September 18,  2009 Vol. 2 No. 3

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In This Issue:
School Committee on the Road
Indian Brook Staff Make Open House a Success
Federal Furnace 5th Grade Leaders
Panther TV
Plymouth South High News
Tech Studies News At PNHS
Strategic Planning
Tech Studies News
New North High School Information
Elementary Schools
Middle Schools
High Schools
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Greetings!
Friday notes is a weekly update from Superintendent Gary E. Maestas on the happenings within the Plymouth Public Schools.
Plymouth Public Schools School Committee Meetings:
The next Plymouth School Committee is scheduled for October 5th, 2009 at Plymouth Community Intermediate School. The meeting starts at 7:00 P.M.
Indian Brook Staff Make Open House a Success:
 
This year Indian Brook completely transformed their Open House format for grades 1-4. On Tuesday, September 15 teachers hosted students and parents in a warm and inviting classroom setting that was informal yet productive.  This allowed all staff (Art, Music, Physical Education, School Psychologists, School Nurse, etc.) to partake and visit with parents, respond to questions, provide support, etc.  Parent feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The positive environment created by the staff at Indian Brook really gave parents a better understanding of their child's every day experience in school - not just what happens in their homeroom. The entire staff deserves a round of applause for their professionalism, and extra effort put into this successful evening. 

Federal Furnace 5th Grade Leaders:

 

The fifth grade students at Federal Furnace are seen as leaders in our school. They are called upon to assist with morning announcements and with dismissal on a daily basis. In addition this week we asked our fifth graders to help by providing information to our younger children about what is offered in our breakfast and lunch programs. We would like to thank the following fifth grade students for volunteering to spend their time outside of school working together in small groups to create posters for our cafeteria: Rajanna Cutts, Kyra Fernandes, Amy Palma, Ashley Bombard, Jamira Vicks, Angel Verut, Christian McCoy, Devin Olson, Christopher Beveridge, Mallory Cloran and Madison Lapsley. There will be many opportunities for our fifth grade students to demonstrate leadership throughout the school year and we hope all of our fifth graders will be highlighted at some point for their contributions to our school


Panther TV :


Plymouth South High School has a new TV studio. If you go to the link below, you can have have a look!
 
Plymouth South High News:
 
The opening of school for Plymouth South High School has been very successful.  We have implemented a new bell schedule and advisory program.  Our athletic teams are off to a great start with early wins in girls and boys soccer, field hockey, volleyball, and football.  Our Open House night for parents is fast approaching (October 1st) and Homecoming weekend is right around the corner with the dance on Saturday, October 3rd.  We will close homecoming weekend with a first annual "Panther Booster Club" road race on Sunday, October 4th at 9:00 a.m. (more details to follow).
 
Our freshman team events have begun with trips to Camp Clark and our Freshman Academy Web Page is in full swing - we encourage you to check out the blogs of our freshmen teachers!  MCAS scores will be sent home with students on Monday afternoon.  We are very proud of the scores produced by our students on these state mandated tests.
 
We are excited about our new TV studio where will be producing "Panther TV" school news shortly.  The students in our NEW broadcasting class recently completed their video "boot camp" program to learn about the new equipment.  We would also like to recognize the following students and teachers for their hard work in completing a mural that is now hanging in our main stairwell.  The theme of the mural is "Start a Chain Reaction" - one of the prevalent messages in last years "Rachel's Challenge" presentation.  We encourage parents to check out the main stairwell while at PSHS!  Teachers - Colleen Quinn & Allison Shaver  Students - Jessica Wagner, DJ Farley, MacKenzie Glennon, Sara Amell, Lucas Cantwell, Diane Coon, Kelly Noonan, Alex Daly, Hannah Shepherd, Amanda Bogart, & Santiago Narino. 
 
Finally, we will be having a PSHS school newsletter that will be on our school website each month of the year.  The first publication will be out next week.  If you do not have computer access we will have copies available in the main office.
 Tech Studies News:
 
The Carpentry shop is excited to be working on a restoration project of a historic home on Bradford Street. 
 
 Applications have gone out to Graphic Arts and Marketing students who are interested in participating in the Plymouth Rock Studios Internship Program. Interviews will be scheduled soon.
Strategic Planning Stakeholders Survey Made Available:
 
The Plymouth Public Schools is currently working with a large group of parents, teachers, administrators, and community members on a District Strategic Plan.  As part of the information-gathering process, we are asking parents and community members to complete a survey to help this group develop the Strategic Plan.  We are very interested in your opinion so that we may use this information to set the direction of and the future of the Plymouth Public Schools.
 
The Plymouth Public Schools Stakeholders Survey will take between 5-10 minutes and can be completed by clicking on the link below or you can complete a paper version of the survey that is available at several locations identified below.  The survey will be accepted until October 30th and your identity will be kept completely anonymous.  Once all the surveys are tabulated, the results will be shared on our school district website.
 
Paper copies are available at the Plymouth Public Libraries, Plymouth Town Hall and at all of Plymouth's school buildings.  Drop boxes are available at these locations for you to return your survey.
 
Thank you for your input.
Plymouth North Happenings:
 
It has been a terrific opening of the 2009-2010 school year.  PNHS has implemented a new schedule, three lunches, grades nine and ten advisories program, and a literacy initiative that includes silent sustained reading and interactive word walls.  Staff, students, and parents/guardians are to be commended for the smooth transition to new ways of teaching and learning that will help all students achieve, connect with the school, and acquire the 21st century skills they need in order to make their dreams come true.
 
Fourteen Plymouth North High School students participated in a Summer Biz Camp Youth Program sponsored by My-Turn.  Students learned business etiquette, management and planning.  Students prepared business plans and culminated the Biz Camp with a business plan competition.
 
Kudos to the combine PNHS and PSHS combined band, Bonnie Holmes, Band Director, and Band Boosters for a terrific performance at the first PNHS home game on Friday, September 14th.  The band's performance was outstanding and they way navigated the rain impressively.  In addition, they joined the fans in cheering the team on to a 33-0 victory against Medfield.
 
Congrats to the PNHS cheerleaders for their half time performance.  It is wonderful to see the number of students on the squad increase to 29.  Go Eagles!
 
Hi five, standing "O" and way to go to the PNHS Dance Team.  The Team's performances to Crocodile Rock and Mercy had the fans rockin' and clappin' in the stands!
New North High School Information:
 
We are making great progress in the development of the New Plymouth North High School. If you click on the link below, a series of videos are available for viewing  so you can gain a perspective on the developments to date.

New North Informational Videos
Gary E. Maestas, Superintendent
Plymouth Public Schools
 
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