Bear Tracks
May 25, 2018
Coming Up:
Friday 5/25 - Pre K Collab Day
Friday 5/25 - FIELD DAY!!!
5/28 - MEMORIAL DAY
Week of 5/29:
Wednesday 5/30 - K-Kerr Farm Trip/Walking Trip, 4th Grade Forest Resource Education Center (Belford/VZ)
Thursday 5/31 - B&N Summer Reading Kick Off Book Fair, 2nd Gr. Aquarium Trip
Friday 6/1 - Aloha Day, PreK Hopewell Elem.Trip/Cartaino-Fazio
Week of 6/4:
Monday 6/4 - 5th Grade Timberlane Field Trip
Tuesday 6/5 - 2nd Grade Baldpate Mountain Field Trip, Spring Concert (PM) Schedule, 1st Grade Friendship Day
Wednesday 6/6 - Spring Concert Dress Rehearsal at PAC, Kindergarten Titusville Firehouse Field Trip, Spring Concert (Evening)
Thursday 6/7 - 5th Grade Watershed Field Trip
Friday 6/8 - 5th Grade Watershed Field Trip, Kindergarten Show, Donuts For Dad (Preschool), PTO End Of Year Picnic
Week of 6/11:
Monday - 6/11 - Band Instrument Demo 4th Grade
Tuesday 6/12 - 4 STEM Gravity Hill Field Trip
Wednesday 6/13 - 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony
Thursday 6/14 - 5th Grade Pool Party, Preschool Peaceable Kingdom, Wear Red, White, & Blue For Flag Day
Friday 6/15 - 4th Grade Sandy Hook Trip, Rain Date For Pool Party 5th Grade, 1st Grade Author’s Showcase
Week of 6/18:
Monday 6/18 - Kindergarten End Of Year Party, 3rd Grade Publishing Party
Tuesday 6/19 - Marking Period Ends, 2nd Grade End Of Year Picnic, 4th Grade End Of Year Party, 3rd Grade End Of Year Party
Wednesday 6/20 - Early Dismissal, Pre-K PM in AM, Preschool Graduation
Thursday 6/21 - Early Dismissal
Friday 6/22 - Early Dismissal
Key Information:
- Field Day Texts - Don't forget to text @BTFD2018 to 81010 in order to receive Field Day related texts, announcements and updates.
- Comprehensive TIP Meeting - Monday June 11th times TBA. Please have end of year assessments completed by Fri. June 1st in order to review and discuss for the meeting.
- Summer Reading! - We will continue with some of our summer reading initiatives (we'll still have the reader's breakfast in the fall, we'll have another online book club for grades 3-5, etc), but we'll be having a BOOK-B-Q on Tuesday, July 24th from 5-7 pm. I'll set up a meeting soon, but wanted everyone to save the date. Anyone is welcome and I hope to have some staff members facilitate sharing of what kids have read, etc. The overall objective is to get together and have fun talking about reading. And I'll be on the grill (hot dogs only this time...)
Article of the Week
Quote of the Week:
Note from the Principal:
Happy Friday and HAPPY FIELD DAY!!!
First off; big thanks to everyone for their flexibility, support, and teamwork to make our Field Day happen. And of course - Thanks to Suzanne for putting her entire body and soul into the event. It is truly amazing, unique and brings out the best in our school and community and will be a special moment for Suzanne, so let's help her be present and enjoy it!
Memorial Day is considered the unofficial start of summer. It's a moment that felt like it was eons away back when we were planning for the year, watching about collaboration with the IDEO corporation and committing to mindfulness for the year.
But it is here... And we choose what that means. Undoubtedly, nerves are a little fried and bodies and minds can be exhausted as we round the last turn into the home stretch. But it is an awesome time, too. We have the stress of PARCC behind us (Thank You Kevin for spearheading the administration!!!), mostly beautiful weather, and a chance to stretch and try some creative and engaging experiences for the kids over the next four weeks.
Like it or not, we will never have this time again. This is the time that we solidify the impact that we are going to have on these kids - impacts that could last into their adult lives and shape the people they become if we do it just right!
I was having a conversation with a student last week and she commented that she wished people smiled more. Both kids and grown ups would sometimes pass her in the hallway and she'd smile, but get little or nothing back. Now, I understand that this is one child's perception and it may have only been a small percentage of the people she passed - I don't know. But the fact that it was noticeable and meaningful to her means that it is important and that kids (and grown ups) are always watching. Please take a look at the first article of the week (the child sent it to me upon my request - she worked hard to find just the right one). It is a really powerful reminder that the last weeks of school are what WE make it and much of the stress, pressure and frustration that we feel are magnified by our attitudes and even our body language.
I promise that if you make a conscious effort to smile and be positive in the coming weeks, you will impact the people around you (no matter what age), your environment and even yourself. We have the power to make June great, to make our school happy and make the remaining days incredible!
So let's start with Field Day and create a wave of positive momentum that builds until June 22. It takes every one of us!
Thanks for all that you do and don't forget to take a few moments each day to reflect upon how much we have accomplished so far this year, and how much our kids have grown. Our work is paying off and it is awesome.
Enjoy the day and have a great Memorial Day Weekend. Don't forget to set aside a few minutes to reflect upon those who gave their lives to protect us and how lucky we are to live in America and have all of the resources that we have...
Sincerely,
Chris