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Growing by . . . . . .
Leaps & Bounds
Issue Number 30 |May 20, 2011
Westwood Public Schools does notdiscriminate on the basis of age,
race, color, sex, religion, disability,national origin or sexual orientation
Martha Jones Elementary School
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Message from the principal
Dear Families:
Next Friday morning at 9 AM the entire school will gather on the blacktop before the day begins. Unlike the recent Basketball Game, Design Derby, or Wednesday afternoon assembly with their deliberate upbeat tones, this will be a time to celebrate in a different way. Friday morning will be our annual Memorial Day program. Holidays of any kind are an opportunity to introduce children to the cultural, religious, and national traditions that connect us to others. Memorial Day is much more than the first long weekend of summer.
The entire Martha Jones community will gather next Friday to learn more about the origins of Memorial Day. Student Council members will share important information on the powerful custom of honoring and remembering soldiers who have died for the freedoms we are lucky to share. We are honored that this year members of the Dwan family, Chris is a student in 5P, will represent their father/husband who is serving in Afghanistan. In the past the Memorial Day program has included musical performances from each grade level. This year, in the spirit of community, we will sing together. Each grade has learned the same four traditional American songs - many of which I am sure you know - so please come join us to sing about and celebrate this great land that belongs to you and me.
Memorial Day is our time to remember those who have died in war, to sing about the freedom we are lucky to share, and commit ourselves to work for peace in our country, around the world, and within the walls of Martha Jones. Even young children can begin to understand and appreciate our American heritage of justice and freedom and the price we sometimes have to pay to ensure those rights for all. You are welcome to join us next Friday to remember and to celebrate.
Have a wonderful weekend - may the sun return!
Peggy Scott
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May/June 2011 Calendar
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No School & Early Release Wednesdays:
May 30 - Memorial Day
May 25; June 15 - Early Release
June 23 - 12:10 dismissal LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
School re-opens for students September 6, 2011
Meetings:
May 20 - PTO meeting 9:00 am
May 26 - Gr. 5 Parent Orientation Night - TMS 7:00 pm
June 16 - School Committee meeting - WHS 7:30 pm
June 6 - Incoming K playground get-together 4:30 pm
Special Events:
May 27 - Memorial Day program 9:00 am - blacktop
June 1 - Walk & Bike to School Day
June 1 - TMS reps visit Grade 5
June 3 - TALENT FOR A CAUSE - 6:30 pm
June 7 - Grades 4 & 5 Band Concert - WHS 7:00 pm
June 9 - Recorder Concert Grade 3 Mann/Crowley & Grade 4 Advanced students 9:30 am
June 10 - Field Day (rain day 6/13)
June 15 - Grade 5 Celebration
June 22 - Moving Up Ceremony for Grade 5 & families, 2:00 pm
Class Trips:
May 20 - 3M to Fisher School
May 31 - Grade 4 to Museum of Science
June 2 - Grade 5 to MFA
June 7 - Grade 5 visits TMS 9:00 - 11:00 am
June 14 - Grade 4 to State House
June 20 - Grade 2 Franklin Park Zoo
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Martha Jones News
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Moving?
Please put the information in writing if you are moving next year and your child will not be attending Martha Jones. Teachers are beginning the placement process and need to know who will be in attendance for 2011-2012. Thank you!
Open Enrollment Option
The Westwood Public Schools has an open enrollment policy that enables parents to request an intra-district transfer for their children. The process is initiated by parents by sending a formal written request to the Superintendent by August 1. Mr. Antonucci reviews the requests, making decisions with the principals based upon enrollment in the sending and receiving schools.
Help needed - please check what comes to school. Toys, key chains, silly bands, sports equipment and other objects from home should stay at home. Objects from home too frequently become a source of distraction and unhappiness. Items to "share" should be okayed by the classroom teacher in advance. We would also appreciate your help reviewing the bus safety rules with your children. (Stay in your seat. Keep hands and body to yourself. Use an indoor voice.) Thank you for helping us to maintain our focus and routines until June 23rd at Noon.
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Lost & Found
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Lost & Found has once again reached gargantuan proportions and is spilling over with boots, jackets, lunchboxes, and more. Any items that are not claimed by Friday, May 20th will be taken for distribution at a homeless shelter. Again, please label your child's belongings so there is any chance of recovery.
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PTO News
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Field Day Volunteers Needed!
WESC APPEAL
Thank youto all the families who have made a donation through our annual WESC appeal. A reminder that donations are being accepted through May 27th. All checks should be made payable to WESC and forwarded to school in an envelope marked WESC. To date, $7,025 has been raised through the appeal. These funds help support the many activities and enrichment programs we provide for the students. Thank you for your support!
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| Fall BUS Transportation |
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Time to sign up for bus transportation for your child next year. All applications & payments are due by June 30th. If you are interested in registering your child go to www.westwood.k12.ma.us and click on the Bus Transportation button. Please note you will need you child's student ID number to register. This can be found on your school lunch invoice. If you have any questions, contact the business office at businessoffice@westwood.k12.ma.us or at 781-326-7500 x1343.
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Congratulations!
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Expanding Martha Jones family
Congratulations to Erin Mann, second grade teacher, and her husband, Jared, on the birth of their daughter, Kayleigh Jean! Kayleigh arrived safely on Tuesday morning and weighed in at 9 pounds, 1 ounce. Mom, Dad, Kayleigh & big brother, Brendan are all doing well. The very same morning Henry Thomas Pickering arrived, the son of music teacher Katelyn Pickering and husband Tom. Henry weighed in at 6 pounds, 1 ounce. Congratulations to the Pickerings!
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SAVE THE DATE - BAND Concert
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Please save the date: 4th and 5th grade band concert,
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
7:00pm, Westwood High School Auditorium.
Questions?:
Mrs. Labedz: llabedz@westwood.k12.ma.us
Mr. Reavey: mreavey@westwood.k12.ma.us
Looking forward to an evening of jazz, movie music, Beethoven, and a
musical ride in the car with the Radio turned on! |
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MJ School Survey
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Martha Jones School Survey is in the works. The Site Council comprised of parents and faculty is developing an on-line survey to collect data about your child's experience, and your thoughts about school leadership, communication, and school culture. We will use the data to identify our strengths and weaknesses, create goals, and develop strategies for growth and improvement in 2011-2012. The survey should be available May 27- June10. The link will be posted in Leaps and Bounds. The results will be shared early in the fall.
Parent representatives: Janet Guarino, Kim Hatfield, Diana Jud, Christopher McCusker
Faculty representatives:Jen Child, Anthony Cohutt, Mary Moody, Peggy Scott, Jen Teahan.
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Don't Forget - School-wide BOOK SWAP!
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Student Council News
One project for the month of May is a school-wide book swap for students and adults (teachers and parents). Here's how it works:
- Bring in an old book (in good condition) that you no longer read
- Swap it for another book you'd like to read
- Book boxes will be in the hallway between Kindergarten and the Library
- The boxes are divided by K-1, 2-3, 4-5, & Adult
- Any kind of book is okay
Hope you and your family will bring a book/swap a book!
Declan Burke & Ryan Lewis - Student Council reps from 4W & 4O
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