Elm Street School
June/July 2017
Principal's Message
It seems impossible that we turned the calendars to August yesterday! I hope you have all been delighting in the longer and warmer days of summer. Although we are still remaining busy at Elm during the summer months with the school full of summer learning activities, teacher professional development, and various athletic camps, there is plenty of laughter, fun, and adventure, too. Summer hours are precious and I have been loving afternoons and weekend trips with my family. We spent a week up in my slice of heaven, at Lake Messalonskee, where I took this photo of sunset one July evening. The summer in New England always seems to offer a mental refresh: time for us to gather with family and friends for extended BBQs, playing and reading at the pool, lake, or beach, and time to unplug and un-plan life for a bit. I hope you, too, are enjoying the summer months. While I am not wishing this time away, I am looking forward to welcoming all of our students and families back to school later this month.
Most Sincerely,
Principal
Summer Reading
We strongly encourage parents to read aloud, including to those children who are already independent readers. In addition to being a wonderful family activity, children increase their listening vocabulary, which improves their comprehension. It also allows them to develop interests beyond their reading levels.
This summer there is one requirement: Students entering grades 1-5 are required to complete one sharing activity, which will contribute to the first term grade in literacy. The directions and pages for this activity are attached along with a summary and an example of the product. During the first two weeks of school in September, the children should return the assignment to their new teacher (by September 11); their projects will be displayed in their classrooms. A special school recognition will be awarded to any student who participates in this program.
The Walpole Public Library offers a summer reading program and events to celebrate reading. Check out the schedule at http://www.walpolelibrary.org/children.asp The Showcase Cinemas at Patriot Place offer free story times every week during the summer. The schedule is at http://www.patriot-place.com/cinemadelux Barnes and Noble book store at the Walpole Mall offers weekly story events as well: https://www.thebalance.com/barnes-and-noble-summer-reading-program-for-kids-1356824 Join the Summer Reading Program and win a free book! http://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_3008510/File/Summer%20Reading/ELSummerRead17.pdf
Summer Math
Research has indicated that students do not retain the understanding of concepts and skills, which have been previously learned, over the summer months unless they are reviewed and practiced. In order to maintain those skills, Walpole Public Schools provides options for students to maintain their learning.
This year we offer Summer Math Calendars for each grade level labeled as entering the next grade, for example, Entering Grade 1, etc. Our teachers have assembled links to helpful strategies, challenge activities, suggestions and websites to review topics taught during the past school year on this web site. We also thank the Franklin Public Schools for permission to use and adapt their math calendars. You may access the Summer Math Calendars for each grade level using this Math Calendars link.
We strongly suggest that your child pace him/herself by completing at least 12 of the activities listed for each month. Students can show their work on separate paper by identifying the the month and number of the activity. These activities can be done while traveling or during quiet time at home. This should not be a stressful activity, but a positive opportunity for children (and parents/guardians) to review basic math ideas.
Completed calendars should be turned in to the next year’s classroom teacher in order to inform instruction. Students who have completed practice will be celebrated in each school. As always, the Walpole Public Schools appreciates your high level of support for student learning and our efforts toward reaching our goals of academic achievement. We are available during the summer at the central office in Town Hall Room 209 to assist with your questions.
- Thursday, August 24- New Student Tour (Grades 1-5); 11:00am
- Wednesday, August 30- First Day of School, Grades 1-5
- Thursday, August 31- Kindergarten Open House; 1:30pm
- Friday, September 1- No School, offices closed
- Monday, September 4- No School, offices closed; Labor Day
- Tuesday, September 5- School resumes. First Day of School for Kindergarten
- Thursday, September 7- Ice Cream Social; 5:00pm-6:30pm at Elm Playground
- Tuesday, September 19: PAC Meeting; 7:00pm, Media Center
- Monday, September 25: Picture Day
- Thursday, September 28: Open House; 6:00pm
- Friday, September 29: Early Release; 11:55am. Professional Development for staff.
- Tuesday, October 3: School Council Meeting; 3:30pm, Media Center.
- Monday, October 9: No School. Columbus Day.
- Wednesday, October 18: PAC Meeting; 7:00pm, Media Center
- Wednesday, October 25: Parent/Teacher Conferences (evening)
- Friday, October 27: Early Release; 11:55am. Parent/Teacher Conferences.
- Thursday, November 2: Parent/Teacher Conferences (evening)
- Sunday, November 5: Hoedown
- Tuesday, November 7: School Council; 3:30pm, Media Center
- Friday, November 10: No School. Veteran's Day.
- Tuesday, November 14: PAC Meeting; 7:00pm, Media Center
- Wednesday, November 22- Early Release; 11:55am. Thanksgiving Recess.
- Thursday, November 23- No School- Thanksgiving.
- Friday, November 24- No School- Thanksgiving Recess.
Excellence at Elm Street School
Art News
Grade three students created these beautiful monochromatic art paintings and loved the results. Students first created lines with thin width tape. Then they were challenged to mix tints, shades, and tones with paint using one color plus black and white. This limited palette motivated them to create as many values as possible to visually stimulate an audience when viewing them. One of the exciting parts to this lesson came at the end when their paint had finally dried. Students were able to peel the tape off to see the white lines magically appear completing their masterpieces.
Grade K students created "Ant Playgrounds" and learned to take flat two dimensional paper and turn it into three dimensional art. They had a demonstration on how to bend and fold paper using techniques that were new to students and they were so enthused trying their best. After completing their paper sculptures they added ants to their creations using black crayons. Students were so excited to take their work home and share it with their families.
Congratulations to the following grade K students who have art work on display, at the Town Hall, for the whole summer: Payton W., Gabby B., Jacqueline A., Orlando G., Eliza B., Divya D., Miles M., and Katie R. The art board is titled " Flowers in Vases" and they really brighten the second floor hallway. Students used construction paper crayons on black paper for the flowers and they cut their vases out from brightly colored construction paper. They are very eye catching and are perfect for a summer display.
Kindergarten
Third Grade
Fifth Grade
Arbor Day Celebration
Elm Street School Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
info@elmstreetpac.org
www.elmstreetpac.org
Join us at the First PAC meeting of the new school year on Tuesday, September 19th at 7:00pm in the Media Center.
End of Year Assembly: Crocodile River
Field Day 2017
Fifth Grade Celebration
Thank you to our amazing PAC
Elm Street Ice Cream Social
This is a free, family-friendly event sponsored by the PAC. Come get acquainted/re-acquainted with your classmates, friends, and neighbors!
Thursday, Sep 7, 2017, 05:00 PM
415 Elm Street, Walpole, MA, United States
Around Town
Elm Street School
Email: rbrogadir@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: http://walpoleess.ss5.sharpschool.com/
Location: 415 Elm Street, Walpole, MA, United States
Phone: (508) 660-7374
Twitter: @elmwalpole