| |
ForWard
The John Ward Elementary School PTO Newsletter
March 30, 2009
|
|
Ward Quick Links and Contacts
|
|
|
|
|
Dear WardPTO Notice,
Welcome to the latest edition of the Ward Elementary School Newsletter ForWard.
* To stop receiving this newsletter, or update your email information please use the links at the end of the newsletter.
|
 Mark Your Calendars
For a full schedule of events, see the Calendar.
- Monday, March 30th -- Last day for classroom basket donations
- Tuesday, March 31st -- Late Dismissal, 3:00 PM\
- Tuesday, March 31st -- Working With Challenging Kids -- Ross Greene
- Wednesday, April 1st -- Early Dismissal, 12:30 PM
- Friday, April 10th -- Holiday School Closed
|
|
|
 From the Principal's Desk
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL PARENTS:
You may remember that we missed a day of school in January because of a problem with the sewer line. Since the state requires that we have 180 days of school, we are required to make up the time lost. I have finally received approval from the state to make up the time by adding 20 minutes to the current school day. Beginning April 27 when we return from April break, school will begin 20 minutes earlier. Doors will open at 8:00. All children must be in their seats and ready to go at 8:15 AM. This will continue for four weeks through May 22nd.
I anticipate that we will be able to move the library upstairs to the former kindergarten space. This is the original home of the library. To accomplish this move, during the summer, city workers intend to remove the walls that currently separate the space into three sections and add electric outlets for technology. I know we will all benefit from this sunny and spacious area. The current library space will become a multi-purpose room. We are beginning to put our ideas together for using this new library space. If you have expertise in this area and would like to help us with space planning, please contact our school office. I will be scheduling a meeting following April break.
MCAS testing for students in grades three, four, and five will begin on Monday. Our staff has been focused on providing a strong curriculum that follows our district's benchmarks. Students are familiar with the format and expectations of the test and have practiced good test taking strategies. They are prepared to do their very best. Please help your child:
- get plenty of sleep
- eat a good breakfast
- relax!
Following April vacation, the School Committee will officially vote on the last day of school. We will have to make up two snow days. (Five snow days are built into the June 26th end date.) Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and no further make-up dates will be needed. As soon as the decision is official, I will notify you.
Audrey Parad Peller
Principal
John Ward Elementary School
10 Dolphin Road
Newton Centre, MA 02459
(617) 559-6450
audrey_peller@newton.k12.ma.us
|
And Now a Word From Your PTO....
Happy Spring! The days are longer, the weather warmer, and lots of exciting things are still to come at Ward!
A big thank you to everyone who helped make Bingo night a big success. All who attended had a lot of fun. A special thank you to Linda Hammer for playing a key role organizing the event and also to all the parent volunteers who helped before and during the event. We'd also like to thank our student volunteers at the event for their enthusiasm and energy.
We are starting to plan for next year. If you would like to get involved in the PTO please let us know. There are many ways to be involved-large and small-one time events or on-going committees. We will be listing shortly the areas that need Coordinators. The more people involved the better it is for our kids.
One critical role we need to fill (that has been vacant this year) is Fundraising Coordinator. This person would take the lead in setting the strategy for how we raise funds next year. We recognize that this is a difficult time for many, but the PTO funded activities cannot continue without our raising the funds to pay for them. There are many ways to achieve that end though. This person will influence the types and number of events that we run and will work closely the rest of the PTO Board. As we plan the budget for next year it would be great to have this person involved. If this is a role you are interested in please let Beth Coomber know.
The next PTO meeting will be held on Tuesday April 14th after drop-off. We will have a presentation on Cyber-bullying.
PTO meetings are always open to the entire Ward population and we encourage people to attend. In order to make meetings accessible to those for whom the daytime hour of the meeting makes it hard for them to attend, we are going to change the May PTO meeting from the scheduled Friday May 17th morning meeting to an evening meeting. We will let you know the exact date shortly.
Enjoy the weather!
Please mark your calendars for a Parent's Night Out to be held on Saturday, May 16th. This will be a chance to socialize with other Ward families at a casual backyard gathering. This is out last event of the year. Although primarily social in nature we are hoping to have a live auction of sports/event tickets to support the PTO. If you have any tickets you are able to donate let Beth Coomber know coomber@rcn.com or (617) 417-6886.
|
|
School News
A tisket, a tasket, please contribute to your classroom basket! Deadline is Monday, March 30th: This is a reminder that if you haven't already done so, please make a contribution to your classroom's basket. All items are due no later than this Monday, March 30th.
