The Weekly Update #4
January 27th, 2022
Hello LAW Families,
Welcome to February! As you know February is a short month but we have packed this month with lots of exciting things for our students to do. See below for further information.
As a reminder, on Feb. 6th, Trimester II Progress reports will go home. A progress report is not a report card but a report that shows your child's progress half-way through the second trimester. It is a good time to see what your child needs to work on in order to be successful for the rest of the trimester. Feel free to reach out to your child's teacher if you have questions or need assistance.
Students enjoyed the Kindness Week events during the last week of January. Our mission is to keep that kind spirit going for the reminder of the school year. We will continue with our "Cans Collection" until Friday, Feb 3rd. The winner of the Essay/Poetry Contest will be announced on Wednesday.
February also means information sessions for our new kindergarten and preschool (Ayer Campus) parents. See the information below to find out when and how you can attend. These sessions are for new incoming kindergarten students and preschool students in the fall of 2023. So if you know of anyone outside of the LAW family who is in need of this information, feel free to spread the word.
Thanks to those who sent in artwork for our Jan.31st National Art Show Video. We really have some fabulous artist here at LAW! Check out the slideshow at the bottom of this newsletter.
When we return from February vacation it will be March! March means getting ready for MCAS testing. We will have further information as we begin to pull together schedules and other important details.
February is Black History Month. Throughout the month we will be learning about famous Black Americans.
Stay warm,
Beth Lewis, Principal
Courtney Noll, Asst. Principal
Grade K students explore Alama' s art.
Mrs. Goddard's art classes researching famous black artist.
More replicas' of famous black artist artwork.
Important Dates to Remember
This Month:
Feb. 1 - ASPTO sponsored Restaurant Night - Lazy Bubble in Pepperell - take out only
Feb. 2 - Spirit Day - Wear something "Springy"
Feb. 6 - Progress Reports issued
Feb. 7 - School Committee Meeting 7:00 HS
Feb. 7- Hundreds Day - If no snow days before
Feb. 8 - Early Release Day 1:45 p.m.
Feb. 8 - Kindergarten Info. Night - 5-6 virtual (asrsd website for link)
Feb. 8 - ASPTO Meeting MS - 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 14 - Valentines Day - Wear something Pink/Red
Feb. 14 - Panther Leadership Meeting 3:30- 4:15 (forgot to put on the calendar!)
Feb. 15 - School Comm. Meeting MS 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 16 - Pre-K Virtual Info. Meeting 4-5 p.m. virtual
Feb. 16 - Kindergarten Info. Meeting 10-11 a.m. virtual
Feb. 17 - Winter Carnival (click in link for schedule)
Feb. 20- 24 - Feb. Vacation
Feb. 27 - Kindergarten Reg. Opens for fall 2023 on website- electronically
Reminders of Kindness Sprinkled Throughout Our School
Our Kindness Tree is full of nice compliments from our students.
Fun family dance night sponsored by the ASPTO!
Information Sessions for Kindergarten and Preschool 2023-2024
If you have a child (ren) who will be entering Kindergarten or Preschool in the fall, please click on the flyer below for more details about the upcoming information sessions. If you know of anyone outside the LAW community please share this information with them. Kindergarten and Preschool registration will begin on Feb. 27th.
100s Day is Feb. 7th (If no snow days prior to this date)
Every year we celebrate the 100th day of school. We will be celebrating 100s Day on Feb. 7th this year unless we have an unexpected day off from school between now and then!
During 100s Day students engage in activities that involve the number one hundred. Last year some classes had students work on a home project where they used one hundred items to present a picture - 100 buttons to make a smiley face for instance. The 100s day is a lot of fun and students learn the value of 100! Your child's teacher will provide more information as we approach this special day.
Getting ready for 100s day in Mrs. Rock's Class
Kids Heart Challenge Week of: Jan. 30- Feb.2
The LAW Physical Education Department is holding a "Kids Heart Challenge" event to raise funds for the American Heart Association. Students will work in teams and travel from station to station participating in jumping activities during their 45 minute class time. Students will request friends/family to sponsor them for this event.
All Around Lura A. White Elementary!
Dress like your teacher day! - Mrs. White's Fifth Grade Class
Mrs. Rock with a reading group in Kindergarten
Mrs. Gardner our wonderful paraprofessional working with a first grade student!
Mrs. O'Brien prepping students for a writing about winter.
Snow fun on the playground. Do you want to build a snowman?
