Tyngsborough Elementary School
March 11, 2018
Wow, Tyngsborough and surrounding communities were certainly hit hard by the most recent storm. I hope this finds you warm, with power, and unfortunately preparing for yet another storm! I'm not sure about you, but I'm hoping they have the forecast wrong this time!
3rd Annual Little Einstein's Science EXPO
Upper elementary school students have been busy planning for the 3rd Annual Science EXPO! Individuals and/or teams are invited to attend one or both of the after school sessions on March 21st and March 28th. The after school sessions will be facilitated by Mrs. Muraca, Science/Tech Teacher, Mrs. Viera, Grade 5 Math/Science Teacher, and many THS NHS students. The permission slip for this will be coming home this week!
Join us on April 12th from 6-7:00 to see our scientists in action!
2018-19 Before & After School Registration Open
This program is currently staffed by our own personnel and provides a safe, stimulating environment for children. Activities include games, arts and crafts, sports, music, reading, and exploration time in an effort to meet the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs of your child.
Hours
The program operates on regularly scheduled school days following the school calendar. It is not open on snow days, holidays, or school vacation weeks. The Before School Program operates from 7:00am - 8:35am. After school runs from 3:08pm - 6:00pm. This ensures continuous programming for children from as early as 7:00am to as late as 6:00pm. Parents may pick up their children anytime before the close of the session.
http://tes.tyngsboroughps.org/for-families-02047f71/before-after-school-childcare-e4d48481
Parent Placement Form
If you choose to complete this form, please be as specific as possible in terms of your child’s needs, and the classroom climate you feel would best meet those needs. We ask that you complete this form by Friday, March 16th. Please note that we do not keep forms from previous years “on file”. Completing this form is not required.
https://goo.gl/forms/ymPQkDGCBNhf5mqr1
TES will Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day!
On 21 March 2018, wear #LotsOfSocks! You can show your support by wearing brightly colored socks, mismatched socks, or even extra socks to signify the extra chromosome that people with Down Syndrome usually carry. You can also paint your nails blue and yellow in support of raising awareness!
https://worlddownsyndromeday.org/lots-of-socks
Traffic Flow Video
We continue to have concerns with the arrival and dismissal process at TES. Please take a moment to review the traffic flow video. Families dropping off in the morning should not be getting out of the car or waiting until your child enters the building.
We truly appreciate your cooperation so that we can ensure safety and timeliness for all.
http://tes.tyngsboroughps.org/for-families-02047f71/resources-8424ab99/parking-and-drop-off-75611670
Parent Resources
As part of their commitment to children Ribas Associates has created a FREE website with articles from leading parent educators. These articles are designed to help parents and guardians use parenting strategies that have been found to be highly beneficial to children and adolescents. We are offering these resources on a website that we are funding as a public service. The website is a work in progress with new articles being added weekly. The website has articles in three categories: Social-Emotional Learning, Supporting Academic Growth, and Collaborating Effectively with Schools. You can find the website at the link below.
http://parentsandeducators.com/parents-guardians.html
Growing Up Digital
In a world where children are "growing up digital," it's important to help them learn healthy concepts of digital use and citizenship. Here at TES we work diligently with all of our students to make sure they are being the best “digital citizens” that they can be. We also know that you, the parents, play an important role in teaching these skills at home as well, and we thank you! As we all know, media and digital devices are an important part of our world today. The benefits of these devices, if used in moderation and appropriately, can be great. But, research has shown and I think we can all agree, that face-to-face time with family, friends, and teachers, plays an essential and even more important role in promoting children's learning and healthy development.
Here are a few tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to help parents manage the digital landscape they're exploring with their children.
Treat media as you would any other environment in your child's life. The same parenting guidelines apply in both real and virtual environments. Set limits; kids need and expect them. Know your children's friends, both online and off. Know what platforms, software, and apps your children are using, where they are going on the web, and what they are doing online.
Set limits and encourage playtime. Tech use, like all other activities, should have reasonable limits. Unstructured and offline play stimulates creativity. Make unplugged playtime a daily priority, especially for very young children. And—don't forget to join your children in unplugged play whenever you're able.
Families who play together, learn together.Family participation is also great for media activities—it encourages social interactions, bonding, and learning. Play a video game with your kids. It's a good way to demonstrate good sportsmanship and gaming etiquette. And, you can introduce and share your own life experiences and perspectives—and guidance—as you play the game.
Be a good role model. Teach and model kindness and good manners online. And, because children are great mimics, limit your own media use. In fact, you'll be more available for and connected with your children if you're interacting, hugging and playing with them rather than simply staring at a screen.
Know the value of face-to-face communication.Very young children learn best through two-way communication. Engaging in back-and-forth "talk time" is critical for language development. Conversations can be face-to-face or, if necessary, by video chat, with a traveling parent or far-away grandparent. Research has shown that it's that "back-and-forth conversation" that improves language skills—much more so than "passive" listening or one-way interaction with a screen.
