NOVEMBER 13, 2015
Thursday, November 19
4th Grade Authors Celebration-2:15
PTO Meeting-5:30pm
Friday, November 20
All School Assembly-2:15
(featuring 4th grade)
Wednesday, Novemeber 25-Friday, November 27
Thanksgiving Recess- NO SCHOOL
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IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE
Going Beyond Academics
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my own professional development. Like many educators, I hold multiple certifications, and keeping track of the requirements for their renewal can be challenging. Even though each certification is good for five years, they are not in sync, so I am constantly juggling the professional development points that I earn to make sure each one is adequately covered, and that I remember the different expiration dates!
Logistics aside, the pursuit of professional development can be a slippery slope. All too often, it is easy to lose track of what’s truly meaningful to one’s own professional growth when feeling the pressure of certain certification mandates or when a certain program or initiative becomes ‘the latest and greatest.’ I’ve tended to work backwards, wanting to develop my expertise in topics and issues that I know are going to make a difference for the students and staff in my midst, and that really speak to me.
The sharp rise in mental health issues about students of all ages is concerning to all of us. So I was pleased to see the Harvard Medical School presenting two symposia on specifically dealing with school mental health, and I look forward to spending two days listening and learning in January. Two days of truly meaningful professional development!
At LES, we are fortunate to have a very thoughtful and caring school psychologist. Bethany Politylo works closely with both students and teachers to find ways to help children, who may be struggling with emotional and mental health needs, to succeed in school. She endeavors to build strong and trusting relationships with kids, and helps them to set goals and to develop coping strategies specific to their needs. This often takes place in a “Lunch Bunch,” which provides a relaxed and informal atmosphere for small groups of children to engage in these conversations. In addition, Bethany carries out cognitive evaluations and screenings for potential mental health and attentional difficulties. While Bethany provides solution-focused counseling, she is not a clinical psychologist and doesn’t diagnose or do therapy. Recognizing that parents often need help in getting additional mental health support for their children, Bethany has created a list of mental health resources for parents.
Children at LES don’t have one teacher. The classroom teacher may lead the way, but each child has a whole team behind him, always focused on the ‘whole child.’ In her role as School Psychologist, Bethany is an important part of that team, providing a vital link between social/emotional and academic growth.
-Margot Lacey
SPOTLIGHT ON . . .
Winter Clothing for Kids
Now that colder weather has arrived, please send your child/children to school dressed warmly for outdoor recess. This includes wearing socks, closed-toe shoes, and a heavier jacket.
If your family is having financial difficulty keeping up with the clothing needs of growing children, the Kimball Trust Fund is available to help you buy basic winter clothing for your children. The Fund was established in 1909 by Catherine Kimball to help purchase warm clothing for low-income Leverett families with children under the age of 18. Please contact Nurse Jill at 548-9144 ext. 3 to apply for financial assistance through the Kimball Trust to purchase winter clothing and boots for school aged Leverett children. If your family benefited from Kimball Trust funds last year, please consider passing this year, in order to give new families the opportunity to apply.
Thank you,
Nurse Jill
Greenhouse Updates:
Well, the chill in the air is finally signaling that it is time to put things to rest for a while in the gardens and greenhouse.
Much of the greens are harvested for now—some cold-hardy crops are seeded in to try to overwinter and get a jump on the spring greens. The garlic & flower bulbs are all planted and “resting” underground.
The recess enchanted garden continues to “grow” each week- I invite families to stop by before the snow flies to experience the outdoor space that the children have been creating. It is fun to hear the ideas and chatter as they work together bringing the enchantment “alive”.
Next week, November 16 & 17 will be last days for all classes, but the outside projects can always be tended to during recess until winter settles in.
I will be around to finish with cleaning, sorting and organizing the following week just before Thanksgiving. Then we will put things to “rest” until the end of February or beginning of March (weather dependent) when we get a jump on the season and start eating greens again!! And get the flowers started to brighten up our school yard with color!
It has been a joy working with the children once again this fall- I look forward to spring!!
