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Friday notes is a weekly update from Superintendent Gary E. Maestas on the happenings within the Plymouth Public Schools.
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Plymouth Public Schools School Committee Meetings:
The next special meeting of the Plymouth School Committee will be Monday, May 6, 2013. School Committee meetings are held at Plymouth Community Intermediate School in the Little Theatre. Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.
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"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."
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Plymouth Hometown Cleanup Saturday, May 4th
All across Plymouth volunteers and the town are getting ready to pick up litter. Please join us as we give back to our community and beautify the landscape. To find a group, or to register your own group, contact Patrick Farah at Town Hall: 508 746-1620, ext. 204; pfarah@townhall.plymouth.ma.us.
Or just go out on your own or with your family and spend ten minutes or so picking up trash in your neighborhood or in a place you love. (Please note: the DPW will pick up only the purple bags supplied by Town Hall).
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District news and information for all k-12 teachers, administrators, and parents from the Elementary Library Media Specialists.
Have you visited the educator's best friend?
Education World has something to offer educators in all areas of the profession. Read about this amazing resource according to the site description.
In 1996, the founders of EducationWorld recognized the need to create a home for educators on the Internet, a place where teachers could gather and share ideas. They wanted to create a complete online resource that educators could visit each day to find high-quality lesson plans and research materials.
The result is EducationWorld.com, a resource that includes
- original content, including lesson plans, practical information for educators, information on how to integrate technology in the classroom, and articles written by education experts;
- Web site reviews;
- special features and columns; and
- employment listings.
The EducationWorld team works hard to produce this FREE resource for educators. In order to keep the site free for all visitors, EducationWorld is funded by corporate sponsors and advertisers.
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Health News
Staff Walking Works Program to Start 4/28!
School Health Services in conjunction with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BC/BS) is once again coordinating the Walking Works Program for Plymouth Public Schools staff. Walking Works is a 6 week walking program which will run from April 28th to June 8th. Staff members form teams and take part in friendly competition to determine who can walk the farthest. Individual participants are also welcome! BC/BS is providing pedometers free of charge to each walker. There will be weekly prizes for the team who logs the farthest distance, and a special trophy will be awarded to the overall team winner at the end of the program.
Online registration for the Walking Works Program is taking place this week, so there is still time to register for the start of the program on April 28th. Jennifer Bolle, Health Aide at Nathaniel Morton Elementary School is the district facilitator for the program. Email Jen at jbolle@plymouth.k12.ma.us to register. Get out those walking shoes and walk your way to better health!
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Science Program News
Register Now for Summer Science Fun
Students with academic talent deserve the same opportunity to develop their skills to the highest possible levels, just like individuals with talents in athletics or the arts. Our summer programs offer students opportunities to engage in challenging academic work in the company of their peers who share their exceptional abilities and love of learning.
For Students Entering Grades 1-9
The purpose of the Plymouth Public Schools Summer Science Camp is to develop creative, logical thinkers and to introduce youth to today's emerging technologies and scientific/engineering discoveries. The program is designed for independent children with inquisitive minds who are looking for explorations and investigations into diverse topics that extend school-year learning. Programs include Discovery Camps 1 and 2, Art and Science, Robotics 1, 2, and 3, and Web 2.0 Tools. Use this link to download the registration
For Students Entering Grades 6-8
The Summer Science Experience provides students entering 6th through 8th grade an engaging and hands-on science and math experience. Participating students use creativity and teamwork to solve interesting design challenges. In a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere, students interact with college professors who are committed to making learning science and math both rewarding and fun. Programs include Your Human Machine, Robotic Adventure, and Explore the World Around You. Use this link to download the registration brochure
For Students Entering Grades 9-12 We are looking for a few good scientists to work in our crime lab. Qualifications include an interest in science, math and engineering and a willingness to work as a member of a team to solve challenging problems. Our real lab is fully stocked and we will use it to solve real life problems and to design and build real solutions. This week long course will give you an opportunity to explore what it's like to be a member of the college community and even earn college credit. A maximum of 24 students will be accepted into this program, so apply early. This course is designed for students entering grades 10 to 12 in the fall 2013. $199 course fee includes supplies. Students will need to bring a snack and lunch. Use this link to download the registration brochure http://bit.ly/Y5Gt3G. ----- The Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair is being held May 3-4 at MIT. Six students from Plymouth will be attending the fair based on their exceptional performances at the district and regional fairs held previously. Please wish them the best of luck this coming week as they make their final preparations for the state fair. Also, please note that you are welcome to attend the fair. The public is invited to view projects and attend the awards ceremony. Both events are held on Saturday, the second day of the fair, at MIT. Sophia Auduong, PNHS GR 9 - Mother Nature vs. Father Medicine Veronica Holmes, PSHS GR 9 - The Composition of Sound Karen Marquis, PNHS GR 9 - Shut the Truck Up! Julietta Mascitelli, PSHS GR 9 - How Do Fears Change with Age? Jessica Morgan, PNHS GR 12 - Antibubbles Cullen Murphy, PSHS GR 9 - Unseen Machines
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Visual and Performing Arts Department News
- It has been a great week for music in Plymouth! Congratulations to all of the students and staff involved in this week's All Town Music festival. Tuesday night's choir concert and Thursday night's instrumental concerts were outstanding. Thank you to all who helped to make it possible. Please check out the video below to see the crowd of 850 join in for the National Anthem at the choir concert.
