Leverett

NOVEMBER 7, 2014

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Tuesday, November 11

            Veterans Day – NO SCHOOL

Thursday, November 13

            PTO Meeting – 5:30 pm

Tuesday, November 18

            Picture Re-Take Day

Wednesday & Thursday, November 19 & 20

            Book Swap

Friday, November 21

            All-School Assembly – 2:15 pm

Wednesday-Friday, November 26-28

            Thanksgiving Break – NO SCHOOL

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IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE

GETTING READY FOR WINTER

Though it seems in some ways like summer just barely ended, in other ways those long weeks of late fall are truly upon us.  The leaves are pretty much off the trees and the days are getting very short.  Dawn Ward is close to buttoning up the greenhouse in preparation for winter.  And thank you to parent Scott Roe for tidying up our front gardens before the snow flies.

For those of us who love snow sports, there is the wish that cold and snow could arrive simultaneously, rather than Mother Nature forcing us to dawdle in the dreary no man’s land of chilly, gray bleakness.  But it won’t be long until the snow is here, and children will head out of the building, sticking out their tongues to catch those first flakes.

Given that the stretch of school between late August and Thanksgiving is our longest span of the school year without an appreciable break, it is not surprising that November is a time when we have to work hard at keeping everyone feeling enthused and motivated.  All it takes is a look around to see that we are working hard, and that curiosity, creativity, and fun continue to emanate from LES.

October came to an end with Book Character Day.  What a terrific day it was!  I loved playing the role of Sal (from Blueberries for Sal), with whom I closely identified (right down to the blueberry pail) when I was a five year old.   In  between  Harry Potter,  Peter Pan, Robin Hood, and Little Red Riding Hood, I was delighted to see Mr. Stewart as Wee Gillis.  He was the first person I’ve met who knows and loves that story as I do!

Not long ago, first graders built towers out of toothpicks and marshmallows, filling out scientific journals and creating blueprints of their efforts.  The second graders are about to head to the aquarium at Mystic Seaport, a highlight of their study of marine environments.  And the sixth graders held their first writing celebration, with readings of their personal narratives. There is lots going on!

And to help you keep track of those goings-on, please mark your calendar for the following upcoming events:

   Thursday, Nov. 13, 5:30pm - PTO (We need YOU!!)

   Wednesday & Thursday, Nov.19 & 20 – Book Swap

   Tuesday, Dece.9, 7:00 pm – Winter Concert

Thank you to all the parents and caregivers for the thoughtful conversations at Parent Conferences.  We are always glad to have you here.

                                                -Margot Lacey

LEVERETT GET FIT RETURNS!

Attached to the Friday Post this week you will find a form students may use to keep track of their exercise and physical activities. The goal is for students to record the number of miles they earn for each activity. Classroom teachers collect the forms and give them to Victoria Shaw of the Wellness Committee, who tallies them up. The PTO and the Wellness Committee have partnered to reward students who record the fitness miles with certificates of achievement and wrist bands to wear.  At the end of the year, the most active students from each class will be invited to Morse Hill in Shutesbury for games and activities to celebrate their achievement.  

Research shows that people who write down how much they exercise tend to exercise more often and increase their levels of fitness.  Recess and Physical Education classes in school are also places where students can accumulate points.  They can also earn points by doing things like raking leaves and cleaning the house. The goal is to be active!

After this first week, when a form will be attached to the Friday Post, students will need to ask their classroom teachers for the forms if they want to continue to keep track of activities outside of school.  We hope that many students participate and that they inspire others to Get Fit, Leverett!

LEVERETT GET FIT PROGRAM TO BEGIN NOVEMBER 10th

Parents can have fun along side of kids while keeping track of their own activity patterns, so the Leverett Get Fit Program can work for the whole family. Children can earn miles for physical activities done at home AND at school!  We will start November 10th with an “in school” chart that teachers will help children fill out for playground and P.E. activities.  Karin Gravina, our Tech. Coordinator, is resurrecting a computer from the old dinosaurs. THANKS Karin!  The students will use it in the cafeteria to enter their school miles. She thinks it will be ready by Thanksgiving.  Meanwhile, we will use paper and pen to keep track.  Look at the table under the bulletin board in the cafeteria. Teachers will also have this chart on their computers in the classroom. 

