Leverett

JANUARY 30, 2015

Friday, January 30 – TONIGHT!!

            Talent Show – 6:30-7:30 pm

            Games Night – 7:30-8:30 pm

Monday, February 2

            School Committee Meeting – 6:00 pm

Tuesday, February 3

            Superintendent Candidates Public Interview

            Erving Elementary School  - 6:00 pm

Monday – Friday, February 16-20

            Winter Vacation

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IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE

Talking to Children about Report Cards

As this Friday Post goes to press, report cards are being mailed home.  Leverett Elementary School has, what I think, is a very sensible way of communicating with parents about their children’s progress. Rather than send home trimesterly, or even quarterly, “grades,” conferences are held twice a year, and the written reports are limited to the middle and end of the year.

In every school in which I’ve worked, report cards have been a continual ‘work-in-progress.’ Teachers and administrators agonize over the best way to communicate progress. What is most useful for parents to know?  What are the most essential elements that a child is expected to learn? And, most important of all, how do we report successes and challenges honestly, while understanding the emotional impact that it can have for both children and parents? 

Some of you may know that on one of my visits to the second and third grades in the fall, I shared my second grade report card. It had surfaced along with some other relics when I moved last summer. I showed the children the report card, not because it was stellar, but because it was clear that I had struggled in the early part of second grade.  “Margot is very careless in her work,” was one comment, and the November mark for Self-Control was “Needs Improvement.” I don’t recall exactly what the conversation was at home when my parents viewed the report, but I’m sure there was one. I’m also quite sure that it was my eldest sister Emmy, older by eight years, who took me under her wing and helped  me to get  things  straightened  around,  just as she created a special cardboard clock to help me learn to tell time and gave me extra lessons in regrouping numbers.  By the end of the year, my report card was markedly different. 

I tell this story because it was Emmy’s empathetic, positive “we can solve this problem together” approach that has always stuck with me. LES report cards are mailed home to eliminate the temptation for children to compare them on the school bus, or to engage in conversations that often move in the direction of either self-aggrandizement or deep hurt. As adults, it is our responsibility to make sure that we understand what report cards are telling us and to compare them to what we know of the child. A child who isn’t yet working at grade level may be the hardest worker in the class. At the same time, a youngster who understands math easily may be careless and impatient and make avoidable errors. Every child is different. Think about what the report is saying before having a conversation with your child. More than anything, let your child know that you recognize that school is hard work, and that your love and support will continue and will never be tied to a number on a report card.

                                    -Margot Lacey

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

The next meeting of the Leverett School Committee is scheduled for Monday, February 2^nd, at 6:00 p.m.  All interested members of the community are welcome to attend.  A copy of the agenda is attached to this Post. 

FEBRUARY CALENDAR

Next month’s calendar is attached to this Post.  Please keep it for future reference.

LEVERETT CENSUS FORMS

We have a collection envelope in the school office for census forms.  This year they are pink, and every Leverett household should have received one in the mail.  If you did not, please call Lisa Stratford, Town Clerk, at 548-9150.

 PHYSICAL EDUCATION AT LEVERETT

An Update From Rick Trowell

Physical Education at Leverett Elementary School is based on having fun and moving as much as possible during each 40-minute class while participating in a warm-up, games and activities. Our kindergarten and first graders are actively practicing simple movements and cardiovascular endurance. This fall the fourth through sixth grades have worked on core body strength. To achieve success, we have been actively increasing the number of crunches, push-ups and planks that students can perform during the warm up section of each physical education class.  I like to use crunches with the children because when the exercise is done properly, they can feel the isolation of the muscles. Core body strength is also key to over all fitness. 

We have continued a yearly running test for second through sixth grades. This activity is timed, initially providing students with plenty of time to run the length of the gym and over the duration of the test, decreases the time which requires the student to run faster and faster as the test progresses. In the past, the rare student could achieve a 100-lap performance. This year many students achieved 100 laps or more.

I have been proud of the effort and enthusiasm of our students in challenging themselves. I also hope these activities help instill an appreciation for a healthy lifestyle.

We are Collecting

Gift Wrap & Paper Towel Tubes!!

The LES Library is collecting giftwrap tubes and/or paper towel tubes to use at the MCBA Books In Action party in March! Please send them in to school any time.  Thank you!

PTO Spotlight On

Zach Sexton

6th grade

What are you looking forward to at LES this year?  The sixth grade end of year field trip.

What do you like doing outside of school?

I like to play sports and video games.

PTO UPDATE

The PTO winter fundraiser will be a seed sale.  Twenty-five varieties of organic seeds will be available for purchase, with 50 - 60% of purchase prices coming back to Leverett school. Look for the information coming home in the next week or two. Thank you for supporting our wonderful school!

The PTO will be providing a games night immediately following the talent show this evening. We invite families to bring games they would like to play. The PTO will have snacks for sale. The talent show is 6:30 - 7:30pm in the gym and the games night will be from 7:30 - 8:30pm in the cafeteria.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE

LEVERETT LIBRARY

• Art in the Community Room Jan.-Feb. Photographs by Ian Hammel and paintings by Jesse Connor.

