Elm Street School
September/October 2017
Elm Street Eagles S.O.A.R
S - Safe O - On Task A - Always Respectful R - Responsible
Principal's Message
Dear Elm Families,
This year at Elm, we are focusing on building an even stronger school community. Like the elm tree's root system and trunk, the community connections are the foundation of our children's learning experiences. We feed the tree with sun, water, and air as we feed our community with social, emotional, and academic connections to reap the benefits of watching the leaves blossom into their beautiful individual selves. Like the tree at the bottom of the newsletter (note how it will change each month), we will work together to support our children and see the leaves of their accomplishments and challenges conquered grow.
Throughout our school, I see classroom communities being built every day. This year, we will continue to share in monthly all school assemblies led by grade levels as a powerful way to connect as a whole school community. From community building activities in the morning to sharing positive gains and compliments for one another as we say farewell, teachers and students learn about one another. It is our goal to make real and lasting connections with each student. Celebrating the positive and recognizing each mistake as a learning opportunity are integral to Elm Street School.
We will continue to expand upon the strong foundation we have built with our school wide positive behavior support system (PBIS) which makes explicit expectations across school settings. Ask your children to tell you specifically what S.O.A.R.ing behavior looks like in the classroom, in the hallway, on the playground, etc. This month, we are focusing specifically on safe, on task, always respectful, and responsible behavior at arrival and dismissal. Please see the images below for a detailed breakdown that we have reviewed as a school. It is a great conversation starter and the matrix we use can be applied to any setting-- even your bedtime routine! Clarity of expectations, practice, and clarifying lead to the best learning opportunities.
We celebrate our learning and successes with families through our monthly newsletter and classroom communication. We look forward to the upcoming parent/teacher conferences as another opportunity to connect with parents and guardians. Please be sure to sign up for a conference time through the links in this newsletter. We look forward to sharing with our families throughout the year through the newsletter, PAC meetings, School Council, conferences, and other school events. It is our partnership with families that truly support the development of our children.
I am so proud and grateful to be a part of this excellent community. If you should have any questions or I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Most Sincerely,
Principal
Meet our new staff members
- Thursday, October 12: Docent Meeting (new volunteers welcome)- 7:00pm in the Media Center
- Saturday, October 14: Grief Relief 5K at Bird Park
- Monday, October 16: Restaurant Fundraiser for Elm at Conrad's (see below)
- Wednesday, October 18: PAC Meeting; 6:00pm, Media Center
- Internet and Digital Safety Parent Night; 7:00pm, Elm Cafeteria
- Thursday, October 19: Harry Potter Trivia Night; 6:00pm-7:30pm
- Monday, October 23: Meet & Greet Student Services Director; 7:00pm at Town Hall
- Wednesday, October 25: Parent/Teacher Conferences (evening)
- Friday, October 27: Early Release; 11:55am. Parent/Teacher Conferences.
- Thursday, November 2: Parent/Teacher Conferences (evening)
- Sunday, November 5: Hoedown; 1:00pm-4:00pm
- Tuesday, November 7: School Council; 3:30pm, Media Center
- Friday, November 10: No School. Veteran's Day.
- Tuesday, November 14: PAC Meeting; 7:00pm, Media Center
- Wednesday, November 22- Early Release; 11:55am. Thanksgiving Recess.
- Thursday, November 23- No School- Thanksgiving.
- Friday, November 24- No School- Thanksgiving Recess
Syncing Up!
You can also follow us on Twitter @elmwalpole
Nurse's Notes
The number of children who are at risk for becoming obese as adults is increasing every day. Good nutrition habits are best learned while still young. One way that parents can help is by sending a nutritious snack to school everyday. A small snack is all that is needed as snack time is brief. Also, please make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast before coming to school, it is so important for the learning process.
Please avoid sending chips, candy, soda, and sugary treats. Healthy snack suggestions include fruit, carrot sticks, celery sticks, yogurt, raisins, plain crackers and cheese slices. Often children are more enthusiastic about vegetables if they can bring a “dip” of low-fat dressing. Thank you for your support in this endeavor.