TAKE HOME CHART

There is another chart that each child can bring home and parents can help them record their exercise and activities done while at home.  Look on the backside of the chart to see what types of activities you and your children have done and the mile earning system assigned to them.  The miles are based on the amount of calories burned while performing the activities.  Don’t forget that the points listed are for 15 minutes worth of activity.  If your child does more or less, help them to record it appropriately on their weekly chart they will bring back to school.

When they return it to their teacher each week it will be compiled by Victoria on the master sheet.  Back weeks will be compiled up to the monthly assembly date. Please help Victoria by making sure you write dates, teacher or grade, and full names. 

AWARDS

Children will be recognized at the monthly school assemblies and awarded with “Leverett” wristbands of different colors for miles earned for the month. 

100 miles- you will earn a red band

200 miles - you will earn a blue band

400 miles - you will earn a gold band

The top 12 or so earners will earn a trip to Morse Hill in the spring

SAFETY

Of course, when starting any new exercise program, make sure your doctor has cleared you for any health conditions that would put you at risk while exercising.  A rule of thumb for a safe increase is to limit the percentage to 10% per week.  For example, if you walked a total of 120 minutes last week, you could safely increase to 132 minutes this week.

 Let’s Keep Gettin’ fit, Leverett!

QUESTIONS

Please feel free to contact email Bill Stewart at [email protected] at 548-9144 or Victoria Shaw at [email protected] or call 253-1807.

COULD YOU BE THE RAFFLE WINNER???

The sixth grade students and parents would like to thank the entire community for supporting our delicious Lasagna Dinner at the "6 Cooks in the Kitchen" Cafe on 10/18/14! We are still tallying the results but we know that no matter the monetary rewards, it was a smashing success. We appreciate your ticket purchases, donations and glowing remarks about the evening. For those who couldn't stay for the raffle, we'd like to announce the winning number is . . . 754450.  Please contact Lydia Peterson ([email protected]) to claim your 50% of the till ($35!).

NEWS FROM THE LEVERETT LIBRARY

Ph: 548-9220

[email protected]

 •Local author Cammie McGovern Thursday,  November 13, 7pm  will be at the library to talk about her work. McGovern is the author of three adult novels, The Art of Seeing, Eye Contact, and Neighborhood Watch, and most recently the acclaimed YA novel Say What You Will. 

• Put it on your calendar now, on Sunday, November 16^th at 1:30:  free family movie, DisneyNature’s Bears on the big screen.

PTO SPOTLIGHT ON . . .

Leverett Community Interview of the Week

Grandma and Little Red Riding Hood

Last week on character day, we were lucky enough to run into grandma and Little Red Riding Hood. Grandma was able to talk to us about what she likes about LES.

Grandma said: I love spending time with Little Red and baking cookies together.

Later in the day, when Grandma turned into a wolf she was asked about what she liked to do outside school.

Grandma said: I love baking Girl Scout Cookies - that's cookies made of Girl Scouts!

PTO News

Thank you to all who participated in our fundraiser. Items will be in before Thanksgiving and we were able to raise $1,100. This is almost a third of the way to our field trip budget in the first months of school! Thanks for your continued support.

Do you have ideas for PTO? We are planning some fun evenings as well as other fundraisers. Attend our meeting and have a voice in the future! We'll be meeting next Thursday (November 13th) at 5:30 pm. Snacks provided.  Also, School Committee Chair Kip Fonsh will attend the meeting to listen to questions and comments from parents.

