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2002-03 Parent Newsletters
Below is a chronicle of principal newsletters from the 2002-03 school year; for more news coverage, you can link to our "PES In The News" page.
Susan Copley
Principal, Peterborough Elementary School
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June 13, 2003
As this is my last Principal’s Letter for this school year, I want to express my warm thanks to all PES families for their exceptional support this past year. Our school continues to have an excellent reputation for a highly skilled and talented staff, motivated students, and caring, involved parents. Special thanks to the PTO leadership team and each and every PES volunteer!
Enjoy your summer adventures -- and we look forward to seeing returning students on the first day of school, August 27th. (I will miss everyone this summer!)
All the best,
Susan Copley, PES Principal
Butterfly Garden. Stop by and see the newly installed butterfly garden. It is one of many culminating celebrations these last few weeks of school – and the result of planning and planting by students, teachers, parents, neighbors, and our Peterborough Artist in Residence, Laura Campbell. This project has been an excellent example of the school’s belief in the value of integrating the curriculum with “real world” applications – and our delight in children working together to create a legacy that is both functional and beautiful.
Focus On: Student Fitness. Students in P.E. have shown dramatic gains this year in their fitness levels and in developing new skills in sports and many non-competitive games. The new 3rd and 4th grade recess favorite is “kick ball,” which many of you may remember from your own childhood days. Thanks to Mr. Szep for encouraging children to improve their fitness and their skills in games and sportsmanship.
Hand-Made Instruments. Third graders are making their own instruments as part of their study of Sound in Science. They’ve learned so much!
Authors' Teas. Even our youngest students have been sharing their published stories at Authors’ Teas. It is incredible to see five and six year olds reading their own writing to parents!
Calendar Notes:
June 17th, 9 AM – Field Day (rain date is June 18th); volunteers needed & appreciated!
June 19th, 1:30 PM – Fourth grade graduation in gym
June 20th – 9:30 AM Cool Day; 12:30 Dismissal (Last Day of School for Students) -- No Lunch at School
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June 6, 2003
PES-PTO Teacher Appreciation Luncheon. Hearty thanks to all the incredible cooks and energetic volunteers who put on the spectacular Teacher Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday. It was a lovely gift to our outstanding staff, who all enjoyed the rare opportunity to have a gourmet meal and the chance to catch up with colleagues in the middle of a very busy school day. Thank you all!
Campus Improvement Projects. Many PES students are now avid gardeners, helping to create the butterfly and sunflower/ iris gardens they helped design. Please do come see our new gardens at the end of the Kindergarten wing! In the fall we will install a bird garden and bird blind in the school’s courtyard, and install new trees, tables, benches, shrubs and flowers behind the offices, too!
Focus On: Oceanography. Many primary classes are now studying the ocean and seashore. The summer is a great time for families to visit Odiorne Point, Plum Island, and other seacoast science centers. Children are keen naturalists and are eager to learn about “what lives in the ocean.” (Of course jumping the waves is great fun, too!).
Thank You, Volunteers! Thank you for volunteering for so many June special events and trips. If you are available to join us for our end of the year Field Day celebration the morning of June 17th, just call the PES Office at 924-3828. Thanks to John Szep and Meredith Sumner for organizing this event, and to the PTO for supplying cooling snacks. It’s like “PES day camp,” and adults have as much fun as the kids!
Calendar Notes:
June 9th, 9:30 AM – Fourth grade visits South Meadow School
June 17th, 9 AM – Field Day (rain date is June 18th); volunteers needed & appreciated!
June 19th, 1:30 PM – Fourth grade graduation in gym
June 20th – 9:30 AM Cool Day; 12:30 Dismissal (Last Day of School for Students)
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May 30, 2003
Campus Improvement Projects. What a wet and rainy week! Our gardening projects were postponed a bit, but we are now underway, with the butterfly garden almost ready for planting. Students are tamping down the ground, creating clay garden gnomes, and learning about what plants need to thrive. We will be fully underway next week, so please drop by with gardening tools, ready to help out kids and teachers with this exciting project. Just call our office at 924-3828 to find out the best times to volunteer. Also, keep your eye on “what’s happening” out front, too. More plants will be arriving within the next few weeks, and a stone wall or two may appear. Thanks to Lynn Compton for her leadership!
SKIP Summer Camp. SKIP (School Kids in Peterborough) will be hosting a summer vacation “camp” program here at PES and in their building near the new playground. A wide variety of activities and field trips are planned. Please call Director Ann Wood (924-7050) for details and information about how to register.
Children and the Arts Day. For pictures of PES students at the 2003 Children and the Arts Day Festival, see Reading Teacher Jo Thomas’ photo display in our office window, or see Helfried Zrzavy’s photos on the PTO e-mail Newsletter. What a magnificent day it was!
Special Events. Please check your child’s backpack for letters from his/her teacher about special end of the year events. Various classes are putting on special plays related to their studies, hosting Authors’ Teas, visiting the Historical Society, Sargent Camp, Stonewall Farm, Portsmouth Children’s Museum, Adams Playground, and the Planetarium in Concord. Thank you for your support through chaperoning and attending these special events!
Calendar Notes:
June 3rd, 11:30 AM – Staff Appreciation Lunch
June 4th, 9 AM & 6:30 PM – PTO meeting in the Conference room
June 9th, 9:30 AM – Fourth grade visits South Meadow School
June 17th, 9 AM – Field Day (rain date is June 18th); volunteers needed & appreciated!
June 19th, 1:30 PM – Fourth grade graduation in gym
June 20th – 9:30 AM Cool Day; 12:30 Dismissal (Last Day of School for Students)
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May 23, 2003
Campus Improvement Project. Our gardening projects are now underway! As part of our three year campus improvement program, we will be installing newly landscaped areas next to the school’s front entrance. Students will also be working with teachers, our Artist in Residence, parents and community volunteers to create a bird garden in our inner “courtyard,” and a butterfly garden at the end of the Kindergarten wing. Please do come join us when you can!
Looking Back: Children and the Arts Day 2003. Thanks to all the teachers, students, and parents who participated in last Saturday’s Children and the Arts Day Festival! It was a glorious day, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many of our children performing and/or sharing their banners, pop up books, musical and dancing talents, and general enthusiasm for the arts. As one parent noted, “This is Peterborough at its best!”
Environmental Science at PES. Fourth graders studying Land and Water in science are investigating pond life through their visits to the local Fremont Land. It is quite amazing to watch these young children accurately identifying and drawing larvae and tiny creatures that they discover. In this activity, our teachers are supported by Harris Center naturalist, Janet Altobello.
Calendar Notes:
Monday, May 26th – No School (Memorial Day)
Wednesday, May 28th – 12:30 Dismissal for all PES students
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May 16, 2003
Bully Proofing and Quit it! Second graders and Fourth graders are just completing the Quit It or Bullyproofing programs, part of our long term commitment to teaching PES students appropriate social skills. Children have been very attentive and thoughtful in these activities, learning new ways of being “Kind, Helpful, Safe, and Polite.”
