June 3, 2016
Saturday, June 4
Farm to Table Dinner- 6-9pm
Monday, June 6
School Committee Meeting- 6:00
Tuesday, June 7
First Grade Authors Breakfast- 8:45
Wednesday, June 8
4th Grade Invention Fair
Kindergarten Open House- 1:30-2:30
Friday, June 10
6th Grade trip to Ramblewild
5th Grade Canoe trip
2nd Grade Writers Celebration- 2:00
Kindergarten Writing Celebration- 2:30
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SPOTLIGHT ON…
Staff Appreciation Lunch Gratitude
Many thanks to the PTO and all the parents who brought food and donated their time to arrange a lovely luncheon for the staff last week. The food was delicious, desserts plentiful and lilacs beautiful. Extra credit to Jen Field for bringing her massage chair! And the colorful annuals will beautify our homes all summer long.
With Gratitude,
The LES Staff
IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE
Coming Soon: It’s the Invention Fair!
Last week it was the fifth graders turn to take the stage to present an amazing play that they had created. This is an eagerly anticipated event, and it lived up to all of the high expectations. This group crafted a play that everyone thoroughly enjoyed, and the costumes, backdrop, and acting was fabulous. Kudoes to the fifth graders and to Mr. Stewart!
Now the focus turns to another annual event. Last minute preparations are underway in fourth grade for their Invention Fair. This is a very big task. There are presentation narratives to be typed, displays to be completed, and patents to be finalized. In the last few days, Lisa Echevarria has been coaxing students through this final phase, encouraging them to add artistic highlights to their presentations, and to get their patents approved.
I had the good fortune to visit the fourth grade and to hear a bit about what Invention Fair visitors will see if they attend the event next Thursday.
Zoe has created in invention to help pick up needles and pins. “I liked making my invention and getting all the pieces. It was hard, but fun.”
When asked how he came up with his invention, Jackson B. noted, “I was just brainstorming. It was a challenge. There were a lot of deadlines. I learned to work faster. I think people will find it interesting and find it useful when they see it.”
Who do you think the inventors are behind these comments?
“I’ve had this idea (for a pencil holder-folder) for a while but I hadn’t had time to make it. This gave me the perfect opportunity. I’m always losing pencils. I’m very excited to share. It’s going to be fun.”
“My invention is Pirou-shoe. I got this idea because I couldn’t do a turn in hip-hop shoes. If I wore ballet shoes, I wouldn’t be able to go outside. I kept messing up my poster. I had to do it four times, so that was hard. It was fun to think of a problem with something you enjoy, and fixing it. “
“I invented the pancake cutter. It makes it easier to cut pancakes, kind of like waffles that have the lines. I got to use a new tool—a riveter. It was hard because because I couldn’t make it quite as big as I wanted. People should come so they can see all the ideas and problems that people in this class have had.”
“I invented a Sport Organizer-Hanger because it will help dry off sports equipment. Lots of times I don’t get my hockey equipment dry and then it irritates my skin. This will help me not lose any of my equipment because I’ll know where it is. It was hard to get started, and to get my prototype built. I liked building the popsicle stick prototype and making the poster.”
“My invention is the all-in- one brush. It has a mirror and hair ties and bobby pins all attached to the brush. At first I had the idea for the brush and mirror, but someone else had already done that, so I added the other things. This will help me keep things together when I’m on road trips and vacations. It was hard thinking of how I could attach the bobby pins.”
“My mom helped me with the idea of a earplug necklace that would help people with autism when there are loud noises. Getting the rainbow adhesive to stick on was hard. It was fun testing it out because it mostly worked, but maybe the earplugs aren’t good enough yet.”
“It’s the shoe-cleaner. It cleans the floor as you walk around. Everytime I make a mess, my back starts hurting and I don’t want to bend down and clean the floor. It was fun because I got to make a mess. The challenge was getting the whole contraption to work.”
“My invention is called The Book Box, but it’s not a book box. It will hold the book open so you can read while you do other things. This is a made with a bike helmet, two sticks, hot glue, and clothes hanger and a box. The process of making it, and getting it all assembled was fun. It was really heavy in front, so I had to fix that, and hot gluing it was hard.”
“My invention is called CHP. It’s a car holder plus playmat. It has a holder for legoes, electronics, and books. I wanted to make something that would help people who get carsick from looking down all the time. The poster and the actual invention were tricky. I had to get all the materials and get it organized. It holds everything and helps in the car.”
“My invention is called Bike-tilting. This is a complicated game involving PVC tubing, a bike, a pole, a soccer ball,and a wiffle ball. This is an invention that came about through trial and error. It was fun.”
The Invention Fair is Wednesday, June 8th, with parents and visitors invited to attend from 8:45-9:45am. It’s a great time to see LES students in action!
-Margot Lacey
School Lunch Accounts
Please make sure your children's school lunch accounts are paid in full by the last day of school. I have been emailing families who owe money, but if you are unsure of your account status please send me a quick email to check. Any funds left in accounts at the end of the year roll over to next year or can be transferred to a younger sibling.
FIELD DAY POPS
A time-honored tradition on Field Day is the distribution of popsicles to all the students during the staff vs 6th grade volleyball game. This year I was approached by a group of 4th, 5th, and 6th grade concerned citizens with a petition to get popsicles with ingredients that are accessible to all the students. I'm hoping to honor that request by offering Outshine Fruit Bars, which contain no artificial flavors or colors, and are gluten-free. Any families wishing to contribute to the additional cost of these popsicles please see Margot or Kate.
