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Leaps & Bounds 1/26/07

Department/School: Deerfield
Type: General
Calendar: Tuesday, January 30^th: PTO Meeting 9:15AM Wednesday, January 31^st: Early Release Day, K-5 dismissal at 11:25AM Deerfield Science Fair 6:00-8:30PM Wednesday, February 14^th: Early Release Day, K-5 dismissal at 11:25AM PTO Ice Cream Social Book Fair Thursday, February 15^th: Deerfield Book Fair Friday, February 16^th: February Vacation Begins When School is Dismissed Monday, February 26^th: School Reopens Wednesday, February 28^th: Early Release Day, K-5 dismissal at 11:25AM Message from the Principal… Each of the elementary schools is printing this article about the new report card. The January report card will be mailed to your home today. The standards based report card provides clear communication about how a student is performing against grade level standards. Westwood has developed grade level standards aligned with content areas from the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. The mid-year report card indicates the child’s mid-year performance as s/he works toward the year-end standard in English/language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, art, music, and physical education. The following questions and answers are a guide for parents to use with the mid-year report card. *How should I share report card information with my child?* It is appropriate to summarize the report card rather than show it to your child. Discuss specific skills that are strengths and those that require additional practice. Use current work samples as examples. This is a time to celebrate your child’s accomplishments and list a few goals for the next few months. *How can I interpret the grading scale?* The January grade reflects how your child is progressing relative to mid-year expectations. Students may receive a “4” in January if they have met the mid-year expectations. They must meet the end-of-year standards to receive a “4” in June. Below are definitions of the January Expectations grading scale. 4: Student is working at grade level in January; reflects understanding and applications of grade level content and skills 3: Student is working toward the mid-year expectations; has not yet reached full mastery 2: Student is having difficulty meeting mid-year expectations 1: Student is making individual progress – working below grade level 5: Student performance consistently exceeds grade level expectations Most students will receive a range between 2-4. We expect few students to receive many 5’s as it indicatesperformance consistently exceedingthat standard. Does a 2 or 3 indicate that a student is failing and may have to repeat the grade? No. A “2” or “3” is not a failing grade; rather it highlights an area where continued practice and instruction are needed. A “3” means that a student is approaching mastery of the standard. Keep in mind that there are many standards for each content area. *How* can I help my child when s/he receives a 2 or 3? Ways for parents to help children haven’t changed: creating homework routines, reading aloud, reviewing corrected work, and encouraging activities that require problem solving and independence. *How does the school meet the needs of students who work above the grade level standard?* Students who consistently exceed grade level standards will continue to receive classroom instruction that is commensurate with their skill level. *How are students with identified special needs evaluated using standards?* All students, including students with identified special needs, receive report cards that note current performance in relationship to the grade levelstandards. For students with Individual Educational Programs (IEP) you will receive progress reports on the IEP goals at the same time you receive the report card. IEP progress reports describe a student’s performance in relation to his/her IEP goals. The purpose of a report card is to communicate clear, detailed information about a child’s performance. The dialogue between school and home underlies the success of each student. Please contact the staff at the school should you have any questions about the report card. Have a wonderful weekend. Louise Lipsitz *Looking Ahead* School will be closed for kindergarten children on March 21^st and 22^nd~ the registration days for incoming kindergarten students. School will be closed for all Deerfield students on Friday, March 23^rd for professional development. SCHOOL NEWS… Science Fair Information Those students registered for the Science Fair will receive an informational packet with set up instructions on Monday, January 29th. We encourage all Deerfield students to come to the Science Fair whether or not they are participating. It's a wonderful time to support your fellow classmates as well as a time to view some truly spectacular projects. We hope to see you there. MCAS DATES For Spring, 2007 Grade 3: March 19, 21, 22; May 14, 15 Grade 4: March 20, 26, 27, 28; May 21, 22 Grade 5: March 29, 30; April 3; May 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 30 Shop at Lamberts For Our Schools Lamberts on Rt. 1 in Westwood donates 10% of your purchase to WESC when you mention this promotion to the cashier before checking out. NOTES FROM THE HEALTH ROOM… Health and Wellness Fair Date Change The date for the Health and Wellness Fair has been changed due to a scheduling conflict. The new date will be Wednesday March 21 from 6 - 7:30PM. Please save the new date! Health at the School This Week This week we have had reported cases of strep and intestinal virus (both vomiting and diarrhea). Symptoms of strep may be sore throat, fever, head ache, and stomach ache. If your child does have strep, they need to be treated with antibiotics for a full 24 hours before they can return to school and should be fever free without the use of fever reducing medication. With the intestinal virus, your child may return to school when they are no longer symptomatic and can hold down food and drink. Please call the health room if you have any questions. PTO NEWS… **Deerfield PTO Meeting - Tuesday, January 30th at 9:15 AM** - Mr. Antonucci will be our guest speaker and will discuss the budget, as well as explain just what an override is, and how it affects our schools. - Mrs. Louise Lipsitz will provide an update on the Deerfield Security System, and inform us of the next step for Deerfield's security. We look forward to seeing you there, arrive at 9:00 for coffee, the meeting will start promptly at 9:15 am. Calendar of Events - Tuesday, Jan. 30th - PTO meeting 9:15 A.M. - Guest Speaker - Mr. Antonucci - Wednesday, Jan. 31st - Deerfield Science Fair for All Deerfield Students! 