The Peterborough Children and the Arts Festival. Tomorrow is Children and the Arts Day! This year we are promised a beautiful, snow-free, day, with an amazing array of special performances, exhibits, and of course the Giant Puppet Parade. Our students are very involved in numerous events. PES students are invited to sing familiar songs with Mrs. Compton in front of the Town House at 11:15, and to join in the Maypole Dancing in Putnam Park at 1:00. You’ll see PES pop-up books, animal banners, haiku poetry, Grandmother Winter puppets, and more. A first grade class will be doing western line dancing, and a third grade will be sharing a Stomp video based on their science unit on sound. Come and enjoy PTO Mexican cooking and special free events all day that include gymnasts, unicycling, drumming, story telling, street painting, and improvisational family theatre.
Field Trips. Thanks to all the parent volunteers who continue to help chaperone field trips (which are educational for all ages!). Sites visited by students in May and June include: Stonewall Farm, the NH State House, the Town Library, Odiorne Point, the Bog in Amherst, the Colony Theater, the Little Ballet, and Fremont Conservation Land. Such trips provide valuable opportunities for enrichment and the extension of classroom learning.
Upcoming Events:
Monday, May 26th – No School
Wednesday, May 28th – 12:30 Dismissal for all students
Tuesday, June 3rd – Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
Wednesday, June 4th, 9 AM & 6:30 PM – PTO
Wednesday, June 18th, AM – Kind-4th Field Day
Thursday, June 19th, 1:30 PM – 4th Gr. Graduation
Friday, June 20th – Last Day of School
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May 9, 2003
Campus Improvement Project. Students continue to help design our bird and butterfly gardens, part of our campus improvement project. With the leadership of Music Teacher Lynn Compton and Art Teacher Katharine Fox, children are using their creativity and math skills to design gardens with our Artist in Residence, Laura Campbell. The gardens will have many kinds of flowers, a variety of paths, and even benches for quiet activities. We will also be planting flowering trees and shrubs… and keep your eyes out for a new stone wall or two! Our goal is to develop our school grounds to be more attractive, welcoming, and more available for teaching and learning. We are grateful for the support of our Superintendent and School Board, the Goyette Fund, and the Antioch Go Green Project – and for all the hard work and imagination of our students, staff, and volunteer gardeners!
Focus On: Reading. Reading continues to be an important focus of our school. At PES, students receive whole group and small group instruction in decoding and comprehension strategies, and practice reading in pairs and independently. At this time of the year, it is always incredible to see students reading with such confidence and enthusiasm !
Children and the Arts Day Festival. Our entire school is getting ready for May 17th’s Children and the Arts Day Festival. With the guidance of Arts Enrichment coordinators Terry Reeves and Jeannie Connolly, PES teachers, and many wonderful parent volunteers, students are in the final stages of making banners, pop up books, and a variety of colorful t-shirts and props for the festival displays and the famous Giant Puppet Parade. It’s going to be a very special day!
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May 2, 2003
Third Grade Testing. Next week our Third grade students will be taking the statewide assessment in Mathematics and Language Arts. Thank you for being sure third graders arrive well rested and on time for the beginning of school. Also please be mindful of the need to be respectfully quiet if you are in school during the days when testing will be taking place.
PTO Yard Sale. This Saturday, May 3rd, is our first ever PTO “Indoor Yard Sale” which will take place in the PES gym from 9 AM to 1 PM. Please do drop by to see what treasures will be on sale! The PTO will also be taking orders for frozen pizzas and cookie dough, as well as pre-seeded “bio-mats” that will turn any spare corner of your yard into a lovely flower garden.
Gardens! To continue on the garden theme, many classes are involved in planning for the planting of our new PES bird and butterfly gardens. Children have been learning about the important components of a successful garden, painting butterflies in the shape of our garden, and even making their own miniature gardens. We will need parent volunteers to help students and staff members with the actual outside work which will take place on May 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th. Please come and have fun digging in the dirt and creating a legacy of beautiful and educational school gardens!
Warm weather clothing. Thank you for your flexibility in helping children dress appropriately for our ever changing New England weather. With the warmer weather, please remind children to dress appropriately. At PES the following are not allowed: spaghetti straps, flip flops, etc. Sneakers are the safest and most versatile warm weather footwear.
Early Dismissals. Please remember that on Wednesday, May 14th, and Wednesday, May 28th, all Kind. – 4th grade students will be dismissed at 12:30. This means that Kindergarten students will be arriving home a half hour later than usual. On these early release days, a purchased school lunch will be available for all K – 4th grade students.
Children and the Arts Day. This truly delightful celebration of children’s talents in the visual and performing arts will take place on Saturday, May 17th. Many PES students are participating in the Giant Puppet Parade, making banners for the down town area, or taking part in one of the numerous free performances. Other students will have their pop-up books and artwork on display. It is one of my favorite family days, and I hope you and your friends will enjoy the festivities!
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April 18, 2003
Ziti Dinner and Talent Show. The “first annual” PTO ziti dinner and talent show last Friday evening was a huge success! I know I had a terrific time talking with kids and families, eating the delicious meal, and laughing and clapping our way through the incredible show of talent in the gym. Warm thanks to all the PTO members who organized and prepared this successful fund-raiser and truly enjoyable evening!
Curriculum Briefs:
Focus on: Geometry and Symmetry. Second graders studying symmetry have been working on creating impressive quilts and symmetrical three dimensional buildings (with blocks). These activities require considerable planning and cooperative problem solving!
Focus on: Reading Across the Curriculum. All third grade classes were involved in an intensive and fun all-day “Readathon”! The theme was an extension of the district’s science unit on vertebrates: “Reading is the backbone of life.”
Upcoming Events:
April 21st - 25th – School Vacation Week
April 28 - May 2 from 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. – PTO Pizza, Cookie Dough and Biomat Drive
May 3 (Saturday), 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – PTO Yard Sale in the Gym
May 5 - May 9 from 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. – PTO Pizza, Cookie Dough and Biomat Drive
May 17th, all day – Children and the Arts Day.
Calendar:
May 14th and May 28th are early dismissal days; students will be released at 12:30.
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April 11, 2003
Ziti Dinner and Talent Show. Tonight we hope to see the cafeteria brimming with PES families enjoying a home-cooked ziti dinner. Our parent community is full of excellent cooks. I certainly appreciated using a recipe recommended by a PTO parent and professional cook (I asked her for a “beginner’s version” of her gourmet Italian recipe!). After supper we will move into the gym for a multi-generational PTO Talent Show. Come and enjoy a relaxing evening out while raising funds for a new sound system in the gym and other valuable PTO projects.
Geer Library Mural Takes Shape. Have you noticed the beautiful mural in the Deb Geer Library? It is the creation of artist and PTO parent Gloria Schultz. Everyone enjoys watching this painting grow – especially the scenes of spring!
Curriculum Briefs:
Focus on: Time and Money. Time and Money are two important skills/concepts in mathematics that need to be reinforced at home. First graders learn about the hour hand, and in second grade students begin learning how to tell time to the minute. Third graders work on solving elapsed time problems (“It is 9:15 AM. We’ll have snack in twenty minutes. What time will it be?”). Learning the value of coins and how to make change are two other important math skills that children enjoy practicing at home. Thank you for your support!
Upcoming Events:
April 11th, 6 p.m. – PTO Dinner and Talent Show at PES.
April 21st - 25th – School Vacation Week
Changes in the Calendar:
May 23rd (Friday) will be a regular school day.
June 20th (Friday) is currently the last day of school for students.
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April 4, 2003
Due to the storm-related school closing today, this newsletter will go home with students not before Monday, April 7th.