The baskets will be part of a school-wide raffle taking place in April, which is to include a Teacher Raffle, as well as Thematic Classroom Baskets. The money raised will go to the Ward School PTO to support areas such as creative arts, curriculum enhancement, and technology.
We appreciate your support!
Ward Creative Arts & Science March Report : For the Fifth Graders, resident published poet Judith Steinbergh wrapped up her workshop with the students leaving them with an enthusiasm for the written word in the form of poetry.
The Fifth Graders got an intimate with a special grouping of owls from the Wingmasters program on March 20th. The program showed the enthralled group a special collection of Owls saved from injury or sheltered because of a disability. But their fluttering wings, wide eyes, and hoots are still haunting and superb to see first hand.
On March 26th the Third Graders got a visit from the Science Discovery Museum on Physical Changes of Matters. The students investigated the physical properties of solids, liquids and gases and discussed the five changes of state and observe dry ice, made fog and saw the dramatic effects of liquid nitrogen on a variety of objects.
The CASC thanks all who support the Ward PTO. The support makes the above programming possible for the children and teachers.
Exciting News from Mrs. Nectow and Ms. Singer: We would like to congratulate all the fourth and fifth grade students who participated in the National Geographic Bee held at Ward on January 8th and January 12th. We were excited to offer this opportunity to our students and truly amazed by their performance. Special recognition goes to fourth grader Paris Karniadakis who won at the school level and then, after taking another test, qualified to represent Ward at the state level of the National Geographic Bee. Let's all wish good luck to Paris who will compete on April 3rd at Clark University in Worcester!
Amazing News from Ms. Singer: In December 2008, fifth grader Dianne Lee entered the Massachusetts "Letters About Literature" competition. She wrote a letter to a favorite author, Trenton Lee Stewart, describing how his book, The Mysterious Benedict Society, had affected her. We just learned from the Massachusetts Center for the Book that Dianne's letter has received Top Honors in the 4th - 6th grade category. Her letter will now be advanced to the national competition at the Library of Congress and will be posted at www.massbook.org. As the state winner at her level, Dianne will be honored at a ceremony at the State House on May 19th. Please be sure to congratulate Dianne on this remarkable achievement and wish her well at the national level!
Ms. Singer Announces a New Roster of Published Poets and Essayists! I am delighted to congratulate all the Ward School students who entered the Fall Creative Communications Poetry Contest and the Creative Communications Spring Essay Contest.
The following students have had their poems chosen for publication in the Celebration of Young Poets Northeast Fall 2008 Edition:
- Grade Two: Ben Kreppein
- Grade Three: Rebeca Aro, Ally Beizer, Ezra Berg, Priscilla Cho, Jordan Feinberg, Einat Gavish, Ilai Gavish, Jonathan Han, Rayna Hata, Katherine Ho, Jill Kirson, Zoe Land, Evan Lipchin, Ryan McLaughlin, Madison Roach, Lydia Smith
- Grade Five: Katherine Gao
The following students have had their essays chosen for publication in the Celebrating What Is Important to Me Northeast Spring 2009 Edition:
- Grade Three: Ally Beizer, Ezra Berg, Maya Dayanim, Einat Gavish, Aleks Gropman, Jonathan Hammer, Jonathan Han, Rayna Hata, Katherine Ho, Jill Kirson, Evan Lipchin, Matthew Lomakin, Cameron Mastoras, Ryan McLaughlin, Ryan Park, Jacob Mahoney, Madison Roach, Lydia Smith
- Grade Five: Laura Hammer
The next Creative Communication poetry deadline is postmark or email by April 7, 2009.
The next Creative Communication essay deadline is postmark or email by July 15, 2009.
The deadline for the Boston College Science Poetry Contest is postmark April 3, 2009.
Please see Ms. Singer if you are interested in entering any of these contests.
|
|
Here's to Your Health
Slip! Slap! Slop!
The days are getting longer and the warmer sun is encouraging outside playtime. April is a great time to reinforce the importance of protecting your child's skin and your own from the sun to prevent skin cancer. While skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, it is the most preventable, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Almost half of all Americans who live to age 65 will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some point in their lives, according to the National Cancer Institute. Early childhood sunburns increase a child's risk for cancer later in life. Fair skin, lots of moles, and a family history of skin cancer are additional risk factors.
