September 19, 2014
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Friday, September 26
All-School Assembly – 2:15 p.m.
Monday, October 6
School Committee Meeting – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 8
Open House – 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Monday, October 13
Columbus Day – NO SCHOOL
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IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE
Staying Connected…
We live in an age where staying in touch is remarkably easy. With the school year well underway, many LES teachers have been able to get their classroom blogs going. I encourage you to visit those blogs! The joy and pride that is reflected by the children and their work says so much about the wonderful learning that goes on here every day. We also hope that you have reserved the evening of October 8th on your calendar. That is the date of Open House, and we would love to have every family represented!
100% participation would also be greatly appreciated by Marilyn Putnam, our hardworking secretary. So far, she has received 59% of the Parent Sign-Off forms for the Student Handbook. Reading through the handbook, and making sure that both parents and children understand their rights and responsibilities is essential. The vital information contained in the handbook ranges from the arrival/dismissal times to important school policies. If you’ve not done so already, take a few minutes to look over the information, and discuss relevant parts of the handbook with your child. And don’t forget to return the sign-off sheet!
-Margot Lacey
SPOTLIGHT ON . . .
TERRA NOVA TESTING
Students in Grades 6 took Terra Nova tests this week, and students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will take them over the next few weeks. These tests are comprehensive measures of student achievement in reading and math. Our students’ performance is measured against their grade peers all across the USA. These tests are sent to the publisher to be scored and will be returned to us in time to share with parents at the fall Parent/Teacher conferences. The schedule for testing is listed below. All of the testing will take place in the morning, so please be sure your child gets to school on time. Thank you.
Grade 4 September 22, 23, 24
Grade 5 September 29, 30, & October 1
Grade 3 October 6, 7, 8
ERVING SCHOOL UNION #28
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
State education officials will visit Leverett Elementary School for a program review during the week of October 20, 2014.
During the routine visit, Special Education, Civil Rights, and English Learner Education programs will be evaluated to verify compliance with state and federal requirements.
The officials will interview administrators, teachers and staff, survey parents, and observe instructional spaces. Anyone wishing to be interviewed by the officials regarding any of the areas of review should call the Superintendent’s 0ffice at (413) 423-3337, no later than October 6th. They may also call the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at (413) 314-6702. The interviews will take place within two weeks of completion of the onsite visit.
FROM THE LES LIBRARY:
Looking For Volunteer Opportunities?
In the first 17 days of school over 1,300 books have been checked out of the school library!
Our students are READERS!
Would you be willing to help in the Leverett School Library? No knowledge of Dewey Decimal System required! If you can spare some time, I am looking for some help shelving books in the library. Any help would be most welcome!
Please contact Susan Wells. Thank you! [email protected] or 548-9144 ext. 7
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS
A letter and registration form from Brian Bender, our Instrumental Music teacher, announcing the start of this year’s program, was attached to the Post on September 5th. This program is offered to students in Grades 3 - 6. It is a fee-based program and lessons take place after school in the music room on Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Brian at [email protected]. If you need another registration form, please call Marilyn at 548-9144.
TOO MANY FRIDAY POSTS?
If your family is getting more copies of the Post than you need, please call Marilyn at 548-9144 or e-mail [email protected], and let me know which of your children should bring home the Post. Thanks!
SCHOOL PICTURE DAY!
Our school picture day will be Tuesday, October 7th. There is a flier attached to this week’s Post with instructions on how you may order and pay on-line. Next week, we’ll be sending home a paper order form which you may use if you would prefer.
PTO NEWS
Leverett Community Interview of the Week
Martha Guilmette
Kindergarten Paraprofessional
What do you like to do in your free time? Paint. I love to paint. I love finding new uses for old things, fixing them up and making them into something. Recently I took an old bed frame and made it into a bench. We are also an outdoor family.
What are you looking forward to at LES this year? I was a substitute for a long time. I'm excited to be back in a classroom and working with the children.
PTO News
• We are still looking for someone to help with the outdoor sign. The commitment is to just check in with Marilyn once a week. Some weeks it will need to be changed and other weeks it will stay as is. Contact Marilyn if you are available.
• Next week the Genivieve's fundraiser packet will go home with your child. Please consider participating to help raise money for the PTO.
SUBSTITUTES
ERVING SCHOOL UNION #28
(Erving, Leverett, Shutesbury and Swift River Schools) is increasing its pool for
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS (Music, PE, and Art), AIDES and RN’s
All grades Pre-K – 6
Please visit our website at www.union28.org for a substitute application and CORI form and send with a resume to:
BettyLou Mallet
ERVING SCHOOL UNION #28
18 Pleasant Street
Erving, MA 01344
(413) 423-3337
[email protected]
~ EOE ~
LEVERETT LIBRARY NEWS AND EVENTS
Please stop in or call for more information on all programs, 548-9220.