Parent-Teacher Conferences. Thank you for taking the time to review your child’s progress report and work samples this past month. We had positive feed-back from parents regarding the optional parent-teacher conference, and hope this new option worked well for you. We are already beginning plans for next year. Any parent input into next year’s placement must be received in writing by the PES Principal before April 18th. Please remember that final placement decisions always remain with the school: our most important goal is to have balanced, heterogeneous classes with a mix of individual strengths and talents, needs, chronological ages and developmental readiness. We have many factors to consider. Thank you for your support of the school’s decisions.
Curriculum Briefs:
Reading Buddies. Reading Buddies give students of different grades the opportunity to share books and become caring friends over the course of the year. PES kids love to read!
“Bone-dry” Science. Third grade students students studying vertebrates have enjoyed observing and sketching “real bones” – and then researching and hypothesizing their origin. Thanks to the Harris Center for their skilled support (and the authentic bones!).
Upcoming Events and Important Reminders:
April 9th, 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – PTO meeting in the PES conference room. All are welcome!
April 11th, 6 p.m. – PTO Dinner and Talent Show at PES. Contact Lauren Broder via e-mail or by phone at 924-1099 for entry requirements and full event details. Auditions will be held April 9th, 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the PES gymnasium. Come and show off your singing, music, or other talent!
May 14th, early release at noon
May 17th, all day – Children and the Arts Day.
May 28th, early release at noon
June 5th, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. – Staff Appreciation Luncheon
“Rigorous environments do not have to be rigid or restrictive. I know we have mandates, time lines, and important tests to give. And still I say slow down! Learning to read should be a joyful experience. Give children the luxury of listening to well-written stories with interesting plots… Let them know when they say or do something smart; give them credit and ask them to share. Help children access what they already know and figure out how to help them make connections to something new. Be genuine. Laugh. Love. Be patient. You’re creating a community of readers and thinkers; you’re building relationships and establishing trust…”
-- Debbie Miller, Reading With Meaning (2002), p. 26.
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March 27, 2003
Please note that there will be no school on Friday, March 28th, due to a Teacher Workshop Day.
Spring Clean Up. We are working hard to pick up and clean up from the long winter. During recess, many students volunteer to help sweep and shovel the sand from the black top. This has been an enjoyable and worthwhile project!
Students also volunteer regularly to help clean the cafeteria tables and floor after lunch. Fourth graders take turns volunteering as “lunch buddies” for children in the Extended Kindergarten Day program. We even have volunteers to help ring recess and dismissal bells. It’s good to learn at a young age that we take care of our school as well as each other.
The Science of Sound. This spring third graders study a Science unit on Sound. Students investigate the concepts of frequency, amplitude, pitch, volume, and sound waves. They also study how musical instruments produce different kinds of sound, and explore how sound is changed when it travels through different materials. Classes may visit the local Mariposa Museum to learn about instruments from other countries, too.
Did you know…? Did you know that the last “district school,” which closed in 1946, was in West Peterborough? This school was at the corner of Union St. and Windy Row, where the Masonic Learning Center is now located.
Along with paper and pencils, each student had to keep a spoon in his or her desk. Every morning the teacher, Mrs. Nichols, walked up and down the aisles with her bottle of cod liver oil so that each child would start the day with a spoonful of this oil to help keep them healthy.
Most of the West Peterborough students entered school speaking only French, as their parents had come from Canada to work in the local mills. By the time the students completed Fourth grade, they had become fluent in English and moved on to the Central School at the top of Vine Street. As you can see, Peterborough has a rich history of cultural and linguistic diversity.
“It is a conscious act on my part to share the joy of teaching with my students. I want my classroom to be a place of hopeful, uplifting conversations about teaching and learning… I want students in my classroom to discover new ways of looking and seeing. Creating, relating, and seeking common purpose with my students…renews, refreshes, and reconfirms my earliest calling to the vocation [of teaching].”
-- Susan Etheredge, as quoted in Stories of The Courage to Teach (2002), p. 124.
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March 21, 2003
Pancake Breakfast. Last Saturday’s Pancake Breakfast, Book Fair, and Raffle were all a tremendous success. Thanks to the family, business, and community support, over $1,000 was raised to help support PTO projects at this school. Warm thanks to Donna Wheeler and her energetic volunteers of all ages who cooked, served, and cleaned up – and thanks to all the families who came in to enjoy great food and good company.
Food and Entertainment! Please mark your calendars for the April 11th PTO Ziti Dinner and Talent Show – and consider volunteering to help cook, feed, or entertain everyone gathered for a fun and inexpensive night out. To be kept up-to-date on all the upcoming PTO events, please e-mail pes_pto@earthlink.net and request a free subscription to the excellent PTO on-line newsletter.
Spring Cleaning? Please consider contributing to the PTO Indoor Yard Sale to be held in the gym on Saturday, May 3rd. If you are interested in renting a table or donating items directly to a PTO table, you may contact parent organizer Kevin Carne via e-mail or . This is a great opportunity to help raise funds for student enrichment and the new gym sound/light systems – and to clean out your basement or garage!
Upcoming Events: The Rindge Memorial School’s Children’s Literature Conference (for children and parents) will be held Saturday, May 3rd. The keynote speaker will be Ralph Masiello, also known as the “Icky Bug Man.” The author of the day is our neighbor and famous nature writer, Sy Montgomery. She has written books about man-eating tigers, snake scientists, and the pink dolphins of the Amazon. Other presenters include Michael Caduto, story teller, ecologist, and author of 14 books. For more information, call 899-3363.
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March 14, 2003
PTO Pancake Breakfast. The PTO Pancake Breakfast is tomorrow morning, Saturday, March 15th, from 8:00 a.m. to noon in the new PES cafeteria. This is a fun family event, and a helpful fund-raiser for the support of student enrichment programs and special PTO projects. One new project is to improve the gym side of the stage area, including purchasing new stage lighting, a new sound system and new portable risers.
Dance Residency. Local dance expert Jessica Lawler has been working with Kindergarten students on learning new music and movement. The children are attentive and thoroughly enjoy learning all the new dance routines. As I watched, I wished we could have Dance as another important “special” each week for all students; I know this is only a dream, but I’m amazed by how both boys and girls learn so much from this talented instructor!
ASCD Conference. This past week-end I was in San Francisco for the Board of Directors’ meetings and the 58th annual conference of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), the world’s premier educational organization. It was so exciting and rewarding to participate in relevant workshops, hear outstanding speakers, and meet educators from all over the world. The speakers included Regie Routman, the author of Reading Essential; Andrew Young, former Atlanta mayor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations; and Linda Ellerbee, author, journalist, and TV producer of Nick News and various documentaries for children. I’m proud that our ConVal district has a long history of supporting the professional development of teachers and administrators; inspired educators contribute to inspired teaching and leadership!
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March 7, 2003
Welcome Back from February Vacation. Your children returned to school healthier and more ready than ever to work on school projects and challenges. Over vacation I truly enjoyed visiting my daughter and son-in-law in their new home in Huntsville, Alabama. It was a special treat to be outside in short sleeves, raking the lawn and watching neighborhood children playing on green grass!
Focus on Safety: New Sign-Out Procedure. Starting Monday, March 10th, parents picking up their children at the noon Kindergarten or 3 PM 1st – 4th grade dismissals will sign out their children in the foyer outside the office. We feel this will be much safer for all concerned, and will give us a better record of “who went with whom.” Staff members will be on hand to help explain the new procedure. Thank you for helping to keep PES children safe.
