JUNE
12, 2009
WHATÕS HAPPENING
Monday,
June 15
End
of the Year Picnic – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday,
June 16
Last Day of Preschool
Sixth Grade Farewell - 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday,
June 17
Field Day
Thursday,
June 18
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - 1:00 Dismissal
Saturday,
June 27
Playground Superstructure Build
Saturday,
July 11
Playground Build Day
Wednesday,
August 26
First Day
of School – Grades 1-6
Monday,
August 31
First Day
of School – PS and K
~~~~~~~~~~
IN THE
SCHOOLHOUSE
On Tuesday at 1:30 in the school gym, we will be saying farewell
to our Grade 6 students. This
yearÕs graduating class is notable for their sweetness and enthusiasm, and of
course - the two Joshes! We wish
them well on their journey through life and all the best in their transition to
middle school. This yearÕs
graduates are:
Brianna Barnes
Erin Kavanagh
Fred Beresford-Banker
Matthew Lawrence
Joshua Call
Jacqueline Mathers
Juliana Cinner
Anna Normark
Jahian Cooper-Monize
Tarian Palmer
Lane Elson
Jeremy Rice
Victoria Figarella
Makenna Rodgers
Reuben Hagen
Joshua Rose
Lance Hansen
William Thompson
Graham Hsu
Espy Thomson
Jenna Williams
SPOTLIGHT ON . . .
Greetings: In our effort to provide
the school community and the larger Leverett community with as much information
about school business as possible, the School Committee would like to begin
providing a monthly summary of School Committee business in the Friday Post.
While this is the last issue of the Post for this year, we intend to continue
this practice in the fall.
This past meeting the Committee dealt
with issues ranging from the mundane, to the challenging, to the potentially
controversial. In addition to the monthly update on school enrollment, the
Committee reviewed the School Improvement Plan from the School Council, the FY
Student Handbook, the Committee authorized funds to make renovations in the
cafeteria, reviewed the FY09 and FY10 budgets, and received reports from the
Superintendent and the representative from the Union #28 Strategic Development
Subcommittee on the ongoing statewide and countywide discussions around
regionalization, collaboration, and consolidation, and the Union's ongoing
efforts to respond to this challenge. The Committee authorized the
Superintendent to investigate available grants that might fund enhancing the
security of the building. Finally, the Committee heard a report on the dire
financial situation in the Amherst and Amherst-Pelham Regional budgets. This
discussion included an update on what is likely to happen in regards to the
sixth grade classes in Amherst being moved to the Middle School for the 2010-11
school year. This latter issue could have significant consequences for Leverett
and we will make every effort to keep the community informed and involved in
this very important matter.
On behalf of the Committee I hope you
find this summary helpful. If you have any questions or concerns we welcome you
to attend our monthly meetings and/or to contact any member of the Committee.
And also on behalf of the School Committee, I would like to extend
to the family of Cliff Blinn our deepest sympathies and condolences. In life
Cliff was a living symbol of Leverett, the memory of his devotion to the town
will be his lasting legacy.
Finally, I would like to extend to the entire school staff from
administrators to teachers, from cafeteria workers to the custodial staff, from
support staff to the bus drivers our gratitude and appreciation for another
successful school year. Thank you and enjoy the summer.
-Kip
Fonsh, LES School Committee Chairperson
FIELD DAY ON WEDNESDAY
The last day of school will be on Thursday, June 18 with a 1:00 PM
dismissal. Since the Grade 6
Farewell will take place on Tuesday, it made perfect sense to have Field Day on
Wednesday. We will start Field Day
at 9:15 with an all school assembly in the gym. Then, the games will begin at 10:00 and wonÕt stop until
11:30. At the stroke of 11:30, the
annual Grade 6 vs. Staff Volleyball game will begin. Last year the Grade 6 students won! Will this yearÕs Grade 6 repeat??? An alfresco lunch will follow. We always love having company on Field
Day. If you can, join us for the
fun. Thursday is the rain date,
just in case.
HAIL AND FAREWELL
In addition to our Grade 6 students, we will be saying farewell to
a number of our staff next Thursday.
Some are only leaving for a year.
Senora Andrea GrayÕs baby arrives in August and she will be taking a
year off to stay home with the newborn.
Terri Roberts, veteran Kindergarten aide is also taking a yearÕs leave
of absence next year to work in her familyÕs business - Window Works on Rt. 9
in Hadley. Kelly Loynd, Grade 6
paraprofessional, will graduate with the rest of the class. She is hoping to find a job teaching
middle school math - she would be terrific! We will also be saying farewell to Nurse Ellen
Chechile. We thank her for all the
band-aids, doses of fluoride, eyes and ears tested and medications
administered! Last but not least,
our wonderful Georgie Schmid, library aide, is retiring. She is very happy, but we are very
sad. She has been a true friend to
all here at LES, but most especially the children. They love her and she loves them. Luckily, weÕll be able to get our dose of Georgie love at
the Leverett Town Library where she is planning to spend a lot of time as a
volunteer. Best wishes to each and
everyone.
