lEAPS & bOUNDS 4/5/07
| Department/School: Deerfield | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: General | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Leaps and Bounds
Issue 27 April 6, 2007
72 Deerfield Avenue
Westwood, Massachusetts02090
781-326-7500 x-1504 (Fax: 781-320-0189)
Calendar:
Wednesday, April 11th: Early Release Day, K-5 dismissal at 11:25AM conferences
Thursday, April 12th : Evening Conferences
Friday, April 13th: Spring Vacation begins at the end of the school day
Tuesday, April 24th: Grade 5 Field Trip to Boston’s Freedom Trail
Town Election
Wednesday, April 25th: Early Release Day, K-5 dismissal at 11:25AM conferences
Thursday, April 26th: School Committee Meeting 7:30pm
Wednesday, May 2nd: Early Release Day, K-5 dismissal at 11:25AM
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Message from the Principal…
I want to publicly recognize the 49 students and countless adults who made “Jack and the Giant” such a success. The 38 members of the cast and 11 members of the crew worked for countless hours to prepare for their three performances. Their hard work, dedication to the production, and to each other’s success was evident in each performance. Putting on a school play is fraught with pitfalls, and we may have stumbled into many of them this year, but that should not detract from the entertainment brought to the school and community audiences last week or the pleasure that was evident on the faces of the actors during the show.
From the first rehearsal, the directors commented on the focus and work ethic of the cast. The songs were learned and lines perfected quickly. Students supported each other and practice sessions were positive. With 39 in the cast at the outset, Mrs. Dahlheimer and Mrs. Cote expanded, then retyped the script to provide everyone with a part. They cast the show and planned for getting others involved in the crew as rehearsals progressed. It was evident during the performance that our space is limited, and the directors adjusted to it by using more than the stage, including several parts of the gym, hallways and art room.
Knowing that there were disappointed students when the registration was closed, the directors organized scenery painting and back stage crew opportunities for any interested fourth or fifth grader. Eleven students joined the production in this capacity: taking responsibility for costumes, quick changes, set changes and general house management.
We know there are things we want to do differently going forward: having sign up last through the stated registration period will give everyone an equal chance to participate. However, we will not be able to increase the cast beyond a limit set by the directors. Should more students sign up than can be accommodated; we will pick names from a hat. We will continue to ask parents and children to make a scheduling commitment to the play: that’s what makes the production high quality. It is always hard for children to make choices when there are many wonderful activities taking place after school. As adults, our role is to help prioritize and then support those extra curricular groups our children join.
We thank all the parents~ those who oversaw the complicated mini-course program, picked up children after rehearsals, listened to lines and lyrics, helped with the production, organized a community cast party Friday night, took pictures, created the program… the list goes on and on. Our PTO gets involved as sponsors of the play, providing some funding through mini-course registration and support with organizing such a production. Other adults helped along the way: staff painted sets with our crew members one evening. Mr. Dahlheimer and Mr. Cote joined their wives in creating our clever tri-screen, collapsible, turning sets! Mrs. Dahlheimer’s mother sewed, and sewed and sewed the costumes. Ms. Chen learned all the music and the lines, and had direct interaction with the cast during the performances! The program acknowledges these adults… and more: showing how many folks were involved in making the show happen.
When I first came to Deerfield eight years ago, I was asked about putting on a school show. I am humbled by the amount of collaboration and effort it takes to produce such an event: and I am appreciative of all the adult input that makes it work. Most important: we do this for the children. Their joy in performing together, their growth as a creative community, their hard work and sense of accomplishment at the end; all motivate the adults to continue. Moving forward, we want to continue to improve the logistics of our musical theatre mini-course to create a show that is rewarding for the children as well as the adults and share the pleasure of theatre with our school community.
Please join me in a figurative, if not literal round of applause for everyone from “Jack and the Giant”.
Have a wonderful Easter holiday,
Louise Lipsitz
SCHOOL NEWS…
Student Council Update - We will be having a Red Sox Spirit Day on Tuesday, April 10th, to cheer on the Red Sox at their home opener. Wear all your Red Sox gear, and show your home team spirit. Go, Sox!
- The next Spirit Day will be Freaky Friday on Friday, April 13th. Examples of what to wear: mismatched or reversed clothing, freaky hair, silly shoes, etc. Make sure whatever you wear is appropriate for school. SAVE THE DATES ~ Music at Deerfield:
Third Grade Parents: Recorder Concert-Friday, May 4th 8:45AM Fifth Grade Parents: Move up Ceremony-Thur, June 14th
MCAS DATES For Spring, 2007
Grade 3: May 14, 15
Grade 4: May 21, 22
Grade 5: May 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 30
Food Service Department
Westwood Public Schools Food Service Department would like to thank you for your continued support. As we approach the end of this school year we want to make sure that all accounts are brought up to date and paid off.
The payment system that is currently in place requires that all accounts have sufficient funds to pay for meals that will be eaten in the upcoming month(s). As such, ALL ACCOUNTS SHOULD MAINTAIN A POSITIVE BALANCE.
As of MAY 15, 2007 all accounts should have a positive balance sufficient to cover lunch purchases. If a student account does not have sufficient funds or has a negative balance, he/she will not be able to purchase a lunch.
If you have any questions concerning your child’s account, please call 781 326-7500 Ext 1301.
PTO NEWS…
Thank You to Our Mini-Course Chairs!
Deerfield PTO, families and students would like to extend a HUGE thank you to Kathleen Leone and Kathy Wallace for the countless hours spent organizing, scheduling and planning the many mini-course offerings this school year!
Mini-Courses transform our students into mathwizards and chefs, chess champs and magicians, not to mention our fourth and fifth grade actors/actresses! Deerfield PTO applauds our volunteers by forever putting our children before themselves, and giving so much of themselves! Thank you!
FYI - Important Dates & Information
Tuesday, April 17 -Special State Primary.
Tuesday, April 24 -Town Election *. Thursday, 4/26 7:30PM - School Committee Meeting, High School
Monday, May 7- 7:30PM - Town Meeting, High School. Continues on May 8. Tuesday, May 15 -Special State Election. Last day to register to vote in special state election is 4/25.
*Absentee ballots can be obtained by mail or in person. Absentee ballots need to be received by the Town Clerk's office by noon on the day of the election. Please Support Deerfield PTO's On-going Fund-Raising Efforts
~ Donate all used ink and toner cartridges - we receive $300. for each one!
~ Collect and have your child bring in: Box Tops for Education Box Tops
~ DeerfieldSchool Logo T-Shirts ~ Long Sleeve T's ~ Sweat Shirts. Support the Deerfield PTO and look great while doing so! Contact Deerfield-Logos@comcast.net
|
||||||||||||||||||