Mark Your Calendars! Tuesday, March 11th – VOTING DAY. Thank you for taking the time to vote on the school district warrant (including the schools’ budget for 03 – 04) and your local town warrant. If you have questions about any school district warrant article, please contact school board members or the superintendent’s office. Thank you for your interest and support of public schools!
Upcoming Events: Saturday, March 15th, 8 a.m. to 12 noon – PTO PANCAKE BREAKFAST and BOOK FAIR. Please stop by the PES cafeteria to enjoy a delicious parent-cooked wholesome meal for your entire family. This is a fun time for the entire family, and an important fund-raiser to support class field trips, school assemblies, Artists in Residence programs, and other important school projects. See you on the 15th!
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February 21, 2003
President's Day Blizzard of 2003. While deep snow may mean slippery roads and aching shoulders for many adults, the recent blizzard created many incredible recess opportunities for PES students. It will be a “storm to remember”!
Focus on Emergency Procedures. As part of our plan for monthly emergency drills, this week students and staff practiced “Shelter in Place.” In this drill, all students and staff immediately report to the gym and wait quietly while attendance is carefully checked. Also, the ventilation system is turned off. We practice this drill in case there was ever an emergency where the air outside the school was compromised. PES uses the FEMA “Incident Command System” and has worked closely with local police and fire chiefs in our emergency planning. Thank you for your cooperation and support!
Parents Nights and Student Presentations. PES students are immensely talented! Recent evening presentations included delightful “Mitten Night” plays (based on Jan Brett’s book) in Kindergarten classrooms, and “The Road to Freedom” performances by third grades studying Martin Luther King, Jr., and the roots of the civil rights era. Student artwork was also on display. Thanks to the teacher-directors, our gifted students, and supportive parents for making all these performances so successful.
Upcoming Events:
February Vacation Feb. 24th – 28th —No School
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February 14, 2003
Cold And Flu Season. Along with coping with the very cold weather, many PES families are also dealing with various illnesses, including strep, the flu, and a variety of viruses. As one local pediatrician remarked, “There are some really nasty bugs going around!” Our school nurse, Pam Murphy, reminds us that students need to stay home if they feel sick or have a fever. Children need to be fever free for 24 hours without the use of medications such as Tylenol or Motrin before returning to school. Also, if children are prescribed an antibiotic, they need to stay home for twenty-four hours after their first dose. We are all looking forward to spring weather and healthier families!
Fourth-Grade Social Studies on NH Habitat. In social studies, fourth graders study NH history, geography, and “flora and fauna.” They visit Stonewall Farm, the Fremont Conservation land, and are currently learning more about New Hampshire mammals. It’s very impressive to see their projects and hear them talk about what they’re learning, including how to identify the tracks of wild animals. We are very fortunate to have Janet Altobello from the Harris Center and an Antioch Intern, Glen Denys, to support the students’ environmental science studies, projects, and field trips.
Spring Conferences. Next month teachers will be sharing information about students’ growth and progress. This spring there will be one change in the reporting system: the parent-teacher conferences will be optional. When you receive your child’s progress report, there will be a form attached so that either the teacher or parent can request a conference. This change is in response to parents’ busy schedules, and the feed-back that many parents feel that an appropriate level of information is provided through samples of student work, progress report cards, teacher newsletters, and so forth. [Fall conferences will continue for all students].
Progress Report Committee Update. The Progress Reporting Committee is continuing their work to develop a more helpful and efficient progress reporting system. Presently the committee members are working to revise and up-date the 1st – 4th grade progress “report card” to more accurately reflect the district’s current curriculum guidelines. We anticipate these revisions will be ready for the fall 2003 reporting window.
Upcoming Events:
March 12th, 9 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. – PTO meeting in PES conf. room. All are welcome!
March 15th, 8 a.m. to Noon – PTO Breakfast and Book Fair at PES. Contact Donna Wheeler if you can help with cooking, utensils, or clean up. Come enjoy!
April 11th, evening – Dinner Theater (supper & talent show) in PES cafeteria
May 17th, all day – Children and the Arts Day.
June 5th, 12 to 1 p.m. – Staff Appreciation Luncheon
The new, long-term PTO project is the renovation of the gym-side of the stage. Envision new lighting, curtains, and sound system!
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February 7, 2003
Focus on Arrival Schedules. Winter weather conditions sometimes interfere with even the best plans to get everyone ready for school. Please remember that Kindergarten students need to be in class by 8:40 AM. 1st – 4th graders come in to school at 8:40 and attendance is taken at 8:50 AM. Please be sure your children arrive at school on time and “ready to learn.” Thank you for your help.
Focus on Mathematics. Second graders are practicing math regrouping and place value skills. It’s fun playing “Get to 100!” It is always so helpful for children to practice using math in everyday situations at home. For instance, children enjoy “making change,” and telling time (or figuring out “elapsed time” problems) with non-digital clocks.
Reading Notes. A Mind at a Time (2002) by Dr. Mel Levine is a book I highly recommend to parents, teachers, and anyone else who cares about how children grow and learn. Dr. Levine is a pediatrician interested in children’s nuerodevelopmental well-being at home and school. The book is highly readable and full of “kid stories.” I love his ideas about how we can better understand “how kids are wired” and how we can help all children feel confident and successful!
“Children’s minds flourish when they feel upbeat about their prospects for the future…Parents can use what they know about their child’s profile to etch a plausibly positive engraving of the future, an alluring vision that will sustain motivation and ambition. All children need to grow up believing that what they are heading for is reachable and worth seeking. Then it will be.” (p. 306)
Ill-Fated Space Shuttle Columbia. This week we joined the country in mourning the deaths of the seven brave astronauts who died just minutes before landing in Florida. For me it brought back memories of the Challenger, when we were all so proud that a New Hampshire teacher from Concord was part of the space program.
Valentines for Troops Project. Some of our students have relatives who are leaving for overseas duty. A few PES classes have written cheerful Valentine cards to US service men and women as part of the “Valentines For Troops” project.
“Did you know…?” More Historical Facts About Schools in Peterborough. According to the1876 History of Peterborough, there were six school houses in our town in the late 1790’s. In the winter, these schools must have been quite uncomfortable. There was only one fireplace in each school room, so students were either scorching hot or freezing cold. By 1824, the original unpainted wooden school-houses were “in a shabby, dilapidated condition” with leaky roofs and missing clapboards. These were eventually replaced with sturdier brick buildings. As the town expanded, new schools were built; by 1876 there were eleven school districts. Young students often received “but little instruction, and that of the most immature and inexperienced kind.” Although the early history of schools in Peterborough sounds rather bleak, children must have been highly motivated to learn, given untrained teachers and the challenging environment. Thanks to the active support of the Peterborough/Sharon community, our students now have excellent teachers and a healthy, comfortable learning environment!
January 31, 2003
School District Annual Meeting. Next Wednesday is the first session of our school district’s annual meeting. We hope that many PES parents will be able to come to the high school at 7 p.m. on February 5th to finalize the school district warrant (including the budget) for 2003-2004. The warrant will then be voted on by citizens of the district at Part 2 of the meeting on Tuesday, March 11th. If you have questions about the warrant or these meetings, please contact a school board member or the superintendent’s office. Thank you supporting our district’s public schools.