May you all have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving & a healthy winter season.
Best wishes,
Dawn Marvin Ward – Greenhouse Educator and Manager
4th Grade Authors Celebration
Thursday, November 19, 2:15-3:00pm
LES Fourth Grade Classroom
Please come help us celebrate all the planning, thinking, and effort that went into writing and publishing original realistic fiction stories. Come meet Jach and Summer, Milo and Sal, plus Jason, Mia, and all of the other characters that have come to life on the pages of our notebooks. We’re excited to share their stories with you!
PICTURE RE-TAKE DAY HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4. IF YOU WOULD LIKE A RE-TAKE, PLEASE KEEP THE CLASS PICTURE FROM YOUR CHILD’S PICTURE PACKET AND RETURN THE REST TO SCHOOL BEFORE THE 4th. EXTRA ORDER FORMS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE IF YOU MISSED THE FIRST ROUND OF PICTURES.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
(Items listed here are not school sponsored)
Project WILD
Professional Development Workshop For Educators of Students in Grades K-12
Presented by: Dawn Marvin Ward & Kathy Richards
Date: Saturday December 5, 2015 Time: 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Location: Millers River Environmental Center 100 Main St. Athol, MA
Phone: (978) 248-9491 Website: atholbirdclub.org
Cost of Workshop: $15 per person
Pre-registration required: Dawn Marvin Ward [email protected] or (413) 367-9562
Registration deadline: November 24, 2015
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to receive training in this award winning, interdisciplinary nationally recognized program! It is one of the most widely-used conservation and environmental education programs among educators of students in kindergarten through high school. The program emphasizes terrestrial and aquatic wildlife because of their intrinsic, ecological value, as well as their role in teaching how ecosystems function. Through the use of balanced curriculum materials and professional training workshops, Project WILD accomplishes its goal of developing awareness, knowledge, skills and commitment.
Workshop participants will receive a copy of the guide and a certificate of completion. This hands-on workshop has applications for school teachers, scout leaders, camp counselors, nature center staff, home educators, after care teachers, etc.
Project WILD is sponsored in the state by The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife www.masswildlife.org
Free Guinea Pig + supplies (cage, house, water bottle, food dispenser, etc....). He's about 3 years old, healthy. Needs a new family who can offer him more time and attention. His current family is distracted by a new, crazy dog. If interested call Sarah (413) 540-3839
On Friday November 13, 7 pm, Outbreak of Peace Trio will perform in the Great Hall at the Great Falls Discovery Center.
Inspiring truth-telling with song from Gloria De,Layne Matlock, Michael Nix, and Sarah Pirtle.
Outbreak of Peace brings forward the lives of well-known as well as unsung leaders including Mahalia Jackson, Juanita Nelson, and Pete Seeger. We go back to the history of Barton Cove and Great Falls to learn about the Pocumtucks, and forward to address stopping pipelines, changing racism, and creating a sustainable future for our children. The everyday bravery of all of us is honored through songs that tell a story.
Songs, stories, and poetry are woven with sing-along. Poet Gloria De,Layne Matlock brings both original as well as traditional songs toured nationally with her family and the choir she directed. Internationally known classical guitarist Michael Nix performs on the fretless banjo and the “banjar” he designed and will offer his newest topical songs. Award-winning songwriter and author Sarah Pirtle puts the passion of her activism into telling stories about heroic actions.
GUEST ARTIST -- ADAM MATLOCK
Composer Adam performed to a standing ovation recently at the Wadsworth Museum for his commissioned pieces on Amistead, and will share original songs on Black Lives Matter.
The coffeehouse takes place in the historic Great Hall of the Great Falls Discovery Center at 2 Avenue A, in downtown Turners Falls. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Coffee and homemade baked goods are available. The museum and museum store are open during intermission. Suggested sliding scale donation $6–$12, free for children. Donations help the Friends of the Discovery Center provide free nature programming for the public. The Discovery Center is wheelchair accessible.
For more information, please contact: Dawn Marvin Ward [email protected]