Skydome Inhouse Field Trip - Thanks ASPTO!
Upcoming Informational Math Night - In March
Math Update
We are excited to host a family math night on March 8, 2023. As we hosted a literacy night in the fall, we would like to get our students and families into the school to learn a little more about math here at LAW and have fun doing it! We would like your input to decide what we might include in this event. Please complete this brief survey to help us plan this event!
"It's Sweet to be Kind" - Checkout our gumball machine kindness messages!
Grade 5 PLT member helping out in first grade.
Grade 5 PLT Member helping in first grade.
Panther Leadership Team
Our Panther Leadership Team members have been busy this month. They were instrumental in planning and running the "Kindness Assembly" on January 24th.
We will meet on February 14th from 3:30- 4:15 to talk about their role in the upcoming Winter Carnival.
PLT Ss know Kindness Matters. Thanks for helping run the Kindness Assembly!
Staff "Happy Dance" at the Kindness Assembly - Being Kind makes you "Happy".
PBIS
PBIS Update
Our PBIS program continues to support our students across the school day. Last month, we focused on bus expectations in a unit during health class. We are continuing to focus on bus expectations with a new bus incentive program. During bus rides, all students are individually able to earn green paws for following bus expectations. This will remain the same. Now, however, the bus as a whole is able to earn 1 point for each ride (morning and afternoon). To earn a point, all students on the bus need to work cooperatively to follow the expectations of a safe body and quiet voice. Each morning, the bus driver awards the students 0,1, or 2 points based on the previous afternoon and morning rides. These points are tallied up throughout the week. On Friday, the bus with the most points is able to earn 10 minutes of free time in the gym for “Fun Friday!” Activities include dancing, basketball, hula hoops, skip its, and more! Students must work cooperatively in order to earn the point for each ride by following the expectations. Let’s see who will take the lead this week!
Student of the month- January!
kindergarten student of the month - Mrs. Rock's Class
Student of the Month for January! Congratulations!
Kindergarten student of the month - Mrs. O'Brien's Class
Valentines Day Celebrations
Your child 's teacher should have information posted in their weekly/monthly parent correspondence regarding Valentines celebrations.
Winter Carnival at LAW
Last year was so successful we want to do it again this year! Winter Carnival is a great event to enjoy before sending everyone off for February vacation! The event will take place in the gym throughout the day on the last Friday before February Vacation Week, Feb. 17th. All grade levels will be scheduled to visit the Winter Carnival on that day. We will have a snow-cone machine, winter theme carnival games, and an art/craft table. The ASPTO will also be involved in supporting this event. We will be looking for a few parent volunteers to help run the activities! We are so excited about this event!
Who knows maybe Elsa or Olaf will visit too!
If you think you can help, please sign up on the Sign-up Genius Form below, by clicking on the link.below or above.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C49A8A62FA1FD0-lawwinter1
LAW School Psychologist and Counselor News
Great Kindness Challenge Related Activities
LAW Counselor and Psychologist collaborate with administrators and staff to create school wide events, such as the the LAW version of the Great Kindness Challenge. Mrs. Groulx challenged all Lura A. White students to complete kind deeds. There is a friendly competition between the grade levels to see which grade will get caught doing the most kind acts. Students in grades 2 through 5 participated in kindness scavenger hunts and kindness charades during lessons with Dr.Garrett.
Did you know?
William James Interface Referral Services does more than connecting families with behavioral health providers. They also have links for community resources such as Family Partnership, and the Shirley Charitable Foundation. There are articles on a variety of mental health topics and parenting/caregiver advice and support.
Happy February,
Monica Groulx, School Psychologist, K, 1, & SLC’S mgroulx@asrsd.org 978-772-8600 x1130
Jayne Garrett, School Counselor. Grades 2 - 5, jgarrett@asrsd.org 978-772-8600 x1104
Nurse Barter Corner
Reminder:
Please make sure your child has an updated physical exam on file. The MA DPH requires students to have a current physical on file with the nurse at least every four years. New students must have a physical examination within one year prior to entrance to school or within 30 days after school entry.
For any health related information check out our health services website. ASRSD Health Services.
Take at look @ LAW Famous Artist Video /Celebrating National Artist Day Jan.31st
LAW Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mission Statement:
At the Lura A. White Elementary School we value diversity, equity, and inclusion. We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual, embrace diverse backgrounds and respect differing points of view to build a strong inclusive community. As we learn together, we draw on the differences in who we are.