JANUARY 16, 2015
Monday, January 19
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, January 20
Superintendent Candidate Tara Brandt will visit Leverett, public reception - 11:15- noon (rescheduled due to snow day)
Monday, January 26
Author David A. Kelly Visits LES
Superintendent Search: Public interview forum at Erving Elementary School – 6:00 pm
Friday, January 30
All-School Assembly – 2:15 pm
Report Cards Mailed Home
LES Talent Show & Game Night - 6:30pm
Monday, February 2
School Committee Meeting – 6:00 pm
Monday – Friday, February 16-20
Winter Vacation
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IN THE SCOOLHOUSE
But Why?
I am sure that you, as parents, have heard this refrain more times that you can count. It is certainly a phrase that echoes through the schoolhouse. Often, the ‘why” question is a sign that the teacher is probing for deeper understanding. And if we truly think about it, we could say that children are always seeking more information when they ask ‘why,’ no matter how annoying or defiant it may seem.
I remember my fifth grade teacher, Mr. White, for just that reason. He was the very first teacher that I remember (though I’m sure there were others) who didn’t just say, “Don’t do [x].” He also said why and, as a somewhat independent child, his explanations very much resonated with me. Whenever I can, I explain to children why a particular decision is made. Sometimes, that even means that I tell them that I don’t like having to make a decision a certain way, but that for the sake of safety or fairness, I have to step back from my personal interests. It is remarkable how thoughtful children are when they feel that their voices are being heard, and when they have the information to understand that most decisions aren’t as capricious as they may seem.
Listening to different voices, and getting the information that we need to make good choices extends to us as adults. In the last two weeks, there have been two forums, one at Shutesbury and one here in Leverett, to give townspeople a chance to voice their questions or opinions about the anticipated proposals to amend the current regional agreement. This is a complex topic, and there are strong feelings on both sides of the issue. It is important that everyone becomes fully informed on the subject. It is, indeed, a most appropriate time to ask ‘why?’
At the same time, I can’t help but wear my principal hat. I encourage all members of the community to engage in discourse that shows the youngsters at LES that it is possible to care deeply and take a stand for your beliefs, while continuing to be a respectful friend and neighbor to those who may feel differently. It is anticipated that the proposal will be presented at the Leverett School Committee meeting on February 2nd. Further information will be forthcoming. I look forward to seeing you there!
-Margot Lacey
SPOTLIGHT ON . . .
CANDIDATE VISIT
Superintendent candidate Tara Brandt will visit all of the Union 28 schools on Tuesday, January 20th. Her original visit last week was postponed due to the snow day. There will be a public reception in the library from 11:15 to 12:00. We hope you will attend.
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.
PTO SPOTLIGHT ON . . .
Leverett Community Interview of the Week
Maeve Roe
6th grade
What are you looking forward to this year at LES?
The sixth grade end of year field trip. I'm hoping to go to Plymouth Plantation.
What do you like doing outside of school?
I like doing Scratch programming, riding my bike, and I really like baking.
PTO Update
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 on January 30th. 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.
SNOW TOYS WANTED
Dear families,
When snow actually falls, the kids LOVE to build, dig, shovel, and create. If you have any beach buckets and shovels, castle or block makers, etc., please send them to school for use at recess. Also, if you have an extra snow shovel, we’ll take that too! The kids love to shovel paths and clear the structure, and just get large-muscle workouts with shovels.
Thank you very much, The Recess Teachers
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!
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COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
(Items listed here are not school sponsored)
NEED BABYSITTING? Rheannon Stewart and Rosie Dinsmore have recently been certified by the Red Cross as official babysitters. They are 7th graders who are enthusiastic and fun with kids. They live close to LES and are welcoming to all children between the ages 0 and 7 years old. Fliers are up at both the Leverett Library and Post Office. They are responsible, careful, and loads of fun! Please call Rheannon at 549-6535, or Rosie at 549-6067.
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].
YOUNG SHAKESPEARE PLAYERS – EAST: A non-profit theater company whose mission is to help young people find a voice through understanding and performing classical theater.
NOW IN TURNERS FALLS, MA AT THE SHEA THEATER
At YSP East there are no auditions or rejections. Every person (ages 7-18) who participates receives substantial speaking roles and fully engages in the original, full-length works of Shakespeare. The program fosters a culture of inclusiveness and collaboration making the immersion into classical theater joyful and inspirational work for young people of all ages.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR SPRING 2015: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare Introduction: Wed., Jan. 21, 2015
Open to young people ages 7-18. Registration forms are available online: www.youngshakespeareplayerseast.org
www.facebook.com/YSPEast
802-258-7922; [email protected]
HELP WANTED:
Town of Leverett
Transfer Station Attendant
The Transfer Station is hiring a part-time Transfer Station Attendant. Duties to include, but are not limited to, working at the Station, organizing trash and recyclables, and resident education. Approximately 4 hours per week on weekends. Pay is $14.07 per hour. An application is available in the Town Hall or by calling the Town Administrator’s office at 413-548-9699. Applications available at the Town Hall or Transfer Station.
Leverett is an AA/EOE
If you would like to put a notice in the Community Bulletin Board section of the Friday Post, please submit notices to be published no later than Thursday at noon. The easiest way to do that is by e-mail to [email protected]. Flyers for non-school sponsored events can be attached to the Post. They must contain a disclaimer “This is not a school-sponsored event” and a sufficient number of copies (125) should be provided to the office by the end of the school day on Thursday.
