School Supply Lists

The 2012-'13 school year starts in less than two months!  September 4 will be here before we know it, so now is the time to start looking for those back-to-school sales on supplies.  Below is a quick-reference list of the school supplies needed for each grade.  If you'd like to print the entire list, a PDF file is available for download on the "E-Flyers" tab above.

Kindergarten
1 pair blunt scissors
1 package jumbo glue sticks
1 large eraser
1 yellow highlighter
1 box crayons
1 package dry erase markers
1 box tissues
2 packages #2 pencils

Grade 1
1 pair blunt scissors
1 package jumbo glue sticks
1 large eraser
1 yellow highlighter
1 box crayons
1 package dry erase markers
1 box tissues
2 packages #2 pencils
Pencil box or bag

Grade 2
1 pair blunt scissors
1 package wide rule lined paper
1 package eraser “pencil toppers”
1 yellow highlighter
1 package colored pencils or crayons
1 package dry erase markers
1 box tissues
1 package of jumbo glue sticks
2 spiral notebooks
2 packages #2 pencils
Pencil Box

Grade 3
1 pair school scissors (pointed)
1 package wide rule lined paper
1 package eraser “pencil toppers”
1 yellow highlighter
1 package colored pencils or crayons
1 package dry erase markers
1 box tissues
1 package of jumbo glue sticks
2 spiral notebooks
2 packages #2 pencils
Pencil Box

Grade 4
1 pair school scissors
1 package eraser “pencil toppers”
1 yellow highlighter
1 package colored pencils
1 package dry erase markers
1 box tissues
1 package jumbo glue sticks
2 packages wide rule lined paper
2 packages #2 pencils
3 spiral notebooks
Pencil bag

Grade 5
1 pair school scissors
1 package eraser “pencil toppers”
1 yellow highlighter
1 package colored pencils
1 box tissues
2 packages wide rule lined paper
2 packages #2 pencils
3 spiral notebooks

E-Flyers Reminder

Don't forget that if a flyer came home from school - like the brochure for the NKU Beginning Strings Program or the latest Mustang Messenger newsletter from Mrs. Hospelhorn - you can always find an electronic copy of it on this website on the "E-Flyers" page.  Flyers from throughout the year are available if you need to go back and refer to them at any time.

For members of our Merwin Online Community, those flyers can also be found on the "Files" tab once you login.

Another Kindergarten Letter

This letter dated August 25 was sent to families of all Merwin kindergarten students with updated and personalized information since the letter earlier in the month.  If you should have received this letter and did not, please call the school office.

West Clermont Supply List

The school supply list for all West Clermont schools is available at the district website.  This link takes you to a downloadable one-page PDF file, which is copied below for your reference.

Kindergarten & Grade 1
1 pair blunt scissors
1 package glue sticks
1 large eraser
1 yellow highlighter
1 box crayons
1 package dry erase markers
1 box tissues
2 packages #2 pencils
Pencil box or bag

Grades 2 & 3
1 pair blunt scissors
1 package wide rule lined paper
1 package eraser “pencil toppers”
1 yellow highlighter
1 package colored pencils or crayons
1 package dry erase markers
1 box tissues
1 package of glue sticks
2 composition books (no spirals)
2 packages #2 pencils
Pencil box or bag

Grades 4 & 5
1 pair school scissors
1 package eraser “pencil toppers”
1 yellow highlighter
1 package colored pencils
1 package dry erase markers
1 box tissues
1 package glue sticks
2 packages wide rule lined paper
2 packages #2 pencils
3 composition books (no spirals)
Pencil box or bag

Merwin Letters to Parents

Letters to families of all Merwin students were recently mailed.  Both contain similar information, but one is tailored for kindergarten parents new to the school.

Grades 1-5
Below is a copy of the letter to parents of students in grades 1-5.  The letter announces upcoming meetings that parents must attend to receive important transportation-related information and materials before the first day of school.  If you did not receive this letter, it can be viewed or downloaded as a 1-page PDF file.

