February is a short month, but lots of activities take place in the Bluffton elementary school. Here is a summary of those activities from the February elementary newsletter.

• Bluffton Elementary PTO will sponsor “Family Science Night” Friday, Feb. 21, from 6-8 p.m. in the elementary gym and middle school cafetorium. 

• Elementary Memory Books for 2019-2020 school are on sale until Feb. 13. You can directly order online at ybpay.lifetouch.com.   

• Students in grades 3-5 will take Ohio English Language Arts tests on April 15 and 16. They will take Ohio Math tests on April 29 and 30. Fifth grade students will take Ohio Science tests on April 22 and 23.   

• Tuesday, March 10, elementary students will get their spring pictures taken. The pictures are prepay 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. 

• Sarah Jebsen is the new school nurse. She replaced Joyce Suter who retired at the end of January.

• Notes concerning illness - As cold and flu season continues, keep the following guidelines in mind when deciding whether to send your child to school.

•. 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. 

• 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.

• If your child has vomiting or diarrhea twice or more in 24 hours have your child remain at home.  Do not send your child to school if the child vomits or has diarrhea during the night.  Keep your child at home until the vomiting and/or diarrhea has stopped for 24 hours.  

• Just a reminder to continue to save Box Tops and Community Market receipts. The school will hold another Box Top contest in March. Turn in paper Box Tops to your child’s teacher by Feb. 18 (the classroom with the most Box Tops will win classroom cash.)  If you buy products without a clip-able Box Top, download the Box Top App and scan your receipts to earn money for the school.  

• The PTO will hold a Scotch doubles tournament at Southgate Lanes on March 15 beginning at 12:30 p.m.  

• Any child who will be 5 years old by Aug. 1, 2020, is eligible to enroll in Kindergarten next school year. In order to develop a kindergarten mailing list, contact the elementary office at 419-358-7951. The school needs the following information: 
• child’s name 
• birth date 
• parents’ names 
• address 
• phone number 

Send the information to [email protected]. All children are required to have immunizations before starting school. The Allen County Health Department provides immunizations, but appointments must be made. Its website is: www.allencountypublichealth.org. Kindergarten packets will be mailed home, to students on the mailing list, at the end of February.

Some February events
Thursday, 13th - School yearbook deadline
Monday, 17th - No School – President’s Day 
Friday, 21st -Midterms go home with students
Friday, 21st - PTO Family Night – M.S. cafetorium and elementary gym @ 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, 25th - Second Grade (Mrs. Parker) Lion & Lamb, 9:45-1 p.m.
Wednesday, 26th - Second Grade (Mrs. Fry) Lion & Lamb, 9:45-1 p.m.
Wednesday, 26th - Third Grade – SESA “Hot, Hot, Hot”
Thursday, 27th - Second Grade (Mrs. Liechty) Lion & Lamb, 9:45-1 p.m.
Thursday, 27th - Second Grade (Mrs. Sycks) Lion & Lamb,11:45-12:45 p.m.