Get those walk to school, creative arts, basketball game, open house and other school event photos in the yearbook for all to see and share.  Send your photos now to myspraguephotos@gmail.com or forward hard copy or a CD to Karen Haberly and enjoy them in the yearbook!

ALL Sprague Parents, it's time to reserve your 2010-2011 Yearbook

Yearbooks are $23 now, $30 after April 1.  Last chance to order is May 1.

Kids love to sign yearbooks at year end.  Even our youngest kindergartners participate!  The Yearbook showcases the exciting school year: classroom photos, creative arts programs, special school events (there were so many new ones - fall festival, blue ribbon celebration, basketball game), 5th grade pages and daily learning.  Sadly, some children are disappointed if they don't get a yearbook when their classmates did.  Be on top of your game, order now!  Print out, complete and return with payment to the office - the Sprague Yearbook 2010-2011 order form at http://www.spragueschool.org/go/newsletters/.

Advertise! 

Consider placing an ad in the yearbook!  Congratulate your child, class, teacher, or group.  Thank someone or say goodbye with a colorful and fun ad.  Ads are only $10.  See our sample here.

• March 16 AMC Movie Theater: 5th Graders Meet at the movies TBD
• March 23 Cocoa in Carline Need Bakers and Sellers
• March 31 Orders for Spring Bulb Sale Due 

• April 1 Deadline for Reduced Price Yearbook Orders at $23
• April 2 Yearbook Orders Price Increases to $30
• April 4 Begin Bargain Book Fair Collection

• May 1 Last Day to Order Yearbooks $30
• May 1 Bargain Book Fair Sale at SEED FEST
• May 4 Community Service Project: Clean Up spaces around town
• May 13 5th Grade Parent Social Fundraiser

• Carwash TBD
• June 15 Morses Pond Picnic
• June ? End of Year Trip
• June ? Farewell Assembly

• AMC Movies
• Cocoa in Carline
• Bargain Book Fair
• Parent Social
• Carwash
• Farewell Assembly 

• Cocoa in Carline
• Car wash
• Bargain Book Fair

• Go to www.maurawayman.com
• Click on Client Proofing
• Enter the client ID spraguehoops
• Click on Enter Gallery

Spring is coming!  Consider a lovely way to enhance the school and grounds while supporting our kids and staff...

Remember Me Books  Ongoing all year for our school library

Our goal is 180 books.  68 already donated!
Thanks to the Theermann and Lindquist families for their donations this month!
We're more than halfway into the school year, please consider helping us make our goal.  

See details on how to order at http://www.spragueschool.org/index.cfm?objectid=93614B89-B3F3-D3C8-C145A28DDDF939C3.  Please contact Julie Barker juliegbarker@hotmail.com or Kathy Ashraf ashraf.family@me.com with any questions, comments, or suggestions.

Sprague Organic Community Garden

We have raised $1100 so far and still need at least $2400 for our organic community garden.  Funding through stepping stones will pay for soil, irrigation, hoses, sprinklers, mulch, fencing and seeds - $25 for one, $20 each additional one.  Purchase a stone as a commemorative gift for your favorite teacher/staff member!  Examples are in the foyer at school.  See http://www.spragueschool.org/go/newsletters/ for the stepping stone order form. For more information or to volunteer, contact Jane Neilson at janeneilson47@gmail.com 

And please support our 5th Graders' fundraising...

Cocoa in the Carline and Haiti Necklaces

Wednesday, March 23 at 12 noon in the carline at pickup we will be selling cocoa.  Bring $1 or $2 and buy some treats for your car pool kids.  We will also be selling really cool Haiti Necklaces for $5. Our Goal is to sell 100 necklaces and buy one tent for a Haitian Family.

Bargain Book Fair

Save your gently used books as we begin collection of child and adult books, videos and DVD's for the annual Bargain Book Fair.  The collection box will be found in the lobby beginning Monday, April 4. 

Spring Bulb Sale

From the Nurse: March is National Nutrition Month

Thursday February 10, 2011

Sprague Library

Anne Marvan began the meeting by welcoming all those attending.  Anne reiterated a message of thanks to the many parents within the Sprague community for attending the various town meetings addressing the proposed budget for the upcoming year - our voices and our concerns have been clearly heard, to effect, by the School Committee.