•Free Movie Night - The Straight Story, Friday Sept 19 at 7:30pm. From director David Lynch comes a lyrical portrait of Alvin Straight’s real journey across America's Heartland. When not rolling along at five miles an hour aboard his '66 John Deere, Alvin encounters a number of strangers, and by sharing his life's earned wisdom with simple stories, he has a profound impact on the characters that color his pilgrimage. Starring Richard Farnsworth and Sissy Spacek. Rated G
•Calling all building enthusiasts, Lego Club is Back! Join us for some creative construction fun on Thursday Sept 25, 3:15-4:30. Kids can walk over after school with parent and school permission. Please call or stop in at the library to register.
•Thursday Sept 25 7-8 pm local author Gerald McFarland will join us to talk about his new novel, What the Owl Saw. The adventures of the 18th century sorcerer Don Carlos Buenaventura of New Mexico continue in this second book of the series.
•The Leverett, Shutesbury, Wendell and Erving Libraries will offer 36 S.T.E.A.M. programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) to children ages 3-6 during this school year. The programs are free and open to all.
Schedule through December:
October 2: Measuring Dinosaurs
Thursday 3:15 – 4:15, Leverett Library
October 4: Magnifying Magic,
Saturday, 11:00 - Noon Wendell Free Library
October 8: Seeds Are Everywhere!
Wed. 1:30 – 2:30, Shutesbury Town Hall
October 25: LEGO DUPLOTMCreative Construction
Sat., 11:00-noon, Erving Library
November 1: Magnet Madness
Saturday, 11:00-non, Wendell Free Library
November 6: Magnificent Magnets
Thursday, 3:15– 4:15, Leverett Public Library
November 12: Sensing Our World
Wed., 1:30–2:30, Shutesbury Town Hall
November 22: LEGO DUPLOTM Home and Family
Sat. 11:00–noon, Erving Public Library
December 4: LEGO DUPLOTMCreative Construction Thur. 3:15–4:15, Leverett Library
December 6: Picnic Party Counting
Sat. 11:00—Noon, Wendell Free Library
December 10: Wonderful Water
Wed., 1:30–2:30, Shutesbury Town Hall
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COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
(Items listed here are not school sponsored)
Fine Art Photography: ELLIOTTO The Leverett Crafts and Arts center is pleased to sponsor the Massachusetts photographic debut of Elliotto, presenting: Americana: Essence & Architecture. The exhibit opens Sunday, 9/14, and runs until 9/28. The hours are Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 6:00 pm and Weekdays, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 10% of all purchases by School parents will be donated to the school.
Enrolling now! At TheCenter in Amherst, children spin stories from movement using classical and modern dance techniques. Sister duo Ashley and Caddy Carlisle combine their years of dance training with a special approach to teaching that gets kids reading, writing and dancing; connecting, collaborating and creating. It’s a holistic approach to dance. Classes beginning on September 18 for children ages 5 through 14, in downtown Amherst. For more information, visitwww.thecenterdance.com or email [email protected].
The Enchanted Forest: A Non-scary Halloween Event
"Sounds of the Night" Friday & Saturday, October 24 & 25,
5:00-8:00pm. Come to the Hitchcock Center for a magical treat! You will be led along our pumpkin lit forest trails where creatures will emerge to share their stories. This year we will meet nocturnal critters whose sounds fill the night. Fun for all ages!
Adult: Members $10 / Non-members $12
Children: Members $5 / Non-members $8
Under 3 years free
Registration required, please call to sign up for a walk time, space is limited. Call: 256-6006
Responsible Leverett alum looking for after school or evening babysitting/parent helper job in the east Leverett area. Good with kids and has a flexible schedule. Willing to negotiate pay. For more information please call Gaelen Murray at 413-549-9960 or email her at [email protected].
Farmers Market & Group Tag Sale -Saturday, September 20th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m Rain (Town Hall) or Shine (Church Lawn) Leverett Congregational Church (across from post office)
COME TO BUY: Attic treasures, household goods and more,
baked goods, preserves, & fresh local produce
COME TO SELL: Claim Your Own Tag Sale Space, 12’ x 12’ for $10. Lots of room, NO reservations needed.
Call for more info: Nancy Paulin, 413-548-9644
Big, beautiful, organic fall raspberries - $4/pint. Please call Portia at 548-9737.
YOGA – Monday evening gentle yoga class for stress reduction and health, 5:30-7:00 pm at the Montague Retreat Center, Ripley Road, Montague, MA. Eight-week session starting October 6th. Fee: $120. Please contact Nancy Paglia at [email protected] with questions or to register in advance.
If you would like to put a notice in the Community Bulletin Board section of the Friday Post, please submit notices to be published no later than Thursday at noon. The easiest way to do that is by e-mail to [email protected]. Flyers for non-school sponsored events can be attached to the Post. They must contain a disclaimer “This is not a school-sponsored event” and a sufficient number of copies (125) should be provided to the office by the end of the school day on Thursday.
