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Friday notes is a weekly update from Superintendent Gary E. Maestas on the happenings within the Plymouth Public Schools.
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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.
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Weekly Quote:
"Seek opportunities to show you care. The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference."
John Wooden
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News from the Elementary Library Media Specialists:
Thinking about writing a grant for the Plymouth Education Association? Help is available to assist you in the process. Contact your building Elementary Library Media Specialist for more information. Secondary staff may contact Ellen Driscoll.
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West School
From the Second Grade
The week before Thanksgiving, Mrs. Haynes' second grade class studied Native American and Pilgrim homes. The students culminated this unit by recreating Wetus, lived in by the Wompanoag people. The children used bark, leaves and twigs over styrofoam soup cups to build our wetu models. The students then added details to the landscapes. The students LOVED this activity and were all actively engaged in the process!
 Students hard at work!
Some of the students' finished projects. They took pride in their work!
The students in Miss Reid's second grade class completed an Ancestor Doll Project. Each student wrote who his or her ancestor was, what country they came from, when they arrived in this country, and why they chose to come to the United States. The students brought in a clothespin dressed in the style of their ancestor. This has become a fantastic tradition and an opportunity for students to talk to family members about their history.
Student projects display a wide range of ancestral diversity! Here are a few samples. 
The Peaceful School Bus Rides On As part of West Elementary School's plan to improve the climate and safety on its school buses, students and teachers met for the second time to work on the Peaceful School Bus Project.  Teachers Shelly Routhier and Beth Haynes review with the students about bus safety. The Second Annual Pajama Literacy Night: December 8, 2011 Scholastic Book Clubs and the non-profit Pajama Program are joining forces to bring West Elementary School The Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive. The mission of the drive is to provide 25,000 children in need with brand new pajamas and books. These are children who live in group homes, shelters, foster care and orphanages. Scholastic Book Clubs will match every pair of donated pajamas with a book. West School would like to help these children in need. West Elementary School kicked of this program on November 10 with a Pajama Day where everyone wore their pajamas to school. West will be holding its second annual "story night" on Thursday, December 8 to say thank you to our families for their donations. Families are invited to come to school in their pajamas to listen to a story and share a bedtime snack with some friends and teachers. Many West School teachers will be reading their favorite winter time book to students and their families. It is sure to be another successful event! Over 305 RSVPs have been turned in for next week's big night.
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Indian Brook Elementary School News
At the 2011 Geography Fair At Bridgewater State University, Mrs. Nancy (Silva) Franks's fourth grade class presented a project comparing Brisbane, Australia and Seoul, South Korea. The class focused on the fact that although the countries are almost 5,000 apart, they are both committed to creating rooftop gardens and green walls on city buildings. The talented students won two awards, Best Visual Display and Most Creative Presentation.
The whole class worked on this project and the following students presented the project at the Geography Fair:
Brendan Clark
Marie St. Germaine
Anya Ricketson
Joanathan Reardon
Robbie Dusseau
Armandea Connelly
Josie Dill
Johnny Kenny
Carter Nevulis
Emily Snyder
Isabella Pierce
Ginger Pomale
Mrs. Fallon's Fourth Grade class held a donation drive for the organization "Operation Gratitude." This organization collects letters and donations to send to our troops who are serving our country as well as their families. Wednesday Mrs. Fallon's class organized and packaged up all the donations they have been collecting to send to our troops and their families. Other classrooms at Indian Brook helped to collect donations as well. We would like to thank Mrs. Kmetz, Ms. Fromm, Mrs. Chase and Mrs. Loftus as well as their students for helping us with our donation drive.
On Wednesday afternoon, students in Nancy Frank's 4th grade class decorated a tree at the Cranberry Hospice Festival Of Trees at Plimoth Plantation. The theme of their tree is "Seeing Red". The class incorporated Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies as they prepared decorations. The tree is a salute to everything red. It is packed with trivia and outstanding sentences that include red idioms. The trees will be on display throughout the weekend.
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Federal Furnace News
November was a busy month at Federal Furnace!
On Wednesday, November 17th we hosted fifth grade families for the annual Fifth Grade Gym Show which has been going on now for at least twenty years! Mrs. Pratt, our Physical Education Teacher, and Mrs. McMinn, our Music Teacher, have worked on the show together for 20 years. Mrs. Whynott, our art teacher, also contributes to the show which showcases the skills of the oldest students in our school through a combination of music, physical education and the visual arts. The show's theme was 'Under the Sea' this year and featured a yellow submarine and a glowing underwater garden. It was fantastic!
