The Spofford Times
 
Excellence Starts with You |
|
MIDWEEK MAILING
|
|
|
Wednesday is backpack mail day!
|
| Student Drop-off Notes
|
|
It is very important that you do not enter the bus lane during either drop-off or pick-up.
No student should be dropped-off before 8:25 am (unless attending band,
chorus, or a scheduled extra-help session). There is no supervision
available before 8:30 am.
If you arrive at school before 8:25 am, please have your child wait in the car with you until 8:25 am.
Students who enter the building early will have to wait in the lobby, but will not be supervised until 8:25 am.
From Handbook, page 20:
Telephone calls to the school during the day regarding a dismissal change should be reserved for emergencies only and cannot be accommodated after 2:15 p.m.
each day due to difficulty reaching students in a timely manner. |
Boxford Elementary Schools
2008-2009 Calendar (Updated)
|
|
Please download an updated calendar for the 2008-2009 school year. |
| NCLB Report Cards
|
|
Please check out our 2007-2008 NCLB Report Cards:
Boxford
Cole School
Spofford Pond
|
|
|
| Volume II, Issue: 9
|
November 3, 2008
|
Dear Spofford Pond Community,
With the National Election upon us this week, I am very excited that Mrs. Salerno's class will be hosting our school-wide election on Monday. Each homeroom will have a chance to come to the polling station (Room 13), check in with the poll workers (Mrs. Salerno's students), and then vote for President of the United States. Since the polls close early enough, the students will have the time to count the ballots on Monday. I should be able to announce the winner at the afternoon announcements. Please ask your child about our results.
Also Monday is the retake for photos. Please follow the instructions that came with your photos if you want retakes. We will call students down to have their photos done. As always, Coffee Pond is very willing to work out any concerns you might have about the photos.
Finally, please don't forget that we will not have school on Tuesday, November 4th. Please remember to vote as Spofford Pond is still your polling place.
Have a great week.
Sincerely,
|
Larry Fliegelman
Principal
lfliegelman@boxfordschools.org |
Some reminders...
Deliveries to School
For lunches that are delivered, we will set up a table next to the main
office. Students who forget their lunch will be taught to check at that
table on their way to the cafeteria. Likewise for other items brought
to the office. We will get a message to the teacher (who can then let
the child know about the delivery). We will only interrupt classes at
the end of the day for items left unclaimed.
Spofford Pond Calendar Online.
Just click here (also in the Quick Links box on the left).
Boxford Elementary Schools Calendar Changed!
In
June, the Boxford School Committee voted to cancel school on Tuesday,
November 4, so that the National Election will not interfere with the
safe operation of the school day. We will instead hold a full day on
October 31. There is an updated calendar available at the link in the
sidebar.
Publication Notes
The
Spofford Times will be published each Monday for the entire school
year. There may be special editions as warranted. If you would like
your school related messages included in future issues of the Spofford
Times, please email me by 5pm on Thursdays. Plain text in the body of
an email is the simplest. I reserved the right to edit or deny
publication of any submissions.
As always, if you need to
unsubscribe from the Spofford Times, please click on the
SafeUnsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.
|
From the Health Office
|
Scoliosis Screening
As part of our ongoing Health Program, and to comply with state Law, all fifth and sixth grade students are screened for scoliosis each year.
The screening takes place during the students' regular physical education class and is conducted by Mr. sparks and the school nurse. Girls are asked to wear a bathing suit or halter-top that will enable us to view the spine as much as possible. Te boys are asked to remove their shirts. Girls and boys are screened separately. The screening will take place the week of November 10th.
All students are expected to participate in this program unless we have a letter from his or her physician prior to the day of screening.
|
School Closing Policy
|
2008/2009 TOPSFIELD/BOXFORD/MIDDLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSINGS/NO SCHOOL POLICY
It is our practice to have schools remain in session whenever possible. However, bad weather conditions or other emergency situations will occasionally require that schools be closed, be delayed opening or be dismissed early.
Announcements of no school, delayed openings or early dismissal are given to:
WBZ - TV Channel 4
WBZ - Radio 1030 AM
WCVB - TV Channel 5
WHDH - TV Channel 7
WFXT - TV Channel 25
The Superintendent of Schools will use the Connect-Ed Notification System to inform families of school closings or delayed openings no later than 6:00 a.m. A message will also be posted on the school district's website (www.tritownschoolunion.com).
All parents are urged to use their own judgement in sending their children to school during stormy weather. Even though school is in session, a parent may choose to keep his/her child at home because of neighborhood hazards or conditions. Any child who remains at home under these circumstances will be given full opportunity to make up any work and no penalty will be attached to such absences.
