Friday Notes: From the Plymouth Public Schools

The grant money will be evenly distributed over the next five years. More than 1,700 school districts nationwide applied for the grants. Plymouth was one of only 50 school districts to qualify for funding. The money will be used to redefine both how students learn and show what they've learned.

By the end of the program, students in both local high schools will begin giving oral presentations to prove their mastery of core subjects. The presentations would be similar to how a master's degree candidate defends a thesis in college.

Superintendent Maestas plans for much of the funding from this grant to be used on professional development and be aimed at developing a course of study and a model for teachers to evaluate student achievement.

Maestas said the program would replace pencil and paper testing for some, but not all, with a more personalized learning experience that better prepares students for success in college.

U.S. Rep William Delahunt endorses an oversized $5 million check marking the federal Investing in Innovation grant awarded to local schools. Monica Mullin, district director for Senate President Therese Murray, School Committee Member Margie Burgess, Rep. Vinny deMacedo, Rep. Tom Calter, School Superintendent Gary Maestas and School Committee Chairman Deb Betz look on.

To see the full story in the Old Colony Memorial click on this link!

A Surprise Visit at South Elementary!

A fourth grade student got a great surprise when her father,

Army Staff Sgt. Michael Pratt, arrived unexpectedly at her classroom door. On Friday, Sept. 24th, Army Staff Sgt. Michael Pratt surprised his daughter, Taylor, when he arrived shortly after 2 p.m. at South Elementary. Taylor thought her dad was in Afghanistan.

Michael Pratt, now in his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, had been overseas since January. He communicated with his daughter and ex-wife regularly via Internet, using Skype software. Taylor quickly recovered from her surprise and made up for the communications gap, inviting her dad into the classroom and introducing him to her fellow students. Pratt, who wore his dress uniform, answered questions from students about his tour overseas.

Dori Kondracki, Taylor's 4th grade teacher, said students in the class pause once a day at 9:11 a.m. to think of Pratt and the work he is doing overseas.

Click here to see the link to the Old Colony Memorial News Story and a video of the emotional reunion!

Plymouth South High School News

A Commendable Student:

Senior, Joel Fagerberg has been named a Commended Student in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the competition, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2011 competition by taking the 2009 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

Congratulations Joel!

Panther Newsletter: The September 2010 Parent Newsletter, Panther News, is available on our school website. We encourage parents to review.

If you do not have access to a computer please contact the high school for a copy.

OPEN HOUSE: Thursday, October 7^th 7:00 p.m.

We encourage all parents to attend!

Seniors: Oktoberfest is Friday, October 8^th!!!!

Write On! The staff at PSHS participated in a literacy workshop on Wednesday, September 29^th. Let by fellow teachers, the staff of PSHS is working together to design common writing assignments for students that will be assessed using our school-wide writing rubric. Writing will be a focus across the curriculum during the 2010-2011 school year.

Teachers have received coffee mugs with a Write-On slogan so that students can see the importance of writing throughout the school community.

Panther Booster Club Reminders:

-The second Annual Sam Fry 5K Road Race is Sunday, October 3^rdat 9:00 a.m. at the Cabby Shack.

Registration begins at 8:00 a.m.

We encourage all to come support the race and see if you can beat Vice-Principal Fornaciari in the 5K run.

-The First Annual Booster Club golf tournament is on Saturday, October 9^th.

Please check the athletic website, www.southpanthers.com for more information. This website is an OUTSTANDING source of information for PSHS athletes and their families.

Thank you to our booster club for all their hard work and dedication to this website.

Graphic Design and Visual Communications:

Logo Winners: The Graphic Arts program at Plymouth South High School has a new face, look and name. Over the summer, Daniel Sherrill, of Texas, was hired to teach Video Production. With the assistance of Dan Reilly, he is well on his way to creating a great new video for the school. With the new curriculum, the Chapter 74 program has shifted its frameworks to Visual Design and Graphic Communications; therefore, becoming Graphic Design and Visual Communications.

