September 2, 2016
Monday, September 5
Labor Day- NO SCHOOL
Monday, September 19
World Peace Gathering- 9:15am
Monday, October 3
Picture Day
Wednesday, October 5
Open House
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SPOTLIGHT ON…
FORMS, FORMS, and MORE FORMS!
Many, many thanks to all the parents/guardians who have already filled out the avalanche of forms sent home in the back-to-school mailing. For the few who haven’t done so yet, please send them in soon – especially the emergency information form (gold) so that we are able to contact you if necessary. The school directory will be published next week, so make sure you send in the pink form if you would like your family to be included!
IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE
Welcome Back!!
Where did the summer go? Has it really been ten weeks since school ended in June?
Yes, it’s been a hot, dry, and seemingly quick summer, but we are geared up and ready for the approach of fall, and the beginning of another year of learning, exploration, and fun.
Over the past week, I have spent many hours in conversations and meetings with teachers. Just today, I was in five hours of meetings devoted to going through the class lists, and sharing information about individual student’s academic and social/emotional strengths and needs. These were but two of the many gatherings where teachers strategized and collaborated so that there are well- crafted plans in place to get the year off to a great start for everyone!
As many of you know, I spent ten days backpacking in Yosemite National Park in July. I always enjoy the collective spirit that quickly develops among a group of hikers, and seeing the ways that different people embrace the hard work of carrying a heavy backpack all day, cooking a meal for twelve on two one-burner stoves, and then climbing the peak behind camp to watch the sunset. But tramping for miles also was a time of contemplation, and LES was never far from my thoughts. Shortly after my return, teachers received several pages of “musings” from me, with ideas that had been percolating while on the trail.
I have also had conversations with parents about some of their hopes and dreams for the coming year, and I shared those with teachers. There is much to think about, and optimism is high as we consider ways to put those ideas into action. At this week’s Wednesday afternoon meeting, we will begin to prioritize our work, so that it can be thoughtful and meaningful, and have logical continuity over the course of the year.
There are some ideas that we are working on that parents may be interest to know:
• Teachers are working with Dawn Ward to help develop more collaborative instruction in the greenhouse, which we hope will help to lighten Dawn’s workload.
• Victoria Shaw, longtime Adventure Program teacher recently decided to retire. There is strong desire to continue this kind of program, and perhaps extend it throughout the grades. This will be a work-in-progress during the fall, but we are hoping that our fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students will still be able to take field trips to Morse Hill, where Victoria continues to run an outdoor center.
• Some parents have asked us if there is a way to have assemblies that incorporate more community singing and are more interactive. These are interesting ideas that the staff is considering as we plan for the year. Stay tuned! There will be community gathering to celebrate World Peace Day (officially September 21st), and the date will be announced in next week’s Post.
Stay tuned. Be sure to read the Friday Post, and visit the school website for updated information, and classroom blogs as they begin to develop.
But first, enjoy this last long weekend of the summer!
- Margot Lacey
Notes From Nurse Karyn
Hello everyone and welcome back to school! I have had a great week meeting new students, families, and greeting returning students. As many families have read in the newspaper, EpiPens are an expensive yet lifesaving requirement for some of our students. I have several $0 co-pay cards available in the nurse’s office for families who are interested. If you are unable to come to the nurse’s office to retrieve a card please call me and I will gladly put one in your child’s backpack.
Attendance- As a reminder, please call Kate Rice or myself to report known absences or tardies. Part of the school health policy requires me to call the parents of absent students. To avoid this interruption in your day please call to inform us of planned medical appointments and planned absences.
Thank you and have a healthy year!
Karyn Briand RN, MSN 413-548-9144 (extension 3)
HOW MANY FRIDAY POSTS?
The Friday Post was sent home today with the youngest child in each family. If you would like more or fewer copies, please call Kate at 548-9144 or e-mail [email protected]. Also, if you would prefer to have the newsletter e-mailed to you instead of (or in addition to) a hard copy, please let us know.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
(Items listed here are not school sponsored)
Happy Valley Children’s Chorus
Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00 Ages 4-10 years old September 13th-Nov. 1st
Rehearsals held at the First Congregational Church of Amherst in the Hawley Room 65 Main Street, Amherst, MA
Performance on Sunday, Nov. 6th, 1:30 Cost: $80
Directed by Dorothy Cresswell
*The kids were amazing—-their enthusiasm was both beautiful and contagious.”
For more information contact: [email protected]
413-668-4189 www.dorothycresswell.com
Piano Lessons with Daphne Bye, Montague Center. Start at age 5 or 6 with the Suzuki approach or at any later age for a comprehensive approach to reading and loving music. A few weekly spots still available. 413-834-0597 [email protected]
Johnny’s Tavern & Sound Health Bodyworks Present:
Donation Day!
Thursday, September 8th
* 11:30am - 9:30pm *
With this coupon (remember to bring it with you!) Johnny’s Tavern will donate 20% of your food order to the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) fundraiser. All money goes to Dana Farber Cancer Institute for research and treatment.
Come early and enjoy a free chair massage before you eat!
Chair massage, coupons & raffle prizes provided by 200 mile PMC Riders;
Kerry Young @ Sound Health Bodyworks AND Andrew Young @ The Whole Tree!
Kerry Young, mother of Ben Young(grade 6) and owner / operator of Sound Health Bodyworks, will be offering chair massage at the Amherst Block Party on Thursday September 15th, 5-9pm. Take a moment to breathe a little slower, sink into your body-mind center a little deeper. Everyone who gets a chair massage will get a discount coupon for a full session at the office! I will be near the Laughing Dog Cycle Shop. Please stop by and say hello, even if you don't have time to stay for a massage.