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This Month @ Sprague
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Aug 29
| Spruce up Sprague 9-11 am, 4-6 pm
Kindergarten & New Family Tour & Popsicle Playdate
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Aug 30
| Teacher Appreciation Lunch
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Aug 31
| First Day of School - Noon Dismissal
PTO Parent Welcome Coffee 8:30 am
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Sep 5
| Labor Day - No School
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Sep 8
| Back to School Night Parents only
Grades K-2 7:15-8 pm; Grades 3-5 6:30-7:15 pm
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Sep 9
| 5th Grade Welcome & Team Building Event
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Sep 13
| New Families Picnic
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Sep 14
| Kindergarten Coffee
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Sep 16
| Ice Cream Social
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Sep 19
| K starts two full days
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Sep 23
| First Walk to School Day
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Sep 29
| Rosh Hashanah - No School
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A Message from Dr. Goodwin
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Dear Sprague Community,
I hope you all have enjoyed these last days leading up to the start of school. The staff has been busy preparing for the 2011-2012 academic year and the arrival of your children. I have seen many of the staff over the past few weeks as they prep their rooms and begin to ready their instruction and curriculum. Despite the crunch experienced by having only a few weeks to clean the school, the building is in great shape. Special thanks to our sublime custodial staff - Scott Grady, Rob Carter, Jack Glorioso and summer helpers Wesley and Chris. They have been working extremely hard to have the building ready for both staff and students. Additionally, many thanks to Lennie Becker, Sprague secretary, and Sharon Kahn, Sprague Nurse, for all of their help with items both small and large in preparation for the new year.
Over the next two days, the Wellesley Public Schools sponsors its New Teacher Orientation programming. In some sense that marks the beginning of the school year, and believe you me, the new teachers, every bit as much as our young students, experience some butterflies in the ramp up leading to the first day of school. As I begin my 20th year working in public education (9 as a teacher and 11th as a principal), there is no doubt that my stomach will be a little jittery on the night of Tuesday, August 30. When I lose that feeling, I know it will be time to retire.
Finally, as we near opening day, I wish all of you a wonderful school year and let me know if there is anything I can do to make the Sprague experience better for all involved. I will certainly try my best to do so. Take care, Stephen Goodwin Sprague Principal P.S. Please join us for Back to School Night on Thursday, Sep 8 (parents & guardians only)
Grades K-2: 7:15 - 8:00 pm. Grades 3-5: 6:30-7:15 pm. Attend a teacher presentation in your child's classroom. Hear about the upcoming year and curriculum. Sign up to volunteer for field trips and guest reader dates. The art, library, music and physical education specialists will be on hand to answer questions.
P.P.S. The 2011-12 Sprague School Handbook is now available for download on www.spragueschool.org at the bottom of About Sprague / General Info; hard copies will be sent to new families. |
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A Letter from the PTO Presidents
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Dear Sprague Community:
Welcome to our 2011-2012 school year!
As I'm sure you all are, we are working on making sure our kids have shoes that fit and socks with no holes so they can start the year off on the right foot. At the same time, we're trying to squeeze in a few more beach days and backyard baseball games. Please take a few minutes out of your day to read the email below and begin to turn your thinking (and your calendar) from summer to fall - it will be here next week!!!
Building Community
One of the many things we all value about Sprague is its community, so a focus of our September activities is on building and reawakening that community. We all disperse in the summer to our own neighborhoods, vacations, and camps and now is the time to join back together and to welcome in new families - both kindergartners and those new to our neighborhoods.
We'll start with a special Popsicle Playdate & Tour for kindergartners, new families & their hosts on Monday afternoon. Then we'll all gather for an informal Welcome Coffee at 8:30am on Wednesday after kids head into the school. Looking forward into September, our teachers will welcome parents back to the classroom on Back to School Night and the following Friday, September 16th, we'll celebrate families and community at our Ice Cream Social. The entire 2011-2012 PTO calendar is coming together and is available on the website at www.spragueschool.org.
The Sprague PTO and its community are strong in part because of our many and dedicated volunteers. Thank you to all who have already stepped up to lead or help on activities in the coming year! For those who haven't yet found their niche, opportunities abound. Whether you have 2 hours or 20 hours, take a look at the many activities coming up and see where you can help. Please contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to getting to know and work with many of you as we all join forces to build and strengthen our community.
Looking ahead, our first PTO meeting will take place on October 4th at 8:45am. We'll focus on goals for the year. Dr. Goodwin will talk about some of his school wide goals and we'll outline PTO goals as well.
Our shade structure is coming! The picnic tables have been moved and the footings are going in. We'll have a wonderful shady spot for congregating soon. In the meantime, please keep your distance from the construction fencing while you enjoy the playground. Many thanks to Anne Marvan for her tireless work over the last year to make this happen at Sprague.
