Woodman Park Bugle
April 2016 Newsletter
Whether you walk or run, grab a friend and have some fun!
The weather is beautiful and more runners are out earlier than ever before! Mark Sunday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m. in your calendar for the 35th Annual Reds Race - 5 Mile road race or 2.4 Mile walk, starting at 288 Central Ave. in downtown Dover.
Through the generous support of Red's Shoe Barn as our title sponsor, your participation in this event directly impacts 6 local nonprofit organizations here in Strafford County. Reds is also the 2nd race in the popular Dover Race Series!
See you on Sunday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m. for the 35th running and walking of Reds Race - Race for a Better Community. Run where it all started!
**Donations of Baked Goods for Reds Road Race will need to be dropped off at Henry Law Park on Sunday April 10th between 800am -930am as it has been brought to my attention that there is a Teacher Workshop Friday April 8th. There will be some volunteers setting up the baked goods close to the finish line at Henry Law Park. The Sign-up Genius has been updated.
A Principal’s Note
WPS has been getting too familiar with childhood allergies this school year. Within the last few months, we have had three students inflicted with significant food allergy reactions. Two of the students needed to be seen by some EMTs from Dover Fire and Rescue. Fortunately all three students were OK and were able to attend school the very next day. But calling for an ambulance is never a situation any of us want to be in; especially if you are the student.
When a student starts demonstrating signs of an allergic reaction, the school nurse is obviously involved. While a family member is being called and medical records are being checked, a liquid anti-histamine is typically given. Preferably and if time allows, the medicine is given after a family member’s permission. The student is closely monitored for additional signs of duress and various observations are recorded (blood pressure, throat examination, number of hives, etc.). If a student has a significant history and/or other observable signs of a reaction are occurring, an ambulance is called. Epi-pens are available on site and can be used if necessary. But if it is one thing we have learned this year it is that student reactions to an allergy can happen extremely quickly. We have been fortunate that the students and families involved this year have been supportive and understanding for the need to call an ambulance.
When an ambulance is called, the school goes into a mode where all students and staff are told to stay in their current location until the ambulance has come and gone. This way, students do not see anything that could be troubling and the emergency crews can get in and out of the building quickly. Staff members have assigned rolls to open doors and gates so the EMTs can get where they need to be quickly and efficiently. The few times we have implemented the protocols, they have gone well but it is unfortunate that we have had to use them at all. If an ambulance leaves our campus before a family member shows up, usually a known staff member rides with the student to the hospital. We do not make a major announcement to the whole school after an incident for privacy reasons. Fortunately, the students just go on with their day with little notice while some just assume that the situation is just another monthly safety drill. WPS is fortunate to have EMTs and a hospital so close in proximity.
However, we have systems in place to prevent the above from even happening. Appropriate staff and cafeteria workers have detailed lists that indicate which students have allergies. Yet, there are times when a student is first introduced to something at school that causes an allergic reaction. And we have students that suddenly decide that they have diagnosed themselves as cured from an allergy. Then there are accidental exposures. Almost every week, the school nurse or I receive a notice that a teacher or cafeteria worker has stopped a student from ingesting something to that they are allergic. There is even a computer program in the cafeteria register that will not allow a student to purchase certain items that they are not allowed to consume. But it is always surprising how many students are listed as being allergic to something. Some on the list are precautionary while others have “out-grown” an allergic reaction to something. But the allergy list is quite large.
So please make sure that your student’s medical documentation and medicine are up to date. If you or your family has new contact information, please contact the Main Office and our school nurse, Joyce Silva. It also never hurts to remind your student what they can and cannot do in regards to any medical conditions that they might have. Together, we can do our best to keep the students safe and learning at WPS.
See you around Woodman Park,
Mr. Patrick Boodey
Principal
Stay Informed - Get Involved
Please join us for our next PTA Meeting
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.
In the WPS Library
Your WPS PTO Board
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Volunteer Coordinator
Jen Spargo Jill Brooks Anne Michiels Jenn Martin Carolyn Williams
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A~B~C~D
The time is coming…Kindergarten & First Grade Registrations begin soon…how time flies.
