ESTABROOK BUZZ
NEWS & EVENTS OF ESTABROOK SCHOOL | LEXINGTON, MA | 01.17.16
LISTEN TO GRADE 5 RECITE "I HAVE A DREAM" AND OUR SCHOOL SING "THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE" (JANUARY 13, 2016)
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GRADE 4 AND 5 BAND / STRINGS AND GRADE 5 WINTER CONCERT (JANUARY 14, 2016)
REMINDER: 2015-2016 CONCERT SCHEDULE
- Thursday, March 10, 9 AM & 11:15 AM: Primary Concert (Grades 1& 2)
- Friday, March 11, 9 AM: Primary Concert snow date
- Thursday, April 28, 9 AM & 11:15 AM: Grades 3 & 4 Concert
- Thursday, June 2, 11:00 AM & 6:30 PM: Spring Concert (Gr. 5 chorus, band, strings)
Classes will sign up to attend one of two concerts and parents will be invited to attend either concert (except for the June 2 concert).
Other concerts that gr. 4 and 5 Estabrook students may participate in:
- Wednesday, January 20, 7:30 PM: All-Town Band Festival, LHS aud (1/27 snow date)
- Wednesday, February 3, 7:30 PM: All-Town Orchestra Concert, I, Gr. 4 string students LHS gym (2/11 snow date)
- Tuesday, February 9, 7:30 PM: All-Town Orchestra Concert, III Gr. 5 string students LHS gym (2/11 snow date)
- Thursday, May 12, 7:30 PM: All-Town Elementary Concert (Band and Orchestra), LHS aud
The entire LPS performing arts calendar can be located at:
http://performingarts.lexingtonma.org/calendar/calendar.html
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IMPORTANT JANUARY DATES
WED. JAN. 20 - STAFF APPRECIATION BREAKFAST, SPONSORED BY GRADE 3 FAMILIES. THANK YOU!
WED. JAN. 20, 7:30 PM - ALL-TOWN BAND FESTIVAL AT LEXINGTON HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM (1/27 SNOW DATE)
THUR. JAN. 21, 9:30-10:30 AM - GRADE 3 LEXINGTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FIELD TRIP, CARY HALL, LEXINGTON. (1/28 SNOW DATE)
THUR. JAN. 21 - METCO FAMILY FRIENDS DAY
THUR. JAN. 21, 12:45-1:30 PM - ESTABROOK SITE COUNCIL, MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM, ESTABROOK.
MON. JAN. 25, 7:00-9:00 PM - SUCCESS THROUGH CONNECTION, HELD AT ESTABROOK SCHOOL - OPEN TO ALL LPS SCHOOLS. LEARN HOW TO BE INVOLVED IN THE SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY THROUGH THE MANY ROLES OF THE PTA AND SITE COUNCILS. SPONSORED BY THE PTA PRESIDENTS' COUNCIL.
WED. JAN. 27, 6:30-7:30 PM - GRADES 4/5 MATH NIGHT, CAFETERIA. SPONSORED BY THE ESTABROOK PTA. (SNOW DATE 2/3)
FRI. JAN. 29 - REPORT CARDS SENT HOME IN STUDENT BACKPACKS
FRI. JAN. 29, 6:30-8:30 PM - FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT, CAFETERIA, ESTABROOK. SPONSORED BY THE ESTABROOK PTA.
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IMPORTANT FEBRUARY DATES
WED. FEB. 3, 7:30 PM - ALL-TOWN ORCHESTRA CONCERT, I, GRADE 4 STRING STUDENTS, LHS GYM (2/11 SNOW DATE)
TUE. FEB. 9, 7:30 PM - ALL TOWN ORCHESTRA CONCERT, III, GRADE 5 STRING STUDENTS, LHS GYM (2/11 SNOW DATE)
WED. FEB. 10, 8:15-8:45 AM - SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL. (STUDENTS WALK, BIKE, CARPOOL, BUS). STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO BRING ONE ITEM FOR THE MERRIMACK VALLEY FOOD BANK DRIVE.
- STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO BRING ONE NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEM FOR THE MERRIMACK VALLEY FOOD BANK DRIVE.
- ALL STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO WEAR YELLOW/BLACK OR SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR TODAY
- STAFF APPRECIATION BREAKFAST - SPONSORED BY GRADE 2 FAMILIES. THANK YOU!
