Spofford Times Newsletter 

Preschool

The Cole Integrated Preschool will be hosting a NEW family Open House/Registration for Boxford residents for the 2012-2013 school year, on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011 from 6:30-7:30 pm. This evening is for parents to meet the teachers, see the classrooms, and to receive an application.  Cole School accepts children who are 3 and 4 years old, and offers 2,3, and 5 day sessions.  (Children must be 3 on or before Sept. 1, 2012.)

In the event of inclement weather, the Open House will be on Nov. 30, 2011 at 6:30 pm.. There is a $50.00 registration fee when sending in an application. Applications will be accepted from Nov. 29, 2011- Dec. 6, 2011 at 3:00 pm. A public lottery will be held on Dec. 7, 2011 to assign a lottery number for all registered applicants.

Please feel free to call Debbie Connery (978)887-2856 ext. 103 or email (dconnery@boxfordschools.org) with questions.

BAND

It's poinsettia time again!  The Spofford Pond Band will be selling poinsettias once again this year to help you with your holiday decorating.  Kane's in Danvers will once again provide the beautiful poinsettias.  We are pleased to offer two sizes - a 7" pot for only $17 and a 6" pot for only $10 with your choice of red, white or pink. Each plant will come beautifully wrapped in gold foil.  This is the band's biggest fundraiser of the year.  Proceeds will go toward busses, lighting for concerts and equipment needs, among other things.  Flyers will come home this week.  If you have any questions or want to get more involved in the Band Parent Organization, please contact Lianne Langill at aljlangill@verizon.net.

MUSIC

Grade 6:

Students have successfully completed their rhythm assessments in both 2/4 and 6/8 meter. Their next formal assessment will be in December and will cover the following material: subdivided 6/8 meter using correct rhythm syllables (Du and Du-De) and tonal patterns using Do, Re, Mi, Sol, La through solo singing.

6th Graders have also been studying world music as it relates to their Social Studies units. They have solidly learned Sesere Eeye (Australia) and Sleigh Ride (a Troika from Ukraine.), both with the traditional folk dances that accompany the songs. Interestingly, Sleigh Ride is still a popular folk dance learned in all Ukrainian and Russian school systems!

Reminder: Music Buddies will begin in January!

Grade 5:

Students have successfully completed their rhythm assessments in 2/4 meter and are currently reviewing 6/8 meter. Their next formal assessment will be at the end of November after the Thanksgiving break.

Fifth Grade repertoire consists of Sea Shanties, including favorites such as Blow the Man Down, Cape Cod Shanty and Blow Ye Winds Westerly. As accompaniment students use specific solfa patterns on the xylophones. They are also undertaking a larger piece that uses three movements to tell the story of a young boy who becomes the captain's first mate.

Grade 4:

Students have successfully completed their rhythm assessments in 2/4 meter and are composing their own 2/4 rhythm patterns. In this way they are using their pattern recognition skills and are able to expand through rhythmic composition. This will soon transfer to composing simple solfa patterns on Do, Re and Mi.

Grade 3:

Students have successfully completed their PMMA for pitch differentiation as well as basic 2/4 meter patterns. They are now decoding spoken poems and songs by writing out the rhythms using sticks.

Students are also learning how to play the recorder and are currently focusing on three notes: B, A, G.

Best,

Mrs. Galardi & Ms. Farmer (Student Teacher)

Mr. Turner

Guidance

10 Tips to Stop Cyberbullying:

It's hard to protect your child if you don't understand the problem with cyberbullying or see it happen. Parents need to be the ones their kids go to when something is wrong. However, parents are often the last ones to know about problems because their kids fear getting into more trouble. Here are practical tips to help parents, children, and schools prevent and stop cyberbullying.

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO? (Cited from Parents Magazine, October 2011).

1. Keep the computer in a common area of the home. Do not allow it in your children's bedrooms. Monitor their online usage.

2. Learn how various social networking websites work. Become familiar with Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. Ask your children if they will show you their profile pages.