Two more interactive whiteboards were installed on February 9th with one more being installed today.  Kathy Ashraf noted we are approximately $1,000 short of the goal required to installing the remaining boards for the specialists.

Anne Marvan introduced Dr. Goodwin for his update:

·       Dr Goodwin also expressed his thanks for a strong Sprague community showing at town meetings and noted that he appreciates that Wellesley town officials are listening. 

·       With respect to the current number of snow days - at present the last day of school is expected to be Monday, June 20^th and, while hoping it doesn't change, winter is ongoing.

·       MCAS testing is upcoming - Dr. Goodwin will attend an annual conference toward the end of March in order to keep current on MCAS testing and related matters - look for pertinent notes in upcoming PTO newsletters.  In the upcoming week we expect a federal assessment regarding MCAS for grade 4. 

·       We are looking forward to the upcoming Creative Arts and Sciences performance - George W. Russell Jr. "Clap your Hands"

·       Friday February 11^th the walk to school day will highlight the current community service initiative: Coins for Haiti, so far the school's response has been wonderful and in particular 5EB has responded impressively to the drive for coins.  Look out for further information concerning Sprague's role in painting one half of a van destined for Haiti (the other half being painted by the Park School).

·       One week to go to the highly anticipated hoop game!  We are very excited to have Ted Wayman MC the event.  The whole Sprague community is invited.

·       Progress reports will be going home with students February 11.  Huge vote of thanks to Rob Ford who impressively managed challenges regarding power school (database) system used by staff in compiling these reports.

·       Thanks again to Kathy Ashraf and the PTO for the newly installed whiteboards.

·       Dr Goodwin noted that he had met today's guest speaker, Wellesley METCO Director Kalise Jacobs seven years ago when she taught on the subject of integration to educators.  Dr. Goodwin thought she was phenomenal and is happy to be colleagues.  Upon joining Sprague Elementary Kalise took Dr. Goodwin on a tour of the neighborhoods our METCO students come from.  Both Kalise and Bill Kraft (METCO Elementary Coordinator) have been helping put in place homework recognition breakfasts  - 3 Sprague METCO students were recognized this week.

Anne Marvan next welcomed Kalise Jacobs, Director of Wellesley METCO.  Kalise gave a little of her background and the history of the METCO program as follows:

·       This is Kalise's eighth year in her role here in Wellesley.  Kalise is an alumnus of the METCO program through Lexington public schools.

·       Wellesley was one of the original seven communities brave enough to step forward and establish a METCO program following the introduction of the Racial Imbalance Act in 1965.  This speaks to the nature of the town of Wellesley - this act took courage and vision.

·       In the beginning the program started with 16 juniors and sophomores.  Now there are 159 students in K through 12^th grade.  33 Communities are involved in programs across the state with a total of 3,300 students.  There is a waiting list of 19,000.  This speaks to how popular the program is and its continued need.

·       METCO is an integration program to help address the fact that, in our state particularly, we continue to live in largely racially segregated communities.  METCO is one of the programs we do well in this country - it offers suburban students exposure to other races, preparing them for interactions later in life, in the work place.  It offers urban children an opportunity to have a suburban education.

Kalise then opened the floor to questions:

·       Q - How does METCO impact student's lives, where are the alumni going? 

A - METCO students are required to achieve a 100% MCAS pass rate.  That is a greater pass rate than peers in their residential communities.   15% more students go on to college.  METCO graduates are currently found in Governor Patrick's administration and within the Obama White House speechwriting team.   Host family relationships are strong, these are ongoing.

·       Q - Discuss government vs. private funding. 

A - The Racial Imbalance Act funds $3,000 per METCO student.  All public school students receive $4,500 from the government toward the cost of educating a child - the rest being funded by the town.  It was an oversight that METCO funding is less on a per student basis and Kalise continues to lobby the statehouse to make up the differential in funding.  Friends of Wellesley METCO raises funds to help support afterschool programs and afterschool transportation.  After school relationships are crucial to making integration work.   Current support from Friends is approximately $30,000.

