Johnson Jaguars
Your Weekly Update from Johnson Elementary School
Principal's Message
Dear Johnson Families,
Spring is in the air and that means that “March Book Madness” is happening in the Johnson School Library! All classes, across all grade levels have been reading 16 amazing picture books and voting is finally underway. This week we will have chosen the Elite Eight and excitement is high as we start the path to this year’s champion. MBM is a beloved all school event and of course, understand that there is no such thing as a best book. We are all winners when we are exposed to great literature that offers each of us a “window” to the world that we are unfamiliar with, and a “mirror” where we can see ourselves reflected in all of our diverse and cultural differences.
We are all winners when we read!
Non-Fiction Bracket
Packs: Strength in Numbers by Hannah Sawyer
Blips on a Screen by Kate Hannigan
Facts vs Opinions vs Robots by Michael Rex
The Water Lady by Alice B. McGinty
Courage Like Kate by Anna Crowley Redding
Elephants Remember by Jennifer O’Connell
How To Build an Insect by Roberta Gibson
Caves by Nell Cross Beckerman
Fiction Bracket
Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady
Abdul’s Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
The Sour Grape by Jory John
Our of a Jar by Deborah Marecero
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
Gibberish by Young Vo
Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian
Endlessly Ever After by Laurel Snyder
Past Champions
Crossings by Katie S. Duffield 2022 Winner
All the Way to the Top by Annette Bay Pimentel 2021 Winner
Her Fearless Run by Kim Chaffee 2020 Winner
Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick 2019 Winner
We encourage everyone to read these wonderful favorites.
Best regards,
John
Thank you Johnson PTO/Cultural Arts
Fourth Graders Meet Author Mat Heagerty
On Monday, Johnson fourth graders welcomed comic book author Mat Heagerty. He gave his Strength in Learning Differences presentation, where he talked about how our differences are our greatest strengths. He also worked with the students to create a character based on everyone’s different suggestions, like in his book Lumberjackula. After the visit, his feedback was that fourth grade was a great group of kids! We are so happy we could have him visit. Thanks to the Cultural Arts Committee for making this happen!
All Aboard! Public input requested for accessible cycling.
The Town of Natick is launching a trial program for accessible/adaptive cycling on the Cochituate Rail Trail, and we need your input. Thanks to grant funding from the MetroWest Health Foundation and the MathWorks Community Grant Program, Natick will be acquiring an accessible bicycle and a storage unit, and setting up a program in 2023 to offer rides to people with disabilities. To help us get started, we have launched a survey to ask…
- What style of bicycle would work for you or a family member/friend?
- Are you interested in being a volunteer?
- Do you have any questions or advice?
Please take a few minutes to complete this survey by Friday, April 14. If you are not able to complete the survey, you can contact Melissa Carter, Coordinator of Adaptive Programs for Recreation and Parks at mcarter@natickma.org.
All Aboard is being launched in partnership with the Friends of Natick Trails and the Natick Public Schools.
MCAS DATES - MARK YOUR CALENDAR
ELA
Administration Dates
Grade 4 Session 1 - Monday, April 3
Grade 4 Session 2 - Tuesday, April 4
Grade 3 Session 1 - Tuesday, April 11
Grade 3 Session 2 - Thursday, April 13
Make ups will be scheduled at the building level as needed April 24 - 28
Math
Administration Dates
Grade 4 Session 1 - Tuesday, May 9
Grade 4 Session 2 - Wednesday, May 10
Grade 3 Session 1 - Tuesday, May 16
Grade 3 Session 2 - Thursday, May 18
Make ups will be scheduled at the building level as needed May 22 - 26
Things You Need to Know!
1 - SPRING IS HERE! With fluctuation in temperature, cold mornings and warm afternoons. Students often leave their hoodies and jackets behind. Please remind your student to checkout the Lost and Found for missing items.
2 - SPRING CLEAN UP at JOHNSON. The Johnson Elementary School PTO is organizing a spring clean-up and Gardening Day. at the Johnson School. We will be picking up litter, preparing our raised garden beds and refreshing our planters. Please stop by Sunday 4/30 2-4PM to help beautify the school and get the kids gardening off to a great start!
