As many of you know, the Gray family lost everything in a fire last Friday, January 27, 2012 and have been displaced from their home. Five of the Gray children attend the Northbridge Schools. Three children attend the W. Edward Balmer School, one attends the Northbridge Middle School and one attends the Northbridge High School.

The Northbridge Public Schools District is pleased to announce preschool enrollment and kindergarten registration for the children who reside in the town of Northbridge. Preschool enrollment will take place from Feb 1- 29. The preschool program is an integrated program located at Northbridge Elementary School. The program serves 3 and 4 year old children. The goal of the program is to build self-esteem, encourage creative thinking and develop social interaction. The classrooms are integrated and staffed with a Massachusetts certified teacher and teaching assistants. The selection process is a lottery based system. To enroll stop into the main office any time between 9:00-3:30 during the month of February or contact the school to get a copy of the brochure.

Registration for the 2012-2013 full-day Kindergarten Program will occur at Northbridge Elementary School on Wednesday, February 15^th in the library, from 8:00 AM till 3:30 PM. It is not necessary to have your child attend registration. Children must be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2012 to be eligible for entry into kindergarten.

At the time of registration parents must present a birth certificate, most recent physical and an up-to-date immunization record. Prior to entering kindergarten, students must have the following immunizations:

• 5 DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus)
• 4 OPV (Polio)

• 2 MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

• 3 Hep-B (Hepatitis B)

• Lead test

• Varicella Vaccine (or medical documentation of having the chicken pox)

• The Mantoux (Tuberculosis) Test is highly recommended but not required for kindergarten

If you have a friend or relative who has an eligible child, please bring this notice to their attention. For planning purposes, it is important that we have an accurate count of students entering kindergarten. If you are unable to attend registration on this day, you may call Northbridge Elementary School at 508-234-6346 to schedule an appointment to register your child.

For more information, call 508 234-6346 or visit the website at www.nps.org.

The Northbridge Coalition’s meeting in November focused on Street Drugs and Alcohol Abuse in teenagers.