Hello Foster Families
Hello Foster's Finest,
I have updated the PTO and the School Council that there is a committee being formed to explore the possibility of continuing the PreK immersion classroom that we have started this year into other grades. There are many factors that need to be considered. The goal of the committee is to make a recommendation to the School Committee based on our findings. We are looking to have parent members on this committee to help represent our Foster community. If you are interested in being a part of this, please send me an email at mscheufele@hinghamschools.org. We will have some site visits to other programs offered by other districts, and some meetings after school to help make the recommendation to the School Committee.
Building Project update: the steel installation for what we are calling Building B has been installed. The building A steel arrived on schedule, and the installation has begun. This means that about 50% of the overall steel installation is completed. Also, as I am writing this, they have been putting down the topsoil and it appears that we are close to having the plants on the retaining wall put in place. Finally, the well installation is coming along. They are getting further away from the school and it has become less impactful. I am still taking daily decibel readings and I am hopeful that, as they progress to the next section of wells, we will be on the playground soon.
A very big thank you to all of our parents for helping make drop-off and dismissal run smoothly. I am waiting for a traffic pattern map from the DPW to share with you, so that everything is clear about the traffic pattern. Even without the map, it has made a difference in the traffic on Downer Avenue. I want to assure you that many options are being discussed, and I have communicated some suggestions from School Council to members of the District Leadership.
It looks like another potentially rainy Saturday. It gives us the opportunity to hang out inside and play some old fashioned non-electronic board games.
Wishing you a great weekend!
Mr. Scheufele
Coming Soon: Pick-Up Patrol
We are going to be transitioning to using Pick-Up Patrol in the coming weeks. Currently two other schools in Hingham are using this program and it is very convenient and helpful around all things dismissal. I believe it will be very helpful with our ability to organize students for parent pick-up and improving our dismissal process. Next week there will be information coming home explaining how to sign-up so that we can implement this in the month of October.
Holiday Wreath Fundraiser for the Class of 2024
This is a big fundraiser at the Holiday Fair for the Class of 2024. Completed forms can be returned to the main office at the high school.
West Nile Virus
Hingham’s West Nile Virus Risk Level is now Moderate
The following information is shared from the town of Hingham Board of Health:
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has determined Hingham’s Risk Level for West Nile Virus (WNV) is Moderate. According to the DPH, this risk level means infection with WNV is likely or has already occurred.
Prevent WNV infection by taking the following actions:
- Be prepared: Know your risk -check this page regularly, repair screens, clean up to get rid of mosquito breeding sites, be aware of stagnant water on private property (e.g. unused swimming pools) and consult the local board of health.
- Wear long sleeves and long pants from dusk to dawn when the weather permits.
- Use mosquito netting on baby carriages and playpens.
- Wear mosquito repellent when outdoors, especially between dusk and dawn.
- Dump standing water twice weekly.
Naming of New Elementary School Building
The new elementary school that will replace the current Foster School is set to open next fall. We are excited to see the building continue to take shape as construction is well underway. At this time, we are welcoming the community to share their suggestions for names of the new building.
We will complete two rounds of surveys. The first survey collects suggested names. The results will be shared with the School Committee later this fall. After narrowing down the names, we will provide the community with an additional opportunity to provide feedback on the names remaining.
Once a name has been identified, the School Committee submits a warrant article to the Select Board to be considered for a vote at the Spring Town Meeting. Town bylaw states that naming a municipal building requires approval at Town Meeting.
The survey will be open through the end of October. See link: hinghamschools.org/survey
Thank you for your participation in this exciting process!
Spelling Bee
The Hingham Education Foundation is excited to announce the return of their beloved annual Spelling Bee on Sunday, November 5th. This is a fun-filled, community event for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders that helps fund grants for the Hingham Public Schools.
Online registration will be open via the HEF website starting October 2nd and until each grade reaches capacity (30 teams max per grade). This event has become very popular so be sure and register as soon as possible!
Important Information:
One parent captain will register the entire hive on the HEF website
You must have a ‘hive’ name to register so give that a thought prior to registration!
Each team or “hive” consists of three students who attend a Hingham public elementary school
Each hive costs $90 to register ($30 per student). Credit Card only.
School Calendars
Check out these instructions to download any HPS calendar on your phone. You can subscribe to any school, athletics, or fine arts calendar!
If you're ready to go, please visit hinghamschools.org/calendar.
The PTO Has so much to share this week please make sure you read everything!
Mark your Calendars for future PTO Meetings:
11/16 - 7 pm PTO MTG – Foster Library
1/9 - 8:30 am PTO MTG – Foster Presentation Room
3/13 - 7 pm PTO MTG – Foster Library
5/10 - 9 am PTO MTG – Foster Presentation Room
6/6 - PTO END OF YEAR THANK YOU 7pm Location TBD
K-3 LEGO CLUB Weekly Highlights
Balloon-Powered Cars!