Welcome to another year at Sprague! We look forward to seeing you on the playground, in the garden, or at any of our many events.
Catherine and Wendy
catherine.mirick@gmail.com
whgarber@comcast.net
2011-2012 PTO Meetings Please mark your calendars for upcoming PTO meetings, usually held in the Sprague Library: - Tuesday, October 4, 8:45 am
- Thursday, November 10, 8:45 am
- Tuesday, December 13
- Tuesday, January 10
- Tuesday, February 14
- Thursday, March 15
- Tuesday, April 10
- Tuesday, May 8
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 PTO Parent Welcome Coffee
Wednesday, Aug 31, 8:30 am
Join us for coffee in front of the school with friends old and new as the kids head back to class!
New Family Picnic
Tuesday, Sep 13, 6 - 7:30 pm
Welcome new families! The annual new family picnic is for families of students in grades 1-5 who are new to Sprague this year. RSVP to Kristen Weiss at Kristen.ithewed@verizon.net.
Kindergarten Coffee
Wednesday, Sep 14, 9 am
Join other Kindergarten parents for coffee and conversation. Hosted by Kristen Weiss, 20 Colburn Rd. RSVP to Kristen.ithewed@verizon.net .
Ice Cream Social
Friday, Sep 16, 6 - 7 pm Come celebrate the beginning of the school year with ice cream! Join us at Everyone's Playground. Would you like to volunteer to help scoop? Please contact Sarah Greene sarahs_greene@yahoo.com.
Parent Socials
Friday, Oct 14 Grades K, 1, 2
Friday, Oct 21 Grades 3, 4, 5
Parents from each grade level gather in a home for a fun evening! We are still looking for a few hosts:If you have a child in K, 1st, or 3rd grade and have a home that can accommodate ~50 people, please consider being a host. The event is pot luck. The room parents at each grade level coordinate food items, drinks, paper goods, etc. for parents to bring. Hosts provide the home and the room parents will do the rest! Please contact sarahs_greene@yahoo.com if you are interested.
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Sprague School Picture Day
Thursday Oct 6
Coffee Pond Photography will be taking our student portraits again this year. Did you know that Sprague makes a commission on all orders? Help us generate extra dollars for our school! Parent volunteers are needed to assist the photographers. Help out when you can between the hours of 8:30am and 2:00pm. Contact Michelle Heath mandpheath@yahoo.com.
Remember Me Books Ongoing all year for our school library
Read MORE Books! And, give MORE books to our fabulous school library!
The Wellesley Public School budget does not provide funding for new books. The Remember Me! Program is one of the sources for adding newly published materials to the Sprague collection, fill any gaps, and simultaneously celebrate our growing readers and special staff members. See more details on how to order on the Sprague School web site.
Please contact Program Chairs Amy Shultz (amynshultz@yahoo.com) or Shannon Smith (shannonsmith@verizon.net) with any questions, comments, or suggestions.
Sprague AUCTION
Dear Sprague Community,
We are very excited for this year's auction! It only happens every two years, so don't miss out.
Here are the highlights:
| WHEN... | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | | WHERE... | The Hunnewell Building, Elm Bank | | WHO... | The Parents/Guardians of Sprague Students and our world-class Sprague Faculty & Staff | | WHAT... | An auction (and party) of tremendous proportions! | | WHY... | To raise money for Sprague! This is the largest fundraising event held by the PTO. It provides 50% of our operating budget and determines our ability to provide continuing support of our students and staff, through enrichment activities and investments in our school. | | HOW... | Through your participation! Come to the event, donate a good or service, and/or bid on the incredible donations given so generously by families, local businesses and our favorite teachers. |
Work is already underway and it's promising to be a great night. Keep posted on event details by visiting the Sprague School web site.
Cheers,
Kathryn Ashraf & Windsor Ferrara
Chairs, 2012 Sprague Auction
5th Grade Activities Corner The 5th grade year is filled with plenty of leadership opportunities and fun activities in the school community. 2011-2012 will be no exception! The calendar is filling up, and some of the early highlights include: - September 9th - Welcome and Team Building Event at Morse's Pond
- Early September - 5th Grade Parent volunteer meeting
- September/October - Movie Night
- September/October - Bulb Fundraiser
- October - Parent Party
- February - Game Night
- February 9th - 5th Grade vs. Faculty Basketball game - mark your calendars!