 | | Plymouth All town concert |
- Save the date May 3rd: A night of the Arts at Plymouth North High School
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VPA Coffee House 6pm-8pm in the Courtyard
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Indian Brook Elementary News
Over the month of March, in honor of Dr. Seuss and our school wide read-a-thon the children at Indian Brook read over 37,300 books and chapters! In an effort to boost student excitement and family involvement for reading at home, students recorded all books and/or chapters that they read at home throughout the month. We kicked off the Read-a-thon with a visit from some Dr. Seuss Characters welcoming our students to school. Thanks to Mrs. Sadr and Mrs. Canducci for arranging their visit.
With the help of Mrs. Meninno, an Indian Brook parent, donations of books and stuffed animals were collected from Kohl's. Kohl's for Kids books and "reading buddies," were awarded to the top five readers in EVERY class from kindergarten through grade 5, as well as to EVERY student in the top class from each grade level. In addition, each teacher was given a book and a reading buddy to add to their classroom library for all students to enjoy. The children were beyond thrilled to get such awesome prizes and many teachers kept up the reading momentum by starting class-wide read-a-thons to be carried out for the rest of the year!
Thanks to Mrs. Sadr and Mrs. Baldwin for organizing the Read-a-thon. It was a huge success due to their efforts.
Included is a picture of the top readers in each classroom and the prizes.
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West School News
The students in Grades 4 and 5 at West Elementary recently completed the Massachusetts Children's Book Award Program. The Program encourages reading for pleasure while at the same time exposing students to various literary genres. Students also focus on the elements of fiction as well as the concepts and themes of the books that they choose.
The Plymouth Public Schools Strategic Plan includes the goal of blending of new technologies with curriculum to enhance the classroom experience and familiarize teachers and students with the use, mastery, and application of these technologies to promote teaching and learning.
The students at West used the wordle/word cloud technology during Library/Media classes with Ms Linda Shannon to focus on characterization in the novel MAKE WAY FOR DYAMONDE DANIEL by Nikki Grimes. Each wordle in the display contains words chosen by the student creator that describe one of two main characters (Dyamonde or Free) in the story.
The display of wordles featured this week is currently in the West Instructional Media Center. Additional wordles will be displayed there during the last week of April due to their large number and space limitations in the IMC. They, together with randomly selected West student wordles currently on display in the Plymouth Public Library Children's Room, will be featured in next week's Notes. The display at the Public Library will run through May 15th.
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South Elementary School News
Students Transform Ideas into Action at Robotics Rally
South Elementary School hosted the annual district-wide elementary Robotics Festival on April 11. Fourth and fifth graders competed on teams as they designed mechanical robots assigned to complete a task. The program helped promote learning about teamwork and problem solving as they designed robots with specific challenges, based on the theme "Water."
Groups used either mechanical or NXT Lego kits to create a vehicle that could perform the following tasks:
- Clear the land by removing trees off the playing field
- Deliver water barrels to the village
- Deliver the water tank to the field
- Place the cover on the water tank
- Place the water drilling platform near the village
"There was a lot of trial and error as students designed their vehicles and learned how to make separate components work together," says SES fourth grade teacher Mrs. Toni O'Neil. "They had to observe their vehicles and then make changes as needed. I am very proud of their creativity and determination."
Mrs. O'Neil led the South Elementary School teams with parent volunteers David Walsh, Kristin Laverty and Celeste Harrington; and Plymouth South High School junior Kory Sylvia. Congratulations to all participants!