We celebrated reading with an 'Out of this World' Family Reading Night on November 19th sponsored by the PTA. Thank you to FFES parents Lisa and Paul Capozzi for organizing this, and to the following staff for attending and helping out: Dr. Lisa White, English Language Arts Coordinator for the Plymouth Public Schools, Kristin Wilson, FFES Vice Principal, Jean Riordan, Classroom Teacher, Dollie Glynn, Classroom Teacher, Keri Stack, Reading Teacher, Lisa Bisio, Library/Media Teacher.
The week of Thanksgiving, Pilgrims and Native Americans took a break from the classroom and joined together for a meal at FFES' Annual First Grade Thanksgiving Feast! Students dressed in traditional Pilgrim and Native American attire, carefully crafted in their art class under the direction of Mrs. Whynott. The menu included homemade popcorn, cornbread and cranberry sauce. Local photographer and parent, Sandy Krupa, was on hand to capture the feast on film.
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Manomet Elementary School News
Manomet Elementary School enjoyed a cozy day as children came to school in their favorite pajamas. The "Pajama Day" is an annual fund raiser where proceeds benefit future field trips.
Kindergartners had fun while learning a variety of skills by making cornbread for their "Thanksgiving "Feast".
The children read directions, measured ingredients and observed temperature and time. Students enjoyed the fruits of their labor in the culmination of a Thanksgiving celebration complete with traditional pilgrim attire.
Plymouth South High School football players and cheerleaders came to Manomet Elementary to encourage young students' love of reading. Each class, in every grade level, enjoyed stories read to them.The high school students were inspiring. The girls were asked by one class to perform a cheer and at least one football player was asked for his autograph!
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South Elementary School News
Visiting Hero U.S. Army Specialist Stephen Decelle Pizzi visited Mrs. Trombly's third grade class on November 22nd to share his experiences while being stationed in Afghanistan. He shared photos with students and discussed the different weapons he uses, army vehicles ("a lot safer now"), food at the base ("not great"), and the training they go through. He also talked about the hot, dry weather and very sandy conditions ("sand was everywhere!"). "The children asked many questions and thanked him for his service to his country," Mrs. Trombly notes. "We are planning to put our writing skills to good use by writing friendly letters to Stephen throughout the school year while he's away training." Specialist Pizzi, who is the son of South Elementary Paraprofessional Maureen Pizzi, will head back to Afghanistan for a second tour after training. 
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PCIS News
On Monday, November 28th Assistant District Attorney Kristin Stone held an assembly with all PCIS Students. ADA Stone talked with the students about internet safety and the laws surrounding internet use, harassment and cyber-bullying. The presentation covered several topics but particularly how misuse of the internet and social media can lead to legal consequences. This assembly is part of PCIS's ongoing vision to educate the students in the areas of social media, cyber-bullying and proper use of the internet.
PCIS Sixth Grade Student Ambassadors are leading the way in Toys for Tots. As a part of the Ambassador Program's Community Outreach, our sixth graders will be collecting toys from now until December 9th. Students from the Ambassadors program have made posters and are working together to promote the Toys for Tots drive. Students will collect toys from each house and will organize them for pick-up by the USMC. If you are interested in donating to the PCIS Toys for Tots drive, please feel free to drop off unwrapped toys to the main office at PCIS. There will also be a collection in each house, and all students can bring in a toy to their homeroom or house commons.
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Plymouth North High School News
Plymouth North Pep Rally was held Wednesday, November 23rd. Highlights of the event were the "Manleaders", Senior Superlatives, Dance Team, Drum Line and many more fun moments. The rally was a success; Plymouth North won the Thanksgiving game 14 - 3. Way to go North!  
On Wednesday, November 23rd the 2011 Plymouth North Baseball Team received their championship rings in an awards ceremony that was 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. 
Best Buddies is having a Paul Mitchell Hair products fundraiser. Please email Barbara Gravelle stop by room 219 for more information. The Math/Science Center will be held every Tuesday from 2:15 to 3:00 in the Library. This time is for students to seek help with math and science related courses. Homework help, skills improvement, and peer-tutoring will be offered by National Honor Society seniors. The Writing/History Center will be held every Thursday from 2:15 to 3:00 in the Library. This time is for students to seek help with English, history, and foreign language related courses. Homework help, writing skills, and peer-tutoring will be offered by National Honor Society seniors. Freshman Laser Tag social event to Lazergate in Fall River is on Thursday, 12-8-11. Bus leaves the front of the building at 3:00pm and is expected to return by 9:00pm. Students interested in going need to bring permission slip with $25.00 check to Mrs. Foley, P5, by Thursday afternoon. Any senior wishing to participate in on site admissions for UMass Dartmouth must submit their application on line by December 8th and sign up with their guidance counselor. North in the News Plymouth North Baseball North Winter Sports Schedule Class of 2012 Football North's Jack McDonald Thanksgiving day win for North |
Plymouth South High School News Thanks to our Marketing Students who have worked very hard with the Luminary Project that will be unveiled tonight at Brewster Gardens. All proceeds from the Luminary Project will be donated to the Jordan Hospital Cancer Center. Thanks to Marketing teachers and students Jon Jaros, Tim Grandy and Halie Grobleski for their hard work on this project. Come out and support the PSHS dance team at the
Panther Dancers Holiday Fair!
