MARCH 20, 2015
Monday-Friday, March 23-27 and March 30-April 3
PARCC Testing in Grades 3-6
Friday, March 27
All-School Assembly – 2:15 pm
Saturday, April 4
LES/Shutesbury Community Skate, 3-3:50 pm
Monday, April 6
School Committee Meeting – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday and Thursday, April 8 and 9 and
Tuesday and Wednesday, April 14 and 15
Parent-Teacher Conferences – 1:05 Dismissal
Friday, April 17
All-School Assembly – 2:15 p.m.
Monday-Friday, April 20-24
Spring Vacation
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IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE
Poets, Researchers, Heroes, and Teacher Leaders!
Last week, the LES cafeteria was magically transformed in a “Cocoa House” for an evening. The lights twinkled, refreshments were served, and the microphone was set up, complete with a stool as a perch for the performers. Throughout the evening, each second grader headed for the mike numerous times to share their incredible wealth of original poetry. The writing ranged from the very humorous to deep, contemplative musings. It was all quite amazing, especially coming from a group of seven and eight year olds. Kudos to Angela Regan, Kathy Martin, and Katie Osback for their work in developing such terrific writers and orators!
On Monday morning, it was the first graders’ turn. They have been studying bears. No, wait, they have been doing serious research about bears! Each child had research notes to show to guests, in addition to the final report. The depth of their research was truly remarkable. Equally impressive was their ability to stand in front of parents and peers and to explain what they had learned. First grade teacher Alissa Alteri-Shea was able to step back and serve as timekeeper because the children were so well prepared and confident that they needed very little adult intervention. Nice work, first grade!
There was another transformative day in the past week. Last Friday, U28 held a Curriculum Day. The course of the year, the focus of all four schools has been the development of effective Professional Learning Communities. LES teachers have formed two such groups, one concentrated on Response to Intervention and the other on inquiry-based science. The science group bravely volunteered to be in the ‘fishbowl’ on Friday, conducting a meeting while being observed by colleagues from other schools. This observation included being questioned about their work and getting feedback on the process. In my experience as an educator, there have been many times that I have watched videos of schools undertaking professional development. Often, those videos seem so inspiring that it is hard not to feel they are staged. On Friday, I came away realizing that I’d just been a part of a powerful professional development day that was every bit as terrific as those videos. Every single person—all administrators, teachers, and paraprofessionals—in attendance had observed, engaged in dialog, and openly reflected during the day. I am enormously proud of, and grateful to, the LES staff for the manner in which they have embraced this process, and continually persevere to find ways to improve their practices. They are truly life-long learners and are wonderful role models for our children.
And, last, but certainly not least, we held an assembly on Tuesday to honor our “LES Heros,”—all those people who contributed in ways both big and small and helped us to weather the ‘Great Flood of 2015.’ As I said on that day, the James Lane Allen quote, “Adversity doesn’t build character, adversity reveals character,” certainly rang true.
Whether it is responding to rising water, researching bears, engaging in professional conversations, or reading poetry, the Leverett character continues to shine.
-Margot Lacey
PARCC Testing Begins Next Week!
March/April Administration Schedule
Monday, March 23 Grades 3 and 4
Tuesday, March 24 Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6
Thursday, March 26 Grades 3, 4, 5, and 6
Monday, March 30 Grades 5 and 6
Tuesday, March 31 Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6
Thursday, April 2 Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6
PTO SPOTLIGHT ON . . .
GAEL BUFORD
GRADE 1
What do you like about Leverett School?
Mostly everything! PE is my favorite part of the day. I like choice time. I like when I get to write about people we love or places we’ve been to.
What do you like to do outside of school?
I like to play Star Wars with my friends and white tigers with my other friends.
PTO News
High Mowing Update Thanks to all. Seed order is in. We’ll let you know the arrival date as soon as we have it. We made over $500 with this fundraiser!
Ice Skating Mark your calendars for April 4th 3 - 3:50pm for the LES, Shutesbury Elementary School community skate. Free to all families!
PTO Needs New Board Members Are you interested in supporting Leverett school? We need you! Contact Jo-Ann Konieczny if you’d like to take a more active role in the PTO next year .[email protected]
Preschool is learning about sorting and counting We are collecting coins as a fundraiser for the Dakin Animal Shelter here in Leverett. We welcome donations from our school community. If you would like to send in some coins please either drop them in the Preschool or send them to Marilyn and we will collect them from her. Thank you in advance from the preschool class.
