APRIL 29, 2016
Saturday, April 30
Town Meeting- 9:00am
Childcare provided in the morning
Tuesday-Thursday, May 3-5 (morning)
PARCC ELA Assessments, Grades 3-6
Thursday, May 5
Destination Imagination info session
5:00pm in the Parent Room
Friday, May 6
Curriculum Day- NO SCHOOL
Sunday, May 15
LES Spring Volunteer Day- 9:00am
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IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE
Personal Space Camp
The kindergartners have just paid a visit to the office, adorned with the space helmets that they had made, and carefully observing their designated spaces along a rope. They were accompanied by “Mission Specialist Bethany” and “Commander Karen”, who have been their leaders during Personal Space Camp. Yesterday, the children moved through the halls, safe within their ‘space bubbles’ (small hula hoops), and quite serious about showing that they know the meaning of personal space. While it has been quite entertaining to watch our Speech Pathologist Karen Gallagher and School Psychologist Bethany Politylo heading off to kindergarten in their ‘helmets’ (colanders) and ‘jet packs’ (made out of two-liter plastic bottles), the work they have been doing is vitally important. Helping children to understand that people have different comfort levels with physical proximity to others is an essential ingredient to successful social interactions in school and in the larger world.
The school environment is one where students often work and play alongside each other, and most children are quite accustomed to crowding around to get a better look at something, or as part of a game. Most of the time this works well, but when a child feels overwhelmed by the crush of bodies or voices around them, the fun is quickly replaced by frustration and anger.
Karen and Bethany have teamed up on several projects this year, including helping fifth graders to develop their executive functioning and organizational skills, and Bethany also worked with me and teacher Lisa Echevarria to help fourth graders with positive social interactions.
It is quite remarkable to be in a school where collaboration such as this is quite routine. Just yesterday, I was describing how my head was spinning in my first months here, trying to keep track of all of the different times that teachers were meeting about this and that. When a class or group of children seem to be struggling, teachers and other staff are quick to reach out to ask for suggestions or help. The social and academic progress of every child is routinely discussed during team meetings. While it is often said that teachers frequently are most comfortable going into their classroom, closing the door, and giving the lesson, nothing could further from the truth here at LES. Teachers observe each other, give one another feedback, and come together to continually fine-tune their practice, always with children as the focus.
This kind of teaching practice comes about through ongoing honest conversation, deep caring, accountability, and a sense of trust. And all of that is rooted in Personal Space Camp!
-Margot Lacey
Destination Imagination Information Session
On Thursday, May 5th at 5:00pm there will be an information session for parents and teachers who would like to learn more about Destination Imagination and may be interested in having their child participate and/or coaching in the 2016-17 school year. Allison Roy will give a short presentation about the program followed by an open question and answer period. We will also discuss how LES will go about making team(s) and selecting problems, who will be coaches, and the timing of practices. If you would like to learn more about this creative, problem-solving program on your own, visit the website at http://www.destinationimagination.org/. If you cannot make the information session but are interested in staying in the loop about the program, please email Allison Roy at [email protected].
Calling All Woodworkers!
The preschool is reaching out and looking for small scraps of wood that you might have and are willing to donate to our creation station. We will be creating wood sculptures and learning the art of using hammers and nails.
Thanks for your support.
The Preschool Team
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
(Items listed here are not school sponsored)
Clinical and Support Options is offering a free Youth Mental Health First Aid training open to the community on 5/13 and 5/20 from 12:30-5:00 at 8 Atwood Drive, Northampton. Pre-registration is required. A registration form is attached but interested parties can also contact us directly at[email protected].
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
Youth Mental Health First Aid is a nationally recognized program, offered through the National Council on Behavioral Health. For more information about MHFA, go towww.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.
Check Out The Common School’s Summer Programs for Children Ages 3-12!
SUMMERFUN 2016
Mini Camp:
June 20 - June 24
8:30 - 3:30pm
Summerfun:
June 27 - July 22
8:30 - 3:30pm
Sample of our programming:
Farm to Table - Bramble Hill Days July 11 - July 22
Ages 8-12
Spend two weeks in July enjoying the bounty of Summer. Through partnership with Bramble Hill Farm, and with the use of The Common School's Garden, we'll harvest seasonal goodies and prepare them in the kitchen. Fresh pickles, farmers cheese, jam, pesto and pie to name a few. Come with an appetite and a desire to create. We'll talk about different ways of preserving the harvest and will be sure to make enough to send kids home with some of our delicious creations as well. Choice time offerings will include fiber arts, baking, games, and other farm related crafts.
www.commonschool.org
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.
Multi-Arts
Our children are our world's future scientists, leaders, researchers, artists, engineers and much more. Through the arts, children develop their own critical view of the world around them in a fun and joyful environment. We have done it for 16 years and we are proud to continue!
Registration for our SUMMER CAMP is open.
Please, check the dates and select the weeks of your choice.
http://www.multi-arts.org/summer-camp-2016.html
Check our Counselor in Training program for your TEENS!
Tax deductible: Multi-Arts camps may count as an expense towards the childcare credit. Our tax ID is 201-356-307