3. Talk regularly and specifically with your children about online issues. Let them know they can come to you for help if anything is inappropriate, upsetting, or dangerous.

4. Build trust with your children. Set time limits, explain your reasons for them, and discuss rules for online safety and Internet use. Ask your children to contribute to establishing the rules; then they'll be more inclined to follow them.

5. Tell your children not to respond to any cyberbullying threats or comments online. However, do not delete any of the messages. Instead, print out all the messages, including the e-mail addresses or online screen names of the cyberbully. You will need the messages to verify and prove there is cyberbullying.

6. Don't overreact by blaming your children. If they are being bullied, be supportive and understanding. Find out how long the bullying has been going on and ensure that you'll work together to find a solution. Let your children know they are not to blame for being bullied.

7. Don't underreact by telling your children to "shrug it off" or just deal with the bullying. The emotional pain of being bullied is very real and can have long-lasting effects. Don't tease them about it or respond with a "kids will be kids" attitude.

8. Don't threaten to take away your children's computers if they come to you with a problem. This only forces kids to be more secretive.

9. Talk to your school's guidance counselors so they can keep an eye out for bullying during the school day.

10. If there are threats of physical violence or the bullying continues to escalate, get law enforcement involved.

From the Math Office

The Online Math League teams will be having their first contest the week of November 14 from 8-8:30am.

Grade 3 will meet on Thursday, Nov. 17 in Room 3.

Grade 4 will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 15 in Room 3.

Grade 5 will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 16 in the Art Room.

Grade 6 will meet on Friday, Nov. 18 in Room 3.

Students have 30 minutes to work on their contest.  After they have been corrected and entered online, parents and students can log in to check scores at:

www.onlinemathleague.com

The user name is:

jsirmaian@boxfordschools.org

The password is:

math

I will give students their code when they pass in their contest.  If you opted not to have a code you will find your child's first name and initial. 

The above login and password is also how you gain access to the practice area.

Our Math Olympiad teams have been practicing hard and are preparing for their first contest, which will be on Wednesday, Nov. 22.   These students have been meeting on Fridays and working to solve very challenging problems.  I am very impressed with the commitment the students have and at their abilities to communicate mathematically while working together.  They have learned that struggling with difficult problems often means that they have found something worthwhile and new to learn.  My hopes are that they view this as a challenge and an opportunity to grow.

             2011/2012 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:

Television Stations                                                                            Radio Stations

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 Blackboard Connect 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 Blackboard Connect 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.

Mark your calendars-- Meadow Farms orders are being delivered to Cole and Spofford on Tuesday, Nov.15th

All orders placed by Cole families will be delivered to Cole and by Spofford families delivered to Spofford.  Pick-up will be in the foyers at both schools with times beginning as follows: Cole-1:00, Spofford- 1:30. 

Please note orders will not be available for pick-up any earlier to provide us enough time for sorting.  Perishable items will not be refrigerated so please make arrangements to pick up your order on Tuesday. 

Thank you for supporting this year's PTO fundraiser. We hope you and your family enjoy all of the items purchased from Meadow Farms!

Junior Girl Scout Troop #60417 and Brownie Troop #62005 will be collecting items for the animals at the MSCPA at Nevins Farm in Methuen.  The drive will run from October 31st to November 18th.  A collection bin will be placed in the lobby of our school for your convenience.  Some of the items needed for cats, dogs, small mammals like rabbits and guinea pigs, farm animals and horses include:  kitty litter, fun cat and dog toys, "Kaytee Complete" rabbit and guinea pig food, laundry detergent, paper towels, Kleenex, toilet paper, towels, blankets, sheets, hand and dish soap...and so much more.  If you are interested in seeing their complete wish list please visit their website at http://www.mspca.org/adoption/methuen-nevins/donate/nevins-farm-wishlist.html .  We appreciate any help you can give us.  Thank you!