-Anne
Ross
REMINDERS FROM THE HEATH ROOM
Remember to pick up all medications and personal items in the
nurseÕs office before the end of the school day on June 18. Please call me if you need to make
other arrangements or they will be disposed of. If your child will need medication next year, please get an
order from their doctor this summer.
Also, remember to schedule your childÕs physical (with immunizations if
needed) in preparation of entering preschool, kindergarten, 4th, and 7th
grades. Thank you.
-Nurse Ellen
CAFETERIA
LUNCH BILLS
Not sure about the
status of your childÕs lunch account?
Please call Jill to find out, 548-9144, ext. 4. Please note: Report cards for any students owing
money on their lunch account on the last day of school will not be
mailed until the account is paid in full.
Also note: Any remaining
(left over) funds in your childÕs account will roll over into the next school
year. Thank you for another great
year here in the cafeteria.
-Jill and Gabe
HELP OUR LEVERETT NEIGHBORS
Steve
Weiss and Kathryn Steeves, parents of LES graduates Jake (7th grader) and Nathaniel (college
sophomore), lost their entire home and belongings last Friday to a devastating
fire. Thankfully they all escaped unharmed. Many people have asked
how they can help support these members of our community through this huge
loss. Friends have set up a fund where contributions will help them
rebuild their lives. Checks may be sent to: The Steeves-Weiss
Family Fund, Greenfield Savings Bank, 6 University Drive, Amherst, MA
01002. Call Julie for more information at 548-9954. Thank you so
much for your support.
-Julie
Kumble
FIELD
DAY IS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17th
Parent volunteers
are needed to help with activities from 9:45 to 12:00 on Field Day. Please call Marilyn if you can help
out. On that day, please send children with hats, waterbottles, and sneakers. Apply sunscreen and insect repellant at
home. Thanks!
Please participate!
LES Build Day
Saturday,
July 11, 2009!
This is a big project – all LES
families need to have their hands on deck!
Out of town on July 11? Then you
can help prepare amenities/food for the Super Structure Build on June 27 and/or
recruit volunteers for the July 11 Build Day.
No time to
wasteÉ
Contact a
Team Captain today!
C
2 or 3 people for
June 27 – Superstructure
getting constructed on June 27 with an all volunteer skilled crew Éwe need to
coordinate and provide food/bevs for them. If July 11 doesnÕt fit in your schedule, then this is a
great way to help. Contact Captain
Kate Rice-McIntire at kathleencrice@msn.com, 548-8047.
C
Many Construction
Team Members needed for July 11 –
to work with the skilled group of builders/constructors including Captains Sam Rodgers at 367-2707 and Kris Thomson at 549-1027.
C
ChildrenÕs
Activity Team Members needed & seeking a Co-Captain for July 11 and
prior preparations - Captain Kerry
Young at 549-2030, kayoungsoundhealing@wildblue.net.
C
Amenities Team
Captain & Members needed for
July 11 and prior to coordinate snacks and beverages, water, misc support
efforts.
C
General Volunteer
& Logistics Team Members needed to run errands, jump in where needed,
staff registration, cheer on the crews - Co-Captain StaceysÉ Lennard at 549-3625, staceyandsteve@crocker.com
& Wenczel at staceywenczel@gmail.com, 548-8941.
C
Safety Team
Members needed on July 11Éjust
in case - Captain Sue Lowery
at tritonsmama@yahoo.com.
Via email (primarily) we will keep the
information/details coming as Build Day approaches!
THANK
YOU!!!
MCBA
List
The Massachusetts
ChildrenÕs Book Award list is attached to the Post.
Parents of next yearÕs 4th-6th graders...Please
detach and put in a prominent place so your child can begin reading the books
this summer. They are available at
the Leverett Town Library. Many of
the books will be available on tape for those long summer car rides. Students need to read 5 of the 25 books
to qualify, but the more books they read the more fun they will have at the
culminating event in March of 2010.
There are a lot of books to choose from at different reading
levels. Something for everyone.
A
NOTE FROM GEORGIE
As many of you
know, this is my last year at Leverett Elementary School. It has been my personal pleasure to be
part of the childrenÕs lives for the past 17 years. While I wonÕt be in the school, I will still be part of the
community and hope to see you all from time to time. This summer I am doing the preschool reading program at the
town library, so bring the little ones for stories and fun on Wednesday
mornings at 11:15. I will miss the
students, parents, and the fabulous staff of Leverett School. Have a wonderful summer. - Georgie
THANK
YOU
The 4th Grade would
like to thank their sponsors in the NIE (Newspapers In Education Program) for
their generosity and support in providing us with the Daily Hampshire Gazette
for certain projects and topics at different times during the school year: Big
Y Supermarket, MaxGate Properties in Northampton, and the League of Women
Voters of the Northampton Area.
