Memorial Day Parade IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

We wanted to remind all Leaders and parents about the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26th at 10 a.m.   The parade starts are 10 a.m. from the Third Meeting House on the Common.  Girls, troops, parents wanting to participate should arrive by 9:45 to start lining up by level by troop starting with Daisies first.  If a troop or her Leader is not participating, girls are still welcome to march in the parade with a parent or by joining in with another troop!

 

There are a few important reminders and tips we wanted to share in case this is your first time marching in the parade as a member of the North Reading Girl Scouts.

• we no longer carry latex balloons in the parade*
• it is NEVER allowed to hand out or throw candy or food to the sidelines**
• girls should wear their Girl Scout uniform, sash, vest or pins
• comfortable footwear appropriate for marching should be worn
• girls should apply sunscreen before marching and carry a bottle of water
• leaders should carry a first aid kit with annual permission forms if marching as a troop

Marching in the Memorial Day parade is a big day for many and an honor for us to be able to participate.  We would ask that the girls march in a respectful manner as they represent our Organization. 

 

**The Parade Committee has asked that NO one throw candy into the crowds for many safety reasons, which include children stopping along the route to pick up candy and not paying attention to bikes and vehicles in the parade, as well as small children picking up candy that could be a choking hazard or cause an allergic reaction. 

 

*The NRGS made the decision to no longer carry balloons after a Cadette Girl Scout years ago did her Silver Award project on "when balloons fly, animals die".  She taught us about the dangers of latex balloons to not only small children but also to animals when they are released out into the atmosphere and then pop.  We would ask that you respect these Committee rules if you are marching as part of the Girl Scout Organization.  We cannot control what other Organizations do, but we would like to abide by the rules.

 

Thank you for being part of North Reading Girl Scouts, and we wish you a safe holiday weekend!

 

Leader Meeting Minutes 5/21/14

Meeting Called to Order:  7:45 pm

Attendance:  Debbie Nearing (73891), Kristin Puliafico (85118), Ruth Kennedy (73899), Anne Valade, Sarah Stetson (76213), Marnie Littleford (78181), Lindsay Felix (76211), Bridget Easler (76212), Kim Fischer (85337), Kristin Lamont (85193 and 71880), Kerstin March, Melissa Lally (85118), Amy Kelly  (73897 and 71901)

Financial Forms for each troop are due to Kristin Puliafico no later than June 15.

The basic idea of the form is for council to determine what troops are spending their money on:  project supplies, field trips, uniforms, etc.  Form is available on line at Girl Scouts of Eastern MA under "resource library and forms".  Contact Kristin with questions:  kscott1104@aol.com

Memorial Day Parade is Monday May 26.  Arrive at the Building on the Common at 9:45am for the 10am start.  Please remind parents to use sunscreen on the girls, have the girls wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared with a water bottle if it's very warm. 

PLEASE REMEMBER, per the Parade Committee, and the Girl Scouts of Eastern MA, North Reading Girl Scouts, as well as other organizations, are NOT to throw candy while walking!  If your troop wants to hand out an item, think about handing out flowers, pencils, or some other non-food item.

North Reading Girl Scout Fly Up is Monday, June 16 from 7-8:30pm at NRHS Auditorium.  Daisies are now included in this Fly Up!

Please bring your troop banner and have girls arrive early in their GS uniforms, no later than 6:45 pm.  If your troop is flying up, please email Anne Valade immediately to let her know you plan to attend ( annevalade@comcast.net).  Also, a list of all the girls and adult leaders needs to be sent to Deb Nearing ( bcednearing@comcast.net) for inclusion in the program.  To have PHOTOS in the slide show, send those photos to Kristen Lamont ASAP at  kristinlamont@yahoo.com.

And troops are asked to bring 2 dozen baked goods or cookies to share at the reception immediately following the ceremony.