This week kids had an option to participate in building Lego balloon-powered cars and they were a big hit! Some observations from the group were “I think the lighter cars are going farther” and “if I put my balloon in the other direction the car goes backwards!” Cole M’s car went the farthest! A close second was Max who also went through many variations of his car to get it to go farther. Thank you Macy Gelfand and all of our Lego Volunteers for making this happen!
Please look at the Lego Club newsletter for pictures and more information!
4th/5th Grade Robotics Club led by Mr. Riser & Mr. Scheufele kicked off!
The fifteen challenge tasks have been built and we are ready to begin learning about programming sensors to provide the robot information. The robots we are building function autonomously, so learning how to use sensors is critical to the success of meeting the challenge tasks. For the record, we have a great group of students who are really working well together!
Hingham Helps Hawaii
Students across Foster, East, PRS & South Schools have spent the last few weeks working together to raise money to send school supplies to students affected by the wildfires in Hawaii. Between lemonade stands across Crow Point and curriculum night tabling efforts, our Foster’s Finest students raised over $2,500! A big thank you to Caitlin Riley and Eileen Farrel for helping spearhead our efforts at Foster!
Check out this lemonade stand at The Dewey’s which raised a whopping $688!
FOSTERS MINI-PHOTO SESSIONS ARE BACK!
We sold out last year, so in order to accommodate more families we will now be offering 2 session dates on October 28th and November 4th. Please make sure you sign up asap with our very own Foster's Finest Parent & Professional Photographer, Narin Oun, and support the Foster PTO & our 5th Grade Committee. See flyer for more details. Any questions please reach out to Renee Cedorchuk: rcianelli@gmail.com
Sign up links:
SIGN UP FOR A 15-MINUTE TIME SLOT ON 10/28/2023
SIGN UP FOR A 15-MINUTE TIME SLOT ON 11/04/2023
VENMO $55 @FOSTER-PTO. PLEASE WRITE "PHOTOS" IN THE COMMENTS
Library Volunteers
Do you love to be around books?
Sign up to volunteer at the Foster library. Mrs. Quinlivan is in need of helpers to come in throughout the year to help kids find books, organize books, return them to the shelves, and catalog new books. No prior experience is required but you will need to have a CORI on file. This is a great low commitment way to volunteer! You may come in as little or as much as you’d like and even arrange to be there when your child’s class has library day!
If you are interested, email: maryelizabethwing@gmail.com
Fun Run
Our FOSTER FUN REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
Register on MYBOOSTER.COM
The Foster's Fun Run is a 13-day program kicking off now and culminating with the Fun Run on 10/18. During the week leading up to the run students will focus on a different theme each day at school learning how to become a World Changer (Find a Need, Write a Plan, Rally a Team, Launch It Now & Grit It Out). Students who wish to participate can work to get pledges for how many minutes they can run and receive awards/prizes for achieving milestones. At the end of the week students who want to participate will run up to 35 minutes to high-energy music. Special accommodations will be made for any student who may require them. The Fun Run will take place in the grassy area behind the playground during school hours. Look out for more information in the coming weeks. For now, mark your calendars with these key dates!
● How to become a “World Changer” kick off at School - 10/06/2023
● Fun Run Day - 10/18/2023
Questions? Visit the FAQ or feel free to reach out to Meg Tomasello (mgrier77@yahoo.com) for more information.
Green Team
Green Team begins on October 4 for the students who enrolled in the program.
Room Parents
Thank you to all of our Foster’s Finest parents who have volunteered to be a room parent for this school year. All teachers and classes should be hearing from your room parents soon! A special shout out to our Room Parent Coordinator, Anna Mancuso, for leading the charge! In the interim should you have any questions please reach out to your classroom parents below:
FOSTER’S FINEST 1ST ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
WE ARE SOLD OUT! SEE YOU ON THE LINKS FRIDAY OCT 20th!
We are still looking for sponsors:
Save The Date: Foster’s 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat
Date: Friday October 27th, 2023
Time: 4:00-5:30pm
Location: Foster Playground & Adjacent Parking Lot
The Themes are starting to roll in, Foster’s Finest is gearing up for Trunk or Treat!
A Message from the 5th Grade Committee
A Message from the 5th Grade Committee
The 5th grade committee is up and running and always looking for volunteers to help out with all of the various activities throughout the year! If you’d like to get involved please email Renee Cedorchuk, rcianelli@gmail.com and Adrienne Ramsay, adrienne.ramsey@gmail.com. Thank you to everyone who has paid your dues thus far!STAY INFORMED
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