Brown School Buzz
November 22, 2022
Dear Families,
What's the best way to teach so kids really learn? Well, there is certainly no shortage of education research and debate about how we best learn and/or how we should teach for optimum learning. And while I believe there is no "one size fits all", I know for sure there is at least one variable of the learning process that has always been true. When children share their learning with others, especially with people that matter to them, the learning deepens and becomes meaningful.
I was probably about nine years old when I learned about the Early Explorers. Vespucci, Magellan, Balboa and the Vikings and their conquests were central to my Social Studies lessons for a month or more. And while I'm sure I learned it at the time, alas, the memory was fleeting. So why do I understand the significance of the Early Explorers and their impact on language, indigenous peoples, food and the economy even today? I am fairly certain it's because as a teacher I was faced with my own group of students, and it was my charge to teach them the same information. In short, the information and learning became meaningful. And for many, many Brown School students, this is exactly what happened with our Veterans Day activity this year.
This year we asked students to write the name of a veteran they know on a star. This very simple activity spawned conversations and learning beyond anything we could do as teachers alone. Families brought meaning, connection and pride to the learning. The conversations we heard about "my Papa" and "my Uncle Billy", aunts, uncles, cousins and neighbors were incredibly powerful. Kids felt a connection to veterans, and to the learning. They pointed to their stars on our Wall of Honor and proudly shared what they knew about the veterans in their lives with their peers and teachers.
And here's the thing.... this can happen for any kind of learning.
Each week our teachers reach out via email or newsletters to share your child's learning with families to help you all better connect with your child's school experience. Conversations that happen at home, and especially those that connect to something meaningful, increase the value and the understanding of the learning. Parents are constantly asking what they can do at home to help support their children's learning. Having conversations and making the learning meaningful in their lives is a powerful little something that can make a big difference.
So thank you all for having those conversations, and thank you for the ones you will have throughout the year. I promise you it will make a difference in your child's learning.
Veterans Honored at Brown Elementary
Our Brown School Veterans Day assembly featured the leading of the pledge of allegiance and the raising of the flag by some of our local cub scouts, the singing of "This Land is your Land", a poem read by third grader Liam Bibbins, the National Anthem, and an honoring of our veterans as we all walked by our Wall of Honor. One other significant highlight was a very touching speech from our own Brown School substitute and proud United States Navy veteran, Abby LeBlanc. She spoke about how veterans need to be safe, kind, brave and ready to learn just like Brown School students. We are so grateful to her for sharing her heartfelt thoughts.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR VETERANS DAY ASSEMBLY
NEWS FROM PRINCIPAL LUCAS!
(The Friends of Marblehead Public Schools held a Principal for a Day Raffle. The winner was third grader Lucas B. Principal Lucas shares his day in the life of a principal!)
I started my day with taking pictures with my mom and my dad and my sister in front of the school. Then I went upstairs to greet the kids. I went to the office and talked into the intercom and told the whole school I was the principal and told them all to have a great day.
I helped a second grader with his homework and had my picture with Superintendent Buckey and Assistant Superintendent Murphy and with one of the PTO Presidents, Mrs. Lewis.
I went into three different classrooms to observe the kids' learning. Some kids in second and third grades were learning how to measure. In kindergarten, the kids were learning numbers.
I had lunch in my office with two friends. When Ms. Mills was at lunch, I checked in the visitors in the office and printed their badges. I answered the door when the bell rang. And then I went into different classrooms to give out Brown Bucks to the kids who were paying attention.
At the end of the day I signed off as principal for the day on the intercom and told everyone to have a great night! It was a fun day!
Meet our Second Grade Team!
The second grade team has a combined 86 years of experience in teaching in the Marblehead School! Thank you for your dedication and commitment to Marblehead Public Schools!
Mrs. Vanda Roth, Mrs. Gianna Blanchard, Ms. Aimee Shepard, Mrs. Beth Johnson, Mrs. Heidi Jannock
Ruby Bridges Walk Day
On Monday, November 14, children across the nation walked to commemorate the bravery and experience of Ruby Bridges. All students and staff gathered in front of the Brown school and together we reflected on how fortunate and grateful we all are to be able to walk to school safely every day. We acknowledged that for Ruby Bridges, it was much more difficult, but she was brave and kind and made a difference. We also acknowledged how important it is for us all to remember her bravery. Then all 500+ of us walked down Baldwin Road. Our teachers shared Ruby Bridges newest children's book, I am Ruby Bridges, with students in the classroom. And even more exciting, is that we will be meeting Ruby Bridges via the miracle of technology. She'll be connecting with Marblehead students and staff soon! We look forward to this amazing opportunity! Stay tuned!
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, November 23-Early Release-12:00 PM
November 24-25-No School Thanksgiving Break
December 8-No School-(Parent Conferences)
December 15-Early Release -12:00-(Parent Conferences)
December 13-PTO sponsored Holiday Shop
December 22-Early Release -12:00
December 23-January 2-Holiday Break
TUESDAY, January 3-Return to School
L & J Brown School
Email: maxfield.mary@marbleheadschools.org
Website: https://www.marbleheadschools.org
Location: 40-42 Baldwin Road, Marblehead, MA, USA
Phone: 7816393112