Why do we perform health screenings?
In order to assure good health care for all students, Massachusetts General Laws mandate that public schools conduct yearly screenings for certain grades for vision, hearing, height, weight, BMI (body mass index) and scoliosis. While most children see their pediatricians annually, this program frequently identifies problems that arise between doctor’s visits. Scoliosis screening will be done in the spring for fifth grade students, while the other health screenings will take place starting in October and continue over the next couple of months. Feel free to contact me with any questions regarding this program.
HOW FRIGHTFUL…….
Part of Halloween fun is trying on costumes, wigs, hats and hair accessories. Interestingly, there appears to be an increase in the cases of head lice between Halloween and the week of Thanksgiving. Please be proactive and check your child on a weekly basis throughout the school year. The most noticeable sign of lice is head scratching.
Any questions or concerns please feel free to call the Health Office.
REMINDER TO PARENTS:
Medication orders for Epi-Pens, Benadryl, Inhalers etc. have to be renewed the beginning of every school year. PLEASE get the orders into the Health Office as soon as possible and remember that student’s are NOT allowed to carry any medication, “over the counter” or prescription into school.
Ellen Newman
Elm Street Nurse
Parent Teacher Conferences
Please sign up to meet with your child(ren)'s classroom teacher and any other teachers with whom you would like to meet. All sign ups are done on line. Links for sign ups will also be emailed to you on October 11th. The dates for Parent/Teacher conferences are as follows:
- Wednesday, October 25th, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Friday, October 27th, from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm (Early release day)
- Thursday, November 2nd, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
If these dates and times do not work for you, please reach out to your child's teacher directly through email to plan an alternate day and time. If you need assistance, please call the main office at (508) 660-7374.
Also, please stop by our Scholastic Book Fair while you are here for conferences.
Click here for Book Fair informationScholastic Book Fair
This year Scholastic is giving back 55% of the proceeds from the book fair directly back to Elm Street School in the form of ‘Scholastic bucks’ that we can use in through their online catalog. The school replenishes the library from this fair and helps to purchase much needed technical equipment for the school. Please consider stocking up on books to help the school achieve our $10,000 goal! Read more
N.E. Patriots and Cradles to Crayons Coat Drive
With the 2017 Patriots season under way, we are excited to kick off our Coat Drive and are looking to have it run until November 15th. We would LOVE YOUR HELP!
We will be collecting gently used and new winter coats for infants, toddlers, and children (size newborn through adult medium), along with new hats, mittens, and gloves. Sadly, Cradles to Crayons will expect over 30,000 requests for coats this winter alone. The more coats, mittens, gloves and hats we receive, the more children in New England we can accommodate this year so spread the word any way you can! Donations can be dropped off in the main lobby of the Elm Street School.
Excellence at Elm Street School
Art News
Music News
It has been a noteable start to the year in the music room! We have spent time getting to know each other better and have begun learning about dynamics, our singing voices, and how to move safely around the room with lots of different challenges. Music uses our imagination, and has taken us all over the world so far, from Ghana, to Russia, and to Israel! Looking to the future:
- Kindergarten and first grade are preparing for our Pajama Jam on Wednesday, October 11th, from 6:30-7:00pm. Families are invited to join us and experience the singing, movement and creating we have been doing in music!
- Second grade is getting ready to learn how to write their musical ideas down using quarter notes and eighth notes, look forward to some spooky compositions!
- Third and Fourth grade are preparing to start Recorder Karate in class and use our performing and composing skills to perform as a group! Third grade will be focusing on music reading skills, and fourth grade will be learning about Native American music and culture.
- Fifth grade has begun to learn how to play the Ukulele, and we will be using our music skills to perform as classroom jam bands!
Fourth and Fifth grade students are invited to be a part of the Elm Street Singers, which will be a group that meets after school on Thursdays from 3-4pm, and will get to learn about singing in a group and have some special performance opportunities! Make sure to get your permission slip in by Thursday, October 12th. The first rehearsal will be Thursday, October 19th!
