Fall Update
SWIM
A "Red Plate" Special
Principal's Message
At our September SWIM assembly we were able to recognize a first grader, Cayden, for demonstrating integrity. We define integrity as "saying or doing the right thing even when an adult or teacher is not nearby". This is a challenging quality to consistently demonstrate. A classmate had tripped on the stairs and fell while going to the cafeteria. Cayden quickly helped his classmate, checked in with him, and picked up his belongings. We shared this story at the assembly and spontaneously all the students applauded for him.
As I communicated this event to Cayden's family, they shared with me their tradition to celebrate small successes of an individual family member at dinner. That night Cayden had his dinner on a red plate. The family had received the plate as a baby shower gift with this poem.
As your lives are enriched by your new addition
Enjoy special moments with this family tradition
Your baby's arrival is a wonderful day
A time to remember in a unique way
On days that are special that you'll want to recall
Set out this plate to celebrate it all
Honor your child and their great feat
On this special plate, let them joyously eat
It may be a birthday, recital, good grade
A Little league win or wise choice that was made
These wonderful times will come and go
Keep this red plate handy as your blessings flow
This is such a lovely tradition for two reasons. Family dinner together is so important for all members to summarize their days- share "highs and lows' connect, support, and problem solve together. Everyone learns and has a voice. It may not happen every night due to busy schedules but carving this time out together sharing a meal is precious. In addition, to recognize our children for taking the small steps during building character traits of integrity, empathy, compassion and kindness is powerful. It emphasizes to them that these qualities are valued and their words and actions matter.
Despite the fact my children are grown and most living in homes and apartments on their own, I am going to purchase a set of red plates. Hopefully when we gather together for a meal there will be opportunities to set our table with a red plate for one member of the Duggan clan. It is never too late to start a family tradition.
Sincerely,
Colleen Duggan
Art News
The Elementary Art Program provides a foundation in which students develop the capacity to create, respond and communicate through the language of Visual Art. The opportunity to develop skills using a variety of media as well as enhance learning through the integration of Art with other subject areas such as Science, Math, Language Arts, History and Music enhances academic growth. Our students began the year with such enthusiasm to work on drawing and mixed media projects in preparation for Open House! We hope you enjoyed viewing the monochromatic “Fisher Family Tree” in the Media Center hallway as well as the colorful palettes in the Art Room! This fall each grade level has been exploring nature, science and literature as they work on the following skills and techniques:
Kindergarten: Students have been learning about the elements of line, shape and color as they connect to Science in their leaf and tree paintings.
Grade 1: The integration of Science, nature and literature is in process as students explore various printmaking techniques using leaves.
Grade 2: Students are completing a 3 step process of blending oil pastels, painting a watercolor wash and printing with tempera while creating an Autumn reflection landscape.
Grade 3: Students are learning the integration of art, science, poetry as they create beautiful silhouette landscapes with cinquain poems! Tissue painting, drawing and writing poems are skills that are integrated to form beautiful compositions inspired by the book “Sky Tree”, by Thomas Locke.
Grade 4: Students have been exploring positive and negative space in a variety of art work while creating linear letter stacking designs as well as Autumn leaf paintings.
Grade 5: Radial symmetry has been the focus of learning for our students as they complete their beautiful radial leaf designs. They are receiving new sketchbooks this month and will begin homework assignments twice per month to further reinforce and enhance their drawing skills.
Please enjoy viewing the colorful array of exhibits that will be on display throughout the year at our Media Center Hallway, Town Hall and the digital website “Artsonia.” Please also visit my new Art Blog: https://fisherschoolart.wordpress.com/ for exhibit and curriculum updates! . I look forward to providing an enjoyable learning environment for your child!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Joanne Hirschfeld
Guidance Update!
Lessons have begun in all grades and it has been truly a pleasure to reconnect with students, and meet new ones. Your children have been insightful and have contributed thoughtful ideas and questions in each and every classroom. I am grateful to have our wonderful classroom teachers present during our lessons together so they can extend and reinforce the ideas and themes we discuss on a bi-weekly basis. If you would like to learn more about what your child is learning during our lessons I encourage you to visit my blog (see below) and click on your child's grade level. There, you will see a summary of each unit including books and vocabulary.
I have also offered the opportunity for all students to have lunch with me in my office. Typically we play a game while having lunch and we chat about school - 20 minutes passes quickly!
Math Curriculum Update
Number Talks:
Students have had a great start with their daily number talks! They are working to build their number sense through solving problems mentally and explaining their strategies outloud with their classmates.
Guided Math
Many students have begun working in guided math groups! These groups allow students to get exactly what they need in math to assure that all students are learning to their greatest potential! The students are able to practice many of the necessary skills throughout the math block in this guided math setting.
ST Math & Freckle
This year students will be using a computer based program for extra math practice. Students just finished their 1st Freckle Benchmark! They worked so hard to show all of their teachers how much they know in math! Students in grades 2-5 will be using Freckle in their math classrooms daily. Freckle allows students to practice skills that are important to master.
This year students will also be using another computer based program called ST Math. ST Math is a program that helps build conceptual understanding of topics through rigorous puzzles and tasks. Students will be using this program throughout the week in their math classes and can even be played at home!
Things to do at home:
It is always great to be able to practice math at home. Here are some great ways to get children talking about math at home:
Allow students to measure ingredients while making dinner (saying the fraction)
Practice math facts before dinner
See how many different shapes they can find around the house
Allow students to count the change that comes back when paying for something at the store
Respectfully,
Allison Colarusso
Math Coach- Fisher/Elm
Parent Teacher Conferences
Halloween Guidelines
● It is recommended that any makeup is minimal, as students will need to wear it all day.
● Masks are not allowed, given safety concerns.
● No weapons (real or toy) are ever allowed in school. This includes “parts of costumes” such as a fire fighter’s axe, a cowboy’s guns, Robin Hood’s bow & arrow, etc.
● Students should change out of costumes after their class celebration.
● Students should bring in a bag for their costume- please label with your child’s name to minimize mix-ups.
● School staff are not responsible to monitor that all costume pieces are returned home that day or for the condition they are returned in. (i.e. spills, rips, etc.)
Important Dates
October
Scholastic Book Fair during PT conferences
24-Parent Teacher Conferences -6:00-8:00 pm
26-Parent Teacher Conferences- 1:00-3:00 pm
26- Early Release- Dismissal 12:25 pm
27- PAC Halloween Party- 4:00-6:00 pm
November
1-Parent Teacher Conferences- 6:00-8:00
2-Fisher Scene- 7:00 pm
7-PAC Meeting- 7:30 pm
12-Veteran’s Day
13-School Council- 3:30 pm
13- Kindergarten Math Curriculum and Activity Parent Night
15-International “Potluck Supper”- 6:00 pm
21-Early Release- Dismissal 12:25 pm
22- Happy Thanksgiving!
23-Thanksgiving Recess
27- Grade 5 Math Curriculum and Activity Parent Night
December
11-School Council – 3:30 pm
12- Holiday Sing-a-Long 5:45- 6:15 pm, 6:30- 7:00 pm
14- Early Release – Dismissal 12:25 pm
24-1/1- Winter Recess
"Mums" the Word!
Fisher School
Email: cduggan@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: http://walpolefs.ss5.sharpschool.com/
Location: 65 Gould Street, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: (508)660-7234
Twitter: @FishrSchWalpole