Bowman News
November 9, 2018
In the Classroom with Corduck
This week, I feel compelled to highlight the professional learning that our staff took part in on Tuesday when the district hosted the annual “Lexington Learns Together.” Educators in Lexington have many opportunities to participate in professional development with the understanding that staff bring their learning back to the district. In addition, staff are encouraged to explore areas that they are interested in, engage in work and share what is learned with their peers. Sharing the learning or work is part of what it means to connect to a larger professional learning community (PLC) and only makes our schools and staff stronger. This year’s LLT featured a focus on: equity, social/emotional learning and project based learning (PBL). Of the 220 presenters, 27 were members of our Bowman Staff (classroom teachers, coaches, specialists, & administrators)! Teachers teaching teachers is empowering, relevant and timely - it’s what we do!
Has Your Child Ever Come Home Wondering…? How to Talk to Your Child(ren) About Learning Differences
Join us in a conversation about ways to talk with your child(ren) about different types of learners and about ways to best support all classmates throughout the school day. Staff will share developmentally appropriate language that parents can use when their child(ren) come home expressing curiosity about another student’s behavior or learning. This presentation will take place on November 28th from 7-8 pm in the Bowman School library. We will repeat the same presentation on November 29th from 8:45-9:45 am in the Bowman School library.
Presenters: Betsy Lamore, Evaluation Team Supervisor
Kim Rogerson Carl, School Psychologist
Joan Strodel, Speech and Language Pathologist
PTA News & Updates
PTA Book Fair
As a follow up to last week’s shout out to the wonderfully successful, PTA book fair, on behalf of our teachers and students - WE want to say a huge thank you to all of the families that purchased a whooping 435 books that were donated to our classrooms. These books landed in classroom libraries and into the hands of our children. As you know, an essential element of our reading program involves students having individual book collections that they read and explore; changing out as needed. One third grade teacher told me that the 30 new titles, added to her library, were snatched up immediately by eager students excited to have new books to read.
PTA & LPS Co-Sponsored - National Geographic Bee
The National Geographic Bee is coming for any interested 4th and 5th grade students. Preliminary Round is December 13, 2018 from 8:45-9:45 in a Bowman classroom and Final Round is December 17, 2018 from 3:30-4:30 in the Bowman Library. We are seeking the following volunteers:
Geography Bee Point Person: Your role is to act as liaison between PTA, Principal Corduck, main office, and Alex Kuschel, K-5 Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator. You will work with Alex to coordinate the logistics of the event ahead of time, complete some administrative tasks, and be present at the event.
Scorekeeper/Timekeeper (2-3 people): Your role is assist Alex Kuschel or a school staff member during the actual competition. Alex or a school staff member will read the questions to the students. You will keep track of correct responses and the 15-second time limit each student has to respond. You need to arrive 15 minutes early to the event. You cannot have a child participating in the Bee to fulfill this role.
Please contact president@bowmanpta.org if you are interested and available to fulfill either of these roles at both the Preliminary & Final Rounds.
For additional information please see an overview of all the tasks leading up to the Geography Bee and who is responsible: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ps_6PrZSTm7GzbVOSbfS8rA68azy2SdBSPOTwyloSlU
Lexington Learns Together
435 Books Donated to Classrooms!
5th Grade Team
FYI....
MCAS Testing
Each year, elementary students in grades 3-5 participate in standardized statewide testing called MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System). If you have a child(ren) in 3rd-5th grade, please note the following “testing window” as determined by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and refrain from scheduling out of school events (appointments, travel, etc) to prevent your child from being absent. We will share the specific dates that testing within the window will take place by subject and grade, however, we wanted everyone to understand the general time frame:
English Language Arts (ELA) Test Sessions: April 1st-May 3rd
Mathematics Test Sessions: April 2nd-May 24th
**Science, Technology & Engineering Test Sessions: April 3rd-May 24th
** = 5th Grade Students Only
Later Start Proposal
Please see the letter from Superintendent Julie Hackett outlining the process for considering potential changes in school start and end times: Supt Letter - School Start Times. The start time proposal will be presented at the October 30th School Committee meeting. “Later Start Public Forums” will be held for all community members on November 5th from 5-6pm at LHS & 20th from 6-7pm at Selectmen's Meeting Room. A feedback survey is open for the public: http://bit.ly/2RleXMn. The changes in school start and end times have an impact on the community at large, we encourage you to review the proposal and provide your input.
Community News & Dates to Remember
Community News:
Thursday, 11/29, 7-9pm at LHS Auditorium “Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid. Patty and Gina, imperfect sisters, and authors of Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid, A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children, present a humorous and heartwarming workshop for parents. To register, go to: https://lexsepta.org/events/shut-up-about-your-perfect-kid/.
Cosponsored by the Lexington SEPAC/SEPTA and the Lexington Community Coalition Partners. Visit lexsepta.org for more information about special education programming and resources, and please like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexsepac/.
Save the dates:
Nov. 12th - Veteran’s Day/No School
Nov. 14th - PTA Meeting 7-8pm
Nov. 20th - Later Start Public Forum 6-7pm @ Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Nov. 21st - WEDNESDAY - Early Release - 12:15 dismissal
Nov. 22nd & 23rd - Thanksgiving Holiday/No School
Nov. 28th - Picture Retake Day
Nov. 28th - “How to Talk to Your Kids about Learning Differences” - Presented by the Bowman Special Education Staff 7-8pm
Nov. 29th - Administrative BYOC/T Conversation (Bring your own coffee/tea) 8:45am featuring “How to Talk to Your Kids about Learning Differences” - Presented by the Bowman Special Education Staff