Spofford Times Newsletter 

Dear Parents,

This week and next is MCAS for our students.  An important part of what we do to help students this week is to minimize any disruptions or distractions to the students who are in testing. We cannot interupt classrooms to bring extra water bottles, snacks, deliver messages or otherwise during the testing blocks. Please be sure to pack everything your child needs for the day before school arrival.  Please be sure to have your dismissal plans set and to avoid calling in with changes, particularly this week and next.  We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this, as it will make the testing week better for your children.  

I am repeating last week's message regarding MCAS:  

With MCAS beginning this 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:

Term 2 has wrapped up in fourth grade and we are working hard. It is amazing to think that April vacation is only a few weeks away! It was wonderful to meet with each of you during conferences. We were so excited to share our classroom successes with you.

MCAS is fast approaching and we are preparing our students to take the Math, Language Arts, and Long Composition tests. They are going to do great! Sending home the practice questions has greatly improved the students' test taking skills and knowledge of what to expect from the MCAS. The Long Composition starts this week and the ELA MCAS will follow. A great night sleep and a healthy breakfast are essential when it comes to test preparation.  

We will continue to work towards the Math MCAS, which is coming up in May. Each Wednesday night will continue to be math practice night. Be sure to take a look at your student's homework. It is important for you to know the kinds of questions the students will be facing. The end of the year will bring with it exciting Grade 4 projects. Be on the lookout for flyers about the events!

Friendship Helps Protect Against Bullying:

Research shows that friendship plays a powerful role in preventing bullying and protecting children from the effects of bullying. Children with at least one friend are less likely to be bullied and are better able to cope with bullying once it has occurred. Children without healthy friendships don't seem to do as well academically.

Try the following ideas at home to help your child develop a circle of friends:

1. Ask your child to share his interests with you. Sharing common interests is a good way to make friends. Help your child develop interests that can be shared with new friends. Think about activities that require at least two people, have easy-to-learn rules, and allow time for the participation to talk with each other.

1. Think about places your child could find new friends. Team sports, church, art classes, and scouting groups may give him/her a chance to develop new interests and meet others who share those interests.

1. Help your child carve out time to spend with his friends. Some children are involved in so many activities that they don't have any free time to just "hang out" and get to know their friends better.

1. Practice good conversation skills with your child. Help them understand how to keep a conversation going and be a good listener. Conversation is an important tool for getting to know friends.

Sometimes we take friends for granted, but we must remember how important they are- especially for our kids. Thank you for helping develop your child's friendship skills and working with us to help create a safe and friendly school!  

On Wednesday, March 8th, the 6th Grade Concert & Jazz Bands performed a marvelous full hour of music at the Massachusetts State House in Boston, an experience of a lifetime! While there, the group also participated in interactive tours of the House of Representatives and Senate chambers led by Boxford's state representatives, Representative Brad Hill, Senator Bruce Tarr and Mr. A.J. Paglia, aide to Sen. Tarr. A rarely granted walk on the outside balcony, normally reserved for dignitaries, completed the morning. We were happy to see many parents and extended family members in our audience and a group of Asian student tourists who watched from afar seemed taken aback by the young age of our performers. Before returning to Spofford Pond, the Band capped off their exciting day with lunch at Fuddruckers. We'd like to thank our chaperones, Mrs. Magee and Mrs. Langill; Senator Tarr, Representative Hill, Mr. Paglia and the the State House staff  Mr. & Mrs. Mallory for trucking in our large equipment, and our numerous parent volunteers and audience members who made this day possible. Thanks to the wonderful performance and behavior of the band members, we have already been invited to return next year for our 7th consecutive concert at the State House.  A DVD of the State House concert and tour is available for sale. Please download an order form from the Band website or contact Mrs. Monty for more information.

Spofford Pond Band Parents needs your help with this year's SPRING RAFFLE. Please consider donating a gift and volunteering time to help administrate this important fundraiser. Please contact Mrs. Monty or Mrs. Langill ( aljlangill@verizon.net ) to get involved.