6-8:30 P.M. - Thursday, Feb. 8th - School Committee Budget Deliberations - Wednesday, February 14th - PTO sponsored Ice Cream Social and Book Fair - Thursday, February 15th - Book fair You've Got Mail - Subject: Deerfield PTO & Yes for Westwood Committee's Contribution Request The Deerfield PTO Board would like to ask all Deerfield families to check their email for a special voting ballot. Voting Item: Should the Deerfield PTO financially support the Yes for Westwood Committee by honoring their request for a $250.00 contribution? If you have not provided the Deerfield PTO with your email address and would like a hard copy of the ballot, please contact Brenda Wight 781-329-4914. Deerfield PTO Sponsored Ice Cream Social & Book Fair February 14th marks our second annual Ice Cream Social & Book Fair! Last year's Ice Cream Social and Book Fair Event was a huge success! Kids created their sundaes with fresh scooped ice cream and toppings while parents socialized and browsed the Book Fair Store. With a fun Valentine Theme, come share a sweet treat for the tummy, and browse a fabulous selection of books for the mind! As a PTO sponsored event, we appreciate your $ donations, a contribution box will be located at the ice cream table. Thanks! Mark Your Calendar for the Following Book Fair & Ice Cream Social Details Feb. 14th - Wednesday - Book Fair Store will remain open for after school hours 11:25-2:45 pm Book Fair Store will re-open at 5:30pm to 8:00 pm Ice Cream Social - Start Scooping from 6:30pm-7:30pm Feb. 15th - Thursday – Students shop with their classroom during school hours Book Fair Store remains open until 4:30pm for shopping. DisplayMyArt It's here! Check your child's backpack, inside you will find an order form and a "free" magnet with your child's artwork! The artwork was created in your child's Art Class with Mrs. Coleman. Ordering early will eliminate the question, what to get family members for their - Birthdays ~ Mother's Day ~ Father's Day ~ What could be better? Your child's artwork, quality products and a fundraiser as 30% of all sales generated are returned to the Deerfield PTO! Return your Display My Art order form to Deerfield School, no later than February 13th. Any Questions: Please contact DeerfieldPTO@aol.com Please Support Deerfield PTO's On-going Fund-Raising Efforts ~ Donate all used ink and toner cartridges* - we receive $3. for each one!* ~ Collect and have your child bring in: Box Tops for Education Box Tops ~ Deerfield School Logo T-Shirts ~ Long Sleeve T's ~ Sweat Shirts. Support the Deerfield PTO and look great while doing so! *Contact* Deerfield-Logos@comcast.net. COMMUNITY NEWS… Tickets on sale for the Dance Party of the Year! Tickets for the 13th annual WESC Dinner, Dance and Auction will be on sale at the following Westwood Elementary Schools - in the Downey School lobby on Saturday, January 27th from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, in the Sheehan School lobby on Saturday, February 3rd from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm and in the Hanlon School Lobby on Saturday, February 10th from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Tickets are $65 per person and may be purchased with cash or checks. Reserved seating for full tables of ten may be purchased on January 27^th only. Please note that payment and names for all tickets purchased must be submitted at that time. The purchase of a table is not required to attend – seating is available for all on an unassigned basis. The Westwood Elementary Schools Coalition (WESC) extends to all elementary school parents an invitation to the ‘Dance Party of the Year’! Join us as we go back to the 70’s for an evening you will not forget, featuring a fabulous dinner, an extensive array of exciting auction items and dancing and fun with our special guest, Karen Blake of Oldies 103.3! Plan now to celebrate with us on Saturday evening, March 10, 2007 from seven to midnight in the Grand Ballroom at Lombardo’s in Randolph! Don’t forget to wear your dancing shoes – 70’s attire optional! This event offers an excellent opportunity for you or your business to support our children and our schools. You are invited to join us as a WESC sponsor, advertiser or auction donor. Our Event Program is received by over 1,000 families with young students in Westwood and is a showcase for all advertisers as well as highlighting all sponsors and auction items. For information on donor levels and advertising opportunities please consult our website at www.wesconline.org. All donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law and may be sent to WESC, PO Box 474, Westwood, MA 02090. Thank you for your support. WESC is a not-for-profit volunteer organization which raises funds through one annual fundraiser for the Parent Teacher Organizations of the five elementary schools within Westwood. Over the last twelve years, WESC has raised over $785,000 through the generosity of local businesses and families. These funds enrich and support the educational opportunities of all our young students. Special thanks to our Silver Sponsors, Bay State Federal Savings Charitable Foundation and Roche Brothers, for their generous support. For more information please visit: www.wesconline.org. Westwood *S E P A C* (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) Meeting Where: Professional Development Center Westwood Public Schools Administration Building 220 Nahatan Street Westwood, MA When: Tuesday, February 6, 2007 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM The Westwood SEPAC and Student Services Dept. invite all to attend. Meeting Agenda I. Reintroduction of Current Executive Board Members II. Membership Information III. Proposed By-Laws (to be voted upon at future meeting, date TBD) IV. Updates from Current Special Committees V. Establish Three Focus Goals for the Remainder of the Academic Year VI. Establish Special Committees for the Remainder of the Academic Year VII. Nominations for Open Executive Board Positions (to be voted upon at future meeting, date TBD.) VIII. Establish SEPAC Meeting Dates for the Remainder of the Academic Year Westwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, disability, nation origin or sexual origin.