Recognize Great Teachers and Coaches With an ACE Award
|
Looking for something special for
school gifts this year?
Show
your appreciation to teachers, coaches, administrators, tutors or other specialists with an
ACE Award
Appreciation
of Champions in Education
Each individual you honor receives
an ACE Award certificate delivered to the recipient's school.
Show how much these special people mean to you and your children by participating in SERF's longstanding tribute program. Last year, over 150 teachers, coaches, administrators and support staff
were honored with ACE Awards. Recipients report that it is thrilling to be recognized in this way.
It's quick and easy to honor teachers online or by downloading an ACE Award form here. Visit our website
for more information on SERF and the ACE Awards Teacher Recognition Program!
|
SERF Awards over $18,000 in Educational Grants this Spring
|
Grants Funding District-Wide Initiatives at
 Education for a Green Future: $5400
A group of
K-8 teachers and Curriculum Specialist Karen McCarthty will spend time during
the summer revising the science curriculum to reflect a greater emphasis on
environmental issues, such as sustainability, climate change, and renewable
energy. This grant will be used to fund
teacher time, Kill-A-Watt meters, and books.
 Science in the Field: Nature Camp for K-5 Classroom Teachers: $2400
A group of eight teachers will attend a Nature
Camp Conference at Drumlin Farm during the summer. Mass Audubon has developed a summer course in
conjunction with a group of teachers from neighboring schools. The course is designed to introduce principles
of ecology and to suggest methods and resources for helping teachers bring the
practice of scientific exploration back to the schoolyard and neighborhood. This grant also allows for follow up meetings
during the school year to share ideas, provide feedback, and to plan how to
disseminate and implement this improved curriculum across the district.
  Implementing the Continuum of Literacy Learning: $3443
ELA Curriculum
Specialist Jan Binus will purchase copies of the text Continuum of Literacy Learning K-8 by Fontas and Pinnell for all
classroom teachers, literacy support personnel, and special educators
district-wide. The intent is to
provide consistent ELA learning expectations throughout the district. Teachers will be expected to use the text as a
guide to curriculum development. The text targets four
key areas: assessing literacy
development, evaluating student progress and reporting grades, discussing
expectations with parents, and identifying specific needs for targeted
intervention.
Grants Funding Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Initiatives & Professional Development
 WaCom Cintiq Tablet:
Enhancing Teachers Lectures and Facilitating Student Note Taking: $2,000
LSRHS Science
teachers Rami Alwan, Nicole Digenis and Maureen Bolton have researched and
found a new technology for recording notes and diagrams presented during class
lectures. Many students have difficulty
taking adequate notes during lectures and some IEPs require that the teacher
provide written copies of lecture notes. Two available alternatives used by some
instructors are the ActivBoard and Powerpoint. The WaCom Cintiq Tablet is less expensive than
an ActivBoard and potentially more versatile than creating lectures in
Powerpoint. The teacher can write on the WaCom Cintiq tablet, which is connected to a
computer, and have that writing projected through an LCD projector (already in
use) onto a screen. The instructor can
also save what is written on the tablet in order to print it later. Two WaCom tablets will be purchased as a
pilot program, with any additional tablets funded by the science department.
 Inquiry-based Teaching of Weather (curriculum redesign): $743
LSRHS Science teachers Leslie Knight and Alison
Sanders-Fleming will redesign part of the current weather curriculum so that
students learn to observe, measure, and experience weather from a meteorologist's
perspective. Students will use
anemometers, thermometers, psychrometers, barometers, compasses, and charts to
determine cloud type, dew point, and relative humidity. Students will learn to use these tools to
understand and analyze internet, television, and newspaper weather maps
including Doppler radar. The redesigned
curriculum will bring students outdoors to observe and quantify weather related
variables. This grant will fund both
teacher time and equipment.
 China Study Tour: $300
LSRHS history teacher Caileen Bernardi will
participate in a trip to China
with Primary Source in order to enhance the Global Issues curriculum. Specifically, she would
like to improve the globalization unit. This grant will partially fund her tuition.
Grants Funding Curtis Middle School Initiatives
 Acquiring History Alive Teacher Resources Kit: $810
Curtis social studies teacher Tammy Fox will purchase the Ancient World Teacher Resources Kit
by History Alive! In 2006 -2007, Curtis
adopted History Alive! as a new textbook for the grade 7 curriculum. This kit includes lesson guides,
transparencies, CD-ROMs, a History and Social Science Tool Kit, an interactive
student notebook, and access to online resources. The kit will help teachers include more
visual imagery thereby strengthening the lesson for all types of learners.
Grants Funding Noyes Elementary School Initiatives
 Student Maps of Canada: $378
Noyes teachers Shannon Famigletti and Katie
Carpenter will purchase two sets of Canadian maps (30 maps per set) to be used
in support of the 4th grade social studies curriculum. Maps will be shared with 5th grade classrooms
when needed.
