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Volume 4
Issue: # 4
| September 27, 2013
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Dear Fuller Meadow Families,
We had our Olweus Bullying Prevention Program kick-off this week and it was great. As in previous years, when we talk a lot about bullying, it often brings up a lot of confusion. As I walk through the halls, lunches and recesses, I have children who MUST tell me their bullying stories. And while I listen to them all, I realize that we as a staff, with the help of you, the parents at home, must work together to help students understand the difference between bullying and "bad behavior". As a parent, please remember that bullying is a true imbalance of power against another person who cannot defend themselves. I thank you in advance for your support with this!
It was wonderful to see so many of you at the Parent/Teacher Curriculum nights this week. It is always such a great opportunity for parents to meet their child's teacher, see the classroom, learn about the curriculum and maybe even leave a little note for your child. Thank you for taking the time to make this connection with your child's teacher. And finally, thank you for sending your children to school, ready to learn. Teachers and children are working hard, and I am so grateful for the efforts of all.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Be Well,
Diane Carreiro
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We are still waiting for some yellow emergency cards to be returned. Please do so as soon as possible as it is extremely important we are able to contact you and that the nurse has this information.
The 2013/2014 Free & Reduced Lunch Application is available on the tritownschoolunion.com website or in the lobby of Fuller Meadow.
The 2013/2014 insurance brochures are posted on the tritownschoolunion.com website. If interested in enrolling please mail forms directly to Lefebvre Insurance and DO NOT return to school.
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Fuller Meadow collects Boxtops for Education. They can be found on many common food items. If you send them in, we would appreciate if they are cut along the dotted line and have not expired. Thank you.
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If you would like to join the Birthday Book Club and adopt a book for the Fuller Meadow Library in your child's name, and missed the opportunity at Open House, please contact Mrs. Gallagher in the Library.
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September is a busy month for first graders. They are learning about class routines and the location of the materials within their new classrooms. Understanding these two items is essential for the smooth operation of a class. In Reading, time has been spent reviewing letters, doing phonemic awareness and practicing reading simple rebus books. During writing time,
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Phonemic Awareness is one of the five components of reading.
What is Phonemic Awareness?
The ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words.
Having phonemic awareness means that you understand that words are made up of small bits of sound, and it also implies a growing ability to identify individual sounds in words.
The English writing system is based on the discovery that we can represent words using letters to stand for the sounds in words.
Why is Phonemic Awareness Important?
Ø Phonemic Awareness is the ability to hear, focus on, and work with the individual sounds-or phonemes-in spoken language. Once students begin to understand how work together to make spoken words sounds, they can then relate the sounds to the letters in written words.
Phonemic Awareness Instruction
Ø Can be taught and learned.
Ø Effective phonemic awareness instruction teaches children to notice, think about, and manipulate sounds in spoken language.
Ø Helps children learn to read and to spell.
Ø Is most effective when it focuses on only one or two types of phoneme manipulation, rather than several types.
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News from the
Fuller Meadow Computer Lab
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Tech Tip of the Month-We are working on having the students know their user names and passwords for IXL Math and other programs they log in to. It is helpful if you let them log in by themselves at home so that they are comfortable with this task.
Ms. O'Neill welcomed all the new Kindergarten students to the computer lab this month! The students seem to be very happy and busy learning all of the ins and outs of the computer lab! They are focusing on getting to know the laptops, finger placement on the mouse and opening programs by double clicking on the icons. They are currently using the website www.starfall.com. It is a favorite website here at Fuller Meadow. You might want to add it to your favorites at home!
Mrs. Pazdziorny teaches computers to the students in Grade 1 and 2. The students have been spending time using our new laptops and exploring some of the favorite websites. I have been working with grade 1 students on typing their full names, using proper capitalization (shift key can be tricky) and spacing. They have been doing a fabulous job. We have been using the program KidPix for this. Grade 2 students have had some refresher practice on typing their full names also. I think they all have the skill mastered!