Know someone with a preschool child? Please refer them to our Preschool Program coordinator for enrollment opportunities for the 2016-17 school year
Look what’s happening around The Park
A second grader tradition here at Woodman Park is to study the Iditarod. If you don’t know what the Iditarod is, ask your 2nd grader…or check out more information here.
http://iditarod.com/
Check out some of the pictures from the guests we had during the month.
April is Spirit Month at The Park
check out the details in the attachment
Upcoming Events for May! Details forthcoming…
*Educator Appreciation Week - TBA. confirming celebration week later in May with Principal Boody. Stay tuned for a sign -up to help with a luncheon for the teachers and a special dessert day sign up. More details to follow in the May Bugle and the WPS PTO Facebook.
*National Bike to School Day - May 4th
*WPS Spring Concert coming up May 11th
News from your public library
We have now partnered with the Dover Public Library to insure we spread the word about all the fun & FREE activities that they offer right here in Dover.
Go for a movie, grab a book and bring a friend.
Let’s help to spread our strong Woodman Park Community throughout the city.
http://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/library/index.html
Does your child love to write?? Here’s a great afterschool enrichment program
“I Love to Write!” is an after-school enrichment program offered at WPS. Students will learn the basics of creative writing in a fun and positive atmosphere. Character development, plot building, setting, and conflict are just a few of the storytelling elements taught through games, activities, art, and music.
Kids can choose to dabble with story ideas and build a portfolio, or they may choose to start and complete their own short story. This program is facilitated by Kate Johnston, a published author and professional writing coach.
Please contact Kate at or 603-502-6645 for program dates, time, and fee.
Calling All Photographers
The 2015-2016 Yearbook photo collection is underway. If you attended a WPS event, were part of a WPS afterschool program, or got that perfect shot while at Woodman, please think about submitting it for inclusion in the yearbook. Space is limited, so the more WPS students in the photo the better. Email any pictures to Laura Beatham at and please include the date of the picture, the grades of the students in the picture and a description of the event/place the picture was taken. Your pictures will help to include as many students as possible in the candid sections, and help to make the book a great memory of the year for everyone.
But wait, there’s more!!!! Please place your 2015-16 Yearbook orders today! Please see the embedded order form to print, complete, and send in with your child to have a keepsake of this year at WPS!!!
$$$ FUNdraising $$$
Coming in May
Wentworth Greenhouses Spring Flower Fundraiser
Please send in your Box Tops so we can start bringing in some fund to replenish our school supplies.
Share this easy fundraiser with your aunts, uncles, grandparents and neighbors without school aged kids. They love to help our youth and it takes little effort and a Ziploc bag. Please keep clipping.
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Summer Camp Options
Hard to believe, but it’s time to start thinking about it.
Summer Camps are starting to enroll. Plan ahead; stress-free summer for you. A fun, friend filled summer for the kids.
Camp BEYOND- July & August- mornings- Woodman Park School
http://www.camp-beyond.com/
Camp Wildcat- 1 & 2 week sessions from June 27 through August 12th- UNH Rec Area + Travel Weeks
http://campusrec.unh.edu/camp-wildcat
Camp Fireside- 1 week sessions from June 20th through August 19th
-Pond Hill Rd, Barrington (snacks & lunch included)
-1 week of overnight camp for summer 2016
http://www.fireside.org/
Camp Kool- schedule not yet released- Dover Outdoor Pool/Ice Arena
http://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/recreation/arena/camp-kool/index.html
Ride the WPS Wave
Ride the WPS Wave ~ each monthly Bugle edition will have a hidden wave within one of our articles. Your student has a chance to earn $5 worth of School Store Bucks by sending an email to with the student’s name, grade and which article you found the wave in. A name will be drawn from all of the entries and awarded their prize. Did you find it today?
Thank you for reading the Bugle. Encourage a friend to do the same. Please send any suggestions or items that you would like consideration for inclusion to Tara Culcasi @ .
Follow Woodman Park on Facebook for up to date events and happenings. Woodman Park School PTO.