Wheeler Flash
May-June 2016
Message From the Principal
Dear Wheeler Families,
I trust that all students and families are enjoying the summer. So far, the Batchelder Family vacationed in Cape Cod for five days. Prior to that, I was very fortunate to be able to attend Columbia University's Summer Institute for Teaching Reading (for a week)! It was a very powerful learning experience and I plan to apply what I have learned when I work with Wheeler Students and Teachers next year.
I would like to take a moment to share a few exciting changes for next year.
1. Due to class sizes, third grade increased one section and will move from having two teachers to three.
2. Looking at the needs of the entire school, Ms. Bartomioli will be moving from first grade to fifth grade and Mrs. Kyle will be moving from fifth to third grade.
3. Please joining me in welcoming and congratulating Mrs. Julie Stringer as our new first grade teacher! Mrs. Stringer has a wealth of experience here at Wheeler and we look forward to having her join the Wheeler Family.
4. Ms. Amanda Brown, Special Education Teacher, will be moving to teach at MSP. Mrs. Kelly Debellis will be at Wheeler full time as a special education teacher.
5. Please join me in congratulating Ms. Joyce Goldberg on her retirement! Ms. Goldberg has served Plainville Community Schools for 35 years and has been at Wheeler for over 20 years! Ms. Goldberg was recognized by the BOE on June 14th. We thank her for all of the wonderful teaching and learning experiences that she brought to Wheeler.
6. Please join me in welcoming Meghan Glasgow to assume the role of Library Media Specialist. Ms. Glasgow graduated from Southern Conn State University with a Masters of Library Science Degree. She has worked at the Canton Public Library and most recently, at Canton High School as a Library Media Assistant. She has already started working this summer with the other two new library media specialists from Tofflon and Linden under the guidance of Deb Pikiell, Instructional Leader. I know Ms. Glasgow is very motivated to get started and eager to meet all students, teachers and parents!
7. Field Trips: We will no longer be soliciting money from families for learning experiences, both in and out of school, in the way that we have done in the past. Instead, we've worked to build coherence and consistency among all three elementary schools by implementing the following practice beginning in September 2016:
The principals of all three Plainville Elementary Schools in concert with the curriculum directors approved field trips for all grade levels that link closely to the curriculum. These will be funded by the district. Any additional field trips that a grade level may wish to attend will be submitted to the principal and curriculum director. If approved, monies will be solicited from each parent in order for their child to participate.
8. After much consideration with district administration and interviews with teachers and staff, we've decided to shift how and when we do wellness breaks throughout the day. While movement breaks with our wellness specialists were scheduled to be 20 minutes througout the day, they often went longer given transitions to and from class resulting in loss of time for teaching and learning. Instead, we plan to start the school year with each grade level having a 25 min recess and then a 20 minute lunch period immediately following recess. This results in a 5 min reduction of activity and movement compared to last year. However, I know teachers will likely provide 5 min of movement throughout the day as they deem necessary and appropriate. In the end, Wheeler Students will still continue to experience 45 to 60 min of active movement througout the day. We will monitor this closely and make adjustments to the lunch/recess time periods as deemed necessary and appropriate.
Lastly, over the years, I have often heard the brain can be like a sponge. Well, in all actuality, it is a muscle! LIke all muscles, it needs to be exercised in order for it to stay in shape. Below are some websites that may give you some ideas for kids to exercise that muscle over this long summer vacation! Also, as a reminder, I strongly recommend your child complete and return their summer math/reading packets on the first day of school.
Please enjoy the last Wheeler Flash (from May and June) and have a wonderful, rest of your summer!
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/get-ready-summer-ideas-teachers-share-families
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/7-ways-prevent-summer-learning-loss-barbara-dianis
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev073.shtml
Sincerely,
Mr. B.
Andrew Batchelder, Principal
Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School
"Leaders of the PACK"
860-793-3290
Leaders of the PACK May/June 2016
Leaders of the PACK
Leaders of the PACK
Leaders of the PACK
Leaders of the PACK
Leaders of the PACK
PRE-K LEADERS OF THE PACK!!!
Participating in PACK activities!
2nd grade visits Warner Theater!
Wheeler Second Graders visited Warner Thearter to watch a show called Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon. This show fit well with the One book One Community Humphrey story. Lots of close connections!
End of Year Picnic Celebration for 5th graders at Norton Park!
Kickball with Mr. B.
Reading Partners
End of year Reading Celebrations
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
- First week in August, class placement letters will be mailed home
- 9/1/16 First day of school for grades 1-5
- 9/2/16 First day of school for Kindergartners
- 9/2/16 Prek Orientation 2 to 3 PM
- 9/5/16 Labor Day NO SCHOOL
- 9/6/16 First Day of School for PreK
- 9/21/16 Elementary Open House- 6 to 7:30 PM
Below are important links to Wheeler’s Website where you kind find links to individual teacher websites. Also there is a link to Wheeler’s public calendar with important dates to remember!
Link to Wheeler Website
https://sites.google.com/a/plainvilleschools.org/wheeler/
Link to Wheeler Public Calendar