But whether you have these risk factors or not, anyone can get skin cancer. Slip! Slap! Slop! Is a great way for parents and children to remember three great skin cancer prevention tips:
- Slip on a t-shirt: A t-shirt over a bathing suit or other sleeveless shirt is a great way to help block some of the sun's rays
- Slap on a hat & sunglasses: A brimmed hat and sunglasses help protect the face and eyes.
- Slop on sunscreen: Apply SPF 15 or higher sunscreen before going outside, and reapply at least every two hours, even if it is cloudy.
For more information, contact your School Nurse or visit http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/skin.
Your Skin Is In!
Did you know that even tanning indoors damages your skin? And that people who use tanning beds once a month before the age of 35 increase their melanoma risk by 75 percent? Summer is coming, and so is the temptation to head to a tanning booth or to lie outside to get that desirable bronzed look. But think twice before going tanning.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. There are different types of skin cancer. Melanoma causes about three-fourths of all skin cancer deaths. Other types of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) aren't as deadly, but having one of them further increases your risk of getting other types of skin cancer.
The more you tan, and the younger you start tanning, the more likely it is you will get melanoma. And using a tanning bed can be more damaging than being outside in the sun due to higher levels of radiation. A common misconception is that you need to be in the sun for long periods of time in order for your body to make vitamin D. But for most people, 5 to 10 minutes of unprotected sun 2-3 times a week is enough to help your skin make vitamin D. You also get vitamin D from the vegetables you eat and the milk you drink. Getting more sun won't increase vitamin D production, but it will increase your skin cancer risk. So be sure to stay away from the tanning booths and use SPF 15 or higher sunscreen when you head outside.
If you have questions about tanning, or aren't sure about a mole on your body, the School Nurse is here to help. Stop by the health room for more information. You can also visit www.melanomafoundationne.org/ and http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/skin.
|
Newton News and Events
Collaborative Problem Solving -An Effective Approach to Understanding and Supporting Your Child: Ross W. Greene, Ph.D. - Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of the acclaimed book, The Explosive Child, and the recently released, Lost at School. Tuesday, March 31st 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Williams School, 141 Grove St., Auburndale.
Are you having trouble managing your child's behavior? Is your child not responding to typical methods of discipline? Parents attending this presentation will gain a better understanding of why children sometimes struggle to control their behaviors and emotions. Dr. Greene will discuss specific strategies that will allow parents to decrease conflict and improve the lines of communications in their homes. He will describe his model for working with children and families, Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), and how it is currently being implemented in the Newton Public Schools.
Stress and its Impact on Children: Stress has become an all too common word in the lives of our children. Examining the sources of stress and its impact emotionally and physically on elementary school-aged children will be the focus of a free parenting workshop sponsored by Safe Schools/Healthy Students on Monday, April 13th from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Newton Community Service Center, 492 Waltham St. West Newton. This workshop will be led by Micaela Zilberberg, psychotherapist and consultant to childcare and after school settings. Child Care will be available. Preregistration is required. Sign up by calling Ms. Zilberberg at (617) 969 5906 x134 or emailing her at mzilberberg@ncscweb.org.
Kindergarten Soccer, Spring 2009 - Time to Register! Boys and girls now in Kindergarten or entering Kindergarten in the fall of 2009 are welcome to join the program that has introduced Newton children to soccer since 1993. The focus is on fun, introducing soccer, and developing confidence. Teams are usually organized by elementary school -- so it's a great opportunity to meet other families from your school and give your child a chance to make friends before starting kindergarten. Kindergarten children play at 9:15 AM and those in preschool play at 10:45 AM on Saturday mornings, April 25th through June 20th (except 5/23), at Zervas School Field and nearby Richardson Field. The $60 fee includes a team t-shirt as well as an end-of-program medal. Info and registration at www.kindergartensoccer.org. Questions? email: ksoccer@kindergartensoccer.org or call (617) 527-9238. Registrations after March 31st are accepted only on a space-available basis.
Bike Newton, a citywide organization dedicated to "Making Newton a Bicycle-safe City", has two big upcoming events: May 17th at 12:30 PM - "2nd Annual Rally and Friends and Family Ride" at the 'War Memorial Circle' at Newton City Hall. Free: raffles, services, live music, healthy snacks, rides on the incomparable Conference Bike. Rally at 1;00 PM. 3.2-mile Ride at 2:00 PM (pre-register for the Ride on line - web address below). Then on April 23rd at 7:00 PM -- Transportation Forum for Mayoral Candidates, Newton City Hall's 'War Memorial Auditorium'. Moderator: Jenn Adams of NewTV. We'll ask the candidates their views about the gamut of transportation issues - Safe Routes to School, transit-oriented development, the redesign of Needham St, bicycle paths, etc. For more info: http://bikenewton.org, or contact bikenewton@gmail.com or (617) 527-1237.