Dear
Friends and Neighbors,
The outpouring of
love, concern, food and clothes, and help with so many things after the recent
loss of our house in a fire has left us feeling very blessed to live here in
Leverett. We hardly know how to
express such gratitude, so please know that each and every one of you is in our
hearts.
Thank you,
Steve Weiss, Kathryn
Steeves, Nathaniel Weiss,
Jake Steeves, and
Milo
THE VERY BEST PLAYDOUGH
RECIPE FROM THE SCIENCE LAB AND THE BOSTON
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
2
Tablespoons of salt
¼
Cup of warm water
Mix
together and stir for 2 minutes, and add food coloring if desired.
Add
¼ cup of flour and stir until no more lumps appear.
Add
another ¼ cup flour, mixing it well. Turn out onto surface and knead. Keep in a closed baggie.
Note: Extra flour may be needed.
SUMMER CAMP AT LES
Registration for
the Leverett Summer Arts and Recreation Camp has begun. This small
community oriented camp will run for 4 consecutive weeks beginning the week of
July 6th. Children who have completed Kindergarten - 6th grade are
welcome to attend. Each week will feature its own unique theme and will
have specific activities based on those themes. There will be an
opportunity for free choice of games, arts and crafts and sports during each
week. Cost of the camp includes two daily snacks, daily transportation to
Lake Wyola for afternoon swimming (weather permitting), and a weekly theme
based field trip. Hours of the program are from 8:30 am until 4:30
pm. The cost of the program is $210 per weekly session.
Our themes this
year are as follows: Week I July 6 - 10 ÒClassic CampÓ
Week. Week II July 13 - 17 Nature in our Neighborhood.
Week III July 20 - 24 Survival Week. Week IV July 27 -
July 31 Theatre Week. A description about the themes is on the
registration form available in the school office.
We are in our
ninth year at LES and, as usual, space will be limited as we strive to achieve
a cohesive, cozy atmosphere.
This camp is
licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is in compliance with all
regulations concerning Summer Day Camps. Keeping within these
regulations, we will need proof of immunizations and completed health forms prior
to attending camp. For further information contact Mike DeRosa at the
Leverett Afterschool Program @ (413) 548 - 9144 (ext. 107). Thanks!
We hope to see you this summer!!
LEVERETT ENERGY COMMITTEE
IF you
are INTERESTED in receiving UPDATES, INFORMATION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, and LOCAL NEWS
from The Leverett Energy Committee about what we are doing, discovering and offering, we are creating
an email list in order to communicate with you!! Please send your name and
email address to ews@crocker.com and I will add you to our email list. If you know someone
who is not affiliated with the school who might be interested, please let them
know to forward their address to ews@crocker.com Most likely you will receive four emails a year, with an
occasional special announcement or bit of news. Questions? Call Liz Scheffey 548-9716
~~~~~~~~~
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
(Items listed here are not school sponsored)
Sixteen year old looking to babysit in nut-free household (4 yrs.
and up). Completed babysitting course; assisted at daycare camp (age 4-5) and
assistant teaches ballet (age 5-9). References available upon request. Please call Marissa at 413-665-4977.
House
on Cape Cod
(Mashpee) for rent. $825.00. June
27-July 4, 2 bedrooms, sleeps 6, 3 miles to town and state beaches, on bike
trail, indoor pool, childrenÕs play area, tennis and basketball courts, deck,
grill, Jacuzzi tub. Contact Barbara Tiner 548-7919 or Barbara@wetlanded.com.
Mountain
View Dance
presents a dance performance and family fun day! Free, Saturday, June 13th, at Deerfield
Elementary School.
Noon to 1:00: dance performance
1:00-2:30: games, prizes, bounce house and more!
3:00—5:00
dancing for all, D.J. provides music.
Hot
dogs, drinks, cotton candy, snow cones for sale. Call 665-7679 for more
information.
DANCE
CAMP: Mountain View Dance. July 13-17 and August 3-7. Hike – Crafts – Dance -
Swim. No experience needed. One week: $125, second week:
$75. Register now: 665-7679.
Leverett Coop FLING:
Coming on SATURDAY, JUNE 20TH, at the Village Coop in
Leverett, 10AM-5PM. Live music
starts at NOON: Pitchfork, Steve Crow, Jen Toby. Local artisans, food, kidÕs
activities! Call Pam at 367-0379
if you would like to set up a booth ($15 in advance/$20 at the door; kids set
up for free; bring your own table & shade.)
