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Dates to Remember | |
Monday, December 12 Little Brook Village Caroling - Proctor Chorus
Tuesday, December 13 Math Olympiad Contest - 8:30 am
Tuesday, December 13 Proctor Chorus Holiday Concert - 7:00 pm
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Message From Principal, Sarah O'Leary | |
Winter Concert
What an amazing way to start the holiday season! As part of the Topsfield Holiday Walk, the Sixth Grade Chorus, the Advanced Band and the Jazz Band sang and played a a wonderful arrangement of holiday songs. The Holiday Walk Concert highlighted all that the children have learned during music class and instrumental lessons this year. I would like to thank Mrs. Riley and Mr. Zajas for their dedication to our children, the students for their hard work and application of musical concepts and skills and the families for their support. It is fabulous when we can come together as a community to celebrate.
HAWK Toy Collection
As we have done for several years, Proctor School is supporting the H.A.W.C. organization in Salem, for the holiday season. They establish a holiday store from which mothers in difficult situations can choose gifts for themselves and their children. For many it is their sole source of holiday support.
There will be containers for donations in the school office where students or parents can deliver their gifts. On the back of this letter please find a list of gift ideas supplied by H.A.W.C. We ask that any gift donations be new products and that they remain unwrapped
As with any organizational support we give, our initiatives are completely voluntary. Help if you can, but only if you can. So that gifts can be distributed on time for the holidays, our drive will end on Monday, December 19th. We will be delivering our donations to H.A.W.C. on that day.
Thank you for your consideration and support.
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Message From Principals, Sarah O'Leary and Michelle Costa Olweus Bullying Prevention Parent Information Sessions |
JOIN US!
Sarah O'Leary, the Proctor Principal, and Michelle Costa, the Steward School Principal, will be presenting information about the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program on the following dates.
December 15th from 8:30AM-9:15AM at Steward School
January 13th from 8:30AM-9:15AM at Proctor School
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Message From Superintendent, Dr. Creeden |
Dear Parents/Guardians, Teachers and Staff,
Re: School Employees and State Ethics Regulations On Gift Giving and Acceptance
The holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day including the observance and celebration of Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa provides all of us with many opportunities to extend expressions and gifts of thanks, appreciation and best wishes to those, who work closely with our children and families on a daily basis, throughout the year. Many families want to include school personnel in such seasonal expressions of gratitude. As educators, school personnel appreciate support and encouragement from students and their families throughout the year.
There have been a number of questions raised in recent years as to what is appropriate and what the limits should be relative to gifts to school personnel during the holidays and at other times during the year.
School Committee policy and the State Ethics Commission regulations and advisories to public employees interpreting Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter 268A and 268B) offer us clear guidance and direction. In December of 2010m the State Ethics Commission approved amendments to 930 CMR 5.00, the regulatory framework for M.G.L. c. 268A, the state's conflict of interest law. The newly amended 930 CMR 5.00 is now approximately twenty (20) single spaced pages containing changes to many aspects of the conflict of interest law. This letter will focus on the changes that affect gift giving and receiving for public school employees.
The letter and spirit of law, local policy and regulations suggest to us the following:
* The School Committee encourages the writing of letters of appreciation to staff members as a most appropriate way of expressing thanks and encouragement at any time during the year.
* Gifts to benefit classrooms and other school programs rather than individual staff members are appropriate with the understanding, that once given, these gifts become the property of the school and not any individual staff member.
* Gifts for the personal use of a staff member presented by individual families are to be limited to a fair market value of $50.00 in a 365 day year. In order for a school employee to legally accept a gift of any value from a current students they must file a disclosure.
- Gifts for the personal use of a staff member by a class as a group gift are allowed up to an aggregated maximum value of $150.00 in a 365 day academic year from current public school students and/or parents as long as the gift is identified only as being from the class, and the identity of givers and the amounts given are not identified to the recipient. In this instance, the employee does not have to make a disclosure.
