February-March calendar listing at bottom of story -

February and March are full of activities at Bluffton elementary. Here's an overview of calendar items:

TESTING DAYS:  Students in grades 3-5 will take Ohio English Language Arts tests on April 12 and 13. They will take Ohio Math tests on April 26 and 27.  Fifth grade students will take Ohio Science tests on May 1 and 2.  Second grade students will take Iowa achievement tests March 26-April 6.

SPRING PICTURE DAY: On Tuesday, March 13, elementary students will get their spring pictures taken. Pictures will be pre-pay only. Students purchasing a package on Picture Day will be the only ones to get their picture taken.  Information will be sent home with students in March.

“PAX At Home” Meeting:  You are invited to a “PAX At Home” presentation on Feb. 20,  at the school from 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. in the 4/5 lab.  Come to hear a presentation and leave with free stuff.  “PAX At Home” is a home version of the Good Behavior Game your children play in kindergarten and first grade classrooms.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION:  It’s time to think about Kindergarten for the 2018-2019 school year.  Any child who will be five years old by Aug. 1, 2018, is eligible to enroll.

In order to develop a kindergarten mailing list, please contact the elementary office at 419-358-7951.  We will need the following information: child’s name, birth date, parents’ names, address, and phone number.

You may send the information via email to [email protected].  All children are required to have their immunizations before starting school.

The Allen County Health Department provides immunizations but appointments must be made.  Their website is:  allencountyhealthdepartment.org. More information will be mailed home to future kindergarten students on our mailing list.

FROM THE NURSE:  As cold and flu season continues, please keep the following guidelines in mind when deciding whether or not to send your child to school.

Fever – 100 degrees or higher  A fever is a sign of illness. A child with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher should not attend school.  The child should be free of fever (without the aid of Tylenol or Motrin) for 24 hours before returning to school.

Sore Throat/Colds/Cough - Minor cold symptoms are common and usually don’t interfere with school attendance. A persistent, frequent cough and/or constant nasal drainage may affect your child’s performance at school, and he/she may be more comfortable at home.

Vomiting/Diarrhea  If your child has vomiting or diarrhea twice or more in 24 hours he should remain at home.  Please do not send your child to school if he vomits or has diarrhea during the night.  Keep your child at home until the vomiting and/or diarrhea has stopped for 24 hours.

February events
Monday, 19  - No school – President’s Day
Tuesday, 20 - Pax At Home – Parent meeting, 3-4 p.m. 4/5 Lab
Wednesday, 21 - Fourth grade, Lion & Lamb
Friday, 23  - Mid-terms go home with students

March events
Monday, 5 - PTO meeting, 8 p.m. – Elementary Library
Tuesday, 13 - Spring picture day
Friday, 16 - Music Boosters chicken barbecue
Wednesday, 21 - Fourth grade, Lion & Lamb
Friday, 23 - End of 3rd grading period
Monday, 26-April 6 - Second grade achievement testing           
Wednesday, 28 - Kindergarten – SESA - 4/5 Lab, 8-11 a.m.
Thursday, 29 - Grade cards go home with students
Friday, 30 - No school – Easter vacation