One of the things the students use in computer lab, especially when they finish their work, is my Portal. My Portal is a central place where I have links to many educational websites. I have them all separated by grade level and topic. There is a link on there for IXL math also. The students love going to my portal and ask about it all the time. The link to my portal is:
http://guest.portaportal.com/debpaz
If you would like to send in a set of headphones or ear buds for your child to use exclusively in school, feel free to do so. Please put them in a Ziploc bag and label clearly with your child's name and teacher. We can hold them in the lab for when your child comes to computers. We do offer headphones in school that are fairly big, and many young children find them very uncomfortable to wear.
We are thrilled to be working here with your children and look forward to our computer time with them! If you have any questions for us you may email us at:
dpazdziorny@middletonps.org Grades 1 and 2computers
soneill@middletonps.org Kindergarten computers
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Please review the Middleton Elementary Schools Policy Handbook with your children. The handbook signature sheet was sent home and needs to be signed and returned. Thank you.
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Wednesday, October 9, picture day for all students. More information to follow.
Monday, October14, school is closed in observance of Columbus Day
Tuesday, October 15, no school for students, due to Teacher Professional Development Day.
Friday, October 25, early release at 1:15, lunch will be served
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Students with after school play dates cannot ride buses other than their own. Alternate arrangements need to be made. Thank you.
If your child's schedule changes from his/her regular daily routine, please send a note to the office stating the change every time.
All students attending an after school activity at Fuller Meadow such as Daisies, Scouts or Exploration Station, will be brought up to the front lobby to meet their parents when it has ended.
If your child is a pick-up and will be picked up by someone other than his/her parent, please be certain to indicate with a name, on the note the individual to whom your child will be dismissed.
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Exploration Station fall 2013Attached is the Exploration Station fall brochure. Sign -ups end Monday, September 30. Classes start next week. If your child is signed up, please be sure to send a note each week stating that your child may attend. Children will be brought to the lobby to meet their parents when the class is over.
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Mrs. Winchell has asked if you can send in any empty bathroom tissue rolls for a project the students will be doing. Thank you.
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It is back! Join us for Middleton GET MOVING Night on Friday, November 15, from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. A great opportunity for students and parents to participate in fantastic activities, learn more about how we can keep our bodies healthy through exercise and food, and visit many vendor tables in the cafeteria. Great prizes for kids and raffles for all who attend. The event is even bigger and better than last year. Mark your calendars and keep and eye for the flyer to come home soon with details. It takes many hands to run this event.
If you are a parent interested in volunteering even one hour of your time please e-mail Amanda Libby at alibby@middletonps.org.
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When NOT to send your child to school:
If your child feels warm or you suspect they may have a fever, please check their temperature before sending them to school.
Please notify the school if your child is going to be absent.
When calling, please identify the reason for the absence so we can track illnesses/fevers present in school.
If your child is diagnosed with the flu, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, strep throat or head lice, please call the school immediately so proper precautions can be taken to prevent further transmission.
If a student is diagnosed with a bacterial infection the child must be on antibiotics for 24 hours prior to their return to school.
If a child has vomited or has diarrhea, please wait 24 hours after symptoms improve to send your child to school.
Hopefully these measures will keep all our students healthy and happy. If you have any questions, please call Mrs. Marshall, the school nurse.
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Best Bet (Board of Trade) school enrichment fundraising materials, Innisbrook gift wrap were sent home. We encourage your participation as finances permit. Students should not go door-to-door. Deadline for ordering is Wednesday, October 2.
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Thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit the Health & Wellness table at the Open House events. We hope you enjoyed trying some of the wonderful new food items coming to the cafeteria.
If you did not receive the tri-fold pamphlet on the upcoming food changes please e-mail mindy@textstyledesigns.com to receive a copy. Remember to tell your children to ask for samples of these new foods (and any foods) starting in October so that they too can try these great new options being created in the cafeteria.
