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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, January 9th, 2012. 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:
"Be willing to be a beginner every single morning."
-Meister Eckhart
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News from the Elementary Library Media Specialists:
Internet 4 Classrooms - a great resource!
There is a wonderful resource that the library media specialists would like to re-introduce to you. It's called Internet4classroms. It is an amazing website that features information and assistance for parents and educators from K-12. This resource is FREE! Below you can find a piece taken from one of the newsletters. It is meant to be a sample of what you can gain access to each month by signing up for Internet4Classrooms. This website features items such as ACT and SAT preparation, online vocabulary and math quizzes, free ipod/ipad education applications, educational ways to celebrate the holidays of each month, and so much more- all for FREE! If you choose to go to the website feel free to access it through the link below. If you would like to see a sample of January's newsletter (links to activities can be accessed through Internet4classrooms.com or link below) please scroll through the information under the link:
Click here to access the January newsletter from Internet4Classroms.com!
January Newsletter SAMPLE:
Focus On: Teacher Resources
Honor Martin Luther King Jr. in your classroom with these lesson plans and information relating to the importance of the things he stood for. Watch MLK's "I Have a Dream Speech" online and find the transcript.
The Chinese New Year begins January 23rd. Learn a few Chinese words and explore the Year of the Dragon while students discover other cultures and traditions.
Celebrate National Literacy Day all month long with our Language SkillBuilders. Find the MAIN IDEA in these interactive online stories for 1st grade , 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade levels.
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Focus On: Parent Resources
In addition to our teachers, parents can take advantage of our online resources as well.
Reinforce Martin Luther King Jr'.s message and celebrate diversity in your home with these activities.
In honor of the Chinese New Year, print these free Chinese flashcards and expand your child's vocabulary. It's a fun way to identify every day words in a different language.
Did you also know we have a section on English as a Second Language? There are helpful tools for learning English and grammar.
Explore calendars and time zones. We have world clocks, time zone information, online stop watches and timers, current local time charts, and more.
Does your child have ADHD? I4C has a large section of ADHD resources on everything from classroom help, to handwriting and reading help, and behavioral tools.
Take advantage of our handwriting help when the younger kids have some downtime. There are printable worksheets and tracing paper.
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Guidance Department News
Sophomore Planning Night has been rescheduled for Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 from 6-7:30 P.M. in the PSHS Cafetorium. Plymouth North and Plymouth South High Schools' Guidance Departments welcome all parents and guardians to attend (students may also attend). Topics for the evening will include: The High School Transcript, Graduation/College Requirements, Career/College Planning, Maximizing Your Potential, Early Financial Planning for College. We look forward to your participation!
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is offering a spring High School Dual Enrollment program for high school students focusing on the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. The Dual Enrollment program provides the opportunity for qualified high school students to take a transferable introductory college course at no cost (excluding books-financial assistance available). For more information and to register for the spring 2012 dual enrollment program, please go to:
http://www.maritime.edu/index.cfm?pg=681
College Week Live is sponsoring a free on-line event called "Paying for College Day" on Thursday, January 12th. This event will run from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. est. and will feature presentations on topics like filling out the FAFSA form, how to save $50,000 on college and managing 2012 college costs. Paying for College Day will also include over 175 colleges and universities from across the country, chatting live with students. This is the perfect event for students and parents who are beginning to navigate the financial aid process. For a full event schedule and registration information please go to www.collegeweeklive.com.
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West Elementary School News
It is with great excitement we welcome the newest addition to the West Elementary School staff, Ms. Lauren Cluff.
Ms. Cluff has joined the West family, coming from the Norwood Public School systems, taking on the role as our new fifth grade teacher. As this is her first week in this position, she has quickly connected with her students and fellow staff members.
We are all very excited to have her!
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Manomet Elementary School News
In December, festivities abounded at Manomet Elementary. The holiday sing-along was well attended by parents on the 22nd. The grades performed songs as a group. The teachers performed a few of their favorites as well. After months of preparation, a cast of 4th and 5th graders performed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The children enjoyed a celebratory "cast party" which included a viewing of the production. Edtv came to film the production, so be on the lookout for live footage as well. It was a huge success!
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Cold Spring Elementary News
Message in a Bottle
5th grade students at Cold Spring School just completed a "message in a bottle" assignment. This social studies project was used as a research assignment to broaden their understanding of certain influential Native Americans and explorers. This creative assignment gained the students an appreciation for what it took to increase the world's knowledge and wealth in times past.
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PSMS News
5th & 6th Grade Fun
PSMS 5th & 6th grade students participated in "Reindeer Games" the week before Winter Recess. Students took part in a variety of relay races/challenges similar to "Minute to Win it" events. These games emphasized teamwork, sportsmanship, & some holiday cheer!
Sixth Grade Books The sixth grade students of Mrs. Cardin and Mrs. Goding created their own children's books. On Monday, December 19th, the sixth graders visited the pre-schoolers at PSHS in the Panther's Club House and read their books to them. On Thursday, December 22, they traveled to South Elementary school where they read their books to the first grade classes. Both the pre-schoolers and the first graders were wonderful audiences and truly enjoyed the stories. We are extremely proud of our sixth-graders for working so hard and creating incredible books. 
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Plymouth South High School News MRS. FRY'S CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: Elizabeth Bettencourt - ELA Department Head
Ms. Bettencourt's World Literature class worked together to create a graphic novel version of Shakespeare's famous tragedy, Hamlet. Groups of students drafted and designed how each panel should function, and then the class illustrator completed the final versions of the panels for consistency. The graphic novel has been published online and has already received attention from online viewers in Iowa and England! Ms. Bettencourt's students reported that the process allowed them to feel more ownership over their reading of this challenging play and also to gain a clearer understanding of the piece as a whole.
http://hamletgraphicnovel.blogspot.com/
On Saturday, January 7th between 9:00 AM and 6:30 PM, Plymouth North and Plymouth South Boys and Girls Basketball Teams will be playing each other at Plymouth South High School. Stop by to watch and support our teams!!
Football Awards Night - for Plymouth South High School grades 9-12 football players and their parents at PSHS on Monday, January 9th.
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Science Department News
The 2012 Plymouth Public Schools High School Science Fair is being held on Tuesday, February 7 at Plymouth North High School. As in the past, this year's science fair will showcase the talent of high school students in science and technology/engineering from both Plymouth North and Plymouth South High Schools.
Volunteers play a critical component in the success of this annual event. If you are interested in volunteering (e.g., judges, hallway assistance) please click here.
If the link does not work, please copy and paste this into a web browser
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHU3Y1RyYS1JUTNlVlNDNmhsdkh6aWc6MA
Please note that most volunteers are needed between the hours of 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm. Volunteers are also invited to the awards celebration following judging.
Thank you for your time in considering this outstanding opportunity to support our district's science program.
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Unified Arts Department News
Congratulations to a total of 19 students from the Plymouth Public Schools who had their visual art work recognized by the Stellwagon Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The yearly Marine Art Contest had over 700 entries from 40 schools. Plymouth was very well represented.
The Grand Prize winner was Lucas Cantwell from Plymouth South High School! Awesome! To view the work from all the winners including the 19 from Plymouth please follow the link below. 
Lucas Cantwell's beautiful art work! PLYMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ART SHOW AT THE INDEPENCE MALL: Don't forget to check out the incredible artwork at Independence Mall in Kingston - you can now vote for your favorite by visiting the Independence Mall Facebook page or by scanning the QR code located with the art work at the mall. Names will be displayed early next week, so get your votes in now! |
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Gary E. Maestas, Ed.D Superintendent
Plymouth Public Schools
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