As a reminder, North Reading Girl Scouts will have a small gift for each girl who is flying up and participating in the ceremony.  If troop leaders also want to give out a gift to their troop members, please wait for a private time to hand those out.  Please do not hand gifts out at Fly Up as this has created an issue in the past with other girls from other troops feeling left out if their troop didn't do the same.  Thank you!

Town Hall Veggie Gardens:

This is an important project between NR Girl Scouts, The NR Food Pantry and NR Garden Club. 

Beds are all turned and will be planted on Saturday, May 24 at 9:00am.  If you are available, please come and help.  We need TOMATO CAGES or SUPPORTS.  If you have an extra one or can donate one, please contact Ruth Kennedy (ruthekennedy@gmail.com). 

Also, the gardens will need to be watered all summer.  Troops are asked to pick a week and plan to water the garden beds several times (depending on weather) that week.  There is no water source, so you will need to bring your own water.  Re-use gallon milk containers (or similar) to bring water with you.  Have at least 10 gallons of water.

Encampment:

All troops attending have a folder of information.  The blue form lists where troops are assigned.  Also, please refer to this sheet for all emergency and contact information.

Each troop should have bandanas for each girl in their troop.  AC Moore is a good source for this item.  Bandanas hold back the girls' hair from the campfire (and there will be a campfire).

Further details on a "what to pack" list, the schedule of activities, and more are all included in the folder of information.

Troops should bring their own food.  Plan according to the schedule.

Also in folder is the white Troop Attendance List form.  Please complete this form and return to Deb Nearing at check in the day of encampment.  SAVE A COPY for yourself.

The Yellow Form is a GS Eastern MA form and needs to be returned for each girl also on the day of check in.

Troops coming for just the day have a PINK Packing list.  The Overnight list is on an ivory colored paper.

There is a map of the facility in the folder as well as a detailed list of facility resources (refrigeration, etc).

REMINDERS to all girls in attendance:  please leave electronic devices at home.  Girls should not have cell phones or other devices with them.   Girls should NOT bring their GS uniforms.

SWAPS (Some Whatchamacallit Affectionately Pinned)  The swapping of SWAPS is an encampment highlight!  Each girl should bring at least 10 SWAPS to exchange with other Girl Scouts.  Melissa Lally is having a SWAPS workshop on Sunday June 1 from 2-4pm in the Library Activity Room.  Stop by any time during those hours. This event is for girls attending encampment only.

If you still have Cookie Sale Incentives that you have not picked up, email Kerstin March.   march.family@verizon.net  Please make sure that if you have cookie credits from 2012-2013, they expire on June 30, 2014!  They must be used or you will lose them.

Meeting Adjourn 9:15pm

Spring Registration Event for NEW Girls and Adults

Spring Registration Event for NEW girls and adults for the upcoming 2014-2015 membership year, Saturday, June 7th, 10 am to 2 pm, at IRP, under the big tree near the concession stand.  Please pass along this information and encourage friends who are interested in registering!  This includes those girls entering Kindergarten in the fall.  Note: this event is not for scouts reregistering, only those new to scouting. 

 

 

SWAPS Event for Girls Attending Encampment

Every girl signed up to attend Encampment, whether attending Encampment with her troop or as an individual, is invited to attend a SWAPS event on Sunday, June 1 at the Library Activity Room from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.  SWAPS are "Some Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned on Something or Someone"!  These SWAPS will be "swapped" with other Girl Scouts at our June Encampment.  You can come as a troop or stop by anytime between 2:00 and 4:00 to make up to 10 SWAPs for encampment!  

Gardening Service Project

We are looking for older Girl Scouts in grades 6 and up who want to help turn the garden beds at the Town Hall on Saturday, May 17 at 3 pm. Bring work gloves and a large garden shovel or pitch fork. Adults and/or Leaders welcome too.

Then help plant the beds for a summer of harvest for the North Reading Food Pantry on Saturday, May 24 at 9 am.  Brownies and up, bring your own gloves and a small planting shovel or trowel.  Please RSVP Ruth Kennedy by email: ruthekennedy@gmail.com if you are available for either of these service projects!

Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra's Spring Pops

The Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing Spring Pop's on 5/9 at 8pm and 5/18 at 3pm.  Suggested donation is $10/pp.  Venue locations and concert program details can be found at www.lowellphilharmonic.org

Girl Scout Night at The Breakers Soccer Game 6/1/14

All Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts members, families and friends are invited to:
Breakers vs. Washington Spirit match on Sunday, June 1st at 6.30pm.
We would like to offer everyone discounted tickets to attend the game and have a fun
night out with family, friends and classmates. Don’t miss out on this event, order your
tickets today!
Please see flyer here.

Re-Registration is Now Open!

Spring Re-Registration in E-Biz for the 2015 membership year is now open!Leaders can start talking with their girls and registered adults about re-registration for next year, and begin the re-registration process online.   If re-registered by June 30th, the girls will receive an early bird patch for their uniform.  If any questions, please contact our Registrar, Barbara Gravel:  BarbGravel@msn.com

Any Leader not continuing on next year, please contact Kristin Puliafico kscott1104@aol.com  ASAP so we can reach out to families with alternate placement options for 2014-2015.
The link to register is here.

Leader Meeting Minutes 4/16/14

Meeting Start:  7:50pm

Attendance:  Deb Nearing, Kristin Puliafico, Barbara Gravel, Ruth Kennedy, Christine Damphouse, Sarah Stetson, Amy Kelly, Debbie Aalto, Lynne Alley

Leader Appreciation Day is Tuesday, April 22.  Thank you, leaders, for all you do for the girls!  Service team chair Kristin Puliafico presented all leaders present with a lovely plant to thank them for their service to North Reading's girl scouts.

Upcoming Events (visit the NR Girl Scouts blog for additional details on these events)

Cupcake Challenge, Sunday May 4, 2-4pm at Union Congregational Church.  Reg deadline was April 16.  Contact Anne Valade:  annevalade@comcast.net    

Storytelling: Friday May 16, 6-8pm, $5/girl.  Third Meeting House.  RSVP by May 2.  Contact Anne Valade  annevalade@comcast.net.  

She and Me Daisy Tea:  Sunday, May 18, 1:30-3:30pm at St. Theresa's Parish Center.  Reg deadline May 2.  Contact Anne Valade:  annevalade@comcast.net 

Memorial Day Parade:  On Monday, May 26.  Arrive at Building on the Common no later than 9:45am to organize.  Parade starts at 10am.  Any Girl Scout can march in the parade with any troop or their own parent/guardian, especially if their own troop is not marching.  Girls should dress for the weather as the parade is rain or shine.  

Encampment:  June 13-15 at Camp Runnels, Pelham, NH.  

SWAPS in the Park:  A drop in event open to all North Reading Girl Scouts.  Saturday, May 31 from 1-4pm.  More details coming soon!  Check the blog.

Registration for 2014-2015 is around the corner.  Registrar Barbara Gravel informed leaders of upcoming changes to the registration process, including the elimination of paper registration forms.  Watch the blog and the Monday emails for updates on changes to the registration process effective this year.  

Arbor Day Celebration - Thursday, May 1 at 6pm.  Meet at the Gazebo at IRP.  From there, we will walk to the tree planting site.  Girl scouts and boy scouts are encouraged to attend and assist with the planting of the tree.  This event is organized by North Reading Garden Club.  Scouts in attendance will receive a patch and a seedling tree courtesy of the North Reading Garden Club.

Meeting End:  8:45pm

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Scouts Dayd May 1-4

Receive discounted prices for four performances of the dance troupe.  See flyer here for all the details.

Lowell Spinners Scouts Day July 22, 2014

Come enjoy a day of baseball with reduced prices for all scouts.  See flyer here for more details.