Focus on Music and Art Education. Please come visit our music and art classes! Students with Mrs. Compton are learning to play Orff instruments, tap out and play complex rhythms, and sing a myriad of lovely songs. Students with Mrs. Fox are creating beautiful art pieces! These disciplines offer a vital and exciting way of extending and enriching the regular academic curriculum.
First-Grade Science Theme Units. Many first grade students are now studying Penguins or Dinosaurs, learning fascinating facts. These kinds of units are also an excellent catalyst for more advanced reading and writing. PES kids love Science!
PTO Meeting Reminder: The next PTO meeting will take place Wednesday, February 12th, at 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the PES Conference Room!
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January 24, 2003
School Social Worker Recognized. Congratulations to our school social worker, Louise O’Sullivan who was presented with a special plaque from the Salvation Army at Tuesday evening’s School Board meeting. Mrs. O’Sullivan is a true friend of the PES community, offering practical support and encouragement to children and families. I know I always appreciate her insight, compassion, and sense of humor!
Historical Facts About PES. Lately I’ve been reading about the history of local schools and thought it would be fun to sometimes include a brief “Did you know….”fact from the various histories of Peterborough. So: Did you know that this Peterborough Central School housed elementary-aged students from 1887-1955; it was at the top of the hill on Vine Street, where you’ll now find the parking lot for St. Peter’s church. The custodian, Fletcher Dole, rang the large school bell in the belfry to begin each school day, and rang it again after the noon lunch hour.
Third Grade Spelling Bee Challenge. Congratulations to the three finalists in the Third Grade Spelling Bee! Daniel Groleau, Cam Walton, and Tyler Bradford all spelled impressively challenging words correctly. It was also quite exciting to witness the pride and excitement among all the participating students who are learning how to spell “really big words.”
Redesigned PES Website Goes Live. The brand new PES web site is now a reality! Please do log on to www.conval.edu, and under “schools,” select Peterborough [Elem.]. Bookmark URL http://www.conval.edu/Schools/pes/index.htm as our address in your favorite web browser.
Thanks to our volunteer Technology Coordinator and web site designer, Dr. Helfried Zrzavy, we now have a site that is a lively, interactive, and a helpful resource for us all. Also thanks to the many PES staff members who have helped write the content of the various web pages.
Feedback and suggestions for adding information or improving the site are welcome; just send an e-mail to the PES Design Team.
“It is not enough that we know how and what to teach; we teachers must, at the same time, provide the conditions – respect, joy, engagement, success, encouragement – that make continuous learning possible.”
-- Regie Routman (2003), p. 48.
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January 17, 2003
Studying Meteorology and Weather-Appropriate Clothing. It’s a powerful winter! Students studying weather (First grade) and the seasons (Kindergarten) are enjoying the opportunity to experience what cold and snow are really all about. Thank you for being sure your child is sent to school with a warm hat and warm mittens/gloves. When appropriately “bundled up,” we are enjoying the New England winter fun of outdoor recess!
Snow Contingency Parking Regulations. With the deep snow, parking is an ever greater challenge! Please remember that there is no parking along the driveway as you come up the hill to school. In the spring we will also be closing off the drop off loop for parking throughout the day, as the Fire Chief has asked that it be declared a Fire Lane. Thanks for your help!
Focus On: Math Investigation. The Investigations Math program begins in Kindergarten. Students learn to use a variety of materials to explore mathematics including interlocking cubes, pattern blocks, math cards, Geoblocks, and color tiles. They investigate making patterns and how patterns give us information in order to predict what will come next. Children play math games and solve math problems; they learn ways to count and what quantities those numbers represent. Later this year they will learn about 2 and 3 D shapes, collect and analyze data from their own classroom, conduct surveys, and explore simple addition and subtraction story problems. Thank you for helping students practice using their math skills and “math thinking” to solve everyday problems at home!
Library Automation Update. Library Automation is continuing full steam ahead! Our Teacher Librarian, Nancy Richard, has been working long hours to attach the new bar codes to each book. During this process, Pam Murphy and Meredith Sumner have been taking the Library classes. We’ll keep you posted on this exciting project!
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January 10, 2003
Wintry Start to the New Year. It sure has been a wintry New Year! Thank you for sending in your child with winter gloves/mittens, hat, boots, a warm jacket and snowpants. If any belongings don’t arrive back home, please check the lost and found.
Horticultural Display. While it’s snowy outside, we’ve continued to enjoy Custodian (and horticulturalist supreme) Dick Carlson’s beautiful flowering plants in the corridor next to the cafeteria. Thank you Mr. Carlson!
PES Parent Garners Citizen of the Year Award. Congratulations to “our own” Dr. Helfried Zrzavy, PES parent and Volunteer Technology Coordinator, who has just been named Peterborough’s 2002 Citizen of the Year! Dr. Z. is a very active volunteer in many school projects, including redesigning the PES web site, publicizing PTO news via e-mail, and keeping our computers “up and running.” He has also made major contributions as a board member of the Mariposa Museum and the Monadnock Summer Lyceum. If you are interested in attending the Citizen of the Year Dinner on January 30th, please call the Chamber of Commerce at 924-7234.
Reading Notes. Along with a number of other staff members, I am reading Reading Essentials by Regie Routman (Heinemann, 2003). The book is available locally through the Toadstool and Crystal Springs Books. While written for teachers, I think many PES parents would love it, too. The author offers a plethora of helpful ideas for effective teaching of reading skills and comprehension, always emphasizing the importance of a supportive teacher-student relationship.
The books ends with this comment:
“If we are to create a thirst for knowledge and learning in our students and ourselves, we must put the joy back into our lives, savor the small victories, cheer our students on, and be unwavering advocates for them. Do whatever you need to do to guarantee that each and every student not only can learn but also savors learning. Enjoy your students, enjoy your teaching, and enjoy your life.”
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December 13, 2002
PES Receives NHPIE Blue Ribbon Award. Congratulations to the PTO and all the parents and community members who volunteer at PES! We have just received a letter from the NH Partners in Education announcing that this school has been selected to receive a Blue Ribbon Award for the extent and quality of our volunteer program. If you are interested in the various opportunities for volunteering at PES, please talk with your child’s teacher or with Lauren Broder, PTO President. Thanks!
Special Assemblies. We’ve been enjoying wintry weather, interesting and fun holiday projects, and various special assemblies. Do ask your child about the Jazz Insight ensemble that explained “skat” music, and how different instruments express emotions in jazz. Then earlier this week we hosted the Dublin School performing excerpts from the Nutcracker that included students from PES! Children enjoyed the lovely music, the intriguing costumes, and the energetic dancing.
Food Drive for Local Food Pantry. Next Friday, December 20th, at 9:30 AM the Cool Day Assembly will include a PTO collection for the local food pantry. Students are invited to bring in a non-perishable food or household supply item to donate to this collection. Thank you for your family’s support of reaching out to others in need.
Staff News
• John Szep recently participated in a multi-day conference at Waterville Valley and returned with ideas for new PE games and activities.
• Suzette Edick, Nola Brault, Claire Jutras, and Lori Groleau recently gave a presentation to special education teachers on the Spires reading program.
• Richard Mellor was featured in a recent newspaper article for his leadership in land conservation in Rindge.
• Sandy Cook and Sue Kretchman have again been selected by Keene State College to supervise student teacher interns.
• Lynn Compton helped write a successful Goyette grant; PES will receive $7,500 towards the planting of trees and gardens on the High Street side of the school this coming spring.
