The Polar Bear Post
Vol. 1, Issue 3 Nov./Dec. 2021
The Principal's Corner - "Momma Bear's Musings"
Dear PAE Families,
This past month we focused on the character trait of "Gratitude". Our students displayed this trait across the grades toward their teachers, community members and one another. We are very proud of our "Kids of Character" here at PAE!
As students receive their report cards, it is important to remember that students have instructional gaps due to the impact of Covid last year with the ever changing models of learning. Teachers have been working very hard to teach the MA Standards while also backfilling areas of deficits.
For many of our students, they are facing academic challenges as they maneuver the instructional day. Teachers are simultaneously teaching foundational skills while moving forward with on-grade level core instruction. We have initiated our C.O.M.P.A.S.S. program to assist with giving students a built-in break (active or quiet) to help them to reset, making them more "present" for learning when the academic demands of the instructional day may be difficult. It is our hope that this safe and supportive measure provides students a chance to take a quick mental and physical break and then continue on with their instructional day. I want to thank our families for supporting our teachers and your child with completing homework, arriving at school on time and helping students to take their learning seriously. We strive to help students embrace the growth mindset that they may not have certain skills "yet", but that with effective effort and support, they will make academic gains - one lesson at a time!
Better Together,
Mrs. Robin Parmley
Assistant Principal's Message
However, lately here at Park Avenue School we have had an ongoing, and growing concern at lunch of several students who are refusing to participate in going through the lunch line and do not wish to eat lunch. In addition to a hot lunch each day, we also offer a cold lunch alternative (typically a Wow butter and fluff sandwich or a ham/cheese sandwich.)
There are several lunch monitors and an administrator that assist during lunches daily. If we notice any child that has not taken a lunch we do insist that they go through the line and take a meal, and then we strongly encourage them to eat at least an item or two off of the day's selection. Conversations are had about the importance of fueling our bodies and minds for the remainder of the day's tasks.
If your child specifically refuses to eat on a given day and we notice it, you will be notified through dojo or by phone. We would encourage all our families however to have conversations with their child(ren) about the importance of the lunchtime meal.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Allen
Dishing with the Dean~
Gratitude
As defined by Webster, Gratitude means “a feeling of appreciation or thanks”. I am especially grateful to be here at Park Avenue and am thankful for the opportunity to have met so many wonderful teachers and staff, students and families. Park Avenue is the wonderful place it is, because of the people who make up our Park Avenue family. I hope that we all enjoy our time away from school and return refreshed and renewed in body and spirit!
With Gratitude,
Mrs. Thompson
Pre-Kindergarten
Turkeys were running and we couldn’t catch them. What we mean is that we had all sorts of crafts to do that left us thankful for what we have. We discovered songs about being thankful too! We turkey trotted our way learning the letters “T, I, P and N.” What fun it was. We gobbled our numbers “8, 9 and 10.” We learned circle, square and triangle while playing games searching for them around the room or school. Playing and sharing with friends is something we did too! Can’t wait to see what fun December brings!
Kindergarten
We’ve completed our first trimester of school! Congratulations!
This is a HUGE accomplishment for our students.
The kindergarten teachers really enjoyed meeting with many of our students’ parents/guardians during our Parent Teacher Conferences. Please know that if you ever want to meet to discuss your child’s progress, reach out to your child’s teacher. You do not need to wait for conferences to set up an appointment to meet with us.
As you review your child’s report card, please know that students P’s are ok (they know the skill but haven’t mastered it YET). They might need extra practice at home to increase their confidence in that particular skill.
It’s also important to note that as kindergarten expectations increase over the course of the year, so does our grading rubric. For example: in oral counting, students are expected to count to 30 by the end of trimester 1, 60 by the end of trimester 2 and 100 by the end of trimester 3.
Grade 1
Our reading comprehension focus has been on being able to identify the characters, setting, problem and solution in a story.
Math work continued with our math facts up to 10. Students are encouraged to continue to practice these at home for automaticity.
It was great to meet so many of you at our Parent Conference Days this past month. As always, please reach out if we can support your child in any way!
The Grade 1 Team
Grade 2 News
Grade 3 News
This month has been busy for third grade. In reading, students are working on making predictions and continue to deepen their understanding of author’s point of view. Students enjoyed learning about immigration which tied in well with our social studies focus which was learning about the Mayflower, the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving. They will continue to find evidence from the text to support their thinking which will be ongoing throughout the year. In math, students worked on adding and subtracting 3 digit numbers using a variety of strategies and their knowledge of place value. In science, students continued to learn about inherited traits of plants and animals. In addition, third graders are learning to become more independent as we began “Walk to Read”. This occurs at the end of the day where students travel to different classrooms to work with various teachers. They concentrate on areas of reading instruction targeted for their specific learning needs. A great way to engage in a conversation with your student might be to ask them about their walk to read experience. It was wonderful meeting all of you for parent conferences! Enjoy the upcoming holiday season!