In those cases where it is necessary to close school earlier than the regular dismissal time for such reasons as weather conditions, power failure, or heating plant failure, announcements will be made to the same radio/T.V. stations listed above. The Connect-Ed Notification System will also be activated to communicate to all listed contacts.
Whenever a parent cannot be reached, the child will be kept at the school under the supervision of the building principal. No student will be dismissed unless we are confident they will be under the safe supervision of an adult once home.
TRANSPORTATION - SPECIAL WINTER CONDITIONS
The School Department, on a temporary basis, will provide additional bus stops on some existing routes if winter storms impact safety conditions due to excessive snow banks. Parents will be alerted when the additional stops will be activated until conditions improve. |
|
|
|
|
|
From the Band Office
|
The 5th & 6th Grade Concert Bands and the 6th Grade Jazz Band have been working very hard on the music for our December 4th concert program. We hope to see all you all that evening in the Masconomet auditorium at 7:00 pm. Dress is formal: Boys must wear button down shirts, ties and dress slacks. Girls may wear dresses, skirts or dress slacks. Denim is not appropriate for this concert! In the meantime, please make sure that your child afrives prepared and on time for all remaining rehearsals. The success of the entire band depends on every member's practice at home and attendance at all rehearsals and lessons. Please send a note, call or email if your child is unable to attend band rehearsal but is not absent from school.
Fundraisers are an important part of helping our band pay for new music, maintain our school instruments and fund future events. While our annual Poinsettia Sale will begin in a few weeks, Mrs. Sandy Drohosky and Mrs. Jenny Noonan have begun an exciting new fundraiser. This week, all 4th, 5th and 6th Grade band members received notices detailing a terrific Fall Raffle. Included are some great prizes such as: 5th row (!) Red Sox tickets, a certificate for a day spa in Boston, a New England Revolution t-shirt signed by 19 team members and much, much more. All of these are in two baskets which will be raffled at the Winter Concert. I extend many thanks to those of you who have made such generous donations! Each band member has been asked to try to sell 5 tickets, very reasonably priced at $5.00 each (four for $20.00.) We appreciate your help with this exciting and important event. If you have any questions or need additional tickets, please contact Mrs. Drohosky, Mrs. Noonan or Mrs. Monty.
Dates for your calendar:
- Thursday, December 4th- 7:00pm: 5th Concert & 6th Grade Concert and Jazz Band Winter Concert at Masconomet.
- Tuesday, December 23rd- 9:00am: 5th & 6th Grade Concert Bands and the 6th Grade Jazz Band perform for the entire
- Spofford community. Formal dress.
- Monday, January 5th- 7:30am: 5th Grade Jazz Band begins.
- Wednesday, January 7th- 7:30am: Beginning Band rehearsals begin.
- Late January- 6:30pm: Beginning Band concert evening for our families. Date to be determined.
- Tuesday, March 24th: 6th Grade Concert and Jazz Bands perform at the State House, Boston.
- Late April - 9:30am: 6th Grade Concert & Jazz Bands perform for our annual Senior Citizen's Concert and Luncheon.
- Tuesday, May 5th- 7:00pm: 5th & 6th Grade Concert and Jazz Bands Spring Concert at Masconomet.
- Monday, May 25th- 8:30am: 5th & 6th Grade Concert Bands perform at Boxford Memorial Day Parade.
- Early June: Beginning Band Spring Concert at Spofford.
- Early June: 5th & 6th Grade Bands play at a Pawtucket Red Sox game.
|
From the Library
|
Spofford Book Club
The PTO/Library would like to thank the following students for their contributions to the Spofford Pond Book Club.
Jackson Bissell, Riley Blake, Tyler Bramante, Jocelyn Cooper, Shannon Decker, Brianna Dox, Katie Dwyer, Matthew Eckert, Jamie Forte, Brendan Gentile, Bryan Gilbert, Jordan Glendon, Nathaniel Houston, Kyle Huckleberry, Rachel Hutter, Claire King, Matthew Klouse, Allia Langill, Miranda Marks, Brianna Proulx-Walter, Megan Richards, Tyler Schmid, Mitchell Shaheen, Kyle Sherrick, Sam Shirley, Ray Silk, Jessica Silk, Lukas Stachtiaris, Maddie Taylor, Samantha Woodland, Julia Zammitti, Micheal Zammitti |
| Upcoming Events |
Mon. 11/3 - Photo Retake Day
Tue. 11/4 - No School, Election Day
Tue. 11/11 - No School, Veteran's Day
Thu. 11/20 - PTO Spaghetti Supper
Thu. & Fri. 11/27&28 - No School, Thanksgiving Holiday
Thu. 12/4 - Winter Band Concert
Mon. 12/8 - Term I Report Cards Distributed
Tue. & Thu. 12/9&11 - Early Release, Parent Conferences
Tue. 12/9 - Chorus Concert
|
Check out the complete Online Spofford Calendar - http://tinyurl.com/294h36
|
| |
News from Parent-led Organizations |
| PTO |
Parent Seminar THIS WEEK!