• Jenny Dark has been selected to serve on the district’s Social Studies Curriculum Renewal Committee.
• Nancy O’Neill continues her school/community work with the Mariposa Museum.
• Meredith Sumner is completing a course towards her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies at UNH.
It is so exciting to remember what an accomplished and highly motivated staff we have here at PES!
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December 6, 2002
Outdoor Recess Clothing. Thank you for being sure your child leaves for school each day with all the necessary clothing for outdoor recess: hats, gloves/mittens, boots, warm socks, snow pants, and a winter jacket. We try to go outside for some fresh air and exercise on most days, so children really need to be prepared. We are so lucky to live in New England where there is “real winter,” but it’s much more fun when we’re dressed appropriately for outdoor fun!
Geography Instruction. Geography is an important strand in our social studies curriculum. As they progress through elementary school, students learn about the location of their town, state, country, continent, and so forth. They learn about the impact of the environment on people, and our responsibility to take care of the earth’s resources. At home, parents can help out by helping children understand maps and “where things are” in the world. Thanks!
The Art of Origami. Children are learning the art (and history) of origami from arts enrichment coordinator Terry Reeves. Making origami cranes is a challenging task but the results are exciting. Soon you will see a holiday tree inside the main entrance that will be covered with PES student-made origami decorations!
Reading Strategies. Kindergarten students are making huge strides in their understanding of books and stories. These young students love to “read,” and are quickly learning their letters, letter sounds, and a few common sight words.
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November 22, 2002
Parent-Teacher Conferences Conclude. Thank you for taking the time to come in for the fall parent-teacher conferences. This is a wonderful opportunity to share information about your child’s social and academic progress, and to set goals for the coming trimester.
PTO Innisbrook Sale a Success. Thank you for your support of the PTO holiday wrapping paper sale, a major project ably organized by Lisa Hall and her committee of parent volunteers. This fund raiser generated thousands of dollars for field trips, academic enrichment, and campus improvement projects.
Book Reports and Book Projects. Students throughout the school have been working on book reports and book projects. These two examples are part of a larger display in the upstairs hallway. Such projects reflect our teachers’ high academic standards and their respect for students’ “multiple intelligences” and different ways of demonstrating what they’ve learned. I’m always so impressed by students’ creativity, thoughtful comments, and imaginative presentations!
100th Anniversary of School Nursing. Did you know that this year marks the 100th anniversary of school nursing? We are so fortunate to have Pam Murphy, R.N., here at PES. As you know, students completely trust Mrs. Murphy to help with daily health concerns as well as more critical issues that can come up now and again. Her office is a busy place! Pam Murphy is a warm, highly skilled nurse and an incredible resource to students, staff, and parents. She is also a highly respected leader in the community and in the state association of school nurses.
College Student Teachers at PES. College student teachers and methods students continue to enrich our classrooms at PES. These young people help provide more support for individuals and small groups throughout the day and are welcomed additions to our school! The supervisor for our nine Keene State methods students, Prof. Steven Tullar, was recently the keynote speaker at a meeting of Monadnock Rotary. He talked about experiential learning, and the importance of “learning to become a teacher” in classrooms of excellence.
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November 15, 2002
Studying Naturally. Students throughout the school have been using samples of leaves and fall grasses for everything from artwork to math. Kindergarten students have also been busy with a myriad of projects, including singing for residents of a local nursing home, and making pancakes and playdough as part of their “letter P” studies.
PTO Vendor and Craft Night. The PTO Vendor and Craft Night was most enjoyable! Thanks to Chris Tourgee and her able volunteers for organizing this event. I was pleased to see so many school families, and was delighted to purchase a few books of hand-made paper for holiday gifts! Also thanks to Laurel Martin for providing a creative children’s craft table throughout the evening.
4th Grade Food Science Units. Fourth Graders have begun their Food Science unit. They are learning techniques of testing hypotheses, doing “real experiments,” and recording their observations that I did not experience until my high school senior year Chemistry class! It is a treat to see the children’s energetic enthusiasm for “doing science” at this age. Like Math Investigations, the STC science units stress cooperative problem solving and the application of skills to real world problems.
Early Library Book Return to Facilitate Automation. November 22nd is the deadline for all books from the Deb Geer Library to be returned. Our teacher/librarian, Nancy Richard, must have all the books back in the library so that we can start the next phase in our library’s automation process. It will be so exciting when this project is completed!
Rigby Literacy. This week all the Second and Third grade teachers participated in professional development workshops about the use of these materials for enhancing our language arts program. I am always so impressed by the PES faculty members’ incredible passion for learning. Energized teachers = motivated, successful students!
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November 1st, 2002
Halloween Parade through Downtown Peterborough. It certainly was a beautiful sunny fall day, and the children enjoyed walking with their older/younger class “buddies” as they waved to townspeople and wished them a happy day.
Thanks to all the parents who helped out yesterday with chaperoning the parade, contributing snacks to the classroom parties, and generally helping our hard working and inspirational teaching staff keep the day focused and calm as well as fun! Also thanks to John Szep who led games in the gym for those students who desired an alternative to the parade.
PES Presents at State-Wide Symposium. Earlier this week I had the honor of joining a delegation of PES staff at the Antioch/New England Go Green Symposium in Keene. We were invited to this state wide event because PES has been given a $2,000. grant from Antioch to help with next spring’s project of developing a Bird and Butterfly gardens. These gardens will be planted and used by students as an extension of their science units. Teachers Lynn Compton, Katharine Fox, Jenny Dark, and Cyndie D’Andrea shared the work of PES teachers, students, parents, and community members in building the gazebo, making the “sign garden” out front, and our plans for next year’s campus improvement. Also thanks to PES reading teacher Jo Thomas whose beautiful photographs help document these important projects. We look forward to many parent volunteers sharing their ideas and the pleasure of gardening with us in the spring!
PTO Vendor Night this Evening. With light snow forecast for tomorrow, it seems like the winter “holiday season” is fast approaching. Please do stop by the PES gym and cafeteria this evening from 5:30 to 7 PM to consider purchases of local crafts and other gifts. There will also be a craft table for children while parents shop. A percentage of the sales will go towards funding PTO projects that enhance teaching and learning here at school.
October 25th, 2002
Early Snowfall in Peterborough. Snow angels, snow “people,” and snow forts – what an amazing day we had on Wednesday! I’m just sorry that I didn’t bring my camera out to recess so that I could share these images with you. Although real winter may be weeks away, please do make every effort to clearly mark your child’s name on any outdoor clothing. Also, please be aware that in order to “play in the snow,” children need to be wearing boots, snow pants, and mittens/gloves. Name tags on clothing really help!
Halloween Parade. Next Thursday, October 31st, First through Fourth graders will be gathering on the front lawn of PES at 1:15 to walk downtown and back in the traditional Halloween Parade. Parents are welcome to come in at 12:45 to help children put on their costumes and accompany a class downtown. Kindergarten students will have their own special “in school” parade in the morning.
Just a few reminders: this school does not allow any weapons or toy weapons, even as part of costumes. Also, please remember to send in any costumes with children in a bag; children do not change into these until after lunch/recess on Thursday. Costumes often work best if they can be worn over the children’s regular school clothes. If your child would prefer not to be part of the parade, that’s fine, too. Just be sure you send in a note on or before next Wednesday so that we can arrange for appropriate coverage in the gym as we plan an alternative activity for those children.
