MHS/WES Newsletter
February 27, 2020
Important Upcoming Dates
- March 3rd ~ No School - Primary Elections
- March 4 ~ PTO Meeting @ 6:30 PM in the WES Library
- March 9th ~ Half Day all schools-MHS/WES start dismissal at 11:55
- March 19th ~ School Improvement Meeting at 4:15 p.m.
NEWS FROM KINDERGARTEN
It was so nice to see everyone at Parent-Teacher
Conferences. The tremendous progress that Kindergarten
children make is a result of the adults in their lives working
together to support them.
One of the ways that you can show support, is by joining
us for Read Across America on Monday March 2nd. We
find that reading to/with your child is one of the most
meaningful and rewarding things you can do. Come join
us in our classrooms to help us celebrate literacy.
Also, all of the Kindergarten teachers have sent home a
list of sight words, as well as math flashcards. Have you
tried making a game out of these… perhaps “Hangman” or
“Memory”? Please continue to practice both at home, to
increase fluency in reading, writing, and math facts.
Thanks for all you do and the support you show!
4th Grade News
4th grade celebrated Valentine’s Day by writing thoughtful messages to each other. Each student wrote a small note to everyone in his or her class with a kind comment. Students proudly distributed them and appreciated the positive traits that classmates noticed about them.
4th grade students have also officially started their State Fair projects! The first step was to write letters to locations in their assigned state, in order to find out more information. Thank you for sending in stamps so that we could mail these letters! It was great practice for the students to learn how to correctly write and address a letter. We hope to start seeing responses from these national parks, tourist spots, and museums soon!!
In science, students have been learning about energy and are preparing to create Rube Goldberg machines. These inventions are a series of simple machines that work together to transfer energy from one object to another resulting in the completion of a simple task, such as ringing a bell (rubegoldberg.com). Stay tuned for more information on this future project!
News from Mrs. Breen
That’s STEM-tastic!!!
Technology & Engineering
5th Grade
During the past few weeks in 5th grade, we have transported ourselves to Ozobot Storyland. Where our main character is Ozobot, a color sensor robot that follows coded lines.
Within this unit, the students are using their language art skills to create and write a story using a number of story prompts, learning about color coding and videography, as we record our Ozobot adventures.
4th Grade
We have completed our 4th Grade Rock and Mineral Magazine. You can find the magazine on Mrs. Breen’s website or at http://bit.ly/3c8ZDxm
In the next few weeks we will be focusing on our next unit, which is creating our own virtual field trip using Google Earth.
3rd Grade
Have you ever wanted to create your own booklet? Well, the 3rd graders are doing just that. We are learning about the wonderful state of Massachusetts. And with our newfound knowledge we are creating a mini state booklet. This will be coming home soon, so keep an eye on it.
2nd Grade
The second graders are learning how to create their own magazine cover. These magazine covers will be used for each student's autobiography and will be sent home soon. Keep a look out for other works from the technology/engineering room too, as projects have been printed and will be sent home too.
Kindergarten & 1st Grade:
In the MHS Technology & Engineering room we have started centers.
The centers go as followed:
Center #1: Letters, words, spelling, and phonics using Osmo Words
Center #2: Numbers and addition using Osmo Numbers
Center #3: Lego building and engineering challenge cards
Center #4: Computerized sequence drawing and mouse skills
Center #5: Shapes and spatial orientation using Osmo Tangram
Center #6: Lines, spacing, and spatial orientation using Osmo Newton
Center #7: Coding and programming using Osmo Coding
Center #8: Drawing and spatial orientation using Osmo Masterpiece
Center #9: Problem solving and critical thinking using Osmo Detective
Center #10: Counting, performing tasks, money skills using Osmo Pizza Company
Both the Kindergarten and 1st graders will be going through one center each day that they have technology.
The Spring Book Fair is Coming!!
Our annual Spring Book Fair will take place in the Westminster Elementary Library
May 4 - 8
More info to follow, including volunteer opportunities
With the Scholastic dollars earned at the winter book fair I have spent over $2500.00 on a lot of great stuff for our libraries and classrooms! I’ve already purchased colorful area reading carpets, writing stations, bookcases & bins and so many great books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, classroom sets & much more.
Thanks again for all your support!
**When sending in tissues or Chlorox wipes to classrooms, please remember the libraries at both WES & MHS are spaces used by all 600+ students and any donation would be greatly appreciated!!**
“The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.”— Dr. Seuss
Title One Newsletter
2019 Volume 1, Issue 2 Mrs. Davis, Title One Teacher Grades 1-5
Hello Parents and Guardians-
I was inspired to write about a relevant topic most (if not all) families struggle with on a daily basis. When I was at Market Basket, I overheard a woman exclaim, “Reading is simply not exciting enough to compete with the gaming world. Fortnite, Minecraft, Xbox, ugh.” Can you relate to this sentiment? I am the mother of three teenagers, and after their homework and chores are done, the Fortnite/gaming negotiations begin. I often hear parents say children spend most of their after school hours playing video games rather than opening up a book.
Having a personal investment in this hot topic, I hope you will find the enclosed list to be useful.