Create tech-free zones. Keep family mealtimes and other family and social gatherings tech-free. Recharge devices overnight—outside your child's bedroom to help children avoid the temptation to use them when they should be sleeping. These changes encourage more family time, healthier eating habits, and better sleep, all critical for children's wellness.
Don't use technology as an emotional pacifier.Media can be very effective in keeping kids calm and quiet, but it should not be the only way they learn to calm down. Children need to be taught how to identify and handle strong emotions, come up with activities to manage boredom, or calm down through breathing, talking about ways to solve the problem, and finding other strategies for channeling emotions.
Apps for kids – do your homework. More than 80,000 apps are labeled as educational, but little research has demonstrated their actual quality. Products pitched as "interactive" should require more than "pushing and swiping." Look to organizations like Common Sense Media (www.commonsensemedia.org) for reviews about age-appropriate apps, games and programs to guide you in making the best choices for your children.
It's OK for your teen to be online. Online relationships are part of typical adolescent development. Social media can support teens as they explore and discover more about themselves and their place in the grown-up world. Just be sure your teen is behaving appropriately in both the real and online worlds. Many teens need to be reminded that a platform's privacy settings do not make things actually "private" and that images, thoughts, and behaviors teens share online will instantly become a part of their digital footprint indefinitely. Keep lines of communication open and let them know you're there if they have questions or concerns.
Remember: Kids will be kids. Kids will make mistakes using media. Try to handle errors with empathy and turn a mistake into a teachable moment. But some indiscretions, such as sexting, bullying, or posting self-harm images, may be a red flag that hints at trouble ahead. Parents should take a closer look at your child's behaviors and, if needed, enlist supportive professional help, including from your pediatrician.
Upcoming Dates
MARCH
Friday, March 9 - Trimester 2 Grades Close
Friday, March 16 - Trimester 2 Report Cards distributed
Wednesday, March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day
Thursday, March 22 - PTO Bingo Night (Forms will be sent home this week)
Friday, March 30 - No School - Good Friday Holiday
APRIL
Wednesday, April 4 - Early Release Day (Preschool dismissal @ 11:30 & K-Grade 5 @ 12:00)
Thursday, April 5 - TES Welcomes Award Winning Author Jarrett Krosoczka http://www.studiojjk.com/
Monday, April 16 - Friday, April 20 - April Vacation Week
MAY
Monday, May 7 - Friday, May 11 - Staff Appreciation Week
Tuesday, May 8 - National Teacher Appreciation Day
Tuesday, May 8 - Full Professional Day for Staff (NO SCHOOL)
Friday, May 25 - Early Release Day (Preschool Dismissal @ 11:30 & K-Grade 5 @ 12:00)
Monday, May 28 - No School - Memorial Day
Thursday, May 31 - Upper Elementary School Spring Fling (Details to follow)
June
Friday, June 1 - Kindergarten Celebration (Tentative Date - details to follow)
Wednesday, June 6 - Early Release Day (Preschool Dismissal @ 11:30 & K-Grade 5 @ 12:00)
Friday, June 8 - Field Day (Tentative Date)
Thursday, June 14 - Celebration of Learning (Tentative Date)
Monday, June 18 - Rain Date for Field Day
Tuesday, June 19 - 5th Grade Moving On Ceremony @ 9:30-10:00
Friday, June 22 - Last Day of School! Early Release Day (Preschool Dismissal @ 11:30 & K-Grade 5 @ 12:00)
2018 MCAS Dates
We wanted to take a moment to share the scheduled MCAS testing days for your child(ren). Please plan accordingly. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Salmon, Associate Principal or myself.
http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/parents/
Grade 3 ELA MCAS
Tuesday, April 24th
Wednesday, April 25th - Make-Up Day
Thursday, April 26th
Monday, April 30th & Tuesday, May 1st - Make-Up Days
Grade 4 ELA MCAS
Wednesday, April 25th
Thursday, April 26th - Make-Up Day
Friday, April 27th
Monday, April 30th & Tuesday, May 1st - Make-Up Days
Grade 5 ELA MCAS
Wednesday, April 25th
Thursday, April 26th - Make-Up Day
Friday, April 27th
Monday, April 30th & Tuesday, May 1st - Make-Up Days
Grade 5 Science
Wednesday, May 2nd
Thursday, May 3rd
Friday, May 4th & Monday, May 7th - Make-Up Days
Grades 3-5 Math MCAS
Wednesday, May 16th & Thursday, May 17th
Friday, May 18th, Monday, May 21st & Tuesday, May 22nd - Make-Up Days
Please consider supporting our amazing community groups.
http://www.tyngsboroughpto.org/
http://www.tyngsboroughps.org/pages/Tyngsborough/Departments/Special_Education/sepac
Proud Principal,
Kerry Cavanaugh
The Tyngsborough Public Schools does not discriminate against students, parents, employees or the general public on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, or age.
Tyngsborough Elementary School
Email: kerry.cavanaugh@tyngsboroughps.org
Website: http://tes.tyngsboroughps.org/
Location: 205 Westford Road, Tyngsborough, MA, USA
Phone: 978-649-1990
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TyngsboroughElementarySchool/
Twitter: @TyngsElementary