LEVERETT LIBRARY NEWS
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 upcoming events:
•Sunday March 29 at 2pm Finale - reception and forgery critique by guest artist.
Events are open and free to all. Books are available now for check out or purchase. Get reading!
•Ukulele play along with Julie Stepanek, Sunday March 22 at 3pm. All ability levels welcome, learn some chords, and play some songs. We will have ukes to borrow, but please bring your own if you have one.
S.T.E.A.M. Science Technology Engineering Art Math
The Leverett, Shutesbury, Wendell and Erving Libraries are offering S.T.E.A.M. programs to children ages 3-6 during this school year. The programs are free.
•Thursday April 2, 3:15-4:15 Wonderful Water.
Unless otherwise noted Leverett programs are run by Helen Ann Sephton of the Hitchcock Center for the Environment in Amherst.
Please call for more information on any program 413-548-9220
WRITING RETREAT
The Parent/Guardian Organization of the Amherst Regional Middle School invites you to join an on-going, mini writing retreat. The group will meet on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 at the Middle School Library on the following dates: March 19, April 2, 16, 30 and May 14 and 28. Come to one, a few, or all. The theme is “Raising our Children and Growing Ourselves.” The retreats are designed to provide a space and time for parents who want to write and share their family stories. If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please contact Ying Zhang or Victoria Cliche at [email protected], or just come to the next retreat.
Happy First Day of Spring!
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COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
(Items listed here are not school sponsored)
WILD HEARTED BOYS: Mentoring Tomorrow’s Conscientious, Caring and Courageous Men
Single-gender program encouraging boys ages 9-13 to explore, inquire, play, reflect and dialogue within the context of the natural world and all of the challenges and mysteries it presents. Led by mentors whose goal is to honor and foster the inner capabilities of each participant. Climbing, cave exploration, nature skills, paddling and other adventures await!
Full week session during April vacation, 9am to 4 pm. Drop off and pick up at Mill River Recreation area in Amherst. Contact Pandora at 413-253-4910; www.AdventureinAdventureOut.com - see tab titled Wild Hearted Programs.
Qigong with Dvora Esenstein will be offered on Mondays from 10:00 to 11:00 am beginning March 16th at the Sunderland Library, and on Tuesdays from 5:15 to 6:15 at the Leverett Library. Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system integrating slow movements, breathing techniques and focused intention. It helps to calm your mind, improve your balance, and enhance your health. This class is suitable for all ages and ability levels. You may join this free class at any time. Dvora has been a Tai Chi and Qigong student for nearly 30 years, Her practice is focused on softness and centeredness.
April Vacation Week Weaving & Fiber Arts Explorations Class with Susan Loring-Wells at the Leverett Crafts & Arts Center, 13 Montague Road, Leverett, MA.
Dates: April 20-24, 2015
Time: 9-3 pm
Ages:10-14
Cost: $250
Come and explore a world of endless possibilities of handweaving and fiber arts. Students will weave at least one project on a floor loom, try card weaving, tapestry weaving, felting, kumihimo, embroidery and band weaving.
Please email me if you are interested at: [email protected].
Register for the Daffodil Fun Run, a 5k road race in Amherst that raises funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, a program of the Center for Human Development. In this fun and festive community event, participants race past many of the 50,000 daffodils that were planted in celebration of the Town of Amherst's 250th anniversary. The event is held each year at the beginning of spring, when the daffodils are in full bloom.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County provides one-to-one mentoring relationships to local children in need of positive adult influence and friendship. We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of our business sponsors and donors in the Hampshire County Community.
This year’s event will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2015. Please register early! We are limiting participation to 1,500 runners and walkers this year, so the sooner you register the better! In addition, only those who register before April 1st will be guaranteed a FREE signature event t-shirt.
Registration Fees are as follows: THROUGH 4/1: $23 Individual, $16 Student, $8 Kids (12 & Under)
AFTER 4/1: $27 Individual, $20 Student, $12 Kids (12& Under)
DAY OF EVENT: $30 Individual, $23 Student, $15 Kids (12 & Under) You can find further information and register at: https://www.runreg.com/5420.