School Photo Retake Opportunity. Photo Re-take Day will be next Tuesday, October 29th. If you were not satisfied with the September school photos of your child, you may return the complete package on the 29th and there will be a “re-take.” Questions? Please call the school office at (603) 924-3828.
Deborah A. Geer Library Dedication. At 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29th, we will have a brief ceremony here at school to dedicate the new library in memory of Deb Geer, a much-loved PES teacher who died two years ago. We will also be honoring other teachers who are no longer with us, as well as celebrating the completion of the PES construction and renovation project. The public is welcome!
Literacy Conferences. On Monday, our Assistant Principal, Meredith Sumner, and I joined the Third grade teachers Carter Judkins, Betsy Gordon, Jenny Dark, and Lori Groleau in attending a day-long literacy conference in Concord on “The Four Blocks” approach to teaching language arts. This model supports children learning to read through Guided Reading, Self-Selected Reading, Writing, and Working with Words on a daily basis. The presenter’s recommendations were very affirming of “how we teach reading and writing” at PES, and included many new strategies and helpful suggestions.
Last week staff members including Nola Brault, Claire Jutras, Lori Groleau, and Suzette Edick attended another literacy conference in Dover and returned with many useful ideas. It is always so exciting to see the PES staff’s tremendous commitment to on-going professional development. This is an important key to our school’s excellence in teaching and learning!
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October 18th, 2002
PTO Fall Fun Raisers A Success. Thank you for your support of all the creative PTO fall fund-raisers. The Fall Fun Festival raised over $900; the Book Fair generated almost $900 in cash and another $320 in books for teachers’ classroom libraries. The Bake Sale at Open House raised over $230. I know I really enjoyed seeing so many PES families at these activities. The money raised goes towards academic and arts enrichment programs, field trips, assemblies, materials for special projects as well as outdoor campus improvements and the Artist in Residence program. A special thanks to Pres. Lauren Broder and all the PTO parents, teachers, and families that worked so hard to organize and host these fund-raisers!
PES Staff Member Honored. One of our talented second grade teachers, Mia Manning-Osborn, has been selected to represent the ConVal school district in a state-wide leadership program for K-12 teachers. She will be participating in this program over the next three years, exchanging ideas about promising practices in teaching and learning, and studying successful models for school/community connections. Congratulations to Mrs. Manning-Osborn!
Henley Joins PES As ESL Teacher. Sue Henley has joined our staff as the new English as a Second Language teacher. Born in England, Mrs. Henley brings the perspective of one who is familiar with many countries’ cultures and languages – and she is full of warmth and enthusiasm for our PES students! Before coming to PES, Mrs. Henley was a classroom teacher at Antrim Elementary School.
Public Lecture on Social Inclusion. Prof. Kim John Payne from Antioch New England will give a free public lecture at 7 PM on Friday, October 25th, in the PES Library on how to recognize and prevent teasing and bullying. Thanks to Pam McNally for organizing this event which is sponsored by the PTO and local businesses. Please note that during this lecture there will not be child care available here at school. Mr. Payne comes highly recommended by other schools, and I look forward to hearing him speak.
Photo Retake Day October 29th. If you were not satisfied with the school photos that your child brought home, you may send the complete package back in to school on the 29th for a “re-take.” Also, photographers can also take school photos of any child who was absent on September 17th.
Go Green Symposium. PES has been selected to participate in a special statewide Environmental Education symposium on October 30th. Representing PES will be Art Teacher Katharine Fox; Music Teacher Lynn Compton; Kindergarten teacher Cyndie D’Andrea; and Principal Susan Copley. We hope to return with many new and exciting ideas for our campus improvement projects!
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October 4th, 2002
Reading Buddies. Kindergarten and Second grade students have been enjoying Reading Buddy activities that help them get to know one another. All PES classes have an older or younger ‘Buddy’ classroom. Children read to one another and discover the fun of having a special friend in another grade!
School Focus on Literacy. Students at PES enjoy a balanced approach to the teaching of literacy. Balanced literacy incorporates modeled, shared, interactive, guided and independent reading and writing. Teachers guide, encourage and challenge students as they progress in becoming successful independent readers. Students are taught comprehension strategies, with extensive time for practice. Instruction also includes explicit and direct skill instruction in phonics and word structure. Assessments help inform teachers about each student’s progress and gives helpful information about planning for instruction. Thank you for helping your child to spend 20-30 minutes reading with you every day!
Teachers To Receive Harris Center Awards. Congratulations to Fourth Grade teachers Sue Kretchman and Carol Magher who have just been named Harris Center Environmental Teachers of the Year. They will be honored at Harris Center’s annual meeting on October 20th. Mrs. Magher and Mrs. Kretchman have been providing important leadership in the area of environmental education, working with Harris Ctenter Consultant Janet Altobello to provide students with in-depth, hands-on seasonal experiences at the Fremont Conservation Land as part of the district’s New Hampshire studies curriculum. The Harris Center’s award letter closes with “Thanks for your thoughtful and beautiful work, a fine blend of raising productive questions and of awakening and nourishing the senses.” Ask PES Fourth graders about their field trips to Fremont, and their research projects on NH plants and animals!
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September 27th, 2002
SKIP Building Nearing Completion. Thanks to the leadership of SKIP Director, Ann Wood, and the hard work of SKIP staff, family and community volunteers, and ConVal personnel, the new SKIP building on the playground is nearing completion! Students enrolled in SKIP’s Before and After School Program, and the Kindergarten 12-3 “Little Skippers” will soon be enjoying their spacious new home on the PES Campus. Thank you for all the volunteering provided to this school’s classrooms and programs!
Technology at PES. With the help of PES Volunteer Technology Coordinator, Dr. Helfried Zrzavy, and district support, the school’s computers are presently being inventoried and “fixed up” for the school year ahead. In addition, “Dr. Z” is presently re-designing the PES web site, based on input and suggestions from the school staff and PTO parents. We hope to have this up and running in the next few months. If you are interested in learning more about the ConVal District’s Technology plan, please go to the www.conval.edu web site and click on technology.
Arts Enrichment at PES. Third grade students are presently making “pop up” books as part of their literacy program. Thanks to Jeannie Connolly and Terry Reeves from the district’s elementary Arts Enrichment program for their help in facilitating this project!
STC Science in Third Grade. Third graders are also studying the STC science unit on rocks and minerals, learning as much as I did in my freshman Geology course at Bates many years ago. Next week they will be traveling to Ruggles Mine to identify samples of New Hampshire rocks and minerals, and of course add to their personal collections!
Upcoming Events:
Oct. 4th – 10th – PTO Book Fair
Oct. 5th, 10:00 – 2:00 – PTO Fall Fun Fair at PES
Oct. 10th, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – PES Open House & Book Fair
Oct. 11th – No School
Oct. 14th – Deadline for returning PTO Innisbrook Gift Wrap Orders
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September 20th, 2002
Classroom Volunteers. Thanks to all the parents who have signed up to volunteer in classrooms, the library, and on field trips! Your time and caring help children to be more supported and/or challenged throughout the school day. Here’s another opportunity to volunteer: the PTO is sponsoring a Family Fun Fair at PES on Saturday, October 5th (rain date: October 6th). This will include performances in the new gazebo, delicious food for sale, and lots of fun “things to do.” If you’d like to help out with ideas for activities or food booths, please contact PTO Lauren Broder or Lynn Phillips. PTO fund-raisers support assemblies, enrichment programming, field trips, artists in residence, playground equipment, computer software purchases, and other important school activities.