Memorial Day Parade

It's not too early to start working on your troop banner if you don't already have one!  Check out the flyer here for more information about the parade and the banner dimensions.  This year's parade is Monday, May 26.  The parade starts promptly at 10 a.m. from the Meeting House on the Common.  If your troop is marching, you should plan on lining up at 9:45.  Individual girls are also welcome to march and join in with other troops sharing their level of scouting! 
Reminder for girls to wear their Girl Scouts uniforms, sashes, vests, etc., and that NRGS no longer carry latex balloons in the parade for safety reasons and GSEM does not allow us to throw candy on the parade route for safety reasons!

Town Wide Fly Up Ceremony NOW INCLUDING DAISIES!!!

Fly Up for Grades 1,  3, 5, 8, 10 and 12
June 16, 7pm at the high school auditorium

The invitation flier can be found here.  We are asking all troops to please arrive prior to 6:45 and be seated.  Each troop should bring 2 dozen baked goods.

 If you are participating, you should be gathering about 10 photos of your troop for a slideshow, you should have your troop banner set aside as you will need it that night, and you should be compiling an accurate typed list of all the girls and Leaders in your troop for the program.  When you have your photos ready, please send them to Anne Valade ASAP to annevalade@comcast.net.  Please send your typed lists of all girls and leaders to Debbie Nearing ASAP to bcednearing@comcast.net. Remember that registered Girl Scouts for 2013-2014 in these grades are eligible to participate in our town wide Fly Up Ceremony whether or not they are continuing on next year!

NR Garden Club Celebrates Arbor Day

May 1 is Arbor Day (and May Day!) and the NR Garden Club is celebrating reading about the history of these two days as well as poems.  Every family that attends will receive a tree sampling and all children attending can help the Garden Club plant a tree.
This event will take place at Ipswich River Park's Gazebo at 6pm.
For questions contact Ruth Kennedy at ruthekennedy@gmail.com

NRGS sponsored Storytelling Event for Brownies

This fun event is Friday, May 16th, 6-8 at The Third Meeting House on the Common- flyer is here.

Cost is $5 a person and includes a fun patch for the girl, a craft, and a snack!  Deadline to sign up is May 2nd.  Contact Anne at annevalade@comcast.net for questions.  

NASA Celebrated Earth Day!

Earth Day is April 22nd and for the first time in more than a decade, five NASA Earth-observing missions will be launched into space in a single year.  To celebrate this milestone, NASA is inviting people all around the world to step outside on Earth Day, April 22, take a "selfie", and share it with the world on social media.  If your troop is interested in this fun activity, please click on this link to find out more http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-102.  For safety reasons, girls should probably NOT share their photos unless they have their parents' permission. 

The Cupcake Challenge hosted by NRGS

The Cupcake Challenge - Sunday, May 4 - find flyer here.

NRGS invites Girl Scouts in grades 4, 5 and 6 to participate in a Cupcake Challenge on Sunday, May 4 at the Union Congregational Church from 2 to 4 pm.  Cost is $10 a girl and includes a participation patch and each girl will get her own decorating starter kit to take home!  Deadline to sign up is April 16th.  Contact Anne at annevalade@comcast.net for questions.  

She and Me Daisy Tea Party hosted by NRGS

She and Me Daisy Tea Party - Sunday, May 18 - find flyer here.

NRGS Daisy Scouts and their favorite adult female are invited to a tea party on Sunday, May 18 at St. Theresa's Parish Center from 1:30 to 3:30 pm.  Cost is $5 a person and includes a fun patch for the girl, a craft, and sweet treats!  Deadline to sign up is May 2nd.  Contact Anne at annevalade@comcast.net for questions.  

Aleppo Shrine Circus Event - Scout Day

Aleppo Shrine Circus Event - Saturday, April 26

The Allepo Shriners are hosting their Scout Day Promotion for Scouts and their families at the Aleppo Shrine Circus on Saturday April 26 at our 10 A.M. Show! All tickets are only $5 for Scouts and their families!  Deadline for tickets at this price is April 11!  Contact for questions is Matthew R. Brodeur

-Aleppo Shrine Circus Scout Day Coordinator phone

(774) 263 5018 or email him at matthewbrodeur@gmail.com.
See Flyer here and ticket order sheet  here.