Leverett

DECEMBER 19, 2014

Wednesday – Sunday, December 24 – January 4

            VACATION  - NO SCHOOL

Monday, January 5

            First Day of School in 2015

            School Committee Meeting – 6:00 pm

Wednesday, January 7

            Regionalization Forum – 6:30 pm

            (see “SPOTLIGHT ON” below)

Monday, January 19

            Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – NO SCHOOL

Friday, January 30  

            All-School Assembly – 2:15 pm

            Report Cards Mailed Home

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IN THE SCOOLHOUSE

Public Speaking

One of the first things that I noticed about Leverett students was their ability to speak publicly. When I attended the Sixth Grade Farewell in June, I was struck by the students’ poise and clarity as they addressed the audience.  A week or so later, I met several families at a brunch, and many children approached me and introduced themselves in a confident and articulate manner. I came away feeling quite sure that there were not many ‘shrinking violets’ at LES! 

Now that I have had almost a half a school year to observe classrooms, I understand much better how that confidence is built, bit-by-bit, during a child’s years here. Recently, I wrote of many different classroom projects and performances that I have enjoyed and over the past week, that number has continued to grow. The third graders’ poetry was just amazing, and I felt quite humbled when my third grade partner told me that it was my turn to create my own poem. Then I ventured to fourth grade where a celebration of their fiction writing was underway, another chance to read some highly imaginative writing and to hear each of the students read a synopsis of their work. Finally, yesterday, it was the fifth graders who presented the geographical web sites that they had created. I served on a panel whose task was to ask the students questions and to give feedback on their work. The fifth graders’ task was to convince us that the websites were worthy of selling to the panelists’ ‘information design systems’ agency. You can imagine their delight when they came away with a ‘check’ for a $5000 retainer fee! 

The final performance yesterday was of the musical variety, with the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade chorus singing for their classmates in the afternoon, and their families in the evening. Getting up on stage, especially when rehearsal time has been limited, can be very nerve-wracking, but the kids did an admirable job.

Thank you to all of the adults who shepherd students through these tasks. It is the ongoing opportunities to share their work and to practice speaking in front of others that help children become impressive and articulate public speakers and performers.

As 2014 draws to a close, I’d like to take a moment to extend my very great thanks to everyone in the LES community for making me feel so incredibly welcome and at home. I am so happy to be here, and look forward to a wonderful 2015! 

Have a terrific vacation!!   -Margot Lacey

JANUARY CALENDAR

The calendar for next month is attached to this Post.  Please detach and keep it to refer to throughout the month.

WINTER CLOTHES FOR OUTDOOR RECESS

Now that cold, windy, wet and snowy weather is here for the duration of the winter, please send your child to school dressed warmly for outdoor recess everyday. This includes wearing socks, boots, hats, gloves, snow pants and a warm winter jacket. We go outside for recess everyday except Wednesday. Many children have been coming to school underdressed for recess.  In order for kids to be able to fully enjoy recess, they must be dressed warmly and follow the school rules outlined here: 

Children who want to play in the snow during recess MUST wear:

     • PS, K, and Grade 1:  boots and snowpants

     •Grades 2, 3, & 4:  boots to play on the snow,

            snowpants to play in the snow

     •Grades 5 &6:  boots

Leaving boots, snow pants and gloves at school for the week can be a solution for kids who “forget” to bring these items in on a daily basis.  Another option is to always keep a pair of gloves, a hat and an extra pair of socks in your child’s backpack. Also, please remember to send in a pair of “indoor shoes” to change into once the wet boots come off.

 We have a limited supply of boots, gloves and snow pants in the Nurse’s office with limited storage space to keep any more than that on hand.  I try to save these items for “emergencies” like when kids get soaked while having fun at recess. Also, they are for kids who may have outgrown last year’s boots or snow pants or may not own all of the items listed.  

If you are in need of financial assistance to purchase warm winter clothing for your growing child, please contact Nurse Jill at 548-9144 ext. 3, to inquire about the Kimball Trust fund.  The Kimball Trust fund is available to help low income Leverett families buy basic, protective clothing for their school aged children.

Thanks for helping to keep LES kids warm and dry. Best wishes and happy holidays to all!

                                                            -Nurse Jill

PTO SPOTLIGHT ON . . .

Leverett Community Interview of the Week

Noel Kenny

Third Grade

What do you like about LES?

I like art. I like the longer recess than other schools. It's a really good school.

What do you like doing in your free time?

I like playing with Legos, playing with my dog and going for big hikes.

PTO Update

• Give the Gift That Gives Twice! This holiday season consider making a tax deductible donation to the PTO in honor of a teacher/staff member. For every donation made a card and your message will be sent to the teacher/staff member. A form is attached to this Post.
 

We are Collecting

Gift Wrap & Paper Towel Tubes!!

The LES Library is collecting gift wrap 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.

Our Union #28 substitute, Mary Lou Conca, will have her poetry/photography show on display for your viewing pleasure.  Her work is meant to be thought-provoking.  Her show will be up for the month of January at the Jones Library, downtown Amherst, under her pen/maiden name of Ferro.

Happy Valley Children’s Chorus Concert

Sunday, December 21st, 1:30 PM

(rescheduled from last weekend)

First Congregational Church of Amherst

165 Main Street, Amherst, MA 01002

Call 413-668-4189 for more information

Pete Seeger Songs, Kids 5-12! Many solos!

Christmas trees and wreaths!  The Field Family invites the LES community to the Christmas tree lot in the front yard at The Field Family Farmstand, 264 Long Plain Road.   Ben Field and his dad, Jeff, have hand picked and cut every tree and can even make you a wreath for your door if you want. Come and pick out your tree during the day or under the lights, until 8:30pm or so, every day. No worries if we are not home, just help yourself to twine and put your cash or local check in the lockbox on the farmstand. Thanks so much for your support and we hope all have a wonderful and peace-filled holiday season! Merry Christmas!  

LES students Madeline and Toler Poole will perform in Amherst Ballet’s production of Cinderella on Saturday, December 20^th, 1:00 pm, Bowker Auditorium in Stockbridge Hall on the UMass Campus.  Ticket prices are $15 adults, $5 for children.

Instrumental Music Teacher Brian Bender's world music band THE PANGEANS will be performing at Northampton First Night at 7 & 8 pm at the WWII Club in Northampton, and also at the Wendell Full Moon Coffee House on January 10th at 7:30pm.  Both shows are open to all ages.

Leverett Congregational Church, Tuesday, December 23, 7 pm. Join us for a child friendly service of traditional readings, choral anthems, and carol singing, closing with Silent Night by candlelight. All are welcome with handicapable access, and free. Located across from the Leverett Post Office. For more information, call Claudia Gere 413-359-0003 or email at [email protected].

FOOD DRIVE

Please leave canned or dry food at the Town Hall, School, Library or Transfer Station.  Donated food will be delivered to the Amherst Survival Center and the Franklin Area Survival Center.  Thank you!

-The Leverett Selectboard