Have you been trying to get organized? How about trying to get your kids organized? Come to our parent seminar on Wednesday, November 5, at 7pm at Cole Cafeteria. Expert Rebekah Elmore will give us tips, strategies and hands-on solutions to help you organize your children, family and home. The seminar is free; just show up! For more information about Rebekah Elmore, visit www.everydaysolutionsforyou.com.
The Directories Are Here!
By now all those who joined the PTO have received your directories. You can still join the PTO and receive a PTO Directory - just send your form and membership check via post to Cora Wong, 28 Campground Road, Boxford, MA 01921. Once processed, you'll receive your PTO Directory and complimentary bus pad via backpack.
Many, many thanks to Cora Wong, who worked tirelessly to put the directories together and make them even more user-friendly than before. We are also deeply grateful to our advertisers, who covered the cost of publication so that PTO could save our funds for curriculum enrichment. We hope that you will consider these local businesses whenever you have need of the services they provide.
PTO Spaghetti Supper
The PTO's annual Spaghetti Supper will be held Thursday November 20 from 6:00 - 8:30pm in the Spofford Cafeteria. The meal is free and so is the entertainment! Families will be serenaded by members of our beloved Spofford Pond Band, followed by local band the Goodhues, sponsored by the Boxford Cultural Council. We will also be collecting non-perishable items for local food pantries, just in time for the beginning of the holidays. Flyers will come home soon; please let us know if you plan to attend.
Shopping for a Cause
The Simon Evening of Giving will take place Sunday November 23 at any local Simon Mall (North Shore, Burlington, etc). For a $10 ticket, you can enter the mall after it has closed to the public, and get all your holiday shopping done in one night. $7 of every ticket goes to the PTO; the other $3 supports the Simon Youth Foundation, so you can kick off the season feeling good about helping two worthy causes. It makes for a fun ladies' night out at the mall, or a less crowded way to get all of your Christmas shopping done! And you will more than make up your investment in the deals offered by all of the mall stores that night! Tickets will be sold at pickup starting November 3, or contact Susan Dwyer (sdwyer@chairlooms.com) or Virg Baker (virgbaker@verizon.net), or any PTO Board member.
High School Musical 2 Cast Visit!
If you're thinking of buying tickets to High School Musical 2 at the North Shore Music Theatre, now is the time to do so! The school which purchases the most tickets can win a visit from the cast! They'll come to our school and teach us some dance moves! High School Musical 2 is coming to the North Shore Music Theatre Dec. 18 - Jan. 11. Tickets are on sale now, and for every ticket you buy, your PTO can earn $10. All you have to do is use the Boxford PTO code, FBE1, when ordering. You can purchase tickets online at www.nsmt.org, or call 978-232-7200. Don't forget to use our code, FBE1.
Box Tops
We continue to collect BoxTops for Education, Tyson's Project A+ Labels, and Campbell's Labels for Education (which are also on Pepperidge Farm, Swansons, Prego and V8 labels). You can drop any of these box tops or labels in the BoxTops bins at the entrances of both schools; as long as you label them with your child's name and teacher, they will count toward your classroom totals. Remember, every clipping means money for our school - last year we made over $1000 on BoxTops alone!
Genevieve's
It isn't too late to help your school by ordering from Genevieve's on line. Simply go to www.genevieves.com. At checkout, enter our school account number: Cole #10490, Spofford #4470, student's name, teacher and grade. Remember, Boxford PTO gets 50% of everything you spend! Thank you!
|
Community Giving Tree
|
GOT TOYS? Annual Toy Fair November 8th!
SAVE THE DATE for the Toy Fair Sat. Nov 8th from 9-2 in the 4H building at the Topsfield Fairgrounds. Proceeds to benefit Community Giving Tree, a non profit organization sponsored by the Tri-Town Council. Email Sue Rubin atsusanrubin@comcast.net to volunteer to help with the Toy Fair on 11/8!
|
Sponsor A Child
|
Sponsor A Child this Holiday Season!
Gold Flyers were sent home last week via backpack with information about the child your child's class is sponsoring and how students and their families can help out. Please fill out the bottom of the flyer and return it as soon as possible. You will be contacted by a volunteer with information about your sponsored child's wish list.
Collection dates for Sponsor A Child this year are November 3 to 26. Thank you for your participation in this very special program! This is a wonderful opportunity to include our young children in a charitable, community service project. |
Band Parents
|
Our band raffle is officially underway!