Funding in a given school year is based on the number of students enrolled the previous October 1^st.  In effect the METCO program is only likely to grow by one or two students per year because the funding lags a little.  METCO enrollment did not increase in the current school year given the economic climate.  It is at around this point in the year that the METCO program will be asking principals where there are likely to be "empty seats" given the guidelines on numbers of students per class by grade.  The METCO program makes a commitment to accept siblings - if not within the same school, within the same town.  The Weston program has a higher number of METCO students as there are more "empty seats."  Newton is the biggest because the school district is so large.  This year 8 students are graduating from the Wellesley program and so next year we can add 8 new students.  All students graduating from the Wellesley program are going on to college.

Consider supporting the Friends of Wellesley METCO by attending the April 2^nd fundraiser dance party.  This fundraiser helps parents meet and get to know each other, which is key to the success of the program.

·       Q - What are the biggest challenges? 

A - Every child is different and the challenges are different in terms of where each child is in his or her development.  Common challenges include feeling different from your classmates, having to get up so early and take two buses (METCO students arrive in Wellesley and breakfast at Fiske prior to going to their school), feeling frustrated at not being able to attend your own neighborhood school.  The first few months are especially hard for the younger elementary children as they are so tired from the long day.  Every child needs a safe space to find his or her identity - this is often provided by the family friends network.  It is hard until you are embraced by the community and, more importantly, until you feel that you are embraced.  Bill Kraft helps, and the EMI program helps. Staff are educated and supported to be able to have good ongoing discussions about race and know what to look out for and ultimately to help kids be more successful.  (EMI - Empowering Multicultural Initiatives is a project of EDCO Collaborative that specializes in anti-racist education by establishing the values of racial harmony in schools in order to benefit students, teachers, administration, and the larger community. The mission of EMI is to improve the academic achievement of students of color while nurturing the growth and development of all students, and to promote systemic anti-racist practices and culturally relevant teaching through staff training and leadership development. EMI facilitators work with schools and educators to help develop and implement effective anti-racist practices and programs through courses and workshops. EMI seeks to establish anti-racist school climates that offer excellence and equity for all students). 

·       Q - Do other communities have a "Friends of METCO" program? 

A - Perhaps 6 or so communities do including Wellesley, Weston, Wayland and Lexington - speaks to the town's commitment.

·       Q - Do families pull out? 

A - Yes, from time to time for different reasons.  The METCO interview process is about the families and assessing their commitment to the program - it takes a huge commitment to make this work for your family.  Success is about going the extra mile.

·       Q - How to talk to your children about race and socioeconomic issues? 

A - Kids ask questions without judgment - answer their questions clearly.  Use it as an opportunity to talk to your child about race.  A goal of the program is to have Wellesley kids see and understand the other side too.  A commonly held misconception is that all METCO kids come from low income families and that is not the case.  80-90% of subsidy lunches in our school are Wellesley residents.  There are 9 individual stories in METCO families, just as every family has its own story in the town of Wellesley.  Friends is largely to support people who value education and would suffer travel costs that would be a huge burden to any family.

Anne thanked Kalise for her time and brought the meeting to a close as we were approaching the end of our allotted time.  More about the METCO program can be learned at http://www.wellesley.k12.ma.us/pages/programs/METCO/index.html. 

A reminder to please submit any "Heartsong" materials to Yolanda Tong. Please support this endeavor, if you can please volunteer to co-ordinate classroom submissions. 

March PTO meeting TBD - may be a viewing of the film "Race to Nowhere" - look for further info in the pulse.  Meeting Adjourned at 9.54am.

