APRIL 1, 2016
Monday, April 4
School Committee Meeting- 6:00pm
Wednesday, April 6- Thursday, April 7
Parent/Teacher Conferences- 1:05 Dismissal
Tuesday, April 12-Wednesday, April 13
Parent/Teacher Conferences- 1:05 Dismissal
Thursday, April 14
Story Festival- 6:30pm
Monday, April 18- Friday, April 22
Spring Recess- NO SCHOOL
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IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE
In the News
Whatever Friday Post ideas may have been swirling in my head earlier this week were quickly revised as I watched last night’s local news. The principals in U28 had each been contacted by a newspaper reporter last week about ‘time out rooms,’ and we were quite mystified about why this was suddenly a hot button topic. After last night’s news, I finally understood why they were probing for information. The news story suggested that a western Massachusetts school is under investigation for their use of a ‘time out’ room.
I want to assure LES parents that there is no ‘time out’ room here. Each teacher works with children in a developmentally appropriate way to help them regulate their emotions and manage frustrations that may arise over social interactions or schoolwork. Sometimes, the first step is to encourage a child to take a brief walk to help them refocus, or to move to a designated area (such as a ‘Take Five’ chair) where the child can reflect on what is happening. Children may also move to these areas voluntarily if they are feeling overwhelmed. Many of the classrooms have a desk just outside the door (where they can be observed from the classroom), but those are not necessarily ‘time out’ desks. While a teacher may ask a child to use the desk as a way of regrouping, students often choose to use these desks as a quiet place to read or finish work, or to work collaboratively with others. Thus, there is no ‘punishment’ connotation attached to these areas.
We also have a sensory room, where an adult can help children regulate through physical movement. Children are never left unsupervised, or without an adult to help them get back into a positive and productive mode.
Our goal is always to encourage a positive approach towards school and learning, and to help children learn to navigate the occasional bumps in the road with a ‘can do’ and “I can fix this’ confidence, knowing that they have the support of those around them.
When kids experience these bumps, it is often all that they can remember about the day. Parents have different ways of helping children reflect in the evening, ranging from highs and lows to best and hardest, and even two realsies and a whopper! No matter what style fits your family, these conversations are very important, providing a vital framework to a child’s experience in school.
-Margot Lacey
SPOTLIGHT ON…
On Thursday, April 7th, the Leverett Elementary 3rd and 4th Grade classes will be taking a morning field trip to see and hear the Pioneer Valley Symphony Performance "Fanfares and Finales.". The field trip bus is paid for a by The Yellow School Bus grant obtained by Mrs. Renauld and the PVSO performs this concert for free! This concert is the culmination of a six week unit study of the symphony and it's instruments. More than 1,000 students from Western Massachusetts will attend this and hear the full orchestra perform the pieces they have been studying.
What’s Happening at LES?
Visit the school website leverettschool.org and check out all the updated blogs! You’ll find amazing kids’ projects and details about what each class is working on. Just click on Leverett Blogs in the dropdown under News.
STARS Residency
John Porcino, local story-teller and musician, started his STARS Residency (funded by the Mass Cultural Council) with LES this week. He will join us in the library and in classrooms for the next month. His work with K-6 (on storytelling out-loud, and in some classes, through writing) will culminate in classroom showcases and a Story Festival on Thursday, April 14th, at 6:30pm. Everyone is invited!
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
(Items listed here are not school sponsored)
My name is Willa Hartl and I have been babysitting for 5 years. I am a freshman in high school and I have experience babysitting ages 4 mos to 10 year olds. I love playing with kids inside or outside. I am looking for jobs after school or on the weekends. I am free every day except Thur. I charge $10 an hour. My phone number is (413)801-4585 and my email is [email protected] ,but texting or calling me is best! References available. I would love to hear from you.
Amherst Together presents
The SPRING FESTIVAL of FILMS for HUMANITY
Contemplating our humanity through film.
April 5-27, 2016.
All films begin at 6:30pm at ARMS or ARHS auditoriums. Discussions immediately following. All screenings are FREE and open to the public.
For a schedule and more information, go to www.amhersttogether.org
Help needed with spring cleanup in South Leverett on Juggler Meadow Road. Jobs include leaf and yard raking, pick up & carting brush and apple tree prunings, spreading mulch, weeding and edging projects, setting up summer furniture, and other outdoor chores. I'm looking for a responsible, hard worker who I will train and assist with the work. The pay rate will start at $8.00/hour usually in 2-4 hour periods on the weekends. The pay rate will increase to $10.00/hour based on level of ability and need for oversight.
Call Mary Jo at 413-218-3289 and leave contact information.