|
|
| 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 regular meeting of the Plymouth School Committee will be Monday, December 5, 2011. School Committee meetings are held at
Plymouth Community Intermediate School in
the Little Theatre. Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.
|
|
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
|
Mount Pleasant Preschool
In the photo below Peter Lawrence and Jessica Dugin unpack non perishable food goods donated by the families of Mount Pleasant Preschool. The Mount Pleasant Parent Advisory Council collected gift cards donated by local grocery stores and food goods to distribute to families in need this Thanksgiving. Mount Pleasant staff will be delivered the Thanksgiving baskets Wednesday afternoon.
|
Cold Spring Elementary School News
Mrs. Smith & Mrs. Terranova's second graders researched an animal and then created a display to show what they learned. Their report/display had to include the animal's habitat, its life cycle and three facts. Students created a variety of displays from posters to dioramas and three-dimensional reproductions.
Children's Thanksgiving Banquet at Cold Spring
Cold Spring School celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday family style with our annual Children's Thanksgiving banquet. Students were joined, during the feast, by their teachers and staff members. Many students made simple costumes or created placements that can be reused when they have their Thanksgiving dinner with their family. This has been a long held tradition at Cold Spring--one that is enjoyed by all who attend.
 |
South Elementary School News
A Thanksgiving Tradition
For the past ten years, PSHS football players and cheerleaders have visited South Elementary School during Thanksgiving week to read some classics to our students. On Monday, the tradition continued as SES students listened intently to their role models as they read aloud. This is a special time for our students and we greatly appreciate the football players and cheerleaders for sharing this special moment with us once again this year.
Fourth Graders Vote for Favorite Books as Part of Statewide Book Award Program
On November 17, Margaret McGrath of the Plymouth Public Library's Children's Room came to speak to fourth graders about the Massachusetts Children's Book Award Program. The program is being run at South Elementary School by Librarian Anna Jorgensen, who invited Margaret to collaborate with her to promote the program. Students must read at least five books from a master list from now until March. They will then be a part of a statewide vote for the best children's book for 2012.
Sponsored by Salem State University, the Massachusetts Children's Book Award Program was launched in 1975 by Dr. Helen Constant after finding that many children lose interest in books after reaching the intermediate grades. Fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders are given a master list of book titles. After reading five of the books, students may vote for their favorite. The list is compiled from nominations of participating teachers, librarians and interested publishers. A selection committee works with the nominations and chooses 25 titles to appear on the master list.
Criteria for the master list include literary quality, genre variety, representation of diverse cultural groups and reader appeal. Books published within five years of the award year are eligible. The author of the winning book receives a plaque to commemorate the award.
|
Federal Furnace News
Second Grade Animal Projects
The 2nd graders at Federal Furnace had a wild time celebrating "American Education Week"! Each student selected an animal and wrote a research report in class about their animal. Students then used their new knowledge and creativity to complete a project at home featuring their animal. Students invited their family and friends to school for "Animal Project Exhibit Day" where they presented their learnings and showcased their projects.
|
|
PCIS News
PCIS Families and Students Enjoy the Annual Turkey Bowl!
Students at PCIS have been working on a Physical Education Unit on Football. The girls PE Department has worked on game knowledge, proper passing technique, and understanding the rules. Students worked through the unit and were selected to participate in the annual Turkey Bowl. Students in the 7th and 8th grade from each house participated in a flag football tournament during which they played against other grades and houses. The event took place on the fields at PCIS and was open to families of those students participating. Students played three games. The final game matched the two undefeated teams playing for the Turkey Bowl Championship. The two teams in the final were Apollo Grade 8 and Ranger Grade 8. It was a hard fought battle that ended in a 6 to 6 tie at the end of regulation. In overtime, Apollo was able to squeak out the victory by scoring on their alternating possession and stopping Ranger's final attempt. It was a great event and fun was had by all. Congratulations to Apollo Grade 8 for their second Turkey Bowl Championship in the past two years!
Ranger Grade 8 Students Celebrate the First Thanksgiving:
Ranger Grade 8 Students went back in time to celebrate the first Thanksgiving. Students in Mr. Martin's class investigated primary and secondary sources of the first Thanksgiving and the truths and myths that surround the day. Students engaged in discussions about that time period and how things were different then and now. Students analyzed the only two primary sources of this event from William Bradford and Edward Winslow and examined 19th Century artwork depicting this meal between the natives and the Pilgrims. Once the students had gone through these accounts they were led outside by Mr. Martin to relive the accounts they had discussed. Students "built fires" created spits, and had a "traditional" Thanksgiving feast. Additionally, students engaged in the same activities that they had at the first Thanksgiving, such as: accuracy contests and races.
