Leaps & Bounds 4/4/08

 

72 Deerfield Avenue

Westwood, Massachusetts02090

781-326-7500 x-1504   (Fax: 781-320-0189)

 

 

                                                Parent Teacher Conferences

Tuesday, April 15^th:                 Parent Teacher Conferences~ evening

 

The following is a letter written by the principals of the five elementary schools that will appear in all of the newsletters today outlining the student placement procedure for September 2008.

            Parents often ask how class placements are made and what role they may play in the process. This letter is meant to answer those questions and to explain the process that is used in Westwood’s five elementary schools.

 

 

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SCHOOL NEWS…

 

 

Thurston Middle School Auditorium

 

(Optional building tour following the session)

Thurston Middle School Auditorium

 

Superintendent John Antonucci and Thurston Assistant Principal Allison Borchers will host a pair of information sessions for parents and community members. Presenters will discuss the need for more classroom and large group space at Thurston and review the current proposal for expansion. If you would like more information, or have questions about the proposal, please contact Mr. Antonucci at jantonucci@westwood.k12.ma.us or Ms. Borchers at aborchers@westwood.k12.ma.

 

Dear Parents and 5^th Graders:

Welcome to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program. We are beginning an exciting nine-week program to help your student resist pressures which may influence them to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, inhalants, and other drugs. They will be introduced to the D.A.R.E. Decision Making Model that will assist them in problem solving and help them make wise decisions.

As the D.A.R.E. Officer, I look forward to being with your student, in their class, and being a part of your school community. I know that they will be a successful D.A.R.E. graduate and join the millions of other D.A.R.E. students around the world who have chosen to be drug-free.

If you have any questions, please fell free to give me a call at 781-320-1000.

Brad Pindel, Community Resource Officer, Westwood Police Dept.

 

It’s not too late to stock up on Deerfield Logo Items!  We have a wide variety of items to show your school spirit, ranging from t-shirts and sweatshirts to tote bags and visors.  To order, send the attached form to the office with your payment and the item will be sent to school in your child’s name within the week.

 

Spring is just around the corner, bringing warmer weather, longer days, and… MCAS testing. In addition to the work taking place in classrooms, parents often express interest in helping at home to prepare children for this test. As with any standardized test, part of being prepared comes simply from gaining experience with the kinds of questions asked and the format of the test. The Boston Public Library’s website offers free MCAS practice software that was developed by a local educational software company. The questions are similar to those asked on the MCAS, and explanations are provided as to why answers are correct or incorrect. This software may help students become comfortable and gain confidence in taking the MCAS. If you are interested in this software, go to www.bpl.org/teens/mcas/index.htm.

 

Specific MCAS dates are listed below~ all sessions begin at the start of the school day. All sessions are untimed. Students have as much time as they need, up to the full school day.

~ Math May 12, 13                                                                  ~ ELA March 31, April 1

~ Math May 14, 15

~ Science/Technology May 21, 22

~ History/Social Science May 27,28

 

Math events for kindergarten-second grade parents ~

If you were unable to attend the math workshop at Deerfield for parents of students in K-2, you are welcome at either of the two upcoming workshops: Monday, April 7^th at Hanlon 8:45-10:45AM   OR Tuesday, April 8^th at Downey 6:30-8:30PM.

For Fifth grade parents~

Wednesday, May 28^th; Grade 5 Parent Night at Thurston

On Tuesday, April 15, during evening parent/teacher conferences, we are putting on a Asian fusion dinner for the teachers. Ali Murphy and I would love some of your expert culinary assistance in pulling this dinner together.

If you are willing and able to assist, please contact Paula at Paul.Norton2@ VERIZON.NET. Ali and I will get back to you on the menu item that is needed, so that there are no duplicate dishes.

As always, we appreciate your generosity and willingness to help let the teachers at Deerfield know how much we appreciate them and all that they do. We look forward to hearing from you.

Your hospitality co-chairs,

Ali Murphy & Paula Norton

 

Book Fair: May 7, 8, 9 (we scheduled this event with Mother’s Day in mind)

PTO meeting: May 20 9:15 am

Art Night: June 18

 

Thank you to Donna Johnson and Gheed Itani for taking care of the cookie dough fundraiser, which earned over $800 for the PTO.  Donna and Gheed, we’ll be thinking of you when we “dig in” to freshly baked cookies!  We still have a few boxes left to sell.  If you are interested in buying them, please send me email at deerfieldpto@gmail.com.

 

Mini courses are wrapping up just as we are enjoying more daylight hours in the afternoons (and gearing up for spring sports).  Thank you to Mary Jo Hogan and Tish Verzino, along with all the volunteers and instructors who made mini courses possible this year.  With everything from cooking to capture the flag tag football with Mr. Foley to the musical, you saved us from endless cold dark afternoons with bored kids! 

