SEPTEMBER 28, 2007

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Monday, October 1

All-School Assembly - 11 am

Tuesday, October 2

School Picture Day

School Committee Meeting - 6 pm

Monday, October 8

Columbus Day - NO SCHOOL

Thursday, October 11

After Dinner Dessert with the Principal -

7:30 pm

Saturday, October 13

Harvest Festival

Friday, October 26

Curriculum Day - NO SCHOOL

~~~~~~~~~~

IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE

Did you know that it is “Harvest for Students” this week in Massachusetts? This is a celebration of healthy eating by way of locally grown foods. Some of our foods for the past seven months have been very, very local - coming from our school’s courtyard! Many, many thanks to Susie Chang and the Garden Committee for planting our courtyard vegetable garden last spring and for watering and weeding it all summer long. We’re enjoying a bountiful harvest of cherry and pear tomatoes, parsley, basil and rosemary. Even the corn stalks grew well, producing several ears of corn. Last spring, we harvested lettuce and kale, and early in the summer we had peas and beans. These yields from the garden are used to supplement our school lunch program whenever possible. Thanks again for providing this truly “locally grown” treasure!

SCHOOL PICTURE DAY ON TUESDAY!

Please send in your picture order form, which was attached to last week’s Post.

SPOTLIGHT ON . . .

The regular monthly meeting of the School Committee will take place on Tuesday, October 2 at 6:00 PM in the school library. The meeting will begin with a public hearing on the topic of the Field Trip Policy, particularly in regard to the Grade 6 overnight trip. A short summary of the September School Committee Meeting follows which outlines the concerns of the School Committee regarding these overnight trips. All interested members of the community are most welcome to attend.

Leverett School Committee

Quick Overview of the September 4, 2007 Meeting

6th Grade Trip Policy: The School Committee ("SC") began a discussion on its field trip policy, and specifically on the 6th grade overnight end-of-year trip. The catalysts for reviewing the policy were several incidents that occurred in past 6th grade trips involving inappropriate student behavior that could have created substantial legal and financial liability for the school and town. The incidents themselves are confidential and were discussed in executive session during the previous school committee meeting and at the end of the September 4th meeting for reasons of confidentiality.

At the next SC meeting on Tuesday, October 2 at 6 p.m., the SC will hold a public hearing and welcome a more comprehensive discussion particularly with respect to overnight trips. The main concerns about school-sponsorship of overnight trips are the difficulty in ensuring

adequate staffing by school employees and adequate training in liability issues for the parents who chaperone the trip.
Liability concerns should not prevent the school from sponsoring full-day trips for the 6th grade. The overnight tradition could continue without school sponsorship. Parents could be informed of the health and safety forms required of students and parents and educated as to their liability. It was also suggested that the parents sign a waiver to limit the school’s liability.

The SC will not make any decision on changing the current policy until the November meeting so that the community can discuss the issues publicly at the October and November meetings.

New Computers: The SC unanimously approved a motion for the school to purchase ten new Apple computers.

Enrollment and Personnel: Anne Ross reported that there are 161 students enrolled at LES, including 28 new students. New additions to our staff include: Andrea Gray (Spanish), Sherri Goodwin (Preschool Aide), Pam Tinto and Matt Krefting (SPED Aides), and Katrina Richotte (Cafeteria Aide).

Superintendent’s Report: Joan Wickman reviewed the Draft of Union 28 Goals for 2007-08, which will be presented at the upcoming Union 28 Meeting. (Union 28 is a coalition of Leverett, Shutesbury, Erving and Swift River elementary schools.)

Policy Review and Update: The following policies received final approval: School Committee Powers and Duties, School Committee Member Resignation, School Committee Officers, Public Participation at School Committee Meetings, Procedures for Conducting Public Hearings, School Committee Policy Development, Policy Revision and Review.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the school library. The public is always welcome. The agenda will include:

1. Public hearing on the field trip policy as it relates to school-sponsored overnight trips;

2. Final vote on the following policies: Organization of Instruction, Curriculum Development, Access to Equal Educational Opportunity in the Basic Instructional Program, Physical Education, Health Education, and Notification of and Access to Sex Education Curriculum.

A complete copy of the minutes of the September 4th meeting is available in the school office. Please contact any member of the School Committee if you have questions:

Steve Kavanagh, Chair; Peter Cinner, Farshid Hajir, Michael Katz and Betsy Neisner.

AND THE WINNER IS!

First of all, many thanks from all of us in the LES community to Sam, Scott, and David for your willingness to serve on the School Council. I think it is most impressive that three fellows with a deep background in education volunteered to serve. The results of the election are as follows: Scott Hartl: 33 votes, Sam Karlin: 28 votes, David Su: 25 votes. Congratulations, Scott.

TESTING BEGINS!

