Leaps & Bounds
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Leaps and Bounds
Issue 21 February 16, 2007
72 Deerfield Avenue
Westwood, Massachusetts02090
781-326-7500 x-1504 (Fax: 781-320-0189)
Calendar:
Friday, February 16th: February Vacation Begins When School is Dismissed
Monday, February 26th: School Reopens
Wednesday, February 28th: Early Release Day, K-5 dismissal at 11:25AM
Friday, March 2nd: Muffins with Mom/Families with Last Names M-Z
Tuesday, March 6th: Kindergarten Parent Night 7pm – 8pm
Wednesday, March 7th: Spelling Bee
Thursday, March 8th: High School Musical – 7pm
Friday, March 9th: Muffins with Mom/Families with Last Names A-L
Deerfield Pizza/Game Night 5:30pm – 7pm
Adult Trivia Contest – 7:30pm
Saturday, March 10th: WESC Dinner Dance and Auction – 7pm
Wednesday, March 14th: Early Release Day, K-5 dismissal at 11:25AM
Wednesday, March 21st: Kindergarten Registration
Friday, March 23rd: Deerfield closed – Professional Development Day
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Message from the Principal…
With the inner doors of the lobby locked, we are all adjusting to a new feeling at the entrance of the school. For me, an important aspect of the front door security plan is what I do not wish to change: a welcoming culture at the school. I would hope that visitors continue to feel that the school is a place for learning by our entire community, a place when parents share educational experiences with their children, and a place where the warmth of the staff permeates the building. Should there be parents who feel that the school is not a welcoming place or that the environment does not engender excitement about learning, I urge them to communicate their concern to a neighbor, teacher or myself.
A week’s vacation provides everyone with a change of routine. This month’s break coincides with Presidents’ Day, a holiday in honor of two prominent figures in our nation’s history: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Reading a book of letters, speeches and proclamations written by Lincoln, I was struck by his humility and self-doubt. In the face of a divided country, he wrestled with multiple conflicts: all enormous. How could he maintain a union of states? How could he encourage growth of agriculture and industry while eliminating the use of slave labor? It is a valuable lesson for children to learn that our revered forefathers were human beings, with strengths and frailties. Their leadership hinged upon being able to work with advisors to solve problems, recognizing that individual’s capacity is increased when he or she collaborates with others.
I hope you enjoy a restful week.
Louise Lipsitz
SCHOOL NEWS…
Student Council Update Submitted by Dominic Giugliano, Katherine Heidelberger, Alexandra Reissfelder ~~ Pennies for Patients – we already passed our goal of $1,000 after Week 2 of our fundraiser! Today was the last day to bring in your pennies. Stay tuned to find out our grand total! ~~ Pizza/Game Night - On March 9th we will have a pizza and game night starting at 5:30. Special thanks to Primo’s, who has agreed to donate some of their delicious pizza and to Vello’s for donating gift certificates for bingo prizes. ~~ Bingo Prize Items: We are looking for prize items under $5.00 (school supplies, toys, etc.). Please send donations to Ms. Chen, Ms. Greene, or Ms. Ming. Thanks! ~~ Enjoy your vacation! 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
PTO NEWS…
Muffins With Mom
Deerfield PTO will host Muffins with Mom in March! February is flashing by, and volunteers are needed! *Please note, if mom is unable to attend, we encourage your child to attend with a grandparent, aunt, uncle and yes, even dad!
**Please check your email for details and volunteer signup!
Display My Art Fundraiser
The PTO thanks all that participated in the Display My Art fundraiser. Order forms were processed this week, and the final product is expected to arrive at DeerfieldSchool within 5-6 weeks. If you missed the deadline, not to worry, please contact Brenda Wight for arrangements. Thanks!
Deerfield PTO Calendar of Events
- March 2nd - Muffins with Mom / families with last names M-Z 7:45 – 8:25am *details to follow
- March 9th - Muffins with Mom / families with last names A-L 7:45 – 8:25am
- March 10th - WESC Dinner Dance and Auction
- March 27th – PTO Meeting 7:15pm
FYI - Up-Coming Meeting Schedule
* Monday, 2/26 at 7pm - Representative Bob Coughlin and DOE expert to speak on state aid for education, High School
* Tuesday, 2/27 at 7:30PM - Thurston Middle School PTO Meeting, John Antonucci will discuss the 2007-8 school budget, Middle School * Tuesday, April 24 - Town Election 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
~ DeerfieldSchoolLogo T-Shirts ~ Long Sleeve T's ~ Sweat Shirts. Support the Deerfield PTO and look great while doing so! Contact Deerfield-Logos@comcast.net.
