Time flies! It's hard to believe it's April already. As we head into the last months of school, I will be posting important dates through June so you can prepare in advance.

Looking for volunteers!

As the items start coming in for our "Learning Through Play" grant, I wondered if there might be any parents willing to volunteer time to support our students. One thing that would be helpful is an adult to monitor the Gaga Ball Pit as students get used to playing by the rules. This would be from 10:40-12:05 daily. (But you could choose just one day a week.) We'll also need help with painting the blacktop with the stencils for the Peace Path. This would be done after school hours or on the weekend. For indoor play, we could use volunteers in the library on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you're interested in helping out with any of these tasks, please complete this Google Form. I will then reach out to work on more specific dates and times. Thanks in advance!

• Important Dates
• MCAS Reminders
• C.A.R.E.S. 'Walk for a Cause' Walk-a-Thon
• Book Giveaway
• Math Matters in Every Career Slideshow
• In the Spotlight
• Glows, Grows, and Need to Knows
• PTO Corner

• 4/7 No School - Good Friday
• 4/11 & 13 ELA MCAS
• 4/14 Spirit Day-Wear Green & Blue for Earth Day!
• 4/17-4/21 April Break - No School
• 4/24-5/5 Sneaker Collection
• 4/25 ELA MCAS Make Up Day
• 4/26 C.A.R.E.S. 'Walk for a Cause' Walk-a-Thon
• 5/1 Spirit Day-Mismatched May Day!
• 5/16 & 18 Math MCAS
• 5/25 Spring Open House/Art Show (Save the Date-Hours TBD)
• 6/9 Field Day (Rain Date 6/12)
• 6/20 Last Day of School - Early Release for Students

This month's Spotlight shines on our dedicated Paraprofessionals. This past week, we celebrated Paraprofessional Appreciation Day. But, truly, they deserve to be celebrated and recognized all year long. The work they do for students is invaluable. They bring compassion, humor, and a true love of children to work each day. This results in students forming strong bonds and relationships with them that often carry into the years that go beyond their time at Stony Hill. Our Paraprofessionals are also valued colleagues who work alongside teachers and special educators to collaborate and share insights into each student's specific needs and interests. We are so fortunate to have such caring individuals among our Stony Hill staff!

You are invited to share some Glows; things we are doing well, Grows; suggestions on where we can improve, and Need to Knows; general questions pertaining to whole school practices. (Email is still best for questions concerning an individual student.) I hope you take a minute to offer your thoughts and ideas on things that are going well at school, and your suggestions and questions that will help us know better and do better. Thanks to those who have already sent messages!

• Scholastic BOGO book fair - April 26 & 27 - Flyers and permission slips have been sent home. Teachers will confirm the class shopping date as we get closer to the shopping date/
• Field Day t-shirts - The PTO will be purchasing a field day t-shirt for all students to wear for our annual Stony Hill Field Day, currently scheduled for Friday, June 9. Check your inbox for an email from Shannon requesting t-shirt sizing info. Complete this form before Friday, April 14.
• The spring Open House/Art Show is coming up. As always, we will collect donations to create amazing raffle baskets. PTO will soon be reaching out with the basket themes and a list of possible donations. Please be on the look out and send in what you can. Thanks!
• Lost and Found - Spring is coming and with that, the lost and found at Stony Hill has a large collection of gloves, coats and sweatshirts. If your child is missing an item, have them stop by lost and found and see if we have it or message the PTO via the PTO Facebook page.