Summer Babysitter: IÕm a 16 ½ year old LES alum with
lots of babysitting experience. IÕm fun, creative and around all summer! (I can transport myself!) If interested contact Shira Kaufman at shirakaufman@ymail.com or
(413)548-8139
Housesitting: I'm available in July and August to care for your
home, animal, garden, etc. while you are away. Deborah, 367-9731
STILL
LOOKING FOR A GREAT CAMP FOR YOUR CHILD THIS SUMMER??
Khalsa Camp is fun, challenging, and packed with a wide
variety of great activities for all kinds of kids. Best of all it is very
affordable for you.
Every week of camp includes the following activities:
Horseback
Riding - Yoga - Swimming lessons - Challenging Hikes - Field Trips - Sharing
Circles
Pick
the session(s) that best fits your interests!
Session
1: Cooperative Trust Building
June 29th-July 10 ages *5-13
Session
2: Compassion in Action
July 13- July 24 *ages 5-13
Session
3: Nature Challenge
July 27-August 7 *ages 8-13
Session
4: Expressive Arts
August 10- August 21 *ages 7-13
Camp
base is Mount Toby Meeting House in Leverett (Khalsa Camp is not affiliated
with Mt. Toby Meeting)
We
still have spaces available, so contact us soon for more info. and registration
at KhalsaCamp.net or call Jai Fuller at 548-8855
All-Purpose College Student looking for
work: I just finished my
first year at Middlebury College and am back in Leverett, looking for work! I
can walk dogs, housesit, and baby-sit. I can also cook beautifully, from hors
dÕouevres to birthday cakes; get in touch if you are interested in having
someone else do some or all of the cooking for your small- to medium-sized
event this summer. Affordable, negotiable rates. References available. Please
call at home: 413.549.1029
or cell: 413.896.1157 or email: slrivera@middlebury.edu
Looking forward to hearing from you, -Sasha
Rivera
Survival
Center: We just had an incredible Post Office
Food Drive, which brought in nearly 11,000 lbs of food. It was pretty
amazing! That said, we got a lot of everything in the food department except
Peanut Butter. So, our shelves are stocked and looking beautiful, except
for one small area. As schools are getting out soon (ending children's
access to free lunch) there will be a greater need for the sandwich
staple.
Can
you help? Thank you! Tracey
Levy, Program Director
If anyone is able to bring peanut butter to the
school, Sue Lowery will take it to the Survival Center. Thanks.
Mucho
Gusto Spanish
summer session. Interactive, multi-age classes for children 0-6 and parents,
too! 7 week summer session, starts July 6-August 24. Multi-age classes conducted in Spanish with plenty of
movement, manipulatives, and visuals to facilitate comprehension. Song based curriculum is appropriate
for diverse language levels.
Classes meet once a week for 45 minutes.
Montague
Grange, Wednesdays 3:30-4:15 and 4:30-5:15,
Amherst,
The Barn Studio, Tuesdays 9:30-10:15 & 10:30-11:15
Florence,
Lilly Library, Thursdays, 3:30-4:15 and 4:30-5:15
For
more information email lauriedavidson@verizon.net or
call 367-9608
AR[T]HS: An exhibit of Amherst High School art students, at The Nacul
Center Gallery, 592 Main Street, Amherst.
June 4-June 18. Opening
Reception: Thursday, June 4th,
5-8 pm. Leverett Alum Bess Hepner
is one of the artists whose work is featured in the exhibition.
For
Sale: Second-third generation antique oak dressers. Good, refinishable pieces. Cheap. Call Dave for more info. 413-834-1996.
For
Sale: 1800 btu air
conditioner. Works like new. Cools 6-8 rooms. $100. Call Dave at 413-834-1996.
Girls are invitedÉto: ÒYou
WinÓa high
impact, interactive anti-bullying program that tackles the social issues that
girls face repeatedly during their school years.
Date: Saturday June 13th
Time: 9-11 am
Place: First Baptist Church, N.
Pleasant St, Amherst , in the lower level of the church, enter through the rear
RSVP: Anita Sever 413.461.1138
COST: $10/girl if not a Girl Scout
This event is open to all girls and is sponsored by
Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts.
If
anyone is interested in having a snake as a pet, we are looking for a good home
for ÒWillyÓ, a mature, 4 foot bull python. He is mellow, likes to be held, and is in good health. Cage and heater included. Call Jay and Marilyn Youngblood at
367-2193. P.S. Great with kids
young and old.
Chain
sawers needed!!!! Lots of log length cord wood for
cutting in exchange for cord wood. Delicious lemonade will be provided, and
cookies, too!! Please call if interested: Liz at 548-9716
HAVE A WONDERFUL
SUMMER VACATION!