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It’s autumn. It doesn’t feel like autumn but the calendar, the Weather Channel, Scot Haney, department store decorations, and all sorts of other credible sources are reminding us that this much heralded arrival is an indication that change looms large on the horizon. For some, the mere mention of the word “change” strikes fear in the heart. Changing + falling leaves = summer is really over. Changing grade levels = new classmates + work + teacher. Changing rules = a shift in the way we do business + a shift in the way we act. In short, change usually adds up to leaving one’s comfort zone. The most stalwart of adults often face that reality with trepidation. Imagine what it’s like for our children. It’s pleasantly been my experience, however, to find that Whiting Lane students are considerably more adaptable than we think. Without question, what I’ve observed thus far this year fully supports this. Some cuties will always test the waters but for the most part they settle in, handling change with a good deal of resilience. What our children beautifully manage to do is change their beliefs about any given situation which, in turn, changes the way they act and react. Once this occurs, they take a giant step further along their developmental path. So, let’s try to celebrate and accept all changes with the same excitement that marks the conversion of the seasons – and remember it’s our beliefs that become our realities. Change them and optimistically welcome the positive “changes” that can result.

“You can avoid having ulcers by adapting to the situation: If you fall in the

mud puddle, check your pockets for fish.” ~Author Unknown

We’ve got a few changes going on in our little community that need further mention. First and foremost is our new Greeter, Jaime-Lee Pimienta. The implementation of this position provides us with an added precautionary measure to assist in maintaining a safe learning environment. All visitors to Whiting Lane must now sign in at the Greeter’s desk and pick up a visitor’s sticker. No doors other than the main entrance are to be used when entering the building after 8:30 a.m. Children who attend Morning Club, Band or Choir can no longer use the back parking lot entrance. Please review the Whiting Lane Parent Handbook/Directory for further instructions. Once the 8:30 a.m. bell rings, children who are late must sign in at the Greeter’s desk before going to class. We request that parents do not walk their children to class or attempt to see your child’s teacher once the 8:30 a.m. bell rings. On rainy days, parents are asked to drop their children off in the main foyer and then leave. Staff are assigned to monitor the children until the bell rings and then escort them to class. We are working hard to create routines with minimal disruptions to the instructional day. A more detailed letter outlining new security procedures at Whiting Lane will soon be sent home with the children. Perhaps the biggest change affecting our neighborhood this year is the construction on Farmington Avenue. It has definitely altered (and not in a good way) an already congested traffic flow during arrival and dismissal. The West Hartford Police Department has been very responsive to our concerns about illegal parking and other safety concerns. No matter what your means of transportation, please take extra care as you and your children travel to and from school. Your children are watching you follow the rules! One more change: please welcome Suzy Sinatro, who joined the 4^th grade team. How lucky are we?

Did you happen to see the August issue of Hartford Magazine? Our very own Noah Scott was among the yummy veggies on the cover! Another Noah, Noah Williams, was the recipient of a superior writing award in the Guilford Courier essay contest. Fame just doesn’t seem to elude our many Whiting Lane SuperStars!

I hope to see you all at the PTO “Fall into Fun” Adult Social on September 29th. Big thanks to the many local vendors who donated food and a special note of appreciation to the Lyons family for hosting this event. I hear there are some really interesting silent auction items on the block.

Hmm, something to think about in closing: “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” (-Charles Darwin) Until next time…

Sing! Sing! Sing!

Choir rehearsals for fourth and fifth graders began this week, but students are still welcome to join! New choir members should just come to the second choir rehearsal on Wednesday, October 3rd. We begin promptly at 7:45am, so please arrive a few minutes early.

If you need another sign up sheet, contact Mrs. Slaiby or have your child pick one up in music class. The music this season is fun and diverse, so don't miss out on this unique opportunity to sing!

PTO News

Back to School Picnic/Art Night
TONIGHT, September 27th!!!
The Back to School Picnic is from 5:30-6:30 pm in the courtyard behind the café. Bring your blanket, everything you need for dinner and a dessert to share. Enjoy an evening with your neighbors and let the kids be creative at Art Night in the café from 5:00- 8:00 pm. If the weather is bad, the picnic will be canceled - Art Night will take place rain or shine!

“Fall into Fun” at our first Adult Social.
Saturday, September 29th from 7-10 pm
There will be great food, beverages and a chance to share the evening with friends. Please RSVP to Carole Doar at 232-0199
or bcdoar@aol.com. It is not too late to join the fun! Remember the “Fall into Fun” party is being held at the Lyons’ home on 17 Concord Street (not the school).

Absentee Bids - Silent Auction
If you can’t make it to the “Fall into Fun” event this Saturday night, you can still bid on the fantastic silent auction items! The items to be auctioned off include: a year’s supply of ice cream at Ben and Jerry’s of West Hartford, a ride to school in a fire truck, a weekend night stay at the Goodwin Hotel and four University of Connecticut football tickets. How about spending time with Whiting Lane teachers doing various activities including hikes, going to a Rockcats game, having after school fun, going out for a pizza dinner or ice cream, creating arts and crafts or having breakfast before school? You can even have the opportunity to have dinner with Dr. DePalma! Are you ever frustrated trying to find a parking spot at school? Now you can try to win your very own reserved parking spot for the remainder of the 2007-2008 school year.