Students Adopt Gazebo. The gazebo is now being used on a daily basis by students seeking a quieter, shaded area during recess. This will also be used as an outdoor classroom and performance area. Thanks to Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Compton and other volunteers for building this wonderful new addition to our school “campus”!
Weather and Appropriate Clothing. The weather has been beautiful these last few days! However, the temperature can quickly change from day to day, so thank you for sending in students with “layers” they can easily put on or take off at recess. It is very helpful to have your child’s name boldly marked in any sweatshirt, jacket, etc., that is brought to school. Our “Lost and Found” is in the hallway near the cafeteria.
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September 13th, 2002
Gazebo Construction Completed. Have you seen the gazebo out on the playground? Thanks to a skilled and dedicated group of volunteers, the new building will soon be completed! It’s a lovely outdoor addition to the PES campus, and we look forward to many, many years of using this space as an outdoor classroom as well as a quiet shaded area for students at recess. Thanks to the PTO, the gazebo building volunteers, the school board, and the PES Arts Enrichment Committee members (especially Lynn Compton and Katharine Fox) for making this dream become a reality!
Library News. The school’s Deborah A. Geer Library is now open! It is so exciting that the library program is out of the “annex” and properly installed in its purpose-built space. Teacher-Librarian Nancy Richard and numerous volunteers have been working to move the library and prepare the books for circulation. In a few weeks we will need more volunteers as we install bar codes on all books so that we can keep track of the collection electronically. It is just great to have a “real library” again, and to have it dedicated to the memory of a much loved PES teacher.
Welcome Interns! Many college and high school students come to PES to learn more about teaching young children; our outstanding staff members are excellent role models! This fall we have full-time Keene State College Student Teachers working with Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. Orcutt/Mrs. Izbicki, and KSC Methods Students (Monday-Wednesday mornings) working in the classrooms of Mrs. Garland, Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Manning-Osborn, Mrs. Groleau, Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Rousseau, Mrs. D’Andrea, Mrs. Dark, and Mrs. Cuddihee. We also have ConVal High School Interns (for an hour Wednesday-Friday mornings) helping out in the Life Skills Program and the classrooms of Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Garland, Mrs. Cutter/Mrs. Christensen, Mrs. D’Andrea, and Mrs. Rousseau. We are honored to have so many PES teachers involved in these programs, and appreciate the older students’ energy and enthusiasm!
Upcoming Events
Sept. 17th – School Photo Day
Sept. 19th, 6:30 p.m. – Meeting in PES conference room to plan PTO Fun Fair –
all creative souls and hard workers welcome!
Sept. 20th, 9:30 – Cool Day Assembly in Gym. Parents invited!
Oct. 5th, 10:00 to 1:00 – PTO Fun Fair at PES. Mark your calendars now!
Oct. 10th, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. – PES Open House and Book Fair
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September 6th, 2002
First Week of School. Our first seven days of school have been a tremendous success! Children and staff are both enthusiastic about nearing the completion of our renovations. The school is clean and welcoming, and we’re all enjoying the spacious cafeteria and all the new student furniture throughout the building! First through Fourth grade students have been working on building their new classroom communities as well as learning new math “Investigations” skills and games, and enjoying group and individual work in science and Language Arts.
Gazebo Construction. Next week our new gazebo will be put together and installed on the playground. Lynn Compton is still looking for some strong helpers who might volunteer for a few hours or a day in the middle of next week. The gazebo will serve as a quiet shaded area at recess as well as an outdoor classroom. One last note: thank you for reading through all the materials that have been sent home, and returning the numerous forms to school. If you have questions, please do call the school office at 924-3828.
Deborah A. Geer Library. We are delighted that the School Board has voted to name the new PES Library after a much loved teacher who died in October, 2000. A resident of Peterborough, Deb Geer enthusiastically taught both Kindergarten and Fourth grade at this school. She loved teaching, and shared her many passions with students, including running, gardening, children’s literature, and math/science. In addition, Deb demonstrated uncommon optimism, grace, and courage during the long months of coping with a very difficult illness. We miss her and feel so pleased that the new library will honor Deb’s generous spirit and her many contributions to this school.
Commemorating September 11th. Next Wednesday the nation will be marking the first anniversary of last year’s events. Here at PES, students will move through the day’s usual daily schedule and instructional activities. At each class’ morning meeting, the anniversary will be acknowledged as appropriate for the children’s developmental level. We will offer support, reassurance, and a reminder that parents and other adults do everything possible to keep children safe.
At home, you may find your child and other family members experiencing a resurfacing of emotions. The reactions may vary, depending on an individual’s age, personal history, and relationship to the events of a year ago. Children may re-experience some of the feelings of anxiety, fear, anger, or grief like those felt a year ago. As always, your greatest gift is to take the time to listen and talk with your children if they seem worried. Also, this is a good time to limit your children’s exposure to the media which has had many photos and articles related to the attacks. If there are intense, persistent reactions in your child, you may want to contact our school guidance counselor, Debra Shumway.
Kindergarten Classes Begin. Kindergarten classes start Monday, September 9th. We are looking forward to welcoming our youngest students and their families to the PES community!
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August 30th, 2002
Welcome to the new school year! We’ve had a terrific few days here at PES, with your children coming to school looking great and bubbling over with tales of summer adventures. The staff worked long and hard the last few weeks to have rooms ready and planning completed for the opening days. Most of the donated, government surplus furniture has been replaced; everyone appreciates the new furniture purchased by the district. The classes are already focused and students are full of energy for new learning – we’re off to a great start!
School Security. Please note that beginning Tuesday, September 3rd, all visitors need to come into the school through the main entrance (facing High Street) and sign in at the office during school hours (8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.) – and pick up a visitor’s ID badge. You’ll also notice that this year all staff members, student teachers, and others in the building will be wearing identification. Thank you for your help with this new system, which is part of our overall emergency management/building security plan.
Parent-Teacher Organization News. The PTO, under the leadership of president Lauren Broder, will be meeting both mornings and evenings this fall. We hope this flexible schedule will mean that more parents can be involved. All parents are cordially invited to PTO meetings and events!
PTO Upcoming Events
Sept. 9th, 9:00 a.m. – PTO coffee at PES
Sept. 11th, 6:30 p.m. – PTO evening meeting at PES; free child care provided.
Sept. 18th, 9:00 a.m. – PTO morning meeting (same agenda as September 11th meeting)
Gazebo Construction. Feeling Strong? Own some hand tools? On September 10th, 11th, and 12th, we need help putting up our new gazebo on the far side of the playground. This new structure (arriving as a “kit”) will offer a quiet, shaded recess area, and be used as an outdoor classroom. If you could volunteer a few hours, please contact project coordinator (and PES music teacher) Lynn Compton at 924-3828, x 1632 to leave a voice message, or via e-mail at lcompton@mail.conval.edu.
Kindergarten Assessments. Kindergarten assessments will continue through next week. Thanks to the Kindergarten teachers, EST’s (special education teachers), Title I teachers, and related service providers (speech therapists, OT/PT therapists, etc.), and the school nurse have all been involved in helping us learn about the strengths and needs of our incoming Kindergarteners. They are terrific kids, and we’re all looking forward to having them start school on September 9th!
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