With the new face and name also comes a new look. Haley Blasser, a junior in the Graphics program designed the winning logo for the new studio. In a competition with all the sophomores, juniors and seniors, Haley's design was voted top pick by her classmates and Mr. Sherrill. We are excited to welcome all three changes and are thrilled to congratulate our winning junior designer!

We would also like to recognize three of our seniors who created winning designs for this year's Oktoberfest. Amanda Bogart designed the winning invitations, Vicky Fitzgerald designed the back of this year's T-Shirts and Cara Hatem designed the front. Congratulations on the success!

South Athletics

Plymouth Competing for a Cure

The Girls' Athletic teams at Plymouth South are selling tee

shirts to raise money for Breast Cancer research.

We are selling "Hot" Pink and Grey T-shirts for $10. All proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. If interested in buying a shirt you can see Summer Ivan (PSHS) or Stephanie Finn (PSMS), or visit the concession stands at the volleyball or football games. We appreciate the support and look forward to making a big donation!!!!!

If we don't have your size, please give us an order and we will get one to you.

We will continue to sell shirts until we can into the winter and spring seasons.

THANK YOU!!!

Summer Ivan

sivan@plymouth.k12.ma.us

sfinn@plymouth.k12.ma.us

PSHS Room 246

Freshmen Volleyball Coach

PCIS News

PCIS October BOOOOOkfest Oct 4^th through October 8^th

It's a massive week-long book drive bonanza!

The Literacy Support Team at PCIS is on a mission to collect as many
gently-used, age appropriate books as possible suitable

for ages 11 to 14.

Their goal is to distribute these books to classrooms and help

spread the joy of reading.

In exchange for each book donation, participants will receive

a raffle ticket for a chance to win a $10 Borders gift card

or a new flash drive.

Books are being collected October 4^ththrough the 8^th

during students' homeroom period. They can also be

dropped off in House commons during the week.

Thank you in advance for your support!

PSMS News

New Weather Station at PSMS!

Plymouth South Middle School has a new weather station. This web-based station can be accessed at all times. Find out the weather with one click! Additionally, weather stations are being updated around the district. PCIS is next! Click on the link below to learn the current weather conditions!

http://www.weatherlink.com/user/psmsweather/

Fall Open Golf Tournament

3^rd ANNUAL PLYMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATORS' FALL OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT

The 3^rd Annual Administrator's Golf Tournament was held recently at Waverly Oaks Golf Course.

The winning team was from PCIS, led by the foursome of Brian Palladino, Paul Duprey, Kevin Cobban and Paul Carraher. Their score was an impressive 6 under par for the nine-hole match.

The shot of the day went to Mr. Palladino for his eagle on the par 4 9^th hole. Mr. Palladino also won the "Longest Dive" prize and Mr. Carraher won "Closest to the Pin" honors.

Plymouth North and South Middle tied for second place with a score of 2 under par. Central office played to an even par score and South High was 2 over par.

The winning school will have a plaque on display until the next tournament. A good time was had by all!

A Spring Open golf match will be scheduled in May at Souther's Marsh Golf Course.

Benefits Fair

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ALL THAT'S AVAILABLE?

October 21, 2010 2:00pm - 5:00pm Plymouth North HS Cafeteria

Pizza, soda, and cookies will be served*
* and if that's not enough there will be raffles too!

Are you getting the most for your money? Join us and find out how your benefits can work for you!

We will have representatives from Aflac, BJ's, Boston Mutual, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cafeteria Plan Advisors, Delta Dental, and Lighthouse Fitness to provide you with information.

It is never to soon to start planning for the golden years - there will be a financial advisor presenting brief seminars to get you thinking.

Are you a part-time employee? There are benefits that you can take advantage of to help put money back in your pocket - and isn't that where it belongs?

Take a minute for you! Enjoying some fresh baked pizza, a soda, and/or even a massage!

Are you a full-time employee? Be sure you are taking advantage of all that is available.

Gary E. Maestas, Ed.D Superintendent
Plymouth Public Schools

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