- June - Mystery Trip
Enjoy the rest of your summer and we look forward to welcoming our 5th grade class in just a couple of days! The 5th Grade Activities Committee Ginny Churchill ginnychurchill@verizon.net Gillian Callaghan gncallaghan@aol.com Ingrid Bergquist jimanding@msn.com (Volunteer contact person) SMART Update Sprague is One of the SMART-est Schools Around! After starting last year with only four interactive white boards, Sprague will begin school this fall with a SMART Board in every room. This includes: - 18 classrooms
- 2 for the ISS Classrooms
- 2 for the Learning Center Rooms
- 3 for our Specialists (Library, Music and Art)
This is quite a gift that our community has given its faculty and students. And, it promises a great year of learning! |
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Walk to School Days
"Walk to School" days promote physical activity among our students and families. Kids can walk, bike, or scooter. Families that live too far to walk may park in the Roche Bros parking lot and walk from there or from the lot at the top of Calvin Road. Mark your calendar for the year! We need a few parents to help students sign in and hand out "footies" each month. Please contact Anne-Marie Zuchowski amzuchowski@gmail.com to volunteer. - Friday, September 23
- Wednesday, October 5 (International Walk to School Day)
- Tuesday, November 8
- Thursday, December 15
- Thursday, January 12
- Tuesday, February 7
- Friday, March 16
- Wednesday, April 11
- Tuesday, May 8
- Thursday, June 7
Margaret Flitsch, Sprague Phys. Ed. |
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Room Parents
Room Parents are needed for all classrooms! Please contact Kristina Alessi alessik@gmail.com to volunteer.
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Fall Nature Walks: Training for Parent Volunteers
Volunteers are needed (Grades K-4) to help with the Environmental Science Program's fall nature walks. Grades K-3 volunteers will attend a 30-minute training session on Wednesday, September 28th. They will then lead a small group of students from their child's class on a school yard nature walk (date to be determined by teacher). Grade 4 volunteers will help with the spring geology walk. No experience is needed -- "cheat sheets" and on-line videos are available at http://www.wellesley.k12.ma.us/curriculum/elem-science/pages/environmental_edu.htm. These walks are an integral part of each grade's science curriculum and a great way to participate in your child's learning experience.
Training Session: Wednesday, September 28th
- Kindergarten 9:15-9:45 am
- Grade 1 9:45-10:15 am
- Grade 2 10:15-10:45 am
- Grade 3 10:45-11:15 am
If you cannot attend the training session but are interested in participating, please e-mail us and we will attempt a make-up date.
To sign up to be a volunteer or a coordinator, please e-mail Alli Fronzaglia allifronzaglia@gmail.com and include your name, phone number, and e-mail address, along with your child's name, grade and teacher. Thank you in advance for your participation!
Alli Fronzaglia, Lori Goldenthal, Amy Kolb, and Kathleen Woodward
Environmental Science Coordinators
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Sprague Organic Garden
The Sprague Organic Garden has been providing a bountiful harvest for volunteer family farmers this summer. In addition, weekly donations to the Wellesley Food Pantry have been enthusiastically received.
Fall volunteer opportunities (no gardening experience needed - we will train you!)
- Weekly farmers: Weed and water from 9/1-late October (family farmers get picking rights for the entire fall!)
- Parent volunteer coordinator: Schedule student recess pickers with teachers and coordinate parent volunteers to supervise picking during recess twice per week.
- Parent pickers: Show up during recess to supervise student pickers, bag veggies and sell at dismissal time two days per week.
Please contact Jane Neilson for more info at 781-223-7338 or janeneilson47@gmail.com.
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Cradles to Crayons cradlestocrayons.org
- The town-wide drive for this donation program begins October 31, 2011 with collection bins at all participating schools and drop off locations. (bins and wooden people will be delivered or picked up Friday, October 28.)
- All donations will be collected from drop off locations on Friday, November 4
- Town-wide sorting day at Babson: Saturday, November 5
Green Sprague News
SPRAGUE TAKES CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Sprague was one of the first elementary schools in Wellesley to have two Green Certified classrooms (Congrats 2KT and 4MH)! Many more classrooms will be working to attain this status in the fall. In addition, Sprague has been recognized by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection's Green Team for our commitment to protecting natural resources.
Big thanks to the entire Sprague community for:
- Composting lunch and snack waste
- Our incredible school garden (sharing the delicacies in our school farmers market and donating to Food Pantry)
- Dual stream recycling in every classroom
- Using reusable dishes, glasses and silverware in many school, PTO and classroom events
- Sprague's very own SEED FEST eco/science fair
- Increased participation in dedicated walk to school days and organic walking/biking/walk-pooling to school
SCHOOL PREPARATION CHECKLIST
As your family starts preparing for the new school year, consider using this time as a great teaching moment using this money-saving, natural resource conservation checklist for your back to school needs. Remember to choose supplies with minimal packaging.
- PAPER - Restock with chlorine free products made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper.
- PENCILS-Look for pencils made from recycled cedar wood, sustainably harvested wood or the refillable kind.
- RULERS & SCISSORS-Choose "vintage" or made from post-consumer recycled plastic.
- PENS-Choose pens made from recycled content as well as biodegradable and refillable ones.