December 10, 2011
PSHS Cafe
9am-3pm
Admission is FREE!
Jewelry, Gourmet Foods, Toys, Hair Feathers, Candles, Raffle Baskets and much more!
*Staff- We are still looking for crafters and vendors. If you or someone you know is interested, please have them contact me meliseo@plymouth.k12.ma.us
We will take people up until Friday, December 9th. Congratulations to all students in Grades 9-12 who were recognized this week at our Honors Breakfasts. Students on both the High Honor Roll and Honor Roll were invited to attend. We would also like to thank featured student speakers Christina Jaros and Jessica Hawker. 
Left to right: Morgan Caldwell, Brendan Flattery, Michael Davies and Brandan Ballerini
The students in the photo above were recently recognized as "Freshmen Students of the Month". They were presented with Certificates and a $5.00 coupon for Culinary as a reward for going above and beyond what is required of them and being a pleasure to have in class. They were nominated for this award by their team of teachers.
On November 20-22, 2011 nine SkillsUSA officers and members from Plymouth South High School attended the SkillsUSA Fall Leadership Conference in Marlborough, MA. Participants at the conference undergo intensive leadership training in areas such as communication skills, group dynamics and employability skills. The following students received medals at the conference: Team Profile: Gold - Heliana Alvarez, Community Construction: Bronze - (team members) Evan Hackett, Andralynn Jacobs, and Julia Daly, Team Quality: Gold - Heliana Alvarez, Silver - Jessica Hawker; Bronze - (team members) Tim Cosseboom and Julia Daly; Fourth - Shannon Murphy.
Listed below are all students who were inducted into the PSHS Chapter of the National Honor Society on Wednesday, November 30th. These students represent the high standards of the National Honor Society, specifically in the area of Scholarship, Character, Leadership and Service.
Class of 2012
Raymond Addison Holley Humberd
Rosemary Arnold Jessica Kearney
Class of 2013
Allyson Booth Shannon Legare
Samantha Brady Keianna Lopes
Ryan Madden
Madison Braz Jason McCue
Robert Cheetham Elsa McGilvray
Sam Cheung Brenna McGinnis
Haley Clark Alyson Messina
Brittney Cleary Zackary Moody
Serena Colbert Michael Randy Moores
Melissa Connolly Sarah Mori
Caitlyn Cribben Ashley Morrill
Marie Cronin Marissa Persichini
Conor Disher Gregory Peters
Ashley Eccleston Sydney Quirk
Jake Feiter Nathan Rogers
Carley Fernandes Sara Schlecht
Danielle Finlay Charles Chad Senechal
Joseph Flagg Brittany Shields
Meredith Flynn Sydney Stelter
Hannah Forte Hannah Stewart-Wheeler
Jeffery Forte Nicholas Trainor
Ashley Gallardo Alec Vozzella
Haley Garvey Sean Walkama
Jameson Giamo Timothy West
Melanie Hawes Zachary West
Alex Hunt Brian Whyte
Jamie Korkutis Zachary Wilson
Jason Lamb
Rebecca Laudermilk
Winter Sports began on Monday of this past week. Please visit www.southpanthers.com for details regarding winter sports schedules and "pantherwear" which could be a great holiday gift for your family and friends.
Principals Blog - Mrs. Fry has recently started a blog on the main page of the PSHS website. The blog is updated weekly. There are so many events weekly at PSHS, please check the blog to keep up on important school information.
UPCOMING MUSIC CONCERTS - Vocal Concert - Tuesday, December 6th at 7:00 PM at Plymouth South High School
Instrumental Concert - Thursday, December 8th at 7:00 PM at Plymouth South High School. We hope you can attend and enjoy our talented students.
Second Quarter Progress Reports will be sent home on Friday, December 9th with all students.
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Unified Arts News
Tonight, the Plymouth High School Marching Band and the PCIS chorus are both participating in the Town Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:00 tonight at Shirley Square.
Tuesday, December 6th is the Plymouth High Schools Choral Concert at 7 P.M. performing at South High School.
Thursday, December 8th South Elementary performs its holiday show with performances at 9:30 A.M., 2:00 P.M., and 7:00 P.M.
Also on Thursday the 8th both the Plymouth North and Plymouth South High School Bands will have their Holiday Concert at 7:00 P.M. performing at PNHS.
Next weekend the Federal Furnace Elementary Treble Chorus will perform with the Philharmonic at Memorial Hall. |
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Gary E. Maestas, Ed.D Superintendent
Plymouth Public Schools
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