Screen-Free Week
Students were encouraged to turn off the TV, computer, and video game systems for Screen Free Week April 8th-12th Those who turned off electronic devices for the entire week will receive a special certificate of participation and a prize.
Catch Those Squirrels
First grade students in Mrs. Hoagland's, Mrs. Carter's and Mrs. MacCune's rooms created squirrel-proof bird feeders as a culminating project at the end of the "Animals in Winter" unit. After listening to teachers read Adam Rubin's book Those Darn Squirrels!, students were presented with the problem of creating a squirrel-proof bird feeder.
The assignment was to design and build a bird feeder that could hold bird seed, and let the birds in but keep the squirrels out. The children brought in items from home, including paper towel tubes, egg cartons, meat trays, yogurt cups, cardboard boxes, foil pans, milk caps and pipe cleaners. The steps included:
- Sorting out the supplies
- Drawing up a design and labeling the parts to be used
- Constructing the bird feeders
Once completed, each child had the chance to present their feeder, share how it works, and defend whether it could hold seed, let the birds in and keep the squirrels out. They also shared whether they kept their original design or if they changed their ideas during the construction phase.
"They were all extremely excited to design, build and defend their feeders to a very critical audience; their classmates!" says Mrs. MacCune. "Many unique feeders were created with lots of cooperating and sharing going on."
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Nathaniel Morton Elementary News The halls of Nathaniel Morton were filled with work of inspired young artist during the recent 100 Years of Art Show. Every first through fifth grade student was represented with a self-chosen piece of work that reflected a particular artist or medium of Art that was studied. The centennial celebration honoring the school's 1913 -2013 longevity has been connected to students learning about various artists throughout this same 100 year span by Art teacher Jen McCarthy (pictured below). |
Manomet Elementary News Manomet Elementary School celebrated its 60th Anniversary on April 12th. Alumni of MES from all decades came to join the festivities. Special guest speakers presented historical accounts during our all school assembly as well as individual classrooms. Performances from our school band were enjoyed. "School Days" short skits provided entertaining accounts of life at Manomet Elementary School throughout the decades. Special commemorative shirts were designed for students and staff. A museum of school related artifacts was displayed in the cafeteria.  Manomet Elementary Band plays for the crowd.  Celebration cake for alumni was donated by the Stracco family.  Mr. Dietlin (1st fifth grade teacher), Peg McKay (former principal) with Dr. Patrick Fraine (current principal)  Mr. James Pierson (former student) with his former 4th and 5th grade teacher, Mr. Koumantzelis  Peg McKay (former principal) shares stories with a captive audience!  Fifth Graders Cailee Blackington, Juliette Blake and Morgan Costa perform a skit to portray the Fifties "School Days".  60th Anniversary Planning Committee |
PSMS News
Earth Day at PSMS
All the 5th Grade students took time this week to honor Earth Day with their "2020" vision for a greener planet. Using Jaguar "paw prints" made from recycled paper, they came up with awesome ideas that will help to protect and raise awareness about our planet's health and the effects of human carbon footprints. All of their tips and personal commitments were hung in the lobby under a colorful recycled rainbow. The students' vision for a brighter future certainly looks great!
The Paw Prints Club also met this week to make some homemade cards for the doctors and nurses at one of Boston's area hospitals. It was a way to acknowledge and thank them for all their hard work after the recent Boston Marathon event. Each one was proud to say "Stay Boston Strong!"
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Plymouth North High School News
4/26/13
DECA
Fourteen DECA students are representing Plymouth North High School at the National DECA Convention/Competition this week. The DECA International Career Development Conference is being held at the Paradise Pier Disney Hotel and Convention Center in Anaheim, California.
Senior Projects
On Wednesday April 24th, 40 seniors successfully presented their senior projects to panels of judges that included teachers, administrators, school council members, school committee members, and central office representatives.
Students have been working independently throughout the year with teacher advisors and outside mentors on a project of their choice. Projects culminated with a portfolio, a product being created and an 8 - 10 minute presentation.
 
  
 
National Merit Scholarship
National Merit Scholarship recipient Dawna Vella, a senior here at PNHS will receive recognition in the 2014 National Merit Program for her high score in the 2012 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. This program recognizes high performers with outstanding academic potential.
Junior Prom
Junior Prom tickets may be purchased starting today Monday, April 22nd, during all lunches or after school in room 245. Tickets are $80.00 for a single ticket. Please make checks out to Plymouth North Activity Fund. Only checks and money orders are accepted All financial obligations must be met first before the purchase of tickets. (sports uniforms, fees, textbooks, etc.)
