Last Friday morning, our 6th grade students held a celebration of learning. Each student shared pieces from ELA, Math, Social Studies, Science, and World Language classes, reflecting on their efforts, their challenges, their successes, and more. Having an authentic audience of actual families, teachers, and guests was a lot of pressure (see Luke's comments below), but was also incredibly affirming and meaningful. Here is what a few students thought:
- Ryan: It was really fun to see all the parents and I really liked showing off my work. It was great to talk about it at home, too, and hear what a great job I had done.
- Luke: I liked it, but if given a choice I might not do it - it was hard to socialize with so many people who might already know all the things we are learning right now. It was cool, though. It was a great way to explain what I am learning, especially since I had to do it in front of so many people.
- Kareem: I really liked it and enjoyed socializing with all the parents. I liked the compliments and having pictures of my work taken. I liked the experience and how it turned out.
- Ryan: My ELA short story and Social Studies project were the most exciting to present because both pieces really showed off my efforts and personality. Comparing my ELA draft and final product really showed the difference in where I started and where I ended. Plus, I thought my writing was pretty funny!
- Luke: The piece I was most proud of was my social studies project, mainly because we had so much freedom in the topics we chose and the research we did. I was really into my topic (pyramids), too.
- Kareem: I worked on so many aspects of my social studies project and think my interactive feature (a Kahoot!) was fun. My ELA story showed off my effort – I wrote over 2000 words!
Big thanks to the Grade 6 team who not only create the many opportunities to learn each day, but serve as guides in these portfolio processes! The work is impossible without the teachers, the relationships, and the planning.
Last week we were able to showcase our work to date, share some of the school name finalists, and name what the process will look like from here on out. Here is our slide deck, chockfull of information:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18xY-JTcM5vrkOM0lZWPBqJDBfvIRUcXpCD6_Rci_56o/edit?usp=sharing
And here is where you can find the recording of the School Committee meeting: https://youtu.be/wu0nY1t0_e0?t=7742 The student committee members did a wonderful job last night and I think that after you watch our presentation that you'll be as proud of them as I am.
During our weekly meeting, student committee members reflected on their presentation; they thought:
- We were knowledgable
- We were focused
- We read our slides correctly
- We read our parts very well
- People respected each others parts
- We were serious, but we had fun too!
- Good timing, well paced
- Clear voices, nice tone
- We got one question from the adults, but mostly we received lots of compliments!
Each week, we report updates on the renaming process here. Past "Community Notes" newsletters can be found here:
https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/domain/718
The "School Name: History & Resources" website page is also updated regularly:
We are hoping to start a cardio drumming unit this year in Physical Education for grades K-2. Cardio drumming is a fun, heart pumping, movement unit in which students use foam noodles as drum sticks and they drum on a stability ball, while performing different cardio activities. We are looking for 15 more stability balls. Do you have one laying around collecting dust? Any size or color works great! We would love it! They can be pumped up or deflated! We are hoping to collect enough stability balls by the first week in March. Please drop off in the main office. Thank you!
P.E. Teachers,
Kelly Stanton and Lauren Stewart
Please send your student, grades K-8, to school with a snack if able. During the day, all students are afforded time to have a snack ... and their growing bodies need it! We do not have snacks in the office and if a student grabs a second breakfast in the cafeteria their account is charged. We do have fresh fruit on offer in the cafeteria.
Upcoming Events:
Monday, February 20th - Friday, February 24th: School Closed: February Vacation
Tuesday, February 28th: Grades 6-8 GSA, 10:35-11:15am
Wednesday, March 1st: Grades 6-8 Student Climate Action Group, 10:35-11:05am
Thursday, March 2nd: AAPI Student Affinity Group, 10:35-11:15am
Thursday, March 2nd: Young Scholars, Room 209, 2:30-3:30pm
Friday, March 3rd: PEP, 8:05-8:30am
Friday, March 3rd: PTO Meeting (in person @ school) with PSB School Committee Members, 8:15-9:00am
Saturday, March 4th: Heath Science Fair!, 8:00am-1:00pm
Field Trips:
Friday, March 3rd: Ski and Snowboard Club, 2:30-10:00pm
In closing, enjoy this amazing feel-good story:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ukrainians-junior-bruins-celebrate-unity-arm-arm-ice-97059082
Some of our own are on the Boston Junior Bruins, and it is a good feeling knowing they are out in the world doing great things.
Enjoy the break ahead – I hope you all have a chance to rest, to read, and to play!
~ Asa
Contact
Dr. Asa Sevelius, Ed.D. | Heath School Principal
Pronouns: he/him
Previous "Community Notes" can be found here: https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/domain/718
Email: asa_sevelius@psbma.org
Website: https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/Page/17
Location: 100 Eliot Street, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467
Phone: 617-879-4570
