The Floral Falcon Flyer
January 23, 2022
Photo of the Week - Students in Mrs. Murphy's class applying skills in cooperation and science knowledge to build marble ramps.
Dear Floral Families,
As we've communicated in previous Falcon Flyers this year, the most important work we do as a Floral staff is to cultivate an environment in which all students feel a strong sense of belonging. We know that building relationships with students is essential to that work; it is our mission to make sure that all students feel connected to adults and other students in their school.
As you may know, students in grades 3-12 across the district are completing surveys this month to assess their sense of belonging and perceptions about their social emotional learning at school. Results from these student surveys will help us to improve our work to build and sustain cultures of belonging at school.
As parents and caretakers, your feedback on this topic is just as important. For that reason, we are asking that you complete a survey, too. To hear more about the purpose for the survey, please click HERE to listen to a 2-minute video message from Amy Clouter, Assistant Superintendent.
To take the survey for your children attending Floral Street School, please click HERE.
We greatly appreciate the time you take to provide us with your feedback. It helps us to keep getting better, doing better, and being better for your child and for your family.
Have a wonderful week ahead.
Respectfully,
Lisa and Gina
In This Issue:
- NEW - Jiji's Journey Class Challenge
- NEW - Suggested Family Activity to Practice Cooperation
- NEW - Photos from the Week
- SEL Family Activity - Cooperative Storytelling
- January Mindfulness Practice
- Update from the SPS COVID Testing Team
- Dressing for Winter
- From the PTO - Donate a Book Program
- Updates from Floral Specialists
- Important Upcoming Dates
- Useful Links
NEW - Jiji's Journey Class Challenge
The second grade continues to dominate our schoolwide ST Math challenge and was recognized for completing the most puzzles again last week. More impressive is this data point: Floral Street School students in grades K-4 completed 15,837 MORE puzzles last week than the prior week. Astounding!
Congratulations to all of our mathematicians and special shout-out to the class in each grade listed below for completing the most puzzles in their grade last week:
Kindergarten- Peterson
Grade 1-Frankian
Grade 2- Speed
Grade 3- Manning
Grade 4-Edgren
This exciting challenge that builds strong conceptual understanding in a game-based format is being led by the outstanding Floral Instructional Coaches, Mrs. Lindsay Morse and Mrs. Sarah Matthews.
NEW - Suggested Family Activity to Practice Cooperation
The Character Strong SEL program that we are exploring as a district this year has many activities, games, books, quote and other resources to support students with understanding and practicing our character trait of the month.
Families are invited to try this 1-minute mindfulness practice that focuses on breathing and reflecting upon ways we show cooperation in our lives. Get yourselves seated in a comfortable position in a quiet spot at home, and give this a try. Click HERE.
NEW - Photos from the Week
Students in the Kilgore kindergarten class practice cooperation with a fun team challenge
The Murphy fourth grade students persevering through their ramp designs
SEL Family Activity - Cooperative Storytelling
- To prepare for this activity, gather about 25 small scraps of paper.
- Ask each family member to write down one noun on each scrap of paper. Encourage family members to write a variety of people, places, and things.
- Shuffle the scraps and place them face down on a table.
- One family member will start the story by drawing one scrap of paper. The family member will include that noun in the beginning of the story and add extra details as needed.
- Family members will continue to build the story by drawing more nouns and adding more details until you run out of scraps. Don’t forget to start winding down the story to prepare for an ending when you get low on scraps.
With Cooperation, your family can create a wonderfully creative story!
January Mindfulness Practice
Update from the SPS COVID Testing Team
We are writing to remind you that if your child has recently tested positive for COVID and they participate in weekly pooled testing, they need to STOP pooled testing for 90 days. This is due to the fact that pooled testing utilizes a PCR test and individuals are likely to continue to test positive for up to 90 days, although they are no longer considered contagious. These “false positives” add to the time it takes to process our weekly tests and can lead to a delay in getting results back for others.
In order to stop receiving weekly test kits, please send an email to covidtesting@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us and request that your child’s name be removed from the weekly testing list. You can request that they be added back after 90 days has passed if you would like to resume testing at that time.
Thanks for your help with this. Stay Well.
Dressing for Winter
As a reminder, classrooms windows will be cracked open throughout the winter to allow for fresh air exchange. Students (and adults) will need to dress in layers so they can be prepared for the cooler temperatures indoors.
Whenever the temperatures "feel like" 19 degrees or warmer, students bundle up and go outside for their 15 minute recess. Students should dress appropriately for the outdoor weather. Please label coats, hats, and mittens whenever possible so they don't take up residence in the Lost & Found table. :)
From the PTO - Donate a Book Program
Updates from Floral Specialists
Students look forward to their art, media, physical education, and music classes each week. You can keep up with their learning in the specials each month by clicking on the links below. Specialists will be updating their slides every month.
Important Upcoming Dates
* Dates added this week are in bold text
February 1 - Early-Release Day, Teacher Professional Development, 12:15 Dismissal
February 4 - School Meeting / Grades 3 & 4
February 9 - PTO Meeting / 6:15 pm
February 10 - School Council Meeting / 4:30pm
February 11 - School Meeting / Grades K, 1, & 2
February 21-25 - Presidents Day/Winter Vacation
Tuesday, March 1 - Early-Release Day, Teacher Professional Development, 12:15 Dismissal
March 1 - Early-Release Day, Teacher Professional Development, 12:15 Dismissal
March 4 - School Meeting - Grades 3 & 4
March 11 - School Meeting - Grades K, 1, & 2
Useful Links
Mrs. Lisa McCubrey, Principal
Email: lmccubrey@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us
Website: schools.shrewsburyma.gov/floral
Location: 57 Floral Street
Phone: (508) 841-8720
Mrs. Gina Kelly, Assistant Principal
Email: gkelly@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us
Website: schools.shrewsburyma.gov/floral
Location: 57 Floral Street
Phone: 508-841-8720