Spofford Times Newsletter 

News From Fourth Grade:

Walk into any fourth grade classroom, and you will see a group of dedicated, hard working students! All fourth grade classes have completed DASH, which focused on invisible disabilities. To conclude DASH, fourth graders attended an assembly with speakers from the Landmark School. Thank you to all of the parent volunteers who helped out with DASH this year!

Students have gone on the first field trip of the year to the Lowell Boott Mills. On our field trip, students had the opportunity to weave cotton and explore what the Industrial Revolution was like in Lowell. We had a fabulous time together!

As we approach the end of November, all classes are working on, or will be beginning, the fourth math unit of the year. This unit's primary focus is multiplication. As we move forward in math this year, many students would benefit from continued practice with their math facts at home.

Thank you all for your support at home. We have such an amazing group of students! Have a restful Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

The Grade Four Team

             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.

Annual PTO Spring Event-- SAVE THE DATE!

Planning has begun on the Annual PTO Spring Event scheduled April 28th, 2012 for a parent's night out at the Ferncroft Country Club. Like all of this year's events, this party is sure to be a fun-filled evening to share with friends in the school community so mark your calendar and plan a babysitter for April 28th!