RUMFORD — A wide variety of events and programs have been organized at Rumford Elementary School for students and parents during the next few weeks.

Librarian Eileen Broderick said well-known Maine children’s author Amy MacDonald, creator of “Rachel Fister’s Blister,” will provide two days of writing coaching on Dec. 5 and 6.

“We have a visiting author every year,” she said.

Training for parents and students in Digital Citizenship began Nov. 5.

A repeat session is scheduled for 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., Nov. 7, in the school’s library. This session is required before students are allowed access to email.

The workshop emphasizes Internet safety and how to properly use the resource.

On Nov. 6, a six-part program for parents on various aspects of child development begins at 6 p.m. in the library. The first session will focus on brain development in children and teens. The second session, set for Nov. 13, will focus on how to better communicate with children, and the third, on Nov. 20, will highlight the feelings children experience and offer effective ways to help them cope. The program is sponsored by the Western Foothills Kids Association and Community Concepts. 

Other topics may be accessed at the RES library.

At 10 a.m. on Nov. 12, a Cooking Matters at the Store class begins at Hannaford in Rumford. Participants will have a chance to tour the store and its various departments to learn how to save money, buy healthy foods and receive some healthy recipes. The class will focus on buying fruits and vegetables on a budget, comparing unit prices, reading and comparing food labels and a myriad of other food-related topics.

To register for this or a later class, parents are asked to call Donna Bucher at 364-7408 at the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition.

Other events planned are a Parent Teacher Organization meeting at 6 p.m., Nov. 6, a fourth-grade field trip to the Maine State Museum on Nov. 15 and a Harvest Bingo Family Night at 6 p.m. on Nov. 25.

The school’s winter concerts are set for 9:30 a.m. for grades K-2, and 12:30 p.m. for grades 3-5 on Dec. 12. Both will be performed in the Mountain Valley High School auditorium.

For more information about any of the events, call RES at 364-8155.