* Contributions to charitable organizations in the name of a staff member are permitted.
On behalf of all of our staff, I wish each an every family a holiday season of relaxation, refreshment and renewal. We look forward to working with you on behalf of children throughout the school year.
Regards,
Bernie Creeden
Superintendent of Schools
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Message from our Art Teacher,
Anne Lang
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Students in the Art Program have created some amazing art this year. They should recognize and be proud of the high quality of their work.
Fourth grade artists were introduced to the American artist, Arthur Dove (1880-1946) a pioneer of abstract art. They created beautiful images of landscapes inspired by Dove's work. They were reintroduced to the technique of collage and made colorful paintings of elaborate bottles with an eye for exciting compositions. Currently they are 'painting music', using India ink and Chinese brushes. This project focuses on the power of line and color and its interpretation.
Fifth grade artists began the year with a still life study of pears. This project concentrated on the concepts of composition (as always) and positive and negative space. They also created beautiful watercolor paintings of fall leaves in which they learned and identified value changes in color. Currently they are working on the aluminum foil sculpture project, which is inspired by the Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966) who elongated the human form to create powerful expressions of feelings and gestures.
Sixth grade artists began their year designing abstract watercolor paintings using masking tape to 'mask out' particular areas that would not take the paint. The focus of this project was composition, color and pattern. They then moved onto still life, using sea shells as their subject matter. This was a drawing project that concentrated on observation skills and the patterns found in Nature. Currently they are working on a sculpture project inspired by Paul Klee (1879-1940), a Swiss German artist whose work was typified by line and color. Students are incorporating poetry and/or their own visual language on their sculptures.
The Art Program continues to challenge students to observe, create, problem solve and imagine, recognizing the power of art in our lives.
Anne D. Lang ATR
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Catches of the Week | |
Brendan Doherty was caught being responsible and respectful when he spent the whole lunch recess cleaning up the playground of trash.
Cecelia Boyle held the door for her class and then for a fourth grade class exiting the gym.
Kevin Gillis was very respectful to a young lady in his class when he helped her back to class and checked in her when she was hurt in gym.
Mrs. DeOreo's whole class demonstrates safety, honesty and good sportsmanship each week when they go to gym.
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CLIC News | |
Upcoming CLIC Program Dates
Fun with Portraits Class- THURSDAY's, Dec. 8, Dec. 15 and Dec.22, 6:00-7:30 pm -FULL
Holiday Craft Class- MONDAY, Dec. 12, 3:00-4:30 pm, Still Open
Holiday Craft Class-FRIDAY, Dec. 16, 3:00-4:30 pm- FULL
Environmental Club- Fridays, Dec. 16 and Dec. 23, 8:00-8:45 a.m. This is an additional club for any students who cannot make the regular Environmental Club meetings on Tuesdays 3:00-4:00.
To print out the CLIC monthly calendar or get permission forms, go to www.clicprogram.org . Please email Jen LaRussa at jlarussa@topsfield ps.org with any questions.
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News from the Special Education Department
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Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC-SLP presents: Practical Strategies to Improve Executive Functions in Children and Adolescents workshop on 1/4 at Holten Richmond Middle School in Danvers, Ma. 7-9pm/ Open to the public!
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News from the Proctor Food Service Department: Help Needed
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Children in school all day? Need to fill that free time?
The Proctor School Food Service Department has an available position.
This position is Monday-Friday, 10:30-1:30. Responsibilities include preparation, serving and cleanup of lunch and other duties to maintain the food service operation.
For more information, please contact Susan Bodwell, Director of School Nutrition.
978-887-1513 OR sbodwell@tritownschoolunion.com
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News from the Proctor Library | |
Both teachers and parents often ask about students doing research and finding credible and appropriate information on the Internet. Through the courtesy of PTO funding, we have secured access to World Book Web with connections to WB Kids, World Book Student and World BookAdvanced. Students have a direct link to this resource at school at www.worldbookonline.com . Simply go to the Proctor School Website, Specialists, Library and then Mrs. Curran where there is a heading Research at Home and School. When using this tool at home, the following information will be required.