Band shirts have been ordered.  5th Grade "Band Shirt Day" will be held in early April once they have arrived.

Mark Your Calendar!

The Spofford Pond Band program's formal SPRING CONCERT, featuring Concert and Jazz Bands from both 5th & 6th grades, will be held on Wednesday, April 25th at 7:00pm in the Masconomet auditorium.  Additional information is available on the Band website. Specifics of the concert and the morning rehearsals for both grades will be sent to parents in April.

Future Band Events:

Fri., MAY 25 -        9:00am Spofford Memorial Day Assembly -- 6th Grade Concert Band

Mon., MAY 28 -      8:30am Memorial Day Parade in West Boxford -- ALL 5th & 6th Grade Band members

Tues., JUNE 5 -     9:00am Boxford-Topsfield Band Exchange Concert - 6th Grade Concert & Jazz Bands

Wed., JUNE 6 -      9:30am Senior Citizens' Concert & Luncheon -- 6th Grade Concert & Jazz Bands

Wed., JUNE 6 -      6:30PM Beginning Band Spring Concert

Thurs. JUNE 7 -     6:30PM Recital Night - for any 4th, 5th or 6th Grade Band member

Sun., JUNE 10 -     8:30am Pawtucket Red Sox Concert & game - ALL 5th & 6th Grade Band members

Tues., JUNE 12 -   9:00am End of the Year Spofford Pond Concert - ALL 5th & 6th Grade Concert & Jazz Band members

Dear Parents,

Information for All Grades in Mrs. Galardi's classes:

Assessment tickets will be sent home with your child within the next 4 weeks. These tickets serve to keep students on track with their skill sets in General Music and show their progress thus far. These tickets simply give your child a reflection on what they are currently doing successful and which areas will get extra practice during music class.

This assessment session will cover sight singing. Students will recognizing specific pitches on the staff, audiate their patterns, then sing their patterns on solfa syllables after hearing the resting tone ("Do") given by the teacher.

Grade 3

Students are coming to the end of their first session of music which really emphasizes notes G, A, B, C' and D'.  Once student complete the remaining songs in session one of their music, they will receive Advanced Recorder music!  They will now have the chance to perform new notes, read new time signatures and begin to play the recorder as part of an ensemble.

We are also studying professional recorder ensembles through viewing high quality performances via YouTube. Here students identify Alto, Tenor, Baritone and Bass recorders (as well as the Contra Bass Recorder, which is just "awesome!")

Grade 4

Students are extending their music vocabulary as they study a new song called "The Lollipop Tree," a wonderful American folk song that tells a sweet tale about planting lollipop sticks to grow a tree that blooms lollipops!

With this song students will learn how to accompany themselves while outlining chords on the xylophones.

Grade 5

Sea Shanties Galore!  Students are continuing their study of sea shanties, mostly from Western Europe and Eastern United States. They are learning how to sight read unfamiliar rhythms and familiar solfege patterns that are found within the songs they are studying.

Grade 6

Students are currently studying Gustave Mahler's Symphony No. 1, movement III as the composer took a well known French folk song and reset it to a minor tonality. The students are using 8 different xylophones to perform 4 specific patterns from the symphony and are learning to perform as one unit. Their ultimate goal is to perform together along with the full symphony playing behind them! 

CHORUS INFORMATION

Upcoming Events:

April 14th--Choral Exchange to Lebanon, NH to perform in Lebanon's Opera Hall and work with a special professional guest group on singing!

April 24th--Chorus Concert at Masconomet High School, 7:00 PM

May 23rd--Wizard of Oz musical and dinner, starting at 6:00 PM at Spofford

May 25th--Memorial Day Assembly at Spofford

Best,

Mrs. Galardi

Mrs. Turner

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.

PARENT REMINDER:

There will be snacks available for cash purchase at the March 23rd X-Factor Spofford Talent Show.  Parents may also purchase the "Box of Boxford" note cards for $15 at this event.  We accept cash or checks made out to Boxford PTO for this item.  All proceeds benefit the 6th-Grade Activities Fund. 

  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,