Senior Dinner Dance Tickets
Senior Dinner Dance Tickets are for sale Monday, April 29th - Friday, May 3rd only!
Cost: $85.00 check or money order. Permission slips for non-PN guests are available in student services now and must be returned by 5/3 to Ms. Allen.
Beijing, China Visit The Plymouth North High School community is excited for the upcoming visit with students and teachers from Beijing, China. For one week students from China will shadow a student from PNHS. This will give all of us a unique opportunity to meet and get to know our visiting Chinese students and teachers. We look forward to their visit and the opportunity to showcase our wonderful school, faculty and especially our students.
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Plymouth South High School News
PSHS SUPPORTS BOSTON STRONG CAMPAIGN
Plymouth South High School staff and students participated in a "Boston Strong" day today. The day started off with a serenade from Mr. Coon and the PSHS chorus in the foyer. Students and staff wore either yellow and blue, Boston or Boston sports teams shirts. Many breakfast and snack donations were brought in by students, staff members and our fabulous culinary department. For a donation of any amount, everyone - students included were able to enjoy a treat with all of the proceeds being sent to the "Boston One" fund. The CAD department made stickers that sold out very quickly and our nurse's office staff made fabric ribbons to wear on their hats or shirts. The response was heartwarming as over $1,000.00 was raised - in just this one day!! An official tally will be reported next week.
The following students attended the North/South Spring sports Captains lunch on Thursday of this past week in the "Southside Fare Restaurant" at Plymouth South. The guest speaker was PSMS Principal John Siever. Boys Tennis: Sam Cheung/ Baseball: Mark Mineo, Devin Furtado/ Softball: Serena Colbert, Kelli Donahue, Kelsey Bernard/ Boys Track: Joe Cohen, Devin Guadagno, Rawson Randlett, Colin McHugh, Drew Sutherland/ Girls Track:Aly Messina, Maddie Braz, Brittany Reed, Samantha Brady/ Girls Tennis: Darby Anderson, Rachel LaFountain, Meghan Lambert/ Boys Lax: Matt Kotce, Dan Johnson/ Girls Lax: Kara Hurley, Danielle Finlay.
Plymouth South High School Student Council had the honor of hosting the Spring Regional Student Council Conference this year. Almost 700 Student Council students, advisors, former students and guests from across Southeastern Massachusetts met in the gym first for presentations. Guest speaker Bill Johnson spoke, after which they were served lunch. After lunch they broke up into separate groups for workshops until they left about 12:30. Plymouth had two candidates running for office, Madison Utz for VP and Julia Daly for Delegate.
SKILLS USA has notified Plymouth South High School that our Skills USA team has been awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award for "Families and Groups". This award is issued by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the President of the United States to recognize the best in the American Spirit, and to encourage all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service and civic participation. Two representatives are invited to receive the award June 26th at a breakfast during the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, MO.
Congratulations to the All Town Band and Chorus Festival participants, they did a wonderful job!!
Plymouth South High School's Junior Prom is being held May 10th at Indian Pond in Kingston.
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Guidance Announcement
PROVIDENCE NATIONAL (NACAC) COLLEGE FAIR
When: Saturday, April 27 - 12:00pm-3:00pm
Where: Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI
If you have any questions about the fair, please check the website below, and if you still have further questions, feel free to email Janet Ferrari at jferrari@metmail.org.
Complete information about the Providence National College Fair can be found at: http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/SpringNCF/Pages/Providence.aspx
BOSTON NATIONAL (NACAC) COLLEGE FAIR
When: Tuesday, April 30 (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.) and Wednesday, May 1 (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
Where: Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
If you have any questions about the fair, please check the website below, and if you still have further questions, feel free to email Jeanne Aversa at javersa@suffolk.edu.
Complete information about the Boston National College Fair can be found at: http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/SpringNCF/Pages/Boston.aspx
REGISTRATION: Registration will be available on-site but to avoid long lines students are encouraged to register before arriving. Please direct your students to the following website to register in advance for the fair: http://www.gotomyncf.com. Students who register and bring their bar code printout to the Fair will not have to fill out information cards on site; college admissions representatives will be able to scan in students' contact information.
Sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and hosted by NEACAC, these events are free and open to the public. Over 350 colleges (domestic and international) have registered to attend this fair. |
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Gary E. Maestas, Ed.D Superintendent
Plymouth Public Schools
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