WED. FEB. 10, 8:45-9:30 AM - PRINCIPAL COFFEE. TOPIC: HELPING YOUR CHILD MANAGE STRESS
MON. FEB. 15-FRI. FEB. 19 - SCHOOL VACATION / NO SCHOOL. (OFFICES CLOSED ON 2/15 - PRESIDENTS' DAY)
WED. FEB. 24, 2:00-2:30 PM - GRADE 1 ALL SCHOOL ASSEMBLY. PARENTS OF GRADE 1 STUDENTS ARE INVITED.
- ALL STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO WEAR RED, WHITE & BLUE FOR THE ASSEMBLY TODAY
THUR. FEB. 25, 12:45-1:30 PM - ESTABROOK SITE COUNCIL, MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM, ESTABROOK.
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THANK YOU FOR HELPING THE MERRIMACK VALLEY FOOD PANTRY! OUR NEXT FOOD DRIVE WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10!
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Congratulations Mrs. Giblin's Gr. 1 class for winning the Golden Sneaker this month for the greatest Safe Routes to School participation!
Grade 2 teachers show their "wear blue" spirit day pride!
Gr. 4 and 5 Band students showcase their talent for the school!
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SUCCESS THROUGH CONNECTION: HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S FUTURE BY GETTING INVOLVED WITH THE LEXINGTON SCHOOLS
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE
ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING AT YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL?
DO YOU WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED?
ARE YOU NOT SURE HOW TO DO SO?
Join parents and staff of all 9 Lexington Public Schools
as we participate in roundtable discussions on ways to be involved
in the Lexington schools,
including through the PTAs/PTOs, School Site Councils
and more!
Several school-based table topics will be discussed. Add your voice to the evening!
We hope you can join us to explore these questions together!
Monday, Jan 25, 2016, 07:00 PM
Estabrook School, 117 Grove St., Lexington
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MCAS 2016
Please take note of the 2015-2016 Elementary MCAS Schedule below. Consistent and on-time school attendance is always important, including on MCAS days. Part of the school's assessment includes attendance and participation. Please schedule travel and appointments around the dates listed below.
Questions about MCAS should be directed to Mr. LaBroad, Assistant Principal jlabroad@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us.
ELA Testing (March 28- April 12)
- Mon., March 28, Grade 5, ELA Session 1
- Tues., March 29, Grade 5, ELA Session 2
- Wed., March 30, Grade 4, ELA Session 1
- Thurs., March 31, Make Up Day (if needed)
- Fri., April 1, Grade 4, ELA Session 2
- Tues., April 5, Grade 3, ELA Session 1
- Wed., April 6, Grade 3, ELA Session 2
- April 7-12 Make Up Days (if needed)
Math and Science Testing (May 9 - May 24)
- Mon., May 9, Grade 5, Math Session 1
- Tues., May 10, Grade 5, Math Session 2
- Wed., May 11, Grade 4, Math Session 1
- Thurs., May 12, Grade 4, Math Session 1
- Fri., May 13, Make-up Day (if needed)
- Mon., May 16, Grade 5, Science Session 1
- Tues., May 17, Grade 5, Science Session 2
- Wed., May 18, Grade 3, Math Session 1
- Thurs., May 19 Grade 3, Math Session 2
- Fri., May 20, Make-up Day, (if needed)
- Mon., May 23, Make-up Day, (if needed)
- Tues., May 24, Final Make-Up Day (if needed)
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SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
Check out this page for parents' most commonly asked questions and concerns about Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites.
Here are the minimum age requirements in order to sign-up for specific social media sites: http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/social-media-minimum-age/501920. (9/2014)
Must be age 13
- Snapchat
- Tumblr
Must be age 16
Must be age 17
- Vine
Must be age 18, but allowable at 13 with parent permission
- Kik
- YouTube
CommonSense Media describes why 13 is the legal age for most of these sites:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/social-media/what-age-should-my-kids-be-before-i-let-them-use-instagram-facebook-and-other-social.
CommonSense Media has outlined their recommended age guidelines for social media sites, which are older than what some sites require for sign-up:
- Facebook age 14+
- Instagram age 15+
- SnapChat age 16+
- Tumblr age 15+ or 16+
- WhatsApp age 16+
- Vine age 15+
- Kik age 17+
- OoVoo age 17+
- Twitter age 15+
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MATH MATTERS
The eight Standards for Mathematical Practice in the Common Core and the 2011 Massachusetts State Framework for Mathematics represent what mathematically proficient students are doing as they learn mathematics. Each month, one of the Practices is illuminated.