A complete list of items is on the Whiting Lane PTO website, www.whitinglanepto.org. If you would like to place a bid please email what you would like to bid on and the amount to whitinglaneptosg@comcast.net by 12:00 pm on Saturday, September 29th. If you have any questions please contact Julie Booth at J4booth@yahoo.com or 236-0602.

Reminder
Please return all Sally Foster order forms no later than Monday, October 1st. After that, we cannot guarantee delivery with the school order in November.

New Family Coffee
Thursday, October 4th at 8:30 am
Are you new to Whiting Lane? Mark your calendar for the New Family Coffee on Thursday, October 4th at 8:30 am in the café. Please come and join other new families for coffee and conversation.

Morning Club Reminders

There is no supervision prior to 7:45am. Do not drop your child off before this time. Drop off is at the front entrance. All students must enter the building through the front door. The side doors will be locked.

Participation is contingent upon appropriate school behavior. Students whose behavior does not meet Whiting Lane School’s expectations may be dismissed permanently from Morning Club.

Students will be playing all games in bare feet.

All jackets, hats, etc. must remain inside student’s
backpacks. The backpacks should be separate from each other, not in one big pile. Please keep all your personal belongings from blocking doorways.

Important Reminders to Parents:

Emergency Forms
Please return completed emergency forms to the office if you haven’t done so already. It is important that we have the correct home/work/cell phone numbers so we can contact you in case of an emergency

Whiting Lane Student Directory
You recently received a copy of the 2007-2008 Whiting Lane School Directory. Because the directory is sent to the print shop in mid August, some changes, corrections and/or additions may need to be made. You will find the form for changes/additions/corrections attached to this newsletter. The updates will be printed in upcoming Whiting Wires.

Due to rising printing costs, each family received one copy of the directory. This was sent home with the youngest child. If you need an additional/replacement copy during the year, the cost will be $5.00. We appreciate your support and understanding.

Vacant Seat Program Application
Start Date October 1, 2007

The West Hartford Public Schools vacant seat program utilizes available space on school buses. This program allows students to ride buses where space is available, who under the West Hartford Public Schools Transportation policy are not eligible for transportation. No additional bus stops are added to the routes for this program. Interested parents should contact the West Hartford Public Schools Transportation Office at 561-6647 for additional information on or after October 1st.

Requests are taken in the Transportation Office by telephone on a first come, first served basis.

WLEDC Tag Sale

The Whiting Lane Extended Day Care (WLEDC) will be holding it’s annual Tag Sale (rain or shine)next Saturday, October 6th from 8:00am - 2:00pm.

Items for donation can be brought to WLEDC from Wednesday, October 3rd through Friday, October 5th.

Donations are tax deductible.

There is a separate flyer going home today with more information and some “Daycare Dough” worth $1.00 that your child may use at the tag sale.

ELC Lottery Applications

The Early Learning Center is now accepting applications for the 2008-2009 school year. The program is family centered and has half day sessions that meet four days a week. A lottery will be conducted in December.

Your child must be 3 years of age by September 1, 2008 and you must be a West Hartford resident to apply. If you are interested, please call Pam Macca at 233-1455

Dates to Remember

9/27	5:00 - 8:00 pm	Back to School Picnic/Art Night
9/29	7:00 - 10:00 pm	“Fall into Fun” Adult Social
10/4	8:30 am	New Family Coffee/cafe
10/8		NO SCHOOL - Columbus Day
10/11	7:00 pm	PTO Meeting/Library

Can You Help?

There is an ELC student who would benefit greatly from a “home program” using any of the following materials you or your child/ren may no longer use:

tricycle (larger size – 14” front wheel)
large therapy ball
small indoor trampoline (with support bar)
exercise mat or foam floor puzzle(4’ x 4’ or larger)
“safe” child sized table/chair
simple, single inset puzzles
play farm w/animals
hard board books

Please contact Noreen McQueeney at 233-1455. She will gladly pick up items if you cannot bring them to school.

Thank you very much!

Market Money

Market Money is a great way to support Whiting Lane without spending any money you wouldn't already spend. You purchase gift cards from the PTO for stores you already patronize (grocery, restaurants, retailers) at face value. Whiting Lane gets a discount on the cards, allowing the PTO to raise much needed funds for programs at the school. Vendors include Waldbaum's, Stop and Shop, Shaw's, Wild Oats, Red Robin and Starbucks, just to name a few.

To participate, pick up and fill out an order form in the office, fill out the mini form below, or contact Stephanie Carroll at 523-4500 or scarroll04@snet.net. The cards will be delivered to your home.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Name ____________________________________

Phone/Email _______________________________

Waldbaum's Amount:

Stop & Shop Amount:

Shaws Amount:

Wild Oats Amount:

Additions and Corrections to the Whiting Lane Directory

Please update your Whiting Lane Directory with the following changes.
* indicates a change or addition

Whiting Lane School:

Miss Greenwell, Grade 4	Nanez, Natalie	698 Farmington Ave	Maria Nanez	*232-0746
			Jose Nanez

Ms. Pacht, Grade 1	Su, Maxwell	* 8 Edmund Place	Weinlei He	231-7870
			Ting Su