in your child's backpack next week.  Please be on the lookout!

Please note the schedule of times for our annual Parent Open House.  We have this arrangement of staggered times to allow parents who have more than one child to attend each classroom session.  This evening is for parents only.  Please come to the Open House knowing the name of your child's teacher and the number of the classroom.  We look forward to seeing you.  (Parking in the staff parking lot will be for teachers only during the evening.)

Monday, September 18th
6:00 PM - Kindergarten
6:50 PM - 1st Grade
7:40 PM - 2nd Grade

Tuesday, September 19th
6:00 PM - 3rd Grade
6:50 PM - 4th Grade
7:40 PM - 5th grade

Volunteers needed for beginning reading program.  Work with first graders in a structured program one to two hours a week.   Parents of all grades welcomed.  All lessons and materials provided.  Please call Lisa Besen (978-688-2771) or email lbesen@yahoo.com .

Art Auction – September 16 & 17: Don't miss the Enrichment Council's 20th Anniversary Celebration and Silent Art Auction at the Youth Center. This 2-day event will begin on Saturday, September 16, from 7-10 pm with a champagne reception and appetizers courtesy of Burtons Grill! The cost is $15 per person. Bring the whole family for $5 on Sunday, September 17, from 1 to 3 pm.

A wide-range of art, from professional artists to schoolchildren, will be available to bid on. Half the proceeds will benefit the artists and the other half will support the North Andover Schools Enrichment Council (NASEC). Enjoy art, music and food while seeing what the Enrichment Council is all about—inspiring children's creativity by introducing them to talented artists and performers.

KIDS—BRING IN YOUR ART!  Only two days remain for artists (young or older) to participate in the NASEC Silent Art Auction.  Children may drop off one framed piece of art (or sculpture) to the Stevens Memorial Library on Monday, September 11, from 6-8pm, or Wednesday, September 13, from 12-2pm or 6-8pm. The artist will receive half of the sale price on the pieces that sell at the auction on September 16 & 17.

NAPAC News:   New Special Olympics initiative! North Andover special athletes are welcome to join the Andover Stars Special Olympics Soccer Team!  Email: Kathy Keith at skisugarbush@comcast.net for details.

Merrimack Valley Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Parent Connection Group meets 3rd Thursday of each month starting September 21st.  Contact Casey Quirk for location.  Email caseyquirk@hotmail.com or call (cell) 508-265-4648.

Cub Scouts: Join the Cub Scouts!   All boys in grades 1 – 5 are eligible to join Cub Scout Pack 82!  Pack 82 meets two week nights and one weekend night (Friday or Saturday) per month at St. Michael School.  Pack 82 serves boys from both Thomson School and St. Michael School. 

The Cub Scouting program uses fun and educational activities to help boys build character, friendships, teamwork, and self-confidence.  Boys advance in rank while learning to do their best.  Give your boy a head start on the skills he'll need for future success.   

Scouts new to Pack 82 are invited to one of two sign-up nights, September 19th or 27th in the Maple Street Atrium at St Michael School.  Sign-up will begin at 7 pm, followed at 7:15 by an introduction of the Pack leadership and a short introduction to Cub Scouting for the parents.  Our regular program of den meetings will begin the week of October 2nd.  For additional information, please call either Brenda Terranova at 978-686-1549 or Scott Morton 978-738-0557.