The Penguin Post
Benjamin Phelps School - March 2024 Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Thursday, March 28 - PBIS Color contest day
Thursday, March 28 - Trimester 2 report cards go home
Friday, March 29 - No school (Good Friday)
Tuesday, April 9 - ELA MCAS Session 1 (grades 3 & 4)
Wednesday, April 10 - Half day for students - Parent/teacher conferences
Thursday, April 11 - ELA MCAS Session 2 (grades 3 & 4)
April 15-19 - April Vacation
March Bulletin Boards Around Phelps
Pioneer Valley Distinguished Teacher Award
The Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards program annually honors more than a hundred outstanding Western Massachusetts educators in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden. Since its inception over 2000 educators have been recognized. We are so proud and excited to announce that one of our Phelps Teachers joins that amazing group of educators this year!!! Special congratulations to our Science teacher, Ms. Conklin! Ms. Conklin was recognized by our entire school community, central office staff, and members of her family in our February all-school meeting. Ms. Conklin will be presented her award, along with many other educators, in an upcoming ceremony at the Log Cabin this spring.
Phelps Perseveres!
At our all-school meeting in March, the 3rd grade class led the school in a lesson about PERSEVERANCE. The lesson ended with a school-wide sing-a-long of a song that was written by our very own Mrs. Galaska and Mrs. Greguoli!
Let’s Persevere!
We’re persevering and today’s gonna be a good day
And today’s gonna be a good day
And today’s gonna be a good, good day
Today’s the day
Let's start it up
We’ll do hard things
And not give up
We’ll try our best
Conquer those fears
Let’s get together
And persevere
I know that we'll try it all
If we struggle it’s okay to fall
Just get back up
Make a plan
We can solve any problem
We know we can
Let’s persevere
When it’s hard
Look at us trying
We’re taking charge
Not giving up
Can’t stop us now
Let’s persevere!
And then we'll do it again
Let's do it, let's do it,
Let's do it,
Let's do it, and do it, and do it,
Let's persevere
And do it, and do it, and do it, do it, do it,
Let's do it,
Let's do it,
Let's do it
We’re persevering
And today’s gonna be a good day
And today’s gonna be a good day
And today’s gonna be a good, good day
Celebrating our Diverse Cultures at Phelps
Phelps is excited to celebrate our diverse community in school wide events the week of April 22. All bulletin boards around Phelps for the month of April will highlight the many cultures that make up our school, students will recite some of our morning announcements in various languages, various activities will take place in our classrooms, and we have a special musical concert for our whole school thanks to our amazing PTO.
A Taste of Phelps
On Thursday, April 25, Phelps will hold a Taste of Phelps event from 6:30-7:30pm in the cafeteria. Flyers will go home this week for families that are interested in making a dish from your own country or country of origin. All members of the Phelps community are welcome to attend and making a dish is not a requirement.
Parent Volunteer Training
Mrs. Domina will be holding a virtual parent volunteer training on Friday April 12th at 9:30 AM. In addition to a CORI check, done at CEntral Office, this is a one time training that will allow you to volunteer for events that take place during the school day. Please email Mrs. Domina at sdomina@agawamed.org for the link to sign-in and attend the training.
Insects 🐜 🐞
All Grade 2 classrooms made insects out of egg cartons to end our Insect unit. The insects all had the characteristics we learned all insects have (3 body parts, 6 legs, and 2 antennae), but students added their creativity too! Teachers and students had fun with this project!
Crystal Apple Award Winner
🍎📚🍎📚🍎📚🍎📚🍎📚🍎📚
The staff Crystal Apple Award for the month of February is Mrs. Greguoli!!! Staff at Phelps have a lot to say about Mrs. Greguoli!
Mrs. Greguoli works very hard to support her students every day. She takes on challenges with a smile and perseveres to find solutions to a problem. She plans fun and meaningful activities to maximize on student learning. Mrs. Greguoli is also happy to share materials, resources, and her great ideas with colleagues. She is a true team player. The students and staff who work with her are lucky to have her around!