Merwin Families

Kindergarten
Below is a 'blank' copy of a personalized letter that was sent to parents of incoming Merwin Kindergarten students.

Kindergarten Parents

The 2-page letter contains important information about the beginning of school, including procedures for the first week of school as well as transportation, fees, lunch, supplies, and school hours.  It also was personalized with notification of the Group (weekly schedule) for each student.  If you did not receive this letter, please contact the school office.

The kindergarten schedule of alternating Fridays will soon be available on this weblog and also within the Merwin Online Community for your reference.

Private Busing Option

A private busing option is now available to West Clermont families.

This is for your information only; there is no implication of endorsement by West Clermont and/or Merwin Elementary.  We just want parents to know about all transportation options that are available as we all prepare for major adjustments this year.

If you are interested, please refer to the following 2-page 'postcard' from LBS, a private bus company. The postcard states that enrollment ends on August 24.

LBS Busing

Letter to Kindergarten Parents

On July 27, a letter was mailed from the District's Superintendent to parents of incoming kindergarten students. 

The link below takes you to a one-page PDF file of that letter that is hosted on the West Clermont's website.  Please take the opportunity to browse the other pages on the school district's site as well.  You will find valuable information there throughout the school year.

Letter to Parents of Kindergarteners

Transportation Letter to Parents

This letter was mailed to parents of all students in the district on July 20 from the Superintendent.

Letter from Dr. Brooks

As mentioned in the letter, you can determine your student's eligibility for busing by going to the district's main website.  Or you can click here to go there directly.

7th Annual AHS Soccer Camp

Amelia High School's soccer camp for both girls and boys will be held June 13-16.  Students entering the 4th through the 8th grades next fall are eligible to participate.  The deadline for registration is June 2, so for more information please download the Registration Form.

Two Online Flyers

Here are two flyers that came home on paper recently, in case families need an extra copy:

Mother/Daughter Tea Registration Form
Due back to school by Friday, April 29.

Plant Sale Flyer and Price List
Form does not have to be returned to school. Sale takes place next week, May 2-6.

Mother-Son Event at Scallywag Tag

It's not too late to sign up for mother-son laser tag on Thursday, February 3!  Even though today is listed as the registration deadline on the Registration Form, you can still buy tickets at the door.

Admission is $10 per person.  Students in Kindergarten–2nd grade can bring their moms to play from 5:00pm – 7:00pm, and 3rd–5th grade students are welcome from 7:00pm-9:00pm.  (Families with sons in both age groups may choose which session to attend.)

Reminder from Mrs. Hospelhorn

All orders and money are due on November 10 for Mrs. Hospelhorn's technology fund raiser.  Thanks for participating if you are able!

Destination Imagination sign-up

Last week, students carried home a letter about Destination ImagiNation, which is available for download through the link below.

DI Sign-Up Letter

Completed sign-up forms should be returned to school by tomorrow, Tuesday, October 12.  Parents of DI participants are encouraged to attend the parent orientation meeting on Wednesday, October 13 at 6:30 in the Merwin gym.

What is DI?  According to their website,

Destination ImagiNation is a program that builds participants' creativity, teamwork and problem solving in enjoyable and meaningful ways. The goals of Destination ImagiNation are for participants to:

• Foster creative and critical thinking.
• Learn and apply creative problem solving tools and method.
• Develop teamwork, collaboration and leadership skills.
• Nurture research and inquiry skills, involving both creative exploration and attention to detail.
• Apply and enhance written and verbal communication and presentation skills (both impromptu and sustained).
• Promote the recognition, use and development of varied strengths and talents.
• Encourage competence in, enthusiasm for and commitment to real-life problem solving.

Parents can participate too as Team Managers.  Please see the sign-up letter for more information.

Reminder to save & send in Box Tops

Thank you to Sherriann Robinette who is our new Box Tops Chairperson for the year and will be handling all the collecting and prizes!  She sent home a letter a couple of weeks ago with all the details of the Box Tops for Education program.  That letter can be viewed and downloaded through the link below if you want to refer to it again.