Mathematics Practice Standard #2 – Reason Abstractly and Quantitatively
Mathematically proficient students make sense of quantities and their relationships in problem situations. They bring two complementary abilities to bear on problems involving quantitative relationships: the ability to decontextualize – to abstract a given situation, represent it symbolically and manipulate the representing symbols as if they have a life of their own, without necessarily attending to their referents; and the ability to contextualize - to pause as needed during the manipulation process, in order to probe into the referents for the symbols involved. Quantitative reasoning entails habits of creating a coherent representation of the problem at hand; considering the units involved; attending to the meaning of quantities, not just how to compute them; and knowing and flexibly using different properties of operations and objects.
-Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
You can help your child develop and apply this practice by encouraging him/her to persevere in order to reach a solution. Ask questions such as:
· Can you write an equation that represents the situation?
· Can you tell a story that describes the action that is represented in the equation?
· What do the numbers in the equation mean?
· How are the facts in the problem related to one another?
Karen Tripoli, K-5 Mathematics Department Head
tripoli@sch.ci.lexington.ma.usJanuary 2016
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HOMEWORK SURVEY RESULTS FROM ESTABROOK PARENTS
Parents of current Estabrook students were asked to respond to a December 2015 survey about the Lexington Public Schools Homework Policy. The survey asked if parents were familiar with the policy; how they felt their child(ren)’s homework practices aligned with the policy; and solicited their opinions on what homework and the policy should include for students at the elementary level through grade 12. In the one week the survey was open, 178 parents responded.
Of of the 178 respondents, 69 parents reported having a kindergarten or first grade student, 75 parents had a second or third grade student, and 73 parents were parents of a fourth or fifth grade student (respondents were able to choose multiple options for this question). In addition, 36 respondents were parents to current middle and/or high school students.
Results were shared with Dr. Czajkowski, Superintendent of Schools, who will share them with Lexington School Committee to help inform possible changes to the district homework policy.
Parent Survey Results
42% of parent respondents indicated familiarity with the Lexington Public Schools Homework Policy. The text of the policy was included in the survey, so those who were unfamiliar with the policy could read it prior to answering the rest of the survey questions. After having the opportunity to read the policy, parents were asked how consistent their child’s homework was with the policy; specifically, in terms of how many minutes students spent on homework each day, how many days homework was assigned, and weekend and holiday homework.
For each category, the majority of parent respondents reported that their child’s homework assignments were consistent with the Lexington Public Schools Homework Policy. Of the parent respondents who indicated divergence from the policy, 30%-42% reported that in their experience, their child(ren) received less than the policy recommended amount of homework (per night, per week, and over weekends/holidays.) In summary, 92% of parent respondents reported that in their experience, their child(ren) were assigned homework in an amount that is the same as, or less than, the Lexington Public Schools Homework Policy recommendations.
55% of parents who responded indicated that the amount of homework their child(ren) received (regardless of consistency with policy recommendations) was “just right.” 35% of parents said the homework was “too little,” and 11% indicated that the homework assigned was “too much.”
The parent survey included a question: “What should homework assignments be used for?” This question was accompanied by the following options: “to practice skills taught in class;” “to extend in-class learning;” “to prepare for the demands of upper-grades;” “to review previously taught skills;” “to develop organization skills and habits;” “and the option of ‘other’.” Parent respondents were able to select more than one response, and the survey results demonstrated considerable overlap in what parents viewed as to the purpose of homework. Excluding the “other” option, the fewest amount of parent respondents selected “to prepare for the demands of upper grades” as the purpose for homework, yet that response was still selected by 43% of parent respondents. 50%-88% of parent respondents selected each of the remaining purposes; again, excluding “other.” Among the “other” purposes of homework suggested by the parent survey, parent respondents selected: “to promote creativity,” “to provide parents with an idea of what the student is learning,” and “to reteach skills.” Two responses indicated their opinion that “there is no purpose to homework at the elementary level.”
Parent Survey Recommendations
In response to the question, “Should any part of the Lexington Public Schools Homework Policy be changed?” 58% of Estabrook parent survey respondents answered “no - the policy should not be changed,” and 42% answered “yes – the policy should be changed.”