- BINDERS-Try binders made from canvas, recycled and/or post-consumer waste cardboard or recycled plastic.
- BACKPACK-If the old backpack just can't be repaired or renewed (think patches, fabric markers, etc.), try those made from recycled materials, organic cotton, or from recycled, non-PVC materials.
- LUNCH/SNACK BAGS/CONTAINERS-Commit to using permanent containers, reusable utensils, water bottles and cloth napkins.
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Wellesley Public Schools: Graffiti Awareness Recently there has been an increase in graffiti incidents in Wellesley. The graffiti has appeared on school buildings, play ground structures and in conservation land. Graffiti is upsetting to see, as well as expensive and time consuming to remove. Parents should be watchful for signs that their children may be spray painting graffiti. If they are caught, it is an arrestable offense under Massachusetts law. If convicted, they may be jailed, fined, and responsible for cleanup costs. Also, their driver's license could be suspended for one year, and, if the child is under the age of 16, one year can be added to the minimum driving age. Fiske Wild West Round-Up! Saturday, Sep 10, 10 am - 2 pm rain or shine at Fiske Elementary School, 45 Hastings Street. A family fair with a western flair!  Wellesley Education Foundation WEF Please read this back-to-school letter from the WEF, or visit their web site at www.wellesleyeducationfoundation.org Notes from WPS Performing Arts Welcome to another fabulous year in Performing Arts! We hope your summer was filled with wonderful memories of people, places, and adventures. Our Calendar overflows with exciting Band, Chorus, Drama, and Orchestra Performances. Please check it out! September is our "start up" month and we look forward to the first steps into the new school year. Auditions and rehearsals for our "Broadway comes to Wellesley" High School musical are underway; so mark your calendars for November 3, 4, & 5 and enjoy "HAIRSPRAY" on the High School Stage. This will be the last major musical performed at the "old" high school - come and enjoy the music and the memories. We list our Events in a 3-month time line, but we're never more than a click away for all Performing Arts information. Please check our calendar on the school web site - http://www.wellesley.k12.ma.us, click Programs and click on Performing Arts. Our continued thanks to Ann Rappaport, web master. Need more info??? Please call the Performing Arts Office for any additional information or clarification: 781-446-6250 ext 4120. Calendar of Events Wednesday, September 7 - Instrument Lesson Information Session, 3 pm, MS Rm. #333. This session is for parents who would like more information about the program before committing to lessons. Join anytime from 3-6:00 pm. Monday, September 12- Music Lessons begin for Returning Students Tuesday, September 20 - Instrument Lesson Registration/Rental Night, 3-6 pm, MS Cafeteria Monday, September 26 - Music Lessons begin for New Students Friday, October 21 -High School ACATOBER - An A Cappella Concert - MS Auditorium - 7:00 pm Wednesday, October 26 - All Town Orchestra Rehearsal - Bates Elem. - 3:30-4:30 pm Thursday, November 3 - HS Musical, HAIRSPRAY, Matinee @ 4:30 pm - HS Auditorium Friday, November 4 - HS Musical, HAIRSPRAY, Evening @ 7:30 pm - HS Auditorium Saturday, November 5 - HS Musical, HAIRSPRAY, Matinee @ 2:00 pm, Evening @ 7:30 pm - HS Auditorium Monday, November 21 - HS Jazz Concert - Bands and Chorus - 7:00 pm - MS Auditorium Thursday, November 24 - Thanksgiving - HS Football at Home - 10:00 am Wednesday, November 30 - All Town Orchestra Rehearsal - Bates Elem. - 3:30-4:30 pm
WUSC Kindergarten Soccer
Saturdays, 8:30 - 9:30 am Wellesley United Soccer is excited to announce a new Fall Kindergarten soccer program run by Director of Coaching Tom Goodman. Each session will consist of 30 minutes of fun, focused, age-appropriate games focused on developing technical skills followed by 30 minutes of small sided games. Online Registration and Program Information is available at www.wellesleysoccer.org. For more information, email admin@wellesleysoccer.org Parent Resource Guide This brochure, available at http://wellesleyma.gov/Pages/WellesleyMA_Health/Parent%20Resource%20Guide, aims to provide parents andcaregivers with assistance, support andmeaningful mental health resources. 
Wellesley Reads Together
October 1 to November 13
Don't miss out - the seeds are planted for a Fall Harvest of Fun in Wellesley's first community wide reading event! Join Wellesley residents of all ages in reading the books and participating in events related to their themes of sustainable agriculture and locally-sourced eating:
The Good Garden: How One Family Went from Hunger to Having Enough by Wellesley resident Kate Smith Milway (for school age)
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver, Steven Hopp and Camille Kingsolver (older to adult)
For more info: www.wellesleyfreelibrary.org |
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