 

 

My name is Will Scannell, and I am a member of Boy Scout Troop 1 Islington. For my Eagle Scout service project, I will be working with the Massachusetts National Guard on a toy and clothing drive which will benefit a local orphanage in Iraq. The National Guard Unit is working with the NAIC, the National Iraqi Assistance Center, to give back to the children of Iraq.  

 

-Clothing for children from the ages 5-15

-Spring, Summer, or Fall clothing

-No items bearing the American Flag

-Toys could include coloring books, sports equipment, board games, etc.

-All items should be new or in gently used condition.

 

Drop boxes will be available from March 31^st to May 2^nd in the Deerfield lobby.  I will also be available to pick up items for those who can’t make it to the drop zones.  I can be reached at 781-329-0899, or by email at carscan3@aol.com.  Thank you for your support.

Westwood Community Chest (WCC) is now taking applications for its 2008 Campership program.  Camperships provide camp scholarships for Westwood kids based on financial need.  There is an application deadline of June 15, 2008 and there are some award limits this year.  Camperships are awarded on a first-come-first-served basis, so it is important to apply as soon as possible.

Applications are available at the WY&FS office, Westwood Senior Center, both town Public Libraries, the Police and Fire Stations and the Town Hall.  More information can also be found online at wcc.cfsites.org.

 

Tuesday April 8, 2008, 7 pm – 9 pm, Professional Development Room, Administration Building, 220 Nahatan St., Westwood. In addition to our general election, Audrey Seyffert, Director of Student Services, will speak to Westwood’s array of special education programs and services. She will also be available for questions. Please join us for this invaluable information and insight. Voting privileges are afforded to all members whose children are on 504 plans or IEP’s. Membership is free and immediate upon application.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Westwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, disability, nation origin, or sexual orientation.

 

 

 

 

The items below can be ordered by emailing deerfieldlogos@comcast.net or sending this completed form to the office in an envelope addressed to Deerfield Logo Items, Attention Peg Underhill. Your item(s) will be ordered when your payment is received.  Make checks payable to Deerfield PTO.  Items will be delivered to your child’s classroom within a week if not in stock. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

Youth short-sleeve        small/medium/large                    $10                   ______

 

Youth long-sleeve          small/medium/large                    $15                   ______

 

Adult short-sleeve         small/medium/large/XL             $12                   ______

 

Adult long-sleeve           small/medium/large/XL             $18                   ______

 

 

Youth                           small/medium/large                    $22                   ______

 

Adult                            small/medium/large/XL             $26                   ______

 

Adult                            XXL                                         $30                   ______

 

 

Tote bags                                                                      $10                   ______

 

Visors                                                                           $5                     ______

 

Total:                                                                            ______                        ______

 

 

Name______________________________________________

 

Teacher____________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Painless Portraits” by Photographer Lisa Hull

When: Saturday, May 3, Sunday, May 4 and Saturday, May 10; 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM each day.

What: The Westwood Early Childhood Council’s annual fundraising event_ Photographer Lisa Hull will take family or individual portrait sittings in an outdoor setting (weather permitting). All are welcome_

Fee: The package includes: 1 8x10, 2 5x7's, and 4 wallets for $45.00 (per sitting)

Please note – There is a two sitting maximum per family.

1) Complete the form below.

2) Include a check for the total fee (make checks payable to “Westwood ECC”). INCLUDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER ON THE CHECK. Any cancellations will need to be received by the ECC office at least ten days prior to the event and are subject to a $15 deposit fee.

3) Send form and check to: estwood Early Childhood Council

P.O. Box 230

Westwood, MA 02090

PLEASE NOTE: SPACES ARE LIMITED. Forms must be postmarked on or before Friday, April 4, 2008. Sittings will be scheduled in order of postmark and date received. Each sitting is allotted 5 minutes, resulting in a very limited number of sittings. The Westwood ECC makes no guarantee of placement, but your chances of being accommodated are higher if you mail in your form early. Please indicate on the form below if you would like to be placed on a wait list, if necessary.

During the week of April 14 you will receive a written confirmation stating your sitting time and the location of the portrait sittings. If you have any questions, please call the ECC office at 781-461-9548.

 

Name: ________________________________________ Phone #: _________________

Address: _____________________________________# of sittings (2 per family maximum): ___________

# of subjects per sitting: ______ Ages (s) of children: ____________ Will your pet be included?__________

Would you like to be placed on a wait list? _____________ Total fee included with form: $_______________

Email address (for confirmation/pick up notification only): ________________________________________

Please circle date requested: Saturday, May 3 OR Sunday, May 4 OR Saturday, May 10