"Sleeping Beauty" by Tanglewood Marionettes, will come to the Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada Street, Newton, Sunday, April 5th at 2:00 PM. Advance tickets: $8 At Door. $10 - (617) 796-1540 or (617) 527-8283. This classic tale begins in King Felix's great hall for the christening of Princess Aurora. The party goes awry when the wicked witch arrives and curses the little princess. Will the curse come true? Will someone with a true heart" appear.
Become a Newton School Volunteer! Would you like to help a Newton elementary school student learn basic mathematics concepts? We need adult volunteers to tutor students in grades 2-5.
- Tutoring is once a week for 30-45 minutes
- No teaching experience is needed
- Tutors can select their preferred school, grade level, and day/time
- Play special math games that reinforce skills and help students gain confidence
- Training, Everyday Math books and learning materials, and ongoing support are provided
For more information, please contact Ellen Bender at (617) 559.6131 or ellen_bender@newton.k12.ma.us.
The
Newton Parents Advisory Council for Special Education invites you to
our next meeting, Your Rights Under Special Education Law by Attorney
Dan Ahearn. The meeting is on Wednesday, April 1st at 7:30 PMat the
Education Center, 100 Walnut Street. Networking and light refreshments
at 7:15 PM. Daniel Ahearn practices disability, special education,
education and children's law, and is on the faculty at Suffolk
University Law School. He is the Assistant Head of Landmark School,
which specializes in teaching students with language based learning
disabilities. He was the Director of the Massachusetts Bureau of
Special Education Appeals. For more information, visit our website at www.newtonpac.org or email info@newtonpac.org.
Citizen Advisory Group: Please note the Citizen Advisory Group will be releasing the draft Performance Management and Control Report on March 31, 2009 at 7:00 PM at Newton City Hall, in Room 209, Second Floor.
A City-Wide Forum Reviewing the Work of the Citizens Advisory Group on Municipal Costs. Monday, April 6th, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, the PTO Council, the Newton Free Library and other community groups. There will be a question and answer session and an opportunity for the public to debate further action. The Longyear Museum, 1125 Boylston St (Route 9--westbound side), Chestnut Hill. Upcoming meetings in this series include: Capital Infrastructure May 4, 7-9pm at the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street; Performance Management/Renewing Newton June 3rd 7-9pm at the Newton Free Library. Refreshments at 6:30. For more info: www.lwvn.org .or contact: info@lwvnewton.org or 617-964-0014
The Friends of the Newton Free Library present Elinor Lipman, author of the soon-to-be-published The Family Man, and Tony Horwitz, author of A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World, at the 25th Book and Author Luncheon, on Monday, April 27, 2009, at 12:00 PM, Newton Marriott, 2345 Commonwealth Ave at Route 128. For tickets and more information, please go to: http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net/?sec=friends&doc=luncheon or email bookandauthor@gmail.com.
Calling all students in K-9th grade! You are invited to take part in the 2nd Annual Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs and Newton Pride Committee Spelling Bee sponsored by Score! Educational Centers. The bee will be held Thursday, April 30th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada Street. The cost is $5.00 - proceeds supports the Newton Pride Committee's free cultural events. Participants will spell grade level appropriate words. To register: www.newtonpride.org or call (617) 527-8283.
Day Middle School Raffle: Prizes include weekend use of a vacation home in Lake Winnepesauke, bicycle gift certificate, local restaurant gift certificates, Red Sox Tickets, Celtics Tickets and more. Tickets: $5 each or book of 5 for $20. Buy from any Day student or online at www.DayPTO.org. Website has complete list/description of all prizes. Proceeds go toward fulfilling teacher grant requests. Drawing April 6th.
Athletes Serving the Community (ASC) is No Joke, Not a Fooling Matter, That's why we waited until April 2.