Tasty Tuesday returns to Fuller Meadow starting October 29th. Look for the information flyer coming home next week.
Please mark your calendars for the third annual Middleton Get Moving Night on Friday, November 15th. We will again be bringing you three floors of fabulous activities at Howe-Manning along with food education and many wellness vendors in the cafeteria.
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Today the Kindergarten children enjoyed their first PTO sponsored field trip to Ingaldsby Farm in Boxford where they picked apples and enjoyed some apple cider and a cider donut on a gorgeous Fall day.
Last call for golfers!! The Middleton Fall Classic is coming up on September 30th at the Ferncroft Country Club! It's not too late to sign up, so please go to www.ferncroftcc.com/mpto and join us! Golfers of all skill levels are welcome, so bring your friends, co-workers or family members and enjoy a morning of golf, lunch and awards presentations at this beautiful course. It's sure to be a fantastic day on the green and all the money we raise goes to support field trips and programs at both of our schools!
Our next event, the first of our "Ladies Wine Tasting Series" is happening on Friday, October 18, at the Ferncroft Country Club and we'll be traveling to Italy! A sommelier will guide us through the different regions of Italy as we feast on fine food and spirits. It's sure to be a fantastic time so don't miss out! Sign-ups will be processed on a first come first serve basis through Paypal.
In an effort to use less paper, the PTO sends most communication through the school bulletin and email. If you would like to donate to the Treasure Chest Fund, which is ongoing throughout the year, you can use the Paypal link on our website, or print the form from the website and send a check to school with your child. Any information or forms that you need can be found on our website, www.middletonpto.org.
The PTO would like to hold a bake sale during the Pumpkin Festival on October 26th and we are looking for volunteers to bake and/or work the tables! If you're interested in helping out please contact Amy Fuller at amyfuller1@comcast.net.
The deadline for the student directory forms was September 25th. Please make sure to send in your form if you have any changes to your information or if you are new to the school system. Thank you!
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American Music and Harvest Festival
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Enjoy an American Music and Harvest Festival in Newbury, MA and Support MEF
If you love music, family fun and vintage baseball and want to support the Masconomet Education Foundation, consider attending the American Music and Harvest Festival on September 28, and 29, at the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury, MA. MEF will earn 100% of the ticket sale proceeds every time an advance discount ticket is purchased online and MEF is designated as the beneficiary.
Visit www.newburyportef.org/musicfest.shtml to purchase these advance discount tickets and to check out the full schedule of events. Discount tickets are $30 per family (includes two adults and all kids) valid for one day or $50 for a two-day pass per family. Tickets are also available at the door for $15/person but do not benefit MEF. Online advance tickets sales will only be available until Friday, September 27. Don't miss the opportunity to support MEF and enjoy a fun-filled day at a great price. Buy your tickets today and help pass the word around!
If you would like to volunteer and work a one two-hour shift during your visit to the festival, please contact Cora Wong at corawong@verizon.net.
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| Tri-Town Special Education Parent Advisory Council |
Tri-Town Special Education Parent Advisory Council - The Tri-Town SEPAC Council supports the Boxford, Middleton, and Topsfield Elementary Schools and the Masconomet Regional Middle and High Schools. Please plan to join us if you have an interest in special education and associated services within this community! Your ideas and feedback is important for the successful support of this community. Web Link: Tri-Town SEPAC
The Business meeting dates for the 2013 - 2014 school year will be:
Wednesdays, November 13, January 8, and May 21. They will be at Masco Middle School Library.
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Help Wanted: Boxford Elementary Schools
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FOOD SERVICE DEPARTMENT
The Boxford School Nutrition Department is seeking a cook-manager. This is a full time position, 26.25 hrs per week. Responsibilities include supervision of kitchen staff, preparing and serving daily lunches, record keeping, ordering and inventory management. School food service and Nutrikids POS system experience a plus. Call Susan Bodwell at 978-887-1513 or email to sbodwell@tritownschoolunion.com for more information. Applications available at www.tritownschoolunion.com.
