Leverett

May 27, 2016

Monday, May 30
            Memorial day- NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, June 1
            Colonial Day- Grade 3
Wednesday, June 1- Friday, June 3
            Book Swap
Friday, June 3
            3^rd grade Publication Celebration- 2:00
Saturday, June 4
            Farm to Table Dinner- 6-9pm
Monday, June 6
            School Committee Meeting- 6:00

~~~~~~~~~~

IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE

Taking Stock

Last week, LES teachers spent an afternoon engaged in “Taking Stock.” This is a time when we look back at the year, and have conversations about what went well and areas where we see need for growth and, perhaps, change. Teachers work in small groups, moving among charts for each of fifteen topics, which had been identified at the previous day’s staff meeting.

With the goal of sustaining and nurturing a healthy, vital school community, honest conversations are an essential ingredient of the process. Sometimes, that means having hard conversations or listing recommendations that have the potential to be disquieting. The professionalism of the staff is evident in the sensitive and constructive wording of some of the concerns, and in their ability to delineate what is most important. This work sets the stage for the next phase of the process, which will take place next week.

During that session, we use the data to decide on our priorities for the coming year. There are often small concerns that can be easily remedied, and sometimes there are lofty goals that may become a long-range goal. Some ideas may be worthy of a grant application. Others will influence our professional development next year. Always, the bottom line is the efficacy of our instruction and the well-being and progress of Leverett children.

Over these last weeks of school, children are also given opportunities to look back at their progress over the past year. Many classrooms will host celebrations of student work, and children will puff up with justifiable pride about what they have learned and what they now know how to do.

Reflection is a key element of a teacher’s work. As teachers have prepared their own ‘artifacts’ to include with their annual evaluation portfolio, they have taken the time to think about how each of the items represents their teaching practice.

Reflection is not always easy. Sometime the truths that come forward can be frustrating or difficult. As a staff, we know that it is what we decide to do with those truths that shape us as educators and as a school community.

But there is always much that brings big smiles. We hope that you will join with us in celebrating all of the year’s hard work!       

                                                -Margot Lacey

Kindergarten Needs…

Kindergarten is looking for a small/medium sized gerbil cage to use for the summer for our classrooms gerbils. They have a very large cage in the classroom, but need something smaller for summer lodging. We would be happy to return it in September.  Kindergarten is also looking for any gently used kid friendly plastic gardening tools we could use as part of our science exploration of plants and gardening. Thank you!

Taste of Destination Imagination

Thursday, June 19th 4:30-6:00 pm
Leverett Elementary School parent room

Is your child creative, imaginative, and good at hands-on projects? Are you looking for a new outlet to foster this interest in a small, team-oriented atmosphere? If so, we invite you to join a short session aimed at introducing kids and parents to Destination Imagination. We will describe the program, provide examples of problems, show videos of team competitions, and have kids work in teams on some instant challenges. This is also a great opportunity for parents to learn more about the program.

Destination Imagination (www.destinationimagination.org) is an international, team-based, problem-solving program that fosters creativity in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and fine arts. Based on expressed interest, we are likely starting 2 teams at LES next fall. If you and your child want to find out more, please attend this session and/or contact LES parent Allison Roy at [email protected].

THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE NEEDS YOU!

First, thank you to all of the members of the LES community who attended Leverett's Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, May 6.  The attendance of younger Leverett voters was boosted by the availability of child care.  Thanks to Margot and to our fabulous LES students and alum who worked tirelessly with the young ones!  Now to the point:  The School Committee was unable to fill its full complement of five members at Town Meeting. We currently have four members but in order to do our business in compliance with our laws and policies, we need one more member to fill a one-year position.  Though the time for voting has passed, a new member may be appointed by the Select Board.  PLEASE, consider serving the school community for a year as a member of the school committee.  We are a congenial and cooperative group, dedicated to ensuring that our students and the entire school community has what it needs to thrive and continue its tradition of excellent, creative and caring education.  Please contact any of the members with questions you may have!

Thanks,

Sarah Dolven, Chair; [email protected]
Bethany Seeger, Vice Chair, [email protected]
Audra Goscenski, [email protected]
Tara Acker, [email protected]

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

(Items listed here are not school sponsored)

The Leverett Historical Society will be having their annual Plant Sale fundraiser on:
Saturday May 28, 2016
9 A.M.-12 Noon
At Leverett Town Hall
Rain or Shine

Master Gardener Dawn Marvin Ward will be on duty to help assist with plant choices and general garden questions.
Plant donations can be dropped off behind the Leverett Town Hall during the week prior to the sale.
Please LABEL all donated plants.
For more information contact Dawn 367-9562

Gypsy Craft and Tag Sale!
Community Gathering. We hope to make this a monthly event. Please come, participate,
May 28 th 1-4pm, Village Co-op Lawn
Set up your table or blanket on the Co-op lawn to sell your wares. Do you have any early season veggies to share? Bring those too! Come out and meet your neighbors at our first open air market! Tools, Homeschool educational resources, games, wooden handmade cutting boards, dried flower wreaths and MORE! Help us to make this event a success!

Big BIG Tag Sale

Saturday, June 4, 9am-3pmU
nitarian Universalist Society of Amherst
121 N. Pleasant Street
Treasures from households all over the Valley!

Collectables, Vintage and Antique items, Small Appliances, Household and Kitchen Items, Art Objects/Prints, Books, Small Furniture pieces, Office Supplies, Toys/Games, Holiday Decorations/Items… and so much more!

Proceeds benefit social justice, environmental and other UUSA ministries.

 Leverett Ladies Art Show

Paintings by Hillary Wilbur Ferro, Ivy Mabius and Kaitlin Scutari, Local Artists
at the Leverett town Library 
May 19th - June 28th

Ashfield Community Theater presents:
The Quick-Change Room, a raucous backstage comedy about art vs. commerce
Starring LES alum Jaz Blain!