Box Tops Letter

Remember that students are rewarded with a small prize for every completed collection sheet they return.  The redemption tickets can be found on the packaging of many food products, paper products and school/office supplies.

You can find collection forms at the Box Tops for Education website, on our Merwin Online Community through the link below, and also in the school office.

Box Tops Collection Sheet

So don't throw away what could be extra dollars for your school, they add up really fast!

COSI on Wheels Class Schedule, Oct. 12-13

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12
Start time	End Time	Class(es)
8:15	9:00	Volunteers
9:15	10:00	Assembly - all Tuesday classes
10:15	10:50	k-Dodds	k-Thompson
10:50	11:25	1-Gabelman	1-Love
11:25	12:00	5-Brown	5-Bradburn
12:00	1:10	Lunch
1:10	1:45	2-Kuebel	2-Cann
1:45	2:20	3-Bossart	3-Hamilton
2:20	2:55	k-Dodds	k-Thompson
2:55	3:30	4-Orleck	4-Greer
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13
Start time	End Time	Class(es)
8:15	9:00	Volunteers
9:15	10:00	Assembly - all Wednesday classes
10:15	10:50	1-Blatt	1-Dean
10:50	11:25	1-Noble	2-Lemaster
11:25	12:00	5-Chandler	5-Shebesta
12:00	1:10	Lunch
1:10	1:45	2-Sawyer	2-Jacobs
1:45	2:20	3-Miller	3-Rees
2:20	2:55	k-Burnett	-
2:55	3:30	4-Davis	4-Webb

Please contact Shelia Speth at 943-0446 or speth@fuse.net if you are interested in volunteering for all or part of either day.

A printable, PDF version of this schedule is available for download from the Merwin Online Community by following this link.  (No login required.)

It's Walk-a-Thon time!

On Friday, October 1st, our entire school will be participating in a Walk-a-Thon. We wish to extend an invitation to family and friends to join us in helping raise funds for field trips, assemblies, and other fun and educational activities at school. Participants will raise funds by asking family and friends to sponsor them. Sponsors pledge a flat donation. If every student collects $40.00, we exceed our projected budgeting goals for this year.

Students and classes will also have an opportunity to earn a number of prizes and awards based on their participation in the Walk-a-thon.

Pledge forms are due on Wednesday, September 29th in order to qualify for prizes. Pledge money collection will begin on Friday, September 17th. We will announce the winners on Friday, October 1st.

Thank you for your continued support of our great school,
The Merwin Elementary PTO

Important Dates
Pledge sheets due: Sept. 29th
Walk-a-Thon: Oct. 1st
Winners announced: Oct. 1st

Paper forms that were sent home with students last Friday (September 17) are also available for download from our Merwin Online Community. No login is required to download these files, just click on the links to save the PDF's to your computer.
Announcement Flyer
Pledge Collection Form
Prize List
Volunteer Opportunities

Kindergarten Transportation

Another question parents and guardians of incoming kindergarteners may have is how their students will get to and from school.  You can call Petermann Transportation at 752-4020 if you have specific questions, but here's a general guideline of what to expect.

Parents and guardians of all bus-riding Merwin students will receive a postcard in the mail announcing their child's bus number.  Before school pick-up & after school drop-off times will also be listed on the postcard.  Look for the postcard in your mailbox the week before school begins.

Kindergarten students who will be riding buses during the middle of the day will also receive a phone call from their mid-day bus driver.  Mid-day bus schedules may differ from morning and afternoon schedules, so the mid-day bus number plus pick-up and drop-off times will be discussed then.

Please keep in mind that a designated adult must be present for kindergarten students to be allowed off the bus at their regular drop-off stop.  This rule applies throughout the school year.

If someone other than the designated adult will be meeting the child at the bus stop, a note must be sent to school that morning, and that person should be prepared to show a photo ID at drop-off.  If no adult is waiting at the stop, the bus driver will take the student back to Merwin at the end of the regular route.

For any changes (emergency or daily) to transportation from home-to-school or from school-to-home, please contact the Merwin office.