Grade 4 News
Physical Therapy in School
PT services in school are determined and described by federal and Massachusetts law by the term educational relevancy. This means PT must be directly related to activities that occur during the typical school day and is different from PT in a hospital , clinic , or rehabilitation center.
PT in schools addresses the physical access to all areas of the school environment /building as well as physical access to the academic curriculum.
Physical Therapy addresses gross motor (or large body) movement skills.
Some examples are:
Movement transitions/patterns or how children move from the floor to standing and back
Walking /gait patterns
Balance/Equilibrium skills
Postural alignment in sitting/standing
Physical Therapy in schools addresses the physical access to all areas of the school building as well as the school curriculum. This means traveling skills in the classroom and throughout the school as well as access and participation in physical education class with classmates.
Some examples of what PT works on here at Park Avenue Elementary School are:
Traveling in school whether it is walking or using assistive equipment such as walkers or wheelchairs
Navigation of stairs or elevators if needed
Postural alignment during academic activities and adaptive/supportive seating when needed
Balance activities and exercises to encourage the most independence in travel skills during the school day.
Mrs. Jill Hickey, RPT
News from Our Occupational Therapist
What is Occupational Therapy? According to the explanation by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) :Occupational therapy is a health profession in which therapists and therapy assistants help individuals to do and engage in the specific activities that make up daily life. For children and youth in schools, occupational therapy works to ensure that a student can participate in the full breadth of school activities—from paying attention in class; concentrating on the task at hand; holding a pencil, musical instrument, or book in the easiest way; or just behaving appropriately in class. Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help students perform particular tasks necessary for participation or learning.
Here are some fun activities that will help with visual perception, fine motor and sensory. Stringing beads , lacing cards, pegs, puzzles, card games for matching , coloring or drawing, legos, use tweezers and salad tongs for games to pick up cotton balls, have your child help spray the table or a plant with a water spray bottle, hide items in play dough to find “treasures”. Have your child help you cook, make sensory bins with rice, beans, moon sand or regular sand, corn meal, oatmeal or cereal. Have your child find items in it, scoop and pour with cups and other cooking utensils. Obstacle courses, Simon says movement game, twister, play grounds, build forts with cushions and blankets and pillows.
Ms. Bridget Hamilton, OT
News from our Reading Specialist
The second of the 5 Essential Components of Reading is Phonics- connecting the sounds of the oral language to the letters of the written language. Did you know that the 26 letters of the alphabet provide us with 44 sounds? Phonics instruction begins with students connecting the letters with their most common sounds. They are then able to begin blending these sounds together to read simple CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words such as “sit”. Once students have mastered these beginning skills they will progress to more complex phonics skills. Knowing that there is a systematic and predictable relationship between letters and sounds will help the students decode words accurately and automatically in isolation or within connected text.
Mrs. Deborah Puishys
ELL News
Hello Families! Because our students have been working so hard, we are sure they will be ready for a nice long winter break! However, we would really like to encourage them to continue practicing some of their skills. Journal writing is great way for students to practice their English and academic skills. Even students new to the country, who may choose to write in their native language, can add in a few English words that they are learning. They can also just write a page of all their new English words. Younger students can draw a picture next to their new words. Any skills your child can practice at home will undoubtedly help their language proficiency. We are always here to answer questions or concerns and help in any way. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season and have a restful winter vacation.
Ms. Pasceri
Mrs. Coutu
Mrs. LaBonte
Mrs. Robin Parmley, Principal
Email: rparmley@webster-schools.org
Website: https://www.webster-schools.org/Domain/110
Location: 58 Park Avenue, Webster, MA, USA
Phone: 508-943-4554
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Park%20Avenue%20Elementary/580103225452897/
Mrs. Lorinda Allen, Assistant Principal
Email: lallen@webster-schools.org
Website: https://www.webster-schools.org/Domain/110
Location: 58 Park Avenue, Webster, MA, USA
Phone: 508-943-4554
Twitter: @AsstPrin_PAE
Mrs. Anne Thompson, Dean of Students
Email: athompson@webster-schools.org
Website: https://www.webster-schools.org/Domain/110
Location: 58 Park Avenue, Webster, MA, USA
Phone: 508-943-4554