Beginning of the year standardized tests and screenings have begun in many of the classes at school. Students in Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 have been taking a number of tests that will give teachers important information regarding early skill acquisition. Students in Grade 4 will take the Terra Nova Tests during the first week of October. This is the first step in moving to a fall administration of this standardized academic achievement test. Over the next two years these tests will be moved from an administration in the spring to a fall testing time in order to move them away from the MCAS testing season and to have data from both the Terra Nova Tests and the MCAS to share with parents at the fall parent teacher conferences. Finally, all of the students in Kindergarten through Grade 6 will take math computation progress monitoring tests sometime during the next month. This is a new program which will give us “readings” three times a year on each individual student’s progress in their mastery of age appropriate math computation skills. Teachers will use information from all of these tests to inform their teaching and report to parents about their children’s progress with state learning expectations.

CALLING ALL (AMATEUR) BUILDERS!

We are three years into the five year plan to Overhaul the Leverett Playground. So far we’ve built a Trike Track, Slide Mountain, and the Meeting Circle. The next project will be the construction of low platforms around one of our giant maple trees at the edge of the woods. The plan is to have a one-day building party on the day of the Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 13. Bob Hepner and Sam Rodgers will be the construction bosses, but they need lots of help to get the job done. If you would like to make a contribution to our school community by helping on October 13, please contact Anne Ross at school. Many thanks!

-Anne Ross

LOST AND FOUND SCOREBOARD

Nameless Jackets/Sweatshirts/Fleeces	7
Nameless Shirts	4
Nameless Hats/Gloves/Scarves	3
Nameless Lunchboxes/ Tupperware/Waterbottles	2
Shoes/Sneakers/Boots	6

LES T-SHIRT ORDER FORM

Design created by LES students Kale Wenczel & Makenna Rodgers with

LES Parent /PTO member Kiah Tinkham.

$12.00 each or 5 for $55.00

Available in Crimson Red or Indigo Blue in the following sizes:

Youth XS, S, M, L

Adult M, L, XL, XXL

1. COLOR ____ SIZE ____ QUANTITY _____

2. COLOR ____ SIZE ____ QUANTITY _____

3. COLOR ____ SIZE ____ QUANTITY _____

4. COLOR ____ SIZE ____ QUANTITY _____

5. COLOR ____ SIZE ____ QUANTITY _____

Total $ _______ enclosed

Name: _________________________

Phone and/or email: _______________________

A TSHIRT SAMPLE CAN BE SEEN AT THE LEVERETT LIBRARY or AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE.

Send this completed form to school along with check made out to LES PTO. You will be notified when ready or your t-shirt(s) will be sent home with your LES student.

All t-shirt proceeds benefit “Overhaulin the Leverett Playground.” Thank you!

ABRACADABRA GIGGLY BOO!

To make this a HIT, we need YOU!

PTO HALLOWEEN PARTY

Committee Members Needed!

A solid committee of at least 5 people is required for this event to happen. In addition, many more volunteers are necessary, but the Committee Members will be the “drivers.” Here is an overview of various committee roles:

· Pizza (?) dinner sales & service

· Coordinate food/beverage donations

· Party Favor purchases

· Coordinate cupcake donations

· Volunteer organization

· Orchestrate costume parade & party music

· Piñata preparation

· Decorations

· Activity Set up

· Party Clean up

This event is a great annual LES favorite – to jump on the fun train and help plan and produce an amazing, fun and safe time for our kids, contact your Halloween Master Mind at Jay.Flint@kronos.com or 548-8075.

“But I don’t want any gift wrap, bulbs, chocolate, candles or magazines…

How can I help?”

STAY TUNED…

PTO LES Annual Giving is coming!

This is how to make a financial contribution to the school without getting anything back except THANK YOU! (and good karma)

We would like to thank Pam Tinto and

Sarah Hankinson for keeping our

children safe, happy and entertained during Curriculum Night; they did an outstanding job.  We would also like to give a special thank you to

Mike DeRosa for all of his help.

GENEVIEVE’S REMINDERS:

As you peruse the Genevieve catalog and get your orders ready, remember: 50% of all sales goes directly to LES. Orders are due Friday, October 19, and delivery of items will be before Thanksgiving. Thanks in advance for participating in this important fundraiser, and look for the Genevieve table at the upcoming Harvest Festival on October 13!

Important Instructions:

1. Transfer all information from your brochure order form to the Master Order Form.

2. Write the student’s name, teacher, your phone number and your prize code (if applicable) on the Master Order Form.

3. Keep pink copy and return yellow and white copies to school.

4. Please make check payable to Leverett Elementary School PTO (LES PTO). No sales

tax.

5. Do not return brochures to school. You will need the brochure order form to distribute

your orders.

Call Nicola at 665-4282 with any questions.

LEVERETT RECREATION COMMISSION PRESENTS:

FALL YOGA

At the Leverett Public Library

Thursdays,  October 4-November 15

6-7:15 PM

Increase vitality and reduce aches and pains. De-stress from your day while bringing peace and contentment to your body, mind and spirit.

$77 for 7 classes ~ drop in $12.

Sponsored by the Leverett Recreation Commission To register: 367-2658 or enzer@earthlink.net Instructor:  Lisa Enzer M.Ed., is certified in Purusha Yoga.

www.livingroomyoga.net

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

(Items listed here are not school sponsored)