• Read it Leverett! is underway with this year’s selection The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro. The book covers topics including art forgery, art theft, the professional art world and the creative process, and we are offering a range of fun events based around these themes.

Schedule of events:

Thur. Feb. 19 at 7pm book discussion with the wonderful Arlyn Diamond 

Fri. Feb. 27 at 7pm screening of the documentary Stolen about the Gardner heist. In March of 1990, two thieves dressed as Boston police officers gained entrance to the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum in Boston Massachusetts and successfully executed the largest art heist in modern history. Not a single one of the works has been recovered.

Sun. March 1 from 1-4:30: is Forgery Day at the library. Release your inner creativity and paint like a famous artist. No talent required. Pick your favorite painting and try to capture its spirit. You can use whatever medium you desire...markers, crayons, watercolors, pen and ink, or acrylics. Art supplies will be made available along with pictures and books from which to choose your forgery. All entries created at this time (or on your own time) should be submitted to the library Saturday, March 7th. Artwork will be displayed in the Community Room.

Thur. March 19 at 6:30 pm talk on art forgery by Julia Courtney, curator of art at the Springfield Museums.

Sunday March 29, finale - reception and forgery critique by guest artist.

Events are open and free to all. Books are available now for check out or purchase.

• S.T.E.A.M. (Science.Technology.Engineering.Art.Math.)   The Leverett, Shutesbury, Wendell and Erving Libraries programs continue monthly for children ages 3-6 and their caregivers. Thursday Feb 5, 3:15-4:15 The Kitchen Laboratory

• Spanish conversation group meets Tuesdays 4-5pm  

Join us for Songs and Stories every Wednesday with Julie Stepanak at 10:30 For preschoolers and their caregivers.

            Hope to see you at the library soon!

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COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

(Items listed here are not school sponsored)

The Happy Valley Children’s Chorus spring session will be on Mondays, 4-5:00 PM, from March 2nd through May 11th, with a concert on Sunday, May 17th, at 1:30. Rehearsals are held at the First Congregational Church of Amherst, 165 Main Street.  As always, the music is chosen for the fun and for the message. The spring song selections will focus on Songs of Hope. To register or to get more information, please contact: Dorothy Cresswell, at 413-668-4189, or [email protected].

HANDY TRADESMAN:  Leverett resident Kody Klick is seeking interactive projects:  home repairs, remodels, carpentry, plumbing, weatherization, painting, flooring, property maintenance,  wood harvesting, furniture repair, gardening and more.  Free estimates and negotiable pricing.  Please call 856-994-8999.

Yoga Series for Kids, Starts Next week!

Jai Fuller offers an 8 week series at The Yoga Center Amherst for Children 8 - 12 yearsGive the gift of yoga to your children, so they can begin cultivating balance, strength, self love and peace. All this in a fun, musical class taught by Jai with special guest appearances from Amar to accompany the class on guitar, singing bowl and other instruments. Gain awareness of your body through games and movement, learn some basic kundalini yoga, and meet other kids at this explorative and empowering class!

8 week series on Fridays  4:15 -5:15 pm  Series dates:  February 6, 13, 27th  March 6, 13, 20, 27th and  April 3rd 

For more info. and to register, www.yogacenteramherst.com

Wednesday Night Activity Group – Ages 7-11.  A new activity group will begin on February 4 at the North Leverett Church, 70 North Leverett Road, Leverett  and continue on each 1st and 3^rd Wednesday of the month.  The focus for the next few weeks will be on individuals of character:  Self Control, Patience, Dependability, and Determination. The activities (games, songs, discussions) will be from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m. (preceded by family dinner at 5:45, which is optional).  For more information, contact Wendy Farley at 413 367-2057.

What are your children doing for February break?

We take them on an artistic journey that taps into their creative skills!  Multi-Arts Winter Camp 2015, February 16 - 20 for 4 to 13 years olds.   Full day, half day, and one day options: 

theater • art •fashion design • dance •

blacklight • creative writing

Place: Immanuel Lutheran Church, Amherst, (413) 584-7951   [email protected]        www.multi-arts.org  

TWO HANDS HOLD THE EARTH - A Family Concert with Sarah Pirtle.  This family concert will feature joyful participatory ecology songs by Sarah Pirtle, author of "My Roots Go Down" and 100 other ecology songs. Sarah was recognized for the international impact of her work as the recipient of the Magic Penny Award (a lifetime achievement award) in 2007 from the Children’s Music Network. Her most recent CD, called “Pocketful of Wonder”, received the Parent’s Choice Gold Award -- one of 12 national awards given to her recordings produced by A Gentle Wind.

WHERE:   Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 525 So.Pleasant                      Street, Amherst, MA

WHEN: Saturday, February 7, 2015, 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

           Reception and New Building Celebration, 2:30  to 3:30 pm

SNOW DATE: Sunday, February 8, 2015—same hours

ADMISSION FEE: Suggested Donation

Advanced registration is recommended as space is limited.

Please contact the Hitchcock Center: 413-256-6006