MAY 22, 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
Happy Times!
Earlier this week, all of teaching staff were treated to a scrumptious luncheon, put together by Ivy Mabius and Jai Fuller. The serving tables were laden with food, provided by many parents, and the cafeteria was transformed, replete with flowers and live music. What a splendid occasion, and one that was most appreciated by all of us. Thank you to Ivy and Jai, and to the many people who made it such a special occasion!
And, there’s more to come!
Next week, the Scholastic Book Fair will be running in the library. Thursday evening is a particularly exciting time. There will be books, plants, ice cream, and talent all happening at the same time!
From 5-6 p.m. Dawn Ward will be hosting an Open House in the greenhouse, and will also be running a plant sale. If you haven’t visited the greenhouse, this is a perfect opportunity to see the work of Dawn and LES students. A few days ago, we served the first of the year’s lettuce in the cafeteria!
Make sure that you visit the Book Fair and stock up on summer reading. If you’re not sure about your child’s reading level, or have trouble finding a book you think they’ll like, check in with Susan Wells. She can guide you to the perfect book.
And then, step outside, where we will be serving ice cream, and will also have a microphone set up for anyone who would like to play an instrument, sing a song, or share a poem.
We look forward to seeing you there!
- Margot Lacey
SPOTLIGHT ON . . .
NEXT YEAR’S CALENDAR
At the School Committee Meeting on May 14th, the Committee approved the calendar for the next school year. A copy is attached to this Post.
P.E. NEWS
- Rick Trowell, P.E. Teacher
Opportunities to exercise and improve overall fitness are often recognized as outcomes of Physical Education classes. Another important benefit of Physical Education but less often thought of as an outcome is the opportunity to develop social skills and build healthy relationships. Students have repeated experiences learning to share, waiting their turn, being successful and sometimes not. As the students gets older, the games and activities taught encourage them to work collaboratively to achieve a goal. Inevitably when playing a game or engaging in a joint activity, conflict will arise. "I got there first," "I'm not out," "I didn't step over the boundary line," etc. Beginning in first grade, the students are taught if they have a close call and need to decide who is right, we use Rock-Paper-Scissors to decide. The chance outcome is accepted and play continues. One of my proudest observations recently was of two fifth graders who had a conflict during a game. Without any intervention, they quickly faced each other, counted "1-2-3 shoot"(Rock-Paper-Scissors), accepted the result, and immediately started playing again. Students who are capable of resolving conflict in a positive way without arguing or needing adult intervention are confident, happier and better prepared for the complex challenges of social relationships.
PLANT SALE
The Leverett Historical Scociety will be having their annual Plant Sale fundraiser rain or shine, on
Saturday, May 23, 2015
9:00 am t 12:00 noon
at the Leverett Town Hall in Leverett Center
Master grdenter Dawn Marvin Ward will be on duty to help assist with plant choices and general garden questions.
Plant donations may be dropped off behind Town Hall during the week prior to the sale.
Please labal AlL donations!
For more information, contact Dawn at 367-9562 or [email protected]
CONFUSED ABOUT ENERGY CHOICES?
Look for the Leverett Energy Committee’s handout at the Library or Town Hall.
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!
NEWS FROM THE FIFTH GRADE
The paragraphs below were written by fifth grade students to let us know what is happening in their class:
WORMS
by Tessa Williams
We got our worm friends from a very special lady named Dawn. She brought in a nice man who taught us how to care for the worms, feed them, and how to clean their habitat. We got the worms on Monday, May 4th. They will break down the compost, then we will bring it to the Greenhouse to help grow plants.
PLAY
by Shemim Mekuria-Miller
The fifth grade has been practicing our class play called, The Judgment of Paris. It is the story of how the Trojan war started. The fifth grade is also starting the new project for Inca, Aztec, and Maya. We have all been working very hard. Here are a few things people in grade 5 would like to say about rehearing:
Shehim M.: I love the feeling of rehearing for the play because I think of it as rehearsing to make people happy.
Emma M.: I like being someone else on stage.
Tanner H.: I like rehearisng for the play because it makes me feel like I am in the spotlight.
FISH
by Emma McIntire
Right after winter break, some brook trout eggs were delivered to our classroom. It has been roughly five months, and our fish have gown to be over an inch. They have green and black stripes. We would love it if you dropped by to check it out!
TESTING
by Linden Jimison
The 5th grade has been working on testing for a very long time. All of us are SO glad that it’s over. This class has done the most testing out the entire school! We have done four PARCC math, three PARCC reading, two PARCC writing, and two MCAS science. We can’t wait for summer vacation, and no more TESTING!
GREENHOUSE HAPPENINGS
We have harvested a big bowl each of first lettuce and kale for the cafeteria! I am amazed at how much the kids LOVE kale!! I heard that a cheer went up at the announcement that our own fresh kale was finally in the salad bar!
The water line project is moving forward with plans BUT we will still need to raise money for this project to get underway. Therefore, I encourage you to come to the Ice Cream Social event on May 28th and stop to help support the greenhouse by purchasing some seedlings that the students have started.
The sixth grade pollinator garden has a new birdbath that you could toss a coin into as well! Kind of like a “wishing well”!
I plan to be working on Memorial Day (Monday, May 26) at the greenhouse if anyone wants to stop by and help pot up and label seedlings for sale.
I look forward to seeing families on the evening of the 28th!
Cheers, Dawn – Greenhouse Manager
Wish List:
Hay bales
Compost
Potting mix
Iron Plant hanger
Humming bird feeder
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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
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.
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!
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.
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.
Boy Scout Troop 500 of Amherst is having an Open House for prospective scouts and their families on Tuesday, May 26 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the South Congregational Church, 1066 Southeast Street, Amherst. Troop 500 has a 50+ year history in Amherst working with school-age boys (grades 6-12). Troop activities are organized and run by the boys, including weekly meetings, monthly campouts, and projects in the community. Our Scouts learn practical outdoor skills and develop leadership skills while having a lot of fun. Troop 500 does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, or sexual preference. For more information, contact Scoutmaster Michelle Chandler at (413) 256-5412.