Sports Equipment Sale to be held on November 19th

Proctor School

9-11:30am

The best bargains of the year for your family's sporting needs can be found at the Sports Equipment Sale to be held on Saturday, November 19that the Proctor School in Topsfield.  The Friends of the Boxford Town Libraries 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.

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!

And NEW this year, we will include a special Furniture Consignment Area.  Bring in a PICTURE of any item you would like to sell with the Price, description  and and Contact information and we will feature it in our Furniture Outlet for a $10 donation.

To consign, simply bring your items in good, clean, saleable condition to the Proctor School, 60 Main Street in Topsfield, on Friday, November 18th, the night before the sale, between 4:30 and 7:30 pm (pricing assistance will be available and donated goods are welcome).   The next day, Saturday, November 19th, arrive between 9am and 11:30am to shop. Items unsold and not retrieved at the end of the sale will be donated to charity.  Large items must be retrieved at the end of the sale.  

Contact Martha Roberts (Friends of the Boxford Town Libraries) at 978-887-4227 with any questions, you have large items to donate or are interested in volunteering at the sale. 

MALDEN - The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education today announced that Governor Deval Patrick has proclaimed November 2011 to be the Commonwealth's 15th annual Family Literacy Month in celebration of the importance of reading and the essential role that parents/guardians and families play in the educational success of their children.

A variety of Family Literacy Month activities are planned across the state throughout the month of November in support and celebration of literacy, lifelong learning and family well-being. Family Literacy Month events will kick-off with the 4th Annual Family Literacy Celebration, supported by the Boston Medical Center and "Reach Out and Read" and hosted by the Boston Children's Museum from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, November 4th.

"An early love of reading is key to a child's development," said Governor Deval Patrick. "We use this celebration each year to recognize the important contributions that families make all year round in helping children develop strong literacy skills."

Governor Patrick is committed to increasing early literacy rates, understanding that literacy is a foundation for learning, and has convened a Joint Departmental Committee comprised of members of the Boards and the Commissioners of Early Education and Care, Elementary and Secondary Education, and Higher Education, along with Education Secretary Paul Reville, to coordinate policy and support to make early literacy a reality for all students.

"Having strong literacy skills is a key to success in all academic subjects, not just English language arts," said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester. "Students who participate in rich reading and literacy activities early in their lives are better positioned for success in school and beyond."

"Literacy starts at home, so we are happy to promote Family Literacy Month as one way to help reinforce lessons learned at school that will help students continue their learning," said Secretary Reville. "An excellent education requires excellent literacy skills and we are all committed to ensuring students have access to instruction that prepares them for success."

Family Literacy Month is sponsored by the Massachusetts Family Literacy Consortium (MFLC), a group comprised of state agencies, community organizations, parents, and providers to expand and strengthen family literacy and support.

Some of the Family Literacy Month events taking place in Massachusetts include:  

• November 4 - The Boston Children's Museum will conduct the 4th Annual Family Literacy Celebration from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Chester, Early Education and Care Commissioner Sherri Killins and Secretary of Education Paul Reville will each read stories to children and families during this event. There will also be hands-on literacy activities for families, take home resources and literacy materials. Participating agencies include ReadBoston; Jumpstart; Children's Trust Fund; Raising a Reader; Countdown to Kindergarten Boston; Newton Free Library; TERC; Wiggles Press; Kool Smiles; Neighborhood Health Plan; Women, Infants & Children (WIC); Boston Medical Center; and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office for School Nutrition, Health and Safety.  

• November 16 and 17 - Medford will conduct Story Time for children ages 2 to 5 at the Medford Public Library at 10:00 a.m.  Families will listen to stories and do simple crafts.  On November 17th, parents and children from birth to three will engage in an interactive songfest.

• November 29 - Haverhill Public Library will conduct a "Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature" event for families with children ages 3-5 at 10:00 a.m. Families will explore environmental science through children's literature and activities.

For more information on family literacy and ways to promote family literacy, learning and involvement, visit the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's website at http://www.doe.mass.edu/familylit/month/.