Two lovely rabbits with hutch, water bottle, etc. need a new home. One is a large all white female, and one is a small, flop eared, neutered male. They are 1.5 years old, sweet, tame, and come when called! See photos on Craig'slist and come pick them up! Call the Coppingers at 367-9137.

Nurturing Nature Camp! Weekly Preschool-kindergarten Program A small home- and outdoor-based nature program for children ages four to six years old (inquiry about other ages welcome.) Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fall session: Sept. 26 - Dec. 19 (feel free to call after the start date in case there are still openings) Lockes Village Road, Wendell. Four children maximum,

sliding scale $30-$35 per day Nature exploration, animal care, crafts, games, stories, songs, and much more! Call for more info: 978-544-0269

Tax prep volunteers wanted to help lower income seniors.  Experience with numbers, taxes, computers and/or finances is very helpful.  Training will be provided in January.  Volunteers are expected to work 4 to 8 hours per week through the 10 week tax season.  For more information, please e-mail pvtaxaide@aol.com or visit aarp.org/taxaide to leave your name and address and the district coordinator (who is also a local mom) will contact you.

Local Alpaca Farm Celebrates “National Alpaca Farm Day”: Craigieburn Farm Alpacas will participate in the first ever “National Alpaca Farm Day”

On September 29 and 30, alpaca breeders from across the United States and Canada are inviting the public to come to their farms to meet their alpacas and learn more about these inquisitive, unique animals. From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Craigieburn Farm will welcome guests to join them for activities including a farm tour, alpaca fiber presentation, and weaving demonstration.

Craigieburn Farm is owned by Steve and Susan Rice and is home to 18 whimsical alpacas. The farm is located at 243 West Pelham Rd in Shutesbury. A farm store located on the premises has alpaca yarn, rovings and a variety of finished products made from alpaca.

To find out more about National Alpaca Farm Day visit www.NationalAlpacaFarmDay.com. To find out more about Craigieburn Farm Alpacas, visit www.alpacanation.com/craigieburn.asp or call 413-253-4485.

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.  The 4th annual Harvest Festival will be on Sunday, October 7 from 12:15-3:15 p.m.  Games and Activities will include bounce houses, inflatable slides, hayrides, costumes and much more.  There will be prizes and music as well.  Light lunches will be on sale featuring the "Dawg Waggin."  No admission charge; there will be nominal prices for "tickets" to attractions.  The rain date is October 14.  The event will take place at 72 North Leverett Road in Leverett, on the property of the North Leverett Church.

Carpool: Seeking a carpool to and from the Greenfield YMCA. We can do Tuesday afternoon from 3:30 to 6:30 if you can do Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30. Please call Kerry at 549-2030.

SPANISH AT LES

¡Mucho gusto! It’s Andrea Gray, the Pre-K-6 Spanish teacher, and I look forward to meeting you. You may have heard we have been doing mini-cuentos or skits in class, and I would like to give you some background on our curriculum this year, including Total Physical Response Storytelling (TPRS).

Using the TPRS Methodology in Grades 1-6, we have been incorporating new vocabulary into mini-skits. Volunteers are excited to use our puppets and props, and the class as a whole answers questions in Spanish as the stories unfold. For example, in one mini-cuento, la muchacha, Gloria arrives at Leverett Elementary to find el Gato en el Sombrero (The Cat in the Hat) is her classroom teacher. ¡Qué sorpresa! Students acquire Spanish through the repetition of vocabulary in these stories and activities that surround them. As the year progresses, children will create their own stories and characters that can be presented in class.

Grades 1-3 will be coming home in the next couple of weeks with our Unit One Student Vocabulary List. Repetition is critical, so reinforcement at home, for example, using greetings, the date, numbers, and colors, would be helpful.

Grades 4-6 have begun reading and writing activities associated with our Episodio 1 that they will be bringing home in a couple of weeks. I encourage you to ask your child to retell the story in Spanish to you using the vocabulary box, and find out what Gabi, la gatita, did with her despertador (alarm clock)!

In Kindergarten, I’ve been happily joining the class during snack and recess on Fridays. Spanish is naturally incorporated into the children’s day by talking about classroom routines, foods, insects, playing baseball, climbing, digging, etc. As the year progresses, Spanish will become an integral part of the curriculum as students take their “trip to Mexico”.

In addition to TPRS, we begin and end each class with our “Buenos días/Buenas tardes” and “Adiós amigos” songs. We will sing a range of songs from native Latin cultures to songs children recognize from English. For example, “Juanito” (Little Johnnie) is a dynamic song where we wiggle different parts of our body and “La Pulga de San José” (The San José Flea Market) allows us to purchase and play different instruments. “Vamos a cantar” is a favorite because we do all sorts of actions like eating, jumping, dancing, and snoring. Children enjoy being reminded of their younger years singing “La araña pequenita” (The Itsy Bitsy Spider) and “Las ruedas del camion” (The Wheels on the Bus). Finally, we have been reading short books in Spanish, including En Mi Famiia by Carmen Lomas Garza that bring the Latin world as well as numbers, colors, and several cognates into the classroom.

¡Muchísimas gracias!

Andrea Gray