NOTES FROM the OFFICE
3/29/20
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All previous Notes From the Office are available by using this LINK.
Dunning Families
Dear Dunning Community,
It has been amazing to see so many students and families reaching out and connecting as a community online! We have enjoyed seeing student's enthusiasm and curiosity for learning through reading, projects and exploration. In many ways, this is a time in which students have a unique opportunity to focus their learning on topics of high interest to them. Please keep sharing all the rich learning experiences going on at home.
Over the past week, our staff has been working hard to reach out to all families through many different communication modes (phone calls, newsletters, email, Class Dojo, google classroom). It is our goal to ensure a clear and consistent structure for communication across the school and within each classroom. As this week unfolds, we hope that our efforts around communication will be clear and informative for students and families.
Although we are not in the building, we want you to know that we still hold an open door policy or now as we refer to it as an "open email or phone call" policy. We want all families to know they can reach out to either one of us at any time with any questions.
All our best,
Michele & Kathie
sending PANDA HUGS!!!!
COVID-19: Helpful Info, Resources, and How to Talk to Children
Please use THIS LINK to access resources, preventative measures, and guidance on how to talk with children.
Dunning PTO FaceBook Page
Let's celebrate the Dunning Community of Friendhip!
This week, we will continue the emphasise building upon and sharing our #PandaSpirit with the focus on the theme of "Rainbow Friendship Week" highlighting the color blue in honor of the Autism Awareness celebration "Light it up Blue" on Thursday!
During Rainbow Friendship Week, we will be showing our school spirit for our community connections based on Character themes such as Kindness, Respect, Gratitude, Acceptance and Compassion.
To show our #PandaSpirit, kids can do lots of activities to show our community of friendship
Read books and share favorite books about Friendship
Write letters or make cards for our friends or teachers
Make rainbow posters that reflect our Dunning Character themes from school.
Write a rainbow friendship poem
Write a rainbow friendship book
Dress up in the rainbow color of the day to represent
Create a friendship song
create a rainbow with objects from home and share pictures of their creation
Go on a rainbow scavenger hunt
And on Thursday....Be sure to Light it Up for Blue!
Snap a picture and post it on the Dunning PTO Facebook page. Not a member, you can join HERE.
Let's LIGHT IT UP BLUE! on Thursday, April 2
Read Aloud on April 2nd to celebrate as well as photos of the Teachers and staff all spreading awareness dressed in BLUE! We cannot wait to see you!!!
With April 2nd coming up, Charlotte Dunning School always does an AMAZING job of coming together as a community to celebrate Autism Awareness through Lighting It Up Blue.
Each year our school comes out in full color to celebrate friendships and differences by all wearing blue and engaging in activities such as:
Reading books about Autism
Explore the Autism Speaks website (see link below)
Having meaningful discussions about how an awareness of differences creates a more mindful and inclusive place to live
Making puzzles or crafts (while discussing uniqueness)
Creating posters celebrating friendship and connections with all friends
Sing songs or create books
Make friendship bracelets
See link below: 8 ways you can "Light It Up Blue"
With a new time upon us, our school does not want to lose what makes us such a strong and wonderful community.
Please join us on Thursday April 2nd in celebrating Autism Awareness with your best LIGHT IT UP BLUE!
Take a selfie of how your family is showing their support of their Dunning community and classmates and post it to the PTO facebook page!! We will also be posting a Read Aloud on April 2nd to celebrate as well as photos of the Teachers and staff all spreading awareness dressed in BLUE! We cannot wait to see you!!!
Books to Read:
Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
The BIg Umbrella by Amy June Bates
All are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
One Big Heart: A Celebration of Being More ALike than Different by Lindsey Davis
My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete
Will Light It Up Blue! by Kerry Magro
All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism by Shaina Rudolph
Uniquely Wired: A Story about Autism and Its Gifts by Julia Cook
I see things Differently: A First Look at Autism by Pat Thomas
My Brother with Autism: A Story book to celebrate differences by S. Nadia
My Brother is Special My Brother Has Autism: A story about acceptance by Marta M Schmidt-Mendez
FROM THE BOOSTERTHON TEAM
JUST IN FROM THE BOOSTERTHON TEAM
National Family Fun Run
- Kicked off this Monday, March 23rd at 3pm EST with a Pep Rally.
- Every day, it’ll be LIVE streamed from the Booster Facebook page at 3pm EST.
- Families can do dance breaks, learn character lessons, and do fun challenges. No fundraising at all.
- The Big Event: National Family Fun Run day at home on April 1st.
Hey Dunning School,
During these uncertain times, we wanted to reach out to let you know that we’re thinking of you and are here to help however we can.
As you and your family are stuck inside, we have some helpful resources to keep the fun and learning going (we’ve done the leg work, so you don’t have to!) Below is a great social media template to share with other families in your school who are looking for enrichment at home. Please use, and share!
Parents, if you’re looking for helpful things for your children to do at home, add this to your list: streaming character and fitness videos online from the company our school works with, Booster.
Go to BoosterthonCharacter.com
Access Code: AtHome
- There’s no cost to register
- It offers 75+ videos with character topics and fitness exercises (PBIS, SEL, STEAM, ect.)
We hope this serves as an opportunity for character-building conversations and staying active at home. Stay safe!"
