There are several activities planned and resources available.  MassCUE has created a calendar:

The MA office of Digital Learning has made available many several digital learning tools:

Digital Learning Day has past, but resources are still available:

District news and information for all k-12 teachers, administrators, and parents from the Elementary Library Media Specialists.

 

 

Can't visit the Smithsonian this vacation?

Try a virtual visit through Seriously Amazing. (http://seriouslyamazing.si.edu/).

This site is a superb teaching tool for helping students develop questioning and critical thinking skills. Users will explore the vast amount of knowledge housed at the various Smithsonian museums as well as art, science, history, and culture by selecting questions.  For example, learn how hip-hop is like a microchip as you explore the study of innovation and invention. Or, discover how a bear actually lives in the woods by viewing a wide range of camera trap images at the Smithsonian Wild site.

 

MATHCOUNTS!

South Elementary School News

Virtual Voyage with MMA Cadets

 

Second graders are taking a virtual trip to the Caribbean as they participate in the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) "Follow the Voyage" program. From the comforts of the classroom, students are following the Captain's Blog about life with MMA cadets as they travel to the Caribbean on the Training Ship Kennedy that departed Buzzards Bay on January 13 for a six-week voyage.

 

MMA Voyage Outreach Coordinator Meredith Emery and a Cadet Alicia Tarr visited students in the beginning of January to present a slide show and answer questions about attending classes and living on the ship. 

 

"The visit got students excited about following the voyage and gathering information for their research projects on different regions," says Second Grade teacher Mrs. Marcia Close. 

 

Students were assigned on one of four destinations: New Orleans, Louisiana; Nassau, Bahamas (changed to San Juan, Puerto Rico); Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Oranjestad, Aruba. Through collaborative group research, students learned about the various flags, continents, landmarks, landforms, customs, cultures, animals, and other interesting facts about their destination.  They created poster boards to use for their sharing presentations. 

 

MMA provided students with a log book to track and record the ship's current location.  They are recording information such as longitude, latitude, sea/air temperature, distance traveled and wave height. They are also keeping a journal of their thoughts and questions throughout this experience. 

 

"We check in daily with the ship through an informative blog from the captain and cadets," Mrs. Close notes. "Students learn valuable information about each of the destinations and a cadet's life at sea."

 

Teachers summarize the information and apply to lessons in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Upon the return of the TS Kennedy, students will go on a field trip to Mass Maritime Academy.

 

"Touring the campus and the ship will help tie the whole experience together," says Mrs. Close. "Students are looking forward to the visit."

 

Math Made Fun

 

Mrs. Toni O'Neil and Mrs. Kathy McKnight's fourth grade students are sharing their knowledge as they serve as "big friends" to "little friends" in Mrs. Joy Greim's kindergarten class.

 

They meet once a week to play games that teach math skills such as adding and subtracting.

 

"It's really a win-win program," says Mrs. McKnight. "The older students love the prestige of being the "big friend" and the younger students really benefit from the one-on-one guidance."

 

 
 

 

 

 

Students Turn Pages for Book Challenge

Librarian Ms. Anna Jorgensen challenged fourth graders to read as many of the Massachusetts Children's Book Award winners as possible. She plans to read all 25 books, and will award a free book for every five books that students read. So far, more than 12 students have completed five books, with more students close behind.

 

 

South Elementary School News

SES Staff Honors Mrs. Maggelet

 

The teachers and staff of South Elementary School recognized one of their favorite employees before school this morning. Staff surprised Mrs. Isabelle (Issy) Maggelet, a main office clerical aide with a breakfast in honor of her 75^th birthday. An employee of the Plymouth Schools for more than 30 thirty years, Issy initially served the SES community as a student activities monitor and special needs aide. Fourteen years ago she began her work as a member of the main office staff. On most school days, Issy is the first one to greet teachers as they arrive at school. Today the staff greeted her with a beautiful wicker chair, ottoman and side table in recognition of this dedicated and wise woman who carries out her responsibilities with love, care and warmth each day.  

Guidance Department News

Guidance Announcement for Parents & Guardians of 8th Grade Students:

The Grade 8 Parent Informational Evening that was scheduled for Monday, February 11 from 6:30-8:30 PM in the PCIS Cafetaria was canceled due to the snow storm. Both PCIS and PSMS will be offering a time for parents of 8th graders to join guidance  counselor presentations (for students) during the school day the week of February 25. Announcements regarding the specific dates and times will be forthcoming from the middle schools. We will also be posting a voice-over PowerPoint of this presentation to the website.

The topics include:
-The multi-step process of transitioning your child to the 9th grade
-Review of the 2013-14 Freshman Academy Transition Guide and the 9th grade
     scheduling process
-A day in the life of a 9th grade student at a Plymouth High School
-Details regarding the Technical Studies Program

In addition, there are upcoming Grade 8 Parent Nights at both high schools:
Thursday, February 28 at 6:30PM at Plymouth North HS
Thursday, March 7 at 7:00PM at Plymouth South HS (students and parents are also welcome to attend Tech Expo from 5-7pm on March 7)

We look forward to your participation in these important events.

PSMS News

Note from the Nurse

School Health Services at PSMS will be conducting Postural Screenings on February 25^th and 26^th. The purpose of this screening is to detect early signs of possible spinal problems. This is not a diagnostic service but a screening to identify students who should have further medical evaluation.

The screening will be conducted during the student's scheduled Physical Education class. We ask that female students wear either a swimsuit top or sports bra under their school clothes on the day of the screening. This type of clothing permits a more accurate observation of your child's spine.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter and if you have any questions please feel free to call the PSMS Health Office at 508-224-2725.

Valentine Cookies

 

Students from Ms. Reppucci's class and Mrs. Rose's class practiced reading, measuring, and following directions while making sugar cookies to celebrate Valentines' Day. They also enjoyed bringing them home to share with their families and friends. Yum!

 
   Braeden Jennings                               Manuel Tavares


Nicholas Rausa                                 Zachary Thomas

The photo above was taken at the student entrance in the back of Plymouth South last weekend!!  We'd like to extend our appreciation to our custodial staff for an amazing job at snow removal!!  Also to the custodians and the cafeteria workers who assisted the Red Cross here at the school with the shelter.... Some of them sleeping overnight to be able to cook meals for the people staying here at the shelter.

The hiking and climbing club took their first trip to Carabiner's indoor climbing gym in New Bedford on Wednesday 2/13.  Mr. Woodard along with Mr. Lippa, Max Bassett, Darby Anderson, Brittany Reed, Ross Randlett, and Chapin Randlett took a belay certification course that allows them to safely climb the 65' walls of Carabiner's.  The newly formed club will try to have monthly trips either to the climbing gym or to hiking locations such as the Blue Hills in Canton, Ma.

Some of Math teacher Miss Ivan's students decided to decorate her room for Valentine's Day !!