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 Spofford Times Newsletter |
Greetings!
I hope everyone had a lovely long weekend! I have a few topics of interest for you this week! First I'd like to highlight the Principal Coffee we had this month. Last week, the first Principal Coffee was held for the year. Many thanks to the parents who attended. It was wonderful to have a chance to sit with all of you and talk about current events and happenings at the school. Some of the topics that came up were MCAS, the transition between Spofford and Masconomett, student lunch/café time, the writing curriculum, the math pilot and the core standards. It was a productive hour and I wish we had more time that day to converse. I will host these every month and I encourage parents to come in for a chat and some refreshments. The next one will be held on November 3rd at 11:15 am. With October, comes Halloween for the children. At Spofford Pond School, for the past few years, I understand that children have had the option of wearing costumes. Children may have the option of wearing a costume on Halloween, they may also opt to wear black and orange clothing that day or they may choose to not dress up at all. If students opt to dress up, the costume must meet the dress code in our handbook and must be school appropriate. No Masks, weapon accessories or heavy face paint allowed (minimal face paint is allowed). Children must come to school dressed as there will not be time for costume changing at school. If children do dress up or wear orange and black, we ask that children bring in a canned food that we will, as a school, donate to a local food bank. On that day we will also have a student assembly for our anti-bullying program, Olweus. Orange is the color for anti-bullying so this coincides nicely with the festivities. Throughout the year, the student council and I will work together to have a few school spirit days and much like on Halloween this year, I will invite students who participate to bring a canned good that our school can donate to a local food bank. This is an easy and fun way for children to get involved in school events with the spirit of giving to others. We hope that these opportunities bring us together as school community and together as part of the larger community around us. One a different note, this Thursday evening there is a School Committee meeting at 7:30 at the Town Hall. If you have questions or would like to know more about the MCAS results for our district, this is the meeting watch. There will be the first part of a two part series on reviewing the district's MCAS scores. This is an open meeting and parents are welcome to attend and it is also televised on the local town channel. Parent Help Needed: Parents, we are so fortunate to have the laptop carts that travel into the classrooms for student use. However, lately, there has been several USB memory keys/sticks missing from the student laptops during fifth and sixth grade classes. We are reminding children in fifth and sixth grade to leave these in the machines. Your help in reminding your students to not remove these from the machines would be very helpful! Thank you! Dismissal Plans: We recognize that children's after school plans change with activities or other family needs. Our staff works diligently each day to remind children of dismissal plans, however, we need your help as well! We ask that you please remind your child of what their afternoon dismissal plan is each morning, if it is different from their daily routine. This will help your child to feel comfortable knowing where he/she is going at the end of the day! Back-up Plans: If sports or after school activities are canceled, we ask that you discuss with your child a back-up plan for transportation home. For example, if soccer is cancelled, please decide and communicate to your child if he/she will take the bus home or if he/she should expect to be picked up by you or another designated adult. Thank you for all of your support! I wish you all a wonderful week! Sincerely, Kathryn Nikas, Principal |
Grade Six News!
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The sixth grade recently spent two days at Project Adventure in Beverly where they participated in activities designed to build teamwork, leadership, and communication skills, as well as other positive social skills. The students learned how to solve problems such as getting all team members through a "spider web" while holding on to each other, and not touching the web. Each day the students had an opportunity to challenge themselves by scaling a rock wall, walking across a high wire, or being lifted into the air on the "flying squirrel." All the sixth graders participated in each activity as part of the belay team for the other members of the group. Overall the students had a great time while learning new skills and the importance |
Grade Three News!
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Grade Three
The third graders have been off to a busy start and we are reading a lot. This reading is now making its way home through what we are calling "Fluency Bags". With the help of Mrs. Gabois (Spofford Pond's Reading Specialist), the third grade teachers have introduced the home-to-school initiative in classrooms the first week in October.
How it works:
The students will make a choice of a 'just right' text at the beginning of each week in school and will be paired up with a peer listener. The students will learn to set reading goals and give positive, constructive feedback to one another to become more fluent readers.
Weekly, each student will be coming home with their "Fluency Bag" and will read their selection aloud to someone at home. The adult listener will then fill out a reflection sheet that will be sent back to school on Friday.
Our hopes are that with continued practice students will not only increase automaticity and speed as a fluent reader, but also build confidence and foster a positive attitude toward reading.
Happy Reading!
