Friday Notes: From the Plymouth Public Schools

Plymouth Public Schools School Committee Meetings:
The next meeting of the Plymouth School Committee will be Monday, June 17, 2013. School Committee meetings are held at Plymouth Community Intermediate School in the Little Theatre. Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.

Weekly quote:

"If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it."

-Jonathan Winters

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

Here is a wonderful site to peruse during the summer break. The resources included service educators k-12 in all curriculum areas.

Glean Learning Tools http://www.glean.org/

This site and collection of tools developed by the Public Learning Media Lab helps learners discover and hone a range of information literacy skills. Examine or re-examine the information literacy tools as you continue to hone your reference and information skills lessons. Many of these tools will prove quite useful as the Common Core Standards and future assessment options our students will face starting in 2014. The site also includes a data literacy tool aimed at history learners and a range of math tools.

Interested in a global learning experience?

Go to: www.glean.org.uk for more information.

Visual and Performing Arts Department News

Congratulations to the Indian Brook students and teachers for a wonderful performance of the Chorus, Band, and Strings Thursday evening. The concert was dedicated to the memory of Emily Swartz.

It has been a wonderful year of concerts, performances, and arts shows! We look forward to another year of showcasing the students of Plymouth's strong artistic skills.

To keep up on the happenings of the VPA Department

Like VPA on Facebook at PPS_Presents

Follow VPA on Twitter @PPS_Presents

Federal Furnace Elementary School News

Students, staff and families enjoyed a wonderful Walk-A-Thon on Thursday, June 6th. Thanks to our neighbors, especially the Stearns Family and the staff at Southers Marsh Golf Club, we were able to take a beautiful walk and enjoy a peaceful picnic lunch off school grounds. This whole-school walking field trip is also a PTA Fundraiser. What a wonderful opportunity it was for students to spend some time outdoors, building strong bodies to accompany their strong minds, and giving back to their school by raising money for special events and projects.

Federal Furnace Staff very much enjoyed spending time in the community at a Barbeque sponsored by a variety of organizations for the residents of Algonquin Heights. School staff spent time talking with families and providing fun activities for the children. Activities included Can Jam, football toss, face painting, crafts and temporary tattoos.

South Elementary School News

Students Set Out on a Hometown Excursion

South Elementary fourth graders explored Plymouth on land and by sea.

They set sail in Plymouth Harbor aboard Captain John Boats "Floating Classroom." Naturalist Carol Carson (Krill) welcomed students on board to learn from professors, interns and naturalists at six rotating learning stations:

Navigation: A U.S. Coast Guard Captain provided an overview of the ship's bridge, marine navigation and chart plotting, and explained the functionality of the sophisticated electronic equipment of the Captain and the crew. Marine radar, depth finders, radio communication systems and GPS were a few of the topics discussed.
Plankton Identification: Students made use of plankton tows to catch and examine plankton. The marine educator discussed the importance of the species and their place in the world's food chain. Each student was able to use a microscope to study live species.
Lobster: A lobster trap was put on deck so the students could examine its construction and use. Lobsters and the laws that govern the lobster industry were explained.
Touch Tank: A hands-on experience with live animals from the sea.
Knots, Marine: Students learned how to tie various sailors' knots.
Marine Animals: Activities included testing the insulating power of whale blubber and displays of actual whale teeth.

The field trip also included a historical walking tour and activities on Burial Hill.

PSMS News

Museum of Fine Arts Field Trip

On Friday, June 13th, the students of Mrs. Goding and Mrs. Cardin/Ms. Kaye visited the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The field trip was a culminating activity to their year long study of Ancient Cultures.

Students visited exhibits that included the oldest Egyptian mummy in the museum, as well as the hieroglyphic rooms of Ancient Egypt. Students also learned the purpose of canopic jars and the importance of a sarcophagus. Beautiful artifacts of ancient jewelry and hair pins were also a favorite exhibit. Students later found ancient board games such as Hounds and Jackals and Senet, games that are still played today. Other fascinating exhibits were the Chinese silk costumes, the Buddha Temple and the Ancient Greek vases that depicted mythological heroes of the day. Ancient India was also a favorite among students, parents and teachers. We saw life-size statues of Vishnu and Shiva. Many of us agreed that a future visit is needed to enjoy all the exhibits we could not view.

GOLD AND SILVER

Congratulations to Braeden Jennings and Orion Landall on their recent performance at the 2013 Massachusetts State Special Olympics. For the third consecutive year both boys did a fantastic job bringing home gold and silver medals. Braeden won Gold (1st place) in his two events; the 100 meter dash and the softball throw. Orion won Gold (1st place) in the 100 meter dash and a Silver (2nd place) for the softball throw. Braeden and Orion have worked hard and should be proud of their accomplishments. Congratulations on a job well done.