10 Unique Ways to Excite Students about Reading
1. Swap XBox for an audiobook.
Yes, audiobooks count as reading. Hearing someone reading a book confidently is a great way to experience fluency, which is the ability to read a text accurately, quickly, and with good expression. Borrow them at your library, or get a free listening app at Audible.com. Here are some more apps to choose from:
FREE Audiobook Apps: Loyal Books, Lit2Go, Spotify, Storynory, Sync, Librivox, Podiobooks
FREE at your local library: Overdrive, Hoopla
Small monthly fee: eStories, Downpour, Scribd
2. Read and earn PIZZA!
Check out the BOOK IT! Incentive reading program through PIZZA HUT!!
Once registered, a student begins to reach their reading goal. When the reading goal is completed, a student is given a Reading Award Certificate for a free, one-topping Personal Pan Pizza® from Pizza Hut®.
3. Help bring books to life.
Finding book-inspired activities truly makes reading magical. If your child loves The Three Little Pigs, maybe visit Davis Farmland. Just finished The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Explore the Butterfly Place in Westford, MA. Reading about the stars? Pack the family to visit the planetarium at the EcoTarium in Worcester. Or take a bookcation—how about camping after reading S is for S’mores.
4. Model reading love.
Children take cues from adults. When you grow up surrounded by books, you like books. Make sure they see you reading. You want your kids to see that reading brings you joy, and they will catch the reading fever.
5. Read the book, then watch the movie.
Pick a classic that’s been turned into a movie—Shrek, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Stone Fox, —and read it together, a few chapters at a time. When you’re finished, host a family movie night to watch the film version, invite the neighbors, bring friends over, etc..
6. Get cooking.
When ingredients and instructions are read slowly many times, it improves comprehension.” Get a cookbook at the library (Cooking Class and Kid Chef are both great) and let your child pick a meal to make with you. Ask her/him to read the recipe out loud while you chop. {Have your child write out a menu too—incorporating writing in many different ways also bolsters reading skills.}
7. Get a little goofy.
- Buy your older readers a headlamp so they can stay up “past bedtime.” It helps remind them that reading is a treat and a privilege.
- Magazines help teach kids that current information is valuable. Getting a new issue is exciting, and it’s important to build a ritual around that for your child. I suggest Highlights, ( remember those hidden-picture pages?) or National Geographic Kids.
- SCOPE: speedymags.com SCOOP: magazines.com OWL: magazines.com
- MUSE: science based magazine SPARKLE: discountmags.com SCIENCE WORLD: speedymags.com
- Can't think of a birthday gift -- suggest books! Have your kids give them to their friends too, with an inscription that tells the recipient why this book is special for him/her. You’re teaching your child that books are a way to connect with others.
10. Celebrate writers.
Start with Dr. Seuss—March 2 is his birthday. (He’d be 113!) To commemorate the occasion, the National Education Association instituted Read Across America Day for schools to participate in reading competitions, or visit local author’s museums.
*The Amazing World Of Dr. Seuss Museum, Springfield, MA. *Eric Carle Museum, Amherst, MA *Louisa May Alcott’s House, Concord, MA *Ralph Waldo Emerson’s House, Concord, MA
Write to your favorite author such as Raina Telegeister who wrote Guts, Smile, and Sisters.
Her fan mail address is: Raina Telgemeier
c/o Scholastic Inc.
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012 -Supplemented by Erin Zammet Rudy
Free Family STEM Fun Night
Free Program for families with children ages 4-7 yrs.
Friday, March 13th
Meetinghouse School Cafeteria
6:00-7:30 PM
Come explore STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)
through FUN Hands-On Activities
for families with children ages 4—7 yrs.
Meetinghouse School,
8 South Street, Westminster 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Free Program sponsored by
MHS/WES, CFCE Program and Westminster Cultural Council
Registration is limited!
Register with Jana Harrison, CFCE Coordinator
Register: Jana Harrison: jharrison@awrsd.org
Chess Tournament!!
Holy Family Academy Chess Tournament (Our Thirteenth Annual Tournament)
Date: Thursday, 26 March 2020
Time: Check in 3-3:30pm. Games start 3:30pm. Tourney should be completed by 7Pm.
Location: Holy Family Academy, First floor, 99Nichols ST, Gardner, MA 01440.
Participants: Grades K-8, all are invited.
Registration fee: $ 3.00 (waived for members of HFA chess club)
Prizes: Medals to be awarded to top 3 players in each age category (there will be at least 2 age categories).
Tournament Director: John Worden
Tournament Rules: All players will be expected to abide by the rules of chess (US Chess Federation Rules) and to follow appropriate chess etiquette. Any dispute or question will be finally adjudicated by the tournament director and all players will abide by his decision in all matters pertaining to the tournament.
There will be no talking or commenting on games in the tournament hall. Players will be able to talk quietly outside the tournament hall between rounds.
The tournament will be a 3-5 round Swiss style depending on the number of participants.
We are looking forward to seeing you at the tournament for a fun and intense competition in this age old sport of the mind.
It’s your move!
Questions?: Please do not hesitate to contact the school secretary (978-632-8656) or John Worden through the school or at his home (978-939-5325). Please submit your registration by 23 March 2019.
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Registration Form
Date:
Student Name: Parent/Gaurdian name:
Student Grade and School: Parent/Gaurdian Signature:
Student Signature: Phone contact number:
Registration fee is $3.00 and checks can be made payable to Holy Family Academy.
By Signing the above form we agree to abide by the rules of the tournament and to accept the decisions of the tournament director in all such matters.