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If you or your family would like to participate in this year's Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, October 26, (rain date, Sunday, October 27), there are many great positions available. We are looking for help with the Haunted Hayride, setup and breakdown, scaring, check in/out and more! Please contact Juliana Capillo at julijewles@comcast.net for more information.
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Tri-Town Council
www.tritowncouncil.org
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Parent Education on Alcohol/Drugs and our Youth offered by Tri-Town Council, Save the Dates!
APPLAUDD: A Prevention Program About Underage Drinking & Drugs
A series running on Thursdays, October 3, 10, 17, 7:00-9:00pm @ Masco High School Library(recommended for parents of youth 5 th grade and up). Presented by Marilyn Belmonte, Nationally Recognized Substance Abuse Prevention & Drug Abuse Recognition Specialist. Be informed! It is a small commitment for invaluable knowledge to support your children. Registration is requested at www.tritowncouncil.org (all three workshops are free). Call 978-887-6512 for more info.
A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: Wednesday, October 30, at 7:00 p.m. in the Masco Cafe. Please join us as we take a deeper look at the data highlights of both last November's Youth Risk Behavior Survey (of the MS/HS youth) and that of the Adult Perception Survey from the spring. We will look at what the data tells us and explore ways that we, as a community can better support our youth in making healthy decisions. Please note that ms/hs youth are welcome to join the conversation that evening, along with concerned adults.
Bethany Blake
Tri-Town Council
Like us on Facebook!
(978) 887-6512
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Middleton Youth Basketball
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Tryouts for 2014 Middleton Youth Baseball
will be Tuesday & Wednesday, October 15 & 16, at the Legends facility:
3 Ajootian Way Building C,
Middleton, MA 01949
PLEASE GO TO www.middletonyouthbaseball.com Click the "Register for Tryouts" link and submit player information. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS REGISTRATION. Formal player registration for the 2014 season will open shortly.
TRYOUT DATE AND TIMES:
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15
8 & 9 YO - 5:30-6:45
10YO - 7:00-8:15
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16
11 & 12 YO - 6:30-7:45
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled tryout time.
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If your son or daughter would like to participate in the Masco Youth Basketball Program for the 2013/2014 season, please register at:
Registrations are currently open, but will switch to Late Mode on October 5th. Please register before Oct 5th to avoid any late fees!
The Masco Youth Basketball program serves children from Boxford, Middleton and Topsfield, in Grades 1 through 8. The program offers an Intramural League for 1st Graders through 8th Graders, and a Travel League for 5th Graders through 8thGraders. Regardless of whether your child plans to play Intramural, Travel, or both, ALL players must register for Intramurals at the above link.
The Travel Tryouts will be held between Oct. 15 and Oct. 22, with more details to follow via e-mail after Registration is complete. The Intramural Program runs as follows:
1st & 2nd Grade Girls practice/play Thursday nights.
1st & 2nd Grade Boys practice/play Friday nights.
3rd & 4th Grade Girls practice/play Wednesday nights and Saturday afternoons
3rd & 4th Grade Boys practice/play Tuesday nights and Sunday afternoons
5th & 6th Grade Girls practice/play Sunday afternoons
5th & 6th Grade Boys practice/play Saturday afternoons
7th & 8thGrade Girls and Boys both play Friday nights.
Practices and Games start in mid-November, and the League runs until early March.
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T he Massachusetts State and New England Champion Masco Youth Wrestling will hold registration for all wrestlers on November 6th and November 13th at the wrestling room at the Route 1 Sportsplex in Danvers from 6pm until 8pm. The program is open to all interested wrestlers in Grades K-8. Practices are on Monday & Wednesday (K-2 from 5:30 until 6:45, Grades 3 - 8 from 7pm until 8:30). Please go to www.2myouthwrestling.org for additional information or contact us at m2youthwrestling@ymail.com.
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