The Penguin Post
Benjamin Phelps School - December 2023 Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Friday, December 22 - Half day of school
December 23-January 1, 2024 - Holiday vacation
Tuesday, January 2 - Back to school!
Tuesday, January 9 - PTO Meeting (6:00pm in the Phelps Library)
Friday, January 12 - Flannel Friday
Monday, January 15 - NO SCHOOL: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Thursday, January 25 - HALF DAY OF SCHOOL: Staff professional development
Penguin Post Poll of the Month
My child is growing academically (1-low, 5-high)
December Bulletin Boards Around Phelps
Artsonia
This year Mrs. Robinson started using a digital portfolio called Artsonia to showcase student work. Artsonia allows families to view student work on the website. It also offers the option of buying merchandise with a child's artwork on it. As an added bonus, 20% of the purchase goes into an account that can be spent on art supplies for the classroom!
Here is the Phelps Artsonia page so you can check out what our amazing artists have created this year.
4th Grade Chorus
Congratulations to Mr. Sawyer and the 4th grade class at Phelps for several OUTSTANDING performances this month!!! đđđ
In addition to sharing their voices with our families, the 4th grade took the community with performances for the Delta Kappa Gamma Society at the Storrowton Tavern, the Agawam School Committee, and at the Agawam Senior Center! âď¸âď¸âď¸
2nd Annual Sock Hop
On Friday, December 8, students came down to twist, jump, and jive to the music of the 1950's as part of our annual Sock Hop collection. Once again, Phelps showed its generosity by donating almost 1200 new pairs of socks as well as hats and mittens for the Springfield Rescue Mission.
Reducing the Spread of Germs
Ways to help your child at home this month:
Focus on: Reducing the spread of germs
With the start of the winter season, it would be very helpful to discuss some of the following healthy habits with your child at home. Thank you for your help in reducing the spread of germs while at school so that we can all be here to learn!
Cover coughs and sneezes with your arm while turning away from the person next to you
Use a tissue whenever touching your nose
Wash your hands or using hand sanitizer after the following:
Touching your nose/mouth
Blowing/wiping your nose
Coughing or sneezing into hands
Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds
They Came to America
Room 22 has been learning about immigration in their Wonders anthology and in their Massachusetts book. As students gathered with families over the Thanksgiving break, they asked their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to share stories about how their families arrived in America. Students in room 22 learned that their ancestors immigrated to America from Germany, Portugal, Scotland, Ireland, Puerto Rico, West Africa, Ukraine, Italy, Russia, and many other countries.
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From the Coaches
Here is the next edition of updates from our literacy and math coaches.
This month's newsletter puts the spotlight on some of our staff as well as provides a number of resources for you at home!
Crystal Apple Award
The staff Crystal Apple Award winner for the month of November is Mrs. Thoelen!
Mrs. Thoelen is a team player, who truly cares about the success of all students. She is always willing to support in any way she can whether it be taking the time to discuss ways to support students and/or volunteering to teach lessons to the whole class. Teachers are grateful for the push in time when Mrs. Thoelen is in classrooms to support the whole group CKLA Skills lessons and to support the students in small groups.
Congratulations Mrs. Thoelen!!!
Holiday Sing-a-long Spectacular
On Thursday, December 21 the entire Phelps School came together to celebrate all of the holidays in our annual Holiday Sing-a-long Spectacular. Thank you to Mr. Sawyer and all of the volunteers who helped decorate, assist with lighting and sound, and accompany our young musicians. Be on the lookout for a video highlighting the AMAZING performance.
School-wide Meetings are Back!
Phelps is excited to announce that we have brought back our school-wide meetings after several years without them. Each month focuses on a different theme. The data success team kicked off our first meeting on December 15 focusing on TEAMWORK. Students learned that teamwork means coming together to solve a problem or to achieve a shared goal. The data success team worked together to solve a big problem! Mr. V. forgot to bring an ugly sweater, so they needed to help him make one! In January, the 4th grade will be leading the next meeting which will be about problem solving.
From the PTO
December was a busy month! It was so nice to see so many families join us for our Cocoa and Caroling Event and our Holiday Paint Night!
Keep your eyes open for Agawam Apparel from 4th Grade Committee in January!
We'd love to have you join us on Tuesday, January 9 for our next PTO Meeting (6:00pm in the Phelps Library).