Buker Family Bulletin Did you know that November is National Adoption Month? In recognition of this, the elementary school counselors will be hosting an informal coffee and dialogue with any interested adults whose families may have been touched by adoption or foster care. This will be an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful commitment of adoptive parents as well as an opportunity to share knowledge of community based resources and to talk about how our school district can better partner with adoptive/foster parents. The coffee/dialogue will be held at the Cutler School dinning hall on Monday, November 30^th at 9:30am. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Dolly McIlvaine at mcilvained@hwschools.net or by calling 978-468-8475. We are looking for Substitute Nurses, for the occasional absence of staff in our Health Office. If you are an R.N. who has sporadic availability, we’d love to have you on our sub list. Please contact the Buker office for more information. The impending arrival of winter and the holiday season is an exciting and joyous time. For many, however, it can also be a source of financial stress. The additional financial burdens placed on us during this time of year often can be overwhelming for families. With the increase in heating costs, holiday expenses and other winter essentials, it can be hard to manage everything. I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of two wonderful resources in the Hamilton/Wenham area that can provide assistance to families who may be experiencing financial burdens. One is the WISSH (Wenham Issues of Social Service & Housing) program, which offers financial and social service assistance to Wenham residents in need of help in emergency situations. Any Wenham family that meets the basic financial requirements may apply for up to $500.00 per year for such things as utilities, medical bills, food, etc. If you are interested in applying for assistance, or looking for more information, please call the program directly at 468-5520, Extension 9. (Please note that this is a new contact number.) The other program that is available to both Hamilton and Wenham residents is the Hamilton-Wenham Holiday Assistance Fund. This program will provide grocery coupons and/or holiday gifts for Thanksgiving and other holidays to families who are in need of support. If you would like to be included in this program, please call me at 978-468-5348 as soon as possible. Referrals to either program will be completely confidential. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can answer any questions, Kathleen Hughes, Adjustment Counselor

November 19, 2009 www.hwschools.net bukersafearrival@hwschools.net Or call the Safe Arrival Line, 978-468-8400, (24/7). “NO THEME D.E.A.M.” this Friday, 11/20. THANKSGIVING Information We will have early dismissal of 11:15am on Wednesday, November 25^th (no lunch will be served.) There is no school 11/26 and 11/27. Elementary Honors Chorus & Ensemble Winter Concert Monday. 12/7, 7p-8p Buker Auditorium THANK YOU FOR COLLECTING BoxTops and Crosby’s receipts throughout the year. Our school benefits in many ways from the proceeds from these programs. The Hamilton Foundation and the Hamilton Council on Aging will be hosting a Christmas Holiday Fair from Saturday, November 28 through Sunday, December 6, at the Old Hamilton Library on Bay Road in Hamilton.  On Sunday, November 29 and Sunday, December 6, the fair will be open from 11 AM to 3 PM.  On all other days, the fair will run from 9 AM to 3 PM.  All proceeds from the sale will go to The Hamilton Foundation, a municipal trust that assists local residents in times of need, and to the Hamilton Council on Aging.  The Holiday Sale will feature new and gently used Christmas decorations and gifts and baked goods.  Many items will be available for one dollar or less.  Children will be able to find affordable presents for their families, friends and teachers.  Holiday-themed baskets, tins and decorations will inspire creative, personalized gifts.  For more information, or to make a donation to the sale, please contact Karen Zagorski at 978-468-5215 or 978-998-9923. HAMILTON-WENHAM COMMUNITY LINKS: GABE’S RUN 2009 November 27^th SIGN UP NOW! Hamilton Wenham Community House SkiBradford § HW Wrestling ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW! § HWLibrary § Wenham Museum § Hamilton Wenham EdFund § Hamilton-Wenham Rotary Club § Hamilton-Wenham Recreation Dept. § Generals Youth Football § HW Youth Soccer § HW Youth Basketball § HW Youth Lacrosse § HW Little League

SAVE THE DATE: § November 25 Early Dismissal: 11:15am § November 26-27 Thanksgiving Recess § December 7 Elementary Chorus and Ensemble Winter Concert / 7p / Buker School § December 23 Early Dismissal § December 24 Winter Recess Begins

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