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 Literacy News! |
From Donna Morton ELA Specialist September was a busy month at Spofford Pond as teachers and support staff focused on the assessment of students in reading and writing. Our students have now completed universal screenings for both, reading comprehension and writing. Classroom teachers and Special Education teachers will be meeting at their grade level morning meetings in October to look at the data from these assessments. This analysis helps inform discussions about how students are performing, what are areas of strength, where does instruction need to focus going forward, how will small guided reading and writing group look based on need and instructional levels, and how does the data relate to other pieces of information to identify students who may need additional ELA support beyond classroom instruction. I am also very excited that the Spofford Pond School will soon be hosting Penny Clare, a long time educator with expertise in the area of The 6 Traits of Writing. Ms. Clare provided workshop training in Writer's Workshop and the 6 Traits this summer for the Tri-Town teachers in preparation for the implementation of the new Tri-Town Writing Curriculum model. Ms. Clare will spend the day modeling an aspect of the 6 Traits or Writer's Workshop at each grade level. It will be a wonderful professional development opportunity for teachers to observe a lesson first hand and to hold a discussion around what they saw and learned, informing their own knowledge and expertise as they move forward this year in developing their classroom writing instruction. Further on in the month, I will be joining our Literacy Specialist and Writing Coach to meet with teachers to review the goals of students who are receiving regular education reading or writing support. These meetings are a good way for teachers to communicate the effectiveness of reading and/or writing support in relation to day-to-day student performance in the classroom. It is also an opportunity for collaboration in thinking about ways to differentiate instruction to better meet the needs of students. All in all, things really get moving in October as teachers and students have settled in to their routines and have now gotten to know one another. It is a wonderful time in the school year, with our learning community now well on its way and anticipating the wonderful learning and growing opportunities to be encountered throughout the year. |
 Help Wanted! |
Spofford Pond School Recess/Cafeteria Monitor: We are looking for one more person to work with students during lunch and recess. The position is five days per week. This would be Monday through Friday from 11:15 until 1:15pm. Inquiries for this position can be made via email to Kathryn Nikas at knikas@boxfordschools.org Thanks! The Proctor School Food Service Department has 2 openings. These positions are 5 days a week. They are paid positions. Responsibilities will include preparing and serving lunch to students and clean up at the end of lunch. Substitute positions are also available. Food service experience is helpful. Please contact Susan Bodwell at Proctor School at sbodwell@tritownschoolunion.com |
 Health Office
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State mandated screening will begin this month. We will be doing scoliosis screening for 5th and 6th graders as well as height and weight for all grades. If you have any questions or concerns or would like to be notified of your child's BMI feel free to contact the Health office. BMI-What is it? Every year in compliance with state mandate all children enrolled in Massachusetts schools Kindergarten through 6th grade will have their height and weight measured, and then used to calculate their body mass index (BMI). BMI is a screening tool used to determine whether a child is potentially overweight or underweight. Your child's BMI is based on the ratio of height to weight. BMI is reported as a percentile ranking based on the child's age and gender. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) created the percentile ranges to identify children who may be at risk for specific health problems. Children with a high BMI are at increased risk for serious health conditions such as insulin resistance (a precursor to diabetes) and heart disease. Like all screening tools, BMI can produce some false positives or negatives. For example, a student may have an artificially high BMI due to a high level of lean body tissue or muscle, as may be found in a well-conditioned athlete. That's why it's so important to follow up with your doctor if your child's BMI is high or low. All medical information is kept strictly confidential. If you have any questions feel free to contact your school nurse.
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 Technology News
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Again this year, BEST has provided a district-wide site license to IXL math. This subscription helps teachers provide students with an individualized approach to math. The tool generates detailed reports with information about how long children work, which skills they focus on, and how well they execute different mathematical concepts. This allows the instructor to identify students' areas of strength and the areas where individual students may need further instruction.
Classroom teachers are using this tool in a variety of ways to meet the needs of our students. The activities are organized according to the Massachusetts Curriculum Standards, and grade level. It is easy for teachers to assess a child's progress and assign different activities to different children based on individual progress. Thank you to the BEST organization for their continued support of our schools. |
 From the Band Room
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All Instrumental lessons have begun. Clarinet and sax players should keep an ample supply of reeds in their cases and brass players should oil their valves before arriving at school. Every band members now has a copy of the lesson schedule. Please review the day and time of the lesson with your child each week in order to make sure your child arrives for his/her lesson prepared and with his/her instrument and music. The opening of the year Band Parents meeting was held on October 6th in the Spofford caf. If you were unable to attend but would like to assist with a band event, it's not too late to contact our Band Parent Coordinator, Mrs. Lianne Langill, at aljlangill@verizon.net. The 5th & 6th Grade Concert Bands and the 6th Grade Jazz Band are currently working toward mastery of their music in time for the formal Winter Concert at Masco on December 6th and the Spofford all-school concert on December 23rd. How can you help your child properly prepare? Arrange to arrive for rehearsal no later than 7:23am in order for him/her to be ready to play on first downbeat, Visit the Band website http://teacherweb.com/SpoffordPondSchool/SpoffordPondBand/h0.aspx to review the titles of the performance pieces and to listen to recordings of them, Set aside ample time for practice. Spending just 15 -20 minutes each day builds skills that result in a strong, confident and successful musician
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News from Special Education
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Special education classrooms are now equipped with SMART Boards that enhance the instruction in a small group setting. The teachers using them are expanding their instructional techniques through training provided by the Tri Town School System and software purchased with Teacher Wishes donations. Use of the SMART Board is providing students with assistive technology that is extremely effective. For example, phonological awareness training activities, language skills activities, and reading comprehension can be reinforced on the SMART Board along with specialized instruction. Students can practice these skills in a smaller setting and with more time at the SMART Board. The writing process can be made more exciting with the use of a variety of graphic organizers that are easily projected and filled in by a group or an individual. Benchmark papers or student papers can be shown and worked on using interactive editing and revising techniques. Lastly, mathematical concepts can be illustrated in many different ways using 3 dimensional images, tables, graphs, and practice activities. Many special education teaching techniques are also used in the regular classroom. The use of the SMART Board by the special education staff allows differentiated instruction to take place. The regular education teacher and the special education teacher collaborate to provide activities that will help all students. With collaboration the use of technology is making our classrooms places where all students can learn.
SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS of the TRI-TOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS and MASCONOMET REGIONAL SCHOOLS PRESENT: AN ANNUAL TRAINING of PARENTS' RIGHTS under IDEA TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18th, 2011 7:00 - 9:00 Masconomet Regional High School: Presentation Room, 2nd floor of the HS building - just above the library Presenters: Dr. MaryEllen Kelleher, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Masconomet Schools Sharon Lyons, Special Education Administrator, Tri-Town Elementary Schools Please RSVP by October 17th to your respective special education office so that we may provision accordingly. Tri-Town: 978-887-4119 Masconomet: 978-887-2323, ext. 6114 TOPICS TO INCLUDE: SPECIAL EDUCATION EVALUATION and ELIGIBIILTY PROCESS IEP DEVELOPMENT and PLACEMENT TRANSITION (from Early Intervention to PreSchool AND from HS to post-graduation or adult services) DISPUTE RESOLUTION OPTIONS and PROCESSES MCAS REQUIREMENTS DISCIPLINE PROTECTIONS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN an IEP and a 504 ACCOMMODATION PLAN
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A fantastic start to the year, we had more than 600 people come to the Fall Fun-down. In addition to a spectacular turn-out for the first of many PTO community events on the calendar, we'd like to thank all of the families who became an official member of the PTO last week as well as the generous sponsors who advertised in the directory. Your financial support ensures the quality of our schools' resources and educational experience for our children in Boxford. The directories are off to the printer and will be distributed by the end of October. A big thank you to Cora Wong and Monique Romito for their dedication and preparation of the directory this year! All parents are welcome at the PTO's Annual Meeting coming up on Wednesday, October 12th. Held in the Cole Cafeteria at 9:30-10:30, we will be kicking-off the meeting talking about the exciting things on this year's agenda for the PTO as well as hearing from our special guest, Principal Brian Middleton-Cox who will be joining us. If you have any questions or would like to get more involved, please contact PTO president, Joni Stone, joni.stone@comcast.net . A 'GHOULISH GROOVE' JUST FOR SPOFFORD KIDS -- October 28th, 7:00-9:00pm. A pre-registered event only, this wicked-fun evening hosted by a DJ from Party Excitement will be filled with music, a light-show, and plenty of entertainment! Snacks and drinks will be served. Costumes are encouraged but must meet school appropriate requirements. This is not a drop-off event. The cost will be $5 per person. No more than five children must be accompanied by a chaperone. Space is limited for this event and registrations won't be accepted at the door. Further details to follow in a back-pack invitation next week. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!! If you would like to help please contact Stacey Ovanes, sovanes@hotmail.com . As an ongoing way to keep supporting our schools, don't forget to collect those BOXTOPS coupons! More to come about what our goal is for the year, but in the meantime simply clip the Boxtops coupons from participating products and bundle them in a zip lock baggie in 10 or 20 per bag. Please include your child's class and grade level in the bag and send through back-pack mail or place in the Boxtop Collection drawers in the entry at each school. Please check www.boxtops4education.com for a list of all participating products. This is one of the easiest ways you can make a difference in our schools! |
Masco Youth Sports
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Masco Youth Wrestling will hold registration for all wrestlers on November 2nd and November 9th at StrikeOne in Danvers from 6pm until 8pm. The program is open to all in Grades K-8. Practices are on Monday & Wednesday (K-2 from 5:30 until 6:45, Grades 3-8 from 7pm until 8:30). In addition, a new Girls clinic will be conducted every Friday evening in December from 6-7:30pm. Please go to www.2myouthwrestling.org for additional information or contact us at m2youthwrestling@ymail.com.
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