We live in a technology driven society.  Our lives seem to be controlled by smart phones, social networking, e-mail, text, and 24 hours a day communication.  Within a school setting we need to make sure that our students and teachers have access to communication tools, yet provide a safe computing environment for all.

The Child Internet Protection Act (http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.html)

requires us to provide content filtering.  Content filtering will block web sites that have inappropriate content or pictures.  The categories and the web sites are continually being monitored and updated by the companies that provide this service.  We subscribe to a web-based company for our content filtering in all schools.  We do not however, want to provide for a false sense of security.  We constantly remind our teaching staff to monitor students while on line...nothing is perfect!

There are products that can be purchased for the home that will allow you, as the parent, to control what your child can and cannot do while on line. A "Google" search for content filtering will show results like Net Nanny or Surf Control.  These products are easily configured, work on multiple platforms (PC/Mac) and will help you protect your children while on line. They can be purchased at most computer stores and are relatively inexpensive. Again, keep in mind that supervision continues to be a necessity...even with these products.

Barbara Henry

Director of Educational Technology

            The fifth graders and kindergarteners read a book called How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin.  Ms. Giannone's fifth graders went down to Mrs. Russis's room and worked with her kindergarten students.  First, we predicted how many seeds were in the large pumpkin, medium pumpkin, and small pumpkin.  Then we took out all the seeds.  It was gooey and messy!  We then put the seeds in groups of twos, fives, and tens.  The small pumpkin had 497 seeds, the medium pumpkin had 404 seeds, and the large pumpkin had 528 seeds.  Then the next day, Mrs. Russis toasted the pumpkin seeds and we got to eat them. They tasted awesome! 

Here are some fun facts that we learned:

1. The darker the pumpkin, the more seeds there are.

2. The more lines the pumpkin has, the more seeds it has.

3. Sometimes our hypotheses are incorrect. 

On November 10^th, the Reeves Multicultural Committee sponsored our second annual Multicultural Potluck Dinner for all the Reeves families. Over 150 people attended this exciting event, including our dignitaries Mr. Mark Donovan, Dr. Gary Reese, Denis and Debra Russell, Principal Carroll Willa, and several teachers. 

Once again the food and entertainment were spectacular!  All the families brought four star quality foods from around the world.  Some of our families and friends provided us with top notch international music, dance, crafts, and story telling, ranging from origami to opera singing, from classical piano pieces to a Chinese Yo Yo performance, from African tales to Native American Drumming and Dance, from an Indian folk dance to an Argentinean Bicentennial Display! 

We want to thank our committee members for decorating our cafeteria and planning the evening, our PTO for generously supporting us, and our families, friends, and dignitaries for coming and sharing their beautiful cultures!

On Friday, December 10^th at the Reeves Elementary School all-school assembly, Mrs. Morrison's 1^st grade class informed

January's Character Trait

students and staff about the district goal to celebrate Monthly Character Traits.  The traits are Trustworthiness in January, Citizenship in February, Diligence in March, Courage in April, Honesty in May, and Integrity in June. 

This month's trait is Respect. Mr. Kessaris, the gym teacher, said "Being a gym teacher, the traits are important because I can try to teach them daily in gym.  Good character traits are similar to good sportsmanship which we practice everyday."  Mrs. Morrison, the 1^st grade teacher, said, "I feel it is great for our school's camaraderie." Damien from Mrs. Morrison's 1^st grade class said, "Respect means being a good friend, saying a compliment, being nice to others, and following the rules."

This Christmas season the Wyman School has been exploding with elves!

Almost all of the classes have an Elf On The Shelf!! Each class had a very different elf. Some are mischievous and some bring presents. Each elf has a different name that the class picked for them. Some names are unique like "Elfis" or "Elfert Einstein". Some are classic elf names like "Buddy" and "Snoopy". All of the children at the Wyman love their Elf On The Shelf!

Barry Burbank veteran weatherman for the WBZ news network, visited the Linscott-Rumford on 11/30/10. Mr. Burbank informed and entertained  the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade students.  He started his presentation with the question "Can it snow when it is 42 degrees outside ?" He discussed the weather conditions in the winter and how they occur: snow, sleet, rain, and freezing rain. He showed a video of some wacky weather experiments, behind the scenes in the newsroom and other meteorologist he works with. He followed up with a question and answer period and stated "What a great group of weather wise students!" 

He videoed the students and we could be seen on the 5:00 news.  After that, he took a picture of everyone in the café and put it on WBZ.com under school yearbook.

Barry Burbank Visits the Linscott-Rumford

The Hurld School's 5^th Grade class recently collected items for troops serving overseas. The items included hand warmers, mouthwash, and even drink powder to make different kinds of drinks! Fifth graders stayed after school to sort and box up the items. There was a hat day to collect money to help with the shipping, and all of the classes made holiday gre

Fifth-grade students package supplies for the troops overseas.

eting cards to send along with the items. Mrs. Burns brought

the boxes to the post office, and

we've already heard that they've been received! Included in the recipients was Mrs. Burns's husband, who is serving in Afghanistan until the spring.

Carla Beaudoin from the Woburn Boys and Girls Club

How many cans do you have to redeem to donate $700.00 to local c harities? The students at the Linscott-Rumford Elementary School just ended a 3-month recycling contest. Mrs. Mahoney's 3^rd grade class collected over 3200 cans and won the contest. In a close second

was Ms. Whitney's 4^th grade class.

The entire school collected over 14,000 cans

. The school donated $350.00 to the Woburn Boys and Girls Club and $350.00 to the Wobu

rn Council of Social Concern.

Dean Solomon from the Woburn Council of Social Conc

Thank you to the students and parents for their participation.This program has collected

over $5,100.00 over the last 6 years for local charities.