MAY 15, 2015
Monday, May 25
Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL
Tuesday-Friday, May 26-29
Scholastic Book Fair
Tuesday, May 26
Chorus and Band Concert – 2:00pm & 7:00pm
Thursday, May 28
Greenhouse Open House & Plant Sale and Ice Cream Social - 5:00-6:00pm
Thursday, May 18
Sixth Grade Farewell – 1:30 pm
Friday, June 19
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL – 11:00 Dismissal
Wednesday, September 2
First Day of School for Grades 1-6
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IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE
Thank You, Susan Wells…
It is hard to imagine the LES Library without Susan Wells. Her welcoming smile, her huge enthusiasm for books, and her ‘make it happen’ attitude draws all of us into the library, and to the many wonderful events that she has organized during her time at LES. At the end of the year, Susan will be leaving us, heading to the Wildwood School in Amherst, where she has accepted a full-time library position, and where she will also be closer to her children, who are students there. During her time at LES, Ms. Wells has developed a devoted following among both students and staff. Children love to spend time in the library, and know that she will always be able to help them find the perfect book. Older students have loved the competitions around the Massachusetts Children’s Book Awards, and also know Susan as a trusted adult and a good listener. We will miss you, Susan, and say a very big THANK YOU for all you have done to bring words to life at LES!
…and Welcome to Lani Blechman!
We welcome aboard Lani Blechman as our new Library Specialist. Lani is a familiar face here at LES, having spent the fall working with Susan Wells in the library. This practicum was the final part of her graduate degree in Library Science, and we were sad when it ended because she already felt like part of the school family. Lani’s enthusiasm and wonderful sense of humor were the underpinning of the relationships that she built with students and staff in the fall, and that are sure to continue as she joins the LES staff. We are delighted to say, “Welcome back, Lani!”.
There’s a big week coming!
The four-day week of May 26th is chockablock full of terrific happenings!
• On Tuesday, May 26th, our band musicians and chorus singers will serenade us at the Spring Concert at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• The Book Fair will run from May 26th -29th . It will include a special Ice Cream Social on Thursday evening, the 28th from 5-6 p.m. In addition to ice cream, we will have a microphone set up for anyone from the community who would like to perform a short impromptu selection of song, dance, or spoken word. AND there will also be a Greenhouse Open House and Plant Sale at the same time! We hope you will join us! (Note: This is not a drop-off event. Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.)
• On Friday, May 29th at 2 p.m., the fifth graders will be on stage to present their original play, “The Judgment of Paris,” based on a Greek myth.
Wow! And there’s still more to come!
- Margot Lacey
SPOTLIGHT ON . . .
TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
1:30 pm next Wednesday, May 20th
Please help by bringing a main dish
or your favorite home-baked good
to the Cafeteria that morning.
If you would like to help
with set up/ serving / breakdown/ gifts
please contact [email protected] or
[email protected]
We appreciate your help in
thanking the teachers at LES!
From the LES Library:
Time to find your LOST BOOKS!
Please be aware that ALL LIBRARY BOOKS ARE DUE FRIDAY, JUNE 12th. If a student has OVERDUE books between now and June 12th they will not be allowed to check out ANY books!
P.E. NEWS
Most people have a natural inclination toward competitiveness. This can be a challenge for our students in physical education but it also provides valuable learning opportunities. Some students acquire a skill quickly while others struggle. How can we find activities and games that give everyone a chance to fit in and feel successful? One solution is to teach an activity or game that has different positions that students rotate through. When students are provided with a chance to practice then move on to something different, they don't feel overwhelmed if they aren't one hundred percent successful. Another option for supporting students with varying levels of skill is to play team games that have different positions. The students learn strategies that work best for themselves. For example, when playing a game that involves throwing, a student who is still learning to throw might instead employ a strategy of feeding the ball to a student who throws well to produce a more successful team. Games that have coordinated plays and require students to work together are great for learning to value the contribution of all members of the team. Over time students learn to value the differences they see in each other. In physical education classes at Leverett Elementary, our most important goal is to keep everyone moving, and learning how to get long while having fun!
- Rick Trowell, P.E. Teacher
POSTURAL SCREENING REMINDER
For 5th and 6th Graders
Tuesday May 19th
Nurse Jill and Sandy Rodgers, RN will be conducting the annual state mandated postural screening program for 5th and 6th graders on Tuesday May 19th. Early identification of spinal problems in children can generally be corrected through exercise and good posture.
The screenings are done in the privacy of the nurse’s office. Boys will be asked to remove their shirts. Girls are asked to wear a bathing suit top, sports bra or fitted tank top that can be rolled up.
A parent letter with detailed information was sent home with 5thand 6th graders on Monday 5/11. If you have not yet seen it, please ask your child for it. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Nurse Jill at 548-9144 ext.3.
CIVIL WAR PROJECT
![civil civil](https://cdnsm5-ss5.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_3147859/Image/Karin/Website/Friday%20Post/civil.jpg)
Leverett Elementary School, Leverett Historical Commission and the Field Family Museum have been working together over the last two years on Leverett’s role in the Civil War. Sixth graders have visited the town’s cemeteries looking for graves of those who fought in the Civil War. The initial focus was on the Chestnut Hill, Moore’s Corner, Depot Road and East Leverett Cemeteries.
