Spofford Times Newsletter 

Dear Parents,

With MCAS beginning next week, I want to remind you of helping your child to be prepared for the tests.  Please be sure to limit additional activities on the nights before the test days. Please be sure to have your child well rested for the test day and to have a good breakfast.  I advise parents to pack their children an extra snack on test days as well.  

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has strict guidelines for administering and taking the MCAS tests.  Children are allowed to read if they finish a test session early.  However, any type of electronic devices are prohibited. Please do not allow your child to bring in any type of electronic device to read on (i.e. Kindle or any type of e-reader). There are strict rules and consequences for the use of any electronics during MCAS administration.    

Please encourage your child to do their best on all tests!  We know that our students will work hard and do a great job!  I invite you to attend my parent coffee this Friday at 11:30 am in Room 3.  Mrs. Sirmaian and Mrs. Morton will conduct a parent information seminar on the MCAS for interested parents.   

MCAS Schedule for March:

It is hard to believe that we are beginning our third and final term together. Although there are many exciting things happening this last term, we continue to ask that you reinforce positive learning behaviors with your child at home. This last term will require increased effort in academics as well as learner qualities to make it a positive end to the year.

The third week of March (March 21st & 22nd) we will be having English Language Arts MCAS, which the students have been preparing for in class in addition to what you have been seeing at home on Monday nights. It is important that the week of MCAS the students come to school well fed, well rested, and on time in order to perform their best on the testing.

The first two weeks of April will also bring D.A.S.H. (Disability Awareness Starts Here) into the third grade classrooms as we learn about hearing impairments. This will take place over two class sessions in conjunction with Sound studies within the classroom.

With Spring rapidly approaching, and being more than halfway through the school year, I find myself reflecting on the past six months and my responsibilities at the Spofford and Cole Schools.  I would have to say that one part of the job that I have been enjoying very much has been when I have been able to work directly in the classroom with teachers and students. This work has been approached in a collaborative model, which allows me to really work side by side with teachers in mapping out and planning instruction that aligns with our curriculum guidelines and builds instructional practice in areas teachers are looking to further develop.

 The rewards for this collaborative work are great.  Teachers are able to step back and reflect on the direction their ongoing instruction planning will take and, perhaps more importantly, this model presents the perfect opportunity to closely observe their students in the learning process.  Valuable information about how students take in instruction can often help inform the classroom teacher going forward, towards meeting the needs of individual students.  For me, the rewards are working with and getting to know students and being able to see, firsthand, the growth they are making. In addition, making connections with teachers and being able to work together with them towards meeting curriculum goals, is building expertise, not only for the teacher, but for me as well, as we learn from one another.  I see that students also benefit from this model of collaborative professional development as they most always demonstrate an excitement at having another adult care about the work they do.  This seems to have a direct impact on many students in the level of motivation and engagement in their work.   

Much of the focus this year has been on writing but with my reading specialist background, I am always delighted to focus on reading, particularly in the area of small group instruction. In a sixth grade class I was able to plan with the classroom teacher to demonstrate a small group, guided reading lesson focused on finding the main idea in nonfiction text.  The lesson was informative for both the classroom teacher and myself, identifying each student's understanding, and the direction needed to meet individual needs.  Being able to reflect with the teacher following the lesson provided insight into next steps for instruction and also the opportunity to think about what worked and what might have worked better in the lesson for planning subsequent lessons.  In a fourth grade classroom I was given the opportunity to model a small group, fluency lesson with the benefit of the classroom teacher being able to really focus on where her students were and then reflecting on other motivational ways she could develop this skill in her students. It was very exciting to work cooperatively with this teacher and a special education teacher as the class worked in small groups to learn and become fluent in reading and performing short plays from reader's theatre text.  The students were highly engaged and the use of fluency strategies was very much demonstrated.  The opportunity to collaborate with teachers in their work with students in these ways has benefits for all.

As we move into Spring, our principals, Ms. Nikas and Mr. Middleton-Cox, are very committed to growing this model of collaborative professional development at both the Spofford Pond and Harry Lee Cole Schools. With the school year progressing I look forward to continuing opportunities to be in classrooms, connecting with teachers, and getting to know students and the work they do.

We thank parents, students and staff for helping to make

our recent Scholastic Book Fair a great success.In particular, we would like to acknowlede the work ofTiffany Elwood, Diane Winship and Roccio Zajic  for multiple days ofduties.  In addition, we thank the following parents:  Ruth Amore, Katherine Bagshaw, Denise Buckley, Doreen Burliss,  Sue Budrewicz, Sally Cooper, Suzanne Cunja DeMent, Deb Dzwill, Chris Eckert, Russ Fiore, Laurie Kashef, Beth Koenig, Tara Luce, Leslie McCormick, Sarah Paine, Liz Poole, Melissa Scheirey, Christine Sinagra, and Nancy Tagerman.   If I have left  anyone off this list, I apologize and please let me know.  We are deeply indebted to all our volunteers.

As of this date, we have sold $ 8,630.00  in books and as a result we

will be able to add one half of that amount in books to our collection.Also, as a result of our December Barnes & Noble Book Fair, we will

be able to purchase $812.74 worth of books this year as well.Particular thanks to our  fantastic aide Doreen Albiston for her invaluable assistance.

 Help Wanted

The Cole School in Boxford is looking for a part-time Technology Aide for the remainder of this school year.  The Technology Aide helps with the day-to-day technology operations of the schools in the Boxford School District.  The Technology Aide works with the Technology Integration Coordinator and Network Specialist to streamline curriculum integration, data processing, and other tasks using technology tools.  This includes, but is not limited to, installations, modifications and minor repairs to district computer hardware, software and other district technology tools.

 Some of the duties are to:

•  Maintain the hardware inventory, software inventory and ink inventory

• Assist with equipment loans

• Document installation, maintenance and repair activities

• Act as the Base point of contact for Helpdesk requests

• Refer complex problems to the Technology Integration Coordinator or Network Specialist

To apply for the position, please send your cover letter, resume, and three letters of recommendation to Mr. Brian Middleton-Cox, Principal - Cole School - 26 Middleton Road - Boxford, MA 01921 or bmiddleton-cox@boxfordschools.org.  

Tri-Town Council Upcoming Programs

Social Host Liability Community Forum - March 21, 2012 7:00pm at Masconomet Auditorium Learn the facts and the potential criminal and civil consequences of social hosting. Join members of the Tri-Town Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition to educate yourself and your teen on the dangers of underage drinking, hosting and potential legal ramifications. More information about the law can be found at www.socialhostliability.org

Parenting for Character: How to Raise Responsible, Caring, Achieving Children March 29, 2012, 7:30pm, Proctor School, Topsfield

This program will explore specific ways to help children develop the core values and habits that are the foundation of resilient character.

Kids ages 8 and up are invited to an origami workshop with artist Laura Geggis at Boxford Town Library, on Weds. March 14 at 2:45 P.M. . Learn several different fun and easy things to make, just by folding paper! Visit boxfordlibrary.org to sign up for the program.

  CURE FINDERS FUNDRAISER

 Dear Parent or Guardian: 

Spofford Pond is participating in Cure Finders, an exciting program to raisefunds to cure cystic fibrosis. This fun "kids helping kids" fund-raiser will help to promote the community service spirit we already encourage at Spofford Pond School. We will be doing an activity called Hat's on for a Cure to support the mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Students and staff will be encouraged to wear a hat, on Fridays for the month of March for a donation of a least one dollar. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life threatening genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of children and young adults.

Thank you!

Sincerely,