Community Resources
FOOD:
Framingham Public Schools
Beginning on Wednesday, March 18th
Demographic Served: All School-Aged children
Days of Operation: Monday through Friday
Hours of Operation: 10 AM - 1 PM
Contact Information: 508-626-9109
Pick-up Locations:
Cameron Middle School - 215 Elm Street, Framingham, MA 01701
Barbieri Elementary School - 100 Dudley Road, Framingham, MA 01702
Fuller Middle School - 31 Flagg Drive, Framingham, MA 01702
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School - 169 Leland Street, Framingham, MA 01702
DANIEL’S TABLE
Beginning on Tuesday, March 17th, Daniel’s Table will be open and distributing food. Daniel’s Table is looking for volunteers. Please go to https://www.weallvolunteer.org/ to sign up.
Demographic Served: Open to Anyone
Days of Operation: Tuesdays and Fridays, Wednesday (Night)
Hours of Operation: 1 PM - 3 PM, 5 PM - 7 PM (Wed)
Contact Information: 508-405-0769
Pick-up Locations: 10 Pearl Street, Framingham MA
PROJECT BREAD
If you are in need of food security, please contact Project Bread at 1-800-645-8333.
UNITED WAY OF TRI-COUNTY - PEARL STREET CUPBOARD & CAFE AT PARK
Demographic Served: All Ages
Days of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Hours of Operation: 9 AM - 1 PM (M, W, F), 5:30 PM- 7 PM (W)
Contact Information: 508-370-4921 and 774-200-3556
Pick-up Locations: 46 Park St., Framingham, MA 01702
SHELTER
A PLACE TO TURN
A Place to Turn will be open during their regular hours (noted below). A Place to Turn is also currently working with the Framingham Housing Authority to ensure delivery of groceries to older adults in housing. If any residents have questions, they are encouraged to give them a call.
Demographic Served: Open to All MetroWest Residents through Referrals
Days of Operation: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,
Hours of Operation: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM (M, T, Thurs.)
11 AM - 12:30 PM and 5 - 7 PM (W)
Contact Information: 508-655-8868
Pick-up Locations: 99 Hartford Street, Natick MA
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?
Teaching & Learning
General suggestions to keep kids active and engaged:
READ! Check out the Framingham Public Library Digital Books Collection. No library card? No problem! Sign up for a temporary card here and get immediate access to their digital collection. Talk to each other! Begin with these Conversation Starters. Play your favorite family games! Here are some old-fashioned, tried and true Games that require few or no materials. Write a play, poem, or story! Then act it out or read it aloud! Need some inspiration? Try these Writing Prompts. We will be working to post read aloud videos of picture books for elementary students on school websites. Stay tuned as we get those up and running! We will be offering some science activities and STEAM challenges over the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned as we get those up and running!
Ways to stay physically active:
Try to get at least 20 minutes of physical activity per day (but avoid physical contact)!
Consider making weekly goals and create a daily plan for the next three weeks. Kids can track their progress and celebrate successes. Make it a family project!
Don’t forget to stretch--this can even be done while watching TV and helps to relieve tension and stress.
Drink water instead of fruit punch or soda. Stay hydrated!
Make healthy food choices whenever possible.
Dance to a favorite song, hop on one foot while counting by 5s, go for a walk, or try one of these physical education activities at home.
- For younger kids, mix in some learning activities.
Online resources requiring student login:
All students in grades K-8 have access to i-Ready.
In addition, i-Ready has launched i-Ready.com/AtHome for families to support learning at home. On the website you’ll find:
Print Resources: Math and Reading Student Activity Packs and Math Pack Answer Keys are available for each grade level.
Families can learn how to get their child started and get tips on how to monitor progress and support their child.
Parents can contact their child’s classroom teacher for log-in information.
For English Learners and dual language Spanish and Portuguese program students in the district with existing accounts, please continue using your Imagine Learning accounts at home on any device with a 9”+ screen. Parents can contact Jennifer LaBollita (jlabollita@framingham.k12.ma.us) or Matt Tobin (matt.tobin@imaginelearning.com) for help with logging in.
For bilingual and dual language Portuguese program students in the district with existing accounts, please continue using your Elefante Letrado accounts at home on any device with a 9”+ screen. Parents can contact Jennifer LaBollita (jlabollita@framingham.k12.ma.us).
RazKids and Reading A-Z:
For identified students with existing accounts, please continue to use your accounts at home on any device. Parents can contact their child’s classroom teacher for log-in information.
Students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 have access to this program that helps to develop keyboarding proficiency. Parents can contact their child’s classroom teacher for log-in information.
Additional Online Resources:
Resources for grades PreK-12:
A free resource that will provide all students with 20 days’ worth of learning journeys that span the content areas so you can keep your students actively engaged in learning while your buildings are closed.
PBS Digital Learning Resources:
PBS LearningMedia span disciplines for grades PreK-12.
Free catalog of articles, activities, videos, and games for students in grades K–12 on topics related to STEM, aeronautics, and space exploration.
Choose from a variety of videos dance, practice Zumba, and get some physical activity.
Learn a language! (Please note: There is no Student Data Privacy Agreement. Parents can choose to create an account for students.)
Code.org and Hour of Code:
Learn how to code at all ages. (Please note: There is no Student Data Privacy Agreement. Parents can choose to create an account for students.)
Resources for grades preK-5:
Free online resources for grades K-5 that includes activities in math, social studies, science, and more.
Science experiments you can try at home!