Please show your support for Newton Athletes Serving the Community by shopping at Whole Foods (4 corners) on Thursday April, 2nd all day! 5% of the proceeds for the day go to ASC to help with their endeavors in serving the community. Student/Athletes work on many community projects throughout the year. For more information http://newtonasc.org/
$10,000 Grand Prize "Stimulus" Fundraising Raffle for the Boys and Girls Club: 9 other prizes ranging from $100 to $1,000. Ticket sales limited to 300 at $100 each. Drawing April 1st 8pm at the Boys and Girls Club. Contact: 617-630-2066 or danielaproia@newtonbgc.com.
Attention to parents who have a child with ADHD currently in 1st or 3rd grade. The
Floating Hospital for Children in the cooperation with the Newton
Public School System will be running a program which offers
computer-based attention training systems to children with ADHD through
out the 15 Newton Elementary Schools next school year in grades 2nd and
4th. One system uses EEG biofeedback (or neurofeedback, www.playattention.com) and the other uses a Standard Computer Format (www.braintrain.com)
for cognitive retraining. Both systems are considered clinically equal.
Private coaching sessions can add up to $2,400.00 per child. This
research project is fully funded by a grant from the federal Department
of Education. Students enrolled will not pay for any services offered.
The project has been discussed with and approved by Brenda Keegan,
deputy superintendent Newton Public Schools. Enrollment is in May
2009. All parents interested in receiving further information should
contact CATS@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
|
Community Classifieds
Club Invention! July 6-10 and July 13-17. The Club Invention program focuses on brain-powered activities and powerful projects that enhance creativity, teamwork, and inventive-thinking skills. Children entering grades 1-6 have fun as they participate daily in five activity-oriented modules promoting science, math, history, and the arts through creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills. In both weeks they'll explore the mechanics of simple machines and create their own inventions after disassembling everyday gadgets. Newton teachers lead the curricula each day aided by enthusiastic counselors, and Judi Fitts returns as the director. The program features a low staff-to-child ratio, with one staff member for every eight children. Register for one or both weeks: July 6-10 and/or July 13-17. Camp hours are 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM, and morning and extended day program is also available. Fee of $275 includes all materials, snacks and a T-shirt. Register through Newton Community Ed at www.newtoncommunityed.org or call (617) 559-6999.
ActiveMinds Tutoring, LLC: Your source for in-home tutoring. Effective, Personalized and Convenient. All grades/all subjects, including test preparation (MCAS, SAT, SSAT...). Sign your child up for academic success and receive 1 free lesson by May 1. Call: (617) 663-5700 during business hours, or (617) 227-2225 Eve/Wknds. Please visit our website at www.activemindstutoring.com.
Learn Spanish effortlessly through Drama, Games, Songs, Art and Movement - Come try this unique and creative approach to learning a second language! Join Multicolores @ Green Planet Kids in Newton Spanish for Pre-Teens: ages 9 - 13 for 90 min., Mondays @ 4:00 PM. Parent & Child Spanish: ages 5 - 8 (with or without an adult partner) Fridays @ 4:00 PM for 60 min. For a Free Demo e-mail or call: info@multicolores.net or (617) 943-2935
Bowen Cooperative Nursery School, located in Newtonville, has one remaining space in its Transitional Kindergarten program for the 2009-2010 school year. This program is for children who are 5 years old, or who are about to turn 5, but who are not yet in Kindergarten. We are a child-centered, play-based school at which children can continue their social, emotional, intellectual and physical development in a creative, safe and exciting environment. For more information and to obtain an application, please visit our website, www.bowencoop.org or contact Priscilla Howland, Director, at (617) 332-3923.
|
|
ForWARD Submissions
Next deadline: Friday, April 10th for the April 13th issue.
Please send articles to news@wardpto.org
The ForWard will now be distributed
electronically every other week instead of monthly as in past years.
On weeks when the full newsletter is not distributed This Week at Ward will be used to inform you of
dates and events in the upcoming week. We hope that a single email each week will help you keep track of
important dates and events.
The
Ward PTO, at its discretion and as space is available, may permit
announcements to appear in the ForWard from not-for-profit
organizations that offer a direct service to children/families in the
Ward community and from for-profit individuals or businesses that offer
a direct educational service to children/families in our community. The
Ward PTO may edit announcements and does not endorse any individuals or
business whose announcements are published.
|
About NPS TAC Support for PTO Communications
Volunteers from the Newton Public Schools Technology Advisory Council (NPS
TAC) are helping to set up and support PTO communications, including this system used by the Ward PTO.
Learn more here.
|
|
|
|
|
Sign-up