PCIS Falcon Pride Supports the School and Plymouth Community:
On Friday, November 11th and Saturday, November 12th, West Elementary School held its annual Holiday Fair. Students from PCIS Falcon pride went to West to assist in the event. The Falcon Pride volunteers helped students with their shopping and helped students wrap the gifts that they purchased. Falcon Pride students were present both days and did an amazing job assisting in the event. West Elementary and PCIS thank them for their willingness to serve and all their hard work.
During the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving week, Falcon Pride led the charge in collecting food items in each of the four houses at PCIS. Students from each house brought in canned goods and "Thanksgiving Fixins." Each of the houses contributed to the drive that allowed the students from Falcon Pride to create 46 "Turkey Baskets" to be distributed to families throughout the Plymouth Community. The baskets contained canned goods, a Turkey, fixings for a Thanksgiving meal and additional items to assist beyond Thanksgiving. The students worked enthusiastically to create these boxes on Monday. Each box was delivered to families in Plymouth. The food drive was so successful that the school was able to donate additional food to local food banks. We are very proud of the fact that our Falcon Pride students are helping to make PCIS, PPS and the Plymouth Community a great place to be.
|
Plymouth North High School News
On Wednesday, November 23rd the 2011 Plymouth North Baseball Team will be receiving their championship rings in an awards ceremony that will be held at 6:00 p.m. at Plymouth North High School. The 2011 Baseball team won the Division II State Baseball Title. The Administration as well as the coaching staff, parents and invited guests will be present to recognize this accomplishment.
Show Our Troops you're Thankful for Their Service by supporting the Steven Gutowski Holiday Care Package Drive on Thursday, November 24th at Plymouth South High School starting at 10:00 a.m. Things to bring: Packaged foods, white t-shirts (s-xl) white tube socks, blankets, books, anything warm, puzzle books, drinks, magazines, toiletries, lotion chap stick, baby wipes, mints, candy, gum, football, frisbees, games. For questions contact: Karen Gutowski lilkayg0823@aim.com Cheryl Gutowski - cgutowski1@gmail.com
Thanksgiving Game Kicks off at South High School at 10:00 a.m. Tickets on game day are $8.00 at the gate.
Exchange Student Program: It's that time of year again when the Rotary Club of Plymouth is looking for an outgoing, enthusiastic, student to participate in its long-term exchange program. The student that is selected will have the opportunity of a lifetime by living in a foreign country.
The applicant is typically a current sophomore with an interest in living abroad. This year, we are also accepting applications from students who will be completing their Senior year in June, 2012. If you are ready for the challenge and the rewards of living in another land as an exchange student, then you are ready to discover new worlds through the Rotary Youth Exchange.
Please note that you will need to have the four-page preliminary application returned to your school's Guidance office by Monday, November 28th to be considered for the program. Applications are now available in Guidance.
The Winter Sports Season kicks of on Monday, November 28th. Be sure to come out and support the teams.
There will be a Robotics Team parent, mentor and student meeting in the PNHS cafeteria on Monday evening November 28th from 6:30 PM until 8PM. This information is on the Robotics Team Website: www.pnta.org under the news section. The purpose of the meeting is introductions to the program, and signing up of parent volunteers and the creation of a boosters club.
Planning for Success Night" for parents and guardians of Sophomores (students welcomed) is Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 from 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Plymouth South High Cafetorium.
PNN (Plymouth North News) was selected as a Broadcast Pacemaker Finalist by the National Scholastic Press Association. PNN was one of seven finalists named throughout the country. Entries consisted of an entire broadcast news program no longer than 20 minutes, and categories included Daily programs, Weekly/Biweekly programs and Monthly or less programs.