Proctor Families - ID: proctor PW: library
Steward Families - ID: stewardt PW: libraryt
Kathy Curran
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News from the Steward School Preschool | |
Steward Preschool Open House/Registration: The Steward School Preschool Program in Topsfield will be holding open registration from Dec 5th - 21st at 261 Perkins Row. The preschool will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, December 14th from 1:30 - 2:30 pm. Parents and children of new families for the 2012-2013 school year are invited to attend. Families will have the opportunity to meet the teachers and therapists, receive an application, and have children participate in the classroom learning centers.
The Preschool offers traditional 2, 3, 4 and 5 day programs as well as Extended Day program options (7:00 am - 4:30 pm). A $60 non-refundable registration fee is required at registration. The preschool accepts children ages 2.9 - 4 years old. Children must be 2.9 years old by Sept 1, 2012 and a resident of Topsfield to be eligible. Registration closes December 21, 2011. A lottery will be held on December 22 to determine program placement. Please contact Katie Lyons, Preschool Coordinator, @ klyons@topsfieldps.org or 978-887-1538, x156 for more information.
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News from TEF
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Topsfield Educational Foundation invites you to honor someone special that has put in extra effort to Make a Difference. Let someone know that they are appreciated this holiday season by sending them a TEF Make A Difference card. TEF can deliver this special card directly to the schools or mail it to someone special. Honor someone special today and make a tax deductible donation to TEF at the same time. Download an order form from the TEF website: www.topsed.org. Forms can be sent in to the school addressed to TEF or mailed to TEF c/o D. Seymour 58 Prospect St. Email questions to: cmore1@verizon.net.
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News from TESPTO | |
Charleston Wrap orders are coming in!! Please come to the schools on Tuesday December 13 to pick up your order. All orders will be labeled with your child's name. We will divide them up by grade and they will be in the cafeteria at Steward and in the gym on the stage at Proctor. This fundraiser was a great success. TESPTO would like to thank everyone for helping us and supporting our schools!! |
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Band Boosters News | |
The Proctor Band Boosters Present the Strike Up the Band Raffle
Congratulations to Corin Mitchell, the November winner of the Strike Up the Band Raffle. Corin won a ski and dine package, consisting of 4 tickets to Cranmore Mountain and dinner at the Red Parka Pub.
The exciting news is that there are chances to win more fantastic prizes throughout the academic year and raffle tickets can be purchased all year long, too! When purchasing tickets, you may distribute them among any of the remaining prizes. The prize for December is 4 Bruins tickets, 1 Bruins sweatshirt, and a Bruins memorabilia plaque; a $300 value! There is a prize of each of the remaining months of the school year. The raffle prize winner will be drawn on the last day of the month.
To find out more about the remaining prizes and to purchase raffle tickets, please pick up a Strike Up the Band Raffle flier, available outside the office at Proctor School and at Steward School. For additional information, please contact Patti Mullen at patricia_mullen@msn.com. |
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Message for Sixth Grade Parents:
| BABY PICTURES ARE OVERDUE!!!
We need baby pictures of your sixth graders for the yearbook. Please email a photo to If you are unable to send the picture electronically, you can send it home with Caroline Swenson and I will scan it for you. If you have any questions you can email karaswenson@gmail.com. Thanks for your help .
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Community News
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Online registration for the Tribal Lacrosse 2012 Spring Season is now open.
Registration deadline is 12/15/11 with a $50 late fee until 12/31/10. Due to the size of the program, we may have to cut off registration for certain age groups earlier as we reach capacity so we encourage you to register early. Please visit www.triballax.org to learn more and to register your players.
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| Contact Us |
Sarah O'Leary
Proctor Elementary School Principal
60 Main Street Topsfield, MA 01983 978-887-1530 soleary@topsfieldps.org |
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