Leverett

MARCH 12, 2015

Friday, March 13 – TOMORROW!

            Curriculum Day  - NO SCHOOL

Monday-Friday, March 23-27 and March 30-April  3

            PARCC Testing in Grades 3-6

Friday, March 27

            All-School Assembly – 2:15 pm

Monday, April 6

            School Committee Meeting – 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday, April 8 and 9 and

Tuesday and Wednesday, April 14 and 15

            Parent-Teacher Conferences – 1:05 Dismissal

Friday, April 17

            All-School Assembly – 2:15 p.m.

Monday-Friday, April 20-24

            Spring Vacation

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CURRICULUM DAY TOMORROW

Students will not have school tomorrow, Friday, March 13^th, as teachers from all four Union 28 schools will meet at the Erving Elementary School to continue their work on Professional Learning Communities. 

Preschool is learning about sorting and counting. We are collecting coins as a fundraiser for the Dakin Animal Shelter here in Leverett.  We welcome donations from our school community. If you would like to send in some coins, please either drop them in the preschool or send them to Marilyn and we will collect them from her.   Thank you in advance from the preschool class.

PARCC Testing Schedule

March/April Administration

Monday, March 23 Grades 3 and 4

Tuesday, March 24 Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6

Thursday, March 26 Grades 3, 4, 5, and 6

Monday, March 30 Grades 5 and 6

Tuesday, March 31 Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6

Thursday, April 2 Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6

PARCC is a timed test, ranging from 60-90 minutes, depending on the grade and the test. We expect all students to be in the classroom no later than 8:45 a.m. so that testing can begin promptly. Students who are tardy may not be able to test with their group, and will need to take a make-up test on another day. It is expected that most testing will be complete by 11 a.m. and students will resume their regular schedule.

-Margot Lacey

Read it Leverett! is underway with this year’s selection

The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro. The book covers topics including art forgery, art theft, the professional art world and the creative process, and we are offering a range of fun events based around these themes. Schedule of upcoming events:

• Thur. March 19 at 6:30 pm Talk on art forgery by Julia Courtney, curator of art at the Springfield Museums.

•Sunday March 29 at 2pm Finale - reception and forgery critique by guest artist. 

Events are open and free to all. Books are available now for check out or purchase. Get reading!

S.T.E.A.M.  Science Technology Engineering Art Math 

The Leverett, Shutesbury, Wendell and Erving Libraries are offering S.T.E.A.M. programs to children ages 3-6 during this school year. The programs are free.

•Thursday April 2, 3:15-4:15 Wonderful Water.

Unless otherwise noted Leverett programs are run by Helen Ann Sephton of the Hitchcock Center for the Environment in Amherst.

•March 15 from 3-4:30 Electronics Take-Apart with Bethany and Seth Seeger.   How does a toaster work? A radio?  We will take apart non-functioning household items to explore what makes them operate. Ages 4- adult welcome  If you have any items to donate (ie. vcr typewriter), please contact Bethany Seeger at [email protected].

•Ukulele play along with Julie Stepanek, Sunday March 22 at 3pm. All ability levels welcome, learn some chords, and play some songs. We will have  ukes to borrow, but please bring your own if you have one. 

Please call for more information on any program 413-548-9220

WRITING RETREAT

The Parent/Guardian Organization of the Amherst Regional Middle School invites you to join an on-going, mini writing retreat.  The group will meet on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 at the Middle School Library on the following dates:  March 19, April 2, 16, 30 and May 14 and 28.  Come to one, a few, or all.  The theme is “Raising our Children and Growing Ourselves.”  The retreats are designed to provide a space and time for parents who want to write and share their family stories.  If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please contact Ying Zhang or Victoria Cliche at [email protected], or just come to the next retreat.

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COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

(Items listed here are not school sponsored)

WILD HEARTED BOYS: Mentoring Tomorrow’s Conscientious, Caring and Courageous Men

WILD HEARTED GIRLS: Mentoring Tomorrow’s Bold, Compassionate and Empowered Women

Two parallel single-gender programs encouraging boys and girls ages 9-13 to explore, inquire, play, reflect and dialogue within the context of the natural world and all of the challenges and mysteries it presents. Led by mentors whose goal is to honor and foster the inner capabilities of each participant. Climbing, cave exploration, nature skills, paddling and other adventures. Full week session during April vacation, 9am to 4 pm. Drop off and pick up at Mill River Recreation area in Amherst. Contact Pandora at 413-253-4910; www.AdventureinAdventureOut.com - see tab title Wild Hearted Programs.

Coming soon… SMART MOVES! INTEGRATIVE MOVEMENT CLASSES FOR KIDS, from May 6 - June 10 (6 wk series) at Second Chances Community Room, Amherst. Classes are designed for kids to have fun AND to support them in developing vital skills for learning and life! For more info about the offerings and neuromovement, visit www.emilyjhodos.com (go to Calendar of Events) or call Emily at 413-588-7896.

Qigong with Dvora Esenstein will be offered on Mondays from 10:00 to 11:00 am beginning March 16^th at the Sunderland Library, and on Tuesdays from 5:15 to 6:15 at the Leverett Library.  Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system integrating slow movements, breathing techniques and focused intention.  It helps to calm your mind, improve your balance, and enhance your health.  This class is suitable for all ages and ability levels.  You may join this free class at any time.  Dvora has been a Tai Chi and Qigong student for nearly 30 years, Her practice is focused on softness and centeredness.

Register for the Daffodil Fun Run, a 5k road race in Amherst that raises funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, a program of the Center for Human Development. In this fun and festive community event, participants race past many of the 50,000 daffodils that were planted in celebration of the Town of Amherst's 250th anniversary. The event is held each year at the beginning of spring, when the daffodils are in full bloom.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County provides one-to-one mentoring relationships to local children in need of positive adult influence and friendship. We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of our business sponsors and donors in the Hampshire County Community.

This year’s event will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2015. Please register early!   We are limiting participation to 1,500 runners and walkers this year, so the sooner you register the better! In addition, only those who register before April 1st will be guaranteed a FREE signature event t-shirt!  Please see the flyer attached to this Post.

April Vacation Week Weaving & Fiber Arts Explorations Class with Susan Loring-Wells at the Leverett Crafts & Arts Center,   13 Montague Road, Leverett, MA.

Dates: April 20-24, 2015     Time: 9-3 pm   Ages:10-14    Cost: $250

Come and explore a world of endless possibilities of handweaving and fiber arts. Students will weave at least one project on a floor loom, try card weaving, tapestry weaving, felting, kumihimo, embroidery and band weaving. 

Please email me if you are interested at:  [email protected].