Grants Funding Loring Elementary Professional Development
 Attendance at National Council of Teachers of Math(NCTM) Annual
Conference, Washington DC: $490
Curriculum Specialist Joy Cooke and Loring
teacher Mary Taylor will attend the National Conference of Math Teachers, which focuses on leadership,
professional development, and an exploration of currently available resources. Mary Taylor has been invited to present at the
conference along with representatives from the Math Forum. This grant will cover conference fees.
|
Beach Reads?
Summer Reading Suggestions
for Students
|
 Lazy days at the beach, long plane rides, rainy days spent indoors...
Here are some suggestions as to how to make it easier for your children to grab a book to pass the time!
Sudbury Public Schools and Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School provide suggestions to fill the summer reading requirement. Some selections are made for age-appropriate quality reading and others may help prepare students for a particular course.
The Goodnow Library in Sudbury also works with families to help sort through the summer reading lists, make recommendations, and access the books students want. If you have a library card, you can register for a PIN and request library books online at the Minuteman Library Network website.
Click here for the Grade 2-5 Sudbury Public Schools summer reading guidelines and recommendations
Click here for the Grade 6-8 Sudbury Public Schools summer reading guidelines and recommendations The list is organized by genre to help students select books of interest to them.
Click here for suggestions related to different course offerings from the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School English Department.
Have a wonderful summer filled with many great books!
|
Education Strategies:
Keeping Kids Sharp Over the Summer
From Brenda McLaughlin, Director of Research and Policy, Center for
Summer Learning, Johns Hopkins University
Jane Voorhees Sharp, Office of Early Care and Education, New Jersey Department of Human
Services
www.education.com
|
 There has been much documented research about how much ground children lose over
the summer. Harris Cooper of Duke University notes,
"Overall, children experience an average summer learning loss across
reading and mathematics of about one month (1996)."
The thing is, though, kids don't have to lose over the summer. In fact, you can encourage your child to have a summer of fun and learning with these free and easy things to do. Try them out!
1. Read Every Day
The Research
At the middle school level, reading four to five
books over the summer has a positive impact on fall reading achievement
comparable to attending summer school (Kim, 2004).
Suggestions
Take your kids to the library often and let them
choose which books to check out. Subscribe
to a new magazine. Take turns reading to each other. Allow your kids
to stay up a half hour later at night as long as they're reading.
2. Use Math Every Day
The Research
The largest summer learning losses for all children occur in mathematical computation, an average of 2.6 months (Cooper, 1996).
Suggestions
Practice the multiplication tables by making each
point in a basketball game worth 7 points (or 8 or 9). Ask your kids to
make change at the drive-thru. Access websites with math games. Make up math word problems in the car and at the dinner table.
3. Get Outside and Play
The Research
Intense physical activity programs have positive
effects on academic achievement, including increased concentration;
improved mathematics, reading, and writing test scores; and reduced
disruptive behavior (Journal of School Health 1997).
Suggestions
Find ways to ensure your child is active for 60
minutes each day. Have him or her walk the neighbor's dog, go swimming,
play badminton or soccer, take walks, or go for family bike rides.
 4. Write Every Week
The Research
More freshmen entering degree-granting
post secondary institutions take remedial writing courses than take
remedial reading courses (NCES 2003).
Suggestions
Ask your child to write a weekly letter to his or
her grandparents, relatives, or friends. Encourage him to keep a summer
journal. Have her write the family's grocery list.
Implementing simple strategies like these can keep kids minds sharp over the summer, without them feeling like they are attending "summer school!" | |
Fun & Interesting
Opportunities
for Students
|
|
|
2nd Annual
PMC Kids Bike Ride
Sunday,
June 14th 8am-12pm
The Middlesex
School
Concord, MA
The mission of the PMC Kids Ride is
to include young cyclists in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) mission of
raising money for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
through its Jimmy Fund. The program engages youth in philanthropy and
teaches them the value of working for the benefit of others.
The PMC
Concord Kids Ride is committed to having a meaningful and fun event for the
entire family while ensuring rider safety.
Last year was a great success, with over 300 children participating. This year we are
targeting 500 riders from Concord, Sudbury, Carlisle and Acton communities.
Register Today
at
PMC Kids Ride
******************
Essay Contest
"How Serena Williams Inspires Me"
Win
tickets to the Boston Lobsters match
in Boston on
July 9 to see Serena play and get a picture taken with the world's best tennis
player!
Serena Williams, the world's
top ranked tennis player and winner of 10 Grand Slam singles titles, including
the 2009 Australian Open, will play in Boston
this summer on
July 9.