Respectfully submitted by subsitute secretary Colette Aufranc

Thinking Critically and Clinically about iDevices and Apps

Tuesday, March 8 at 7:00 pm at the Wellesley Middle School Library

The explosion of applications for mobile media devices (including the iTouch/iPad), has created a lot of excitement in the AT, AAC, and education communities. The way we are interacting with technology is changing - clinicians and parents are seeking it out, modifying it, and even creating applications. The lure of popular technology has caused many clinicians to no longer rely on dedicated AT tools- yet navigating the ever growing maze of applications poses new challenges and responsibilities. We need to stay informed, be critical in our assessment of the available tools and be creative in the manner we apply them. Presented by Jessica Gosnell, M.S., CCC-SLP of the Augmentative Communication Program at Children's Hospital Boston. Presented by the Wellesley PAC. In Massachusetts, each town is required by law to have a Parent Advisory Council (PAC). The PAC is an independent organization of parents and caregivers of children in Wellesley working together to enhance the education of Wellesley Public School students who have different learning styles, strengths, abilities, and opportunities. We ensure the school system most effectively meets the needs of children requiring special educational, medical and therapeutic services, as well as those children who learn "differently."

Race to Nowhere

Wednesday, March 16 at 7:00 pm at the Wellesley High School Auditorium

To register for this screening go to www.rtnwellesleyhs.eventbrite.com. Followed by a panel discussion with facilitators: Andrew Keough, WHS Principal, Josh Frank, WMS Principal, Lynne Novogroski, WHS Assistant Principal, and Robyn Rease, WMS Assistant Principal.

Sponsored by the WHS PTSO and Wellesley Youth Commission. Synopsis: A concerned mother turned filmmaker aims her camera at the culture of hollow achievement and pressure to perform that has invaded America's schools. It is destroying our children's love of learning and feeding an epidemic of unprepared, disengaged, and unhealthy students. This remarkable new film shines a light on the price our kids pay for this "race to nowhere." Cheating is commonplace, stress-related illness, depression and burnout are rampant, and ironically, young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired. Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people who have been pushed to the brink and educators who are burned out and worried that students aren't developing the skills needed for the global economy.

Notes from WPS Performing Arts

We welcome the blustery month of March as we say good-bye to Winter and look forward to Spring making her entrance and the longer, warming days of Day Light Savings time. We celebrate Woman's History Month, the 80th Anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner becoming our National Anthem, and especially, Music in Our Schools Month. We offer a menu of exciting plays performed by our Middle School and High School drama students and conclude the month with the Nicolucci Library Concerts showcasing the amazing solo and ensemble talents of our elementary, middle, and high school students. Please look over our Calendar of Events and circle those most important to you.

Just a reminder to check the location of any performance; most have been moved to the MS due to the HS construction/renovation. We're never more than a click away for all Performing Arts information. Thank you Ann Rappaport, web master. In a hurry? Need more info??? Please call the Performing Arts Office for additional information or clarification: 781-446-6250 ext 4120

Thursday March 17 - MS Play, Cyber-Mare - Matinee @ 4:30 pm - MS Auditorium - NC - Donations greatly appreciated - appropriate for Gr. 5 students

Friday March 18 - MS Play, Cyber-Mare - MS Auditorium - 7:00 pm - NC - Donations greatly appreciated - appropriate for Gr. 5 Students

Sundays March 20 & 27 - Nicolucci Concert Series - Wellesley Library - 2:00 pm - Solo and Ensemble Performances by Elementary, MS, and HS Students

See the complete calendar of events at http://www.wellesley.k12.ma.us/programs/pages/PA/index.html 

Raising Children of Character in a Culture of Affluenza

Wednesday, March 30 at 7:00 pm at the Bates School Library The Bates PTO invites parents to a special evening with Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair, a Clinical Psychologist, Consultant, Author and Speaker. Please join us for a discussion of how we as parents can help our children build strong characters and develop the courage to combat messages from the culture that glorify materialism, mean-spirited behavior and dishonesty. We will look at ways in which the media, technology and advertising influence children in shaping their identity, and normalize behaviors and values that are troubling to us as parents. Dr. Steiner-Adair will offer parenting strategies for raising conscientious, culturally savvy and resilient children.

Kinderkick Soccer

Kinder Kick Soccer is just for Kindergartners who live or go to school in Wellesley. It is a great way to introduce kids to the fundamentals of soccer. They will spend time working through activities that help develop basic skills, without even realizing they're running drills - think "Red Light/Green Light" or "Fishy, Fishy, Cross My Ocean" with a ball. They'll have the enjoyment of playing small-sided games, without a goalie or keeping score. And, it's a wonderful opportunity for players to get to know other students at their school.