75 parents provided additional comments concerning what changes they would like to see to the Lexington Public Schools Homework Policy. In attempting to analyze and synthesize these parent responses, it is clear that the parents of Estabrook and Lexington Public Schools students are deeply invested in obtaining a high-quality education for their child, as well as maintaining a healthy and balanced schedule. Many parents cited research around homework efficacy and sleep habits. Comments also weighed in on student stress, family time, academic achievement, motivation, extracurricular activities, and unstructured time for children. However, respondents’ priorities did not converge to a clear recommendation for the Lexington Public Schools Homework Policy. 32% of parents that commented suggested “more homework would be beneficial for students,” while 28% would prefer “less homework than the policy recommends.” 25% of the parents who commented shared a desire for “increased teacher consistency with the policy,” and for “more clear communication from the teachers as to the goals of homework assignments,” and “expectations for completion.” These respondents did not recommend any changes to the policy, but rather more accountability around enforcing the policy at all grade levels and schools. Consistency and clarity of assignments across grade levels, and a gradual and logical increase of homework expectations, from one grade to the next were themes throughout these responses.
Finally, 16% of parent respondents who shared additional comments expressed a desire for different types of homework. It is difficult to draw clear recommendations from these responses, since opposing suggestions were made. Several respondents indicated a desire for more choice and/or challenge in their child(ren)’s homework, while some respondents wanted more traditional homework (usually worksheets, in place of packets or games.) Some survey participants asked for more online-based assignments, while others said that homework should not be on a website that teachers are unable to monitor. Despite these opposing views, what was clear was that parents want homework that is relevant, meaningful, and clear to both students and parents. One respondent cautioned against mistaking quantity for rigor. In summary, the data shows that parent respondents support high-quality homework for their child(ren), but differ about what that looks like in practice.
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PRINCIPAL COFFEE ON SCHOOL SAFETY (JANUARY 13, 2016)
1. Fire drills
2. Evacuation
3. Shelter-in-place
4. Active Threat
We focused on the proactive and preventative measures that our school takes everyday, such as door lock and entry/exit procedures, sign in/out procedures, visual identification requirements, communication tools and ongoing training.
We also discussed the emergency training that Estabrook School has received should there ever be an active threat. Estabrook Staff have trained in conjunction with the Lexington Police.
LPS is changing to K-12 Blackboard Communication as the district's new rapid communication tool (replacing Code Ed). This online tool will allow for rapid, unified communication messaging, integrating voice messages to multiple phone numbers per household, along with text-based e-mails, webpage postings, text messages and social network updates - instantly. Stay tuned for this new tool coming online in LPS soon.
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REMINDER: SCHOOL CANCELLATION PROCEDURES
Cancellation notices will also be updated on the district webpage.
Parents are also encouraged to review the local news stations/webpages for school cancellation updates due to inclement weather.
Please communicate any updated telephone numbers and emails to our office at 781-861-2520 or tcarfagno@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us.
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REMINDER: EMERGENCY / EARLY DISMISSAL SYSTEM DUE TO WEATHER
In the event of an early/emergency dismissal from school, Estabrook will follow parent early/emergency dismissal directions from your child's pink dismissal form. Parents completed this form at the beginning of the school year. If you have any questions about your pink dismissal form or would like to update it, please call 781-861-2520 or email tcarfagno@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us.
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REMINDER: WINTER GEAR AND OUTDOOR PLAY
- Wear winter weather clothing/gear to school: jacket, hat, gloves, scarves and boots. Students may bring snowpants/boots in a separate bag.
- Boots and/or snowpants may be stored in school lockers and taken home on weekends, instead of carrying them to/from school daily. If inclement weather is forecasted, students are advised to bring all snow clothes home.
- Label all clothing with student initials or names, including lunch boxes. (Lost/found is in the cabinet in the front lobby of the school. All lost/found items are displayed on a table on the patio on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.)
- Weather permitting, students may only go in the snow at recess time with snowpants, boots and appropriate winter gear. Otherwise, recess play will be on the hardtop.
- Per district policy, if the weather is 19 degrees or below, including windchill and/or the grounds are determined unsafe for outdoor play (such as due to ice), recess will be held indoors. Our goal is to have students play outside as much as possible.