Serena plays for
the Washington Kastles of the Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League and will be
in town to take on the Boston Lobsters at Ferncroft Country Club in Middleton, Mass.
One lucky fan will win 2 tickets to the match
where they will meet Serena and take a picture with her by winning the essay
contest "How Serena Williams Inspires Me".
All
students age 13-18 in MA may participate.
Students
should submit an essay (1-2 pages) on the reasons why Serena Williams inspires
them on and off the tennis court.
The
deadline for submission is June 1, 2009.
Submit your essay by e-mailing it to Debbie@bostonlobsters.net |
|
|
SERF has moved!
Visit us at our new Web site:
www.serfsudbury.org
for more information about our grants, ACE Awards, donations and more. |
7th Graders Have Got Talent!
The 7th grade class at Curtis Middle School thinks so much of SERF that they decided to donate the proceeds from their recent talent show to us.
7th grader Dan Beckham, shown here with Curtis Middle School teacher Chris Hardiman, decided to donate the proceeds from the 7th grade talent show to SERF.
Student Dan Beckham told us his brother had talked about the many great projects that SERF has funded through grants to Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, so Dan convinced his classmates to give us the entire amount raised that night: $293.75!
We greatly appreciate the donation from Curtis's 7th Grade class. We promise to put it to good use in the coming year for innovative projects, materials and professional development at the elementary schools, Curtis and LSRHS.
|
Not Just Desserts
SERFin' Safari Rides a Wave of Success
|
|
SERF
celebrated the 11th anniversary of Not Just Desserts on Saturday, May 2nd at LSRHS with "SERFin' Safari."
Thanks to the efforts and generosity of so many people and
businesses, the event was not only a financial success, netting close to $30,000 toward
the continued support of Sudbury's teachers, administrators and parents, but also a unifying
community experience where people shared delicious food together in support of
all of Sudbury's schools.
Many people showed their SERFin' spirit by showing up in style, complete with flowered shirts, leis, and flip flops while mellowing out to the strains of several LSRHS musical groups lead by Music Director Thomas Grandprey.
Thank you to our many generous sponsors, including our top sponsor Sudbury Farms, and the 43 restaurants, bakeries, caterers, and food purveyors who donated mouthwatering food and beverages for making Not Just Desserts 2009 perhaps our best event ever!
|
SERF's First-Ever College Fair 2009 Makes the Grade |
 SERF held its first-ever College Fair on
Saturday, March 28th. By all
accounts, it was a huge success. More than 400 families attended, gleaning information from 85 schools,
11 gap year programs, and one professional organization. Industry professionals provided 6 different seminars during the 3 hour fair, on a
wide range of topics, including financial aid, IEPs, arts programs, and more.
"Thank you for doing the fair, it was a great way
for my son to start his college search process."
Based on the positive feedback received from students, parents, and college representatives SERF plans to hold another College Fair next year in March 2010.
"This fair was so helpful, I wish the fair was
around when my first child was looking at schools."
There were a large number of students who attended from both Sudbury and surrounding towns who were thrilled to have such intimate access to college representatives. The college
reps reported back to us that the event provided them with the opportunity to speak with more LS students than they had ever spoken to before.
"The students were so well prepared and asked great
questions."
Thanks go to our main sponsor, Baystate Financial, who also provided an informative seminar for parents and students on financial planning for college, and to all the industry professionals for their time and expertise in educating our families on a wide range of topics pertaining to preparing for college. |
|
Back to School!
|
First Day of School
Sudbury Public Schools
(Hayes, Loring, Nixon, Noyes, Curtis)
Tuesday September 1, 2009
See complete 09-10 Calendar for SPS
First Day of School
Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
9th Grade Orientation
Wed., September 2, 2009
Regular School Day
See complete 09-10 Calendar for LSRHS
|
Donate Now!
|
If every
family in Sudbury donates together, imagine what a difference it will
make in our children's education!
Mail check payable to SERF and mail to:
P.O. Box 891
Sudbury, MA 01776
OR
Donate Online
|
Thank you: we appreciate
your support!
________________________
|
SERF
Board of Directors 2008-2009 |
Debbie Pullen,
Co-President
Karen Volo,
Co-President
Susan Goswami,
Treasurer
Karen Morgan, Clerk
Liz Blicher
Mary Brauer
Faith Chen
Karen Darmer
Maria Dawson
Mandy Familiar
Susan Ganio
Ellen Gitelman
Marisa Helgeson
Stephanie Stein
Lapat
Dawn Law
Michele MacDonald
Ruth Miller
Karen Morgan
Elizabeth Shealy
Laura Tyrrell
Kellie Watson
Lisa Weil
Beth Winograd
Carol Zais
Teresa Zuckerman
The Board of Directors at SERF's Not Just Desserts SERF'in Safari
May 2009
|
|
|