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COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

(Items listed here are not school sponsored)

BOARD or SKI WACHUSETT this winter and get a nice discount on a season’s pass. Wachusett is only 45 min East on rt 2 and has a great variety of trails and park, and does a good job grooming. Its also open a long season, and pretty consistently 7 days + 7 afternoon/evenings per week as long as its cold enough. My favorite pass is the Bronze pass – 7 afternoon/evenings + non-holiday/non weekend days.  It costs $369, but even less, $249  if you buy through “Group Sales/GPS Club” at Wachusett.com. Type in “Shutesbury Board And Ski” and my name as Coordinator,“Susan Reyes,” on your form, and we’ll all get the discount as long as at least 4 people including my family buy through this "GPS club" before Nov 19. Call or email with questions: 413-259-1658, [email protected]

Screening of the Oscar nominated film, The Last Campaign of Govenor Booth Gardner.  Saturday, November 15^th, 1 pm, at the Sunderland Public Library, 20 School Street, Sunderland.  Synopsis of the film:  In 1994 a year after serving two terms as one of the most popular governors in modern Washington State history, Booth Gardner was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.  In 2008, as his health continued to deteriorate, he returned to the political spotlight as the driving force behind a ballot initiative that would legalize one’s choice to die.  The film chronicles his controversial crusade, looking at both sides of this hotly debated issue.  The film runs 40 minutes and will be followed by a discussion.  For questions, and to RSVP, please contact Marie Manis, 617-379-0033, [email protected].  This event is free and open to the public.

FALL CRAFT FAIR at Wesley United Methodist Church, 98 North Maple Street, Hadley, on Saturday, November 8^th, 9 am – 3 pm. Craft Vendors – Grandma’s Attic – Pies – Silent Auction – Luncheon – Country Store – Quilts! Start your Christmas shopping early or find a few treasures for yourself at this popular annual craft fair.  For more  information, visit www.westleyfamily.org. 

Starlight's Youth Theatre is excited to announce registration for:  Aristocats  (open to young actors in grades 2-4)  Reserve your spot on-line at starlights-youth-theatre.com (space is limited). Rehearsals are Saturdays starting Jan 10th, 9-10:00 am at Maple Ridge

Show: March 14th at Amherst Middle School

Cyn Strycharz, Director

Josh Hornick Musical Director

Please join our information day on November 8th, 9-10am at Maple Ridge across from Bubs BBQ in Sunderland to learn more about this fun production!

Starlight's Youth Theatre: Providing quality education and production of children’s theatre.

Website:    starlights-youth-theatre.com

Facebook:  facebook.com/StarlightsYouthTheatre

NEW Visions Group for young adults!  Personal growth and support group for teens age 13-19 years of age to help to discover deeper purpose, meaning and life vision.  

Sunday, November 9th from 5-7 PM at Doors of Light Studio, 131 Montague Rd., Leverett, MA  Co-facilitated by Diana Bella and John Bella-Hunter (high school student and LES alum).  Based on creative exercises from Transformational Kinesiology and coaching.  Cost is $25 per session.  RSVP to [email protected] or 413.687.7748.

CRAIGIEBURN OPEN FARM DAYS - 10:00am to 3pm

Saturday, Nov. 29^th; Sunday, Nov. 30^th; Saturday Dec. 6^th; and Sunday Dec. 7^th.

Once again, it’s time for the annual Open Farm and Holiday Sale at Craigieburn Farm alpacas.  This is our final year for hosting our annual holiday event.  The support we have received from Shutesbury and our neighboring communities has been heart-warming.  Our decade as alpaca farmers has connected us to the earth in inspirational ways.  We are deeply grateful for this experience in our journey.  So please come one last time.  Visit our farm, sip cider, enjoy some holiday shopping and meet the whimsical creatures that provide us with soft and insulating fiber.  Our selection of products includes yarn, roving, sweaters, shawls, jackets, throws, hat, socks, gloves, and soft, cuddly teddy bears. We are located at 243 W. Pelham Rd (Shutesbury), across from Leonard Rd.  Visit our website (Alpacas4u.com) for more details or call us (413-253-4485).

Missing Jacket:  Kids L.L. Bean insulated jacket, light blue with an orange lining.  It was worn to school last Friday and then disappeared.  If you’ve seen it, please call Shelley Hicks at 367-2457.