FROM THE HEALTH ROOM…
PEANUT BUTTER RECALL
Great Value and Peter Pan brands of peanut butter with a product code beginning with 2111 (found on the lid) are being recalled for potential salmonella contamination. Vacation Vacation time is finally upon us, and I hope you all have a happy and healthy week. We continue to have cases of the stomach virus and strep going through the building, so be aware. Save the Date Wednesday, March 21 from 6 - 7:30PM is our Health and Wellness night. We will be asking for both 5th grade students and parent volunteers soon, so be on the lookout, and plan to come to a fun and informative night. Raffle prizes will be given! COMMUNITY NEWS…
Chinese New Year in 2007-Year of Pig
Based on the Chinese lunar calendar New Year starts when the year’s first new moon appears. For year 2007, the first day of Chinese New Year is Sunday, February 18th. Festive foods are prepared and red strips of paper are hung inscribed with greetings or poems of good luck. Red envelopes filled with money are given to ensure a prosperous future. This is especially a happy time for children because they will get a lot of red envelopes filled with money from parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Firecrackers are lit many days to ward off evil spirits.
We wish you all“Xin Nian Kuai Le” - Happy New Year
“Si Ji Ping An” - May you be blessed with peace and safety in all four seasons.
NOMINATIONS FOR
THE JOHN J. CRONIN
PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
The John J. Cronin Public Service Award will be presented each year at the Annual Town Meeting to an individual, who has made an outstanding contribution which has impacted the community of Westwood.
This award is named for the late John J. Cronin, Town Treasurer, who for many years selflessly gave of his time for the betterment of the community, both as an elected official and in numerous volunteer activities. Nomination forms can be picked up at the Town Hall, Library and on the Town’s website www.townhall.westwood.ma.usMarch 30, 2007 and are to be sent to the John J. Cronin Public Service Award Committee, 580 High Street, Town Hall, Westwood, MA 02090. If you have questions, please call 781-326-4172. . The deadline for submissions is
Winter Classic 2007 Basketball Tournament
Need something to do during vacation? Come and see some basketball! Your Westwood High School girl’s basketball team will be hosting their annual Winter Classic Basketball Tournament on Tuesday, February 21st and Wednesday, February 22nd, 2007. For the first time in three years, the tournament will be held at the high school Gym. Canton High School,
Norwood High School, and Winthrop High School girl’s teams will be participating with Westwood. Each night the games will be played at 6:00PM and 7:30PM. Westwood plays the second game on Tuesday. Please come and bring a non-perishable food item for the Food Pantry. See you there!
THIRD GRADE PARENTS
All third grade parents should have recently received a letter introducing the Body Safety Theater Program that will be performed for the third grade classes in March. Please remember that we will be holding two identical informational meetings where parents/guardians will have the opportunity to view a video of a previous performance and to ask any questions they may have about the program. We invite all third grade parents from any of the elementary schools to join us for one of the two meetings:
Wednesday, February 28th, 7:00 – 8:00 PM
OR
Thursday, March 1st, 9:30 – 10:30 AM
The above meetings will be held at the Islington Community Center at 288 Washington Street. The Westwood Youth and Family Services’ entrance is located on East Street, across from Morrison baseball field at the top of the handicapped ramp.
If parents/guardians have any questions prior to the meetings, or are unable to attend either of the meetings and would like further information about the program, please do not hesitate from contacting Danielle Sutton at Westwood Youth & Family Services at (781) 251-2575.
EDUCATION411.org Update
EDUCATION411 is pleased to announce the launch of our website www.education411.org. You will find meeting summaries and newsletters as well as upcoming dates of important meetings. On the website, you can join our mailing list and receive information about Westwood Public Schools via email. You may also email us at WESTWOODEDUCATION411@YAHOO.COM to be added to our distribution list.
Please mark your calendars for an important town forum on Monday, February 26th at 7PM at the High School. Come and hear Jeff Wuflson, Associate Commissioner of the Department of Education, speak about State Funding of Education.
Westwood receives $885 per student in state aid while Medfield, Acton and Dover receive $1,731, $1,661 and $1,205, respectively. We hope to understand the formula and what, if any, changes are planned.
Westwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, disability, nation origin or sexual origin.
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