MARCH 27, 2015
March 30-April 3
PARCC Testing in Grades 3-6
Saturday, April 4
LES/Shutesbury Community Skate, 3-3:50 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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IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE
Changing of the Guard—We Need You!
The LES PTO is a vital part of our school community, finding ways to support field trips and enrichment activities for our students.
PTO meetings are held monthly, and are open to all LES parents and caregivers. When I first came here, I expressed my belief that PTO meetings not be relegated to ‘business,’ but that we also create opportunities for sharing ideas, learning how to help our children in school, and just plain getting to know each other better. That continues to be a goal.
We need you! The PTO generally meets once a month. It is headed up by a group of people who have volunteered to serve as officers (Executive Board). Jo-Ann Konieczny has contributed a great deal of time and energy in her role as PTO President for the past two years. She has decided not to run again, so we are seeking someone to take over as president. Also, Kate Rice, who served on the board for several years and has been the Treasurer for the last two, will not run again and we need someone to take on this position. We thank Jo-Ann and Kate for their wonderful service to LES.
There is no hard and fast definition of PTO president, other than the responsibility to make sure that all PTO proceedings and events take place in a legal manner. Perhaps the biggest part of the job is to find ways to be an ‘idea’ person and to continually think of ways to include and motivate others in helping the LES community.
You don’t need to run for PTO president to be a vital member of the organization! Please join us for any or all meetings. Think about the wonderful field trips, as well as other enrichment opportunities that have been provided for your child through PTO. By attending meetings and joining in the conversation, you can ensure that those opportunities continue.
-Margot Lacey
SPOTLIGHT ON . . .
PARCC Testing Continues Next Week
March/April Administration Schedule
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
APRIL CALENDAR
The calendar for next month is attached to this week’s Post. Please note that there are two extra early dismissal days for parent/teacher conferences on Thursday, April 9th and Tuesday, April 14th. Other school events are also listed on the calendar. Please detach it and keep it for reference.
PTO News
•Thank you for your seed orders! Seeds are in and you should have them on Monday morning. Thanks for your orders! We were able to raise over $500 with this nice, local fundraiser!
•Shutesbury and Leverett PTOs are sponsoring a free ice skating event on Saturday, April 4th from 3 - 3:50 at the Mullins Center Practice Rink. See the flyer attached to today’s Post. Snack donations will be accepted at the Skating Event for our bake sale to support both the LES and Shutesbury PTO.
•Teacher appreciation luncheon is happening in May. Would you like to help coordinate this special meal for our teachers? Contact Jo-Ann Konieczny at [email protected]
•Dean’s Beans orders are due on Monday. An order form is attached to this Post. Coffee will be delivered next Friday.
LEVERETT LIBRARY NEWS
• 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. The final event will be held this Sunday, March 29 at 2:00 p.m., with a reception and forgery critique by a guest artist.
•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. The next one is scheduled for Thursday April 2, 3:15-4:15 - Wonderful Water. Helen Ann Sephton of the Hitchcock Center for the Environment in Amherst will run the program.
• Please call for more information on any program 413-548-9220
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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
Single-gender program encouraging boys 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 await!
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 titled Wild Hearted Programs.
Qigong with Dvora Esenstein will be offered on Mondays from 10:00 to 11:00 am beginning March 16th 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.
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].
EASTER SERVICES, LEVERETT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - Leverett Congregational Church, will observe Easter with three special services.
•Maundy Thursday, April 2, 7 p.m. Tenebrae service, with readings and communion.
•Easter Sunrise Service, Sunday, April 5, 6:30 a.m., a short service of celebration held in the Emerson Garden beside the church (or inside if raining). A hearty breakfast follows at 7 a.m., in the Leverett Town Hall, free, open to the public, all are invited.
•Easter Sunday Service, April 5, 10 a.m., a service of music and readings.
The Leverett Congregational Church has handicapable access and welcomes all; located at 4 Montague Road, Leverett (across from the Leverett Post Office). Child supervision will be provided. For more information, call Claudia Gere 413-359-0003 or email [email protected].
The Montague Reporter is seeking Leverett residents interested in reporting on local happenings. We will have an opening this spring in our regular selectboard and town hall coverage, and are also seeking feature contributors. The Reporter is a nonprofit weekly print newspaper that can offer small stipends for writing on assignment. Join a team of journalists, writers and artists producing news of, and for, the communities we live in. Contact [email protected] or call us at (413) 863-8666 for more information.
