PCS Community Newsletter 1-26-18
created by Joanne Menard, Principal
Project Purple Weekend at PCS
As we wrap up Project Purple week, we’d like to thank Mrs. Warburton for bringing Project Purple to PCS and arranging the entire week, Mrs. Inman from Q-Drug for kicking off our week, the Petersham Police Department for all their support throughout the week from speaking with the children about stranger danger and Project Purple to participating in our wrap-up basketball game. Brian Smith for being the referee of the basketball game. Nekr Jennings for donating items from Project Purple for our gift raffle. We’d also like to thank the Police Association for the generous donation of balls for the end of week raffles and Ellen Miller from District Attorney Early’s office for speaking to the children about anti-bullying and cyber safety. Without all their help and the participation of the students in each day’s events Project Purple week would not have been the success it was!
Photos from this week's events
PCS all decked for Project Purple Week
Request for Frosting Containers from Mrs. T
Hello families! I am looking for donations of empty & clean frosting containers to help organize small cards for learning centers. The small Betty Crocker or Dunkin Heinz or Pillbury frosting containers are the perfect size. I need about 100. If you have any, please drop them off at the office or send them in with your child.
Many, many thank yous!
Mrs.Thompson
MCAS dates
ELA test sessions (grades 3-6): April 2 - May 4
Mathematics test sessions (grades 3-6): April 3 - May 25
Science, Technology, Engineering (STE) test sessions (5th grade only): April 4 - May 25
As soon as I have set the dates for PCS, I will let everyone know.
Snow Days and Flurry Folder Days
To date:
-day off due to no electricity - Monday, October 30th
-Flurry Folder Day 1- Tuesday, December 12th
-true Snow Day - Friday, December 22nd
-Flurry Folder Day 2 - Thursday, January 4th
-Flurry Folder Day 3 - Friday, January 5th
-Flurry Folder Day 4 - Wednesday, January 17th
Since we have missed one day due to no electricity and one day due to a true snow day, our school year has been extended by two days in June. Please make sure to adjust your calendars.
Community Outreach at PCS - Narcan Training
Before School Events at 8 a.m.
Tuesdays - Grade 5 & 6 Band
Wednesdays - PCS Twirling
Thursdays - Beginning 4th grade Band
Petersham Center School's Peace Posters
Principal's Chat notes from 1-18-18
What a wonderful turn out for my Principal's Chat on Thursday, January 18th! Thanks to all that came! Below are brief notes of what was discussed:
after considering many factors (what parents/community members said at the School Committee meeting last week, once again reviewing the health frameworks, talking to Superintendent Thomas, and Mrs. Tattan), we decided to make some changes that I think you the parents/community members will be happy about (based on the comments that you said at the School Committee meeting)
I talked to Mrs. Tattan on this past Tuesday and informed her that I once again would like her to incorporate team sports and games. Prior to students playing these sports/games (such as soccer, basketball, volleyball), Mrs. Tattan would have taught the skills needed to be successful. Students’ acquisition of these skills is a large component of the state frameworks. The students have to show that they have achieved these skills as an individual.
Mrs. Tattan will also continue to be responsible to concentrate on individual physical fitness. This will be done in a wide variety of methods such as: cross-fit/mudder stations appropriate for the grade, yoga, Zumba, on-line fitness classes (such as Go Noodle) fitness stations, running laps, etc.
So, going forward the gym curriculum, for all grades K-6, will be a balance between teaching individual physical fitness skills, team games/activities skills and then the application of the skills through team games and activities
- questions were asked regarding 5th & 6th grade lunch and seating arrangements - it was suggested by many that we lower the number of tables that students can sit at to improve social/emotional issues. This suggestion by parents will be used at all lunches.
- Parents/grandparents also asked if they could volunteer at lunch. They can as long as they have a current CORI at PCS. (Please note that our school does them annually to ensure student safety.) Each time that someone volunteers, they must sign in/out at the main office and wear a volunteer badge. You would just check in with the lunch monitor and they would be able to fill you in on procedures. The lunch times are:
K, 1, 2: 11:00-11:30
3,4: 12:30-1:00
5,6: 11:55-12:25
- Standards-Based Report cards: the goal is to have them revised by next school year. A committee of administrators and educators is being formed first and then parents will be invited to give input. Curriculum Director Marie Cole will be leading this committee.
Geo Bee Finals
PCS' Citizen of the Month program
The Pillars of Character Education
Petersham Center School is going to emphasize the Pillars of Character Education: Compassion, Fairness, Integrity, Perseverance, Responsibility, Respect, and Self-Discipline for our Citizen of the Month Program. Below is a brief description of each remaining pillars for this school year.
At each Student Assembly, a student will be announced from each class who was an exemplary model of the pillar of the month, given a certificate signed by the Principal, their picture will be hung in the cafeteria, and a PCS Citizen of the Month cinch bag.
January: INTEGRITY
Having respect for yourself and treat others with respect, doing your very best work, working well with others, appreciating yourself
February: PERSEVERANCE
You do not give up doing something, even if it is difficult. Even if you are not successful right away, you keep trying. You try multiple ways to achieve a goal. You also motivate others to keep trying.
March: RESPONSIBILITY
Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes
April: RESPECT
Treat others with respect how you want to be treated, the Golden Rule • Be tolerant and accepting of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements
May: SELF-DISCIPLINE
Always do your share, always work your hardest, change poor habits, always consider the consequences and make the most the responsible decisionsDecember's Citizens of the Month
Kindergarten's Citizen of the Month
First Grade's Citizen of the Month
Second Grade's Citizen of the Month
Third Grade's Citizen of the Month
Fourth Grade's Citizen of the Month
Fifth Grade's Citizen of the Month
DARE graduation
Upcoming PCS Dates
-Monday, January 29th: 9:00 a.m. - DARE graduation for 5th grade class
-Tuesday, January 30th: 8:00 a.m. - Grade 5 & 6 Band
-Wednesday, January 31st: Fidelity Banking for Students/Staff
-Wednesday, January 31st: 8:00 a.m. - PCS Twirling
-Wednesday, January 31st: 9:30 a.m. - Training Active Bystanders (TAB) - grades 4 & 5
-Thursday, February 1st: 8:00 a.m. - Beginning 4th grade Band
-Thursday, February 1st: 10-11:30 a.m. - Valuing Our Children playgroup
-Monday, February 5th: 8:15 a.m. - PCS Chorus
-Tuesday, February 6th: 8:00 a.m. -Grade 5 & 6 Band
-Wednesday, February 7th: Fidelity Banking for Students/Staff
-Wednesday, February 7th: 8:00 a.m. - PCS Twirling
-Wednesday, February 7th: 9:30 a.m. - Training Active Bystanders (TAB) - grades 4 & 5
-Thursday, February 8th: 8:00 a.m. - Beginning 4th grade Band
-Thursday, February 8th: 10-11:30 a.m. - Valuing Our Children playgroup
-Friday, February 9th: PCS Community & Staff Newsletters published
-Friday, February 9th: 2:15 p.m. - PCS Student Assembly
Petersham Center School
Petersham, Massachusetts 01366
978-724-3363