Want to Play?

Kinder Kick programs are run for the respective students at each of the elementary schools on the fields adjacent to the school. Sessions are held over the course of five Wednesday afternoons, from 1:00 - 2:00 pm: May 4, 11, 18, 25, and June 1, 8 (rain date)

How to Register?

Registration and payment is available online at www.wellesleysoccer.org. The deadline is April 1. (An additional charge of $15 is applied for check payments.) The $65 fee includes a T-shirt and soccer socks. Each child should wear soccer shin pads and sneakers (no cleats) and bring a size 3 or 4 soccer ball with their name on it. Scholarships are available, contact Sue DeNatale at 781-239-0955 or admin@wellesleysoccer.org.

Want to Coach?

In order to have small groups of kids (6 or so), the program runs best with lots of adult participation. No experience coaching (or even playing soccer) is necessary. And, there is a Coach Training Clinic scheduled for Saturday, April 30 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm at a field location to be announced. In addition, a variety of coaching materials are available on the WUSC website http://www.wellesleysoccer.org/.

Wellesley Scholarship Foundation

The Wellesley Scholarship Foundation (WSF) has been providing aid to college bound Wellesley residents since 1951. With the mission of raising funds and making awards of merit and need-based scholarships to deserving students, WSF has awarded over $4 million dollars to over 3,200 individuals.

Please consider donating; the attached WSF letter provides details (pdf format). 

Wellesley Green School Council - Green "Monsta" Mascot Contest Winners

Part of Their Initiative to Inspire Students to Create A Healthy, Sustainable World

The Wellesley Green School Council (WGSC) is proud to announce the winners of the Green Monsta Mascot Contest. More than 150 Wellesley students of all ages submitted mascots. All of the students that participated are considered winners for using their creativity to come up with eco-friendly mascots that take care of the planet earth. Each student will receive a special "Earth Ambassador" certificate and more opportunities to make a difference in their community. The finalists are:

Grace Chan, Paws

Clara Eikeboom, Kindergarten, Upham

Anoushka Sharma, Kindergarten, Schofield

Jacob Cigliano Grade 1, Hardy

Nicole Ceriani, Grade 2, Bates

Maya Dagher, Grade 2, Sprague (pictured) 

Ben Lepper, Grade 4, Fiske

Jackson Cavallerano - Grade 5, Hunnewell

Bill Mizgerd, Grade 8, WMS (Sprague Alum!)

The Green Monsta mascot contest is just one of the ways the WGSC aims to inspire students to create a healthy, sustainable world. The WGSC is a collaborative group of parents and faculty working as a team to reduce the schools' ecological footprint and inspire students through various recycling, waste reduction and other earth-friendly initiatives. The WGSC sustainability efforts also assist the Town of Wellesley with its energy saving initiatives.

The group has joined its peers across the state and nation to protect the environment and slow climate change. It is part of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's "GREEN TEAM", and is taking part in National Green Week, sponsored by the Green Education Foundation.

"Governor Patrick and I commend the teachers and youth who have joined THE GREEN TEAM," said MassDEP Commissioner Laurie Burt. "Educating our students about the importance of recycling, conserving energy and reducing pollution provides an opportunity for them to learn new skills and become active environmental stewards."

The WGSC is working on a variety of initiatives including:

• Developing Model Green classrooms using the Green Classroom certification process developed by the WHS Green Team.
• Helping to facilitate a district wide Recycling and Waste management program and Healthy Foods initiative.
• Developing energy saving initiatives that tie into the town-wide mandate for energy reduction.
• Striving for healthy, toxin-free schools while promoting healthy school environments.

Look for the "Green Monstas" in posters around town created by WGSC Member and Designer Sheila Igoe. Congratulations to all that participated. Planet Earth thanks you.

The HEARTBEAT  

Issued first Friday of month by the Sprague School PTO.  Please email Yolanda Tong bytong@verizon.net to submit items.  We welcome your pictures and contributions.  Deadlines for submissions are:

• submit by 3/21 for April issue
• submit by 4/25 for May issue
• submit by 5/23 for June issue