3 - LABEL, LABEL, LABEL
A lot of our Jaguars leave things behind each day. This is a friendly reminder to label all belongings that you send to school with your students. If items are labeled, we can return them to their rightful owners. Grab a sharpie and write your student's name on items (gloves, hats, coats, boots, water bottles, etc.).
4 - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
We have a range of financial supports available in the Natick Public Schools. This includes assistance with school fees, such as the bus and picture day, scholarships for programs such as the Book Fair and connections to community resources that may be helpful. If you are interested in these programs, please contact Laura Loftus, our school counselors, to have a private conversation. Her email is lloftus@natickps.org.
SPARK Kindness EVENT!
Growing Up in Public: Navigating Reputation and Social Media in the Digital Age
Thursday, April 13 at 7pm via Zoom -- For parents, caregivers, educators, and community members of all ages
In this talk, author Devorah Heitner, PhD, will share pragmatic, research-based advice on how we can mentor our kids on cultivating a healthy online presence. She will address why character and learning how to navigate relationships are most important and how parents can stop stressing and focus instead on helping young people become responsible digital citizens. ASL interpretation will be provided at this event Register and learn more about this FREE online program and all our upcoming events at www.SPARKKindness.org
- April 1 (Saturday): Deadline to order yearbooks
- April 7 (Friday): No school in observance of Good Friday
- April 17-21: No School; April vacation
- April 17: Boston Marathon: Go, Ms. Fahey, Go!
- April 27 - Peacemakers Show (7:00 pm)
- April 30 (Sunday): Johnson Earth Day event – save the date! More details to come
- April 30 (Sunday): SPARK KINDNESS Community Clean Up
- MAY 18th (Thursday): String Fling (6:30 pm)
- May 31 (Wednesday): Johnson Book Fair
- June 2 (Friday): Johnson Spring picnic – save the date! More details to come
- June 4 (Sunday): Red Sox Game (1:35pm)
It’s time to order your 2022/2023 Johnson Elementary Yearbook! The deadline for ordering the book and placing ads is 4/1/23, and the cost is $18. Ads are $15 for a quarter-page OR $10 for an eighth-page.
To order your yearbook:
1. Go to www.coffeepond.com
2. Click on the Order Yearbooks button.
3. Enter the password: jaguar2023
4. Select online order and continue.
5. Enter the child’s name and grade and the book quantity.
6. Enter your email under contact and select add to cart.
7. If you have another child to order for, please select order for another child. If not, you can finish checking out.
8. If you are able, consider making a contribution to help purchase a yearbook for a Johnson Family in need. This option is found at the bottom of the Billing Information page.
If you'd like to send your child a special message, consider placing an ad this year.
Please use Google Chrome when purchasing and designing your ad.
1. Go to www.ybkpix.com
2. Create your account.
Select “Create an Account” on the upper right hand corner and follow the steps to create an account. Johnson's school ID is 712088.
3. Purchase your ad Login to your account and select “Ads.” On the next page, select “Student Ads” from the dropdown menu and select the size you would like to purchase. Follow the steps and purchase your ad.
4. Design your ad Go to My Account and click My Ad. If necessary, select your school from the dropdown list. Click Design or Edit to access the design space. Submit when complete!
Relatdely, we’re still looking for pictures for the yearbook. Send photos you have from the various Johnson events to Jagyearbook23@gmail.com. In the subject line, please include the name of the event.
Johnson PTO Info!
Johnson Elementary Parent Teacher Organization
Sign Up for PTO Emails
Mark Your Calendar with Johnson PTO Events!
Thank you to Keri Clark, Memorial School PTO President and the Memorial School PTO for including the Johnson Community with their upcoming events. Please take a look and feel free to attend any of these Memorial PTO sponsored events.
Quick Links
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Student Support
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COVID-19 Updates
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- Title I: Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title II
- Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title VI
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Title IX
- Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
- MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5