paris elementary school

School messenger service

On December 20 our school district will activate a notification system called School Messenger. Parents will automatically get notifications of school-related events by telephone and/or e-mail. They can also receive text message notifications, however, they will need to do something special to receive them. School Messenger provides notification services for parental outreach, emergency broadcasts, student attendance alerts, and other communications for education. The system is able to automatically call parents for a variety of reasons that impact the safety and academic performance of students.

It is important that we have current contact phone numbers and e-mail addresses in our student information system.

In order to receive text messages, parents must indicate willingness to receive text messages to their phone. The process is simple and only takes a few seconds to complete. Simply text any one of the following words to the number 68453: “Subscribe,” “optin,” “Yes” or “Y.” If a reply messageis received it was successful.

The School Messenger Service will be tested on December 20 as a trial run to make sure we have the contact information on each family. These initial messages will be sent sometime during the early evening hours that day. The entire system will be operating following the Christmas holiday, including automatic parent notification if a child has not arrived at school.

Please let us know in the office right away if you need any phone numbers or e-mail addresses updated.

Bullying workshop

On January 10 at 6:30 p.m.,  all Paris Elementary parents are urged to attend a special parent meeting/workshop to discuss the growing issue of bullying in our school. At the meeting we will explore some data about bullying incidents, attempt to define the problem, and discuss what steps our entire community can take to solve the problem. The PTO will provide child care in the gymnasium.

Survey

Parents need to be on the lookout this week for information that was sent home with students seeking information about the need for extended child care services in South Paris next year. With the elimination of the shuttle bus between Norway and Paris next fall, we need to know what the needs are. Please complete the survey and return it to school by mid-January, especially if you will be searching for before/after school care for your children.

Two

Mark your calendars for a very special family evening on Friday, January 29. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., (doors open at 5), the PTO is sponsoring a pot luck in the school cafeteria. Parents are encouraged to sign up to bring food to share. Please call the school or e-mail Shelley_B_Kennagh@keybank.com to sign up for the potluck. This event is free but the PTO will take donations to cover any associated costs or to add to the field trip account.

Following the Pot Luck, we will move into the gym for a family entertainment program performed by TWO! The Atlantis Resort calls them “AMAZING!”, Inside Edition has dubbed them "One of the hottest juggling acts in the country!" and Fox News says “They make their Momma proud!”. Featuring their own brand of relentless sarcastic wit, physical comedy, live music and high energy juggling, Matthew and Jason Tardy have created an unstoppable performance that has audiences on their feet! Watch for more information in January about how you can purchase tickets for this performance. They will perform briefly earlier in the day at a special assembly for our student body.

Reading Safari

When we return from Christmas vacation, it will be time for our annual Winter Reading Project again.

This year our theme is going to be about animals. Each grade level has adopted a continent and will be learning about its animals. We will begin the project during the week of January 3 and it will continue through February. Students will be challenged to read lots and lots of books. Our young, non-readers are encouraged to have parents or older siblings read with them throughout the project.

Throughout the eight weeks we will have many surprises for students who are actively participating in the program. Parents are asked to send in empty paper towel or toilet paper rolls, which will be used in a special project to prepare for opening ceremonies on January 10.

Let's dance!

Art Moves Dance Project, Paris Elementary and the Davis Family Foundation bring you DANCE! Classes are free and begin on Tuesday, January 4 from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m., in the cafeteria.

Sign up forms are available in the school office or by contacting Debi Irons at 743-5569. This program will continue on Tuesdays for 10 weeks. It is open to boys and girls in grades 4-6.