DAVIS HILL COMMUNITY WEEKLY UPDATE
April 30, 2018
I hope everyone had an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather on Saturday. A perfect day! Thanks to the PTA for a fun Bingo Night on Friday... the event was well attended and a whole lot of fun for everyone who participated.
Have a great week everyone!
Kindly,
Jay C. Norton, Principal
*Don't forget to read through the entire update... there are always more dates in the Upcoming Events Section. If any questions/ concerns- please don't hesitate to contact me/ the office.
Highlighted Events/ Information for the Week!
Penny Wars
PENNY WARS…. RETURNS!
Please see below message from Lindsey Mitchell on behalf of the Class of 2018/19 Fifth Grade Fundraising Committee:
Get that loose change ready, Penny Wars is back!
Once again this year... Davis Hill students will be choosing the Field Day T-Shirt by voting for their favorite design during lunch. Voting will started on April 23rd and will continue through this Friday, May 4th.
Order forms for the Field Day T-Shirts will go home on May 7th and be due back on May 11th. This year the winning T-Shirt design will not be announced until after the T-Shirts are delivered.
Penny Wars rules:
1. We would prefer only pennies but won't discount any coins donated.
2. One coin (or dollar) equals one vote.
3. Most coins collected equals the winning shirt.
Food Pantry Donation Day (Wednesday, May 2)
Suggestions: Canned and dried fruit, pineapples, mangos, fruit cups.
We are excited to continue our Davis Hill tradition of supporting the Wachusett Food Pantry and helping our neighbors who might need an extra bag or two of groceries to get by. Your monthly generosity makes a HUGE difference! The 'suggestions' on this list are JUST THAT-- suggestions. We will happily take any non-perishable, non-expired items. Collections are held the first Wednesday of each month from 8:45-9 am. Dressing up is always optional and should honor the school's dress code policy in regards to modesty and safety.
Spell-A-Thon: Still accepting Pledge Sheets
REMINDER: Spell-A-Thon Pledge sheets were due last week; however, we are still accepting pledge sheets. We appreciate you support! We surveyed the staff for their needs and the top requests were for an additional Chromecart (Ideally to provide more opportunities for K-2 Students), as well as for a PA System for our gym. Last year we were able to raise over $12,500 and purchase 56 Chromebooks and 2 Chromecarts! All funds collected will be utilized to support our teaching staff. Thank you!
LINKS:
Spell-A-Thon Description/ Key Dates and Pledge Sheet
MCAS ASSESSMENT GRADES 3-5
This week, our 5th Graders will be taking MCAS (Math) on Wednesday and Thursday. The MCAS dates have been shared via the Weekly Update for some time and remain available via the following link (MCAS Schedule).
This year our students will be taking the MCAS on the computer. This is a change for our students as we have historically completed MCAS testing using paper/ pencil materials. As is true with any change, there will be some challenges associated with our transition to the computer based platform. We have worked hard with our students to prepare them for this change and feel confident that they are ready!
For more information on MCAS, please see the link from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Link: DESE Information on Student Testing
GENERAL NOTES ON MCAS ASSESSMENT:
It is understood that standardized testing can create anxiety for some students. The Massachusetts Statewide Parent Information and Resource Center has provided the following list of guidelines for parents to help prepare their child for the testing:
Make sure your child is well rested and eats breakfast.
See that your child arrives to school on time and is relaxed.
Encourage your child to do the best work possible and to have a positive attitude.
Dress comfortably!
Remind your child to read all test taking directions carefully and listen to the teacher’s directions.
Encourage your child to take his/her time and check work for accuracy.
To help reduce anxiety:
Talk about the test in a positive way.
Encourage best efforts rather than perfection.
Encourage your child to focus on his/her strengths, such as good memory.
Assure your child that the test is only one measure of academic performance.
Emphasize that test scores do not determine a person’s worth.
At Davis Hill, our message to students reinforces the following:
-Be confident and ‘relax’! It is an opportunity to ‘Show What You Know!’.
-You are prepared and ready!
-The MCAS does not define who you are as a student and/ or a person.
Our hope is that at the end of the MCAS assessment, Davis Hill students will feel a sense of pride in themselves that they have put forth their best effort and feel proud of themselves for meeting the challenge.
*Please note the following re: MCAS:
Students are not allowed to have electronic devices (cell phones/ SmartWatches) during assessment. If your child owns/ wears a SmartWatch to school, they will have to take it off during the assessment.
If you have any questions/ concerns regarding MCAS, please contact your child’s classroom teacher and/ or administration.
MCAS SCHEDULE CHANGES
Provided our responsibilities in regard to the MCAS assessments, there will be some schedule changes (recess/ lunch and special changes) that will be taking place for some grade levels on the listed assessment days.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
UPCOMING EVENTS
Penny Wars (Field Day T-Shirt Voting)
Monday, Apr 23, 2018, 11:15 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Spring Pictures and 5th Grade Panorama Picture
Tuesday, May 1, 2018, 09:15 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Wachusett Food Pantry Donation Day
Suggestions: Canned and dried fruit, pineapples, mangos, fruit cups.
We are excited to continue our Davis Hill tradition of supporting the Wachusett Food Pantry and helping our neighbors who might need an extra bag or two of groceries to get by. Your monthly generosity makes a HUGE difference! The 'suggestions' on this list are JUST THAT-- suggestions. We will happily take any non-perishable, non-expired items. Collections are held the first Wednesday of each month from 8:45-9 am. Dressing up is always optional and should honor the school's dress code policy in regards to modesty and safety.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
MCAS Grade 5 Math
Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
MCAS Grade 5 Math
Thursday, May 3, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
School Store Open
Friday, May 4, 2018, 11:15 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Student Council Spirit Wear Day
Friday, May 4, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
National Teacher Appreciation Day
Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
MCAS- Grade 3 Math
Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
MCAS- Grade 3 Math
Wednesday, May 9, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Student Council Spirit Wear Day
Friday, May 11, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
No School For Students- Town Voting
Monday, May 14, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Holden Town Meeting
Monday, May 21, 2018, 07:00 PM
Wachusett Regional High School, Main Street, Holden, MA, USA
Davis Hill Elementary School
Email: jay_norton@wrsd.net
Website: http://www.wrsd.net/davishill/
Location: 80 Jamieson Road, Holden, MA 01520, United States
Phone: 508-829-1754
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavisHillDragons/
Twitter: @DHPrincipal