Spring Music Concert

PSMS Music Department had a very successful "Summer Playlist" final concert Thursday evening, June 6th. With over 200 participants, the Band, Chorus, String Ensemble and Jazz Band entertained over 600 guests with song selections such as Michael Jackson: Through the Years, Shipping Up To Boston, Born This Way, and many more. Complete with summer decorations created by the art department under the direction of Mary Jane Calhoun-Donelan, everyone was bringing in the summer time in style!

Spring Track and Field

Track and Field has wrapped up another successful season with over 60 athletes competing in a variety of events. We had many standout performances throughout the season, especially the girls 4x1 relay team of Caroline Elrick, Madelyn Sessler, Sable Santos and Olivia Condon. Good luck to all our 8th grade athletes who will be competing on the high school team next year!

Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary Art Contest

The PSMS Art department is pleased and proud to announce that two of our students received Honorable Mention in the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary Art Contest. Fallon Mello in grade 8 was recognized for her digital rendering of a humpback whale, and sixth grader Lucienne Quirk was recognized for her cut paper sea bird in the shorebirds category. This contest has grown in recent years with students from all over the United States submitting work!

Thank You from PSMS

PSMS wishes to thank CVS of State Road in Manomet and South Shore Skin Center for their generous donations of sunscreen products! The theme of our summer concert was "What is on your IPOD playlist for a day at the beach?" and art students, in working with the music students, and in conjunction with efforts of the School Health Advisory Council chose to create a free SOS (Save Our Skin!) sunscreen booth. Pictured manning the booth at the June 6th concert are 7th graders: Nicole Baggan, Ella Heenan, and Molly Brennan.

7th Grade Skype with Author

The seventh grade second floor team in conjunction with students from PCIS held a joint Skype session with author Linda Sue Park. Park is the author of "A Long Walk to Water", a story that geography students read in class. The story described the living conditions of Southern Sudan and tells the story of a "Lost Boy" named Salva. This story is based on real events. The Skype served as a culminating exercise at the conclusion of the student's Africa unit. On Friday, June 14th, from 6-10 p.m. the students will participate in a walk-a-thon at the South High School track under the lights. Proceeds from the walk will be donated to Salva's non-profit organization Water for South Sudan. The proceeds will be used to drill a well for a village in South Sudan. Come out and walk!

Plymouth South High School News

Stellwagen Bank Nation Marine Life Art Awards

Each year Plymouth South High School submits painted illustrations of sea and fowl species that are indigenous to Stellwagen Bank, a region located off the northern shore of Massachusetts stretching up to Maine, to Stellwagen National Marine Life Sanctuary Art Contest. This program has grown significantly in past years and links Science and Art for students. This year there were 726 entries distributed among the five categories. Winning art will be used a traveling exhibit Award winning will be work displayed on the Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary website by the end of June . The sites include Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary, the JFK Federal Building in Boston, Cape Cod National Seashore's Salt Pond Visitor Center, Salem National Historic Park's Visitor Center and NOAA Fisheries Regional Office in Gloucester. A school-year calendar (Sept 2013-August 2014) will also be prepared and web published on the sanctuary and MME websites. Please visit the following address to view student photos:

http://stellwagen.noaa.gov

Kendra Walters, grade 12, received Honorable Mention, Harbor Seal

Special Award: In memory of MME founding member Joseph McQuade, a bird enthusiast, educator and sportsman , special awards are being given by MME to seabird/waterfowl artists:

Amanda Pang, grade 11, received 4th place for Herring Gull

Arianna Griffin, grade 11, received 6th place for Elder Duck

The College Kiosk, festively decorated with multi-colored college banners, made its debut in the Plymouth South High School cafeteria this past fall, in an effort to provide easy access to college counseling services for the students during their lunch period. This movable booth on wheels was built by the custodial staff at Plymouth South High School and decorated by Ms. Colleen Quinn of the Art Department. Counselors staff the kiosk during lunches to answer questions about college searches, scholarships, financial aid and SATs among other topics. We encourage all students to stop by!

Last Thursday Night, June 6th, the Senior Dinner Dance was held at the Popponesset Inn in New Seabury. Everyone in attendance enjoyed dinner and dancing and seemed happy to celebrate the end of their high school career with their friends!!

Coleman Barnes and Matt Bremis referee

Art teacher Ms. Quinn in the competition

Plymouth South Marketing students are holding a "Bubba Gump Ping Pong Tournament" today and Monday. They are also selling yellow (mango) and blue (blue raspberry) slushes. The money is being raised for the Boston "One Fund" .

The Panther's Cub House held it's graduation today. They had 26 students graduating with 19 who will be going on to kindergarten. The students sang a couple of songs to the delight of their parents and family in the audience.

Monday, June 17th at 7:00 PM Fall Athletic clearance night for students currently in grades 9-11.

Grade 8 Athletic Night is at 6:00 PM.

Gary E. Maestas, Ed.D Superintendent
Plymouth Public Schools

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