Taking that information, the students went to the town hall and searched historical records for information on the soldiers and toured the Field Family Museum to view Civil War artifacts that are in the collection. At the May 9th Commemoration of the Civil War in Leverett, the students presented their research findings and previewed their Leverett History website. Future sixth grade students will continue researching and adding information to the website.
Residents who have additional information about any of the soldiers may contact either Alyson Bull or Karin Gravina at the elementary school. The website can be viewed at leveretthistory.weebly.com
-Karin Gravina, Technology Teacher
Alyson Bull, Grade 6 Teacher
Susan Mareneck, Historical Commission
Edie Field, Field Family Museum
CONFUSED ABOUT ENERGY CHOICES?
Look for the Leverett Energy Committee’s handout at the Library or Town Hall.
END OF YEAR
COFFEE ORDERS/PTO DONATIONS!
Hello Friends and Families of LES!
Another sunny, warm request here from the PTO... First, a thank you to the families, new and repeat, that have already returned their orders for our Dean Beans Coffee! Thank you again for supporting your children and our PTO!
Second, are you a family on the fence about ordering because you own a Keurig? Let me reassure you, this is the BEST coffee to buy and here is why... Like I mentioned in my first note/e-mail we are a family that enjoys a good cup of joe. Cold, hot, it's ALL GOOD! We own, and use, 3 different types of brewers, because clearly 1 is just not enough! :-) We have a regular drip for those large coffee needs. A French press for those "I need an IV pick-me-up" cup. And last, but not least, a faithful Keurig for a one-cup-at-a-time brew. We also have a burr grinder so we only purchase whole bean coffee which we grind for our desired coarseness. But Dean’s sells ground as well as whole bean selections so the choice is yours! So why is this coffee the best for all your coffee needs? Because it is organic, delicious, local and because we need your support! What is the secret to our Keurig brewing? Ekobrew Cups (or ones similar to these) - reusable filters for the Keurig! We love the idea of not adding waste, saving money, and feeding our worms with the compostable coffee grounds! So we grind, fill, brew, compost, washout and re-use our k-cups! Doesn't that sound easy? Oh, you don't have time to deal with the dumping, washing out etc. in the am, just get more than one Ekobrew to rotate! We have 8 that are well used!
So I hope my little tidbit encourages you to take the coffee plunge! Please return your order forms by Monday, May 18th so that I can place the order for delivery to you by Friday May 22nd.
Can't return order form by 5/18? E-MAIL me your order!
Don't want to purchase coffee, but want to support PTO with a monetary donation, send it in with your child earmarked for the PTO general fund!
Any questions, please call/text/e-mail, I have an ear to hear:-)
Warm, Sunny Regards!
Theresa St. James Gahagan
413.548.9137 home/fax
860.805.1188 iPhone/Mobile
[email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
(Items listed here are not school sponsored)
Happy Valley Children’s Chorus presents
“Songs of Hope”
Sunday, May 17th, at 1:30 PM
First Congregational Church of Amherst
165 Main Street, Amherst, MA
For more information contact:
[email protected]
413-668-4189
www.dorothycresswell.com
The Montague Reporter is seeking Leverett residents interested in reporting on local happenings. We will have an opening this spring in our regular selectboard and town hall coverage, and are also seeking feature contributors. The Reporter is a nonprofit weekly print newspaper that can offer small stipends for writing on assignment. Join a team of journalists, writers and artists producing news of, and for, the communities we live in. Contact [email protected] or call us at (413) 863-8666 for more information.
Leverett-based dog walking service has early afternoon and late afternoon walk times available. Dogs must be good with other dogs, children and adults, and be able to run off-leash. Please contact [email protected] or 413-475-4304.
The Diaper Task Force of the Franklin County Resource Network is holding a DIAPER DRIVE from May 10 through June 21 to support families in Franklin County. You can help by donating diapers (collection box at school) or by making a financial contribution. Diapers are a huge expense when money is tight. The diapers provided will help. For more information, to make a donation, or to organize a diaper drive where you work, visit www.communityaction.us and click on “community partners”, or call or email Judith Weinthaler at [email protected], 413-548-9896.
Come visit the Multi-Arts children art exhibit at the Jones Public Library! Be immersed in a world of unlimited imagination and creativity. Check out our displays of colorful 3D masks, objects, animals, and much more that will take your breath away and treat your senses! For you child-artists: Come and enjoy the beautiful exhibit of art at the Jones Public Library. Your creations are for display and to be enjoyed by the whole community. Take pictures and share with us!
YOGA IN LEVERETT WITH NANCY PAGLIA
Chair Yoga for Strength, Flexibility & Balance - Wednesdays 10-11am Town Hall
Yoga for Stress Reduction- Thursdays 5-6:15pm Leverett Library
Women's Yoga Circle- Sunday, May 31 10am-1pm
The Shintaido Center, River Road Deerfield. Please call Nancy @413-687-2125 for information and registration.