Panther Press
Lothrop Elementary & Middle Level School May 2
Upcoming Events
Below are the Known end of Year Dates. Please check weekly for new information.
- May 3rd: Friday Assembly @ 8:00 AM-Hosted by Sadowski
- May 4th: Green-up Day-9:00 AM-1:00 PM
- May 6th-7th: Grade 5 Science NECAP
- May 7th-9th: Grades 3-4 SBAC
- May 7th: Band and Chorus Concert @ 6:30 PM
- May 8th: PTO Meeting @ 6:30 PM-Library
- May 10th: Grandfriends Tea
- May 14th: Crime not to Read-Grades K-2
- May 14th: OV Music Tour-Tentative
- May 15th: Caverly Conferences
- May 16th: Transition Day for Grade 6-8:45 AM-10;30 AM
- May 17th: Friday Assembly @ 8:00 AM-Hosted by Stever and Integrated Arts
- May 17th: Kinder to Wonderfeet
- May 17th: Memorial Day Writings Due
- May 18th: Car Wash Fundraiser to benefit the grades 5/6 class trip to Boston
- May 21st: Kinder to Castleton University to see the Joshua Show
- May 21st-May 22nd: Vermont Science Assessment
- May 23rd: Grade 2 to Community Garden-8:00 AM-10:00 AM
- May 24th: Memorial Day Assembly-Hosted by Middle Level
- May 27th: No School
- May 28th: Grades 1-2 to Montshire
- May 31st: Friday Assembly @ 8:00 AM-Large Group Awards
- May 31st: Caverly Graduation@ Lothrop Gym
- June 3rd: Panther Palooza
- June 3rd: 6th Grade Student/Parent Night @ OV-TBD
- June 4th: Panther Palooza Rain Date
- June 4th: Kinder Concert @ 6:30 PM
- June 5th: Grade 2 to Community Garden-8:00 AM-10:00 AM
- June 6th: Grade 1-2 to Magic School Bus
- June 7th: Grade 6 to Boston
- June 7th: Caverly 3 Year old Celebration @ Caverly
- Week of June 10th: Pre-K Screening
- June 12th: Awards Assembly
- June 13th: 6th Grade Final Walk of the Halls
- June 13th: 6th Grade Graduation @ 6:30 PM
- June 14th: Last Day of School
Pre-K and Childcare Update and Clarification
In order to clarify, here are the plans for next school year:
*We will be offering a 10 hour pre-k program at Caverly next year.
*If we are able to obtain a child care partner, there will be a second pre-k program in Lothrop School with wrap around child care to provide a full day option.
*LEAP (afterschool programming) will move into the school
*The Blue House will be licensed to our Head Custodian, Fred LaPlante.
At this point, Lothrop and Barstow have received two interested providers.
lothrop green up day activities
Please join us on May 4th at Lothrop School/Caverly between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM to to work on spring clean-up of the grounds. We will be working on flower beds and planting around the flagpole in front of Town Hall. Bring rakes and gloves if you have some. If not, still come along and lend a hand. Last year's efforts were a huge part of why the school yard looked so beautiful over the summer and when we opened in the fall. Lunch will be provided by Omya and Keith's Store.
SBAC Testing in progress
A Message from Superintendent Collins
During the month of May, many of our students will participate in the Smarter Balance literacy and math tests (SBAC). The Vermont Agency of Education requires students test as follows:
SBAC Literacy and Math Testing: Grades 3 - 9
VSTA (Science Testing): Grades 5, 8, and 11
Fitnessgram (P.E. Testing): Grades 4, 7, and 9
Statewide assessments are an important indicator of how our schools are doing as we monitor trend lines on student achievement. However, they are only one measure of how students are meeting statewide benchmarks. We also use internal assessments several times a year and measure students on habits of learning as well.
Both the SBAC and the science tests are computer based. This allows the test to adjust to student levels and can take varying amounts of time. Individual score reports will be sent to families in the early fall for this year's assessment. In addition, RNESU receives school wide and district wide reports to help us monitor our trends and see how we do compared with other districts and schools in the state. In addition, RNESU and the schools are penalized if we do not hit participation targets set by the state.
A variety of factors can affect the outcomes of the test. One factor which is very meaningful is how seriously the student takes the test and if they have the appropriate stamina, such as being rested and having eaten breakfast. Parents are asked to help prepare their students by talking with them about the tests in a way that is not stressful, but let them know it is important to try their best, ensure they get enough sleep and have a good breakfast each day. Schools will send home their test schedule so parents know what to expect and when.
