OCTOBER 22, 2015
Friday, October 23
Curriculum Day – NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, October 27
Special Town Meeting
Wednesday & Thursday, October 28 & 29
Parent/Teacher Conferences – 1:05 Dismissal
Book Fair!
Friday, October 30
Book Character Day
All-School Assembly – 2:15 pm
PTO Halloween Party – 6-8 pm
Monday, November 2
School Committee Meeting – 7:00pm
Tuesday & Wednesday, November 3 & 4
Parent/Teacher Conferences – 1:05 Dismissal
IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE
Progress Monitoring
As a staff, we work in groups called Professional Learning Communities. These groups undertake intensive research, which includes looking at student work, investigating teaching techniques, and finding new ways to build and enhance student learning. This year, one of the PLCs is focusing on modes of assessment and developing reliable tools for showing student growth. For youngsters in the early grades, progress is monitored constantly, as they move from learning their letters and numbers, and become increasingly competent readers, writers, and mathematicians. As concepts and skills become more complex in the upper grades, effective, on-going progress monitoring becomes more challenging, so we are always trying to find new ways to accurately measure student growth and understanding.
Unlike classroom teachers, who most often observe children’s progress for a single year, a building administrator enjoys the opportunity to watch children grow over a period of years. Occasionally, I can’t help but imagine our preschoolers and kindergartners on stage for their Sixth Grade Farewell!
But I am getting ahead of myself. The impetus for talking about progress monitoring came from some classroom visits yesterday, and from chatting with teachers about what their students are doing. When I visited the kindergarten, I was amazed by a child who rattled off all the expected letters and sounds quite fluently. Eight weeks ago, he did not have a single one! Just before my kindergarten visit, I dropped in on a lesson finishing up in the Computer Lab, where students were editing some of their extensive narrative writing pieces. In a conversation with the teacher, she noted how much their command of writing has improved since school started—far beyond what might be expected in a mere two months of instruction. These examples speak to the perseverance of our students and to the dedication of everyone who works with them.
With Parent Conferences coming up over the next two weeks, parents and caregivers will also have a chance to do their own ‘progress monitoring.’ Unlike many schools, where parents are allotted a brief 15 minutes, LES parents have enough time to get into a substantive conversation about a child’s school experience. This is the time to trade questions and observations, and to find ways to work together with the teacher, creating an effective team for supporting your child’s continuing academic and social-emotional development. If you haven’t yet made an appointment for a parent conference, please get in touch with your child’s teacher as soon as possible.
We look forward to seeing you!
-Margot Lacey
SPOTLIGHT ON . . .
45 Jackets & Sweatshirts
That is the number in the Lost & Found! Please stop by the new Parent Room, just inside the lobby, to check for missing items. They will be on display during parent-teacher conferences.
35th Annual
Leverett Harvest Festival
Thanks to all the parents, kids, teachers,
school staff and townspeople
who participated at Harvest Festival this year.
Needed: Room parents!
We need one or two parents/caregivers from each class who would be willing to be the liaison(s) for class needs and communications. These individuals would keep other parents aware of class activities, and make calls for volunteers for different events. The room parent would also participate in PTO meetings (once a month). Volunteering for the post is not a lifetime commitment, but please consider doing this for one year of your child’s LES career!
WELLNESS COMMITTEE
The school Wellness Committee is looking for parent members! Help us create and meet goals around physical education, health and nutrition. This year we are looking forward to strengthening our Get Fit Leverett Program and updating our School Wellness Policy. Please contact Molly, Food Service Director, at 413-548-9144, or email [email protected].
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
(Items listed here are not school sponsored)
Free organic apple picking at 82 Juggler Meadow Road in Leverett. The trees are along the driveway and there are a variety of older types on trees at least 50 years old. Take what you will use so they don't go to waste. You can come at anytime or call me after 4 pm Monday-Friday and anytime on the weekend at 413-218-3289. There are also a lot on the ground, perfect for cider pressing. Please park off the driveway at the front right side of the drive. Thanks and happy picking!
The Enchanted Forest: A Non-scary Halloween Event “Nature’s Myth Busters ”
Friday & Saturday, October 23 & 24 , 5pm-8pm each night
Come to the Enchanted Forest for a magical treat. You will be led along our pumpkin lit forest trails where creatures will emerge to
share their stories. This year, learn fact from fiction from some of your favorite local critters. Fun for all ages!
Adult: Members $10/ Non-members $12
Children: Members $5/ Non-members $6
Under 3 years free
Registration required, please call to sign up for a walk time, space is limited.
Call: 256-6006, Hitchcock Center for the Environment
Free Guinea Pig + supplies (cage, house, water bottle, food dispenser, etc....). He's about 3 years old, healthy. Needs a new family who can offer him more time and attention. His current family is distracted by a new, crazy dog. If interested call Sarah (413) 540-3839
Mary Lou Ferro Conca, Union #28 substitute teacher, will have her poetry/photography show on display at the Leverett Village Coop for the month of October. Please stop by and take a look.