The Walpole Children's Chorus has started and is open to any student from 4th to 8th grade. This program provides musical instruction, vocal training and performance opportunities. For more information about this program, please contact Ashley Prickel at aprickel@walpole.k12.ma.us .
Make sure to check out our music website to stay up to date on the happenings in our music classroom, or follow us on twitter! @eschorrmusic
Sincerely,
Elm Street Music Teacher
Recess Fun
Loving the Legos
Friendly game of Giant Connect 4
Bubbles, Bubbles and more Bubbles
Walpole Police visit for recess
Have you seen the Gingerbread Man?
Grade 2 Digital Learning
Our new Digital Learning Coach, Mrs. Wolff, came into the second grade classrooms this month to do a coding lesson with students. We had fun making our "Bee-Bots" move forward and make turns!
Halloween Parade
Our annual Halloween Parade will take place on Tuesday, October 31. This is an in school event for students and staff only. Doors will be locked and for safety reasons, no one will be allowed into the building while the parade is taking place. Please read the following expectations:
Our parade will take place at the start of the day.
Students should wear costumes to school. They will not be allowed to call home if anything is missing.
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.
K, 1, & 2 students will parade through the second floor hallway for the upper grades, followed by a parade of Gr. 3, 4, & 5 students through the first floor area for the younger grades. This will allow the students to enjoy one another’s costumes.
Students may change out of costumes during morning recess.
Students should bring in a bag for their costume.
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.)
No food will be served at any Halloween celebrations.
Elm Street School Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
info@elmstreetpac.org
www.elmstreetpac.org
The next PAC meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 18 at 6:00pm in the Media Center.
Save the date for these special events
Parent Digital and Internet Safety Night
Wednesday, Oct 18, 2017, 07:00 PM
415 Elm Street, Walpole, MA, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Conrad's Fundraiser
Harry Potter Trivia Night is Back!
“Wit beyond measure is man’s greatest treasure!”
Since Elm Street School and Ravenclaw House are both represented by the bold and beautiful eagle. We feel it is appropriate to once again host a trivia night in honor of our wizarding brethren from across the Atlantic.
Elm Street School will be holding a Harry Potter trivia night for students on Thursday, October 19th, 2017, so in true Ravenclaw fashion, start studying! Our hope is to make mixed age level teams, so as long as younger students have read/heard at least the first book, they can participate. Older students will want to have read more as questions will cover all of the books.
More guidelines regarding team structures will be forthcoming.
A great way to enjoy the story if your child is not ready to read the long, complicated text independently is to read it aloud together! This can be parent/older sibling reading or even listening to the audiobook. The Overdrive app is free and allows you to download tons of books from the library, also for free!
Please consider signing up to bring a snack. Click here to sign up.
“When in doubt, go to the library.” ~Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Save the date for the Hoe Down
YEE HAW!
Last year's Hoedown was a great success and we couldn't have done it without you! For all you new cowpokes, the Hoedown is Elm Street's largest family fundraiser. It's the day Elm Street School is turned into a Western Wonderland. We hope to see ya'll there!
Comedy Night for Parents: Featuring two of our very own dads!
Please join us November 10th at the VFW in Walpole for Comedy Night, featuring two of our very own Elm Street dads! Tickets are $25 and now available for purchase online (Paypal) and in the cafeteria (Credit/cash/check) during all parent conferences.
http://www.elmstreetpac.org/events/comedy-night-fundraiser/
Any questions please contact;
Robyn MacNeil robynleemacneil@comcast.net
Brenda Miles blmiles3@gmail.com
Christine Cantrell cctarbell@yahoo.comElm Street School
Email: rbrogadir@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: http://walpoleess.ss5.sharpschool.com/
Location: 415 Elm Street, Walpole, MA, United States
Phone: (508) 660-7374
Twitter: @elmwalpole