For more information about the assessments, you can visit the Vermont Agency of Education Comprehensive Assessment Portal at https://vt.portal.airast.org/ Under Students and Families there are practice tests and other information about what to expect for these annual tests.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me or any of my staff using Let's Talk, a button found on each of the school and district websites. Enjoy spring!
registration for new students is open
The 2019-2020 registration window is open for NEW students. This includes our incoming Kinder and Pre-K students. Please register ASAP. Here is the LINK.
School Choice
RNESU School Safety Planning
Integrated arts Column
What is Happening in the Library?
End of the Year Inventory
Students will be able to check out books until May 24th and all books are due back to the library on May 31st. Late notices will go home on June 3rd. We are due to complete an inventory this year and the more books returned by 5/31, the more helpful that will be. Thank you!
Exploratories in the Library
Dorothy's List & Digital resources
The Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award was created to honor excellence in children's literature. Each year since 1957, Vermont students in grades four through eight have selected their favorite book from a list of 30 nominees. It is recommended that students read at least five of the year's nominated titles before voting. Voting takes place in the spring, generally beginning in April.
Click here for a link to Dorothy's list 2019-20. If your child plans to read books from this list, please take note of the grade level that the book is recommended for and descriptions of each book are listed as well. Happy Reading!
Click here for a link to Vermont Listen Up! Vermont Listen Up! is a cooperative service among public libraries in Vermont that provide digital and audio-books. Parents and students can use their library cards from Maclure Library to access this amazing service. You can access the current books on Dorothy's List through this service. We recommend signing up and downloading the Libby App on your personal devices to access these amazing books!
6 Things Parents should know about Instagram
PTO News
Basket Raffle
A huge thank you to Kelly Connaughton, Wendy Carvey, Dana Johnson, Amanda Cook and Margaret Daly for working to advertise and acquire the baskets and helping with ticket sales. Another thank you to the families and businesses who donated the wonderful baskets. 56 Middle Level students will travel to Boston on June 7th!
Tools for School Points
New drum from the tools for schools points! Thank you!
A Special Thank You to the PTO for purchasing board games!
Staff Appreciation Week -Thank you!
Thank you to Dana Johnson for making the Staff Brunch look absolutely amazing! Thank you to Blue Seal for donating flowers and seeds for staff. Thank you to Sue Ellen Steady for putting something special in staff mailboxes. Thank you to all the families that donated refreshments!
PTO elections on May 8th
Currently, the PTO officer nominations for 2019-20 are;
President: Kelly Connaughton
Vice president: Laurie Pelkey
Co-vice president: open position
Secretary: Kayla Davine
Co-secretary: open position
Treasurer: Thomas Desforges
Co-treasurer: Mary Desforges
We are offering a job share on the PTO officer positions. If you would like to split the duties with another person, the officers are willing to job share. Positions can be elected at the May 8th meeting so there is still time if you would like to help out! lothroppto@rnesu.org
pto information
Facebook Page
We will be posting items/updates in the private group as well as the public page. Please 'like' our page and request to be added to the group (link).
Help Needed
We are always looking for folks willing to help with various tasks and events so please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to contribute.
Flagship Cinema Movie Coupon Books: $25 each, Expiration April 2020. We still have 5 books available.
Shop with Scrip
Do you buy gift cards? Did you know you can now buy gift cards and support Lothrop PTO at the same time? Win-win! Just sign up online and use our enrollment code: 885FA3A248458
https://shop.shopwithscrip.com/Shop/Product/Browse
Amazon Smile
Don't forget about the Lothrop PTO when you shop on Amazon smile. Follow the link and the PTO will get a portion of your purchase. Or search for Pittsford parent teacher on Amazon smile. Thank you! http://smile.amazon.com/ch/03-6011454
Meetings
The Lothrop PTO meets the first Wednesday of the month in the Lothrop Library at 6:30pm. ALL Lothrop families are considered members of the PTO and are welcome to attend meetings.
Lothrop PTO Officers for 2018-19 School Year
Kelly Connaughton -President
Laurie Flood Pelkey - Vice President
Stacey Greeno Pearsons - Secretary
Thomas Desforges - Treasurer
Flagship cinema booklets - ONLY 5 LEFT!
- Don't forget we have flagship Cinema movie coupon books $25 cash only.
Lake Monsters Fundraiser
https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/Buy.asp?EventID=271544&promocode=LES