All students in the band program were provided information about the raffle last week. If you have not seen anything yet, please check the backpack! Please be sure to get your purchased tickets back to school by Monday, December 1st. Our drawings will take place at the Masco concert on Thursday, December 4th. Please let us know if you do not have the letter and raffle tickets we passed out last week and we will be sure to get them to you. Please do not hesitate to contact Sandy Drohosky (978) 887-7030 with any questions you may have about our raffle. |
Tri-Town SEPAC
|
Understanding Special Education Laws and Parent's Rights
Thursday, November 13th, 7:00-9:00pm
Topsfield Public Library
This two hour Basic Rights Workshop created and led by the Federation for Children with Special Needs, provides families from Boxford, Topsfield and Middleton with an introduction to their rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Special Education Law and No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The workshop will help parents learn how to be effective partners with the school, advocate for their child, understand eligibility for special education and to plan, make decisions and to monitor the educational progress of their child. Time will be allowed for a question/answer period at the conclusion of the workshop. This seminar is sponsored by the Tri-Town Special Education Parent Advisory Council. Call Linda at 978.887.4119 to register.
|
|
News from Around Town
|
Tri-Town Council
|
November Programs
Organization Starts at Home: How to organize our children so they will be better prepared for their future. Wednesday 11/5 7PM Cole School, Boxford.
Rebekah Elmore of Everyday Solutions will present tips, strategies and hands-on solutions to help you organize your children, family and home. This program is jointly spondored by the TTC and the Boxford, Topsfield & Middleton PTO's. Please visit the TTC website for details or contact Lisa Teichner lteichner@tritowncouncil.org for more information.
Self-esteem in Tweens: How Parents & Educators Can Make a Difference.
Wednesday 11/12 7PM Proctor School, Topsfield
Every child deserves the benefits of high self-esteem including resiliency, emotional well-being and a sense of self-worth. Yet the prevalence of low self-esteem in adolescents and pre-adolescents is unsettling. In this program Boxford resident Deb Dunham will provide practical insights and simple, yet powerful recommendations that parents/guardians & educators of students ages 9-12 can implement at home and in the classroom. Please visit the TTC website for details or contact Lisa Teichner lteichner@tritowncouncil.org.
|
Boxford Historical Society
|
Buy some great gifts and help a great cause!
The Boxford Historical Society is selling its popular Boxford logo merchandise on line for the next two weeks. These attractive long sleeve tees, hoodies, zip neck sweats, hats and more are available in new styles and colors for this event only. All sale proceeds will fund restoration of the Holyoke French Barn and the development of its agricultural history exhibit space. Visit www.bhsstuff.com before Nov. 7th. These are wonderful for Christmas gifts or care package surprises. After Nov. 7, merchandise will be available at West Boxford Provisions or by calling the Holyoke French House at 978-887-5078. |
Boxford Public Library
|
"Living Green" with Dan Rubin
The Friends of the Boxford Town Libraries is pleased to present "Living Green" with Dan Rubin will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 10:00 am at the Boxford Village Library, 10 Elm Street, Boxford. You and your older children will find this interesting, enlightening and helpful!
Dan is Executive Director of Boston Green Tourism working to make Boston a green convention and tourism destination. He is also the Eastern MA Coordinator for the Global Action Plan's Household EcoTeam Program. Dan speaks and writes extensively on the subjects of environmentally-friendly business practices and environmentally sustainable lifestyles.
|
Friends of the Boxford Town Libraries
|
|
Sports Equipment Sale
November 15, 9-11:30 am, Proctor School
The and the Topsfield Elementary School PTO host this popular annual fundraising event which enables interested participants to consign goods or purchase items at bargain prices, while helping raise funds in support of educational programs. The consignor receives 70% of the purchase and a tax-deduction for the remaining 30%.
Sale items include ski, hockey, soccer, baseball, tennis and fitness equipment, camping and fishing gear, bikes, sleds, snowshoes, water skis, roller blades, helmets, golf clubs, apparel... and the list goes on! Wenham Sports Stop and Western Cycles will join the sale to sell new and used inventory including skis, snow boards, bikes, helmets, accessories and more.
To consign, simply bring your items in good condition to the Proctor School, 60 Main Street in Topsfield, on Friday, November 14th, the night before the sale, between 4 and 7 pm (pricing assistance will be available and donated goods are welcome). The next day, Saturday, November 15th, arrive between 9am and 11:30am to shop. Items unsold and not retrieved at the end of the sale will be donated to charity.
Contact Martha Roberts (Friends of the Boxford Town Libraries) at 978-887-4227 with any questions or if you are interested in volunteering. Volunteers have the opportunity to shop before the sale opens to the public. |
| Notice of Non-Discrimination
|
|
| All programs, activities, and employment opportunities engaged in by
the Boxford Public Schools are offered without regard to race, color,
sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation and disability. |
|