Entries were judged based on the following criteria: Content/Coverage, Relevancy to audience, significance of subjects covered, Writing and editing of the script, Language appropriate to audience, smooth transitions, Recording and editing of the show, Good connections between segments, Interviewing skills, Interviews were conversational, Technical quality, Lighting, framing, audio, Journalistic integrity, courage and ambition, Overall impact, professionalism, sensitivity to subjects. Advisors Shelley Jaruse, Dan Riley, and Kristen DiGravio traveled to the 90th Annual JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota to accept the finalist award.
|
|
Plymouth South High School News
The Staff and Students of Panthers' Cubhouse at Plymouth South High School participated in the 5K Turkey Chase to benefit Fiona Perkins on Sunday, November 20th. Our very own Brittany Reed came in first place with a time of 23 minutes. This event was extremely close to our hearts as Fiona is the younger sister of Daniel Perkins who attends our preschool. We are very proud of our students for their support in such a meaningful cause.
Congratulations to the following students who were accepted for the MMEA Southeast District Honors Festival by audition this past Saturday: Zac West/Gr. 11 - clarinet, Nate Rogers/Gr. 11 - percussion, Missy Jaworski/Gr. 11 - flute, Nate Stowe/Gr. 12 - trombone and Emily Richard/Gr. 12 - violin. These students will all participate in the Festival at Oliver Ames High School on January 6th and 7th, 2012. Missy, Zac and Emily got All-State Recommendations as well, which means they can audition for the All-State Music Festival. This is a great achievement for these students!
Plymouth South High School staff and students all contributed items to put together 54 "Thanksgiving Baskets" for needy families. Student Council students helped to sort, stock and distribute the boxes of food and turkeys to the families as they were either picked up, or delivered to homes. It is an overwhelming show of support for those in need by our school family to those less fortunate than we are.
|
Unified Arts News
Approximately 75 member of the Plymouth High School Band participated in the annual Home Town Thanksgiving Parade.  Plymouth Marching Band
Congratulations to the following students who were accepted for the South Eastern Massachusetts Music Education Association Honors Festival, by audition this past Saturday. From North High School: Chorus Graham Allen - tenor, grade 12 Dawna Vella - Alto, grade 10 Band Emily Bott - Bass Clarinet, grade 12 Shawn Flanagan - Trumpet, grade 12 Maria D'Ambrosio - French horn, grade 9 From South High School Band Nate Stowe - trombone, grade 12 Emily Richard - Violin, grade 12 Nate Rogers - Percussion, grade 11 Missy Jaworski - Flute, grade 11 Zac West - Clarinet, grade 11 All of these students will participate in the Festival at Oliver Ames High School on January 6-7, 2012. In addition to making the SE MMEA Festival, the following students also received All-State Recommendations, which means they can audition for the All-State Music Festival as well. From North: Graham Allen and Maria D'Ambrosio From South: Missy Jaworski, Zac West, and Emily Richard This is a great achievement for these students and we congratulate them. Upcoming dates The PCIS Chorus will be performing at the down town Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 2nd. On December 6th there will be a Plymouth High School Choral Concert at PSHS at 7:00pm featuring both North and South Choral students. December 8th at South Elementary School at 9:30am, 2:00, and 7:00pm there will be a Holiday Show featuring the Elementary Chorus, band, and Strings program, also on the 8th is the High School Band Concert at PNHS featuring both North and South Band students. The Federal Furnace Treble Chorus will be performing with the Philharmonic at Memorial Hall on December 10th at 8:00pm and again on the 11th at 3:00pm (tickets can be purchased through the Philharmonic). On December 12th the Manomet Chorus, Band, and Strings will be performing at 2:00 and 6:00pm. On December 13th the PCIS Band will perform their holiday concert at 7:00pm. The PCIS Chorus will perform on December 15th at 7:00pm. Also on the 15th of December PSMS will have their holiday concert with both the Band and the Chorus performing. The public is invited and encouraged to attend one or all of the upcoming concerts - come and enjoy the spirit of the holiday season from Elementary through High School! |
|
Guidance Department News
Sophomore Planning Night: Know Your Pathway to Success!
Tuesday, November 29 from 6:00-7:30 PM in the Plymouth SOUTH High School Cafetorium
The Guidance Department at Plymouth North and South High Schools welcomes all parents and guardians to attend our Sophomore Planning Night (students also invited). The topics for the evening will be:
The High School Transcript
Graduation Requirements
Career & College Planning
College Requirements
Early Financial Planning for College
We look forward to your participation in this important information session! |
|
|
|
|
Gary E. Maestas, Ed.D Superintendent
Plymouth Public Schools
|
|
|