Taste of Destination Imagination
Thursday, June 16th 4:30-6:00 pm
Leverett Elementary School parent room
Is your child creative, imaginative, and good at hands-on projects? Are you looking for a new outlet to foster this interest in a small, team-oriented atmosphere? If so, we invite you to join a short session aimed at introducing kids and parents to Destination Imagination. We will describe the program, provide examples of problems, show videos of team competitions, and have kids work in teams on some instant challenges. This is also a great opportunity for parents to learn more about the program.
Destination Imagination www.destinationimagination.org is an international, team-based, problem-solving program that fosters creativity in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and fine arts. Based on expressed interest, we are likely starting 2 teams at LES next fall. If you and your child want to find out more, please attend this session and/or contact LES parent Allison Roy at allison.h.roy@gmail.com.
Kindergarten Needs…
Kindergarten is looking for a small/medium sized gerbil cage to use for the summer for our classrooms gerbils. They have a very large cage in the classroom, but need something smaller for summer lodging. We would be happy to return it in September. Kindergarten is also looking for any gently used kid friendly plastic gardening tools we could use as part of our science exploration of plants and gardening. Thank you!
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
(Items listed here are not school sponsored)
Big BIG Tag Sale
Saturday, June 4, 9am-3pm
Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst
121 N. Pleasant Street
Treasures from households all over the Valley!
Collectables, Vintage and Antique items, Small Appliances, Household and Kitchen Items, Art Objects/Prints, Books, Small Furniture pieces, Office Supplies, Toys/Games, Holiday Decorations/Items… and so much more!
Proceeds benefit social justice, environmental and other UUSA ministries.
Educational Resources For Sale
K-5 workbooks, manipulative, games, early reader books etc. Previously used for home education. Bundles are posted for sale under books on Western MA Craigslist if you’d like to see some of what I have. Please contact Heather 413-367-2828; heather01054@hotmail.com if you’re interested. Thanks!
Wild Coyotes After School Program
2016-17 Now Registering
Wednesdays, 1-5pm meeting @ LES
A supportive container for kids to grow, play and deepen their connection to nature. Kids are encouraged to follow their interests and explore the natural world through all their senses. Combining outdoor skills, unstructured free play and a long-term mentoring model, Wild Coyotes offers your kids a safe place to be themselves and develop a deeper connection with the natural world.
For more details, visit us online: http://www.wolftreema.com/wildcoyotes/
The Hartsbrook School’s Farm Camp offers children the chance to connect with nature through the life of a working farm. Through meaningful work, Young Stewards (ages 6-12) learn about the farm animals and their care. They enjoy the land-based crafts of farm and garden, such as butter/cheese making, wool dyeing, felting, and paper making. The Spouts (ages 4-6) have their own teacher and activities, like grinding grain, making flower chains, and visiting the animals. All campers sing songs, listen to stories and play water games. Enjoy some fresh air, purposeful work and the fun of working with fellow campers. 8:45 am to 3 pm, M-F. One week sessions from June 20 through July 15. Registration at harstbrook.org. Questions? Call 413-586-1908 x116
Community Health Fair on JUNE 8TH, 2016 from 1-5pm. This family friendly event will be held at the Community Health Center at the Cherry Rum Plaza in Greenfield. The event is presented by the Community Health Center of Franklin County, Health New England and the GCC Healthcare Club. Health screenings for dental, mental health, nutrition, blood pressure and blood glucose will be offered. Enjoy show and tell of emergency vehicles by Greenfield Police, Greenfield Fire and MedCare. All are welcome!
Fairies of the Seasons
June 4th, 9:30am-10:30am
at the Wendell Library, 7 Wendell Depot Rd.
In this magical show, set on a handmade dress that twirls as the year turns, each season has its own fairy that takes care of changing the natural world accordingly. That is, until a grumpy gnome decides to rearrange all the season fairies so things will stay the same all year round! Beautiful handmade fairy puppets and hand-felted animals invite young children to move, sing, and help the fairies of each season as they try find their way back.
Recommended for ages 2-7, but all are welcome.
This event is funded by a grant from the Wendell Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, offered in collaboration with the Community Network for Children Program, and the Wendell Library.
Awesome available summer childcare! I’m Lily Stratford and I’m a 21 year old nursing student. I live in Leverett and have been babysitting for area kids of all ages for 9 years. I am CPR/AED and PEARS (Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization) certified. In past years, I’ve done trips to Lake Wyola, Look Park, the Eric Carle Museum, Mill River, area playgrounds, nature exploration, arts & crafts and other fun activities which I plan to do this summer! Due to the fact that I have two children participating already, drop off and pick up will be at my house. I’m available from 8:30-4 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through the end of July and Monday through Friday throughout August. References upon request. Please call with questions- 413.834.1654- Thanks!
Lot 80 Rattlesnake Gutter Rd; MLS#72009846
Discover the perfect blend of rural living, close proximity to Amherst, and fiber optic connectivity to the rest of the world right here in Leverett! On a quiet road ending in conservation land, build your dreams on this lovely sunny parcel. Wildlife abounds on this ready to build site. The septic plan is approved and the well has been installed! This highly customizable home can be adapted to suit any living arrangement and can be modified to achieve net zero performance. Various package options are available.
Contact Heather Hutchinson for more information
heather01054@hotmail.com; 413-695- 2954
Leverett Ladies Art Show
Paintings by Hillary Wilbur Ferro, Ivy Mabius and Kaitlin Scutari, Local Artists
at the Leverett town Library
May 19th - June 28th
Ashfield Community Theater presents:
The Quick-Change Room, a raucous backstage comedy about art vs. commerce
Starring LES alum Jaz Blain!
Ashfield Town Hall
412 Main Street, Ashfield
Friday, June 3 7pm
Saturday, June 4 7pm
www.acth.org