Mrs. Greguoli is a fantastic teacher! She not only makes a connection with each student but identifies different needs of students to help teach them learn in different ways to help them understand the things she is teaching. You can see the love and effort she put into her day. Mrs. Greguoli makes a positive connection with her team and makes them feel appreciated and cared about as well. She is so genuine and kind! There are so many amazing qualities about Mrs. Greguoli; these are just a few of them!!
Mrs. Greguoli works extremely hard to give her students everything they need to be successful in 3rd grade. She is always creating new accommodations and supports to create the best learning environment possible for her students. She creates authentic connections with each of her students showing them that they are each a special and valued member of their Room 19 family. She creates engaging and interactive lessons to build the excitement for learning in her classroom. Mrs. Greguoli is always collaborating with others and is willing to help other staff members in any way she can. She goes above and beyond every single day and her students make so much progress with her dedication to teaching.
Doering Band Program
🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
In the coming weeks, Mr. Scherpa from the Doering Middle School will be coming to Phelps for instrument demonstration day. 🎺 🎷 🥁
Students will have an opportunity to hear the different instruments they can play if they choose to join the band in 5th grade. Forms will go home with fourth grade students at that time. I would encourage all students to consider playing an instrument. We are so fortunate to have amazing music educators in Agawam who give students amazing opporunities.
STEAM Fair 2024
On Wednesday, March 20, students at Phelps participated in a STEAM Fair hosted by Ms. Conklin. Projects ranged from the classic erupting volcano, information about various animals including great white shark and bernadoodles, to designing different poster-board airplanes and the best way to store strawberries for freshness. Students came down to the gym to check out the projects throughout the day and families had a chance to walk through the displays in an evening event.
School Tool Box: 2024-2025 School Supplies
Avoid the summer back to school lines this summer! Once again, Phelps will offer parents the opportunity to buy next year's school supplies through School Tool Box. All of the supplies needed for the classroom come in the box, with options for additional add-ons or items to donate to the classroom (i.e. bandaids, tissues). Supplies are shipped directly to the school and will be waiting in your child's homeroom on the first day of school. All items are name brand. Please make sure to purchase the box for your child's grade level for the 2024-2025 school year. A link to start shopping will be available in the coming week.
Agawam High School Building Project
Mayor Johnson and Superintendent Hoffman are hosting 3 informational meetings about the new High School before the vote on June 11th. This is a great opportunity for parents to hear more about the project and ask questions. Dates of the 3 meetings are:
Wednesday, April 10th - Doering - 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm
Wednesday, April 24th - Phelps & Clark @ Phelps School - 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm.
Wednesday, May 1st - Granger & Sapelli @ Sapelli School - 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Parents are welcome to attend any and all of the meetings.
For more information on the project, please visit: https://agawamhsproject.com/
National School Breakfast Week
National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) celebrates the importance of a nutritious school breakfast in fueling students for success. This special observance during the first week of March celebrates the national School Breakfast Program and the many ways it gives kids a great start every day.
Phelps had a number of "celebrity" appearances to serve breakfast every morning to our students.
Read Across America!
Phelps celebrated Read Across America throughout the month of March. Students and staff dressed up as their favorite book characters, high school volunteers read to students in all classrooms, student council members read to kindergarten students, and students had the option to participate in the Springfield Thunderbirds "Stick to Reading" program.
From the PTO
Join us Thursday, March 28th at Bingo for Books from 6:30-7:30 in the cafeteria Bring along the family for bingo, snacks, and free books. This event is free! 📚
Agawam Apparel can be picked up during the Bingo for Books event from 6:30-7:30 at Phelps! Apparel that is not picked up on 3/28 will be sent home with children the following week! 👕
Thank you to all families who participated in our Krispy Kreme Fundraiser!! Our winning class was Room 2, Mrs.Keefe. Together, they sold 66 dozen donuts! 🍩 Donut pickup will be on Saturday, March 30th from 11-12 in the front of Phelps School. Any orders not picked up will be donated!!!
Our 4th Grade Committee is hosting a Baked Potato Night on April 4th from 5:30-7:30 at The Dante Club. Tickets are $10 each and include baked potato, salad, dessert, and a drink. The 4th graders will be providing service with a smile! Come out and support our 4th graders!
2023-2024 Yearbooks
Yearbooks are available to order online!
Get them now through April 24th!!
They are $22, plus tax. Pick up will be in June.